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Upadhyay S, Das K, Ghosal A, Manna S, Saito-Nakano Y, Dutta S, Nozaki T, Ganguly S. Multi-locus sequence analysis reveals phylogenetically segregated Entamoeba histolytica population. Parasitol Int 2024; 100:102861. [PMID: 38244854 DOI: 10.1016/j.parint.2024.102861] [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: 10/31/2023] [Revised: 01/09/2024] [Accepted: 01/13/2024] [Indexed: 01/22/2024]
Abstract
Amoebiasis, caused by the enteric parasite, Entamoeba histolytica, is one of the major food- and water-borne parasitic diseases in developing countries with improper sanitation and poor hygiene. Infection with E. histolytica has diverse disease outcomes, which are determined by the genetic diversity of the infecting strains. Comparative genetic analysis of infecting E. histolytica strains associated with differential disease outcomes from different geographical regions of the world is important to identify the specific genetic patterns of the pathogen that trigger certain disease outcomes of Amoebiasis. The strategy is able to elucidate the genealogical relation and population structure of infecting E. histolytica strains from different geographical regions. In the present study, we have performed a comparative genetic analysis of circulating E. histolytica strains identified from different parts of the world, including our study region, based on five tRNA-linked short tandem repeat (STR) loci (i.e., D-A, NK2, R-R, STGA-D and A-L) and evaluated their potential associations with differential disease outcomes of Amoebiasis. A number of regional-specific, emerging haplotypes of E. histolytica, significantly associated with specific disease outcomes have been identified. Haplotypes, which have a significant positive association with asymptomatic and amoebic liver abscess outcomes, showed a significant negative association with diarrheal outcome, or vice versa. Comparative multi-locus analysis revealed that E. histolytica isolates from our study region are phylogenetically segregated from the isolates of other geographical regions. This study provides a crucial overview of the population structure and emerging pattern of the enteric parasite, E. histolytica.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shashi Upadhyay
- Department of Allied Health Science, School of Health Science and Technology, University of Petroleum and Energy Studies, Dehradun 248007, India
| | - Koushik Das
- Division of Parasitology, ICMR-National Institute of Cholera and Enteric Diseases, Kolkata 700010, India.
| | - Ajanta Ghosal
- Division of Parasitology, ICMR-National Institute of Cholera and Enteric Diseases, Kolkata 700010, India
| | - Suvendu Manna
- Department of HSE & Civil Engineering, School of Engineering, University of Petroleum and Energy Studies, Dehradun 248007, India
| | - Yumiko Saito-Nakano
- Department of Parasitology, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, 1-23-1 Toyama, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 162-8640, Japan
| | - Shanta Dutta
- Department of Bacteriology, ICMR-National Institute of Cholera and Enteric Diseases, Kolkata 700010, India
| | - Tomoyoshi Nozaki
- Department of Biomedical Chemistry, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan
| | - Sandipan Ganguly
- Division of Parasitology, ICMR-National Institute of Cholera and Enteric Diseases, Kolkata 700010, India.
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2
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Schnitzler CE, Chang ES, Waletich J, Quiroga-Artigas G, Wong WY, Nguyen AD, Barreira SN, Doonan LB, Gonzalez P, Koren S, Gahan JM, Sanders SM, Bradshaw B, DuBuc TQ, Febrimarsa, de Jong D, Nawrocki EP, Larson A, Klasfeld S, Gornik SG, Moreland RT, Wolfsberg TG, Phillippy AM, Mullikin JC, Simakov O, Cartwright P, Nicotra M, Frank U, Baxevanis AD. The genome of the colonial hydroid Hydractinia reveals that their stem cells use a toolkit of evolutionarily shared genes with all animals. Genome Res 2024; 34:498-513. [PMID: 38508693 PMCID: PMC11067881 DOI: 10.1101/gr.278382.123] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2023] [Accepted: 03/07/2024] [Indexed: 03/22/2024]
Abstract
Hydractinia is a colonial marine hydroid that shows remarkable biological properties, including the capacity to regenerate its entire body throughout its lifetime, a process made possible by its adult migratory stem cells, known as i-cells. Here, we provide an in-depth characterization of the genomic structure and gene content of two Hydractinia species, Hydractinia symbiolongicarpus and Hydractinia echinata, placing them in a comparative evolutionary framework with other cnidarian genomes. We also generated and annotated a single-cell transcriptomic atlas for adult male H. symbiolongicarpus and identified cell-type markers for all major cell types, including key i-cell markers. Orthology analyses based on the markers revealed that Hydractinia's i-cells are highly enriched in genes that are widely shared amongst animals, a striking finding given that Hydractinia has a higher proportion of phylum-specific genes than any of the other 41 animals in our orthology analysis. These results indicate that Hydractinia's stem cells and early progenitor cells may use a toolkit shared with all animals, making it a promising model organism for future exploration of stem cell biology and regenerative medicine. The genomic and transcriptomic resources for Hydractinia presented here will enable further studies of their regenerative capacity, colonial morphology, and ability to distinguish self from nonself.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christine E Schnitzler
- Whitney Laboratory for Marine Bioscience, University of Florida, St. Augustine, Florida 32080, USA
- Department of Biology, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida 32611, USA
| | - E Sally Chang
- Division of Intramural Research, National Human Genome Research Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892, USA
- National Center for Biotechnology Information, National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892, USA
| | - Justin Waletich
- Whitney Laboratory for Marine Bioscience, University of Florida, St. Augustine, Florida 32080, USA
- Department of Biology, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida 32611, USA
| | - Gonzalo Quiroga-Artigas
- Whitney Laboratory for Marine Bioscience, University of Florida, St. Augustine, Florida 32080, USA
- Department of Biology, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida 32611, USA
- Centre de Recherche en Biologie cellulaire de Montpellier (CRBM), Université de Montpellier, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, 34293 Montpellier CEDEX 05, France
| | - Wai Yee Wong
- Department for Neurosciences and Developmental Biology, University of Vienna, 1030 Vienna, Austria
