1
|
Huang Q, Hu W, Meng X, Chen J, Pan G. Nosema bombycis: A remarkable unicellular parasite infecting insects. J Eukaryot Microbiol 2024:e13045. [PMID: 39095558 DOI: 10.1111/jeu.13045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2024] [Revised: 06/12/2024] [Accepted: 06/17/2024] [Indexed: 08/04/2024]
Abstract
Microsporidia are opportunistic fungal-like pathogens that cause microsporidiosis, which results in significant economic losses and threatens public health. Infection of domesticated silkworms by the microsporidium Nosema bombycis causes pébrine disease, for which this species of microsporidia has received much attention. Research has been conducted extensively on this microsporidium over the past few decades to better understand its infection, transmission, host-parasite interaction, and detection. Several tools exist to study this species including the complete genome sequence of N. bombycis. In addition to the understanding of N. bombycis being important for the silkworm industry, this species has become a model organism for studying microsporidia. Research on biology of N. bombycis will contribute to the development of knowledge regarding microsporidia and potential antimicrosporidia drugs. Furthermore, this will provide insight into the molecular evolution and functioning of other fungal pathogens.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Qingyuan Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Resource Insects, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Microsporidia Infection and Control, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Wanying Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Resource Insects, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Microsporidia Infection and Control, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Xianzhi Meng
- State Key Laboratory of Resource Insects, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Microsporidia Infection and Control, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Jie Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Resource Insects, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Microsporidia Infection and Control, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Guoqing Pan
- State Key Laboratory of Resource Insects, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Microsporidia Infection and Control, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Tang L, Sabi MM, Fu M, Guan J, Wang Y, Xia T, Zheng K, Qu H, Han B. Host cell manipulation by microsporidia secreted effectors: Insights into intracellular pathogenesis. J Eukaryot Microbiol 2024:e13029. [PMID: 39030770 DOI: 10.1111/jeu.13029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2024] [Revised: 03/29/2024] [Accepted: 03/29/2024] [Indexed: 07/22/2024]
Abstract
Microsporidia are prolific producers of effector molecules, encompassing both proteins and nonproteinaceous effectors, such as toxins, small RNAs, and small peptides. These secreted effectors play a pivotal role in the pathogenicity of microsporidia, enabling them to subvert the host's innate immunity and co-opt metabolic pathways to fuel their own growth and proliferation. However, the genomes of microsporidia, despite falling within the size range of bacteria, exhibit significant reductions in both structural and physiological features, thereby affecting the repertoire of secretory effectors to varying extents. This review focuses on recent advances in understanding how microsporidia modulate host cells through the secretion of effectors, highlighting current challenges and proposed solutions in deciphering the complexities of microsporidial secretory effectors.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Liyuan Tang
- Department of Pathogenic Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Ji'nan, Shandong, China
| | - Musa Makongoro Sabi
- Department of Pathogenic Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Ji'nan, Shandong, China
| | - Ming Fu
- Department of Pathogenic Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Ji'nan, Shandong, China
| | - Jingyu Guan
- Department of Pathogenic Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Ji'nan, Shandong, China
| | - Yongliang Wang
- Department of Pathogenic Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Ji'nan, Shandong, China
| | - Tian Xia
- Department of Pathogenic Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Ji'nan, Shandong, China
| | - Kai Zheng
- Department of Pathogenic Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Ji'nan, Shandong, China
| | - Hongnan Qu
- Department of Pathogenic Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Ji'nan, Shandong, China
- Shenzhen Research Institute, Shandong University, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Bing Han
- Department of Pathogenic Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Ji'nan, Shandong, China
- Shenzhen Research Institute, Shandong University, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Jaroenlak P, McCarty KL, Xia B, Lam C, Zwack EE, Yanai I, Bhabha G, Ekiert DC. scRNA-seq reveals transcriptional dynamics of Encephalitozoon intestinalis parasites in human macrophages. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.05.30.596468. [PMID: 38853846 PMCID: PMC11160751 DOI: 10.1101/2024.05.30.596468] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2024]
Abstract
