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Tachibana M, Baba M, Iriko H, Shinzawa N, Torii M, Ishino T. Identification of a novel protein localized to the crystalloid of the Plasmodium ookinete. Parasitol Int 2024; 101:102892. [PMID: 38565335 DOI: 10.1016/j.parint.2024.102892] [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: 02/08/2024] [Revised: 03/25/2024] [Accepted: 03/30/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024]
Abstract
Reducing Plasmodium parasite transmission via the mosquito vector is a promising strategy for malaria control and elimination in endemic regions. In the mosquito midgut after the ingestion of an infected blood meal, malaria parasite gametes egress from erythrocytes and fertilize to develop into motile ookinetes that traverse midgut epithelial cells and transform into oocysts adjacent the basal lamina. Plasmodium ookinetes and young oocysts possess a unique organelle called the crystalloid; which has a honeycomb-like matrix structure and is indicated to be involved in sporozoite formation and maturation. In this study, we identified a novel crystalloid protein, PY17X_1113800, that is exclusively expressed in developing ookinetes. The protein possesses a signal peptide sequence, but lacks a transmembrane domain or GPI anchor signal sequence, as well as predicted adhesive domains which are characterisitic of many crystalloid proteins. The protein is highly conserved across the phylum Apicomplexa and within the greater clade Alveolata, such as Vitrella and the ciliates Paramecium and Tetrahymena, but is absent in cryptosporidia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mayumi Tachibana
- Division of Molecular Parasitology, Proteo-science Center, Ehime University, 454 Shitsukawa, Toon, Ehime 791-0295, Japan
| | - Minami Baba
- Department of Parasitology and Tropical Medicine, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, 1-5-45 Yushima, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8519, Japan
| | - Hideyuki Iriko
- Division of Global Infectious Diseases, Department of Public Health, Kobe University Graduate School of Health Sciences, 7-10-2 Tomogaoka, Suma-ku, Kobe, Hyogo 654-0142, Japan
| | - Naoaki Shinzawa
- Department of Parasitology and Tropical Medicine, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, 1-5-45 Yushima, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8519, Japan
| | - Motomi Torii
- Division of Molecular Parasitology, Proteo-science Center, Ehime University, 454 Shitsukawa, Toon, Ehime 791-0295, Japan
| | - Tomoko Ishino
- Department of Parasitology and Tropical Medicine, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, 1-5-45 Yushima, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8519, Japan.
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2
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Schwarzer E, Skorokhod O. Post-Translational Modifications of Proteins of Malaria Parasites during the Life Cycle. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:6145. [PMID: 38892332 PMCID: PMC11173270 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25116145] [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: 05/01/2024] [Revised: 05/29/2024] [Accepted: 05/31/2024] [Indexed: 06/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Post-translational modifications (PTMs) are essential for regulating protein functions, influencing various fundamental processes in eukaryotes. These include, but are not limited to, cell signaling, protein trafficking, the epigenetic control of gene expression, and control of the cell cycle, as well as cell proliferation, differentiation, and interactions between cells. In this review, we discuss protein PTMs that play a key role in the malaria parasite biology and its pathogenesis. Phosphorylation, acetylation, methylation, lipidation and lipoxidation, glycosylation, ubiquitination and sumoylation, nitrosylation and glutathionylation, all of which occur in malarial parasites, are reviewed. We provide information regarding the biological significance of these modifications along all phases of the complex life cycle of Plasmodium spp. Importantly, not only the parasite, but also the host and vector protein PTMs are often crucial for parasite growth and development. In addition to metabolic regulations, protein PTMs can result in epitopes that are able to elicit both innate and adaptive immune responses of the host or vector. We discuss some existing and prospective results from antimalarial drug discovery trials that target various PTM-related processes in the parasite or host.
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Affiliation(s)
- Evelin Schwarzer
- Department of Oncology, University of Turin, Via Santena 5 bis, 10126 Turin, Italy;
| | - Oleksii Skorokhod
- Department of Life Sciences and Systems Biology, University of Turin, Via Accademia Albertina, 13, 10123 Turin, Italy
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3
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Dogga SK, Rop JC, Cudini J, Farr E, Dara A, Ouologuem D, Djimdé AA, Talman AM, Lawniczak MKN. A single cell atlas of sexual development in Plasmodium falciparum. Science 2024; 384:eadj4088. [PMID: 38696552 DOI: 10.1126/science.adj4088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2023] [Accepted: 03/14/2024] [Indexed: 05/04/2024]
Abstract
The developmental decision made by malaria parasites to become sexual underlies all malaria transmission. Here, we describe a rich atlas of short- and long-read single-cell transcriptomes of over 37,000 Plasmodium falciparum cells across intraerythrocytic asexual and sexual development. We used the atlas to explore transcriptional modules and exon usage along sexual development and expanded it to include malaria parasites collected from four Malian individuals naturally infected with multiple P. falciparum strains. We investigated genotypic and transcriptional heterogeneity within and among these wild strains at the single-cell level, finding differential expression between different strains even within the same host. These data are a key addition to the Malaria Cell Atlas interactive data resource, enabling a deeper understanding of the biology and diversity of transmission stages.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jesse C Rop
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Hinxton CB10 1SA, UK
| | | | - Elias Farr
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Hinxton CB10 1SA, UK
- Institute for Computational Biomedicine, University of Heidelberg, Im Neuenheimer Feld 130.3, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Antoine Dara
- Malaria Research and Training Center (MRTC), Faculty of Pharmacy, Université des Sciences, des Techniques et des Technologies de Bamako (USTTB), Point G, P.O. Box, 1805 Bamako, Mali
| | - Dinkorma Ouologuem
- Malaria Research and Training Center (MRTC), Faculty of Pharmacy, Université des Sciences, des Techniques et des Technologies de Bamako (USTTB), Point G, P.O. Box, 1805 Bamako, Mali
| | - Abdoulaye A Djimdé
- Malaria Research and Training Center (MRTC), Faculty of Pharmacy, Université des Sciences, des Techniques et des Technologies de Bamako (USTTB), Point G, P.O. Box, 1805 Bamako, Mali
| | - Arthur M Talman
- MIVEGEC, University of Montpellier, IRD, CNRS, Montpellier, France
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4
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Qu Z, Li Y, Li W, Zhang N, Olajide JS, Mi X, Fu B. Global profiling of protein S-palmitoylation in the second-generation merozoites of Eimeria tenella. Parasitol Res 2024; 123:190. [PMID: 38647704 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-024-08204-2] [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: 11/18/2023] [Accepted: 04/04/2024] [Indexed: 04/25/2024]
Abstract