| | - Anh-Dao Nguyen
- Division of Intramural Research, National Human Genome Research Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892, USA
| | - Sofia N Barreira
- Division of Intramural Research, National Human Genome Research Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892, USA
| | - Liam B Doonan
- Centre for Chromosome Biology, College of Science and Engineering, University of Galway, Galway H91 W2TY, Ireland
| | - Paul Gonzalez
- Division of Intramural Research, National Human Genome Research Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892, USA
| | - Sergey Koren
- Division of Intramural Research, National Human Genome Research Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892, USA
| | - James M Gahan
- Centre for Chromosome Biology, College of Science and Engineering, University of Galway, Galway H91 W2TY, Ireland
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3QU, United Kingdom
| | - Steven M Sanders
- Department of Surgery, Thomas E. Starzl Transplantation Institute, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15261, USA
- Pittsburgh Center for Evolutionary Biology and Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15261, USA
| | - Brian Bradshaw
- Centre for Chromosome Biology, College of Science and Engineering, University of Galway, Galway H91 W2TY, Ireland
| | - Timothy Q DuBuc
- Centre for Chromosome Biology, College of Science and Engineering, University of Galway, Galway H91 W2TY, Ireland
- Department of Biology, Swarthmore College, Swarthmore, Pennsylvania 19081, USA
| | - Febrimarsa
- Centre for Chromosome Biology, College of Science and Engineering, University of Galway, Galway H91 W2TY, Ireland
- Pharmaceutical Biology Laboratory, Faculty of Pharmacy, Universitas Muhammadiyah Surakarta, Jawa Tengah 57169, Indonesia
| | - Danielle de Jong
- Whitney Laboratory for Marine Bioscience, University of Florida, St. Augustine, Florida 32080, USA
- Department of Biology, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida 32611, USA
| | - Eric P Nawrocki
- National Center for Biotechnology Information, National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892, USA
| | - Alexandra Larson
- Whitney Laboratory for Marine Bioscience, University of Florida, St. Augustine, Florida 32080, USA
| | - Samantha Klasfeld
- Division of Intramural Research, National Human Genome Research Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892, USA
| | - Sebastian G Gornik
- Centre for Chromosome Biology, College of Science and Engineering, University of Galway, Galway H91 W2TY, Ireland
- Center for Organismal Studies, University of Heidelberg, 69117 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - R Travis Moreland
- Division of Intramural Research, National Human Genome Research Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892, USA
| | - Tyra G Wolfsberg
- Division of Intramural Research, National Human Genome Research Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892, USA
| | - Adam M Phillippy
- Division of Intramural Research, National Human Genome Research Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892, USA
| | - James C Mullikin
- Division of Intramural Research, National Human Genome Research Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892, USA
- NIH Intramural Sequencing Center, Rockville, Maryland 20852, USA
| | - Oleg Simakov
- Department for Neurosciences and Developmental Biology, University of Vienna, 1030 Vienna, Austria
| | - Paulyn Cartwright
- Department of Evolution and Ecology, University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas 66045, USA
| | - Matthew Nicotra
- Department of Surgery, Thomas E. Starzl Transplantation Institute, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15261, USA
- Pittsburgh Center for Evolutionary Biology and Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15261, USA
| | - Uri Frank
- Centre for Chromosome Biology, College of Science and Engineering, University of Galway, Galway H91 W2TY, Ireland
| | - Andreas D Baxevanis
- Division of Intramural Research, National Human Genome Research Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892, USA;
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3
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Upadhyay S, Das K, Ghosal A, Saito-Nakano Y, Dutta S, Nozaki T, Ganguly S. Short tandem repeat (STR) based sequence typing of Entamoeba histolytica identifies S TGA-D locus as a genetic marker, associated with disease outcomes. Parasitol Int 2024; 99:102846. [PMID: 38110172 DOI: 10.1016/j.parint.2023.102846] [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: 11/04/2023] [Revised: 12/11/2023] [Accepted: 12/12/2023] [Indexed: 12/20/2023]
Abstract
Amoebiasis, caused by the enteric parasite Entamoeba histolytica has differential disease outcomes. The association of parasite genotypes with outcomes of amoebic infection is still a paradox and requires to be explored. The genetic information of infecting strains from endemic settings of different geographical regions is essential to evaluate the relation. Comparative genetics of E. histolytica clinical isolates from different disease outcomes have been explored based on two tRNA-linked STR loci (STGA-D and A-L). All of the repeat patterns in the A-L locus were newly identified and unique to Indian isolates. The majority of newly identified repeat patterns in STGA-D locus have outcome-specific distributions, predicting the emergence of disease-specific mutations in this target locus. Statistical analysis further reinforces this observation, as identified repeat patterns only from STGA-D but not A-L locus were significantly associated with disease outcomes. Phylogenetic analysis indicates independent segregation and divergence of tRNA-linked STR arrays for each STR locus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shashi Upadhyay
- Department of Allied Health Sciences, School of Health Science and Technology, University of Petroleum and Energy Studies, Dehradun 248007, India
| | - Koushik Das
- Division of Parasitology, ICMR-National Institute of Cholera and Enteric Diseases (ICMR-NICED), Kolkata 700010, India.
| | - Ajanta Ghosal
- Division of Parasitology, ICMR-National Institute of Cholera and Enteric Diseases (ICMR-NICED), Kolkata 700010, India
| | - Yumiko Saito-Nakano
- Department of Parasitology, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, 1-23-1 Toyama, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 162-8640, Japan
| | - Shanta Dutta
- Division of Bacteriology, ICMR-National Institute of Cholera and Enteric Diseases (ICMR-NICED), Kolkata 700010, India
| | - Tomoyoshi Nozaki
- Department of Biomedical Chemistry, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan
| | - Sandipan Ganguly
- Division of Parasitology, ICMR-National Institute of Cholera and Enteric Diseases (ICMR-NICED), Kolkata 700010, India.
