1
|
Riera-Ferrer E, Mazanec H, Mladineo I, Konik P, Piazzon MC, Kuchta R, Palenzuela O, Estensoro I, Sotillo J, Sitjà-Bobadilla A. An inside out journey: biogenesis, ultrastructure and proteomic characterisation of the ectoparasitic flatworm Sparicotyle chrysophrii extracellular vesicles. Parasit Vectors 2024; 17:175. [PMID: 38570784 PMCID: PMC10993521 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-024-06257-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2023] [Accepted: 03/21/2024] [Indexed: 04/05/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Helminth extracellular vesicles (EVs) are known to have a three-way communication function among parasitic helminths, their host and the host-associated microbiota. They are considered biological containers that may carry virulence factors, being therefore appealing as therapeutic and prophylactic target candidates. This study aims to describe and characterise EVs secreted by Sparicotyle chrysophrii (Polyopisthocotyla: Microcotylidae), a blood-feeding gill parasite of gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata), causing significant economic losses in Mediterranean aquaculture. METHODS To identify proteins involved in extracellular vesicle biogenesis, genomic datasets from S. chrysophrii were mined in silico using known protein sequences from Clonorchis spp., Echinococcus spp., Fasciola spp., Fasciolopsis spp., Opisthorchis spp., Paragonimus spp. and Schistosoma spp. The location and ultrastructure of EVs were visualised by transmission electron microscopy after fixing adult S. chrysophrii specimens by high-pressure freezing and freeze substitution. EVs were isolated and purified from adult S. chrysophrii (n = 200) using a newly developed ultracentrifugation-size-exclusion chromatography protocol for Polyopisthocotyla, and EVs were characterised via nanoparticle tracking analysis and tandem mass spectrometry. RESULTS Fifty-nine proteins involved in EV biogenesis were identified in S. chrysophrii, and EVs compatible with ectosomes were observed in the syncytial layer of the haptoral region lining the clamps. The isolated and purified nanoparticles had a mean size of 251.8 nm and yielded 1.71 × 108 particles · mL-1. The protein composition analysis identified proteins related to peptide hydrolases, GTPases, EF-hand domain proteins, aerobic energy metabolism, anticoagulant/lipid-binding, haem detoxification, iron transport, EV biogenesis-related, vesicle-trafficking and other cytoskeletal-related proteins. Several identified proteins, such as leucyl and alanyl aminopeptidases, calpain, ferritin, dynein light chain, 14-3-3, heat shock protein 70, annexin, tubulin, glutathione S-transferase, superoxide dismutase, enolase and fructose-bisphosphate aldolase, have already been proposed as target candidates for therapeutic or prophylactic purposes. CONCLUSIONS We have unambiguously demonstrated for the first time to our knowledge the secretion of EVs by an ectoparasitic flatworm, inferring their biogenesis machinery at a genomic and transcriptomic level, and by identifying their location and protein composition. The identification of multiple therapeutic targets among EVs' protein repertoire provides opportunities for target-based drug discovery and vaccine development for the first time in Polyopisthocotyla (sensu Monogenea), and in a fish-ectoparasite model.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Enrique Riera-Ferrer
- Fish Pathology Group, Institute of Aquaculture Torre de La Sal, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (IATS, CSIC), Ribera de Cabanes, 12595, Castellón, Spain
| | - Hynek Mazanec
- Laboratory of Helminthology, Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre, Czech Academy of Sciences, (BC CAS), České Budějovice, Czech Republic
| | - Ivona Mladineo
- Laboratory of Functional Helminthology, Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre Czech Academy of Sciences (BC CAS), České Budějovice, Czech Republic
| | - Peter Konik
- Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, Branišovská 1160/31, 370 05, České Budějovice, Czech Republic
| | - M Carla Piazzon
- Fish Pathology Group, Institute of Aquaculture Torre de La Sal, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (IATS, CSIC), Ribera de Cabanes, 12595, Castellón, Spain
| | - Roman Kuchta
- Laboratory of Helminthology, Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre, Czech Academy of Sciences, (BC CAS), České Budějovice, Czech Republic
| | - Oswaldo Palenzuela
- Fish Pathology Group, Institute of Aquaculture Torre de La Sal, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (IATS, CSIC), Ribera de Cabanes, 12595, Castellón, Spain
| | - Itziar Estensoro
- Fish Pathology Group, Institute of Aquaculture Torre de La Sal, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (IATS, CSIC), Ribera de Cabanes, 12595, Castellón, Spain.