The intracellular protozoan Eimeria tenella is responsible for avian coccidiosis which is characterized by host intestinal damage. During developmental cycle, E. tenella undergoes versatile transitional stages such as oocyst, sporozoites, merozoites, and gametocytes. These developmental transitions involve changes in cell shape and cell size requiring cytoskeletal remodeling and changes in membrane proteins, which may require transcriptional and translational regulations as well as post-translational modification of proteins. Palmitoylation is a post-translational modification (PTM) of protein that orchestrates protein targeting, folding, stability, regulated enzymatic activity and even epigenetic regulation of gene expression. Previous research revealed that protein palmitoylation play essential role in Toxoplasma gondii, Trypanosoma cruzi, Trichomonas vaginalis, and several Plasmodium parasites. Until now, there is little information on the enzymes related to palmitoylation and role of protein acylation or palmitoylation in E. tenella. Therefore, palmitome of the second-generation merozoite of E. tenella was investigated. We identified a total of 2569 palmitoyl-sites that were assigned to 2145 palmitoyl-peptides belonging to 1561 protein-groups that participated in biological processes including parasite morphology, motility and host cell invasion. In addition, RNA biosynthesis, protein biosynthesis, folding, proteasome-ubiquitin degradation, and enzymes involved in PTMs, carbohydrate metabolism, glycan biosynthesis, and mitochondrial respiratory chain as well as vesicle trafficking were identified. The study allowed us to decipher the broad influence of palmitoylation in E. tenella biology, and its potential roles in the pathobiology of E. tenella infection. Raw data are publicly available at iProX with the dataset identifier PXD045061.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zigang Qu
- State Key Laboratory for Animal Disease Control and Prevention, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, Gansu Province, 730046, People's Republic of China
- Key Laboratory of Veterinary Public Health of the Ministry of Agriculture, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, Gansu Province, 730046, People's Republic of China
- Key Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology of Gansu Province, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, Gansu Province, 730046, People's Republic of China
- Jiangsu Co-Innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, Yangzhou, Jiangsu Province, 225009, People's Republic of China
| | - Yuqiong Li
- Ningxia Academy of Agriculture and Forestry Sciences, Yinchuan, 750002, People's Republic of China
| | - Wenhui Li
- State Key Laboratory for Animal Disease Control and Prevention, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, Gansu Province, 730046, People's Republic of China
- Key Laboratory of Veterinary Public Health of the Ministry of Agriculture, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, Gansu Province, 730046, People's Republic of China
- Key Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology of Gansu Province, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, Gansu Province, 730046, People's Republic of China
- Jiangsu Co-Innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, Yangzhou, Jiangsu Province, 225009, People's Republic of China
| | - Nianzhang Zhang
- State Key Laboratory for Animal Disease Control and Prevention, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, Gansu Province, 730046, People's Republic of China
- Key Laboratory of Veterinary Public Health of the Ministry of Agriculture, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, Gansu Province, 730046, People's Republic of China
- Key Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology of Gansu Province, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, Gansu Province, 730046, People's Republic of China
- Jiangsu Co-Innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, Yangzhou, Jiangsu Province, 225009, People's Republic of China
| | - Joshua Seun Olajide
- State Key Laboratory for Animal Disease Control and Prevention, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, Gansu Province, 730046, People's Republic of China
- Key Laboratory of Veterinary Public Health of the Ministry of Agriculture, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, Gansu Province, 730046, People's Republic of China
- Key Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology of Gansu Province, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, Gansu Province, 730046, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiaoyun Mi
- Xinjiang Key Laboratory of Animal Infectious Diseases, Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Xinjiang Academy of Animal Sciences, Urumqi, Xinjiang, 830013, People's Republic of China.
| | - Baoquan Fu
- State Key Laboratory for Animal Disease Control and Prevention, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, Gansu Province, 730046, People's Republic of China.
- Key Laboratory of Veterinary Public Health of the Ministry of Agriculture, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, Gansu Province, 730046, People's Republic of China.
- Key Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology of Gansu Province, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, Gansu Province, 730046, People's Republic of China.
- Jiangsu Co-Innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, Yangzhou, Jiangsu Province, 225009, People's Republic of China.
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5
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Bennink S, Pradel G. The Multiple Roles of LCCL Domain-Containing Proteins for Malaria Parasite Transmission. Microorganisms 2024; 12:279. [PMID: 38399683 PMCID: PMC10892792 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms12020279] [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: 12/16/2023] [Revised: 01/18/2024] [Accepted: 01/25/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Multi-protein complexes are crucial for various essential biological processes of the malaria parasite Plasmodium, such as protein synthesis, host cell invasion and adhesion. Especially during the sexual phase of the parasite, which takes place in the midgut of the mosquito vector, protein complexes are required for fertilization, sporulation and ultimately for the successful transmission of the parasite. Among the most noticeable protein complexes of the transmission stages are the ones formed by the LCCL domain-containing protein family that play critical roles in the generation of infective sporozoites. The six members of this protein family are characterized by numerous adhesive modules and domains typically found in secreted proteins. This review summarizes the findings of expression and functional studies on the LCCL domain-containing proteins of the human pathogenic P. falciparum and the rodent-infecting P. berghei and discusses the common features and differences of the homologous proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Gabriele Pradel
- Division of Cellular and Applied Infection Biology, Institute of Zoology, RWTH Aachen University, Worringerweg 1, 52074 Aachen, Germany;
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6
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Murata Y, Nishi T, Kaneko I, Iwanaga S, Yuda M. Coordinated regulation of gene expression in Plasmodium female gametocytes by two transcription factors. eLife 2024; 12:RP88317. [PMID: 38252559 PMCID: PMC10945693 DOI: 10.7554/elife.88317] [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] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Gametocytes play key roles in the Plasmodium lifecycle. They are essential for sexual reproduction as precursors of the gametes. They also play an essential role in parasite transmission to mosquitoes. Elucidation of the gene regulation at this stage is essential for understanding these two processes at the molecular level and for developing new strategies to break the parasite lifecycle. We identified a novel Plasmodium transcription factor (TF), designated as a partner of AP2-FG or PFG. In this article, we report that this TF regulates the gene expression in female gametocytes in concert with another female-specific TF AP2-FG. Upon the disruption of PFG, majority of female-specific genes were significantly downregulated, and female gametocyte lost the ability to produce ookinetes. ChIP-seq analysis showed that it was located in the same position as AP2-FG, indicating that these two TFs form a complex. ChIP-seq analysis of PFG in AP2-FG-disrupted parasites and ChIP-seq analysis of AP2-FG in PFG-disrupted parasites demonstrated that PFG mediates the binding of AP2-FG to a ten-base motif and that AP2-FG binds another motif, GCTCA, in the absence of PFG. In promoter assays, this five-base motif was identified as another female-specific cis-acting element. Genes under the control of the two forms of AP2-FG, with or without PFG, partly overlapped; however, each form had target preferences. These results suggested that combinations of these two forms generate various expression patterns among the extensive genes expressed in female gametocytes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuho Murata