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4
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Sardar SK, Ghosal A, Haldar T, Das K, Saito-Nakano Y, Kobayashi S, Dutta S, Nozaki T, Ganguly S. Investigating genetic polymorphism in E. histolytica isolates with distinct clinical phenotypes. Parasitol Res 2023; 122:2525-2537. [PMID: 37642770 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-023-07952-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2023] [Accepted: 08/18/2023] [Indexed: 08/31/2023]
Abstract
Amoebiasis is an infection caused by enteric protozoa, most commonly Entamoeba histolytica, and is globally considered a potentially severe and life-threatening condition. To understand the impact of the parasite genome on disease outcomes, it is important to study the genomes of infecting strains in areas with high disease prevalence. These studies aim to establish correlations between parasite genotypes and the clinical presentation of amoebiasis. We employ a strain typing approach that utilizes multiple loci, including SREHP and three polymorphic non-coding loci (tRNA-linked array N-K2 and loci 1-2 and 5-6), for high-resolution analysis. Distinct clinical phenotype isolates underwent amplification and sequencing of studied loci. The nucleotide sequences were analysed using Tandem Repeats Finder to detect short tandem repeats (STRs). These patterns were combined to assign a genotype, and the correlation between clinical phenotypes and repetitive patterns was statistically evaluated. This study found significant polymorphism in the size and number of PCR fragments at SREHP and 5-6 locus, while the 1-2 locus and NK2 locus showed variations in PCR product sizes. Out of 41 genotypes, two (I6 and I41) were significantly associated with their respective disease outcomes and were found in multiple isolates. We observed that I6 was linked with a symptomatic outcome, with a statistically significant p-value of 0.0183. Additionally, we found that I41 was associated with ALA disease outcome, with a p-value of 0.0089. Our study revealed new repeat units not previously reported, unveiling the genetic composition of E. histolytica strains in India, associated with distinct disease manifestations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sanjib K Sardar
- Division of Parasitology, ICMR-National Institute of Cholera and Enteric Diseases (ICMR-NICED), Kolkata, India
| | - Ajanta Ghosal
- Division of Parasitology, ICMR-National Institute of Cholera and Enteric Diseases (ICMR-NICED), Kolkata, India
| | - Tapas Haldar
- Division of Parasitology, ICMR-National Institute of Cholera and Enteric Diseases (ICMR-NICED), Kolkata, India
| | - Koushik Das
- Division of Parasitology, ICMR-National Institute of Cholera and Enteric Diseases (ICMR-NICED), Kolkata, India
- Faculty of Science, Assam Downtown University, Guwahati, Assam, 781026, India
| | - Yumiko Saito-Nakano
- Department of Parasitology, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, 1-23-1 Toyama, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, 162-8640, Japan
| | - Seiki Kobayashi
- Department of Parasitology, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, 1-23-1 Toyama, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, 162-8640, Japan
| | - Shanta Dutta
- Division of Bacteriology, ICMR-National Institute of Cholera and Enteric Diseases (ICMR-NICED), Kolkata, India
| | - Tomoyoshi Nozaki
- Department of Biomedical Chemistry, School of International Health, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Sandipan Ganguly
- Division of Parasitology, ICMR-National Institute of Cholera and Enteric Diseases (ICMR-NICED), Kolkata, India.
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5
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Schnitzler CE, Chang ES, Waletich J, Quiroga-Artigas G, Wong WY, Nguyen AD, Barreira SN, Doonan L, Gonzalez P, Koren S, Gahan JM, Sanders SM, Bradshaw B, DuBuc TQ, Febrimarsa, de Jong D, Nawrocki EP, Larson A, Klasfeld S, Gornik SG, Moreland RT, Wolfsberg TG, Phillippy AM, Mullikin JC, Simakov O, Cartwright P, Nicotra M, Frank U, Baxevanis AD. The genome of the colonial hydroid Hydractinia reveals their stem cells utilize a toolkit of evolutionarily shared genes with all animals. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.08.25.554815. [PMID: 37786714 PMCID: PMC10541594 DOI: 10.1101/2023.08.25.554815] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/04/2023]
Abstract
Hydractinia is a colonial marine hydroid that exhibits remarkable biological properties, including the capacity to regenerate its entire body throughout its lifetime, a process made possible by its adult migratory stem cells, known as i-cells. Here, we provide an in-depth characterization of the genomic structure and gene content of two Hydractinia species, H. symbiolongicarpus and H. echinata, placing them in a comparative evolutionary framework with other cnidarian genomes. We also generated and annotated a single-cell transcriptomic atlas for adult male H. symbiolongicarpus and identified cell type markers for all major cell types, including key i-cell markers. Orthology analyses based on the markers revealed that Hydractinia's i-cells are highly enriched in genes that are widely shared amongst animals, a striking finding given that Hydractinia has a higher proportion of phylum-specific genes than any of the other 41 animals in our orthology analysis. These results indicate that Hydractinia's stem cells and early progenitor cells may use a toolkit shared with all animals, making it a promising model organism for future exploration of stem cell biology and regenerative medicine. The genomic and transcriptomic resources for Hydractinia presented here will enable further studies of their regenerative capacity, colonial morphology, and ability to distinguish self from non-self.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christine E Schnitzler
- Whitney Laboratory for Marine Bioscience, University of Florida, St. Augustine, FL 32080, USA
- Department of Biology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA
| | - E Sally Chang
- Division of Intramural Research, National Human Genome Research Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
- National Center for Biotechnology Information, National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Justin Waletich
- Whitney Laboratory for Marine Bioscience, University of Florida, St. Augustine, FL 32080, USA
- Department of Biology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA
| | - Gonzalo Quiroga-Artigas
- Whitney Laboratory for Marine Bioscience, University of Florida, St. Augustine, FL 32080, USA
- Department of Biology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA
- Centre de Recherche en Biologie cellulaire de Montpellier (CRBM), Université de Montpellier, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, 34293 Montpellier CEDEX 05, France
| | - Wai Yee Wong
- Department of Molecular Evolution and Development, Faculty of Life Science, University of Vienna, A-1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Anh-Dao Nguyen
- Division of Intramural Research, National Human Genome Research Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Sofia N Barreira
- Division of Intramural Research, National Human Genome Research Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Liam Doonan
- Centre for Chromosome Biology, College of Science and Engineering, University of Galway, Galway, Ireland
| | - Paul Gonzalez
- Division of Intramural Research, National Human Genome Research Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Sergey Koren
- Division of Intramural Research, National Human Genome Research Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - James M Gahan
- Centre for Chromosome Biology, College of Science and Engineering, University of Galway, Galway, Ireland
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Steven M Sanders