| | - Javier Sotillo
- Parasitology Reference and Research Laboratory, National Centre for Microbiology, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain
| | - Ariadna Sitjà-Bobadilla
- Fish Pathology Group, Institute of Aquaculture Torre de La Sal, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (IATS, CSIC), Ribera de Cabanes, 12595, Castellón, Spain
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Šimková A, Civáňová Křížová K, Voříšková K, Vetešník L, Bystrý V, Demko M. Transcriptome Profile Analyses of Head Kidney in Roach ( Rutilus rutilus), Common Bream ( Abramis brama) and Their Hybrids: Does Infection by Monogenean Parasites in Freshwater Fish Reveal Differences in Fish Vigour among Parental Species and Their Hybrids? BIOLOGY 2023; 12:1199. [PMID: 37759598 PMCID: PMC10525477 DOI: 10.3390/biology12091199] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2023] [Revised: 08/23/2023] [Accepted: 08/28/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023]
Abstract
Hybrid generations usually face either a heterosis advantage or a breakdown, that can be expressed by the level of parasite infection in hybrid hosts. Hybrids are less infected by parasites than parental species (especially F1 generations) or more infected than parental species (especially post-F1 generations). We performed the experiment with blood-feeding gill parasite Paradiplozoon homoion (Monogenea) infecting leuciscid species, Abramis brama and Rutilus rutilus, their F1 generation and two backcross generations. Backcross generations tended to be more parasitized than parental lines and the F1 generation. The number of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) was lower in F1 hybrids and higher in backcross hybrids when compared to each of the parental lines. The main groups of DEGs were shared among lines; however, A. brama and R. rutilus differed in some of the top gene ontology (GO) terms. DEG analyses revealed the role of heme binding and erythrocyte differentiation after infection by blood-feeding P. homoion. Two backcross generations shared some of the top GO terms, representing mostly downregulated genes associated with P. homoion infection. KEGG analysis revealed the importance of disease-associated pathways; the majority of them were shared by two backcross generations. Our study revealed the most pronounced DEGs associated with blood-feeding monogeneans in backcross hybrids, potentially (but not exclusively) explainable by hybrid breakdown. The lower DEGs reported in F1 hybrids being less parasitized than backcross hybrids is in line with the hybrid advantage.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Šimková
- Department of Botany and Zoology, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Kotlářská 2, 611 37 Brno, Czech Republic; (K.C.K.); (K.V.)
| | - Kristína Civáňová Křížová
- Department of Botany and Zoology, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Kotlářská 2, 611 37 Brno, Czech Republic; (K.C.K.); (K.V.)
| | - Kristýna Voříšková
- Department of Botany and Zoology, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Kotlářská 2, 611 37 Brno, Czech Republic; (K.C.K.); (K.V.)
| | - Lukáš Vetešník
- Department of Botany and Zoology, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Kotlářská 2, 611 37 Brno, Czech Republic; (K.C.K.); (K.V.)
- Institute of Vertebrate Biology of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Květná 8, 603 65 Brno, Czech Republic; (L.V.)
| | - Vojtěch Bystrý
- Central European Institute of Technology, Masaryk University, 625 00 Brno, Czech Republic; (V.B.); (M.D.)
| | - Martin Demko
- Department of Botany and Zoology, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Kotlářská 2, 611 37 Brno, Czech Republic; (K.C.K.); (K.V.)
- Central European Institute of Technology, Masaryk University, 625 00 Brno, Czech Republic; (V.B.); (M.D.)