- Department of Medical Zoology, Mie University School of MedicineTsu CityJapan
| | - Tsubasa Nishi
- Department of Medical Zoology, Mie University School of MedicineTsu CityJapan
| | - Izumi Kaneko
- Department of Medical Zoology, Mie University School of MedicineTsu CityJapan
| | - Shiroh Iwanaga
- Department of Molecular Protozoology, Research Center for Infectious Disease ControlOsakaJapan
| | - Masao Yuda
- Department of Medical Zoology, Mie University School of MedicineTsu CityJapan
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7
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Ukegbu CV, Gomes AR, Giorgalli M, Campos M, Bailey AJ, Besson TRB, Billker O, Vlachou D, Christophides GK. Identification of genes required for Plasmodium gametocyte-to-sporozoite development in the mosquito vector. Cell Host Microbe 2023; 31:1539-1551.e6. [PMID: 37708854 DOI: 10.1016/j.chom.2023.08.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2023] [Revised: 06/03/2023] [Accepted: 08/14/2023] [Indexed: 09/16/2023]
Abstract
Malaria remains one of the most devastating infectious diseases. Reverse genetic screens offer a powerful approach to identify genes and molecular processes governing malaria parasite biology. However, the complex regulation of gene expression and genotype-phenotype associations in the mosquito vector, along with sexual reproduction, have hindered the development of screens in this critical part of the parasite life cycle. To address this, we developed a genetic approach in the rodent parasite Plasmodium berghei that, in combination with barcode sequencing, circumvents the fertilization roadblock and enables screening for gametocyte-expressed genes required for parasite infection of the mosquito Anopheles coluzzii. Our results confirm previous findings, validating our approach for scaling up, and identify genes necessary for mosquito midgut infection, oocyst development, and salivary gland infection. These findings can aid efforts to study malaria transmission biology and to develop interventions for controlling disease transmission.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Ana Rita Gomes
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, London SW7 2AZ, UK; Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Wellcome Trust Genome Campus, Hinxton CB10 1SA, UK
| | - Maria Giorgalli
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, London SW7 2AZ, UK
| | - Melina Campos
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, London SW7 2AZ, UK
| | - Alexander J Bailey
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, London SW7 2AZ, UK
| | | | - Oliver Billker
- Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Wellcome Trust Genome Campus, Hinxton CB10 1SA, UK
| | - Dina Vlachou
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, London SW7 2AZ, UK.
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8
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Qian P, Wang X, Zhong CQ, Wang J, Cai M, Nguitragool W, Li J, Cui H, Yuan J. Inner membrane complex proteomics reveals a palmitoylation regulation critical for intraerythrocytic development of malaria parasite. eLife 2022; 11:77447. [PMID: 35775739 PMCID: PMC9293000 DOI: 10.7554/elife.77447] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2022] [Accepted: 06/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Malaria is caused by infection of the erythrocytes by the parasites Plasmodium. Inside the erythrocytes, the parasites multiply via schizogony, an unconventional cell division mode. The inner membrane complex (IMC), an organelle located beneath the parasite plasma membrane, serving as the platform for protein anchorage, is essential for schizogony. So far, the complete repertoire of IMC proteins and their localization determinants remain unclear. Here we used biotin ligase (TurboID)-based proximity labeling to compile the proteome of the schizont IMC of the rodent malaria parasite Plasmodium yoelii. In total, 300 TurboID-interacting proteins were identified. 18 of 21 selected candidates were confirmed to localize in the IMC, indicating good reliability. In light of the existing palmitome of Plasmodium falciparum, 83 proteins of the P. yoelii IMC proteome are potentially palmitoylated. We further identified DHHC2 as the major resident palmitoyl-acyl-transferase of the IMC. Depletion of DHHC2 led to defective schizont segmentation and growth arrest both in vitro and in vivo. DHHC2 was found to palmitoylate two critical IMC proteins CDPK1 and GAP45 for their IMC localization. In summary, this study reports an inventory of new IMC proteins and demonstrates a central role of DHHC2 in governing the IMC localization of proteins during the schizont development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pengge Qian
- Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
| | - Xu Wang
- Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
| | - Chuan-Qi Zhong
- Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
| | - Jiaxu Wang
- Xiamen Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Xiamen, China
| | - Mengya Cai
- Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
| | - Wang Nguitragool
- Department of Molecular Tropical Medicine and Genetics, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Jian Li
- Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
| | - Huiting Cui
- Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
| | - Jing Yuan
- Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
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9
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Johnson N, Philip N. Beyond phosphorylation: Putative roles of post-translational modifications in Plasmodium sexual stages. Mol Biochem Parasitol 2021; 245:111406. [PMID: 34324911 PMCID: PMC8505795 DOI: 10.1016/j.molbiopara.2021.111406] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2021] [Revised: 07/07/2021] [Accepted: 07/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Post-translational modifications (PTMs) allow proteins to regulate their structure, localisation and function in response to cell intrinsic and environmental signals. The diversity and number of modifications on proteins increase the complexity of cellular proteomes by orders of magnitude. Several proteomic and molecular studies have revealed an abundance of PTMs in malaria parasite proteome, where mediators of PTMs play crucial roles in parasite pathogenesis and transmission. In this article, we discuss recent findings in asexual stages of ten diverse PTMs and investigate whether these proteins are expressed in sexual stages. We discovered 25-50 % of proteins exhibiting post-translational modifications in asexual stages are also expressed in sexual stage gametocytes. Moreover we analyse the function of the modified proteins shared with the gametocyte proteome and try to encourage the scientific community to investigate the roles of diverse PTMs beyond phosphorylation in sexual stages which could not only reveal unique aspects of parasite biology, but also uncover new avenues for transmission blocking.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nila Johnson
- Institute of Immunology and Infection Research, School of Biological Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH9 3FL, UK
| | - Nisha Philip
- Institute of Immunology and Infection Research, School of Biological Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH9 3FL, UK.