Microsporidia are single-celled intracellular parasites that cause opportunistic diseases in humans. Encephalitozoon intestinalis is a prevalent human-infecting species that invades the small intestine. Dissemination to other organ systems is also observed, and is potentially facilitated by macrophages. The macrophage response to infection and the developmental trajectory of the parasite are not well studied. Here we use single cell RNA sequencing to investigate transcriptional changes in both the host and parasite during infection. While a small population of infected macrophages mount a response, most remain transcriptionally unchanged, suggesting that the majority of parasites may avoid host detection. The parasite transcriptome reveals large transcriptional changes throughout the life cycle, providing a blueprint for parasite development. The stealthy microsporidian lifestyle likely allows these parasites to harness macrophages for replication and dissemination. Together, our data provide insights into the host response in primary human macrophages and the E. intestinalis developmental program.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Pattana Jaroenlak
- Department of Cell Biology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York 10016, USA
- Center of Excellence for Molecular Biology and Genomics of Shrimp, Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
| | - Kacie L. McCarty
- Department of Cell Biology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York 10016, USA
- Department of Microbiology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York 10016, USA
| | - Bo Xia
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Cherry Lam
- Department of Cell Biology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York 10016, USA
| | - Erin E. Zwack
- Department of Microbiology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York 10016, USA
| | - Itai Yanai
- Institute for Computational Medicine, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Gira Bhabha
- Department of Cell Biology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York 10016, USA
- Department of Biology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA
| | - Damian C. Ekiert
- Department of Cell Biology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York 10016, USA
- Department of Microbiology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York 10016, USA
- Department of Biology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Shen Z, Ke Z, Yang Q, Ghebremichael ST, Li T, Li T, Chen J, Meng X, Xiang H, Li C, Zhou Z, Pan G, Chen P. Transcriptomic changes in the microsporidia proliferation and host responses in congenitally infected embryos and larvae. BMC Genomics 2024; 25:321. [PMID: 38556880 PMCID: PMC10983672 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-024-10236-y] [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: 08/24/2023] [Accepted: 03/18/2024] [Indexed: 04/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Congenital infection caused by vertical transmission of microsporidia N. bombycis can result in severe economic losses in the silkworm-rearing industry. Whole-transcriptome analyses have revealed non-coding RNAs and their regulatory networks in N. bombycis infected embryos and larvae. However, transcriptomic changes in the microsporidia proliferation and host responses in congenitally infected embryos and larvae remains unclear. Here, we simultaneously compared the transcriptomes of N. bombycis and its host B. mori embryos of 5-day and larvae of 1-, 5- and 10-day during congenital infection. For the transcriptome of N. bombycis, a comparison of parasite expression patterns between congenital-infected embryos and larva showed most genes related to parasite central carbon metabolism were down-regulated in larvae during infection, whereas the majority of genes involved in parasite proliferation and growth were up-regulated. Interestingly, a large number of distinct or shared differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were revealed by the Venn diagram and heat map, many of them were connected to infection related factors such as Ricin B lectin, spore wall protein, polar tube protein, and polysaccharide deacetylase. For the transcriptome of B. mori infected with N. bombycis, beyond numerous DEGs related to DNA replication and repair, mRNA surveillance pathway, RNA transport, protein biosynthesis, and proteolysis, with the progression of infection, a large number of DEGs related to immune and infection pathways, including phagocytosis, apoptosis, TNF, Toll-like receptor, NF-kappa B, Fc epsilon RI, and some diseases, were successively identified. In contrast, most genes associated with the insulin signaling pathway, 2-oxacarboxylic acid metabolism, amino acid biosynthesis, and lipid metabolisms were up-regulated in larvae compared to those in embryos. Furthermore, dozens of distinct and three shared DEGs that were involved in the epigenetic regulations, such as polycomb, histone-lysine-specific demethylases, and histone-lysine-N-methyltransferases, were identified via the Venn diagram and heat maps. Notably, many DEGs of host and parasite associated with lipid-related metabolisms were verified by RT-qPCR. Taken together, simultaneous transcriptomic analyses of both host and parasite genes lead to a better understanding of changes in the microsporidia proliferation and host responses in embryos and larvae in N. bombycis congenital infection.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zigang Shen
- College of Sericulture, Textile and Biomass Sciences, Southwest University, Tiansheng Street, Chongqing, 400716, China
- State Key Laboratory of Resource Insects, Southwest University, Tiansheng Street, Chongqing, 400716, China