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Vorel J, Kmentová N, Hahn C, Bureš P, Kašný M. An insight into the functional genomics and species classification of Eudiplozoon nipponicum (Monogenea, Diplozoidae), a haematophagous parasite of the common carp Cyprinus carpio. BMC Genomics 2023; 24:363. [PMID: 37380941 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-023-09461-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2023] [Accepted: 06/16/2023] [Indexed: 06/30/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Monogenea (Platyhelminthes, Neodermata) are the most species-rich class within the Neodermata superclass of primarily fish parasites. Despite their economic and ecological importance, monogenean research tends to focus on their morphological, phylogenetic, and population characteristics, while comprehensive omics analyses aimed at describing functionally important molecules are few and far between. We present a molecular characterisation of monogenean representative Eudiplozoon nipponicum, an obligate haematophagous parasite infecting the gills of the common carp. We report its nuclear and mitochondrial genomes, present a functional annotation of protein molecules relevant to the molecular and biochemical aspect of physiological processes involved in interactions with the fish hosts, and re-examinate the taxonomic position of Eudiplozoon species within the Diplozoidae family. RESULTS We have generated 50.81 Gbp of raw sequencing data (Illumina and Oxford Nanopore reads), bioinformatically processed, and de novo assembled them into a genome draft 0.94 Gbp long, consisting of 21,044 contigs (N50 = 87 kbp). The final assembly represents 57% of the estimated total genome size (~ 1.64 Gbp), whereby repetitive and low-complexity regions account for ~ 64% of the assembled length. In total, 36,626 predicted genes encode 33,031 proteins and homology-based annotation of protein-coding genes (PCGs) and proteins characterises 14,785 (44.76%) molecules. We have detected significant representation of functional proteins and known molecular functions. The numbers of peptidases and inhibitors (579 proteins), characterised GO terms (16,016 unique assigned GO terms), and identified KEGG Orthology (4,315 proteins) acting in 378 KEGG pathways demonstrate the variety of mechanisms by which the parasite interacts with hosts on a macromolecular level (immunomodulation, feeding, and development). Comparison between the newly assembled E. nipponicum mitochondrial genome (length of 17,038 bp) and other diplozoid monogeneans confirms the existence of two distinct Eudiplozoon species infecting different fish hosts: Cyprinus carpio and Carassius spp. CONCLUSIONS Although the amount of sequencing data and characterised molecules of monogenean parasites has recently increased, a better insight into their molecular biology is needed. The E. nipponicum nuclear genome presented here, currently the largest described genome of any monogenean parasite, represents a milestone in the study of monogeneans and their molecules but further omics research is needed to understand these parasites' biological nature.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jiří Vorel
- Department of Botany and Zoology, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Kotlářská 2, Brno, 611 37, Czech Republic.
| | - Nikol Kmentová
- Research Group Zoology: Biodiversity and Toxicology, Centre for Environmental Sciences, Hasselt University, Agoralaan Gebouw D, Diepenbeek, B-3590, Belgium
| | - Christoph Hahn
- Institute of Biology, University of Graz, Universitätsplatz 2, Graz, A-8010, Austria
| | - Petr Bureš
- Department of Botany and Zoology, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Kotlářská 2, Brno, 611 37, Czech Republic
| | - Martin Kašný
- Department of Botany and Zoology, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Kotlářská 2, Brno, 611 37, Czech Republic
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Molecular characterization of four novel serpins in Psoroptes ovis var. cuniculi and their implications in the host-parasite interaction. Int J Biol Macromol 2021; 182:1399-1408. [PMID: 34000318 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2021.05.090] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2021] [Revised: 05/06/2021] [Accepted: 05/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Psoroptes ovis var. cuniculi infestation rapidly causes skin lesion, cutaneous inflammatory and subsequent adaptive immune response in rabbits. To success feeding and survive on the host skin, this mite should product bioactive molecules to confront host tissue repair and immune defense, but these molecules of this mite remains mostly unknown. Serpins have been proved to involve in diverse biological