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10
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Dessens JT, Tremp AZ, Saeed S. Crystalloids: Fascinating Parasite Organelles Essential for Malaria Transmission. Trends Parasitol 2021; 37:581-584. [PMID: 33941493 DOI: 10.1016/j.pt.2021.04.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2021] [Revised: 04/06/2021] [Accepted: 04/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Crystalloids are malaria parasite organelles exclusive to the ookinete and young oocyst life stages that infect the mosquito. The organelles have key roles in sporozoite development and infectivity but the way this is facilitated on a molecular level remains poorly understood. Recent discoveries have shed new light on these processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johannes T Dessens
- Department of Infection Biology, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London WC1E 7HT, UK.
| | - Annie Z Tremp
- Department of Infection Biology, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London WC1E 7HT, UK
| | - Sadia Saeed
- Department of Infection Biology, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London WC1E 7HT, UK
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11
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Egarter S, Santos JM, Kehrer J, Sattler J, Frischknecht F, Mair GR. Gliding motility protein LIMP promotes optimal mosquito midgut traversal and infection by Plasmodium berghei. Mol Biochem Parasitol 2021; 241:111347. [PMID: 33347893 PMCID: PMC7856051 DOI: 10.1016/j.molbiopara.2020.111347] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2020] [Revised: 12/04/2020] [Accepted: 12/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/02/2022]
Abstract
Substrate-dependent gliding motility is key to malaria transmission. It mediates host cell traversal, invasion and infection by Plasmodium and related apicomplexan parasites. The 110 amino acid-long cell surface protein LIMP is essential for P. berghei sporozoites where it is required for the invasion of the mosquito's salivary glands and the liver cells of the rodent host. Here we define an additional role for LIMP during mosquito invasion by the ookinete. limp mRNA is provided as a translationally repressed mRNP (messenger ribonucleoprotein) by the female gametocyte and the protein translated in the ookinete. Parasites depleted of limp (Δlimp) develop ookinetes with apparent normal morphology and no defect during in vitro gliding motility, and yet display a pronounced reduction in oocyst numbers; compared to wildtype 82 % more Δlimp ookinetes remain within the mosquito blood meal explaining the decrease in oocysts. As in the sporozoite, LIMP exerts a profound role on ookinete infection of the mosquito.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saskia Egarter
- Parasitology, Department of Infectious Diseases, Heidelberg University Medical School, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Jorge M Santos
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular João Lobo Antunes, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de Lisboa, Edifício Egas Moniz, Av. Prof. Egas Moniz, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Jessica Kehrer
- Parasitology, Department of Infectious Diseases, Heidelberg University Medical School, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Julia Sattler
- Parasitology, Department of Infectious Diseases, Heidelberg University Medical School, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Friedrich Frischknecht
- Parasitology, Department of Infectious Diseases, Heidelberg University Medical School, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Gunnar R Mair
- Parasitology, Department of Infectious Diseases, Heidelberg University Medical School, Heidelberg, Germany; Instituto de Medicina Molecular João Lobo Antunes, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de Lisboa, Edifício Egas Moniz, Av. Prof. Egas Moniz, Lisbon, Portugal; Iowa State University, Biomedical Sciences, Ames, IA, United States.
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12
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Tremp AZ, Saeed S, Sharma V, Lasonder E, Dessens JT. Plasmodium berghei LAPs form an extended protein complex that facilitates crystalloid targeting and biogenesis. J Proteomics 2020; 227:103925. [PMID: 32736136 PMCID: PMC7487766 DOI: 10.1016/j.jprot.2020.103925] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2020] [Revised: 06/21/2020] [Accepted: 07/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Passage of malaria parasites through mosquitoes involves multiple developmental transitions, from gametocytes that are ingested with the blood meal, through to sporozoites that are transmitted by insect bite to the host. During the transformation from gametocyte to oocyst, the parasite forms a unique transient organelle named the crystalloid, which is involved in sporozoite formation. In Plasmodium berghei, a complex of six LCCL domain-containing proteins (LAPs) reside in the crystalloid and are required for its biogenesis. However, little else is known about the molecular mechanisms that underlie the crystalloid's role in sporogony. In this study, we have used transgenic parasites stably expressing LAP3 fused to GFP, combined with GFP affinity pulldown and high accuracy mass spectrometry, to identify an extended LAP interactome of some fifty proteins. We show that many of these are targeted to the crystalloid, including members of two protein families with CPW-WPC and pleckstrin homology-like domains, respectively. Our findings indicate that the LAPs are part of an intricate protein complex, the formation of which facilitates both crystalloid targeting and biogenesis. Significance Reducing malaria parasite transmission by mosquitoes is a key component of malaria eradication and control strategies. This study sheds important new light on the molecular composition of the crystalloid, an enigmatic parasite organelle that is essential for sporozoite formation and transmission from the insect to the vertebrate host. Our findings provide new mechanistic insight into how proteins are delivered to the crystalloid, and indicate that the molecular mechanisms that underlie crystalloid function are complex, involving several protein families unique to Plasmodium and closely related organisms. The new crystalloid proteins identified will form a useful starting point for studies aimed at unravelling how the crystalloid organelle facilitates sporogony and transmission. A Plasmodium berghei LAP3 interactome of some 50 proteins was determined. Many proteins in the interactome constitute known or novel crystalloid proteins. The interactome includes protein families with PH-like and CPW-WPC domains.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annie Z Tremp
- Department of Infection Biology, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London, WC1E 7HT, UK
| | - Sadia Saeed
- Department of Infection Biology, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London, WC1E 7HT, UK
| | - Vikram Sharma
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health, Plymouth University, Drake Circus, Plymouth, PL4 8AA, UK
| | - Edwin Lasonder
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health, Plymouth University, Drake Circus, Plymouth, PL4 8AA, UK; Department of Applied Sciences, Faculty of Life and Health Sciences, Northumbria University, Newcastle-Upon-Tyne, NE1 8ST, UK
| | - Johannes T Dessens
- Department of Infection Biology, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London, WC1E 7HT, UK.
