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A Plasmodium falciparum ubiquitin-specific protease (PfUSP) is essential for parasite survival and its disruption enhances artemisinin efficacy. Biochem J 2023; 480:25-39. [PMID: 36511651 DOI: 10.1042/bcj20220429] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2022] [Revised: 12/09/2022] [Accepted: 12/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Proteins associated with ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS) are potential drug targets in the malaria parasite. The ubiquitination and deubiquitination are key regulatory processes for the functioning of UPS. In this study, we have characterized the biochemical and functional role of a novel ubiquitin-specific protease (USP) domain-containing protein of the human malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum (PfUSP). We have shown that the PfUSP is an active deubiquitinase associated with parasite endoplasmic reticulum (ER). Selection linked integration (SLI) method for C-terminal tagging and GlmS-ribozyme mediated inducible knock-down (iKD) of PfUSP was utilized to assess its functional role. Inducible knockdown of PfUSP resulted in a remarkable reduction in parasite growth and multiplication; specifically, PfUSP-iKD disrupted ER morphology and development, blocked the development of healthy schizonts, and hindered proper merozoite development. PfUSP-iKD caused increased ubiquitylation of specific proteins, disrupted organelle homeostasis and reduced parasite survival. Since the mode of action of artemisinin and the artemisinin-resistance are shown to be associated with the proteasome machinery, we analyzed the effect of dihydroartemisinin (DHA) on PfUSP-iKD parasites. Importantly, the PfUSP-knocked-down parasite showed increased sensitivity to dihydroartemisinin (DHA), whereas no change in chloroquine sensitivity was observed, suggesting a role of PfUSP in combating artemisinin-induced cellular stress. Together, the results show that Plasmodium PfUSP is an essential protease for parasite survival, and its inhibition increases the efficacy of artemisinin-based drugs. Therefore, PfUSP can be targeted to develop novel scaffolds for developing new antimalarials to combat artemisinin resistance.
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Lozada Ortiz J, Betancor M, Pérez Lázaro S, Bolea R, Badiola JJ, Otero A. Endoplasmic reticulum stress and ubiquitin-proteasome system impairment in natural scrapie. Front Mol Neurosci 2023; 16:1175364. [PMID: 37152434 PMCID: PMC10160437 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2023.1175364] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2023] [Accepted: 04/06/2023] [Indexed: 05/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Chronic accumulation of misfolded proteins such as PrPSc can alter the endoplasmic reticulum homeostasis triggering the unfolded protein response (UPR). In this pathogenic event, the molecular chaperones play an important role. Several reports in humans and animals have suggested that neurodegeneration is related to endoplasmic reticulum stress in diseases caused by the accumulation of misfolded proteins. In this study, we investigated the expression of three endoplasmic reticulum stress markers: PERK (protein kinase R-like endoplasmic reticulum kinase), BiP (binding immunoglobulin protein), and PDI (Protein Disulfide Isomerase). In addition, we evaluated the accumulation of ubiquitin as a marker for protein degradation mediated by the proteasome. These proteins were studied in brain tissues of sheep affected by scrapie in clinical and preclinical stages of the disease. Results were compared with those observed in healthy controls. Scrapie-infected sheep showed significant higher levels of PERK, BiP/Grp78 and PDI than healthy animals. As we observed before in models of spontaneous prion disease, PDI was the most altered ER stress marker between scrapie-infected and healthy sheep. Significantly increased intraneuronal and neuropil ubiquitinated deposits were observed in certain brain areas in scrapie-affected animals compared to controls. Our results suggest that the neuropathological and neuroinflammatory phenomena that develop in prion diseases cause endoplasmic reticulum stress in brain cells triggering the UPR. In addition, the significantly higher accumulation of ubiquitin aggregates in scrapie-affected animals suggests an impairment of the ubiquitin-proteasome system in natural scrapie. Therefore, these proteins may contribute as biomarkers and/or therapeutic targets for prion diseases.
