1
|
Lyu C, Meng Y, Zhang X, Yang J, Shen B. Two enzymes contribute to citrate production in the mitochondrion of Toxoplasma gondii. J Biol Chem 2024; 300:107565. [PMID: 39002675 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2024.107565] [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: 02/07/2024] [Revised: 06/27/2024] [Accepted: 07/09/2024] [Indexed: 07/15/2024] Open
Abstract
Citrate synthase catalyzes the first and the rate-limiting reaction of the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle, producing citrate from the condensation of oxaloacetate and acetyl-coenzyme A. The parasitic protozoan Toxoplasma gondii has full TCA cycle activity, but its physiological roles remain poorly understood. In this study, we identified three proteins with predicted citrate synthase (CS) activities two of which were localized in the mitochondrion, including the 2-methylcitrate synthase (PrpC) that was thought to be involved in the 2-methylcitrate cycle, an alternative pathway for propionyl-CoA detoxification. Further analyses of the two mitochondrial enzymes showed that both had citrate synthase activity, but the catalytic efficiency of CS1 was much higher than that of PrpC. Consistently, the deletion of CS1 resulted in a significantly reduced flux of glucose-derived carbons into TCA cycle intermediates, leading to decreased parasite growth. In contrast, disruption of PrpC had little effect. On the other hand, simultaneous disruption of both CS1 and PrpC resulted in more severe metabolic changes and growth defects than a single deletion of either gene, suggesting that PrpC does contribute to citrate production under physiological conditions. Interestingly, deleting Δcs1 and Δprpc individually or in combination only mildly or negligibly affected the virulence of parasites in mice, suggesting that both enzymes are dispensable in vivo. The dispensability of CS1 and PrpC suggests that either the TCA cycle is not essential for the asexual reproduction of tachyzoites or there are other routes of citrate supply in the parasite mitochondrion.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Congcong Lyu
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei Province, PR China
| | - Yanan Meng
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei Province, PR China
| | - Xin Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei Province, PR China
| | - Jichao Yang
- College of Life Sciences, Longyan University, Longyan, Fujian, PR China
| | - Bang Shen
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei Province, PR China; Hubei Hongshan Laboratory, Wuhan, Hubei Province, PR China; Shenzhen Institute of Nutrition and Health, Huazhong Agricultural University, Shenzhen, Guangdong Province, PR China; Shenzhen Branch, Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Genome Analysis Laboratory of the Ministry of Agriculture, Agricultural Genomics Institute at Shenzhen, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shenzhen, Guangdong Province, PR China.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Charital S, Shunmugam S, Dass S, Alazzi AM, Arnold CS, Katris NJ, Duley S, Quansah NA, Pierrel F, Govin J, Yamaryo-Botté Y, Botté CY. The acyl-CoA synthetase TgACS1 allows neutral lipid metabolism and extracellular motility in Toxoplasma gondii through relocation via its peroxisomal targeting sequence (PTS) under low nutrient conditions. mBio 2024; 15:e0042724. [PMID: 38501871 PMCID: PMC11005404 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.00427-24] [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: 02/09/2024] [Accepted: 02/23/2024] [Indexed: 03/20/2024] Open
Abstract
Apicomplexa parasites cause major diseases such as toxoplasmosis and malaria that have major health and economic burdens. These unicellular pathogens are obligate intracellular parasites that heavily depend on lipid metabolism for the survival within their hosts. Their lipid synthesis relies on an essential combination of fatty acids (FAs) obtained from both de novo synthesis and scavenging from the host. The constant flux of scavenged FA needs to be channeled toward parasite lipid storage, and these FA storages are timely mobilized during parasite division. In eukaryotes, the utilization of FA relies on their obligate metabolic activation mediated by acyl-co-enzyme A (CoA) synthases (ACSs), which catalyze the thioesterification of FA to a CoA. Besides the essential functions of FA for parasite survival, the presence and roles of ACS are yet to be determined in Apicomplexa. Here, we identified TgACS1 as a Toxoplasma gondii cytosolic ACS that is involved in FA mobilization in the parasite specifically during low host nutrient conditions, especially in extracellular stages where it adopts a different localization. Heterologous complementation of yeast ACS mutants confirmed TgACS1 as being an Acyl-CoA synthetase of the bubble gum family that is most likely involved in β-oxidation processes. We further demonstrate that TgACS1 is critical for gliding motility of extracellular parasite facing low nutrient conditions, by relocating to peroxisomal-like area.IMPORTANCEToxoplasma gondii, causing human toxoplasmosis, is an Apicomplexa parasite and model within this phylum that hosts major infectious agents, such as Plasmodium spp., responsible for malaria. The diseases caused by apicomplexans are responsible for major social and economic burdens affecting hundreds of millions of people, like toxoplasmosis chronically present in about one-third of the world's population. Lack of efficient vaccines, rapid