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13
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Wang X, Qian P, Cui H, Yao L, Yuan J. A protein palmitoylation cascade regulates microtubule cytoskeleton integrity in Plasmodium. EMBO J 2020; 39:e104168. [PMID: 32395856 PMCID: PMC7327484 DOI: 10.15252/embj.2019104168] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2019] [Revised: 04/03/2020] [Accepted: 04/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Morphogenesis of many protozoans depends on a polarized establishment of cytoskeletal structures. In malaria-causing parasites, this can be observed when a round zygote develops into an elongated motile ookinete within the mosquito stomach. This morphogenesis is mediated by the pellicle cytoskeletal structures, including the inner membrane complex (IMC) and the underlying subpellicular microtubules (SPMs). How the parasite maintains the IMC-SPM connection and establishes a dome-like structure of SPM to support cell elongation is unclear. Here, we show that palmitoylation of N-terminal cysteines of two IMC proteins (ISP1/ISP3) regulates the IMC localization of ISP1/ISP3 and zygote-to-ookinete differentiation. Palmitoylation of ISP1/ISP3 is catalyzed by an IMC-residing palmitoyl-S-acyl-transferase (PAT) DHHC2. Surprisingly, DHHC2 undergoes self-palmitoylation at C-terminal cysteines via its PAT activity, which controls DHHC2 localization in IMC after zygote formation. IMC-anchored ISP1 and ISP3 interact with microtubule component β-tubulin, serving as tethers to maintain the proper structure of SPM during zygote elongation. This study identifies the first PAT-substrate pair in malaria parasites and uncovers a protein palmitoylation cascade regulating microtubule cytoskeleton.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xu Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, Innovation Center for Cell Signal Network, School of Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
| | - Pengge Qian
- State Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, Innovation Center for Cell Signal Network, School of Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
| | - Huiting Cui
- State Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, Innovation Center for Cell Signal Network, School of Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
| | - Luming Yao
- State Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, Innovation Center for Cell Signal Network, School of Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
| | - Jing Yuan
- State Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, Innovation Center for Cell Signal Network, School of Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
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Siddiqui MA, Singh S, Malhotra P, Chitnis CE. Protein S-Palmitoylation Is Responsive to External Signals and Plays a Regulatory Role in Microneme Secretion in Plasmodium falciparum Merozoites. ACS Infect Dis 2020; 6:379-392. [PMID: 32003970 DOI: 10.1021/acsinfecdis.9b00321] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Protein S-palmitoylation is an important post-translational modification (PTM) in blood stages of the malaria parasite, Plasmodium falciparum. S-palmitoylation refers to reversible covalent modification of cysteine residues of proteins by saturated fatty acids. In vivo, palmitoylation is regulated by concerted activities of DHHC palmitoyl acyl transferases (DHHC PATs) and acyl protein thioesterases (APTs), which are enzymes responsible for protein palmitoylation and depalmitoylation, respectively. Here, we investigate the role of protein palmitoylation in red blood cell (RBC) invasion by P. falciparum merozoites. We demonstrate for the first time that free merozoites require PAT activity for microneme secretion in response to exposure to the physiologically relevant low [K+] environment, characteristic of blood plasma. We have adapted copper catalyzed alkyne azide chemistry (CuAAC) to image palmitoylation in merozoites and found that exposure to low [K+] activates PAT activity in merozoites. Moreover, using acyl biotin exchange chemistry (ABE) and confocal imaging, we demonstrate that a calcium dependent protein kinase, PfCDPK1, an essential regulator of key invasion processes such as motility and microneme secretion, undergoes dynamic palmitoylation and localizes to the merozoite membrane. Treatment of merozoites with the PAT inhibitor, 2-bromopalmitate (2-BP), effectively inhibits microneme secretion and RBC invasion by the parasite, thus opening the possibility of targeting P. falciparum PATs for antimalarial drug discovery to inhibit blood stage growth of malaria parasites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mansoor A. Siddiqui
- International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), Aruna Asaf Ali Marg, New Delhi 110067, India
| | - Shailja Singh
- Institut Pasteur, 25-28 Rue du Dr. Roux, Paris 75016, France
- Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Mehrauli Road, New Delhi 110067, India
| | - Pawan Malhotra
- International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), Aruna Asaf Ali Marg, New Delhi 110067, India
| | - Chetan E. Chitnis
- International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), Aruna Asaf Ali Marg, New Delhi 110067, India
- Institut Pasteur, 25-28 Rue du Dr. Roux, Paris 75016, France
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15
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Saeed S, Tremp AZ, Sharma V, Lasonder E, Dessens JT. NAD(P) transhydrogenase has vital non-mitochondrial functions in malaria parasite transmission. EMBO Rep 2020; 21:e47832. [PMID: 31951090 PMCID: PMC7054674 DOI: 10.15252/embr.201947832] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2019] [Revised: 12/11/2019] [Accepted: 12/17/2019] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) and its phosphorylated form (NADP) are vital for cell function in all organisms and form cofactors to a host of enzymes in catabolic and anabolic processes. NAD(P) transhydrogenases (NTHs) catalyse hydride ion transfer between NAD(H) and NADP(H). Membrane‐bound NTH isoforms reside in the cytoplasmic membrane of bacteria, and the inner membrane of mitochondria in metazoans, where they generate NADPH. Here, we show that malaria parasites encode a single membrane‐bound NTH that localises to the crystalloid, an organelle required for sporozoite transmission from mosquitos to vertebrates. We demonstrate that NTH has an essential structural role in crystalloid biogenesis, whilst its enzymatic activity is required for sporozoite development. This pinpoints an essential function in sporogony to the activity of a single crystalloid protein. Its additional presence in the apicoplast of sporozoites identifies NTH as a likely supplier of NADPH for this organelle during liver infection. Our findings reveal that Plasmodium species have co‐opted NTH to a variety of non‐mitochondrial organelles to provide a critical source of NADPH reducing power.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sadia Saeed
- Department of Infection Biology, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Annie Z Tremp
- Department of Infection Biology, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Vikram Sharma
- School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Plymouth, Plymouth, UK
| | - Edwin Lasonder
- School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Plymouth, Plymouth, UK
| | - Johannes T Dessens
- Department of Infection Biology, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
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16
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Palmitoylation in apicomplexan parasites: from established regulatory roles to putative new functions. Mol Biochem Parasitol 2019; 230:16-23. [PMID: 30978365 DOI: 10.1016/j.molbiopara.2019.04.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2018] [Revised: 03/17/2019] [Accepted: 04/07/2019] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
This minireview aims to provide a comprehensive synthesis on protein palmitoylation in apicomplexan parasites and higher eukaryotes where most of the data is available. Apicomplexan parasites encompass numerous obligate intracellular parasites with significant health risk to animals and humans. Protein palmitoylation is a widespread post-translational modification that plays important regulatory roles in several physiological and pathological states. Functional studies demonstrate that many processes important for parasites are regulated by protein palmitoylation. Structural analyses suggest that enzymes responsible for the palmitoylation process have a conserved architecture in eukaryotes although there are particular differences which could be related to their substrate specificities. Interestingly, with the publication of T. gondii and P. falciparum palmitoylomes new possible regulatory functions are unveiled. Here we focus our discussion on data from both palmitoylomes that suggest that palmitoylation of nuclear proteins regulate different chromatin-related processes such as nucleosome assembly and stability, transcription, translation and DNA repair.