- Department of Surgery, Thomas E. Starzl Transplantation Institute, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA
- Pittsburgh Center for Evolutionary Biology and Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA
| | - Brian Bradshaw
- Centre for Chromosome Biology, College of Science and Engineering, University of Galway, Galway, Ireland
| | - Timothy Q DuBuc
- Centre for Chromosome Biology, College of Science and Engineering, University of Galway, Galway, Ireland
- Swarthmore College, Swarthmore, PA 19081, USA
| | - Febrimarsa
- Centre for Chromosome Biology, College of Science and Engineering, University of Galway, Galway, Ireland
| | - Danielle de Jong
- Whitney Laboratory for Marine Bioscience, University of Florida, St. Augustine, FL 32080, USA
- Department of Biology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA
| | - Eric P Nawrocki
- National Center for Biotechnology Information, National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Alexandra Larson
- Whitney Laboratory for Marine Bioscience, University of Florida, St. Augustine, FL 32080, USA
| | - Samantha Klasfeld
- Division of Intramural Research, National Human Genome Research Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Sebastian G Gornik
- Centre for Chromosome Biology, College of Science and Engineering, University of Galway, Galway, Ireland
- Centre for Organismal Studies, University of Heidelberg, Germany
| | - R Travis Moreland
- Division of Intramural Research, National Human Genome Research Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Tyra G Wolfsberg
- Division of Intramural Research, National Human Genome Research Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Adam M Phillippy
- Division of Intramural Research, National Human Genome Research Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - James C Mullikin
- Division of Intramural Research, National Human Genome Research Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
- NIH Intramural Sequencing Center, Rockville, MD 20852, USA
| | - Oleg Simakov
- Department of Molecular Evolution and Development, Faculty of Life Science, University of Vienna, A-1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Paulyn Cartwright
- Department of Evolution and Ecology, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS 66045, USA
| | - Matthew Nicotra
- Department of Surgery, Thomas E. Starzl Transplantation Institute, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA
- Pittsburgh Center for Evolutionary Biology and Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA
| | - Uri Frank
- Centre for Chromosome Biology, College of Science and Engineering, University of Galway, Galway, Ireland
| | - Andreas D Baxevanis
- Division of Intramural Research, National Human Genome Research Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
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Sharma M, Zhang H, Ehrenkaufer G, Singh U. Stress Response in Entamoeba histolytica Is Associated with Robust Processing of tRNA to tRNA Halves. mBio 2023; 14:e0345022. [PMID: 36809068 PMCID: PMC10127584 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.03450-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2022] [Accepted: 01/18/2023] [Indexed: 02/23/2023] Open
Abstract
tRNA-derived fragments have been reported in many different organisms and have diverse cellular roles, such as regulating gene expression, inhibiting protein translation, silencing transposable elements, and modulating cell proliferation. In particular, tRNA halves, a class of tRNA fragments produced by the cleavage of tRNAs in the anti-codon loop, have been widely reported to accumulate under stress and regulate translation in cells. Here, we report the presence of tRNA-derived fragments in Entamoeba, with tRNA halves being the most abundant. We further established that tRNA halves accumulate in the parasites upon different stress stimuli such as oxidative stress, heat shock, and serum starvation. We also observed differential expression of tRNA halves during developmental changes of trophozoite-to-cyst conversion, with various tRNA halves accumulating during early encystation. In contrast to other systems, the stress response does not appear to be mediated by a few specific tRNA halves, as multiple tRNAs appear to be processed during the various stresses. Furthermore, we identified some tRNA-derived fragments associated with Entamoeba Argonaute proteins, EhAgo2-2 and EhAgo2-3, which have a preference for different tRNA-derived fragment species. Finally, we show that tRNA halves are packaged inside extracellular vesicles secreted by amoebas. The ubiquitous presence of tRNA-derived fragments, their association with the Argonaute proteins, and the accumulation of tRNA halves during multiple different stresses, including encystation, suggest a nuanced level of gene expression regulation mediated by different tRNA-derived fragments in Entamoeba. IMPORTANCE In the present study, we report for the first time the presence of tRNA-derived fragments in Entamoeba. tRNA-derived fragments were identified by bioinformatics analyses of small-RNA sequencing data sets from the parasites and also confirmed experimentally. We found that tRNA halves accumulated in parasites exposed to environmental stress or during the developmental process of encystation. We also found that shorter tRNA-derived fragments are bound to Entamoeba Argonaute proteins, indicating that they may have a potential role in the Argonaute-mediated RNA-interference pathway, which mediates robust gene silencing in Entamoeba. We noticed that in response to heat shock, the protein translation levels were elevated in the parasites. This effect was reversed in the presence of an analog of leucine, which also reduced the levels of the tRNA halves in the stressed cells. Our results suggest that tRNA-derived fragments in Entamoeba have a possible role in regulating gene expression during environmental stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manu Sharma
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA
| | - Hanbang Zhang
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA
| | - Gretchen Ehrenkaufer
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA
| | - Upinder Singh
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA
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7
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Prevalence of Human Intestinal Entamoeba spp. in the Americas: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis, 1990–2022. Pathogens 2022; 11:pathogens11111365. [DOI: 10.3390/pathogens11111365] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2022] [Revised: 11/14/2022] [Accepted: 11/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Among the seven species of Entamoeba known to infect humans, E. histolytica is widely recognized as a pathogen. It is reported that Entamoeba infections are common in the developing world, but rare in developed countries. The best way to diagnose these protozoan parasites is to detect antigens or DNA in the stool. This study aimed to review the prevalence, distribution, and diagnosis methods of Entamoeba spp. infecting humans in the Americas between 1990 and 2022. A systematic review and meta-analysis were performed, including 227 studies on Entamoeba infections from 30 out of 35 American countries. The pooled prevalence of each species of Entamoeba was calculated using the random-effects model. The assignment of Entamoeba species was mainly performed by microscopy. The most widely distributed and prevalent species was E. coli (21.0%). Of the studies, 49% could not differentiate the species of the Entamoeba complex. The pathogenic species E. Histolytica was distributed among 22 out of 30 American countries studied, with a pooled prevalence of 9%. Molecular data on Entamoeba species are still scarce. This is the first study that reviewed and summarized data on the prevalence of this protozoan genera among American countries.
