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Bu L, Habib MR, Lu L, Mutuku MW, Loker ES, Zhang SM. Transcriptional profiling of Bulinus globosus provides insights into immune gene families in snails supporting the transmission of urogenital schistosomiasis. DEVELOPMENTAL AND COMPARATIVE IMMUNOLOGY 2024; 154:105150. [PMID: 38367887 PMCID: PMC10932938 DOI: 10.1016/j.dci.2024.105150] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2023] [Revised: 01/18/2024] [Accepted: 02/14/2024] [Indexed: 02/19/2024]
Abstract
Schistosomiasis, urogenital and intestinal, afflicts 251 million people worldwide with approximately two-thirds of the patients suffering from the urogenital form of the disease. Freshwater snails of the genus Bulinus (Gastropoda: Planorbidae) serve as obligate intermediate hosts for Schistosoma haematobium, the etiologic agent of human urogenital schistosomiasis. These snails also act as vectors for the transmission of schistosomiasis in livestock and wildlife. Despite their crucial role in human and veterinary medicine, our basic understanding at the molecular level of the entire Bulinus genus, which comprises 37 recognized species, is very limited. In this study, we employed Illumina-based RNA sequencing (RNAseq) to profile the genome-wide transcriptome of Bulinus globosus, one of the most important intermediate hosts for S. haematobium in Africa. A total of 179,221 transcripts (N50 = 1,235) were assembled and the benchmarking universal single-copy orthologs (BUSCO) was estimated to be 97.7%. The analysis revealed a substantial number of transcripts encoding evolutionarily conserved immune-related proteins, particularly C-type lectin (CLECT) domain-containing proteins (n = 316), Toll/Interleukin 1-receptor (TIR)-containing proteins (n = 75), and fibrinogen related domain-containing molecules (FReD) (n = 165). Notably, none of the FReDs are fibrinogen-related proteins (FREPs) (immunoglobulin superfamily (IgSF) + fibrinogen (FBG)). This RNAseq-based transcriptional profile provides new insights into immune capabilities of Bulinus snails, helps provide a framework to explain the complex patterns of compatibility between snails and schistosomes, and improves our overall understanding of comparative immunology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lijing Bu
- Center for Evolutionary and Theoretical Immunology, Department of Biology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, 87131, USA
| | - Mohamed R Habib
- Center for Evolutionary and Theoretical Immunology, Department of Biology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, 87131, USA
| | - Lijun Lu
- Center for Evolutionary and Theoretical Immunology, Department of Biology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, 87131, USA
| | - Martin W Mutuku
- Centre for Biotechnology Research and Development, Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI), P.O Box 54840-00200, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Eric S Loker
- Center for Evolutionary and Theoretical Immunology, Department of Biology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, 87131, USA; Parasitology Division, Museum of Southwestern Biology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, 87131, USA
| | - Si-Ming Zhang
- Center for Evolutionary and Theoretical Immunology, Department of Biology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, 87131, USA.
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Zhong D, Bu L, Habib MR, Lu L, Yan G, Zhang SM. A haplotype-like, chromosome-level assembled and annotated genome of Biomphalaria glabrata, an important intermediate host of schistosomiasis and the best studied model of schistosomiasis vector snails. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2024; 18:e0011983. [PMID: 38421953 PMCID: PMC10903818 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0011983] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2023] [Accepted: 02/08/2024] [Indexed: 03/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Schistosomiasis is one of the world's most devastating parasitic diseases, afflicting 251 million people globally. The Neotropical snail Biomphalaria glabrata is an important intermediate host of the human blood fluke Schistosoma mansoni and a predominant model for schistosomiasis research. To fully exploit this model snail for biomedical research, here we report a haplotype-like, chromosome-level assembled and annotated genome of the homozygous iM line of B. glabrata that we developed at the University of New Mexico. Using multiple sequencing platforms, including Illumina, PacBio, and Omni-C sequencing, 18 sequence contact matrices representing 18 haploid chromosomes (2n = 36) were generated (337x genome coverage), and 96.5% of the scaffold sequences were anchored to the 18 chromosomes. Protein-coding genes (n = 34,559), non-coding RNAs (n = 2,406), and repetitive elements (42.52% of the genome) were predicted for the whole genome, and detailed annotations for individual chromosomes were also provided. Using this genomic resource, we have investigated the genomic structure and organization of the Toll-like receptor (TLR) and fibrinogen-domain containing protein (FReD) genes, the two important immune-related gene families. Notably, TLR-like genes are scattered on 13 chromosomes. In contrast, almost all (39 of 40) fibrinogen-related genes (FREPs) (immunoglobulin superfamily (IgSF) + fibrinogen (FBG)) are clustered within a 5-million nucleotide region on chromosome 13, yielding insight into mechanisms involved in the diversification of FREPs. This is the first genome of schistosomiasis vector snails that has been assembled at the chromosome level, annotated, and analyzed. It serves as a valuable resource for a deeper understanding of the biology of vector snails, especially Biomphalaria snails.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daibin Zhong
- Program in Public Health, College of Health Sciences, University of California, Irvine, California, United States of America
| | - Lijing Bu
- Center for Evolutionary and Theoretical Immunology, Department of Biology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States of America
| | - Mohamed R. Habib
- Center for Evolutionary and Theoretical Immunology, Department of Biology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States of America
| | - Lijun Lu
- Center for Evolutionary and Theoretical Immunology, Department of Biology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States of America
| | - Guiyun Yan
- Program in Public Health, College of Health Sciences, University of California, Irvine, California, United States of America
| | - Si-Ming Zhang
- Center for Evolutionary and Theoretical Immunology, Department of Biology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States of America
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3
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Prado Sepulveda CC, Alencar RM, Santana RA, Belém de Souza I, D'Elia GMA, Godoy RSM, Duarte AP, Lopes SCP, de Lacerda MVG, Monteiro WM, Nacif-Pimenta R, Secundino NFC, Koerich LB, Pimenta PFP. Evolution and assembly of Anopheles aquasalis's immune genes: primary malaria vector of coastal Central and South America and the Caribbean Islands. Open Biol 2023; 13:230061. [PMID: 37433331 PMCID: PMC10335856 DOI: 10.1098/rsob.230061] [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: 02/23/2023] [Accepted: 06/20/2023] [Indexed: 07/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Anophelines are vectors of malaria, the deadliest disease worldwide transmitted by mosquitoes. The availability of genomic data from various Anopheles species allowed evolutionary comparisons of the immune response genes in search of alternative vector control of the malarial parasites. Now, with the Anopheles aquasalis genome, it was possible to obtain more information about the evolution of the immune response genes. Anopheles aquasalis has 278 immune genes in 24 families or groups. Comparatively, the American anophelines possess fewer genes than Anopheles gambiae s. s., the most dangerous African vector. The most remarkable differences were found in the pathogen recognition and modulation families like FREPs, CLIP and C-type lectins. Even so, genes related to the modulation of the expression of effectors in response to pathogens and gene families that control the production of reactive oxygen species were more conserved. Overall, the results show a variable pattern of evolution in the immune response genes in the anopheline species. Environmental factors, such as exposure to different pathogens and differences in the microbiota composition, could shape the expression of this group of genes. The results presented here will contribute to a better knowledge of the Neotropical vector and open opportunities for malaria control in the endemic-affected areas of the New World.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cesar Camilo Prado Sepulveda
- Fundação de Medicina Tropical Dr. Heitor Vieira Dourado, Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Medicina Tropical, Fundação de Medicina Tropical Heitor Vieira Dourado, Universidade do Estado do Amazonas, Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil
| | - Rodrigo Maciel Alencar
- Fundação de Medicina Tropical Dr. Heitor Vieira Dourado, Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Medicina Tropical, Fundação de Medicina Tropical Heitor Vieira Dourado, Universidade do Estado do Amazonas, Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil
| | - Rosa Amélia Santana
- Fundação de Medicina Tropical Dr. Heitor Vieira Dourado, Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Medicina Tropical, Fundação de Medicina Tropical Heitor Vieira Dourado, Universidade do Estado do Amazonas, Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil
