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Skelly PJ, Da'dara AA. Schistosome secretomes. Acta Trop 2022; 236:106676. [PMID: 36113567 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2022.106676] [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: 05/26/2022] [Revised: 08/08/2022] [Accepted: 09/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Schistosomes are intravascular parasitic platyhelminths (blood flukes) that infect over 200 million people globally. Biomolecules secreted by the worms likely contribute to their ability to survive in the bloodstreams of immunocompetent hosts for many years. Here we review what is known about the protein composition of material released by the worms. Prominent among cercarial excretions/secretions (ES) is a ∼ 30 kDa serine protease called cercarial elastase (SmCE in Schistosoma mansoni), likely important in host invasion. Also prominent is a 117 amino acid non-glycosylated polypeptide (Sm16) that can impact several host cell-types to impinge on immunological outcomes. Similarly, components of the egg secretome (notably the 134 amino acid homodimeric glycoprotein "IL-4 inducing principle of schistosome eggs", IPSE, and the 225-amino acid monomeric T2 ribonuclease - omega-1) are capable of driving Th2-biased immune responses. A ∼36kDa chemokine binding glycoprotein SmCKBP, secreted by eggs, can negate the impact of several cytokines and can impede neutrophil migration. Of special interest is a disparate collection of classically cytosolic proteins that are surprisingly often identified in schistosome ES across life stages. These proteins, perhaps released as components of extracellular vesicles (EVs), include glycolytic enzymes, redox proteins, proteases and protease inhibitors, heat shock proteins, proteins involved in translation/turnover, histones, and others. Some such proteins may display "moonlighting" functions and, for example, impede blood clot formation around the worms. More prosaically, since several are particularly abundant soluble proteins, their appearance in the ES fraction may be indicative of worm damage ex vivo leading to protein leakage. Some bioactive schistosome ES proteins are in development as novel therapeutics against autoimmune, inflammatory, and other, non-parasitic, diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrick J Skelly
- Molecular Helminthology Laboratory, Department of Infectious Disease and Global Health, Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine, Tufts University, North Grafton, MA 01536, USA.
| | - Akram A Da'dara
- Molecular Helminthology Laboratory, Department of Infectious Disease and Global Health, Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine, Tufts University, North Grafton, MA 01536, USA
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2
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Qokoyi NK, Masamba P, Kappo AP. Proteins as Targets in Anti-Schistosomal Drug Discovery and Vaccine Development. Vaccines (Basel) 2021; 9:762. [PMID: 34358178 PMCID: PMC8310332 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines9070762] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2021] [Revised: 05/17/2021] [Accepted: 05/19/2021] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Proteins hardly function in isolation; they form complexes with other proteins or molecules to mediate cell signaling and control cellular processes in various organisms. Protein interactions control mechanisms that lead to normal and/or disease states. The use of competitive small molecule inhibitors to disrupt disease-relevant protein-protein interactions (PPIs) holds great promise for the development of new drugs. Schistosome invasion of the human host involves a variety of cross-species protein interactions. The pathogen expresses specific proteins that not only facilitate the breach of physical and biochemical barriers present in skin, but also evade the immune system and digestion of human hemoglobin, allowing for survival in the host for years. However, only a small number of specific protein interactions between the host and parasite have been functionally characterized; thus, in-depth understanding of the molecular mechanisms of these interactions is a key component in the development of new treatment methods. Efforts are now focused on developing a schistosomiasis vaccine, as a proposed better strategy used either alone or in combination with Praziquantel to control and eliminate this disease. This review will highlight protein interactions in schistosomes that can be targeted by specific PPI inhibitors for the design of an alternative treatment to Praziquantel.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Abidemi Paul Kappo
- Molecular Biophysics and Structural Biology (MBSB) Group, Department of Biochemistry, Kingsway Campus, University of Johannesburg, Auckland Park 2006, South Africa; (N.K.Q.); (P.M.)
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3
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Spence MA, Mortimer MD, Buckle AM, Minh BQ, Jackson CJ. A Comprehensive Phylogenetic Analysis of the Serpin Superfamily. Mol Biol Evol 2021; 38:2915-2929. [PMID: 33744972 PMCID: PMC8233489 DOI: 10.1093/molbev/msab081] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Serine protease inhibitors (serpins) are found in all kingdoms of life and play essential roles in multiple physiological processes. Owing to the diversity of the superfamily, phylogenetic analysis is challenging and prokaryotic serpins have been speculated to have been acquired from Metazoa through horizontal gene transfer due to their unexpectedly high homology. Here, we have leveraged a structural alignment of diverse serpins to generate a comprehensive 6,000-sequence phylogeny that encompasses serpins from all kingdoms of life. We show that in addition to a central “hub” of highly conserved serpins, there has been extensive diversification of the superfamily into many novel functional clades. Our analysis indicates that the hub proteins are ancient and are similar because of convergent evolution, rather than the alternative hypothesis of horizontal gene transfer. This work clarifies longstanding questions in the evolution of serpins and provides new directions for research in the field of serpin biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew A Spence
- Research School of Chemistry, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, Australia
| | - Matthew D Mortimer
- Research School of Chemistry, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, Australia
| | - Ashley M Buckle
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Bui Quang Minh
- Research School of Computing and Research School of Biology, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, Australia
| | - Colin J Jackson
- Research School of Chemistry, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, Australia.,Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Innovations in Peptide and Protein Science, Research School of Chemistry, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, Australia.,Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence in Synthetic Biology, Research School of Chemistry, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, Australia
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4
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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: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [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.