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17
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Jenwithisuk R, Kangwanrangsan N, Tachibana M, Thongkukiatkul A, Otsuki H, Sattabongkot J, Tsuboi T, Torii M, Ishino T. Identification of a PH domain-containing protein which is localized to crystalloid bodies of Plasmodium ookinetes. Malar J 2018; 17:466. [PMID: 30545367 PMCID: PMC6291999 DOI: 10.1186/s12936-018-2617-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2018] [Accepted: 12/06/2018] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Background For the success of the malaria control and eradication programme it is essential to reduce parasite transmission by mosquito vectors. In the midguts of mosquitoes fed with parasite-infected blood, sexual-stage parasites fertilize to develop into motile ookinetes that traverse midgut epithelial cells and reside adjacent the basal lamina. Therefore, the ookinete is a promising target of transmission-blocking vaccines to break the parasite lifecycle in mosquito vectors. However, the molecular mechanisms of ookinete formation and invasion of epithelial cells have not been fully elucidated. A unique structure called the crystalloid body has been identified in the ookinete cytoplasm by electron microscopy, but its biological functions remain unclear. Methods A recombinant protein of a novel molecule, designated as crystalloid body specific PH domain-containing protein of Plasmodium yoelii (PyCryPH), was synthesized using a wheat germ cell-free system. Specific rabbit antibodies against PyCryPH were obtained to characterize the expression and localization of PyCryPH during sexual-stage parasite development. In addition, PyCryPH knockout parasites were generated by targeted gene disruption to examine PyCryPH function in mosquito-stage parasite development. Results Western blot and immunofluorescence assays using specific antibodies showed that PyCryPH is specifically expressed in zygotes and ookinetes. By immunoelectron microscopy it was demonstrated that PyCryPH is localized within crystalloid bodies. Parasites with a disrupted PyCryPH gene developed normally into ookinetes and formed oocysts on the basal lamina of midguts. In addition, the number of sporozoites residing in salivary glands was comparable to that of wild-type parasites. Conclusions CryPH, containing a signal peptide and PH domain, is predominantly expressed in zygotes and ookinetes and is localized to crystalloid bodies in P. yoelii. CryPH accumulates in vesicle-like structures prior to the appearance of typical crystalloid bodies. Unlike other known crystalloid body localized proteins, CryPH does not appear to have a multiple domain architecture characteristic of the LAP/CCp family proteins. Although CryPH is highly conserved among Plasmodium, Babesia, Theileria, and Cryptosporidium, PyCryPH is dispensable for the development of invasive ookinetes and sporozoites in mosquito bodies. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s12936-018-2617-6) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachaneeporn Jenwithisuk
- Division of Molecular Parasitology, Proteo-Science Center, Ehime University, Toon, Ehime, 791-0295, Japan.,Mahidol Vivax Research Unit, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, 10400, Thailand
| | - Niwat Kangwanrangsan
- Department of Pathobiology, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, Bangkok, 10400, Thailand
| | - Mayumi Tachibana
- Division of Molecular Parasitology, Proteo-Science Center, Ehime University, Toon, Ehime, 791-0295, Japan
| | - Amporn Thongkukiatkul
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Burapha University, Chonburi, 20131, Thailand
| | - Hitoshi Otsuki
- Division of Medical Zoology, Faculty of Medicine, Tottori University, Yonago, Tottori, 683-8503, Japan
| | - Jetsumon Sattabongkot
- Mahidol Vivax Research Unit, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, 10400, Thailand
| | - Takafumi Tsuboi
- Division of Malaria Research, Proteo-Science Center, Ehime University, Matsuyama, Ehime, 790-8577, Japan
| | - Motomi Torii
- Division of Molecular Parasitology, Proteo-Science Center, Ehime University, Toon, Ehime, 791-0295, Japan
| | - Tomoko Ishino
- Division of Molecular Parasitology, Proteo-Science Center, Ehime University, Toon, Ehime, 791-0295, Japan.
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18
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Saeed S, Tremp AZ, Dessens JT. The Plasmodium LAP complex affects crystalloid biogenesis and oocyst cell division. Int J Parasitol 2018; 48:1073-1078. [PMID: 30367865 PMCID: PMC6284103 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpara.2018.09.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2018] [Revised: 09/12/2018] [Accepted: 09/19/2018] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Fusion of GFP to Plasmodium berghei LAP4 causes abnormal crystalloid formation. LAP4/GFP oocysts have reduced size. LAP4/GFP oocyst populations show earlier sporulation dynamics. LAP4/GFP sporozoites are not transmitted by mosquito bite.
Malaria parasite oocysts located on the mosquito midgut generate sporozoites by a process called sporogony. Plasmodium berghei parasites express six LCCL lectin domain adhesive-like proteins (LAPs), which operate as a complex and share a localisation in the crystalloid – an organelle found in the ookinete and young oocyst. Depletion of LAPs prevents crystalloid formation, increases oocyst growth, and blocks sporogony. Here, we describe a LAP4 mutant that has abnormal crystalloid biogenesis and produces oocysts that display reduced growth and premature sporogony. These findings provide evidence for a role of the LAP complex in regulating oocyst cell division via the crystalloid.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sadia Saeed
- Pathogen Molecular Biology Department, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London, UK
| | - Annie Z Tremp
- Pathogen Molecular Biology Department, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London, UK
| | - Johannes T Dessens
- Pathogen Molecular Biology Department, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London, UK.