| | - Igor Belém de Souza
- Fundação de Medicina Tropical Dr. Heitor Vieira Dourado, Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Medicina Tropical, Fundação de Medicina Tropical Heitor Vieira Dourado, Universidade do Estado do Amazonas, Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil
| | - Gigliola Mayra Ayres D'Elia
- Fundação de Medicina Tropical Dr. Heitor Vieira Dourado, Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Medicina Tropical, Fundação de Medicina Tropical Heitor Vieira Dourado, Universidade do Estado do Amazonas, Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil
| | - Raquel Soares Maia Godoy
- Instituto de Pesquisas René Rachou, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências da Saúde, FIOCRUZ – Belo Horizonte. Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Ana Paula Duarte
- Fundação de Medicina Tropical Dr. Heitor Vieira Dourado, Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Medicina Tropical, Fundação de Medicina Tropical Heitor Vieira Dourado, Universidade do Estado do Amazonas, Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil
| | - Stefanie Costa Pinto Lopes
- Fundação de Medicina Tropical Dr. Heitor Vieira Dourado, Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil
- Instituto de Pesquisas Leônidas e Maria Deane, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil
| | - Marcus Vinicius Guimarães de Lacerda
- Fundação de Medicina Tropical Dr. Heitor Vieira Dourado, Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil
- Instituto de Pesquisas Leônidas e Maria Deane, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil
- University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Wuelton Marcelo Monteiro
- Fundação de Medicina Tropical Dr. Heitor Vieira Dourado, Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Medicina Tropical, Fundação de Medicina Tropical Heitor Vieira Dourado, Universidade do Estado do Amazonas, Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil
| | - Rafael Nacif-Pimenta
- Departament of Epidemiology of Microbial Disease, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Nágila Francinete Costa Secundino
- Fundação de Medicina Tropical Dr. Heitor Vieira Dourado, Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Medicina Tropical, Fundação de Medicina Tropical Heitor Vieira Dourado, Universidade do Estado do Amazonas, Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil
- Instituto de Pesquisas René Rachou, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências da Saúde, FIOCRUZ – Belo Horizonte. Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Leonardo Barbosa Koerich
- Departamento de Parasitologia, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Paulo Filemon Paolucci Pimenta
- Fundação de Medicina Tropical Dr. Heitor Vieira Dourado, Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Medicina Tropical, Fundação de Medicina Tropical Heitor Vieira Dourado, Universidade do Estado do Amazonas, Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil
- Instituto de Pesquisas René Rachou, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências da Saúde, FIOCRUZ – Belo Horizonte. Minas Gerais, Brazil
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Zhang G, Niu G, Hooker–Romera D, Shabani S, Ramelow J, Wang X, Butler NS, James AA, Li J. Targeting plasmodium α-tubulin-1 to block malaria transmission to mosquitoes. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2023; 13:1132647. [PMID: 37009496 PMCID: PMC10064449 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2023.1132647] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2022] [Accepted: 03/02/2023] [Indexed: 03/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Plasmodium ookinetes use an invasive apparatus to invade mosquito midguts, and tubulins are the major structural proteins of this apical complex. We examined the role of tubulins in malaria transmission to mosquitoes. Our results demonstrate that the rabbit polyclonal antibodies (pAb) against human α-tubulin significantly reduced the number of P. falciparum oocysts in Anopheles gambiae midguts, while rabbit pAb against human β-tubulin did not. Further studies showed that pAb, specifically against P. falciparum α-tubulin-1, also significantly limited P. falciparum transmission to mosquitoes. We also generated mouse monoclonal antibodies (mAb) using recombinant P. falciparum α-tubulin-1. Out of 16 mAb, two mAb, A3 and A16, blocked P. falciparum transmission with EC50 of 12 μg/ml and 2.8 μg/ml. The epitopes of A3 and A16 were determined to be a conformational and linear sequence of EAREDLAALEKDYEE, respectively. To understand the mechanism of the antibody-blocking activity, we studied the accessibility of live ookinete α-tubulin-1 to antibodies and its interaction with mosquito midgut proteins. Immunofluorescent assays showed that pAb could bind to the apical complex of live ookinetes. Moreover, both ELISA and pull-down assays demonstrated that insect cell-expressed mosquito midgut protein, fibrinogen-related protein 1 (FREP1), interacts with P. falciparum α-tubulin-1. Since ookinete invasion is directional, we conclude that the interaction between Anopheles FREP1 protein and Plasmodium α-tubulin-1 anchors and orients the ookinete invasive apparatus towards the midgut PM and promotes the efficient parasite infection in the mosquito.
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Affiliation(s)
- Genwei Zhang
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK, United States
| | - Guodong Niu
- Department of Biological Sciences, Biomolecule Sciences Institute, Florida International University, Miami, FL, United States
| | - Diana Hooker–Romera
- Department of Biological Sciences, Biomolecule Sciences Institute, Florida International University, Miami, FL, United States
| | - Sadeq Shabani
- Department of Biological Sciences, Biomolecule Sciences Institute, Florida International University, Miami, FL, United States
| | - Julian Ramelow
- Biomedical Sciences Graduate Program, Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine, Florida International University, Miami, FL, United States
| | - Xiaohong Wang
- Department of Biological Sciences, Biomolecule Sciences Institute, Florida International University, Miami, FL, United States
| | - Noah S. Butler
- Departments of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, United States
| | - Anthony A. James
- Department of Microbiology & Molecular Genetics and Molecular Biology & Biochemistry, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, United States
| | - Jun Li
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK, United States
- Department of Biological Sciences, Biomolecule Sciences Institute, Florida International University, Miami, FL, United States
- Biomedical Sciences Graduate Program, Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine, Florida International University, Miami, FL, United States
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5
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da Veiga GTS, Moriggi MR, Vettorazzi JF, Müller-Santos M, Albrecht L. Plasmodium vivax vaccine: What is the best way to go? Front Immunol 2023; 13:910236. [PMID: 36726991 PMCID: PMC9885200 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.910236] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2022] [Accepted: 12/23/2022] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Malaria is one of the most devastating human infectious diseases caused by Plasmodium spp. parasites. A search for an effective and safe vaccine is the main challenge for its eradication. Plasmodium vivax is the second most prevalent Plasmodium species and the most geographically distributed parasite and has been neglected for decades. This has a massive gap in knowledge and consequently in the development of vaccines. The most significant difficulties in obtaining a vaccine against P. vivax are the high genetic diversity and the extremely complex life cycle. Due to its complexity, studies have evaluated P. vivax antigens from different stages as potential targets for an effective vaccine. Therefore, the main vaccine candidates are grouped into preerythrocytic stage vaccines, blood-stage vaccines, and transmission-blocking vaccines. This review aims to support future investigations by presenting the main findings of vivax malaria vaccines to date. There are only a few P. vivax vaccines in clinical trials, and thus far, the best protective efficacy was a vaccine formulated with synthetic peptide from a circumsporozoite protein and Montanide ISA-51 as an adjuvant with 54.5% efficacy in a phase IIa study. In addition, the majority of P. vivax antigen candidates are polymorphic, induce strain-specific and heterogeneous immunity and provide only partial protection. Nevertheless, immunization with recombinant proteins and multiantigen vaccines have shown promising results and have emerged as excellent strategies. However, more studies are necessary to assess the ideal vaccine combination and test it in clinical trials. Developing a safe and effective vaccine against vivax malaria is essential for controlling and eliminating the disease. Therefore, it is necessary to determine what is already known to propose and identify new candidates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gisele Tatiane Soares da Veiga
- Laboratory of Apicomplexan Parasites Research, Carlos Chagas Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (FIOCRUZ), Curitiba, Brazil,Nitrogen Fixation Laboratory, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Federal University of Paraná (UFPR), Curitiba, Brazil
| | | | | | - Marcelo Müller-Santos
- Nitrogen Fixation Laboratory, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Federal University of Paraná (UFPR), Curitiba, Brazil