emergence of resistance to existing treatments, and toxic side effects of current treatments all argue for the urgent need to develop new therapeutic tools to combat these diseases. Understanding the key metabolic pathways sustaining host-intracellular parasite interactions is pivotal to develop new efficient ways to kill these parasites. Current consensus supports parasite lipid synthesis and trafficking as pertinent target for novel treatments. Many processes of this essential lipid metabolism in the parasite are not fully understood. The capacity for the parasites to sense and metabolically adapt to the host physiological conditions has only recently been unraveled. Our results clearly indicate the role of acyl-co-enzyme A (CoA) synthetases for the essential metabolic activation of fatty acid (FA) used to maintain parasite propagation and survival. The significance of our research is (i) the identification of seven of these enzymes that localize at different cellular areas in T. gondii parasites; (ii) using lipidomic approaches, we show that TgACS1 mobilizes FA under low host nutrient content; (iii) yeast complementation showed that acyl-CoA synthase 1 (ACS1) is an ACS that is likely involved in peroxisomal β-oxidation; (iv) the importance of the peroxisomal targeting sequence for correct localization of TgACS1 to a peroxisomal-like compartment in extracellular parasites; and lastly, (v) that TgACS1 has a crucial role in energy production and extracellular parasite motility.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Charital
- Apicolipid Team, Institute for Advanced Biosciences, CNRS UMR5309, INSERM U1209, Université Grenoble Alpes, Grenoble, France
| | - Serena Shunmugam
- Apicolipid Team, Institute for Advanced Biosciences, CNRS UMR5309, INSERM U1209, Université Grenoble Alpes, Grenoble, France
| | - Sheena Dass
- Apicolipid Team, Institute for Advanced Biosciences, CNRS UMR5309, INSERM U1209, Université Grenoble Alpes, Grenoble, France
| | - Anna Maria Alazzi
- Team Govin, Institute for Advanced Biosciences, CNRS UMR5309, INSERM U1209, Université Grenoble Alpes, Grenoble, France
| | - Christophe-Sébastien Arnold
- Apicolipid Team, Institute for Advanced Biosciences, CNRS UMR5309, INSERM U1209, Université Grenoble Alpes, Grenoble, France
| | - Nicholas J. Katris
- Apicolipid Team, Institute for Advanced Biosciences, CNRS UMR5309, INSERM U1209, Université Grenoble Alpes, Grenoble, France
| | - Samuel Duley
- Apicolipid Team, Institute for Advanced Biosciences, CNRS UMR5309, INSERM U1209, Université Grenoble Alpes, Grenoble, France
| | - Nyamekye A. Quansah
- Apicolipid Team, Institute for Advanced Biosciences, CNRS UMR5309, INSERM U1209, Université Grenoble Alpes, Grenoble, France
| | - Fabien Pierrel
- Université Grenoble Alpes, CNRS, Grenoble INP, TIMC-IMAG, Grenoble, France
| | - Jérôme Govin
- Team Govin, Institute for Advanced Biosciences, CNRS UMR5309, INSERM U1209, Université Grenoble Alpes, Grenoble, France
| | - Yoshiki Yamaryo-Botté
- Apicolipid Team, Institute for Advanced Biosciences, CNRS UMR5309, INSERM U1209, Université Grenoble Alpes, Grenoble, France
| | - Cyrille Y. Botté
- Apicolipid Team, Institute for Advanced Biosciences, CNRS UMR5309, INSERM U1209, Université Grenoble Alpes, Grenoble, France
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Yarlett N, Jarroll EL, Morada M, Lloyd D. Protists: Eukaryotic single-celled organisms and the functioning of their organelles. Adv Microb Physiol 2024; 84:243-307. [PMID: 38821633 DOI: 10.1016/bs.ampbs.2024.02.001] [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] [Indexed: 06/02/2024]
Abstract
Organelles are membrane bound structures that compartmentalize biochemical and molecular functions. With improved molecular, biochemical and microscopy tools the diversity and function of protistan organelles has increased in recent years, providing a complex panoply of structure/function relationships. This is particularly noticeable with the description of hydrogenosomes, and the diverse array of structures that followed, having hybrid hydrogenosome/mitochondria attributes. These diverse organelles have lost the major, at one time, definitive components of the mitochondrion (tricarboxylic cycle enzymes and cytochromes), however they all contain the machinery for the assembly of Fe-S clusters, which is the single unifying feature they share. The plasticity of organelles, like the mitochondrion, is therefore evident from its ability to lose its identity as an aerobic energy generating powerhouse while retaining key ancestral functions common to both aerobes and anaerobes. It is interesting to note that the apicoplast, a non-photosynthetic plastid that is present in all apicomplexan protozoa, apart from Cryptosporidium and possibly the gregarines, is also the site of Fe-S cluster assembly proteins. It turns out that in Cryptosporidium proteins involved in Fe-S cluster biosynthesis are localized in the mitochondrial remnant organelle termed the mitosome. Hence, different organisms have solved the same problem of packaging a life-requiring set of reactions in different ways, using different ancestral organelles, discarding what is not needed and keeping what is essential. Don't judge an organelle by its cover, more by the things it does, and always be prepared for surprises.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nigel Yarlett
- Haskins Laboratories, Pace University, New York, NY, United States; The Department of Chemistry and Physical Sciences, Pace University, New York, NY, United States.