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Slota JA, Medina SJ, Klassen M, Gorski D, Mesa CM, Robertson C, Mitchell G, Coulthart MB, Pritzkow S, Soto C, Booth SA. Identification of circulating microRNA signatures as potential biomarkers in the serum of elk infected with chronic wasting disease. Sci Rep 2019; 9:19705. [PMID: 31873177 PMCID: PMC6928025 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-56249-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2019] [Accepted: 12/06/2019] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Chronic wasting disease (CWD) is an emerging infectious prion disorder that is spreading rapidly in wild populations of cervids in North America. The risk of zoonotic transmission of CWD is as yet unclear but a high priority must be to minimize further spread of the disease. No simple diagnostic tests are available to detect CWD quickly or in live animals; therefore, easily accessible biomarkers may be useful in identifying infected animals. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a class of small, non-coding RNA molecules that circulate in blood and are promising biomarkers for several infectious diseases. In this study we used next-generation sequencing to characterize the serum miRNA profiles of 35 naturally infected elk that tested positive for CWD in addition to 35 elk that tested negative for CWD. A total of 21 miRNAs that are highly conserved amongst mammals were altered in abundance in sera, irrespective of hemolysis in the samples. A number of these miRNAs have previously been associated with prion diseases. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was performed to evaluate the discriminative potential of these miRNAs as biomarkers for the diagnosis of CWD. We also determined that a subgroup of 6 of these miRNAs were consistently altered in abundance in serum from hamsters experimentally infected with scrapie. This suggests that common miRNA candidate biomarkers could be selected for prion diseases in multiple species. Furthermore, Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analyses pointed to a strong correlation for 3 of these miRNAs, miR-148a-3p, miR-186-5p, miR-30e-3p, with prion disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessy A Slota
- Zoonotic Diseases & Special Pathogens, Public Health Agency of Canada, National Microbiology Laboratory, 1015 Arlington St., Winnipeg, MB, R3E 3R2, Canada
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, 730 William Ave., Winnipeg, MB, R3E 0W3, Canada
| | - Sarah J Medina
- Zoonotic Diseases & Special Pathogens, Public Health Agency of Canada, National Microbiology Laboratory, 1015 Arlington St., Winnipeg, MB, R3E 3R2, Canada
| | - Megan Klassen
- Zoonotic Diseases & Special Pathogens, Public Health Agency of Canada, National Microbiology Laboratory, 1015 Arlington St., Winnipeg, MB, R3E 3R2, Canada
| | - Damian Gorski
- Mitchell Center for Alzheimer's Disease and Related Brain Disorders, Department of Neurology, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, 6431 Fannin St., Houston, Texas, 77030, USA
| | - Christine M Mesa
- Zoonotic Diseases & Special Pathogens, Public Health Agency of Canada, National Microbiology Laboratory, 1015 Arlington St., Winnipeg, MB, R3E 3R2, Canada
| | - Catherine Robertson
- Zoonotic Diseases & Special Pathogens, Public Health Agency of Canada, National Microbiology Laboratory, 1015 Arlington St., Winnipeg, MB, R3E 3R2, Canada
| | - Gordon Mitchell
- National and OIE Reference Laboratory for Scrapie and CWD, Canadian Food Inspection Agency, Ottawa Laboratory Fallowfield, Ottawa, ON, K2H 8P9, Canada
| | - Michael B Coulthart
- Canadian Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease Surveillance System, Centre for Foodborne, Environmental and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, Public Health Agency of Canada, Ottawa, ON, K1A 0K9, Canada
| | - Sandra Pritzkow
- Mitchell Center for Alzheimer's Disease and Related Brain Disorders, Department of Neurology, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, 6431 Fannin St., Houston, Texas, 77030, USA
| | - Claudio Soto
- Mitchell Center for Alzheimer's Disease and Related Brain Disorders, Department of Neurology, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, 6431 Fannin St., Houston, Texas, 77030, USA
| | - Stephanie A Booth
- Zoonotic Diseases & Special Pathogens, Public Health Agency of Canada, National Microbiology Laboratory, 1015 Arlington St., Winnipeg, MB, R3E 3R2, Canada.
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, 730 William Ave., Winnipeg, MB, R3E 0W3, Canada.