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Microsporidia Infection and Control, Southwest University, Tiansheng Street, Chongqing, 400716, China
| | - Zhuojun Ke
- State Key Laboratory of Resource Insects, Southwest University, Tiansheng Street, Chongqing, 400716, China
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Microsporidia Infection and Control, Southwest University, Tiansheng Street, Chongqing, 400716, China
| | - Qiong Yang
- Sericulture and Agri-food Research Institute, Guangdong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Guangzhou, China
| | - Samson Teweldeberhan Ghebremichael
- State Key Laboratory of Resource Insects, Southwest University, Tiansheng Street, Chongqing, 400716, China
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Microsporidia Infection and Control, Southwest University, Tiansheng Street, Chongqing, 400716, China
| | - Tangxin Li
- State Key Laboratory of Resource Insects, Southwest University, Tiansheng Street, Chongqing, 400716, China
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Microsporidia Infection and Control, Southwest University, Tiansheng Street, Chongqing, 400716, China
| | - Tian Li
- State Key Laboratory of Resource Insects, Southwest University, Tiansheng Street, Chongqing, 400716, China
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Microsporidia Infection and Control, Southwest University, Tiansheng Street, Chongqing, 400716, China
| | - Jie Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Resource Insects, Southwest University, Tiansheng Street, Chongqing, 400716, China
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Microsporidia Infection and Control, Southwest University, Tiansheng Street, Chongqing, 400716, China
| | - Xianzhi Meng
- State Key Laboratory of Resource Insects, Southwest University, Tiansheng Street, Chongqing, 400716, China
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Microsporidia Infection and Control, Southwest University, Tiansheng Street, Chongqing, 400716, China
| | - Heng Xiang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Chunfeng Li
- State Key Laboratory of Resource Insects, Southwest University, Tiansheng Street, Chongqing, 400716, China
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Microsporidia Infection and Control, Southwest University, Tiansheng Street, Chongqing, 400716, China
| | - Zeyang Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Resource Insects, Southwest University, Tiansheng Street, Chongqing, 400716, China
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Microsporidia Infection and Control, Southwest University, Tiansheng Street, Chongqing, 400716, China
- College of Life Sciences, Chongqing Normal University, Chongqing, China
| | - Guoqing Pan
- State Key Laboratory of Resource Insects, Southwest University, Tiansheng Street, Chongqing, 400716, China.
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Microsporidia Infection and Control, Southwest University, Tiansheng Street, Chongqing, 400716, China.
| | - Ping Chen
- College of Sericulture, Textile and Biomass Sciences, Southwest University, Tiansheng Street, Chongqing, 400716, China.
- State Key Laboratory of Resource Insects, Southwest University, Tiansheng Street, Chongqing, 400716, China.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Sharma H, Jespersen N, Ehrenbolger K, Carlson LA, Barandun J. Ultrastructural insights into the microsporidian infection apparatus reveal the kinetics and morphological transitions of polar tube and cargo during host cell invasion. PLoS Biol 2024; 22:e3002533. [PMID: 38422169 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pbio.3002533] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2023] [Revised: 03/12/2024] [Accepted: 01/29/2024] [Indexed: 03/02/2024] Open
Abstract
During host cell invasion, microsporidian spores translocate their entire cytoplasmic content through a thin, hollow superstructure known as the polar tube. To achieve this, the polar tube transitions from a compact spring-like state inside the environmental spore to a long needle-like tube capable of long-range sporoplasm delivery. The unique mechanical properties of the building blocks of the polar tube allow for an explosive transition from compact to extended state and support the rapid cargo translocation process. The molecular and structural factors enabling this ultrafast process and the structural changes during cargo delivery are unknown. Here, we employ light microscopy and in situ cryo-electron tomography to visualize multiple ultrastructural states of the Vairimorpha necatrix polar tube, allowing us to evaluate the kinetics of its germination and characterize the underlying morphological transitions. We describe a cargo-filled state with a unique ordered arrangement of microsporidian ribosomes, which cluster along the thin tube wall, and an empty post-translocation state with a reduced diameter but a thicker wall. Together with a proteomic analysis of endogenously affinity-purified polar tubes, our work provides comprehensive data on the infection apparatus of microsporidia and uncovers new aspects of ribosome regulation and transport.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Himanshu Sharma
- Department of Molecular Biology, The Laboratory for Molecular Infection Medicine Sweden (MIMS), Umeå Centre for Microbial Research (UCMR), Science for Life Laboratory, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics, The Laboratory for Molecular Infection Medicine Sweden (MIMS), Wallenberg Centre for Molecular Medicine, Umeå Centre for Microbial Research (UCMR), Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Nathan Jespersen