| | - Edward L Jarroll
- Department of Biological Sciences, CUNY-Lehman College, Bronx, NY, United States
| | - Mary Morada
- Haskins Laboratories, Pace University, New York, NY, United States
| | - David Lloyd
- Schools of Biosciences and Engineering, Cardiff University, Wales, United Kingdom
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Cruz-Bustos T, Dolezal M, Feix AS, Ruttkowski B, Hummel K, Razzazi-Fazeli E, Joachim A. Unravelling the sexual developmental biology of Cystoisospora suis, a model for comparative coccidian parasite studies. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2023; 13:1271731. [PMID: 37953800 PMCID: PMC10635411 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2023.1271731] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2023] [Accepted: 09/28/2023] [Indexed: 11/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction The apicomplexan parasite Cystoisospora suis has global significance as an enteropathogen of suckling piglets. Its intricate life cycle entails a transition from an asexual phase to sexual development, ultimately leading to the formation of transmissible oocysts. Methods To advance our understanding of the parasite's cellular development, we complemented previous transcriptome studies by delving into the proteome profiles at five distinct time points of in vitro cultivation through LC/MS-MS analysis. Results A total of 1,324 proteins were identified in the in vitro developmental stages of C. suis, and 1,082 proteins were identified as significantly differentially expressed. Data are available via ProteomeXchange with identifier PXD045050. We performed BLAST, GO enrichment, and KEGG pathway analyses on the up- and downregulated proteins to elucidate correlated events in the C. suis life cycle. Our analyses revealed intriguing metabolic patterns in macromolecule metabolism, DNA- and RNA-related processes, proteins associated with sexual stages, and those involved in cell invasion, reflecting the adaptation of sexual stages to a nutrient-poor and potentially stressful extracellular environment, with a focus on enzymes involved in metabolism and energy production. Discussion These findings have important implications for understanding the developmental biology of C. suis as well as other, related coccidian parasites, such as Eimeria spp. and Toxoplasma gondii. They also support the role of C. suis as a new model for the comparative biology of coccidian tissue cyst stages.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Teresa Cruz-Bustos
- Department of Pathobiology, Institute of Parasitology, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Marlies Dolezal
- Platform for Bioinformatics and Biostatistics, Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Anna Sophia Feix
- Department of Pathobiology, Institute of Parasitology, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Bärbel Ruttkowski
- Department of Pathobiology, Institute of Parasitology, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Karin Hummel
- VetCore Facility (Proteomics), University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Ebrahim Razzazi-Fazeli
- VetCore Facility (Proteomics), University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Anja Joachim
- Department of Pathobiology, Institute of Parasitology, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Záhonová K, Low RS, Warren CJ, Cantoni D, Herman EK, Yiangou L, Ribeiro CA, Phanprasert Y, Brown IR, Rueckert S, Baker NL, Tachezy J, Betts EL, Gentekaki E, van der Giezen M, Clark CG, Jackson AP, Dacks JB, Tsaousis AD. Evolutionary analysis of cellular reduction and anaerobicity in the hyper-prevalent gut microbe Blastocystis. Curr Biol 2023:S0960-9822(23)00620-6. [PMID: 37267944 DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2023.05.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2022] [Revised: 03/22/2023] [Accepted: 05/11/2023] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
Blastocystis is the most prevalent microbial eukaryote in the human and animal gut, yet its role as commensal or parasite is still under debate. Blastocystis has clearly undergone evolutionary adaptation to the gut environment and possesses minimal cellular compartmentalization, reduced anaerobic mitochondria, no flagella, and no reported peroxisomes. To address this poorly understood evolutionary transition, we have taken a multi-disciplinary approach to characterize Proteromonas lacertae, the closest canonical stramenopile relative of Blastocystis. Genomic data reveal an abundance of unique genes in P. lacertae but also reductive evolution of the genomic complement in Blastocystis. Comparative genomic analysis sheds light on flagellar evolution, including 37 new candidate components implicated with mastigonemes, the stramenopile morphological hallmark. The P. lacertae membrane-trafficking system (MTS) complement is only slightly more canonical than that of Blastocystis, but notably, we identified that both organisms encode the complete enigmatic endocytic TSET complex, a first for the entire stramenopile lineage. Investigation also details the modulation of mitochondrial composition and metabolism in both P. lacertae and Blastocystis. Unexpectedly, we identify in P. lacertae the most reduced peroxisome-derived organelle reported to date, which leads us to speculate on a mechanism of constraint guiding the dynamics of peroxisome-mitochondrion reductive evolution on the path to anaerobiosis. Overall, these analyses provide a launching point to investigate organellar evolution and reveal in detail the evolutionary path that Blastocystis has taken from a canonical flagellated protist to the hyper-divergent and hyper-prevalent animal and human gut microbe.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kristína Záhonová
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, University of Alberta, 1-124 Clinical Sciences Building, 11350-83 Avenue, Edmonton T6G 2G3, Canada; Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre, Czech Academy of Sciences, Branišovská 1160/31, České Budějovice (Budweis) 370 05, Czech Republic; Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, BIOCEV, Průmyslová 595, Vestec 252 50, Czech Republic; Life Science Research Centre, Department of Biology and Ecology, Faculty of Science, University of Ostrava, Chittussiho 10, Ostrava 710 00, Czech Republic
| | - Ross S Low
- Institute of Infection, Veterinary and Ecological Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK; The Earlham Institute, Norwich Research Park, Norwich NR4 7UZ, UK
| | - Christopher J Warren
- Laboratory of Molecular & Evolutionary Parasitology, RAPID Group, School of Biosciences, University of Kent, Giles Lane, Stacey Building, Canterbury, Kent CT2 7NJ, UK
| | - Diego Cantoni
- Laboratory of Molecular & Evolutionary Parasitology, RAPID Group, School of Biosciences, University of Kent, Giles Lane, Stacey Building, Canterbury, Kent CT2 7NJ, UK
| | - Emily K Herman