| | - Letusa Albrecht
- Laboratory of Apicomplexan Parasites Research, Carlos Chagas Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (FIOCRUZ), Curitiba, Brazil,*Correspondence: Letusa Albrecht,
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6
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Gantz VM, Bier E. Active genetics comes alive: Exploring the broad applications of CRISPR-based selfish genetic elements (or gene-drives): Exploring the broad applications of CRISPR-based selfish genetic elements (or gene-drives). Bioessays 2022; 44:e2100279. [PMID: 35686327 PMCID: PMC9397133 DOI: 10.1002/bies.202100279] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2021] [Revised: 05/06/2022] [Accepted: 05/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats (CRISPR)-based "active genetic" elements developed in 2015 bypassed the fundamental rules of traditional genetics. Inherited in a super-Mendelian fashion, such selfish genetic entities offered a variety of potential applications including: gene-drives to disseminate gene cassettes carrying desired traits throughout insect populations to control disease vectors or pest species, allelic drives biasing inheritance of preferred allelic variants, neutralizing genetic elements to delete and replace or to halt the spread of gene-drives, split-drives with the core constituent Cas9 endonuclease and guide RNA (gRNA) components inserted at separate genomic locations to accelerate assembly of complex arrays of genetic traits or to gain genetic entry into novel organisms (vertebrates, plants, bacteria), and interhomolog based copying systems in somatic cells to develop tools for treating inherited or infectious diseases. Here, we summarize the substantial advances that have been made on all of these fronts and look forward to the next phase of this rapidly expanding and impactful field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valentino M Gantz
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Ethan Bier
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, La Jolla, California, USA
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7
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Consalvi S, Tammaro C, Appetecchia F, Biava M, Poce G. Malaria transmission blocking compounds: a patent review. Expert Opin Ther Pat 2022; 32:649-666. [PMID: 35240899 DOI: 10.1080/13543776.2022.2049239] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Despite substantial progress in the field, malaria remains a global health issue and currently available control strategies are not sufficient to achieve eradication. Agents able to prevent transmission are likely to have a strong impact on malaria control and have been prioritized as a primary objective to reduce the number of secondary infections. Therefore, there is an increased interest in finding novel drugs targeting sexual stages of Plasmodium and innovative methods to target malaria transmission from host to vector, and vice versa. AREAS COVERED This review covers innovative transmission-blocking inventions patented between 2015 and October 2021. The focus is on chemical interventions which could be used as "chemical vaccines" to prevent transmission (small molecules, carbohydrates, and polypeptides). EXPERT OPINION Even though the development of novel strategies to block transmission still requires fundamental additional research and a deeper understanding of parasite sexual stages biology, the research in this field has significantly accelerated. Among innovative inventions patented over the last six years, the surface-delivery of antimalarial drugs to kill transmission-stages parasites in mosquitoes holds the highest promise for success in malaria control strategies, opening completely new scenarios in malaria transmission-blocking drug discovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Consalvi
- Department of Chemistry and Technologies of Drug, Sapienza University of Rome, piazzale A. Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Chiara Tammaro
- Department of Chemistry and Technologies of Drug, Sapienza University of Rome, piazzale A. Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Federico Appetecchia
- Department of Chemistry and Technologies of Drug, Sapienza University of Rome, piazzale A. Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Mariangela Biava
- Department of Chemistry and Technologies of Drug, Sapienza University of Rome, piazzale A. Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Giovanna Poce
- Department of Chemistry and Technologies of Drug, Sapienza University of Rome, piazzale A. Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy
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8
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Kaduskar B, Kushwah RBS, Auradkar A, Guichard A, Li M, Bennett JB, Julio AHF, Marshall JM, Montell C, Bier E. Reversing insecticide resistance with allelic-drive in Drosophila melanogaster. Nat Commun 2022; 13:291. [PMID: 35022402 PMCID: PMC8755802 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-27654-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2021] [Accepted: 12/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
A recurring target-site mutation identified in various pests and disease vectors alters the voltage gated sodium channel (vgsc) gene (often referred to as knockdown resistance or kdr) to confer resistance to commonly used insecticides, pyrethroids and DDT. The ubiquity of kdr mutations poses a major global threat to the continued use of insecticides as a means for vector control. In this study, we generate common kdr mutations in isogenic laboratory Drosophila strains using CRISPR/Cas9 editing. We identify differential sensitivities to permethrin and DDT versus deltamethrin among these mutants as well as contrasting physiological consequences of two different kdr mutations. Importantly, we apply a CRISPR-based allelic-drive to replace a resistant kdr mutation with a susceptible wild-type counterpart in population cages. This successful proof-of-principle opens-up numerous possibilities including targeted reversion of insecticide-resistant populations to a native susceptible state or replacement of malaria transmitting mosquitoes with those bearing naturally occurring parasite resistant alleles. Insecticide resistance (IR) poses a major global health challenge. Here, the authors generate common IR mutations in laboratory Drosophila strains and use a CRISPR-based allelic-drive to replace an IR allele with a susceptible wild-type counterpart, providing a potent new tool for vector control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bhagyashree Kaduskar
- Tata Institute for Genetics and Society, Center at inStem, Bangalore, Karnataka, 560065, India.,Section of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA.,Tata Institute for Genetics and Society, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
| | - Raja Babu Singh Kushwah
- Tata Institute for Genetics and Society, Center at inStem, Bangalore, Karnataka, 560065, India.,Section of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA.,Tata Institute for Genetics and Society, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
| | - Ankush Auradkar
- Section of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
| | - Annabel Guichard
- Section of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA.,Tata Institute for Genetics and Society, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
| | - Menglin Li
- Neuroscience Research Institute, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA, 93106, USA.,Department of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA, 93106, USA
| | - Jared B Bennett
- Biophysics Graduate Group, Division of Biological Sciences, College of Letters and Science, University of California, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA
| | | | - John M Marshall
- Division of Biostatistics and Epidemiology - School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA.,Innovative Genomics Institute, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA
| | - Craig Montell
- Neuroscience Research Institute, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA, 93106, USA.,Department of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA, 93106, USA
| | - Ethan Bier
- Section of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA. .,Tata Institute for Genetics and Society, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA.
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9
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Abstract
Gene drives are selfish genetic elements that are transmitted to progeny at super-Mendelian (>50%) frequencies. Recently developed CRISPR-Cas9-based gene-drive systems are highly efficient in laboratory settings, offering the potential to reduce the prevalence of vector-borne diseases, crop pests and non-native invasive species. However, concerns have been raised regarding the potential unintended impacts of gene-drive systems. This Review summarizes the phenomenal progress in this field, focusing on optimal design features for full-drive elements (drives with linked Cas9 and guide RNA components) that either suppress target mosquito populations or modify them to prevent pathogen transmission, allelic drives for updating genetic elements, mitigating strategies including trans-complementing split-drives and genetic neutralizing elements, and the adaptation of drive technology to other organisms. These scientific advances, combined with ethical and social considerations, will facilitate the transparent and responsible advancement of these technologies towards field implementation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ethan Bier
- Section of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA.