- Department of Molecular Biology, The Laboratory for Molecular Infection Medicine Sweden (MIMS), Umeå Centre for Microbial Research (UCMR), Science for Life Laboratory, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Kai Ehrenbolger
- Department of Molecular Biology, The Laboratory for Molecular Infection Medicine Sweden (MIMS), Umeå Centre for Microbial Research (UCMR), Science for Life Laboratory, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics, The Laboratory for Molecular Infection Medicine Sweden (MIMS), Wallenberg Centre for Molecular Medicine, Umeå Centre for Microbial Research (UCMR), Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Lars-Anders Carlson
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics, The Laboratory for Molecular Infection Medicine Sweden (MIMS), Wallenberg Centre for Molecular Medicine, Umeå Centre for Microbial Research (UCMR), Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Jonas Barandun
- Department of Molecular Biology, The Laboratory for Molecular Infection Medicine Sweden (MIMS), Umeå Centre for Microbial Research (UCMR), Science for Life Laboratory, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Svedberg D, Winiger RR, Berg A, Sharma H, Tellgren-Roth C, Debrunner-Vossbrinck BA, Vossbrinck CR, Barandun J. Functional annotation of a divergent genome using sequence and structure-based similarity. BMC Genomics 2024; 25:6. [PMID: 38166563 PMCID: PMC10759460 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-023-09924-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2023] [Accepted: 12/18/2023] [Indexed: 01/04/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Microsporidia are a large taxon of intracellular pathogens characterized by extraordinarily streamlined genomes with unusually high sequence divergence and many species-specific adaptations. These unique factors pose challenges for traditional genome annotation methods based on sequence similarity. As a result, many of the microsporidian genomes sequenced to date contain numerous genes of unknown function. Recent innovations in rapid and accurate structure prediction and comparison, together with the growing amount of data in structural databases, provide new opportunities to assist in the functional annotation of newly sequenced genomes. RESULTS In this study, we established a workflow that combines sequence and structure-based functional gene annotation approaches employing a ChimeraX plugin named ANNOTEX (Annotation Extension for ChimeraX), allowing for visual inspection and manual curation. We employed this workflow on a high-quality telomere-to-telomere sequenced tetraploid genome of Vairimorpha necatrix. First, the 3080 predicted protein-coding DNA sequences, of which 89% were confirmed with RNA sequencing data, were used as input. Next, ColabFold was used to create protein structure predictions, followed by a Foldseek search for structural matching to the PDB and AlphaFold databases. The subsequent manual curation, using sequence and structure-based hits, increased the accuracy and quality of the functional genome annotation compared to results using only traditional annotation tools. Our workflow resulted in a comprehensive description of the V. necatrix genome, along with a structural summary of the most prevalent protein groups, such as the ricin B lectin family. In addition, and to test our tool, we identified the functions of several previously uncharacterized Encephalitozoon cuniculi genes. CONCLUSION We provide a new functional annotation tool for divergent organisms and employ it on a newly sequenced, high-quality microsporidian genome to shed light on this uncharacterized intracellular pathogen of Lepidoptera. The addition of a structure-based annotation approach can serve as a valuable template for studying other microsporidian or similarly divergent species.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dennis Svedberg
- Department of Molecular Biology, The Laboratory for Molecular Infection Medicine Sweden (MIMS), Science for Life Laboratory, Umeå Centre for Microbial Research (UCMR), Umeå University, Umeå, 90187, Sweden
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics, Umeå University, Umeå, 90736, Sweden
| | - Rahel R Winiger
- Department of Molecular Biology, The Laboratory for Molecular Infection Medicine Sweden (MIMS), Science for Life Laboratory, Umeå Centre for Microbial Research (UCMR), Umeå University, Umeå, 90187, Sweden
| | - Alexandra Berg
- Department of Molecular Biology, The Laboratory for Molecular Infection Medicine Sweden (MIMS), Science for Life Laboratory, Umeå Centre for Microbial Research (UCMR), Umeå University, Umeå, 90187, Sweden
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics, Umeå University, Umeå, 90736, Sweden
| | - Himanshu Sharma
- Department of Molecular Biology, The Laboratory for Molecular Infection Medicine Sweden (MIMS), Science for Life Laboratory, Umeå Centre for Microbial Research (UCMR), Umeå University, Umeå, 90187, Sweden
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics, Umeå University, Umeå, 90736, Sweden
| | - Christian Tellgren-Roth
- Science for Life Laboratory, Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | | | - Charles R Vossbrinck
- Department of Environmental Science, Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station, New Haven, CT, 06504, USA
| | - Jonas Barandun
- Department of Molecular Biology, The Laboratory for Molecular Infection Medicine Sweden (MIMS), Science for Life Laboratory, Umeå Centre for Microbial Research (UCMR), Umeå University, Umeå, 90187, Sweden.