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8
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Huaman JL, Pacioni C, Kenchington-Evans L, Doyle M, Helbig KJ, Carvalho TG. First Evidence of Entamoeba Parasites in Australian Wild Deer and Assessment of Transmission to Cattle. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2022; 12:883031. [PMID: 35755840 PMCID: PMC9226911 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2022.883031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2022] [Accepted: 05/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Australian wild deer populations have significantly expanded in size and distribution in recent decades. Due to their role in pathogen transmission, these deer populations pose a biosecurity risk to the livestock industry. However, little is known about the infection status of wild deer in Australia. The intestinal parasite Entamoeba bovis has been previously detected in farm and wild ruminants worldwide, but its epidemiology and distribution in wild ruminants remain largely unexplored. To investigate this knowledge gap, faecal samples of wild deer and domestic cattle from south-eastern Australia were collected and analysed for the presence of Entamoeba spp. using PCR and phylogenetic analysis of the conserved 18S rRNA gene. E. bovis parasites were detected at high prevalence in cattle and wild deer hosts, and two distinct Entamoeba ribosomal lineages (RLs), RL1 and RL8, were identified in wild deer. Phylogenetic analysis further revealed the existance of a novel Entamoeba species in sambar deer and a novel Entamoeba RL in fallow deer. While we anticipated cross-species transmission of E. bovis between wild deer and cattle, the data generated in this study demonstrated transmission is yet to occur in Australia. Overall, this study has identified novel variants of Entamoeba and constitutes the first report of Entamoeba in fallow deer and sambar deer, expanding the host range of this parasite. Epidemiological investigations and continued surveillance of Entamoeba parasites in farm ruminants and wild animals will be required to evaluate pathogen emergence and transmission to livestock.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jose L Huaman
- Department of Microbiology, Anatomy, Physiology and Pharmacology, School of Agriculture, Biomedicine and Environment, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Carlo Pacioni
- Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning, Arthur Rylah Institute for Environmental Research, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.,Environmental and Conservation Sciences, Murdoch University, Perth, WA, Australia
| | - Lily Kenchington-Evans
- Department of Microbiology, Anatomy, Physiology and Pharmacology, School of Agriculture, Biomedicine and Environment, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Mark Doyle
- Far South Coast, South East Local Land Services, Bega, NSW, Australia
| | - Karla J Helbig
- Department of Microbiology, Anatomy, Physiology and Pharmacology, School of Agriculture, Biomedicine and Environment, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Teresa G Carvalho
- Department of Microbiology, Anatomy, Physiology and Pharmacology, School of Agriculture, Biomedicine and Environment, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
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9
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RNA Sequencing Reveals Widespread Transcription of Natural Antisense RNAs in Entamoeba Species. Microorganisms 2022; 10:microorganisms10020396. [PMID: 35208849 PMCID: PMC8874941 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms10020396] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2021] [Revised: 01/26/2022] [Accepted: 02/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Entamoeba is a genus of Amoebozoa that includes the intestine-colonizing pathogenic species Entamoeba histolytica. To understand the basis of gene regulation in E. histolytica from an evolutionary perspective, we have profiled the transcriptomes of its closely related species E. dispar, E. moshkovskii and E. invadens. Genome-wide identification of transcription start sites (TSS) and polyadenylation sites (PAS) revealed the similarities and differences of their gene regulatory sequences. In particular, we found the widespread initiation of antisense transcription from within the gene coding sequences is a common feature among all Entamoeba species. Interestingly, we observed the enrichment of antisense transcription in genes involved in several processes that are common to species infecting the human intestine, e.g., the metabolism of phospholipids. These results suggest a potentially conserved and compact gene regulatory system in Entamoeba.
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10
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Peng R, Yoshinari S, Kawano-Sugaya T, Jeelani G, Nozaki T. Identification and Functional Characterization of Divergent 3'-Phosphate tRNA Ligase From Entamoeba histolytica. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2022; 11:746261. [PMID: 34976851 PMCID: PMC8718801 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2021.746261] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2021] [Accepted: 11/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
HSPC117/RtcB, 3'-phosphate tRNA ligase, is a critical enzyme involved in tRNA splicing and maturation. HSPC117/RtcB is also involved in mRNA splicing of some protein-coding genes including XBP-1. Entamoeba histolytica, a protozoan parasite responsible for human amebiasis, possesses two RtcB proteins (EhRtcB1 and 2), but their biological functions remain unknown. Both RtcBs show kinship with mammalian/archaeal type, and all amino acid residues present in the active sites are highly conserved, as suggested by protein alignment and phylogenetic analyses. EhRtcB1 was demonstrated to be localized to the nucleus, while EhRtcB2 was in the cytosol. EhRtcB1, but not EhRtcB2, was required for optimal growth of E. histolytica trophozoites. Both EhRtcB1 (in cooperation with EhArchease) and EhRtcB2 showed RNA ligation activity in vitro. The predominant role of EhRtcB1 in tRNAIle(UAU) processing in vivo was demonstrated in EhRtcB1- and 2-gene silenced strains. Taken together, we have demonstrated the conservation of tRNA splicing and functional diversification of RtcBs in this amoebozoan lineage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruofan Peng
- Laboratory of Biomedical Chemistry, Department of International Health, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Shigeo Yoshinari
- Laboratory of Biomedical Chemistry, Department of International Health, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Tetsuro Kawano-Sugaya
- Laboratory of Biomedical Chemistry, Department of International Health, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Ghulam Jeelani
- Laboratory of Biomedical Chemistry, Department of International Health, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Tomoyoshi Nozaki
- Laboratory of Biomedical Chemistry, Department of International Health, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
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11
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Stuart P, Yalcindag E, Ali IKM, Pecková R, Nurcahyo W, Morrogh-Bernard H, Foitová I. Entamoeba histolytica infections in wild and semi-wild orangutans in Sumatra and Kalimantan. Am J Primatol 2020; 82:e23124. [PMID: 32175620 DOI: 10.1002/ajp.23124] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2019] [Revised: 02/14/2020] [Accepted: 02/28/2020] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