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10
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Tachibana M, Takashima E, Morita M, Sattabongkot J, Ishino T, Culleton R, Torii M, Tsuboi T. Plasmodium vivax transmission-blocking vaccines: Progress, challenges and innovation. Parasitol Int 2021; 87:102525. [PMID: 34896614 DOI: 10.1016/j.parint.2021.102525] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2021] [Accepted: 12/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Existing control measures have significantly reduced malaria morbidity and mortality in the last two decades, although these reductions are now stalling. Significant efforts have been undertaken to develop malaria vaccines. Recently, extensive progress in malaria vaccine development has been made for Plasmodium falciparum. To date, only the RTS,S/AS01 vaccine has been tested in Phase 3 clinical trials and is now under implementation, despite modest efficacy. Therefore, the development of a malaria transmission-blocking vaccine (TBV) will be essential for malaria elimination. Only a limited number of TBVs have reached pre-clinical or clinical development with several major challenges impeding their development, including low immunogenicity in humans. TBV development efforts against P. vivax, the second major cause of malaria morbidity, lag far behind those for P. falciparum. In this review we summarize the latest progress, challenges and innovations in P. vivax TBV research and discuss how to accelerate its development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mayumi Tachibana
- Division of Molecular Parasitology, Proteo-Science Center, Ehime University, Toon, Ehime 791-0295, Japan.
| | - Eizo Takashima
- Division of Malaria Research, Proteo-Science Center, Ehime University, Matsuyama, Ehime 790-8577, Japan.
| | - Masayuki Morita
- Division of Malaria Research, Proteo-Science Center, Ehime University, Matsuyama, Ehime 790-8577, Japan.
| | - Jetsumon Sattabongkot
- Mahidol Vivax Research Unit, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10400, Thailand.
| | - Tomoko Ishino
- Division of Molecular Parasitology, Proteo-Science Center, Ehime University, Toon, Ehime 791-0295, Japan.
| | - Richard Culleton
- Division of Molecular Parasitology, Proteo-Science Center, Ehime University, Toon, Ehime 791-0295, Japan.
| | - Motomi Torii
- Division of Molecular Parasitology, Proteo-Science Center, Ehime University, Toon, Ehime 791-0295, Japan; Division of Malaria Research, Proteo-Science Center, Ehime University, Matsuyama, Ehime 790-8577, Japan.
| | - Takafumi Tsuboi
- Division of Malaria Research, Proteo-Science Center, Ehime University, Matsuyama, Ehime 790-8577, Japan.
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11
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Keleta Y, Ramelow J, Cui L, Li J. Molecular interactions between parasite and mosquito during midgut invasion as targets to block malaria transmission. NPJ Vaccines 2021; 6:140. [PMID: 34845210 PMCID: PMC8630063 DOI: 10.1038/s41541-021-00401-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2021] [Accepted: 11/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite considerable effort, malaria remains a major public health burden. Malaria is caused by five Plasmodium species and is transmitted to humans via the female Anopheles mosquito. The development of malaria vaccines against the liver and blood stages has been challenging. Therefore, malaria elimination strategies advocate integrated measures, including transmission-blocking approaches. Designing an effective transmission-blocking strategy relies on a sophisticated understanding of the molecular mechanisms governing the interactions between the mosquito midgut molecules and the malaria parasite. Here we review recent advances in the biology of malaria transmission, focusing on molecular interactions between Plasmodium and Anopheles mosquito midgut proteins. We provide an overview of parasite and mosquito proteins that are either targets for drugs currently in clinical trials or candidates of promising transmission-blocking vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yacob Keleta
- Department of Biological Sciences, Florida International University, Miami, FL, 33199, USA
| | - Julian Ramelow
- Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine, Florida International University, Miami, FL, 33199, USA
| | - Liwang Cui
- College of Public Health, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, 33612, USA
| | - Jun Li
- Department of Biological Sciences, Florida International University, Miami, FL, 33199, USA.
- Biomolecular Science Institute, Florida International University, Miami, FL, 33199, USA.
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12
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Bantuchai S, Imad H, Nguitragool W. Plasmodium vivax gametocytes and transmission. Parasitol Int 2021; 87:102497. [PMID: 34748969 DOI: 10.1016/j.parint.2021.102497] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2021] [Revised: 08/14/2021] [Accepted: 10/30/2021] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
Malaria elimination means cessation of parasite transmission. At present, the declining malaria incidence in many countries has made elimination a feasible goal. Transmission control has thus been placed at the center of the national malaria control programs. The efficient transmission of Plasmodium vivax from humans to mosquitoes is a key factor that helps perpetuate malaria in endemic areas. A better understanding of transmission is crucial to the success of elimination efforts. Biological delineation of the parasite transmission process is important for identifying and prioritizing new targets of intervention. Identification of the infectious parasite reservoir in the community is key to devising an effective elimination strategy. Here we describe the fundamental characteristics of P. vivax gametocytes - the dynamics of their production, longevity, and the relationship with the total parasitemia - as well as recent advances in the molecular understanding of parasite sexual development. In relation to malaria elimination, factors influencing the human infectivity and the current evidence for a role of asymptomatic carriers in transmission are presented.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sirasate Bantuchai
- Mahidol Vivax Research Unit, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, 420/6 Ratchawithi Road, Ratchathewi, Bangkok 10400, Thailand.
| | - Hisham Imad
- Mahidol Vivax Research Unit, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, 420/6 Ratchawithi Road, Ratchathewi, Bangkok 10400, Thailand.
| | - Wang Nguitragool
- Mahidol Vivax Research Unit, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, 420/6 Ratchawithi Road, Ratchathewi, Bangkok 10400, Thailand; Department of Molecular Tropical Medicine and Genetics, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, 420/6 Ratchawithi Road, Ratchathewi, Bangkok 10400, Thailand.