functions including parasite reproduction, survival and modulating host defense. Limited information is currently available on serpins from Psoroptes mites. Herein, we identified four novel serpins (PsoSP3-PsoSP6) in P. ovis var. cuniculi using bioinformatics and molecular biology techniques. Sequence analysis revealed that PsoSP3-PsoSP6 comprised the common features of typical serpins superfamily including serpin domains, signature or the reactive centre loop (RCL) domain. The recombinant PsoSP4-PsoSP6 (rPsoSP4-rPsoSP6) revealed variable potency inhibition on trypsin, chymotrypsin and elastase except for rPsoSP3 in inhibitory activity assays. By quantitative RT-PCR, the expressions of PsoSP3 and PsoSP4 were higher in juvenile mites (larva and nymph) than in adult mites, however, PsoSP5 and PsoSP6 appeared near-exclusive expression in adult female mites. Immunolocalization showed that native PsoSP4 protein was localized in uterus, whilst native PsoSP3, PsoSP5 and PsoSP6 were specifically localized in the ovarian nutritive cell (ONC) in ovary. Our findings indicated that PsoSP3-PsoSP6 might play critical roles in development and reproduction physiologies. rPsoSP4-rPsoSP6 might participate in modulating host inflammation, immune response and tissue repair.
Collapse
|
5
|
Ilgová J, Salát J, Kašný M. Molecular communication between the monogenea and fish immune system. FISH & SHELLFISH IMMUNOLOGY 2021; 112:179-190. [PMID: 32800986 DOI: 10.1016/j.fsi.2020.08.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2020] [Revised: 07/21/2020] [Accepted: 08/11/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Monogeneans parasitise mainly the outer structures of fish, such as the gills, fins, and skin, that is, tissues covered with a mucous layer. While attached by sclerotised structures to host's surface, monogeneans feed on its blood or epidermal cells and mucus. Besides being a rich source of nutrients, these tissues also contain humoral immune factors and immune cells, which are ready to launch defence mechanisms against the tegument or gastrointestinal tract of these invaders. The exploitation of hosts' resources by the Monogenea must, therefore, be accompanied by suppressive and immunomodulatory mechanisms which protect the parasites against attacks by host immune system. Elimination of hosts' cytotoxic molecules and evasion of host immune response is often mediated by proteins secreted by the parasites. The aim of this review is to summarise existing knowledge on fish immune responses against monogeneans. Results gleaned from experimental infections illustrate the various interactions between parasites and the innate and adaptive immune system of the fish. The involvement of monogenean molecules (mainly inhibitors of peptidases) in molecular communication with host immune system is discussed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jana Ilgová
- Department of Botany and Zoology, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Kotlářská 2, Brno, 611 37, Czech Republic.
| | - Jiří Salát
- Department of Virology, Veterinary Research Institute, Hudcova 296/70, Brno, 621 00, Czech Republic
| | - Martin Kašný
- Department of Botany and Zoology, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Kotlářská 2, Brno, 611 37, Czech Republic
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Vorel J, Cwiklinski K, Roudnický P, Ilgová J, Jedličková L, Dalton JP, Mikeš L, Gelnar M, Kašný M. Eudiplozoon nipponicum (Monogenea, Diplozoidae) and its adaptation to haematophagy as revealed by transcriptome and secretome profiling. BMC Genomics 2021; 22:274. [PMID: 33858339 PMCID: PMC8050918 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-021-07589-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2021] [Accepted: 04/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Ectoparasites from the family Diplozoidae (Platyhelminthes, Monogenea) belong to obligate haematophagous helminths of cyprinid fish. Current knowledge of these worms is for the most part limited to their morphological, phylogenetic, and population features. Information concerning the biochemical and molecular nature of physiological processes involved in host–parasite interaction, such as evasion of the immune system and its regulation, digestion of macromolecules, suppression of blood coagulation and inflammation, and effect on host tissue and physiology, is lacking. In this study, we report for the first time a comprehensive transcriptomic/secretome description of expressed genes and proteins secreted by the adult stage of Eudiplozoon nipponicum (Goto, 1891) Khotenovsky, 1985, an obligate sanguivorous monogenean which parasitises the gills of the common carp (Cyprinus carpio). Results RNA-seq raw reads (324,941 Roche 454 and 149,697,864 