Key to the success of orangutan conservation management practices is the prevention of the introduction of infectious diseases to the remaining populations. Previous reports of Entamoeba spp. positive orangutans are of concern as Entamoeba spp. infection has been linked to morbidity and mortality in primates. It remains to be determined if the Entamoeba species infecting orangutans is the pathogenic Entamoeba histolytica. Orangutan fecal samples have been collected from orangutans from sites in Sumatra (Bukit Lawang, Ketambe, and Suaq, 241 samples from 64 individuals), and two sites in Kalimantan (Sebangau and Tuanan, 129 samples from 39 individuals). All samples were from wild orangutans except for a proportion from Sumatra which were from semi-wild (108 samples, 10 individuals). E. histolytica-specific nested PCR assays were carried out on the fecal samples. A total of 36 samples from 17 individuals tested positive for E. histolytica. When compared with published sequences using NCBI BLAST the E. histolytica positive samples showed a 98-99% concordance. The majority (76%, n = 36) of the positive isolates came from semi-wild orangutans in Bukit Lawang. This study supports the growing body of evidence that contact with humans is an important risk factor for infection of wild primates with E. histolytica.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter Stuart
- Department of Botany and Zoology, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic.,Department of Zoology, School of Natural Sciences, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Erhan Yalcindag
- Department of Botany and Zoology, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic.,Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, University of Edinburgh, Easter Bush, Midlothian, UK
| | - Ibne Karim M Ali
- Waterborne Disease Prevention Branch, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Radka Pecková
- Department of Botany and Zoology, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Wisnu Nurcahyo
- Department of Parasitology, Gadjah Mada University, Yogyakarta, Indonesia
| | - Helen Morrogh-Bernard
- Borneo Nature Foundation (BNF), Palankaraya, Central Kalimantan, Indonesia.,College of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Exeter, Penryn Campus, Cornwall, UK
| | - Ivona Foitová
- Department of Botany and Zoology, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic.,Department of Parasitology, Gadjah Mada University, Yogyakarta, Indonesia
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12
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Whole genome sequencing of Entamoeba nuttalli reveals mammalian host-related molecular signatures and a novel octapeptide-repeat surface protein. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2019; 13:e0007923. [PMID: 31805050 PMCID: PMC6917348 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0007923] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2019] [Revised: 12/17/2019] [Accepted: 11/12/2019] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The enteric protozoa Entamoeba histolytica is the causative agent of amebiasis, which is one of the most common parasitic diseases in developed and developing countries. Entamoeba nuttalli is the genetically closest species to E. histolytica in current phylogenetic analyses of Entamoeba species, and is prevalent in wild macaques. Therefore, E. nuttalli may be a key organism in which to investigate molecules required for infection of human or non-human primates. To explore the molecular signatures of host-parasite interactions, we conducted de novo assembly of the E. nuttalli genome, utilizing self-correction of PacBio long reads and polishing corrected reads using Illumina short reads, followed by comparative genomic analysis with two other mammalian and a reptilian Entamoeba species. The final draft assembly of E. nuttalli included 395 contigs with a total length of approximately 23 Mb, and 9,647 predicted genes, of which 6,940 were conserved with E. histolytica. In addition, we found an E. histolytica-specific repeat known as ERE2 in the E. nuttalli genome. GO-term enrichment analysis of mammalian host-related molecules indicated diversification of transmembrane proteins, including AIG1 family and BspA-like proteins that may be involved in the host-parasite interaction. Furthermore, we identified an E. nuttalli-specific protein that contained 42 repeats of an octapeptide ([G,E]KPTDTPS). This protein was shown to be localized on the cell surface using immunofluorescence. Since many repeat-containing proteins in parasites play important roles in interactions with host cells, this unique octapeptide repeat-containing protein may be involved in colonization of E. nuttalli in the intestine of macaques. Overall, our draft assembly provides a valuable resource for studying Entamoeba evolution and host-parasite selection.
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13
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Debnath A, Rodriguez MA, Ankri S. Editorial: Recent Progresses in Amebiasis. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2019; 9:247. [PMID: 31338336 PMCID: PMC6629773 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2019.00247] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2019] [Accepted: 06/25/2019] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Anjan Debnath
- Center for Discovery and Innovation in Parasitic Diseases, Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, United States
| | - Mario Alberto Rodriguez
- Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del Instituto Politécnico Nacional (CINVESTAV-IPN), Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Serge Ankri
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, Ruth and Bruce Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, Technion, Haifa, Israel
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14
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Global In-Silico Scenario of tRNA Genes and Their Organization in Virus Genomes. Viruses 2019; 11:v11020180. [PMID: 30795514 PMCID: PMC6409571 DOI: 10.3390/v11020180] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2018] [Revised: 01/28/2019] [Accepted: 01/30/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Viruses are known to be highly dependent on the host translation machinery for their protein synthesis. However, tRNA genes are occasionally identified in such organisms, and in addition, few of them harbor tRNA gene clusters comprising dozens of genes. Recently, tRNA gene clusters have been shown to occur among the three domains of life. In such a scenario, the viruses could play a role in the dispersion of such structures among these organisms. Thus, in order to reveal the prevalence of tRNA genes as well as tRNA gene clusters in viruses, we performed an unbiased large-scale genome survey. Interestingly, tRNA genes were predicted in ssDNA (single-stranded DNA) and ssRNA (single-stranded RNA) viruses as well in many other dsDNA viruses of families from Caudovirales order. In the latter group, tRNA gene clusters composed of 15 to 37 tRNA genes were characterized, mainly in bacteriophages, enlarging the occurrence of such structures within viruses. These bacteriophages were from hosts that encompass five phyla and 34 genera. This in-silico study presents the current global scenario of tRNA genes and their organization in virus genomes, contributing and opening questions to be explored in further studies concerning the role of the translation apparatus in these organisms.