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13
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Niu G, Cui Y, Wang X, Keleta Y, Li J. Studies of the Parasite-Midgut Interaction Reveal Plasmodium Proteins Important for Malaria Transmission to Mosquitoes. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2021; 11:654216. [PMID: 34262880 PMCID: PMC8274421 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2021.654216] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2021] [Accepted: 05/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Malaria transmission relies on parasite-mosquito midgut interaction. The interactive proteins are hypothesized to be ideal targets to block malaria transmission to mosquitoes. We chose 76 genes that contain signal peptide-coding regions and are upregulated and highly abundant at sexual stages. Forty-six of these candidate genes (60%) were cloned and expressed using the baculovirus expression system in insect cells. Six of them, e.g., PF3D7_0303900, PF3D7_0406200 (Pfs16), PF3D7_1204400 (Pfs37), PF3D7_1214800, PF3D7_1239400, and PF3D7_1472800 were discovered to interact with blood-fed mosquito midgut lysate. Previous works showed that among these interactive proteins, knockout the orthologs of Pfs37 or Pfs16 in P. berghei reduced oocysts in mosquitoes. Here we further found that anti-Pfs16 polyclonal antibody significantly inhibited P. falciparum transmission to Anopheles gambiae. Investigating these candidate proteins will improve our understanding of malaria transmission and discover new targets to break malaria transmission.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Jun Li
- Department of Biological Sciences, Biomolecular Sciences Institute, Florida International University, Miami, FL, United States
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14
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Patil G. Evolution of fibrinogen domain related proteins in Aedes aegypti: Their expression during Arbovirus infections. GENE REPORTS 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.genrep.2021.101030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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15
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Niu G, Wang X, Hao Y, Kandel S, Niu G, Raptis RG, Li J. A novel fungal metabolite inhibits Plasmodium falciparum transmission and infection. Parasit Vectors 2021; 14:177. [PMID: 33761961 PMCID: PMC7992847 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-021-04677-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2020] [Accepted: 03/09/2021] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Malaria transmission depends on infected mosquitoes and can be controlled by transmission-blocking drugs. The recently discovered FREP1-mediated malaria transmission pathway is an excellent target to screen drugs for limiting transmission. Methods To identify candidate small molecules, we used an ELISA-based approach to analyze extracts from a fungal library for inhibition of the FREP1–parasite interaction. We isolated and determined one active compound by chromatography and crystallography, respectively. We measured the effects of the bioactive compound on malaria transmission to mosquitoes through standard membrane-feeding assays (SMFA) and on parasite proliferation in blood by culturing. Results We discovered the ethyl acetate extract of the fungus Purpureocillium lilacinum that inhibited Plasmodium falciparum transmission to mosquitoes. Pre-exposure to the extract rendered Anopheles gambiae resistant to Plasmodium infection. Furthermore, we isolated one novel active compound from the extract and identified it as 3-amino-7,9-dihydroxy-1-methyl-6H-benzo[c]chromen-6-one, or “pulixin.” Pulixin prevented FREP1 from binding to P. falciparum-infected cell lysate. Pulixin blocked the transmission of the parasite to mosquitoes with an EC50 (the concentration that gave half-maximal response) of 11 µM based on SMFA. Notably, pulixin also inhibited the proliferation of asexual-stage P. falciparum with an EC50 of 47 nM. The compound did not show cytotoxic effects at a concentration of 116 µM or lower. Conclusion By targeting the FREP1–Plasmodium interaction, we discovered that Purpureocillium lilacinum extract blocked malaria transmission. We isolated and identified the bioactive agent pulixin as a new compound capable of stopping malaria transmission to mosquitoes and inhibiting parasite proliferation in blood culture.![]() Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13071-021-04677-7.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guodong Niu
- Department of Biological Sciences, Florida International University, 11200 SW 8th St, Miami, FL, 33199, USA
| | - Xiaohong Wang
- Department of Biological Sciences, Florida International University, 11200 SW 8th St, Miami, FL, 33199, USA
| | - Yue Hao
- Department of Biological Sciences, Florida International University, 11200 SW 8th St, Miami, FL, 33199, USA.,College of Public Health, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, China
| | - Shambhu Kandel
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Florida International University, 11200 SW 8th St, Miami, FL, 33199, USA
| | - Guomin Niu
- Department of Hematology, Southern Medical University Affiliated Nanhai Hospital, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Raphael G Raptis
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Florida International University, 11200 SW 8th St, Miami, FL, 33199, USA.,Biomolecular Sciences Institute, Florida International University, 11200 SW 8th St, Miami, FL, 33199, USA
| | - Jun Li
- Department of Biological Sciences, Florida International University, 11200 SW 8th St, Miami, FL, 33199, USA. .,Biomolecular Sciences Institute, Florida International University, 11200 SW 8th St, Miami, FL, 33199, USA.
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16
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Niu G, Annamalai T, Wang X, Li S, Munga S, Niu G, Tse-Dinh YC, Li J. A diverse global fungal library for drug discovery. PeerJ 2020; 8:e10392. [PMID: 33312768 PMCID: PMC7703384 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.10392] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2020] [Accepted: 10/28/2020] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Secondary fungal metabolites are important sources for new drugs against infectious diseases and cancers. METHODS To obtain a library with enough diversity, we collected about 2,395 soil samples and 2,324 plant samples from 36 regions in Africa, Asia, and North America. The collection areas covered various climate zones in the world. We examined the usability of the global fungal extract library (GFEL) against parasitic malaria transmission, Gram-positive and negative bacterial pathogens, and leukemia cells. RESULTS Nearly ten thousand fungal strains were isolated. Sequences of nuclear ribosomal internal transcribed spacer (ITS) from 40 randomly selected strains showed that over 80% were unique. Screening GFEL, we found that the fungal extract from Penicillium thomii was able to block Plasmodium falciparum transmission to Anopheles gambiae, and the fungal extract from Tolypocladium album was able to kill myelogenous leukemia cell line K562. We also identified a set of candidate fungal extracts against bacterial pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guodong Niu
- Department of Biological Sciences, Florida International University, Miami, FL, United States of America
| | - Thirunavukkarasu Annamalai
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Florida International University, Miami, FL, United States of America
| | - Xiaohong Wang
- Department of Biological Sciences, Florida International University, Miami, FL, United States of America
| | - Sheng Li
- School of Public Health, City University of New York, NY, United States of America
| | - Stephen Munga
- Center for Global Health Research, Kenya Medical Research Institute, Kisumu, Kenya
| | - Guomin Niu
- Department of Hematology, Southern Medical University Affiliated Nanhai Hospital, Foshan, Guangdong, China
| | - Yuk-Ching Tse-Dinh
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Florida International University, Miami, FL, United States of America
- Biomolecular Sciences Institute, Florida International University, Miami, FL, United States of America
| | - Jun Li
- Department of Biological Sciences, Florida International University, Miami, FL, United States of America
- Biomolecular Sciences Institute, Florida International University, Miami, FL, United States of America
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17