Illumina) were generated, de novo assembled, and filtered into 37,062 protein-coding transcripts. For 19,644 (53.0%) of them, we determined their sequential homologues. In silico functional analysis of E. nipponicum RNA-seq data revealed numerous transcripts, pathways, and GO terms responsible for immunomodulation (inhibitors of proteolytic enzymes, CD59-like proteins, fatty acid binding proteins), feeding (proteolytic enzymes cathepsins B, D, L1, and L3), and development (fructose 1,6-bisphosphatase, ferritin, and annexin). LC-MS/MS spectrometry analysis identified 721 proteins secreted by E. nipponicum with predominantly immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory functions (peptidyl-prolyl cis-trans isomerase, homolog to SmKK7, tetraspanin) and ability to digest host macromolecules (cathepsins B, D, L1). Conclusions In this study, we integrated two high-throughput sequencing techniques, mass spectrometry analysis, and comprehensive bioinformatics approach in order to arrive at the first comprehensive description of monogenean transcriptome and secretome. Exploration of E. nipponicum transcriptome-related nucleotide sequences and translated and secreted proteins offer a better understanding of molecular biology and biochemistry of these, often neglected, organisms. It enabled us to report the essential physiological pathways and protein molecules involved in their interactions with the fish hosts. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12864-021-07589-z.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jiří Vorel
- Department of Botany and Zoology, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Kotlářská 2, 611 37, Brno, Czech Republic.
| | - Krystyna Cwiklinski
- Molecular Parasitology Laboratory, Centre for One Health, Ryan Institute, National University of Ireland Galway, Galway, Ireland
| | - Pavel Roudnický
- Department of Botany and Zoology, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Kotlářská 2, 611 37, Brno, Czech Republic.,Central European Institute of Technology, Masaryk University, Kamenice 5, 625 00, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Jana Ilgová
- Department of Botany and Zoology, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Kotlářská 2, 611 37, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Lucie Jedličková
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Viničná 7, 128 44, Prague, Czech Republic.,Department of Zoology and Fisheries, Centre of Infectious Animal Diseases, Faculty of Agrobiology, Food and Natural Resources, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Kamýcká 129, 165 00, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - John P Dalton
- Molecular Parasitology Laboratory, Centre for One Health, Ryan Institute, National University of Ireland Galway, Galway, Ireland
| | - Libor Mikeš
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Viničná 7, 128 44, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Milan Gelnar
- Department of Botany and Zoology, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Kotlářská 2, 611 37, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Martin Kašný
- Department of Botany and Zoology, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Kotlářská 2, 611 37, Brno, Czech Republic
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Barzkar N, Khan Z, Tamadoni Jahromi S, Pourmozaffar S, Gozari M, Nahavandi R. A critical review on marine serine protease and its inhibitors: A new wave of drugs? Int J Biol Macromol 2020; 170:674-687. [PMID: 33387547 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2020.12.134] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2020] [Revised: 12/10/2020] [Accepted: 12/17/2020] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Marine organisms are rich sources of enzymes and their inhibitors having enormous therapeutic potential. Among different proteolytic enzymes, serine proteases, which can be obtained from various marine organisms show a potential to biomedical application as thrombolytic agents. Although this type of proteases plays a crucial role in almost all biological processes, their uncontrolled activity often leads to several diseases. Accordingly, the actions of these types of proteases are regulated by serine protease inhibitors (SPIs). Marine SPIs control complement activation and various other physiological functions, such as inflammation, immune function, fibrinolysis, blood clotting, and cancer metastasis. This review highlights the potential use of serine proteases and their inhibitors as the new wave of promising drugs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Noora Barzkar
- Department of Marine Biology, Faculty of Marine Science and Technology, University of Hormozgan, Bandar Abbas, Iran.