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15
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Rendón-Gandarilla FJ, Álvarez-Hernández V, Castañeda-Ortiz EJ, Cárdenas-Hernández H, Cárdenas-Guerra RE, Valdés J, Betanzos A, Chávez-Munguía B, Lagunes-Guillen A, Orozco E, López-Canovas L, Azuara-Liceaga E. Telomeric Repeat-Binding Factor Homologs in Entamoeba histolytica: New Clues for Telomeric Research. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2018; 8:341. [PMID: 30333961 PMCID: PMC6175992 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2018.00341] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2018] [Accepted: 09/10/2018] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Telomeric Repeat Binding Factors (TRFs) are architectural nuclear proteins with critical roles in telomere-length regulation, chromosome end protection and, fusion prevention, DNA damage detection, and senescence regulation. Entamoeba histolytica, the parasite responsible of human amoebiasis, harbors three homologs of human TRFs, based on sequence similarities to their Myb DNA binding domain. These proteins were dubbed EhTRF-like I, II and III. In this work, we revealed that EhTRF-like I and II share similarity with human TRF1, while EhTRF-like III shares similarity with human TRF2 by in silico approach. The analysis of ehtrf-like genes showed they are expressed differentially under basal culture conditions. We also studied the cellular localization of EhTRF-like I and III proteins using subcellular fractionation and western blot assays. EhTRF-like I and III proteins were enriched in the nuclear fraction, but they were also present in the cytoplasm. Indirect immunofluorescence showed that these proteins were located at the nuclear periphery co-localizing with Lamin B1 and trimethylated H4K20, which is a characteristic mark of heterochromatic regions and telomeres. We found by transmission electron microscopy that EhTRF-like III was located in regions of more condensed chromatin. Finally, EMSA assays showed that EhTRF-like III forms specific DNA-protein complexes with telomeric related sequences. Our data suggested that EhTRF-like proteins play a role in the maintenance of the chromosome ends in this parasite.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Víctor Álvarez-Hernández
- Posgrado en Ciencias Genómicas, Universidad Autónoma de la Ciudad de Mexico, Mexico City, Mexico
| | | | | | | | - Jesús Valdés
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Abigail Betanzos
- Consejo Nacional de Ciencia y Tecnología, Mexico City, Mexico.,Departamento de Infectómica y Patogénesis Molecular, Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Bibiana Chávez-Munguía
- Departamento de Infectómica y Patogénesis Molecular, Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Anel Lagunes-Guillen
- Departamento de Infectómica y Patogénesis Molecular, Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Esther Orozco
- Departamento de Infectómica y Patogénesis Molecular, Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Lilia López-Canovas
- Posgrado en Ciencias Genómicas, Universidad Autónoma de la Ciudad de Mexico, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Elisa Azuara-Liceaga
- Posgrado en Ciencias Genómicas, Universidad Autónoma de la Ciudad de Mexico, Mexico City, Mexico
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16
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Morgado SM, Vicente ACP. Beyond the Limits: tRNA Array Units in Mycobacterium Genomes. Front Microbiol 2018; 9:1042. [PMID: 29867913 PMCID: PMC5966550 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2018.01042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2018] [Accepted: 05/02/2018] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
tRNA array unit, a genomic region presenting an intriguing high tRNA gene number and density, was supposed to occur only in few bacteria phyla, particularly Firmicutes. Here, we identified and characterized an abundance and diversity of tRNA array units in Mycobacterium associated genomes. These genomes comprised chromosome, bacteriophages and plasmids from mycobacteria. Firstly, we had identified 32 tRNA genes organized in an array unit within a mycobacteria plasmid genome and therefore, we hypothesized the presence of such structures in Mycobacterium genus. However, at the time, bioinformatics tools only predict tRNA genes, not characterizing their arrangement as arrays. In order to test our hypothesis, we developed and applied an in-house Perl script that identified tRNA genes organization as an array unit. This survey included a total of 7,670 complete and drafts genomes of Mycobacterium genus, 4312 mycobacteriophage genomes and 40 mycobacteria plasmids. We showed that tRNA array units are abundant in genomes associated to the Mycobacterium genus, mainly in Mycobacterium abscessus complex species, being spread in chromosome, prophage, and plasmid genomes. Moreover, other non-coding RNA species (tmRNA and structured RNA) were also identified in these regions. Our results revealed that tRNA array units are not restrict, as previously assumed, to few bacteria phyla and genomes being present in one of the most diverse bacteria genus. We also provide a bioinformatics tool that allows further exploration of this issue in huge genomic databases. The presence of tRNA array units in plasmids and bacteriophages, associated with horizontal gene transfer, and in a bacteria genus that explores diverse niches, are indicatives that tRNA array units have impact in the bacteria biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sergio M Morgado
- Laboratory of Molecular Genetics of Microorganisms, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Ana C P Vicente
- Laboratory of Molecular Genetics of Microorganisms, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
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17
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Genetic diversity of Entamoeba: Novel ribosomal lineages from cockroaches. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0185233. [PMID: 28934335 PMCID: PMC5608334 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0185233] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2017] [Accepted: 09/09/2017] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Our current taxonomic perspective on Entamoeba is largely based on small-subunit ribosomal RNA genes (SSU rDNA) from Entamoeba species identified in vertebrate hosts with minor exceptions such as E. moshkovskii from sewage water and E. marina from marine sediment. Other Entamoeba species have also been morphologically identified and described from non-vertebrate species such as insects; however, their genetic diversity remains unknown. In order to further disclose the diversity of the genus, we investigated Entamoeba spp. in the intestines of three cockroach species: Periplaneta americana, Blaptica dubia, and Gromphadorhina oblongonota. We obtained 134 Entamoeba SSU rDNA sequences from 186 cockroaches by direct nested PCR using the DNA extracts of intestines from cockroaches, followed by scrutinized BLASTn screening and phylogenetic analyses. All the sequences identified in this study were distinct from those reported from known Entamoeba species, and considered as novel Entamoeba ribosomal lineages. Furthermore, they were positioned at the base of the clade of known Entamoeba species and displayed remarkable degree of genetic diversity comprising nine major groups in the three cockroach species. This is the first report of the diversity of SSU rDNA sequences from Entamoeba in non-vertebrate host species, and should help to understand the genetic diversity of the genus Entamoeba.