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Chida AR, Ravi S, Jayaprasad S, Paul K, Saha J, Suresh C, Whadgar S, Kumar N, Rao K R, Ghosh C, Choudhary B, Subramani S, Srinivasan S. A Near-Chromosome Level Genome Assembly of Anopheles stephensi. Front Genet 2020; 11:565626. [PMID: 33312190 PMCID: PMC7703621 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2020.565626] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2020] [Accepted: 09/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Malaria remains a major healthcare risk to growing economies like India, and a chromosome-level reference genome of Anopheles stephensi is critical for successful vector management and understanding of vector evolution using comparative genomics. We report chromosome-level assemblies of an Indian strain, STE2, and a Pakistani strain SDA-500 by combining draft genomes of the two strains using a homology-based iterative approach. The resulting assembly IndV3/PakV3 with L50 of 9/12 and N50 6.3/6.9 Mb had scaffolds long enough for building 90% of the euchromatic regions of the three chromosomes, IndV3s/PakV3s, using low-resolution physical markers and enabled the generation of the next version of genome assemblies, IndV4/PakV4, using HiC data. We have validated these assemblies using contact maps against publicly available HiC raw data from two strains including STE2 and another lab strain of An. stephensi from UCI and compare the quality of the assemblies with other assemblies made available as preprints since the submission of the manuscript. We show that the IndV3s and IndV4 assemblies are sensitive in identifying a homozygous 2Rb inversion in the UCI strain and a 2Rb polymorphism in the STE2 strain. Multiple tandem copies of CYP6a14, 4c1, and 4c21 genes, implicated in insecticide resistance, lie within this inversion locus. Comparison of assembled genomes suggests a variation of 1 in 81 positions between the UCI and STE2 lab strains, 1 in 82 between SDA-500 and UCI strain, and 1 in 113 between SDA-500 and STE2 strains of An. stephensi, which are closer than 1 in 68 variations among individuals from two other lab strains sequenced and reported here. Based on the developmental transcriptome and orthology of all the 54 olfactory receptors (ORs) to those of other Anopheles species, we identify an OR with the potential for host recognition in the genus Anopheles. A comparative analysis of An. stephensi genomes with the completed genomes of a few other Anopheles species suggests limited inter-chromosomal gene flow and loss of synteny within chromosomal arms even among the closely related species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Afiya Razia Chida
- Institute of Bioinformatics and Applied Biotechnology, Bangalore, India
| | - Samathmika Ravi
- Institute of Bioinformatics and Applied Biotechnology, Bangalore, India
| | | | - Kiran Paul
- Institute of Bioinformatics and Applied Biotechnology, Bangalore, India
| | - Jaysmita Saha
- Institute of Bioinformatics and Applied Biotechnology, Bangalore, India
| | - Chinjusha Suresh
- Institute of Bioinformatics and Applied Biotechnology, Bangalore, India
| | - Saurabh Whadgar
- Institute of Bioinformatics and Applied Biotechnology, Bangalore, India
| | - Naveen Kumar
- Tata Institute for Genetics and Society Center at inStem, Bangalore, India
| | - Raksha Rao K
- Institute of Bioinformatics and Applied Biotechnology, Bangalore, India
| | - Chaitali Ghosh
- Tata Institute for Genetics and Society Center at inStem, Bangalore, India
| | - Bibha Choudhary
- Institute of Bioinformatics and Applied Biotechnology, Bangalore, India
| | - Suresh Subramani
- Tata Institute for Genetics and Society Center at inStem, Bangalore, India
| | - Subhashini Srinivasan
- Institute of Bioinformatics and Applied Biotechnology, Bangalore, India
- Tata Institute for Genetics and Society Center at inStem, Bangalore, India
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18
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Analysis of blood-induced Anopheles gambiae midgut proteins and sexual stage Plasmodium falciparum interaction reveals mosquito genes important for malaria transmission. Sci Rep 2020; 10:14316. [PMID: 32868841 PMCID: PMC7459308 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-71186-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2019] [Accepted: 08/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Plasmodium invasion of mosquito midguts is a mandatory step for malaria transmission. The roles of mosquito midgut proteins and parasite interaction during malaria transmission are not clear. This study aims to identify mosquito midgut proteins that interact with and affect P. falciparum invasion. Based on gene expression profiles and protein sequences, 76 mosquito secretory proteins that are highly expressed in midguts and up-regulated by blood meals were chosen for analysis. About 61 candidate genes were successfully cloned from Anopheles gambiae and expressed in insect cells. ELISA analysis showed that 25 of the insect cell-expressed recombinant mosquito proteins interacted with the P. falciparum-infected cell lysates. Indirect immunofluorescence assays confirmed 17 of them interacted with sexual stage parasites significantly stronger than asexual stage parasites. Knockdown assays found that seven candidate genes significantly changed mosquitoes' susceptibility to P. falciparum. Four of them (AGAP006268, AGAP002848, AGAP006972, and AGAP002851) played a protective function against parasite invasion, and the other three (AGAP008138, FREP1, and HPX15) facilitated P. falciparum transmission to mosquitoes. Notably, AGAP008138 is a unique gene that only exists in Anopheline mosquitoes. These gene products are ideal targets to block malaria transmission.
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19
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Niu G, Hao Y, Wang X, Gao JM, Li J. Fungal Metabolite Asperaculane B Inhibits Malaria Infection and Transmission. Molecules 2020; 25:E3018. [PMID: 32630339 PMCID: PMC7412362 DOI: 10.3390/molecules25133018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2020] [Revised: 06/28/2020] [Accepted: 06/29/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Mosquito-transmitted Plasmodium parasites cause millions of people worldwide to suffer malaria every year. Drug-resistant Plasmodium parasites and insecticide-resistant mosquitoes make malaria hard to control. Thus, the next generation of antimalarial drugs that inhibit malaria infection and transmission are needed. We screened our Global Fungal Extract Library (GFEL) and obtained a candidate that completely inhibited Plasmodium falciparum transmission to Anopheles gambiae. The candidate fungal strain was determined as Aspergillus aculeatus. The bioactive compound was purified and identified as asperaculane B. The concentration of 50% inhibition on P. falciparum transmission (IC50) is 7.89 µM. Notably, asperaculane B also inhibited the development of asexual P. falciparum with IC50 of 3 µM, and it is nontoxic to human cells. Therefore, asperaculane B is a new dual-functional antimalarial lead that has the potential to treat malaria and block malaria transmission.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guodong Niu
- Department of Biological Sciences, Biomolecular Sciences Institute, Florida International University, Miami, FL 33199, USA; (G.N.); (X.W.)
| | - Yue Hao
- College of Public Health, South China University, Hengyang, Hunan 421001, China;
| | - Xiaohong Wang
- Department of Biological Sciences, Biomolecular Sciences Institute, Florida International University, Miami, FL 33199, USA; (G.N.); (X.W.)
| | - Jin-Ming Gao
- Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Natural Products Chemical Biology, College of Science, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, China;
| | - Jun Li
- Department of Biological Sciences, Biomolecular Sciences Institute, Florida International University, Miami, FL 33199, USA; (G.N.); (X.W.)
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20
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Dadgar Pakdel J, Zakeri S, Raz A, Dinparast Djadid N. Identification, molecular characterization and expression of aminopeptidase N-1 (APN-1) from Anopheles stephensi in SF9 cell line as a candidate molecule for developing a vaccine that interrupt malaria transmission. Malar J 2020; 19:79. [PMID: 32075635 PMCID: PMC7029531 DOI: 10.1186/s12936-020-03154-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2019] [Accepted: 02/09/2020] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND According to the World Health Organization reports, billions of people around the world are at risk for malaria disease and it is important to consider the preventive strategies for protecting the people that are living in high risk areas. One of the main reasons of disease survival is diversity of vectors and parasites in different malaria regions that have their specific features, behaviour and biology. Therefore, specific regional strategies are necessary for successful control of malaria. One of the tools that needs to be developed for elimination and prevention of reintroduction of malaria is a vaccine that interrupt malaria transmission (VIMTs). VIMT is a broad concept that should be adjusted to the biological characteristics of the disease in each region. One type of VIMT is a vector-based vaccine that affects the sexual stage of Plasmodium life cycle. According to recent studies, the aminopeptidase N-1 of Anopheles gambiae (AgAPN-1) is as a potent vector-based VIMT with considerable inhibition activity against the sexual stage of Plasmodium parasite. METHODS Systems for rapid amplification of cDNA ends (3'-RACE) and genome walking methods were used for sequence determination of apn-1 gene from Anopheles stephensi and distinct bioinformatics software were used for structural analysis. AsAPN-1 was expressed in Spodoptera frugiperda (Sf9) insect cell line using the baculovirus expression system. Recombinant AsAPN-1 was purified under the hybrid condition and its biological activity was assayed. RESULTS Asapn-1 gene and its coded protein from An. stephensi were characterized for the first time in this study. Subsequently, the structural features and immunological properties of its coded protein were evaluated by in silico approaches. Enzymatic activity of the recombinant AsAPN-1, which was expressed in Sf9 insect cell line, was equal to 6 unit/μl. CONCLUSIONS Results of this study revealed that AsAPN-1 is very similar to its counterpart in An. gambiae. In silico evaluation and fundamental data which are necessary for its evaluation as a VIMT-based vaccine in the next steps were acquired in this study and those could be useful for research groups that study on malaria vaccine for countries that An. stephensi is the main malaria vector there.