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, University of Alberta, 1-124 Clinical Sciences Building, 11350-83 Avenue, Edmonton T6G 2G3, Canada; Department of Agricultural, Food, and Nutritional Science, Faculty of Agricultural, Life, and Environmental Sciences, University of Alberta, 2-31 General Services Building, Edmonton, AB T6G 2H1, Canada
| | - Lyto Yiangou
- Laboratory of Molecular & Evolutionary Parasitology, RAPID Group, School of Biosciences, University of Kent, Giles Lane, Stacey Building, Canterbury, Kent CT2 7NJ, UK
| | - Cláudia A Ribeiro
- Laboratory of Molecular & Evolutionary Parasitology, RAPID Group, School of Biosciences, University of Kent, Giles Lane, Stacey Building, Canterbury, Kent CT2 7NJ, UK
| | - Yasinee Phanprasert
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, University of Alberta, 1-124 Clinical Sciences Building, 11350-83 Avenue, Edmonton T6G 2G3, Canada; School of Science, Mae Fah Luang Universit, 333 Moo 1, T. Tasud, Muang District, Chiang Rai 57100, Thailand
| | - Ian R Brown
- Laboratory of Molecular & Evolutionary Parasitology, RAPID Group, School of Biosciences, University of Kent, Giles Lane, Stacey Building, Canterbury, Kent CT2 7NJ, UK
| | - Sonja Rueckert
- School of Applied Sciences, Sighthill Campus, Room 3.B.36, Edinburgh EH11 4BN, Scotland; Faculty of Biology, AG Eukaryotische Mikrobiologie, Universitätsstrasse 5, S05 R04 H83, Essen 45141, Germany
| | - Nicola L Baker
- Laboratory of Molecular & Evolutionary Parasitology, RAPID Group, School of Biosciences, University of Kent, Giles Lane, Stacey Building, Canterbury, Kent CT2 7NJ, UK
| | - Jan Tachezy
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, BIOCEV, Průmyslová 595, Vestec 252 50, Czech Republic
| | - Emma L Betts
- Laboratory of Molecular & Evolutionary Parasitology, RAPID Group, School of Biosciences, University of Kent, Giles Lane, Stacey Building, Canterbury, Kent CT2 7NJ, UK; School of Applied Sciences, Sighthill Campus, Room 3.B.36, Edinburgh EH11 4BN, Scotland
| | - Eleni Gentekaki
- School of Science, Mae Fah Luang Universit, 333 Moo 1, T. Tasud, Muang District, Chiang Rai 57100, Thailand; Gut Microbiome Research Group, Mae Fah Luang University, 333 Moo 1, T. Tasud, Muang District, Chiang Rai 57100, Thailand
| | - Mark van der Giezen
- Department of Chemistry, Bioscience and Environmental Engineering, University of Stavanger Richard Johnsens Gate 4, 4021 Stavanger, Norway; Biosciences, University of Exeter, Stocker Road, Exeter EX4 4QD, UK
| | - C Graham Clark
- Department of Infection Biology, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London WC1E 7HT, UK
| | - Andrew P Jackson
- Institute of Infection, Veterinary and Ecological Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - Joel B Dacks
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, University of Alberta, 1-124 Clinical Sciences Building, 11350-83 Avenue, Edmonton T6G 2G3, Canada; Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre, Czech Academy of Sciences, Branišovská 1160/31, České Budějovice (Budweis) 370 05, Czech Republic; Centre for Life's Origin and Evolution, Division of Biosciences, University College London, Darwin Building, Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT, UK.
| | - Anastasios D Tsaousis
- Laboratory of Molecular & Evolutionary Parasitology, RAPID Group, School of Biosciences, University of Kent, Giles Lane, Stacey Building, Canterbury, Kent CT2 7NJ, UK.
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Kunze M. Computational Evaluation of Peroxisomal Targeting Signals in Metazoa. Methods Mol Biol 2023; 2643:391-404. [PMID: 36952201 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-3048-8_28] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/24/2023]
Abstract
Most soluble proteins enclosed in peroxisomes encode either type-1 or type-2 peroxisomal targeting signals (PTS1 or PTS2), which act as postal codes and define the proteins' intracellular destination. Thus, various computational programs have been developed to evaluate the probability of specific peptide sequences for being a functional PTS or to scan the primary sequence of proteins for such signals. Among these prediction algorithms the PTS1-predictor ( https://mendel.imp.ac.at/pts1/ ) has been amply used, but the research logic of this and other PTS1 prediction tools is occasionally misjudged giving rise to characteristic pitfalls. Here, a proper utilization of the PTS1-predictor is introduced together with a framework of additional tests to increase the validity of the interpretation of results. Moreover, a list of possible causes for a mismatch between results of such predictions and experimental outcomes is provided. However, the foundational arguments apply to other prediction tools for PTS1 motifs as well.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Markus Kunze
- Department of Pathobiology of the Nervous System, Center for Brain Research, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Vasilev J, Mix AK, Heimerl T, Maier UG, Moog D. Inferred Subcellular Localization of Peroxisomal Matrix Proteins of Guillardia theta Suggests an Important Role of Peroxisomes in Cryptophytes. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2022; 13:889662. [PMID: 35783940 PMCID: PMC9244630 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2022.889662] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2022] [Accepted: 05/12/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Peroxisomes participate in several important metabolic processes in eukaryotic cells, such as the detoxification of reactive oxygen species (ROS) or the degradation of fatty acids by β-oxidation. Recently, the presence of peroxisomes in the cryptophyte Guillardia theta and other "chromalveolates" was revealed by identifying proteins for peroxisomal biogenesis. Here, we investigated the subcellular localization of candidate proteins of G. theta in the diatom Phaeodactylum tricornutum, either possessing a putative peroxisomal targeting signal type 1 (PTS1) sequence or factors lacking a peroxisomal targeting signal but known to be involved in β-oxidation. Our results indicate important contributions of the peroxisomes of G. theta to the carbohydrate, ether phospholipid, nucleotide, vitamin K, ROS, amino acid, and amine metabolisms. Moreover, our results suggest that in contrast to many other organisms, the peroxisomes of G. theta are not involved in the β-oxidation of fatty acids, which exclusively seems to occur in the cryptophyte's mitochondria.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jana Vasilev
- Laboratory for Cell Biology, Department of Biology, Philipps-University Marburg, Marburg, Germany
| | - Ann-Kathrin Mix
- Laboratory for Cell Biology, Department of Biology, Philipps-University Marburg, Marburg, Germany
| | - Thomas Heimerl
- Center for Synthetic Microbiology (SYNMIKRO), Philipps-University Marburg, Marburg, Germany
| | - Uwe G. Maier
- Laboratory for Cell Biology, Department of Biology, Philipps-University Marburg, Marburg, Germany
- Center for Synthetic Microbiology (SYNMIKRO), Philipps-University Marburg, Marburg, Germany