| | - Zahoor Khan
- Department of Microbiology, University of Karachi, Karachi 75270, Pakistan
| | - Saeid Tamadoni Jahromi
- Persian Gulf and Oman Sea Ecological Research Center, Iranian Fisheries Science Research Institute (IFSRI), Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organization (AREEO), Bandar 'Abbas, Iran
| | - Sajjad Pourmozaffar
- Persian Gulf Mollusks Research Station, Persian Gulf and Oman Sea Ecological Research Center, Agricultural Research Education and Extension Organization (AREEO), Iranian Fisheries Sciences Research Institute, Bandar-e-Lengeh, Iran
| | - Mohsen Gozari
- Persian Gulf and Oman Sea Ecological Research Center, Iranian Fisheries Science Research Institute (IFSRI), Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organization (AREEO), Bandar 'Abbas, Iran
| | - Reza Nahavandi
- Animal Science Research Institute of Iran (ASRI), Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organization (AREEO), Karaj, Iran
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Dos Santos QM, Avenant-Oldewage A. Review on the molecular study of the Diplozoidae: analyses of currently available genetic data, what it tells us, and where to go from here. Parasit Vectors 2020; 13:539. [PMID: 33126913 PMCID: PMC7602351 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-020-04417-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2020] [Accepted: 10/21/2020] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
The use of molecular tools in the study of parasite taxonomy and systematics have become a substantial and crucial component of parasitology. Having genetic characterisation at the disposal of researchers has produced mostly useful, and arguably more objective conclusions. However, there are several groups for which limited genetic information is available and, coupled with the lack of standardised protocols, renders molecular study of these groups challenging. The Diplozoidae are fascinating and unique monogeneans parasitizing mainly freshwater cyprinid fishes in Europe, Asia and Africa. This group was studied from a molecular aspect since the turn of the century and as such, limitations and variability concerning the use of these techniques have not been clearly defined. In this review, all literature and molecular information, primarily from online databases such as GenBank, were compiled and scrupulously analysed for the Diplozoidae. This was done to review the information, detect possible pitfalls, and provide a "checkpoint" for future molecular studies of the family. Hindrances detected are the availability of sequence data for only a limited number of species, frequently limited to a single sequence per species, and the heavy reliance on one non-coding ribosomal marker (ITS2 rDNA) which is difficult to align objectively and displays massive divergences between taxa. Challenging species identification and limited understanding of diplozoid species diversity and plasticity are also likely restricting factors, all of which hamper the accurate taxonomic and phylogenetic study of this group. Thus, a more integrated taxonomic approach through the inclusion of additional markers, application of more rigorous morphological assessment, more structured barcoding techniques, alongside thorough capturing of species descriptions including genetypes, genophore vouchers and reference collections in open sources are encouraged. The pitfalls highlighted are not singular to the Diplozoidae, and the study of other groups may benefit from the points raised here as well.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Quinton Marco Dos Santos
- Department of Zoology, University of Johannesburg, Auckland Park, P.O. Box 524, Johannesburg, 2006 South Africa
| | - Annemariè Avenant-Oldewage
- Department of Zoology, University of Johannesburg, Auckland Park, P.O. Box 524, Johannesburg, 2006 South Africa
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
De Marco Verissimo C, Jewhurst HL, Tikhonova IG, Urbanus RT, Maule AG, Dalton JP, Cwiklinski K. Fasciola hepatica serine protease inhibitor family (serpins): Purposely crafted for regulating host proteases. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2020; 14:e0008510. [PMID: 32760059 PMCID: PMC7437470 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0008510] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2020] [Revised: 08/18/2020] [Accepted: 06/22/2020] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Serine protease inhibitors (serpins) regulate proteolytic events within diverse biological processes, including digestion, coagulation, inflammation and immune responses. The presence of serpins in Fasciola hepatica excretory-secretory products indicates that the parasite exploits these to regulate proteases encountered during its development within vertebrate hosts. Interrogation of the F. hepatica genome identified a multi-gene serpin family of seven members that has expanded by gene duplication and divergence to create an array of inhibitors with distinct specificities. We investigated the molecular properties and functions of two representatives, FhSrp1 and FhSrp2, highly expressed in the invasive newly excysted juvenile (NEJ). Consistent with marked differences in the reactive centre loop (RCL) that executes inhibitor-protease complexing, the two recombinant F. hepatica serpins displayed distinct inhibitory profiles against an array of mammalian serine proteases. In particular, rFhSrp1 efficiently inhibited kallikrein (Ki = 40 nM) whilst rFhSrp2 was a highly potent inhibitor of chymotrypsin (Ki = 0.07 nM). FhSrp1 and FhSrp2 are both expressed on the NEJ surface, predominantly around the oral and ventral suckers, suggesting that these inhibitors protect the parasites from the harmful proteolytic effects of host proteases, such as chymotrypsin, during invasion. Furthermore, the unusual inhibition of kallikrein suggests that rFhSrp1 modulates host responses such as inflammation and vascular permeability by interfering with the kallikrein-kinin system. A vaccine combination of rFhSrp1 and rFhSrp2 formulated in the adjuvant Montanide ISA 206VG elicited modest but non-significant protection against a challenge infection in a rat model, but did induce some protection against liver pathogenesis when compared to a control group and a group vaccinated with two well-studied vaccine candidates, F. hepatica cathepsin L2 and L3. This work highlights the importance of F. hepatica serpins to regulate host responses that enables parasite survival during infection and, coupled with the vaccine data, encourages future vaccine trials in ruminants. Serpins are protease inhibitors that regulate various biological processes, including digestion, blood coagulation, inflammation and immune responses. The liver fluke, Fasciola hepatica, produces an array of inhibitors to regulate proteolytic enzymes they encounter during development within the mammalian host. In this study, we identified seven different serpins that have evolved to inhibit a range of host proteases. In particular, we characterized two representatives, FhSrp1 and FhSrp2, that we found highly expressed on the surface of the invasive newly excysted juvenile (NEJ), suggesting that they protect the parasites from harmful proteolytic effects during invasion. Contrasting inhibitory profiles were observed; while recombinant FhSrp1 inhibited kallikrein, recombinant FhSrp2 was a highly potent inhibitor of chymotrypsin. The unusual inhibition of kallikrein suggests that rFhSrp1 influences host responses such as inflammation and vascular permeability by interfering with the kallikrein-kinin system. Conversely, chymotrypsin is typically inhibited by trematode-specific serpins, implying a conserved mechanism to regulate digestive enzymes. The ability of the liver fluke serpin family to inhibit such an array of proteases highlights the importance of these inhibitors in parasite-host interactions and encourages future investigations of serpins as candidate anti-parasite vaccine targets for the control of fasciolosis in ruminants.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Carolina De Marco Verissimo
- Centre for One Health and Ryan Institute, School of Natural Sciences, National University of Ireland Galway, Galway, Ireland
- * E-mail:
| | - Heather L. Jewhurst
- Centre for One Health and Ryan Institute, School of Natural Sciences, National University of Ireland Galway, Galway, Ireland
| | - Irina G. Tikhonova
- School of Pharmacy, Medical Biology Centre, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, United Kingdom
| | - Rolf T. Urbanus
- Thrombosis and Hemostasis Laboratory, Department of Clinical Chemistry and Hematology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Aaron G. Maule
- Microbe & Pathogen Biology, The Institute for Global Food Security, School of Biological Sciences, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, United Kingdom
| | - John P. Dalton
- Centre for One Health and Ryan Institute, School of Natural Sciences, National University of Ireland Galway, Galway, Ireland
| | - Krystyna Cwiklinski
- Centre for One Health and Ryan Institute, School of Natural Sciences, National University of Ireland Galway, Galway, Ireland