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Affiliation(s)
- Javad Dadgar Pakdel
- Malaria and Vector Research Group (MVRG), Biotechnology Research Center (BRC), Pasteur Institute of Iran (PII), Pasteur Avenue, P.O. Box 1316943551, Tehran, Iran.,Trauma Research Center, Sina Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Hassan Abad Square, Imam Khomeini Avenue, PO BOX: 1136746911, Tehran, Iran
| | - Sedigheh Zakeri
- Malaria and Vector Research Group (MVRG), Biotechnology Research Center (BRC), Pasteur Institute of Iran (PII), Pasteur Avenue, P.O. Box 1316943551, Tehran, Iran
| | - Abbasali Raz
- Malaria and Vector Research Group (MVRG), Biotechnology Research Center (BRC), Pasteur Institute of Iran (PII), Pasteur Avenue, P.O. Box 1316943551, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Navid Dinparast Djadid
- Malaria and Vector Research Group (MVRG), Biotechnology Research Center (BRC), Pasteur Institute of Iran (PII), Pasteur Avenue, P.O. Box 1316943551, Tehran, Iran.
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21
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Abstract
The composition of insect hemolymph can change depending on many factors, e.g. access to nutrients, stress conditions, and current needs of the insect. In this chapter, insect immune-related polypeptides, which can be permanently or occasionally present in the hemolymph, are described. Their division into peptides or low-molecular weight proteins is not always determined by the length or secondary structure of a given molecule but also depends on the mode of action in insect immunity and, therefore, it is rather arbitrary. Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) with their role in immunity, modes of action, and classification are presented in the chapter, followed by a short description of some examples: cecropins, moricins, defensins, proline- and glycine-rich peptides. Further, we will describe selected immune-related proteins that may participate in immune recognition, may possess direct antimicrobial properties, or can be involved in the modulation of insect immunity by both abiotic and biotic factors. We briefly cover Fibrinogen-Related Proteins (FREPs), Down Syndrome Cell Adhesion Molecules (Dscam), Hemolin, Lipophorins, Lysozyme, Insect Metalloproteinase Inhibitor (IMPI), and Heat Shock Proteins. The reader will obtain a partial picture presenting molecules participating in one of the most efficient immune strategies found in the animal world, which allow insects to inhabit all ecological land niches in the world.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iwona Wojda
- Department of Immunobiology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Maria Curie-Skłodowska University, Lublin, Poland.
| | - Małgorzata Cytryńska
- Department of Immunobiology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Maria Curie-Skłodowska University, Lublin, Poland
| | - Agnieszka Zdybicka-Barabas
- Department of Immunobiology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Maria Curie-Skłodowska University, Lublin, Poland
| | - Jakub Kordaczuk
- Department of Immunobiology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Maria Curie-Skłodowska University, Lublin, Poland
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22
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Miura K, Tachibana M, Takashima E, Morita M, Kanoi BN, Nagaoka H, Baba M, Torii M, Ishino T, Tsuboi T. Malaria transmission-blocking vaccines: wheat germ cell-free technology can accelerate vaccine development. Expert Rev Vaccines 2019; 18:1017-1027. [PMID: 31566026 PMCID: PMC11000147 DOI: 10.1080/14760584.2019.1674145] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2019] [Accepted: 09/25/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Introduction: Highly effective malaria vaccines are essential component toward malaria elimination. Although the leading malaria vaccine, RTS,S/AS01, with modest efficacy is being evaluated in a pilot feasibility trial, development of a malaria transmission-blocking vaccine (TBV) could make a major contribution toward malaria elimination. Only a few TBV antigens have reached pre-clinical or clinical development but with several challenges including difficulties in the expression of malaria recombinant proteins and low immunogenicity in humans. Therefore, novel approaches to accelerate TBV research to preclinical development are critical to generate an efficacious TBV.Areas covered: PubMed was searched to review the progress and future prospects of malaria TBV research and development. We also reviewed registered trials at ClinicalTrials.gov as well as post-genome TBV candidate discovery research including our efforts.Expert opinion: Wheat germ cell-free protein synthesis technology can accelerate TBV development by overcoming some current challenges of TBV research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kazutoyo Miura
- Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, MD, USA
| | - Mayumi Tachibana
- Division of Molecular Parasitology, Proteo-Science Center, Ehime University, Toon, Japan
| | - Eizo Takashima
- Division of Malaria Research, Proteo-Science Center, Ehime University, Matsuyama, Japan
| | - Masayuki Morita
- Division of Malaria Research, Proteo-Science Center, Ehime University, Matsuyama, Japan
| | - Bernard N Kanoi
- Division of Malaria Research, Proteo-Science Center, Ehime University, Matsuyama, Japan
| | - Hikaru Nagaoka
- Division of Malaria Research, Proteo-Science Center, Ehime University, Matsuyama, Japan
| | - Minami Baba
- Division of Molecular Parasitology, Proteo-Science Center, Ehime University, Toon, Japan
| | - Motomi Torii
- Division of Molecular Parasitology, Proteo-Science Center, Ehime University, Toon, Japan
- Division of Malaria Research, Proteo-Science Center, Ehime University, Matsuyama, Japan
| | - Tomoko Ishino
- Division of Molecular Parasitology, Proteo-Science Center, Ehime University, Toon, Japan
| | - Takafumi Tsuboi
- Division of Malaria Research, Proteo-Science Center, Ehime University, Matsuyama, Japan
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Structural delineation of potent transmission-blocking epitope I on malaria antigen Pfs48/45. Nat Commun 2018; 9:4458. [PMID: 30367064 PMCID: PMC6203815 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-018-06742-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2018] [Accepted: 09/17/2018] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Interventions that can block the transmission of malaria-causing Plasmodium falciparum (Pf) between the human host and Anopheles vector have the potential to reduce the incidence of malaria. Pfs48/45 is a gametocyte surface protein critical for parasite development and transmission, and its targeting by monoclonal antibody (mAb) 85RF45.1 leads to the potent reduction of parasite transmission. Here, we reveal how the Pfs48/45 6C domain adopts a (SAG1)-related-sequence (SRS) fold. We structurally delineate potent epitope I and show how mAb 85RF45.1 recognizes an electronegative surface with nanomolar affinity. Analysis of Pfs48/45 sequences reveals that polymorphisms are rare for residues involved at the binding interface. Humanization of rat-derived mAb 85RF45.1 conserved the mode of recognition and activity of the parental antibody, while also improving its thermostability. Our work has implications for the development of transmission-blocking interventions, both through improving vaccine designs and the testing of passive delivery of mAbs in humans. Malaria protein Pfs48/45 is a promising transmission-blocking antigen targeted by antibodies. Here, the authors determine the structure of its transmission-blocking epitope I, and generate a humanized monoclonal antibody that binds Pfs48/45 with high affinity.
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Antimalarial Transmission-Blocking Interventions: Past, Present, and Future. Trends Parasitol 2018; 34:735-746. [PMID: 30082147 DOI: 10.1016/j.pt.2018.07.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2018] [Revised: 06/14/2018] [Accepted: 07/02/2018] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Malaria remains a major global health challenge. Appropriate use of current antimalarial tools has reduced the disease burden, but morbidity and mortality remain unacceptably high. It is widely accepted that, to achieve long-term control/eradication, it will be necessary to use interventions that inhibit the transmission of parasites to mosquitoes - these tools are termed transmission-blocking interventions (TBIs). This article aims to outline the rationale for the development of TBIs, with a focus on transmission-blocking drugs and (parasite-derived) transmission-blocking vaccines. We describe and summarise the current status of each of these intervention classes and attempt to identify future requirements in development, with a focus on the challenges of establishing each method within an integrated malarial control programme in the future.