| | - Daniel Moog
- Laboratory for Cell Biology, Department of Biology, Philipps-University Marburg, Marburg, Germany
- Center for Synthetic Microbiology (SYNMIKRO), Philipps-University Marburg, Marburg, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Shunmugam S, Arnold CS, Dass S, Katris NJ, Botté CY. The flexibility of Apicomplexa parasites in lipid metabolism. PLoS Pathog 2022; 18:e1010313. [PMID: 35298557 PMCID: PMC8929637 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1010313] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Apicomplexa are obligate intracellular parasites responsible for major human infectious diseases such as toxoplasmosis and malaria, which pose social and economic burdens around the world. To survive and propagate, these parasites need to acquire a significant number of essential biomolecules from their hosts. Among these biomolecules, lipids are a key metabolite required for parasite membrane biogenesis, signaling events, and energy storage. Parasites can either scavenge lipids from their host or synthesize them de novo in a relict plastid, the apicoplast. During their complex life cycle (sexual/asexual/dormant), Apicomplexa infect a large variety of cells and their metabolic flexibility allows them to adapt to different host environments such as low/high fat content or low/high sugar levels. In this review, we discuss the role of lipids in Apicomplexa parasites and summarize recent findings on the metabolic mechanisms in host nutrient adaptation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Serena Shunmugam
- Apicolipid Team, Institute for Advanced Biosciences, CNRS UMR5309, Université Grenoble Alpes, INSERM U1209, Grenoble, France
| | - Christophe-Sébastien Arnold
- Apicolipid Team, Institute for Advanced Biosciences, CNRS UMR5309, Université Grenoble Alpes, INSERM U1209, Grenoble, France
| | - Sheena Dass
- Apicolipid Team, Institute for Advanced Biosciences, CNRS UMR5309, Université Grenoble Alpes, INSERM U1209, Grenoble, France
| | - Nicholas J. Katris
- Apicolipid Team, Institute for Advanced Biosciences, CNRS UMR5309, Université Grenoble Alpes, INSERM U1209, Grenoble, France
| | - Cyrille Y. Botté
- Apicolipid Team, Institute for Advanced Biosciences, CNRS UMR5309, Université Grenoble Alpes, INSERM U1209, Grenoble, France
- * E-mail: ,
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Richardson E, Dacks JB. Distribution of Membrane Trafficking System Components Across Ciliate Diversity Highlights Heterogenous Organelle-Associated Machinery. Traffic 2022; 23:208-220. [PMID: 35128766 DOI: 10.1111/tra.12834] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2021] [Revised: 01/24/2022] [Accepted: 02/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
The ciliate phylum is a group of protists noted for their unusual membrane trafficking system and apparent environmental ubiquity; as highly successful microbial predators, they are found in all manner of environments and the ability for specific species to adapt to extremely challenging conditions makes them valued as bioindicators. Ciliates have also been used for many years as cell biological models due to their large cell size and ease of culturing, and for many fundamental cell structures, particularly membrane-bound organelles, ciliates were some of the earliest organisms in which these were observed via microscopy. In this study, we carried out a comparative genomic survey of selected membrane trafficking proteins in a pan-ciliate transcriptome and genome dataset. We observed considerable loss of membrane trafficking system (MTS) proteins that would indicate a loss of machinery that is generally conserved across eukaryotic diversity, even after controlling for potentially incomplete genome representation. In particular, the DSL1 complex was missing in all surveyed ciliates. This protein complex has been shown as involved in peroxisome biogenesis in some model systems, and a paucity of DSL1 components has been indicative of degenerate peroxisome. However, Tetrahymena thermophila (formerly Tetrahymena pyroformis) was one of the original models for visualising peroxisomes. Conversely, the AP3 complex essential for mucocyst maturation in T. thermophila, is poorly conserved despite the presence of secretory lysosome-related organelles across ciliate diversity. We discuss potential resolutions for these apparent paradoxes in the context of the heterogenous distribution of MTS machinery across the diversity of ciliates.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Elisabeth Richardson
- University of Alberta School of Public Health, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.,Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Joel B Dacks
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.,Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.,Department of Life Sciences, The Natural History Museum, London, UK
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Jansen RLM, Santana-Molina C, van den Noort M, Devos DP, van der Klei IJ. Comparative Genomics of Peroxisome Biogenesis Proteins: Making Sense of the PEX Proteins. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:654163. [PMID: 34095119 PMCID: PMC8172628 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.654163] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2021] [Accepted: 04/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
PEX genes encode proteins involved in peroxisome biogenesis and proliferation. Using a comparative genomics approach, we clarify the evolutionary relationships between the 37 known PEX proteins in a representative set of eukaryotes, including all common model organisms, pathogenic unicellular eukaryotes and human. A large number of previously unknown PEX orthologs were identified. We analyzed all PEX proteins, their conservation and domain architecture and defined the core set of PEX proteins that is required to make a peroxisome. The molecular processes in peroxisome biogenesis in different organisms were put into context, showing that peroxisomes are not static organelles in eukaryotic evolution. Organisms that lack peroxisomes still contain a few PEX proteins, which probably play a role in alternative processes. Finally, the relationships between PEX proteins of two large families, the Pex11 and Pex23 families, were analyzed, thereby contributing to the understanding of their complicated and sometimes incorrect nomenclature. We provide an exhaustive overview of this important eukaryotic organelle.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Renate L M Jansen
- Molecular Cell Biology, Groningen Biomolecular Sciences and Biotechnology Institute, University of Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands
| | - Carlos Santana-Molina
- Centro Andaluz de Biología del Desarrollo, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Universidad Pablo de Olavide, Seville, Spain
| | - Marco van den Noort
- Molecular Cell Biology, Groningen Biomolecular Sciences and Biotechnology Institute, University of Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands
| | - Damien P Devos
- Centro Andaluz de Biología del Desarrollo, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Universidad Pablo de Olavide, Seville, Spain
| | - Ida J van der Klei
- Molecular Cell Biology, Groningen Biomolecular Sciences and Biotechnology Institute, University of Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Kechasov D, de Grahl I, Endries P, Reumann S. Evolutionary Maintenance of the PTS2 Protein Import Pathway in the Stramenopile Alga Nannochloropsis. Front Cell Dev Biol 2020; 8:593922. [PMID: 33330478 PMCID: PMC7710942 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2020.593922] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2020] [Accepted: 10/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The stramenopile alga Nannochloropsis evolved by secondary endosymbiosis of a red alga by a heterotrophic host cell and emerged as a promising organism for biotechnological applications, such as the production of polyunsaturated fatty acids and biodiesel. Peroxisomes play major roles in fatty acid metabolism but experimental analyses of peroxisome biogenesis and metabolism in Nannochloropsis are not reported yet. In fungi, animals, and land plants, soluble proteins of peroxisomes are targeted to the matrix by one of two peroxisome targeting signals (type 1, PTS1, or type 2, PTS2), which are generally conserved across kingdoms and allow the prediction of peroxisomal matrix proteins from nuclear genome sequences. Because diatoms lost the PTS2 pathway secondarily, we investigated its presence in the stramenopile sister group of diatoms, the Eustigmatophyceae, represented by Nannochloropsis. We detected a full-length gene of a putative PEX7 ortholog coding for the cytosolic receptor of PTS2 proteins and demonstrated its expression in Nannochloropsis gaditana. The search for predicted PTS2 cargo proteins in N. gaditana yielded several candidates. In vivo subcellular targeting analyses of representative fusion proteins in different plant expression systems demonstrated that two predicted PTS2 domains were indeed functional and sufficient to direct a reporter protein to peroxisomes. Peroxisome targeting of the predicted PTS2 cargo proteins was further confirmed in Nannochloropsis oceanica by confocal and transmission electron microscopy. Taken together, the results demonstrate for the first time that one group of stramenopile algae maintained the import pathway for PTS2 cargo proteins. To comprehensively map and model the metabolic capabilities of Nannochloropsis peroxisomes, in silico predictions needs to encompass both the PTS1 and the PTS2 matrix proteome.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dmitry Kechasov
- Centre for Organelle Research, University of Stavanger, Stavanger, Norway
| | - Imke de Grahl
- Plant Biochemistry and Infection Biology, Institute for Plant Science and Microbiology, Universität Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Pierre Endries
- Plant Biochemistry and Infection Biology, Institute for Plant Science and Microbiology, Universität Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Sigrun Reumann
- Centre for Organelle Research, University of Stavanger, Stavanger, Norway
- Plant Biochemistry and Infection Biology, Institute for Plant Science and Microbiology, Universität Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
González-Robles A, González-Lázaro M, Lagunes-Guillén AE, Omaña-Molina M, Lares-Jiménez LF, Lares-Villa F, Martínez-Palomo A. Ultrastructural, Cytochemical, and Comparative Genomic Evidence of Peroxisomes in Three Genera of Pathogenic Free-Living Amoebae, Including the First Morphological Data for the Presence of This Organelle in Heteroloboseans. Genome Biol Evol 2020; 12:1734-1750. [PMID: 32602891 PMCID: PMC7549135 DOI: 10.1093/gbe/evaa129] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Peroxisomes perform various metabolic processes that are primarily related to the elimination of reactive oxygen species and oxidative lipid metabolism. These organelles are present in all major eukaryotic lineages, nevertheless, information regarding the presence of peroxisomes in opportunistic parasitic protozoa is scarce and in many cases it is still unknown whether these organisms have peroxisomes at all. Here, we performed ultrastructural, cytochemical, and bioinformatic studies to investigate the presence of peroxisomes in three genera of free-living amoebae from two different taxonomic groups that are known to cause fatal infections in humans. By transmission electron microscopy, round structures with a granular content limited by a single membrane were observed in Acanthamoeba castellanii, Acanthamoeba griffini, Acanthamoeba polyphaga, Acanthamoeba royreba, Balamuthia mandrillaris (Amoebozoa), and Naegleria fowleri (Heterolobosea). Further confirmation for the presence of peroxisomes was obtained by treating trophozoites in situ with diaminobenzidine and hydrogen peroxide, which showed positive reaction products for the presence of catalase. We then performed comparative genomic analyses to identify predicted peroxin homologues in these organisms. Our results demonstrate that a complete set of peroxins-which are essential for peroxisome biogenesis, proliferation, and protein import-are present in all of these amoebae. Likewise, our in silico analyses allowed us to identify a complete set of peroxins in Naegleria lovaniensis and three novel peroxin homologues in Naegleria gruberi. Thus, our results indicate that peroxisomes are present in these three genera of free-living amoebae and that they have a similar peroxin complement despite belonging to different evolutionary lineages.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Arturo González-Robles
- Departamento de Infectómica y Patogénesis Molecular, Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del IPN, Ciudad de México, Mexico
| | - Mónica González-Lázaro
- Departamento de Infectómica y Patogénesis Molecular, Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del IPN, Ciudad de México, Mexico
| | - Anel Edith Lagunes-Guillén
- Departamento de Infectómica y Patogénesis Molecular, Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del IPN, Ciudad de México, Mexico
| | - Maritza Omaña-Molina
- Facultad de Estudios Superiores Iztacala, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Tlanepantla, Estado de México, Mexico
| | - Luis Fernando Lares-Jiménez
- Departamento de Ciencias Agronómicas y Veterinarias, Instituto Tecnológico de Sonora, Ciudad Obregón, Sonora, Mexico
| | - Fernando Lares-Villa
- Departamento de Ciencias Agronómicas y Veterinarias, Instituto Tecnológico de Sonora, Ciudad Obregón, Sonora, Mexico
| | - Adolfo Martínez-Palomo
- Departamento de Infectómica y Patogénesis Molecular, Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del IPN, Ciudad de México, Mexico