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Xu J, Luo J, Chen J, Vossbrinck CR, Li T, Zhou Z. Characterization of the Largest Secretory Protein Family, Ricin B Lectin-like Protein, in Nosema bombycis: Insights into Microsporidian Adaptation to Host. J Fungi (Basel) 2022; 8:jof8060551. [PMID: 35736035 PMCID: PMC9224602 DOI: 10.3390/jof8060551] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2022] [Revised: 05/19/2022] [Accepted: 05/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Microsporidia are a group of obligate intracellular pathogens infecting nearly all animal phyla. The microsporidian Nosema bombycis has been isolated from several lepidopteran species, including the economy-important silkworms as well as several crop pests. Proteins secreted by parasites can be important virulent factors in modulating host pathways. Ricin is a two-chain lectin best known for its extreme vertebrate toxicity. Ricin B lectin-like proteins are widely distributed in microsporidia, especially in N. bombycis. In this study, we identify 52 Ricin B lectin-like proteins (RBLs) in N. bombycis. We show that the N. bombycis RBLs (NbRBLs) are classified into four subfamilies. The subfamily 1 was the most conserved, with all members having a Ricin B lectin domain and most members containing a signal peptide. The other three subfamilies were less conserved, and even lost the Ricin B lectin domain, suggesting that NbRBLs might be a multi-functional family. Our study here indicated that the NbRBL family had evolved by producing tandem duplications firstly and then expanded by segmental duplications, resulting in concentrated localizations mainly in three genomic regions. Moreover, based on RNA-seq data, we found that several Nbrbls were highly expressed during infection. Further, the results show that the NbRBL28 was secreted into host nucleus, where it promotes the expressions of genes involved in cell cycle progression. In summary, the great copy number, high divergence, and concentrated genome distribution of the NbRBLs demonstrated that these proteins might be adaptively evolved and played a vital role in the multi-host N. bombycis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jinzhi Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China; (J.X.); (J.L.); (J.C.)
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Microsporidia Infection and Control, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
| | - Jian Luo
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China; (J.X.); (J.L.); (J.C.)
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Microsporidia Infection and Control, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
| | - Jiajing Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China; (J.X.); (J.L.); (J.C.)
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Microsporidia Infection and Control, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
| | - Charles R. Vossbrinck
- Department of Environmental Science, The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station, 123 Huntington Street, New Haven, CT 06511, USA;
| | - Tian Li
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China; (J.X.); (J.L.); (J.C.)
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Microsporidia Infection and Control, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
- Correspondence: (T.L.); (Z.Z.)
| | - Zeyang Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China; (J.X.); (J.L.); (J.C.)
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Microsporidia Infection and Control, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
- College of Life Science, Chongqing Normal University, Chongqing 400047, China
- Correspondence: (T.L.); (Z.Z.)
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Fan Y, Wang J, Yu K, Zhang W, Cai Z, Sun M, Hu Y, Zhao X, Xiong C, Niu Q, Chen D, Guo R. Comparative Transcriptome Investigation of Nosema ceranae Infecting Eastern Honey Bee Workers. INSECTS 2022; 13:insects13030241. [PMID: 35323539 PMCID: PMC8952433 DOI: 10.3390/insects13030241] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2021] [Revised: 02/22/2022] [Accepted: 02/23/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Simple Summary At present, interaction between Nosema ceranae and Apis cerana is poorly understood, though A. cerana is the original host for N. ceranae. Here, comparative investigation was conducted using transcriptome data from N. ceranae infecting Apis cerana cerana workers at seven days post inoculation (dpi) and 10 dpi (NcT1 and NcT2 groups) as well as N. ceranae spores (NcCK group). There were 1411, 604, and 38 DEGs identified in NcCK vs. NcT1, NcCK vs. NcT2, and NcT1 vs. NcT2 comparison groups. Additionally, 10 upregulated genes and nine downregulated ones were shared by above-mentioned comparison groups. GO classification and KEGG pathway analysis suggested that these DEGs were engaged in a number of key functional terms and pathways such as cell part and glycolysis. Further analysis indicated that most of virulence factor-encoding genes were upregulated, while a few were downregulated during the fungal infection. Findings in this current work provide a basis for clarifying the molecular mechanism udnerlying N. ceranae infection and host-microsporidian interaction during bee nosemosis. Abstract Apis cerana is the original host for Nosema ceranae, a widespread fungal parasite resulting in honey bee nosemosis, which leads to severe losses to the apiculture industry throughout the world. However, knowledge of N. ceranae infecting eastern honey bees is extremely limited. Currently, the mechanism underlying N. ceranae infection is still largely unknown. Based on our previously gained high-quality transcriptome datasets derived from N. ceranae spores (NcCK group), N. ceranae infecting Apis cerana cerana workers at seven days post inoculation (dpi) and 10 dpi (NcT1 and NcT2 groups), comparative transcriptomic investigation was conducted in this work, with a focus on virulence factor-associated differentially expressed genes (DEGs). Microscopic observation showed that the midguts of A. c. cerana workers were effectively infected after inoculation with clean spores of N. ceranae. In total, 1411, 604, and 38 DEGs were identified from NcCK vs. NcT1, NcCK vs. NcT2, and NcT1 vs. NcT2 comparison groups. Venn analysis showed that 10 upregulated genes and nine downregulated ones were shared by the aforementioned comparison groups. The GO category indicated that these DEGs were involved in a series of functional terms relevant to biological process, cellular component, and molecular function such as metabolic process, cell part, and catalytic activity. Additionally, KEGG pathway analysis suggested that the DEGs were engaged in an array of pathways of great importance such as metabolic pathway, glycolysis, and the biosynthesis of secondary metabolites. Furthermore, expression clustering analysis demonstrated that the majority of genes encoding virulence factors such as ricin B lectins and polar tube proteins displayed apparent upregulation, whereas a few virulence factor-associated genes such as hexokinase gene and 6-phosphofructokinase gene presented downregulation during the fungal infection. Finally, the expression trend of 14 DEGs was confirmed by RT-qPCR, validating the reliability of our transcriptome datasets. These results together demonstrated that an overall alteration of the transcriptome of N. ceranae occurred during the infection of A. c. cerana workers, and most of the virulence factor-related genes were induced to activation to promote the fungal invasion. Our findings not only lay a foundation for clarifying the molecular mechanism underlying N. ceranae infection of eastern honey bee workers and microsporidian–host interaction.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yuanchan Fan
- College of Animal Sciences (College of Bee Science), Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China; (Y.F.); (J.W.); (K.Y.); (W.Z.); (Z.C.); (M.S.); (Y.H.); (X.Z.); (C.X.)