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Bakhshi H, Failloux AB, Zakeri S, Raz A, Dinparast Djadid N. Mosquito-borne viral diseases and potential transmission blocking vaccine candidates. INFECTION GENETICS AND EVOLUTION 2018; 63:195-203. [PMID: 29842982 DOI: 10.1016/j.meegid.2018.05.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2017] [Revised: 05/23/2018] [Accepted: 05/24/2018] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
Mosquito-borne viral diseases (MBVDs) have a complex biological cycle involving vectors and vertebrate hosts. These viruses are responsible for many deadly diseases worldwide. Although MBVDs threaten mostly developing countries, there is growing evidence indicating that they are also of concern in western countries where local transmission of arboviruses such as West Nile, Zika, Chikungunya and Dengue viruses have been recently reported. The rapid rise in human infections caused by these viruses is attributed to rapid climate change and travel facilities. Usually, the only way to control these diseases relies on the control of vectors in the absence of licensed vaccines and specific treatments. However, the overuse of insecticides has led to the emergence of insecticide resistance in vector populations, posing significant challenges for their control. An alternative method for reducing MBVDs can be the use of Transmission Blocking Vaccines (TBVs) that limits viral infection at the mosquito vector stage. Some successes have been obtained confirming the potential application of TBVs against viruses; however, this approach remains at the developmental stage and still needs improvements. The present review aims to give an update on MBVDs and to discuss the application as well as usage of potential TBVs for the control of mosquito-borne viral infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hasan Bakhshi
- Malaria and Vector Research Group (MVRG), Biotechnology Research Center (BRC), Pasteur Institute of Iran (PII), Tehran, Iran
| | - Anna-Bella Failloux
- Department of Virology, Arboviruses and Insect Vectors, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France
| | - Sedigheh Zakeri
- Malaria and Vector Research Group (MVRG), Biotechnology Research Center (BRC), Pasteur Institute of Iran (PII), Tehran, Iran
| | - Abbasali Raz
- Malaria and Vector Research Group (MVRG), Biotechnology Research Center (BRC), Pasteur Institute of Iran (PII), Tehran, Iran
| | - Navid Dinparast Djadid
- Malaria and Vector Research Group (MVRG), Biotechnology Research Center (BRC), Pasteur Institute of Iran (PII), Tehran, Iran.
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Dong Y, Simões ML, Marois E, Dimopoulos G. CRISPR/Cas9 -mediated gene knockout of Anopheles gambiae FREP1 suppresses malaria parasite infection. PLoS Pathog 2018. [PMID: 29518156 PMCID: PMC5843335 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1006898] [Citation(s) in RCA: 89] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Plasmodium relies on numerous agonists during its journey through the mosquito vector, and these agonists represent potent targets for transmission-blocking by either inhibiting or interfering with them pre- or post-transcriptionally. The recently developed CRISPR/Cas9-based genome editing tools for Anopheles mosquitoes provide new and promising opportunities for the study of agonist function and for developing malaria control strategies through gene deletion to achieve complete agonist inactivation. Here we have established a modified CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing procedure for the malaria vector Anopheles gambiae, and studied the effect of inactivating the fibrinogen-related protein 1 (FREP1) gene on the mosquito’s susceptibility to Plasmodium and on mosquito fitness. FREP1 knockout mutants developed into adult mosquitoes that showed profound suppression of infection with both human and rodent malaria parasites at the oocyst and sporozoite stages. FREP1 inactivation, however, resulted in fitness costs including a significantly lower blood-feeding propensity, fecundity and egg hatching rate, a retarded pupation time, and reduced longevity after a blood meal. The causative agent of malaria, Plasmodium, has to complete a complex infection cycle in the Anopheles gambiae mosquito vector in order to reach the salivary gland from where it can be transmitted to a human host. The parasite’s development in the mosquito relies on numerous host factors (agonists), and their inhibition or inactivation can thereby result in suppression of infection and consequently malaria transmission. The recently developed CRISPR/Cas9-based genome editing tools for Anopheles mosquitoes provide new and promising opportunities to delete (inactivate) Plasmodium agonists to better understand their function and for blocking malaria transmission. Here we have established a modified CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing technique for malaria vector A. gambiae mosquitoes. Through this approach we have inactivated the fibrinogen-related protein 1 (FREP1) gene, via CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing, and the impact of this manipulation on the mosquito’s susceptibility to Plasmodium and on mosquito fitness. FREP1 knockout mutants showed a profound suppression of infection with both human and rodent malaria parasites, while it also resulted in fitness costs: a significantly lower blood-feeding propensity, fecundity and egg hatching rate, and a retarded larval development and pupation time, and reduced longevity after a blood meal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuemei Dong
- W. Harry Feinstone Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Malaria Research Institute, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Maria L. Simões
- W. Harry Feinstone Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Malaria Research Institute, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Eric Marois
- Inserm, CNRS, Université de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
| | - George Dimopoulos
- W. Harry Feinstone Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Malaria Research Institute, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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27
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Sala KA, Angrisano F, Da DF, Taylor IJ, Churcher TS, Blagborough AM. Immunization with Transgenic Rodent Malaria Parasites Expressing Pfs25 Induces Potent Transmission-Blocking Activity. Sci Rep 2018; 8:1573. [PMID: 29371619 PMCID: PMC5785477 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-18831-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2017] [Accepted: 12/14/2017] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
An anti-malarial transmission blocking vaccine (TBV) would be an important tool for disease control or elimination, though current candidates have failed to induce high efficacy in clinical studies. The ookinete surface protein P25 is a primary target for TBV development, but heterologous expression of P25 with appropriate conformation is problematic and a pre-requisite for achieving functional titers. A potential alternative to recombinant/sub-unit vaccine is immunization with a non-pathogenic, whole-parasite vaccine. This study examines the ability of a purified transgenic rodent-malaria parasite (PbPfs25DR3), expressing Plasmodium falciparum P25 in native conformation on the P. berghei ookinete surface, to act as a TBV. Vaccination with purified PbPfs25DR3 ookinetes produces a potent anti-Pfs25 response and high transmission-blocking efficacy in the laboratory, findings that are then translated to experimentation on natural field isolates of P. falciparum from infected individuals in Burkina Faso. Efficacy is demonstrated in the lab and the field (up to 93.3%/97.1% reductions in transmission intensity respectively), with both a homologous strategy with one and two boosts, and as part of a prime-boost regime, providing support for the future development of a whole-parasite TBV.
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Affiliation(s)
- K A Sala
- Department of Life Sciences, Sir Alexander Fleming Building, Imperial College London, Imperial College Road, South Kensington, London, SW7 2AZ, UK
| | - F Angrisano
- Department of Life Sciences, Sir Alexander Fleming Building, Imperial College London, Imperial College Road, South Kensington, London, SW7 2AZ, UK
| | - D F Da
- Institut de Recherche en Sciences de la Santé, 399 Avenue de la Liberté, BP 545, Bobo-Dioulasso, Burkina Faso
| | - I J Taylor
- Jenner Institute, The University of Oxford, Roosevelt Road, Oxford, OX9 2PP, UK
| | - T S Churcher
- MRC Centre for Outbreak Analysis and Modelling, Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Imperial College London, Norfolk Place, London, W2 1PG, UK
| | - A M Blagborough
- Department of Life Sciences, Sir Alexander Fleming Building, Imperial College London, Imperial College Road, South Kensington, London, SW7 2AZ, UK.
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