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Kloehn J, Oppenheim RD, Siddiqui G, De Bock PJ, Kumar Dogga S, Coute Y, Hakimi MA, Creek DJ, Soldati-Favre D. Multi-omics analysis delineates the distinct functions of sub-cellular acetyl-CoA pools in Toxoplasma gondii. BMC Biol 2020; 18:67. [PMID: 32546260 PMCID: PMC7296777 DOI: 10.1186/s12915-020-00791-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2020] [Accepted: 05/08/2020] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Acetyl-CoA is a key molecule in all organisms, implicated in several metabolic pathways as well as in transcriptional regulation and post-translational modification. The human pathogen Toxoplasma gondii possesses at least four enzymes which generate acetyl-CoA in the nucleo-cytosol (acetyl-CoA synthetase (ACS); ATP citrate lyase (ACL)), mitochondrion (branched-chain α-keto acid dehydrogenase-complex (BCKDH)) and apicoplast (pyruvate dehydrogenase complex (PDH)). Given the diverse functions of acetyl-CoA, we know very little about the role of sub-cellular acetyl-CoA pools in parasite physiology. RESULTS To assess the importance and functions of sub-cellular acetyl-CoA-pools, we measured the acetylome, transcriptome, proteome and metabolome of parasites lacking ACL/ACS or BCKDH. We demonstrate that ACL/ACS constitute a synthetic lethal pair. Loss of both enzymes causes a halt in fatty acid elongation, hypo-acetylation of nucleo-cytosolic and secretory proteins and broad changes in gene expression. In contrast, loss of BCKDH results in an altered TCA cycle, hypo-acetylation of mitochondrial proteins and few specific changes in gene expression. We provide evidence that changes in the acetylome, transcriptome and proteome of cells lacking BCKDH enable the metabolic adaptations and thus the survival of these parasites. CONCLUSIONS Using multi-omics and molecular tools, we obtain a global and integrative picture of the role of distinct acetyl-CoA pools in T. gondii physiology. Cytosolic acetyl-CoA is essential and is required for the synthesis of parasite-specific fatty acids. In contrast, loss of mitochondrial acetyl-CoA can be compensated for through metabolic adaptations implemented at the transcriptional, translational and post-translational level.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Joachim Kloehn
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Medicine, CMU, University of Geneva, Rue Michel-Servet 1, 1211, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Rebecca D Oppenheim
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Medicine, CMU, University of Geneva, Rue Michel-Servet 1, 1211, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Ghizal Siddiqui
- Drug Delivery, Disposition and Dynamics, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Parkville campus, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia
| | - Pieter-Jan De Bock
- University Grenoble Alpes, CEA, INSERM, IRIG, BGE, F-38000, Grenoble, France
| | - Sunil Kumar Dogga
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Medicine, CMU, University of Geneva, Rue Michel-Servet 1, 1211, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Yohann Coute
- University Grenoble Alpes, CEA, INSERM, IRIG, BGE, F-38000, Grenoble, France
| | - Mohamed-Ali Hakimi
- Epigenetic and Parasites Team, UMR5163/LAPM, Domaine de la Merci, Jean Roget Institute, 38700, La Tronche, France
| | - Darren J Creek
- Drug Delivery, Disposition and Dynamics, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Parkville campus, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia
| | - Dominique Soldati-Favre
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Medicine, CMU, University of Geneva, Rue Michel-Servet 1, 1211, Geneva, Switzerland.
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Xie Y, Huang B, Xu L, Zhao Q, Zhu S, Zhao H, Dong H, Han H. Comparative Transcriptome Analyses of Drug-sensitive and Drug-resistant Strains of Eimeria tenella by RNA-sequencing. J Eukaryot Microbiol 2020; 67:406-416. [PMID: 32027445 DOI: 10.1111/jeu.12790] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2019] [Revised: 01/22/2020] [Accepted: 01/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Avian coccidiosis is a widespread and economically significant disease in poultry. At present, treatment of coccidiosis mainly relies on drugs. Anticoccidial drugs can be divided into two categories: ionophorous compounds and synthetic drugs. However, the emergence of drug-resistant strains has become a challenge for coccidiosis control with anticoccidial drugs. To gain insights into the molecular mechanism governing the drug resistance of Eimeria tenella, two drug-resistant strains of E. tenella, one maduramicin-resistant (MRR) strain and one diclazuril-resistant (DZR) strain, were generated. We carried out comparative transcriptome analyses of a drug-sensitive strain (DS) and two drug-resistant MRR and DZR strains of E. tenella using RNA-sequencing. A total of 1,070 differentially expressed genes (DEGs), 672 upregulated and 398 downregulated, were identified in MRR vs. DS, and 379 DEGs, 330 upregulated and 49 downregulated, were detected in DZR vs. DS. Gene Ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway enrichment analyses were performed to better understand the functions of these DEGs. In the comparison of DZR vs. DS, some DEGs were involved in peroxisome, biosynthesis of unsaturated fatty acids, and fatty acid metabolism. In the comparison of MRR vs. DS, some DEGs were involved in glycolysis/gluconeogenesis, regulation of actin cytoskeleton, and DNA replication. In addition, some DEGs coded for surface antigens that were downregulated in two drug-resistant strains involved invasion, pathogenesis, and host-parasite interactions. These results provided suggestions for further research toward unraveling the molecular mechanisms of drug resistance in Eimeria species and contribute to developing rapid molecular methods to detect resistance to these drugs in Eimeria species in poultry.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yuxiang Xie
- Key Laboratory of Animal Parasitology of Ministry of Agriculture, Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Minhang, Shanghai, 200241, China
| | - Bing Huang
- Key Laboratory of Animal Parasitology of Ministry of Agriculture, Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Minhang, Shanghai, 200241, China
| | - Lingyang Xu
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology and Bovine Breeding, Institute of Animal Science, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Haidian District, Beijing, 100193, China
| | - Qiping Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Animal Parasitology of Ministry of Agriculture, Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Minhang, Shanghai, 200241, China
| | - Shunhai Zhu
- Key Laboratory of Animal Parasitology of Ministry of Agriculture, Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Minhang, Shanghai, 200241, China
| | - Huanzhi Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Animal Parasitology of Ministry of Agriculture, Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Minhang, Shanghai, 200241, China
| | - Hui Dong