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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
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Sánchez Di Maggio L, Tirloni L, Uhl M, Carmona C, Logullo C, Mulenga A, da Silva Vaz I, Berasain P. Serpins in Fasciola hepatica: insights into host-parasite interactions. Int J Parasitol 2020; 50:931-943. [PMID: 32668271 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpara.2020.05.010] [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: 01/16/2020] [Revised: 05/14/2020] [Accepted: 05/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Protease inhibitors play crucial roles in parasite development and survival, modulating the immune responses of their vertebrate hosts. Members of the serpin family are irreversible inhibitors of serine proteases and regulate systems related to defence against parasites. Limited information is currently available on protease inhibitors from the liver fluke Fasciola hepatica. In this study, we characterised four serpins from F. hepatica (FhS-1-FhS-4). Biochemical characterisation revealed that recombinant FhS-2 (rFhS) inhibits the activity of human neutrophil cathepsin G, while rFhS-4 inhibits the activity of bovine pancreatic chymotrypsin and cathepsin G. Consistent with inhibitor function profiling data, rFhS-4 inhibited cathepsin G-activated platelet aggregation in a dose-responsive manner.Similar to other serpins, rFhS2 and rFhS-4 bind to heparin with high affinity. Tissue localisation demonstrated that these serpins have different spatial distributions. FhS-2 is localised in the ovary, while FhS-4 was found in gut cells. Both of them co-localised in the spines within the tegument. These findings provide the basis for study of functional roles of these proteins as part of an immune evasion mechanism in the adult fluke, and in protection of eggs to ensure parasite life cycle continuity. Further understanding of serpins from the liver fluke may lead to the discovery of novel anti-parasitic interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucía Sánchez Di Maggio
- Centro de Biotecnologia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil; Unidad de Biología Parasitaria, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de la República Oriental del Uruguay, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Lucas Tirloni
- Centro de Biotecnologia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil; Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Texas A&M University, College Station, USA
| | - Marcelle Uhl
- Laboratory of Chemistry and Function of Proteins and Peptides, Animal Experimentation Unit, Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminence Darcy Ribeiro, Campos dos Goytacazes, RJ, Brazil
| | - Carlos Carmona
- Unidad de Biología Parasitaria, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de la República Oriental del Uruguay, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Carlos Logullo
- Laboratory of Chemistry and Function of Proteins and Peptides, Animal Experimentation Unit, Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminence Darcy Ribeiro, Campos dos Goytacazes, RJ, Brazil
| | - Albert Mulenga
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Texas A&M University, College Station, USA
| | - Itabajara da Silva Vaz
- Centro de Biotecnologia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil; Faculdade de Veterinária, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil.
| | - Patrícia Berasain
- Unidad de Biología Parasitaria, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de la República Oriental del Uruguay, Montevideo, Uruguay.
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Tinyou A, Chaimon S, Phuphisut O, Kobpornchai P, Malaithong P, Poodeepiyasawat A, Ieamsuwan I, Ruangsittichai J, Pumirat P, Dekumyoy P, Reamtong O, Adisakwattana P. Molecular cloning and characterization of serine protease inhibitor from food-borne nematode, Gnathostoma spinigerum. Acta Trop 2020; 204:105288. [PMID: 31811864 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2019.105288] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2019] [Revised: 11/01/2019] [Accepted: 12/03/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Gnathostoma spinigerum is a causative agent of human gnathostomiasis and infects people residing in endemic areas as well as travelers. Cutaneous and visceral larval migrants cause clinical manifestations, resulting in severe morbidity and mortality. To survive in hosts, these parasites have evolved various immune evasion mechanisms, including the release of regulatory molecules. Serine protease inhibitors (serpins) that are present in many parasitic helminths are proteins suspected of suppressing host serine protease-related digestion and immune responses. In this study, the serpin secreted by G. spinigerum (GsSerp) was characterized using bioinformatics and molecular biology techniques. The bioinformatics revealed that GsSerp contains 9 helices, 3 β-sheets, and a reactive central loop, which are conserved structures of the serpin superfamily. Recombinant GsSerp (rGsSerp) was expressed in E. coli (molecular weight, 39 kDa) and could inhibit chymotrypsin. Mouse polyclonal antibody against GsSerp could detect the native GsSerp in crude worm antigen but not the excretory-secretory product (ES) of infective-stage larva (aL3Gs). Moreover, the expression of GsSerp in the aL3Gs tissue was located in the hemolymph and intestinal tissue, indicating its role in parasite homeostasis. Our findings may help develop effective strategies for preventing and controlling gnathostomiasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anusorn Tinyou
- Department of Helminthology, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10400, Thailand
| | - Salisa Chaimon
- Department of Helminthology, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10400, Thailand
| | - Orawan Phuphisut
- Department of Helminthology, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10400, Thailand
| | - Porntida Kobpornchai
- Department of Helminthology, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10400, Thailand
| | - Preeyarat Malaithong
- Department of Helminthology, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10400, Thailand
| | - Akkarin Poodeepiyasawat
- Department of Helminthology, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10400, Thailand
| | - Issariya Ieamsuwan
- Faculty of Medical Technology, Huachiew Chalermprakiet University, Samut Prakan 10540, Thailand
| | - Jiraporn Ruangsittichai
- Department of Medical Entomology, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10400, Thailand
| | - Pornpan Pumirat
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10400, Thailand
| | - Paron Dekumyoy
- Department of Helminthology, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10400, Thailand
| | - Onrapak Reamtong
- Department of Molecular Tropical Medicine and Genetics, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10400, Thailand
| | - Poom Adisakwattana
- Department of Helminthology, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10400, Thailand.