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What Is Our Current Understanding of PrP Sc-Associated Neurotoxicity and Its Molecular Underpinnings? Pathogens 2017; 6:pathogens6040063. [PMID: 29194372 PMCID: PMC5750587 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens6040063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2017] [Revised: 11/21/2017] [Accepted: 11/27/2017] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
The prion diseases are a collection of fatal, transmissible neurodegenerative diseases that cause rapid onset dementia and ultimately death. Uniquely, the infectious agent is a misfolded form of the endogenous cellular prion protein, termed PrPSc. Despite the identity of the molecular agent remaining the same, PrPSc can cause a range of diseases with hereditary, spontaneous or iatrogenic aetiologies. However, the link between PrPSc and toxicity is complex, with subclinical cases of prion disease discovered, and prion neurodegeneration without obvious PrPSc deposition. The toxic mechanisms by which PrPSc causes the extensive neuropathology are still poorly understood, although recent advances are beginning to unravel the molecular underpinnings, including oxidative stress, disruption of proteostasis and induction of the unfolded protein response. This review will discuss the diseases caused by PrPSc toxicity, the nature of the toxicity of PrPSc, and our current understanding of the downstream toxic signaling events triggered by the presence of PrPSc.
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Steffen P, Kwiatkowski M, Robertson WD, Zarrine-Afsar A, Deterra D, Richter V, Schlüter H. Protein species as diagnostic markers. J Proteomics 2016; 134:5-18. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jprot.2015.12.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2015] [Revised: 11/28/2015] [Accepted: 12/09/2015] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
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Upadhyay A, Amanullah A, Chhangani D, Mishra R, Prasad A, Mishra A. Mahogunin Ring Finger-1 (MGRN1), a Multifaceted Ubiquitin Ligase: Recent Unraveling of Neurobiological Mechanisms. Mol Neurobiol 2015; 53:4484-96. [PMID: 26255182 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-015-9379-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2015] [Accepted: 07/27/2015] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
In healthy cell, inappropriate accumulation of poor or damaged proteins is prevented by cellular quality control system. Autophagy and ubiquitin proteasome system (UPS) provides regular cytoprotection against proteotoxicity induced by abnormal or disruptive proteins. E3 ubiquitin ligases are crucial components in this defense mechanism. Mahogunin Ring Finger-1 (MGRN1), an E3 ubiquitin ligase of the Really Interesting New Gene (RING) finger family, plays a pivotal role in many biological and cellular mechanisms. Previous findings indicate that lack of functions of MGRN1 can cause spongiform neurodegeneration, congenital heart defects, abnormal left-right patterning, and mitochondrial dysfunctions in mice brains. However, the detailed molecular pathomechanism of MGRN1 in cellular functions and diseases is not well known. This article comprehensively represents the molecular nature, characterization, and functions of MGRN1; we also summarize possible beneficiary aspects of this novel E3 ubiquitin ligase. Here, we review recent literature on the role of MGRN1 in the neuro-pathobiological mechanisms, with precise focus on the processes of neurodegeneration, and thereby propose new lines of potential targets for therapeutic intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arun Upadhyay
- Cellular and Molecular Neurobiology Unit, Indian Institute of Technology Jodhpur, Jodhpur, Rajasthan, 342011, India
| | - Ayeman Amanullah
- Cellular and Molecular Neurobiology Unit, Indian Institute of Technology Jodhpur, Jodhpur, Rajasthan, 342011, India
| | - Deepak Chhangani
- Cellular and Molecular Neurobiology Unit, Indian Institute of Technology Jodhpur, Jodhpur, Rajasthan, 342011, India
| | - Ribhav Mishra
- Cellular and Molecular Neurobiology Unit, Indian Institute of Technology Jodhpur, Jodhpur, Rajasthan, 342011, India
| | - Amit Prasad
- School of Basic Sciences, Indian Institute of Technology Mandi, Mandi, Himachal Pradesh, 175005, India
| | - Amit Mishra
- Cellular and Molecular Neurobiology Unit, Indian Institute of Technology Jodhpur, Jodhpur, Rajasthan, 342011, India.