- Key Laboratory of Animal Parasitology of Ministry of Agriculture, Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Minhang, Shanghai, 200241, China
| | - Hongyu Han
- Key Laboratory of Animal Parasitology of Ministry of Agriculture, Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Minhang, Shanghai, 200241, China
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Paight C, Slamovits CH, Saffo MB, Lane CE. Nephromyces Encodes a Urate Metabolism Pathway and Predicted Peroxisomes, Demonstrating That These Are Not Ancient Losses of Apicomplexans. Genome Biol Evol 2019; 11:41-53. [PMID: 30500900 PMCID: PMC6320678 DOI: 10.1093/gbe/evy251] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/28/2018] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The phylum Apicomplexa is a quintessentially parasitic lineage, whose members infect a broad range of animals. One exception to this may be the apicomplexan genus Nephromyces, which has been described as having a mutualistic relationship with its host. Here we analyze transcriptome data from Nephromyces and its parasitic sister taxon, Cardiosporidium, revealing an ancestral purine degradation pathway thought to have been lost early in apicomplexan evolution. The predicted localization of many of the purine degradation enzymes to peroxisomes, and the in silico identification of a full set of peroxisome proteins, indicates that loss of both features in other apicomplexans occurred multiple times. The degradation of purines is thought to play a key role in the unusual relationship between Nephromyces and its host. Transcriptome data confirm previous biochemical results of a functional pathway for the utilization of uric acid as a primary nitrogen source for this unusual apicomplexan.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Claudio H Slamovits
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
| | - Mary Beth Saffo
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Rhode Island
- Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History, Washington, District of Columbia
| | | |
Collapse
|
16
|
Mix AK, Cenci U, Heimerl T, Marter P, Wirkner ML, Moog D. Identification and Localization of Peroxisomal Biogenesis Proteins Indicates the Presence of Peroxisomes in the Cryptophyte Guillardia theta and Other "Chromalveolates". Genome Biol Evol 2018; 10:2834-2852. [PMID: 30247558 PMCID: PMC6203080 DOI: 10.1093/gbe/evy214] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/21/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Peroxisomes are single-membrane-bound organelles with a huge metabolic versatility, including the degradation of fatty acids (β-oxidation) and the detoxification of reactive oxygen species as most conserved functions. Although peroxisomes seem to be present in the majority of investigated eukaryotes, where they are responsible for many eclectic and important spatially separated metabolic reactions, knowledge about their existence in the plethora of protists (eukaryotic microorganisms) is scarce. Here, we investigated genomic data of organisms containing complex plastids with red algal ancestry (so-called “chromalveolates”) for the presence of genes encoding peroxins—factors specific for the biogenesis, maintenance, and division of peroxisomes in eukaryotic cells. Our focus was on the cryptophyte Guillardia theta, a marine microalga, which possesses two phylogenetically different nuclei of host and endosymbiont origin, respectively, thus being of enormous evolutionary significance. Besides the identification of a complete set of peroxins in G. theta, we heterologously localized selected factors as GFP fusion proteins via confocal and electron microscopy in the model diatom Phaeodactylum tricornutum. Furthermore, we show that peroxins, and thus most likely peroxisomes, are present in haptophytes as well as eustigmatophytes, brown algae, and alveolates including dinoflagellates, chromerids, and noncoccidian apicomplexans. Our results indicate that diatoms are not the only “chromalveolate” group devoid of the PTS2 receptor Pex7, and thus a PTS2-dependent peroxisomal import pathway, which seems to be absent in haptophytes (Emiliania huxleyi) as well. Moreover, important aspects of peroxisomal biosynthesis and protein import in “chromalveolates”are highlighted.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ann-Kathrin Mix
- Laboratory for Cell Biology, Philipps University Marburg, Germany
| | - Ugo Cenci
- Unité de Glycobiologie Structurale et Fonctionnelle, UMR 8576 CNRS-USTL, Université des Sciences et Technologies de Lille, Villeneuve d'Ascq Cedex, France
| | - Thomas Heimerl
- LOEWE Center for Synthetic Microbiology (Synmikro), Philipps University Marburg, Germany
| | - Pia Marter
- Laboratory for Cell Biology, Philipps University Marburg, Germany
| | | | - Daniel Moog
- Laboratory for Cell Biology, Philipps University Marburg, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Functional Analyses of a Putative, Membrane-Bound, Peroxisomal Protein Import Mechanism from the Apicomplexan Protozoan Toxoplasma gondii. Genes (Basel) 2018; 9:genes9090434. [PMID: 30158461 PMCID: PMC6162456 DOI: 10.3390/genes9090434] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2018] [Revised: 08/17/2018] [Accepted: 08/21/2018] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Peroxisomes are central to eukaryotic metabolism, including the oxidation of fatty acids—which subsequently provide an important source of metabolic energy—and in the biosynthesis of cholesterol and plasmalogens. However, the presence and nature of peroxisomes in the parasitic apicomplexan protozoa remains controversial. A survey of the available genomes revealed that genes encoding peroxisome biogenesis factors, so-called peroxins (Pex), are only present in a subset of these parasites, the coccidia. The basic principle of peroxisomal protein import is evolutionarily conserved, proteins harbouring a peroxisomal-targeting signal 1 (PTS1) interact in the cytosol with the shuttling receptor Pex5 and are then imported into the peroxisome via the membrane-bound protein complex formed by Pex13 and Pex14. Surprisingly, whilst Pex5 is clearly identifiable, Pex13 and, perhaps, Pex14 are apparently absent from the coccidian genomes. To investigate the functionality of the PTS1 import mechanism in these parasites, expression of Pex5 from the model coccidian Toxoplasma gondii was shown to rescue the import defect of Pex5-deleted Saccharomyces cerevisiae. In support of these data, green fluorescent protein (GFP) bearing the enhanced (e)PTS1 known to efficiently localise to peroxisomes in yeast, localised to peroxisome-like bodies when expressed in Toxoplasma. Furthermore, the PTS1-binding domain of Pex5 and a PTS1 ligand from the putatively peroxisome-localised Toxoplasma sterol carrier protein (SCP2) were shown to interact in vitro. Taken together, these data demonstrate that the Pex5–PTS1 interaction is functional in the coccidia and indicate that a nonconventional peroxisomal import mechanism may operate in the absence of Pex13 and Pex14.
Collapse
|