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7
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Characterization of a novel Mycobacterium tuberculosis serine protease (Rv3194c) activity and pathogenicity. Tuberculosis (Edinb) 2019; 119:101880. [PMID: 31731061 DOI: 10.1016/j.tube.2019.101880] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2019] [Revised: 11/01/2019] [Accepted: 11/01/2019] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) serine proteases are important pathogen-associated virulence factors that are involved in the invasion, bacterial persistence, and degradation of host defense factors. The current study identified and characterized a novel serine protease, Rv3194c, of MTB. A heterologous Rv3194c protein, purified from Escherichia coli, possessed proteolytic activity that could hydrolyze bovine serum albumin (BSA), milk, casein, and gelatin at an optimal temperature of 40 °C and a pH of 8.0. Furthermore, the divalent metal ions Ca2+ and Mn2+ increased the activity of Rv3194c. Betulinic acid, a Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) monomer; PMSF, a chemical inhibitor; and the Roche inhibitor cocktail inhibited proteolytic activity. Site-directed mutagenesis demonstrated that D308 and particularly S309 play a crucial role in the catalytic activity of Rv3194c protease. The cellular assays revealed that Rv3194c inhibits THP1-derived macrophage migration. Moreover, Rv3194c degraded the complement components, C3b and C5a, causing inhibition of phagocytosis and chemotaxis. In mice, Rv3194c enhanced the persistence of Mycobacterium smegmatis (Ms) in the lung, induced lung lesions, and promoted the release of inflammatory cytokines. The results of this study indicate that Rv3194c may play an important role in the pathogenicity of mycobacteria.
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Nuamtanong S, Reamtong O, Phuphisut O, Chotsiri P, Malaithong P, Dekumyoy P, Adisakwattana P. Transcriptome and excretory-secretory proteome of infective-stage larvae of the nematode Gnathostoma spinigerum reveal potential immunodiagnostic targets for development. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2019; 26:34. [PMID: 31166909 PMCID: PMC6550564 DOI: 10.1051/parasite/2019033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2018] [Accepted: 05/16/2019] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
Background: Gnathostoma spinigerum is a harmful parasitic nematode that causes severe morbidity and mortality in humans and animals. Effective drugs and vaccines and reliable diagnostic methods are needed to prevent and control the associated diseases; however, the lack of genome, transcriptome, and proteome databases remains a major limitation. In this study, transcriptomic and secretomic analyses of advanced third-stage larvae of G. spinigerum (aL3Gs) were performed using next-generation sequencing, bioinformatics, and proteomics. Results: An analysis that incorporated transcriptome and bioinformatics data to predict excretory–secretory proteins (ESPs) classified 171 and 292 proteins into classical and non-classical secretory groups, respectively. Proteins with proteolytic (metalloprotease), cell signaling regulatory (i.e., kinases and phosphatase), and metabolic regulatory function (i.e., glucose and lipid metabolism) were significantly upregulated in the transcriptome and secretome. A two-dimensional (2D) immunomic analysis of aL3Gs-ESPs with G. spinigerum-infected human sera and related helminthiases suggested that the serine protease inhibitor (serpin) was a promising antigenic target for the further development of gnathostomiasis immunodiagnostic methods. Conclusions: The transcriptome and excretory–secretory proteome of aL3Gs can facilitate an understanding of the basic molecular biology of the parasite and identifying multiple associated factors, possibly promoting the discovery of novel drugs and vaccines. The 2D-immunomic analysis identified serpin, a protein secreted from aL3Gs, as an interesting candidate for immunodiagnosis that warrants immediate evaluation and validation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Supaporn Nuamtanong
- Department of Helminthology, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10400, Thailand
| | - Onrapak Reamtong
- Department of Molecular Tropical Medicine and Genetics, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10400, Thailand
| | - Orawan Phuphisut
- Department of Helminthology, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10400, Thailand
| | - Palang Chotsiri
- Mahidol-Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10400, Thailand
| | - Preeyarat Malaithong
- Department of Helminthology, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10400, Thailand
| | - Paron Dekumyoy
- Department of Helminthology, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10400, Thailand
| | - Poom Adisakwattana
- Department of Helminthology, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10400, Thailand
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9
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Roudnický P, Vorel J, Ilgová J, Benovics M, Norek A, Jedličková L, Mikeš L, Potěšil D, Zdráhal Z, Dvořák J, Gelnar M, Kašný M. Identification and partial characterization of a novel serpin from Eudiplozoon nipponicum (Monogenea, Polyopisthocotylea). ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2018; 25:61. [PMID: 30516130 PMCID: PMC6280883 DOI: 10.1051/parasite/2018062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2018] [Accepted: 11/16/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Background: Serpins are a superfamily of serine peptidase inhibitors that participate in the regulation of many physiological and cell peptidase-mediated processes in all organisms (e.g. in blood clotting, complement activation, fibrinolysis, inflammation, and programmed cell death). It was postulated that in the blood-feeding members of the monogenean family Diplozoidae, serpins could play an important role in the prevention of thrombus formation, activation of complement, inflammation in the host, and/or in the endogenous regulation of protein degradation. Results: In silico analysis showed that the DNA and primary protein structures of serpin from Eudiplozoon nipponicum (EnSerp1) are similar to other members of the serpin superfamily. The inhibitory potential of EnSerp1 on four physiologically-relevant serine peptidases (trypsin, factor Xa, kallikrein, and plasmin) was demonstrated and its presence in the worm’s excretory-secretory products (ESPs) was confirmed. Conclusion: EnSerp1 influences the activity of peptidases that play a role in blood coagulation, fibrinolysis, and complement activation. This inhibitory potential, together with the serpin’s presence in ESPs, suggests that it is likely involved in host-parasite interactions and could be one of the molecules involved in the control of feeding and prevention of inflammatory responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pavel Roudnický
- Department of Botany and Zoology, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Kamenice 753/5, 62500 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Jiří Vorel
- Department of Botany and Zoology, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Kamenice 753/5, 62500 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Jana Ilgová
- Department of Botany and Zoology, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Kamenice 753/5, 62500 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Michal Benovics
- Department of Botany and Zoology, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Kamenice 753/5, 62500 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Adam Norek
- Veterinary Research Institute, Hudcova 296/70, 62100 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Lucie Jedličková
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Viničná 7, 12844 Prague 2, Czech Republic
| | - Libor Mikeš
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Viničná 7, 12844 Prague 2, Czech Republic
| | - David Potěšil
- Central European Institute of Technology, Masaryk University, Kamenice 753/5, 62500 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Zbyněk Zdráhal
- Central European Institute of Technology, Masaryk University, Kamenice 753/5, 62500 Brno, Czech Republic - National Centre for Biomolecular Research, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Kamenice 753/5, 62500 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Jan Dvořák
- School of Biological Sciences, Medical Biology Centre, Queen's University Belfast, 97 Lisburn Road, Belfast BT9 7BL, United Kingdom - Department of Zoology and Fisheries, Faculty of Agrobiology, Food and Natural Resources, Czech University of Life Sciences in Prague, Kamýcká 129, 16521 Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Milan Gelnar
- Department of Botany and Zoology, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Kamenice 753/5, 62500 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Martin Kašný
- Department of Botany and Zoology, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Kamenice 753/5, 62500 Brno, Czech Republic - Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Viničná 7, 12844 Prague 2, Czech Republic
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10
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White Bear J, Long T, Skinner D, McKerrow JH. Predictions of novel Schistosoma mansoni - human protein interactions consistent with experimental data. Sci Rep 2018; 8:13092. [PMID: 30166569 PMCID: PMC6117258 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-31272-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2018] [Accepted: 08/14/2018] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Infection by the human blood fluke, Schistosoma mansoni involves a variety of cross-species protein- protein interactions. The pathogen expresses a diverse arsenal of proteins that facilitate the breach of physical and biochemical barriers present in skin evasion of the immune system, and digestion of human plasma proteins including albumin and hemoglobin, allowing schistosomes to reside in the host for years. However, only a small number of specific interactions between S. mansoni and human proteins have been identified. We present and apply a protocol that generates testable predictions of S. mansoni-human protein interactions. In this study, we have preliminary predictions of novel interactions between schistosome and human proteins relevant to infection and the ability of the parasite to evade the immune system. We applied a computational whole-genome comparative approach to predict potential S. mansoni-human protein interactions based on similarity to known protein complexes. We first predict S. mansoni -human protein interactions based on similarity to known protein complexes. Putative interactions were then scored and assessed using several contextual filters, including the use of annotation automatically derived from literature using a simple natural language processing methodology. Next, in vitro experiments were carried out between schistosome and host proteins to validate several prospective predictions. Our method predicted 7 out of the 10 previously known cross-species interactions involved in pathogenesis between S. mansoni and its human host. Interestingly, two novel putative interactions involving Schistosoma proteins, the cercarial elastase SmCE, and the adult tegument surface protein Sm29, were also predicted and experimentally characterized. Preliminary data suggest that elafin, a host endogenous serine protease inhibitor, may be a novel substrate for SmCE. Additionally, CD59, an inhibitor of the membrane attack complex, could interact with Sm29. Furthermore, the application framework provides an integrated methodology for investigation of host-pathogen interactions and an extensive source of orthogonal data for experimental analysis. We have made the predictions available for community perusal.