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19
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Gao H, Yang Z, Wang X, Qian P, Hong R, Chen X, Su XZ, Cui H, Yuan J. ISP1-Anchored Polarization of GCβ/CDC50A Complex Initiates Malaria Ookinete Gliding Motility. Curr Biol 2018; 28:2763-2776.e6. [PMID: 30146157 DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2018.06.069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2018] [Revised: 05/28/2018] [Accepted: 06/26/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Ookinete gliding motility is essential for penetration of the mosquito midgut wall and transmission of malaria parasites. Cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) signaling has been implicated in ookinete gliding. However, the upstream mechanism of how the parasites activate cGMP signaling and thus initiate ookinete gliding remains unknown. Using real-time imaging to visualize Plasmodium yoelii guanylate cyclase β (GCβ), we show that cytoplasmic GCβ translocates and polarizes to the parasite plasma membrane at "ookinete extrados site" (OES) during zygote-to-ookinete differentiation. The polarization of enzymatic active GCβ at OES initiates gliding of matured ookinete. Both the P4-ATPase-like domain and guanylate cyclase domain are required for GCβ polarization and ookinete gliding. CDC50A, a co-factor of P4-ATPase, binds to and stabilizes GCβ during ookinete development. Screening of inner membrane complex proteins identifies ISP1 as a key molecule that anchors GCβ/CDC50A complex at the OES of mature ookinetes. This study defines a spatial-temporal mechanism for the initiation of ookinete gliding, where GCβ polarization likely elevates local cGMP levels and activates cGMP-dependent protein kinase signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Han Gao
- State Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, Innovation Center for Cell Signal Network, School of Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian 361102, China
| | - Zhenke Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, Innovation Center for Cell Signal Network, School of Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian 361102, China
| | - Xu Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, Innovation Center for Cell Signal Network, School of Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian 361102, China
| | - Pengge Qian
- State Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, Innovation Center for Cell Signal Network, School of Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian 361102, China
| | - Renjie Hong
- State Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, Innovation Center for Cell Signal Network, School of Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian 361102, China
| | - Xin Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, Innovation Center for Cell Signal Network, School of Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian 361102, China
| | - Xin-Zhuan Su
- Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, NIH, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Huiting Cui
- State Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, Innovation Center for Cell Signal Network, School of Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian 361102, China
| | - Jing Yuan
- State Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, Innovation Center for Cell Signal Network, School of Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian 361102, China.
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20
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Qian P, Wang X, Yang Z, Li Z, Gao H, Su XZ, Cui H, Yuan J. A Cas9 transgenic Plasmodium yoelii parasite for efficient gene editing. Mol Biochem Parasitol 2018; 222:21-28. [PMID: 29684399 PMCID: PMC11002757 DOI: 10.1016/j.molbiopara.2018.04.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2018] [Revised: 04/09/2018] [Accepted: 04/16/2018] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
Abstract
The RNA-guided endonuclease Cas9 has applied as an efficient gene-editing method in malaria parasite Plasmodium. However, the size (4.2 kb) of the commonly used Cas9 from Streptococcus pyogenes (SpCas9) limits its utility for genome editing in the parasites only introduced with cas9 plasmid. To establish the endogenous and constitutive expression of Cas9 protein in the rodent malaria parasite P. yoelii, we replaced the coding region of an endogenous gene sera1 with the intact SpCas9 coding sequence using the CRISPR/Cas9-mediated genome editing method, generating the cas9-knockin parasite (PyCas9ki) of the rodent malaria parasite P. yoelii. The resulted PyCas9ki parasite displays normal progression during the whole life cycle and possesses the Cas9 protein expression in asexual blood stage. By introducing the plasmid (pYCs) containing only sgRNA and homologous template elements, we successfully achieved both deletion and tagging modifications for different endogenous genes in the genome of PyCas9ki parasite. This cas9-knockin PyCas9ki parasite provides a new platform facilitating gene functions study in the rodent malaria parasite P. yoelii.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pengge Qian
- State Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, Innovation Center for Cell Signal Network, School of Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian 361102, China
| | - Xu Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, Innovation Center for Cell Signal Network, School of Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian 361102, China
| | - Zhenke Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, Innovation Center for Cell Signal Network, School of Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian 361102, China
| | - Zhenkui Li
- State Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, Innovation Center for Cell Signal Network, School of Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian 361102, China
| | - Han Gao
- State Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, Innovation Center for Cell Signal Network, School of Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian 361102, China
| | - Xin-Zhuan Su
- Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20892, United States
| | - Huiting Cui
- State Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, Innovation Center for Cell Signal Network, School of Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian 361102, China.
| | - Jing Yuan
- State Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, Innovation Center for Cell Signal Network, School of Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian 361102, China.
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21
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Protein S-palmitoylation in cellular differentiation. Biochem Soc Trans 2017; 45:275-285. [PMID: 28202682 PMCID: PMC5310721 DOI: 10.1042/bst20160236] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2016] [Revised: 12/15/2016] [Accepted: 12/20/2016] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Reversible protein S-palmitoylation confers spatiotemporal control of protein function by modulating protein stability, trafficking and activity, as well as protein-protein and membrane-protein associations. Enabled by technological advances, global studies revealed S-palmitoylation to be an important and pervasive posttranslational modification in eukaryotes with the potential to coordinate diverse biological processes as cells transition from one state to another. Here, we review the strategies and tools to analyze in vivo protein palmitoylation and interrogate the functions of the enzymes that put on and take off palmitate from proteins. We also highlight palmitoyl proteins and palmitoylation-related enzymes that are associated with cellular differentiation and/or tissue development in yeasts, protozoa, mammals, plants and other model eukaryotes.