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Nishihira T, Urabe M. Morphological and molecular studies of Eudiplozoon nipponicum (Goto, 1891) and Eudiplozoon kamegaii sp. n. (Monogenea; Diplozoidae). Folia Parasitol (Praha) 2020; 67. [PMID: 32764186 DOI: 10.14411/fp.2020.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2018] [Accepted: 03/24/2020] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Eudiplozoon nipponicum (Goto, 1891) Khotenovsky, 1985 (Monogenea: Diplozoidae), is known to parasitise Cyprinus carpio Linnaeus and species of Carassius. In this study, we conducted a taxonomic re-examination of E. nipponicum using genetic analysis and morphological comparisons from different host species from a single water system. rDNA nucleotide sequences of the internal transcription spacer 2 (ITS-2) region (645 bp) showed interspecific-level genetic differences among diplozoids from species of Carassius and C. carpio (p-distance: 3.1-4.0%) but no difference among those from different species of Carassius (0-0.4%) or between those from C. carpio collected in Asia and Europe (0-1.1%). Large variation was observed among 346 bp cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) sequences (0.3-16.0 %); the topology of the phylogenetic tree showed no relationship to host genera or geographical regions of origin. Morphological observation showed that average clamp size of diplozoids from C. carpio was larger than those from Carassius spp. The number of folds on the hindbody was 10-25 for diplozoids from C. carpio and 12-19 for those from Carassius spp. Thus, our ITS-2 sequence and morphological comparison results indicate that diplozoids from C. carpio and species of Carassius belong to different species. The scientific name E. nipponicum should be applied to the species infected to the type host, Carassius sp. of Nakabo (2013) (Japanese name ginbuna). The diplozoid infecting C. carpio (Eurasian type) should be established as a new species: Eudiplozoon kamegaii sp. n. A neotype of E. nipponicum is designated in this report because the original E. nipponicum specimens are thought to have been lost.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tomoki Nishihira
- Division of Environmental Dynamics, Graduate School of Environmental Science, University of Shiga Prefecture, Hikone-City, Japan
| | - Misako Urabe
- School of Environmental Science, The University of Shiga Prefecture, Hikone-City, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Roudnický P, Potěšil D, Zdráhal Z, Gelnar M, Kašný M. Laser capture microdissection in combination with mass spectrometry: Approach to characterization of tissue-specific proteomes of Eudiplozoon nipponicum (Monogenea, Polyopisthocotylea). PLoS One 2020; 15:e0231681. [PMID: 32555742 PMCID: PMC7299319 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0231681] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2020] [Accepted: 05/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Eudiplozoon nipponicum (Goto, 1891) is a hematophagous monogenean ectoparasite which inhabits the gills of the common carp (Cyprinus carpio). Heavy infestation can lead to anemia and in conjunction with secondary bacterial infections cause poor health and eventual death of the host. This study is based on an innovative approach to protein localization which has never been used in parasitology before. Using laser capture microdissection, we dissected particular areas of the parasite body without contaminating the samples by surrounding tissue and in combination with analysis by mass spectrometry obtained tissue-specific proteomes of tegument, intestine, and parenchyma of our model organism, E. nipponicum. We successfully verified the presence of certain functional proteins (e.g. cathepsin L) in tissues where their presence was expected (intestine) and confirmed that there were no traces of these proteins in other tissues (tegument and parenchyma). Additionally, we identified a total of 2,059 proteins, including 72 peptidases and 33 peptidase inhibitors. As expected, the greatest variety was found in the intestine and the lowest variety in the parenchyma. Our results are significant on two levels. Firstly, we demonstrated that one can localize all proteins in one analysis and without using laboratory animals (antibodies for immunolocalization of single proteins). Secondly, this study offers the first complex proteomic data on not only the E. nipponicum but within the whole class of Monogenea, which was from this point of view until recently neglected.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Pavel Roudnický
- Department of Botany and Zoology, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
- * E-mail:
| | - David Potěšil
- Central European Institute of Technology, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Zbyněk Zdráhal
- Central European Institute of Technology, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
- National Centre for Biomolecular Research, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Milan Gelnar
- Department of Botany and Zoology, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Martin Kašný
- Department of Botany and Zoology, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
| |
Collapse
|