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Affiliation(s)
- J White Bear
- Department of Bioengineering and Therapeutic Sciences, Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, and California Institute for Quantitative Biosciences, University of California, San Francisco, CA, 94158, USA.
- Graduate Group in Bioinformatics, University of California, San Francisco, CA, 94158, USA.
- MIT Lincoln Laboratory 244 Wood St, Lexington, MA, USA.
| | - Thavy Long
- Department of Pathology and Sandler Center for Basic Research in Parasitic Diseases, University of California at San Francisco, San Francisco, California, 94158, USA
- Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California San Diego 9500 Gilman Dr, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
- INRA - InTheRes - UMR 1436, Equipe Transporteurs Membranaires et Résistance, 180, Chemin de Tournefeuille, Toulouse, France
| | - Danielle Skinner
- Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California San Diego 9500 Gilman Dr, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
| | - James H McKerrow
- Department of Pathology and Sandler Center for Basic Research in Parasitic Diseases, University of California at San Francisco, San Francisco, California, 94158, USA
- Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California San Diego 9500 Gilman Dr, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
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11
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Isolation and characterization of a novel serine protease inhibitor, SjSPI, from Schistosoma japonicum. Parasitol Int 2018; 67:415-424. [DOI: 10.1016/j.parint.2018.04.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2017] [Revised: 04/02/2018] [Accepted: 04/07/2018] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
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12
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Xu J, Bai X, Wang LB, Shi HN, van der Giessen JWB, Boireau P, Liu MY, Liu XL. Influence of adjuvant formulation on inducing immune response in mice immunized with a recombinant serpin from Trichinella spiralis. Parasite Immunol 2017; 39. [PMID: 28445612 DOI: 10.1111/pim.12437] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2016] [Accepted: 04/20/2017] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Nematodes of the genus Trichinella are one of the most widespread zoonotic pathogens on the world, and they can still cause major public health problems in many parts of the world. Vaccination against the helminth nematode Trichinella could be a good strategy to reduce the risk of human and animal infection. It was our aim to evaluate three adjuvants, which could be used as an efficient vaccine for animals in combination with rTs-Serpin antigen. In this study, BALB/c mice were vaccinated by an intramuscular route with rTs-Serpin antigen from the parasite Trichinella spiralis in combination with three different adjuvant formulations: Montanide ISA201, Montanide IMS 1313 N PR VG and Freund's complete adjuvant/Freund's incomplete adjuvant (FCA/FIA). The dynamics of IgG, IgM, IgE and cytokine production from spleen cells and worm reduction rate of the vaccinated mice were analysed. The results showed that rTs-serpin can induce partial protection against Trichinella larvae challenge in mice, when compared to the FCA-/FIA-formulated vaccination, the IMS1313 plus rTs-serpin mixture showed higher humoral immunity and similar levels of cellular immunity and worm reduction rate. The study suggested that Montanide IMS nanoparticles 1313 are as effective as FCA but less toxic; thus, Montanide IMS nanoparticles 1313 can be used as a good candidate of adjuvant for developing vaccine against Trichinella spiralis.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Xu
- Key Lab for Zoonoses Research, Ministry of Education, Institute of Zoonoses, Jilin University, Changchun, PR, China
| | - X Bai
- Key Lab for Zoonoses Research, Ministry of Education, Institute of Zoonoses, Jilin University, Changchun, PR, China
| | - L B Wang
- Key Lab for Zoonoses Research, Ministry of Education, Institute of Zoonoses, Jilin University, Changchun, PR, China
| | - H N Shi
- Mucosal Immunology Laboratory, Pediatric Gastroenterology Unit, Massachusetts General Hospital East, Boston, MA, USA
| | - J W B van der Giessen
- Centre for Zoonoses and Environmental Microbiology, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - P Boireau
- Key Lab for Zoonoses Research, Ministry of Education, Institute of Zoonoses, Jilin University, Changchun, PR, China.,Laboratory for Animal Health, Maisons Alfort, ANSES, INRA, ENVA, Universite Paris Est, Paris, France
| | - M Y Liu
- Key Lab for Zoonoses Research, Ministry of Education, Institute of Zoonoses, Jilin University, Changchun, PR, China.,Jiangsu Co-innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, PR, China
| | - X L Liu
- Key Lab for Zoonoses Research, Ministry of Education, Institute of Zoonoses, Jilin University, Changchun, PR, China
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13
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Ranasinghe SL, McManus DP. Protease Inhibitors of Parasitic Flukes: Emerging Roles in Parasite Survival and Immune Defence. Trends Parasitol 2017; 33:400-413. [PMID: 28089171 DOI: 10.1016/j.pt.2016.12.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2016] [Revised: 12/16/2016] [Accepted: 12/19/2016] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Protease inhibitors play crucial roles in parasite development and survival, counteracting the potentially damaging immune responses of their vertebrate hosts. However, limited information is currently available on protease inhibitors from schistosomes and food-borne trematodes. Future characterization of these molecules is important not only to expand knowledge on parasitic fluke biology but also to determine whether they represent novel vaccine and/or drug targets. Moreover, protease inhibitors from flukes may represent lead compounds for the development of a new range of therapeutic agents against inflammatory disorders and cancer. This review discusses already identified protease inhibitors of fluke origin, emphasizing their biological function and their possible future development as new intervention targets.