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Moore RA, Sturdevant DE, Chesebro B, Priola SA. Proteomics analysis of amyloid and nonamyloid prion disease phenotypes reveals both common and divergent mechanisms of neuropathogenesis. J Proteome Res 2014; 13:4620-34. [PMID: 25140793 PMCID: PMC4227561 DOI: 10.1021/pr500329w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
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Prion
diseases are a heterogeneous group of neurodegenerative disorders
affecting various mammals including humans. Prion diseases are characterized
by a misfolding of the host-encoded prion protein (PrPC) into a pathological isoform termed PrPSc. In wild-type
mice, PrPC is attached to the plasma membrane by a glycosylphosphatidylinositol
(GPI) anchor and PrPSc typically accumulates in diffuse
nonamyloid deposits with gray matter spongiosis. By contrast, when
mice lacking the GPI anchor are infected with the same prion inoculum,
PrPSc accumulates in dense perivascular amyloid plaques
with little or no gray matter spongiosis. In order to evaluate whether
different host biochemical pathways were implicated in these two phenotypically
distinct prion disease models, we utilized a proteomics approach.
In both models, infected mice displayed evidence of a neuroinflammatory
response and complement activation. Proteins involved in cell death
and calcium homeostasis were also identified in both phenotypes. However,
mitochondrial pathways of apoptosis were implicated only in the nonamyloid
form, whereas metal binding and synaptic vesicle transport were more
disrupted in the amyloid phenotype. Thus, following infection with
a single prion strain, PrPC anchoring to the plasma membrane
correlated not only with the type of PrPSc deposition but
also with unique biochemical pathways associated with pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roger A Moore
- Laboratory of Persistent Viral Diseases and ‡Research Technologies Branch, Rocky Mountain Laboratories, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases , Hamilton, Montana 59840, United States
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Jansen AHP, Reits EAJ, Hol EM. The ubiquitin proteasome system in glia and its role in neurodegenerative diseases. Front Mol Neurosci 2014; 7:73. [PMID: 25152710 PMCID: PMC4126450 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2014.00073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 77] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2014] [Accepted: 07/10/2014] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The ubiquitin proteasome system (UPS) is crucial for intracellular protein homeostasis and for degradation of aberrant and damaged proteins. The accumulation of ubiquitinated proteins is a hallmark of many neurodegenerative diseases, including amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and Huntington’s disease, leading to the hypothesis that proteasomal impairment is contributing to these diseases. So far, most research related to the UPS in neurodegenerative diseases has been focused on neurons, while glial cells have been largely disregarded in this respect. However, glial cells are essential for proper neuronal function and adopt a reactive phenotype in neurodegenerative diseases, thereby contributing to an inflammatory response. This process is called reactive gliosis, which in turn affects UPS function in glial cells. In many neurodegenerative diseases, mostly neurons show accumulation and aggregation of ubiquitinated proteins, suggesting that glial cells may be better equipped to maintain proper protein homeostasis. During an inflammatory reaction, the immunoproteasome is induced in glia, which may contribute to a more efficient degradation of disease-related proteins. Here we review the role of the UPS in glial cells in various neurodegenerative diseases, and we discuss how studying glial cell function might provide essential information in unraveling mechanisms of neurodegenerative diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne H P Jansen
- Department of Cell Biology and Histology, Academic Medical Center Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Eric A J Reits
- Department of Cell Biology and Histology, Academic Medical Center Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Elly M Hol
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, University Medical Center Utrecht Utrecht, Netherlands ; Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience, Institute of the Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences Amsterdam, Netherlands ; Swammerdam Institute for Life Sciences, Center for Neuroscience, University of Amsterdam Netherlands
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Hamilton MJ, Lee M, Le Roch KG. The ubiquitin system: an essential component to unlocking the secrets of malaria parasite biology. MOLECULAR BIOSYSTEMS 2014; 10:715-23. [PMID: 24481176 PMCID: PMC3990246 DOI: 10.1039/c3mb70506d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Exploration of the ubiquitin system in eukaryotes has shown that the chemical modification of proteins by ubiquitin, known as ubiquitylation, is an incredibly important post-translational event that is crucial to numerous cellular processes. Ubiquitylation is carried out by a series of enzymes that specifically target proteins to either change their activity or their location or earmark them for degradation. Using a wide range of genome-wide approaches, the ubiquitin system has been shown to be of particular importance in the survival and propagation of the human malaria parasites. In this review, we highlight our current understanding of the ubiquitin system in Plasmodium, and discuss its possible role in the development of drug resistant malaria strains.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael J Hamilton
- Department of Cell Biology and Neuroscience, Institute for Integrative Genome Biology, Center for Disease Vector Research, University of California, 900 University Avenue, Riverside, CA 92521, USA.
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