| | - Jie Wang
- College of Animal Sciences (College of Bee Science), Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China; (Y.F.); (J.W.); (K.Y.); (W.Z.); (Z.C.); (M.S.); (Y.H.); (X.Z.); (C.X.)
| | - Kejun Yu
- College of Animal Sciences (College of Bee Science), Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China; (Y.F.); (J.W.); (K.Y.); (W.Z.); (Z.C.); (M.S.); (Y.H.); (X.Z.); (C.X.)
| | - Wende Zhang
- College of Animal Sciences (College of Bee Science), Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China; (Y.F.); (J.W.); (K.Y.); (W.Z.); (Z.C.); (M.S.); (Y.H.); (X.Z.); (C.X.)
| | - Zongbing Cai
- College of Animal Sciences (College of Bee Science), Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China; (Y.F.); (J.W.); (K.Y.); (W.Z.); (Z.C.); (M.S.); (Y.H.); (X.Z.); (C.X.)
| | - Minghui Sun
- College of Animal Sciences (College of Bee Science), Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China; (Y.F.); (J.W.); (K.Y.); (W.Z.); (Z.C.); (M.S.); (Y.H.); (X.Z.); (C.X.)
| | - Ying Hu
- College of Animal Sciences (College of Bee Science), Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China; (Y.F.); (J.W.); (K.Y.); (W.Z.); (Z.C.); (M.S.); (Y.H.); (X.Z.); (C.X.)
| | - Xiao Zhao
- College of Animal Sciences (College of Bee Science), Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China; (Y.F.); (J.W.); (K.Y.); (W.Z.); (Z.C.); (M.S.); (Y.H.); (X.Z.); (C.X.)
| | - Cuiling Xiong
- College of Animal Sciences (College of Bee Science), Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China; (Y.F.); (J.W.); (K.Y.); (W.Z.); (Z.C.); (M.S.); (Y.H.); (X.Z.); (C.X.)
| | - Qingsheng Niu
- Jilin Province Institute of Apicultural Science, Jilin 132000, China;
| | - Dafu Chen
- College of Animal Sciences (College of Bee Science), Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China; (Y.F.); (J.W.); (K.Y.); (W.Z.); (Z.C.); (M.S.); (Y.H.); (X.Z.); (C.X.)
- Apitherapy Research Institute, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China
- Correspondence: (D.C.); (R.G.); Tel./Fax: +86-0591-87640197 (R.G.)
| | - Rui Guo
- College of Animal Sciences (College of Bee Science), Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China; (Y.F.); (J.W.); (K.Y.); (W.Z.); (Z.C.); (M.S.); (Y.H.); (X.Z.); (C.X.)
- Apitherapy Research Institute, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China
- Correspondence: (D.C.); (R.G.); Tel./Fax: +86-0591-87640197 (R.G.)