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14
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Geng C, Nie X, Tang Z, Zhang Y, Lin J, Sun M, Peng D. A novel serine protease, Sep1, from Bacillus firmus DS-1 has nematicidal activity and degrades multiple intestinal-associated nematode proteins. Sci Rep 2016; 6:25012. [PMID: 27118554 PMCID: PMC4846997 DOI: 10.1038/srep25012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2015] [Accepted: 04/08/2016] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Plant-parasitic nematodes (PPNs) cause serious harm to agricultural production. Bacillus firmus shows excellent control of PPNs and has been produced as a commercial nematicide. However, its nematicidal factors and mechanisms are still unknown. In this study, we showed that B. firmus strain DS-1 has high toxicity against Meloidogyne incognita and soybean cyst nematode. We sequenced the whole genome of DS-1 and identified multiple potential virulence factors. We then focused on a peptidase S8 superfamily protein called Sep1 and demonstrated that it had toxicity against the nematodes Caenorhabditis elegans and M. incognita. The Sep1 protein exhibited serine protease activity and degraded the intestinal tissues of nematodes. Thus, the Sep1 protease of B. firmus is a novel biocontrol factor with activity against a root-knot nematode. We then used C. elegans as a model to elucidate the nematicidal mechanism of Sep1, and the results showed that Sep1 could degrade multiple intestinal and cuticle-associated proteins and destroyed host physical barriers. The knowledge gained in our study will lead to a better understanding of the mechanisms of B. firmus against PPNs and will aid in the development of novel bio-agents with increased efficacy for controlling PPNs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ce Geng
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, Hubei, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiangtao Nie
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, Hubei, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhichao Tang
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, Hubei, People's Republic of China
| | - Yuyang Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, Hubei, People's Republic of China
| | - Jian Lin
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, Hubei, People's Republic of China
| | - Ming Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, Hubei, People's Republic of China
| | - Donghai Peng
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, Hubei, People's Republic of China
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15
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Pakchotanon P, Molee P, Nuamtanong S, Limpanont Y, Chusongsang P, Limsomboon J, Chusongsang Y, Maneewatchararangsri S, Chaisri U, Adisakwattana P. Molecular characterization of serine protease inhibitor isoform 3, SmSPI, from Schistosoma mansoni. Parasitol Res 2016; 115:2981-94. [PMID: 27083187 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-016-5053-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2015] [Accepted: 04/07/2016] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Serine protease inhibitors, known as serpins, are pleiotropic regulators of endogenous and exogenous proteases, and molecule transporters. They have been documented in animals, plants, fungi, bacteria, and viruses; here, we characterize a serpin from the trematode platyhelminth Schistosoma mansoni. At least eight serpins have been found in the genome of S. mansoni, but only two have characterized molecular properties and functions. Here, the function of S. mansoni serpin isoform 3 (SmSPI) was analyzed, using both computational and molecular biological approaches. Phylogenetic analysis showed that SmSPI was closely related to Schistosoma haematobium serpin and Schistosoma japonicum serpin B10. Structure determined in silico confirmed that SmSPI belonged to the serpin superfamily, containing nine α-helices, three β-sheets, and a reactive central loop. SmSPI was highly expressed in schistosomules, predominantly in the head gland, and in adult male and female with intensive accumulation on the spines, which suggests that it may have a role in facilitating intradermal and intravenous survival. Recombinant SmSPI was overexpressed in Escherichia coli; the recombinant protein was of the same size (46 kDa) as the native protein. Immunological analysis suggested that mice infected with S. mansoni responded to rSmSPI at 8 weeks postinfection (wpi) but not earlier. The inhibitory activity of rSmSPI was specific to chymotrypsin but not trypsin, neutrophil elastase, and porcine pancreatic elastase. Elucidating the biological and physiological functions of SmSPI as well as other serpins will lead to further understanding of host-parasite interaction machinery that may provide novel strategies to prevent and control schistosomiasis in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pattarakul Pakchotanon
- Department of Helminthology, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, 10400, Thailand
| | - Patamaporn Molee
- Department of Helminthology, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, 10400, Thailand
- Department of Tropical Pathology, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, 10400, Thailand
| | - Supaporn Nuamtanong
- Department of Helminthology, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, 10400, Thailand
| | - Yanin Limpanont
- Department of Social and Environmental Medicine, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, 10400, Thailand
| | - Phiraphol Chusongsang
- Department of Social and Environmental Medicine, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, 10400, Thailand
| | - Jareemate Limsomboon
- Department of Social and Environmental Medicine, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, 10400, Thailand
| | - Yupa Chusongsang
- Department of Social and Environmental Medicine, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, 10400, Thailand
| | - Santi Maneewatchararangsri
- Department of Molecular Tropical Medicine and Genetics, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, 10400, Thailand
| | - Urai Chaisri
- Department of Tropical Pathology, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, 10400, Thailand
| | - Poom Adisakwattana
- Department of Helminthology, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, 10400, Thailand.