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22
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Santos JM, Egarter S, Zuzarte-Luís V, Kumar H, Moreau CA, Kehrer J, Pinto A, da Costa M, Franke-Fayard B, Janse CJ, Frischknecht F, Mair GR. Malaria parasite LIMP protein regulates sporozoite gliding motility and infectivity in mosquito and mammalian hosts. eLife 2017; 6:e24109. [PMID: 28525314 PMCID: PMC5438254 DOI: 10.7554/elife.24109] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2016] [Accepted: 04/29/2017] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Gliding motility allows malaria parasites to migrate and invade tissues and cells in different hosts. It requires parasite surface proteins to provide attachment to host cells and extracellular matrices. Here, we identify the Plasmodium protein LIMP (the name refers to a gliding phenotype in the sporozoite arising from epitope tagging of the endogenous protein) as a key regulator for adhesion during gliding motility in the rodent malaria model P. berghei. Transcribed in gametocytes, LIMP is translated in the ookinete from maternal mRNA, and later in the sporozoite. The absence of LIMP reduces initial mosquito infection by 50%, impedes salivary gland invasion 10-fold, and causes a complete absence of liver invasion as mutants fail to attach to host cells. GFP tagging of LIMP caused a limping defect during movement with reduced speed and transient curvature changes of the parasite. LIMP is an essential motility and invasion factor necessary for malaria transmission.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jorge M Santos
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de Lisboa, Edifício Egas Moniz, Av. Prof. Egas Moniz, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Saskia Egarter
- Parasitology, Department of Infectious Diseases, University of Heidelberg Medical School, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Vanessa Zuzarte-Luís
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de Lisboa, Edifício Egas Moniz, Av. Prof. Egas Moniz, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Hirdesh Kumar
- Parasitology, Department of Infectious Diseases, University of Heidelberg Medical School, Heidelberg, Germany
- Kusuma School of Biological Sciences, Indian Institute of Technology Delhi, New Delhi, India
| | - Catherine A Moreau
- Parasitology, Department of Infectious Diseases, University of Heidelberg Medical School, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Jessica Kehrer
- Parasitology, Department of Infectious Diseases, University of Heidelberg Medical School, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Andreia Pinto
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de Lisboa, Edifício Egas Moniz, Av. Prof. Egas Moniz, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Mário da Costa
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de Lisboa, Edifício Egas Moniz, Av. Prof. Egas Moniz, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Blandine Franke-Fayard
- Leiden Malaria Research Group, Department of Parasitology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Chris J Janse
- Leiden Malaria Research Group, Department of Parasitology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Friedrich Frischknecht
- Parasitology, Department of Infectious Diseases, University of Heidelberg Medical School, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Gunnar R Mair
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de Lisboa, Edifício Egas Moniz, Av. Prof. Egas Moniz, Lisbon, Portugal
- Parasitology, Department of Infectious Diseases, University of Heidelberg Medical School, Heidelberg, Germany
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Brown RWB, Sharma AI, Engman DM. Dynamic protein S-palmitoylation mediates parasite life cycle progression and diverse mechanisms of virulence. Crit Rev Biochem Mol Biol 2017; 52:145-162. [PMID: 28228066 PMCID: PMC5560270 DOI: 10.1080/10409238.2017.1287161] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Eukaryotic parasites possess complex life cycles and utilize an assortment of molecular mechanisms to overcome physical barriers, suppress and/or bypass the host immune response, including invading host cells where they can replicate in a protected intracellular niche. Protein S-palmitoylation is a dynamic post-translational modification in which the fatty acid palmitate is covalently linked to cysteine residues on proteins by the enzyme palmitoyl acyltransferase (PAT) and can be removed by lysosomal palmitoyl-protein thioesterase (PPT) or cytosolic acyl-protein thioesterase (APT). In addition to anchoring proteins to intracellular membranes, functions of dynamic palmitoylation include - targeting proteins to specific intracellular compartments via trafficking pathways, regulating the cycling of proteins between membranes, modulating protein function and regulating protein stability. Recent studies in the eukaryotic parasites - Plasmodium falciparum, Toxoplasma gondii, Trypanosoma brucei, Cryptococcus neoformans and Giardia lamblia - have identified large families of PATs and palmitoylated proteins. Many palmitoylated proteins are important for diverse aspects of pathogenesis, including differentiation into infective life cycle stages, biogenesis and tethering of secretory organelles, assembling the machinery powering motility and targeting virulence factors to the plasma membrane. This review aims to summarize our current knowledge of palmitoylation in eukaryotic parasites, highlighting five exemplary mechanisms of parasite virulence dependent on palmitoylation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert W B Brown
- a Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine , Cedars-Sinai Medical Center , Los Angeles , CA , USA
| | - Aabha I Sharma
- b Departments of Pathology and Microbiology-Immunology , Northwestern University , Chicago , IL , USA
| | - David M Engman
- a Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine , Cedars-Sinai Medical Center , Los Angeles , CA , USA
- b Departments of Pathology and Microbiology-Immunology , Northwestern University , Chicago , IL , USA
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New developments in probing and targeting protein acylation in malaria, leishmaniasis and African sleeping sickness. Parasitology 2017; 145:157-174. [PMID: 28270257 DOI: 10.1017/s0031182017000282] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Infections by protozoan parasites, such as Plasmodium falciparum or Leishmania donovani, have a significant health, social and economic impact and threaten billions of people living in tropical and sub-tropical regions of developing countries worldwide. The increasing range of parasite strains resistant to frontline therapeutics makes the identification of novel drug targets and the development of corresponding inhibitors vital. Post-translational modifications (PTMs) are important modulators of biology and inhibition of protein lipidation has emerged as a promising therapeutic strategy for treatment of parasitic diseases. In this review we summarize the latest insights into protein lipidation in protozoan parasites. We discuss how recent chemical proteomic approaches have delivered the first global overviews of protein lipidation in these organisms, contributing to our understanding of the role of this PTM in critical metabolic and cellular functions. Additionally, we highlight the development of new small molecule inhibitors to target parasite acyl transferases.
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Tremp AZ, Al-Khattaf FS, Dessens JT. Palmitoylation of Plasmodium alveolins promotes cytoskeletal function. Mol Biochem Parasitol 2017; 213:16-21. [PMID: 28223095 PMCID: PMC5388192 DOI: 10.1016/j.molbiopara.2017.02.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2016] [Revised: 02/08/2017] [Accepted: 02/15/2017] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
The alveolin IMC1c is palmitoylated on a conserved cysteine motif. Non-palmitoylated IMC1c exhibits normal stability and trafficking. Palmitoylation of Plasmodium alveolins enhances tensile strength.
S-palmitoylation is a post-translational lipid modification that is widespread among Plasmodium proteins and essential for parasite development. Little is known about the contribution of palmitoylation to the function of individual parasite molecules and structures. Alveolins are major components of the subpellicular network (SPN), a cortical cytoskeleton primarily involved in providing mechanical strength to the cell. We show here that the alveolin IMC1c is palmitoylated on a conserved cysteine motif, and that non-palmitoylated IMC1c displays normal expression, stability and trafficking. However, mutant parasites exhibit reduced osmotic stress resistance and tensile strength. These findings support the hypothesis that alveolin palmitoylation enhances cytoskeletal function by strengthening the connection between the SPN and the adjoining inner membrane complex via lipid anchoring.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annie Z Tremp
- Department of Pathogen Molecular Biology, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London WC1E 7HT, UK
| | - Fatimah S Al-Khattaf
- Department of Pathogen Molecular Biology, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London WC1E 7HT, UK
| | - Johannes T Dessens
- Department of Pathogen Molecular Biology, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London WC1E 7HT, UK.
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