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Han B, Takvorian PM, Weiss LM. The Function and Structure of the Microsporidia Polar Tube. EXPERIENTIA SUPPLEMENTUM (2012) 2022; 114:179-213. [PMID: 35544004 PMCID: PMC10037675 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-93306-7_8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
Microsporidia are obligate intracellular pathogens that were initially identified about 160 years ago. Current phylogenetic analysis suggests that they are grouped with Cryptomycota as a basal branch or sister group to the fungi. Microsporidia are found worldwide and can infect a wide range of animals from invertebrates to vertebrates, including humans. They are responsible for a variety of diseases once thought to be restricted to immunocompromised patients but also occur in immunocompetent individuals. The small oval spore containing a coiled polar filament, which is part of the extrusion and invasion apparatus that transfers the infective sporoplasm to a new host, is a defining characteristic of all microsporidia. When the spore becomes activated, the polar filament uncoils and undergoes a rapid transition into a hollow tube that will transport the sporoplasm into a new cell. The polar tube has the ability to increase its diameter from approximately 100 nm to over 600 nm to accommodate the passage of an intact sporoplasm and penetrate the plasmalemma of the new host cell. During this process, various polar tube proteins appear to be involved in polar tube attachment to host cell and can interact with host proteins. These various interactions act to promote host cell infection.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Bing Han
- Department of Pathogenic Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China
- Department of Pathology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York, USA
| | - Peter M Takvorian
- Department of Pathology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York, USA
- Department of Biological Sciences, Rutgers University, Newark, NJ, USA
| | - Louis M Weiss
- Department of Pathology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York, USA.
- Department of Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Ricin B lectin-like proteins of the microsporidian Encephalitozoon cuniculi and Anncaliia algerae are involved in host-cell invasion. Parasitol Int 2021; 87:102518. [PMID: 34808329 DOI: 10.1016/j.parint.2021.102518] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2021] [Revised: 10/18/2021] [Accepted: 11/14/2021] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Microsporidia are obligate intracellular pathogens capable of infecting a wide variety of hosts ranging from invertebrates to vertebrates. The infection process requires a step of prior adherence of Microsporidia to the surface of host cells. A few studies demonstrated the involvement of proteins containing a ricin-B lectin (RBL) domain in parasite infection. In this study Anncalia algerae and Encephalitozoon cuniculi genomes were screened by bioinformatic analysis to identify proteins with an extracellular prediction and possessing RBL-type carbohydrate-binding domains, being both potentially relevant factors contributing to host cell adherence. Three proteins named AaRBLL-1 and AaRBLL-2 from A. algerae and EcRBLL-1 from E. cuniculi, were selected and comparative analysis of sequences suggested their belonging to a multigenic family, with a conserved structural RBL domain despite a significant amino acid sequence divergence. The production of recombinant proteins and antibodies against the three proteins allowed their subcellular localization on the spore wall and/or the polar tube. Adherence inhibition assays based on pre-treatments with recombinant proteins or antibodies highlighted the significant decrease of the proliferation of both E. cuniculi and A. algerae, strongly suggesting that these proteins are involved in the infection process.
Collapse
|
11
|
Tamim El Jarkass H, Reinke AW. The ins and outs of host-microsporidia interactions during invasion, proliferation and exit. Cell Microbiol 2020; 22:e13247. [PMID: 32748538 DOI: 10.1111/cmi.13247] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2020] [Revised: 07/15/2020] [Accepted: 07/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Microsporidia are a large group of fungal-related obligate intracellular parasites. They are responsible for infections in humans as well as in agriculturally and environmentally important animals. Although microsporidia are abundant in nature, many of the molecular mechanisms employed during infection have remained enigmatic. In this review, we highlight recent work showing how microsporidia invade, proliferate and exit from host cells. During invasion, microsporidia use spore wall and polar tube proteins to interact with host receptors and adhere to the host cell surface. In turn, the host has multiple defence mechanisms to prevent and eliminate these infections. Microsporidia encode numerous transporters and steal host nutrients to facilitate proliferation within host cells. They also encode many secreted proteins which may modulate host metabolism and inhibit host cell defence mechanisms. Spores exit the host in a non-lytic manner that is dependent on host actin and endocytic recycling proteins. Together, this work provides a fuller picture of the mechanisms that these fascinating organisms use to infect their hosts.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Aaron W Reinke
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Sequencing and Functional Annotation of the Whole Genome of Shiraia bambusicola. G3-GENES GENOMES GENETICS 2020; 10:23-35. [PMID: 31712259 PMCID: PMC6945017 DOI: 10.1534/g3.119.400694] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Shiraia bambusicola is a rare medicinal fungus found in China that causes bamboo plants to decay and die with severe infection. Hypocrellin, its main active ingredient, is widely used in several fields, such as medicine, agriculture, and food industry. In this study, to clarify the genomic components, taxonomic status, pathogenic genes, secondary metabolite synthesis pathways, and regulatory mechanisms of S. bambusicola, whole-genome sequencing, assembly, and functional annotation were performed using high-throughput sequencing and bioinformatics approaches. It was observed that S. bambusicola has 33 Mb genome size, 48.89% GC content, 333 scaffolds, 2590 contigs, 10,703 genes, 82 tRNAs, and 21 rRNAs. The total length of the repeat sequence is 2,151,640 bp. The annotation of 5945 proteins was obtained from InterProScan hits based on the Gene Ontology database. Phylogenetic analysis showed that S. bambusicola belongs to Shiraiaceae, a new family of Pleosporales. It was speculated that there are more than two species or genus in Shiraiaceae. According to the annotation, 777 secreted proteins were associated with virulence or detoxification, including 777 predicted by the PHI database, 776 by the CAZY and Fungal CytochromeP450 database, and 441 by the Proteases database. The 252 genes associated with the secondary metabolism of S. bambusicola were screened and enriched into 28 pathways, among which the terpenoids, staurosporine, aflatoxin, and folate synthesis pathways have not been reported in S. bambusicola. The T1PKS was the main gene cluster among the 28 secondary metabolite synthesis gene clusters in S. bambusicola. The analysis of the T3PKS gene cluster related to the synthesis of hypocrellin showed that there was some similarity between S. bambusicola and 10 other species of fungi; however, the similarity was very low wherein the highest similarity was 17%. The genomic information of S. bambusicola obtained in this study was valuable to understand its genetic function and pathogenicity. The genomic information revealed that several enzyme genes and secreted proteins might be related to their host interactions and pathogenicity. The annotation and analysis of its secondary metabolite synthesis genes and gene clusters will be an important reference for future studies on the biosynthesis and regulation mechanism of the secondary metabolites, contributing to the discovery of new metabolites and accelerating drug development and application.