- Center of Excellence for Antibody Research (CEAR), Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, 10400, Thailand.
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16
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Sotillo J, Pearson M, Becker L, Mulvenna J, Loukas A. A quantitative proteomic analysis of the tegumental proteins from Schistosoma mansoni schistosomula reveals novel potential therapeutic targets. Int J Parasitol 2015; 45:505-16. [PMID: 25910674 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpara.2015.03.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 87] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2015] [Revised: 03/20/2015] [Accepted: 03/23/2015] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
The tegument of Schistosoma mansoni plays an integral role in host-parasite interactions, particularly during the transition from the free-living cercariae to the intra-mammalian schistosomula stages. This developmental period is characterised by the transition from a trilaminate surface to a heptalaminate tegument that plays key roles in immune evasion, nutrition and excretion. Proteins exposed at the surface membranes of newly transformed schistosomula are therefore thought to be prime targets for the development of new vaccines and drugs for schistosomiasis. Using a combination of tegumental labelling and high-throughput quantitative proteomics, more than 450 proteins were identified on the apical membrane of S. mansoni schistosomula, of which 200 had significantly regulated expression profiles at different stages of schistosomula development in vitro, including glucose transporters, sterols, heat shock proteins, antioxidant enzymes and peptidases. Current vaccine antigens were identified on the apical membrane (Sm-TSP-1, calpain) or sub-tegumental (Sm-TSP-2, Sm29) fractions of the schistosomula, displaying localisation patterns that, in some cases, differ from that in the adult stage fluke. This work provides the first known in-depth proteomic analysis of the surface-exposed proteins in the schistosomula tegument, and some of the proteins identified are clear targets for the generation of new vaccines and drugs against schistosomiasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Javier Sotillo
- Centre for Biodiscovery and Molecular Development of Therapeutics, Australian Institute of Tropical Health and Medicine, James Cook University, Cairns, QLD, Australia.
| | - Mark Pearson
- Centre for Biodiscovery and Molecular Development of Therapeutics, Australian Institute of Tropical Health and Medicine, James Cook University, Cairns, QLD, Australia
| | - Luke Becker
- Centre for Biodiscovery and Molecular Development of Therapeutics, Australian Institute of Tropical Health and Medicine, James Cook University, Cairns, QLD, Australia
| | - Jason Mulvenna
- QIMR-Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Alex Loukas
- Centre for Biodiscovery and Molecular Development of Therapeutics, Australian Institute of Tropical Health and Medicine, James Cook University, Cairns, QLD, Australia
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17
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Liu S, Cai P, Piao X, Hou N, Zhou X, Wu C, Wang H, Chen Q. Expression profile of the Schistosoma japonicum degradome reveals differential protease expression patterns and potential anti-schistosomal intervention targets. PLoS Comput Biol 2014; 10:e1003856. [PMID: 25275570 PMCID: PMC4183426 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pcbi.1003856] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2014] [Accepted: 08/12/2014] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Blood fluke proteases play pivotal roles in the processes of invasion, nutrition acquisition, immune evasion, and other host-parasite interactions. Hundreds of genes encoding putative proteases have been identified in the recently published schistosome genomes. However, the expression profiles of these proteases in Schistosoma species have not yet been systematically analyzed. We retrieved and culled the redundant protease sequences of Schistosoma japonicum, Schistosoma mansoni, Echinococcus multilocularis, and Clonorchis sinensis from public databases utilizing bioinformatic approaches. The degradomes of the four parasitic organisms and Homo sapiens were then comparatively analyzed. A total of 262 S. japonicum protease sequences were obtained and the expression profiles generated using whole-genome microarray. Four main clusters of protease genes with different expression patterns were identified: proteases up-regulated in hepatic schistosomula and adult worms, egg-specific or predominantly expressed proteases, cercaria-specific or predominantly expressed proteases, and constantly expressed proteases. A subset of protease genes with different expression patterns were further validated using real-time quantitative PCR. The present study represents the most comprehensive analysis of a degradome in Schistosoma species to date. These results provide a firm foundation for future research on the specific function(s) of individual proteases and may help to refine anti-proteolytic strategies in blood flukes. Parasite proteases play critical roles in host-parasite interactions and thus are considered to be potential anti-schistosomal targets. Although numerous schistosome proteases have been predicted based on recently published genomes, no systematic analysis of their expression in Schistosoma species has been performed. Thus, we comparatively analyzed the degradomes of four parasitic organisms and human host, and performed whole-genome microarray analysis to analyze the expression profile of the Schistosoma japonicum degradome at four developmental stages. The expression profile generated for the S. japonicum degradome was divided into four main clusters with different expression patterns, and a subset of selected proteases were further validated using real-time quantitative PCR. Our work is the most comprehensive analysis of a degradome in Schistosoma species to date. Many protease genes were first characterized in blood flukes, and some could be treated as potential anti-schistosomal targets for intensive research in the future. The results provide a firm foundation for deep study on the specific function(s) of individual proteases or protease families in schistosomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuai Liu