Collapse
|
13
|
Zhu F, Tang X, Xiao S, Wang H, Zhang Y, Shao Y, Tang F, Chen S, Bai X. The role of Bombyx mori Bmtutl-519 protein in the infection of BmN cells by Nosema bombycis. DEVELOPMENTAL AND COMPARATIVE IMMUNOLOGY 2019; 92:283-290. [PMID: 30528488 DOI: 10.1016/j.dci.2018.12.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2018] [Revised: 11/30/2018] [Accepted: 12/05/2018] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Bmtutl-519 is an isoform of the Bombyx Turtle protein and a member of the immunoglobulin superfamily (IgSF). The relative expression level of Bmtutl-519 was significantly upregulated when BmN cells were infected by Nosema bombycis. The subcellular localization of Bmtutl-519 was studied using an indirect immunoinfluscent assay (IFA), Co-localization assay, Western blotting, and enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) fusion constructs expressed in BmN cells transfected with a Bmtutl-519 expression plasmid. The results indicate that Bmtutl-519 is distributed in both the cytoplasm and the cell membrane of BmN cells. Bmtutl-519 may be involved in the infection process of N. bombycis as a cell surface receptor or regulatory factor. Interaction analysis of Bmtutl-519 with NbSWP26, a spore wall protein of N. bombycis involved in host cell adherence and infection, showed that the C-terminal heparin-binding motif (HBM) of NbSWP26 mediates the interaction between these two proteins. Mutation of the NbSWP26 HBM at K208G, K209G, K210G, and K213G led to a loss of the ability to bind the Bmtutl-519 protein. Spore adherence and infection assays showed that Bmtutl-519 enhances the binding ability of N. bombycis to the host cell surface, but this did not enhance host cell infection by N. bombycis. In contrast, the sustained high expression of Bmtutl-519 in BmN cells inhibited the proliferation of N. bombycis spores.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Feng Zhu
- Institute of Sericulture and Apiculture, Yunnan Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Mengzi, 661101, Yunnan, China.
| | - Xudong Tang
- Jiangsu University of Science and Technology, Zhenjiang, 212018, Jiangsu, China; Sericultural Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Zhenjiang, 212018, Jiangsu, China
| | - Shengyan Xiao
- Institute of Sericulture and Apiculture, Yunnan Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Mengzi, 661101, Yunnan, China
| | - Hongliang Wang
- Tengzhou No. 1 Middle School of Shangdong Province, Zaozhuang, 277599, Shangdong, China
| | - Yonghong Zhang
- Institute of Sericulture and Apiculture, Yunnan Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Mengzi, 661101, Yunnan, China
| | - Yulan Shao
- Institute of Sericulture and Apiculture, Yunnan Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Mengzi, 661101, Yunnan, China
| | - Fenfen Tang
- Institute of Sericulture and Apiculture, Yunnan Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Mengzi, 661101, Yunnan, China
| | - Shiliang Chen
- Institute of Sericulture and Apiculture, Yunnan Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Mengzi, 661101, Yunnan, China
| | - Xingrong Bai
- Institute of Sericulture and Apiculture, Yunnan Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Mengzi, 661101, Yunnan, China.
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Recombinant entomopathogenic agents: a review of biotechnological approaches to pest insect control. World J Microbiol Biotechnol 2017; 34:14. [DOI: 10.1007/s11274-017-2397-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2017] [Accepted: 12/13/2017] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
|