- MOH Key Laboratory of Systems Biology of Pathogens, Institute of Pathogen Biology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Pengfei Cai
- MOH Key Laboratory of Systems Biology of Pathogens, Institute of Pathogen Biology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Xianyu Piao
- MOH Key Laboratory of Systems Biology of Pathogens, Institute of Pathogen Biology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Nan Hou
- MOH Key Laboratory of Systems Biology of Pathogens, Institute of Pathogen Biology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaosu Zhou
- MOH Key Laboratory of Systems Biology of Pathogens, Institute of Pathogen Biology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Chuang Wu
- MOH Key Laboratory of Systems Biology of Pathogens, Institute of Pathogen Biology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Heng Wang
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Institute of Basic Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Qijun Chen
- MOH Key Laboratory of Systems Biology of Pathogens, Institute of Pathogen Biology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory of Zoonosis, Jilin University, Changchun, China
- * E-mail:
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18
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Ingram JR, Rafi SB, Eroy-Reveles AA, Ray M, Lambeth L, Hsieh I, Ruelas D, Lim KC, Sakanari J, Craik CS, Jacobson MP, McKerrow JH. Investigation of the proteolytic functions of an expanded cercarial elastase gene family in Schistosoma mansoni. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2012; 6:e1589. [PMID: 22509414 PMCID: PMC3317910 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0001589] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2011] [Accepted: 02/16/2012] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Cercarial elastase is the major invasive larval protease in Schistosoma mansoni, a parasitic blood fluke, and is essential for host skin invasion. Genome sequence analysis reveals a greatly expanded family of cercarial elastase gene isoforms in Schistosoma mansoni. This expansion appears to be unique to S. mansoni, and it is unknown whether gene duplication has led to divergent protease function. Methods Profiling of transcript and protein expression patterns reveals that cercarial elastase isoforms are similarly expressed throughout the S. mansoni life cycle. Computational modeling predicts key differences in the substrate-binding pockets of various cercarial elastase isoforms, suggesting a diversification of substrate preferences compared with the ancestral gene of the family. In addition, active site labeling of SmCE reveals that it is activated prior to exit of the parasite from its intermediate snail host. Conclusions The expansion of the cercarial gene family in S. mansoni is likely to be an example of gene dosage. In addition to its critical role in human skin penetration, data presented here suggests a novel role for the protease in egress from the intermediate snail host. This study demonstrates how enzyme activity-based analysis complements genomic and proteomic studies, and is key in elucidating proteolytic function. Schistosome parasites are a major cause of disease in the developing world. The larval stage of the parasite transitions between an intermediate snail host and a definitive human host in a dramatic fashion, burrowing out of the snail and subsequently penetrating human skin. This process is facilitated by secreted proteases. In Schistosoma mansoni, cercarial elastase is the predominant secreted protease and essential for host skin invasion. Genomic analysis reveals a greatly expanded cercarial elastase gene family in S. mansoni. Despite sequence divergence, SmCE isoforms show similar expression profiles throughout the S. mansoni life cycle and have largely similar substrate specificities, suggesting that the majority of protease isoforms are functionally redundant and therefore their expansion is an example of gene dosage. However, activity-based profiling also indicates that a subset of SmCE isoforms are activated prior to the parasite's exit from its intermediate snail host, suggesting that the protease may also have a role in this process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica R. Ingram
- Tetrad Graduate Program, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, United States of America
| | - Salma B. Rafi
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, United States of America
| | - A. Alegra Eroy-Reveles
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, United States of America
| | - Manisha Ray
- Tetrad Graduate Program, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, United States of America
| | - Laura Lambeth
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, United States of America
| | - Ivy Hsieh
- Department of Pathology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, United States of America
| | - Debbie Ruelas
- Department of Pathology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, United States of America
| | - K. C. Lim
- Department of Pathology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, United States of America
| | - Judy Sakanari
- Sandler Center for Drug Discovery, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, United States of America
| | - Charles S. Craik
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, United States of America
| | - Matthew P. Jacobson
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, United States of America
| | - James H. McKerrow
- Department of Pathology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, United States of America
- Sandler Center for Drug Discovery, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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