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18
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Abstract
The outcome of an Entamoeba histolytica infection is variable and the contribution of genetic diversity within E. histolytica to human disease is not fully understood. The information provided by the whole genome sequence of the E. histolytica reference laboratory strain (HM-1:IMSS) and thirteen additional laboratory strains have been made publically available. In this review theories on the source of the unexpected level of structural diversity found in E. histolytica will be discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carol A Gilchrist
- Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, United States of America
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19
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Tran TTT, Belahbib H, Bonnefoy V, Talla E. A Comprehensive tRNA Genomic Survey Unravels the Evolutionary History of tRNA Arrays in Prokaryotes. Genome Biol Evol 2015; 8:282-95. [PMID: 26710853 PMCID: PMC4758250 DOI: 10.1093/gbe/evv254] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/13/2015] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Considering the importance of tRNAs in the translation machinery, scant attention has been paid to tRNA array units defined as genomic regions containing at least 20 tRNA genes with a minimal tRNA gene density of two tRNA genes per kilobase. Our analysis of Acidithiobacillus ferrivorans CF27 and Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans ATCC 23270(T) genomes showed that both display a tRNA array unit with syntenic conservation which mainly contributed to the tRNA gene redundancy in these two organisms. Our investigations into the occurrence and distribution of tRNA array units revealed that 1) this tRNA organization is limited to few phyla and mainly found in Gram-positive bacteria; and 2) the presence of tRNA arrays favors the redundancy of tRNA genes, in particular those encoding the core tRNA isoacceptors. Finally, comparative array organization revealed that tRNA arrays were acquired through horizontal gene transfer (from Firmicutes or unknown donor), before being subjected to tRNA rearrangements, deletions, and duplications. In Bacilli, the most parsimonious evolutionary history involved two common ancestors and the acquisition of their arrays arose late in evolution, in the genera branches. Functional roles of the array units in organism lifestyle, selective genetic advantage and translation efficiency, as well as the evolutionary advantages of organisms harboring them were proposed. Our study offers new insight into the structural organization and evolution of tRNA arrays in prokaryotic organisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tam T T Tran
- Aix Marseille Université, CNRS, IGS, UMR 7256, IMM, France
| | | | | | - Emmanuel Talla
- Aix Marseille Université, CNRS, IGS, UMR 7256, IMM, France
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20
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Das K, Ganguly S. Evolutionary genomics and population structure of Entamoeba histolytica. Comput Struct Biotechnol J 2014; 12:26-33. [PMID: 25505504 PMCID: PMC4262060 DOI: 10.1016/j.csbj.2014.10.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2014] [Revised: 10/02/2014] [Accepted: 10/03/2014] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Amoebiasis caused by the gastrointestinal parasite Entamoeba histolytica has diverse disease outcomes. Study of genome and evolution of this fascinating parasite will help us to understand the basis of its virulence and explain why, when and how it causes diseases. In this review, we have summarized current knowledge regarding evolutionary genomics of E. histolytica and discussed their association with parasite phenotypes and its differential pathogenic behavior. How genetic diversity reveals parasite population structure has also been discussed. Queries concerning their evolution and population structure which were required to be addressed have also been highlighted. This significantly large amount of genomic data will improve our knowledge about this pathogenic species of Entamoeba.
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Affiliation(s)
- Koushik Das
- Division of Parasitology, National Institute of Cholera and Enteric Diseases, P-33, CIT Road, Scheme XM, Beliaghata, Kolkata 700010, India
| | - Sandipan Ganguly
- Division of Parasitology, National Institute of Cholera and Enteric Diseases, P-33, CIT Road, Scheme XM, Beliaghata, Kolkata 700010, India
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21
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Darrow EM, Chadwick BP. A novel tRNA variable number tandem repeat at human chromosome 1q23.3 is implicated as a boundary element based on conservation of a CTCF motif in mouse. Nucleic Acids Res 2014; 42:6421-35. [PMID: 24753417 PMCID: PMC4041453 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gku280] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2014] [Revised: 03/24/2014] [Accepted: 03/25/2014] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The human genome contains numerous large tandem repeats, many of which remain poorly characterized. Here we report a novel transfer RNA (tRNA) tandem repeat on human chromosome 1q23.3 that shows extensive copy number variation with 9-43 repeat units per allele and displays evidence of meiotic and mitotic instability. Each repeat unit consists of a 7.3 kb GC-rich sequence that binds the insulator protein CTCF and bears the chromatin hallmarks of a bivalent domain in human embryonic stem cells. A tRNA containing tandem repeat composed of at least three 7.6-kb GC-rich repeat units reside within a syntenic region of mouse chromosome 1. However, DNA sequence analysis reveals that, with the exception of the tRNA genes that account for less than 6% of a repeat unit, the remaining 7.2 kb is not conserved with the notable exception of a 24 base pair sequence corresponding to the CTCF binding site, suggesting an important role for this protein at the locus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily M Darrow
- Department of Biological Science, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL 32306-4295, USA
| | - Brian P Chadwick
- Department of Biological Science, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL 32306-4295, USA
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22
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Jaiswal V, Ghoshal U, Mittal B, Dhole TN, Ghoshal UC. Association between allelic variation due to short tandem repeats in tRNA gene of Entamoeba histolytica and clinical phenotypes of amoebiasis. Acta Trop 2014; 133:1-7. [PMID: 24495629 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2014.01.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2013] [Revised: 01/06/2014] [Accepted: 01/23/2014] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Genotypes of Entamoeba histolytica (E. histolytica) may contribute clinical phenotypes of amoebiasis such as amoebic liver abscess (ALA), dysentery and asymptomatic cyst passers state. Hence, we evaluated allelic variation due to short tandem repeats (STRs) in tRNA gene of E. histolytica and clinical phenotypes of amoebiasis. Asymptomatic cyst passers (n=24), patients with dysentery (n=56) and ALA (n=107) were included. Extracted DNA from stool (dysentery, asymptomatic cyst passers) and liver aspirate was amplified using 6 E. histolytica specific tRNA-linked STRs (D-A, A-L, N-K2, R-R, S-Q, and S(TGA)-D) primers. PCR products were subjected to sequencing. Association between allelic variation and clinical phenotypes was analyzed. A total of 9 allelic variations were found in D-A, 8 in A-L, 4 in N-K2, 5 in R-R, 10 in S(TAG)-D and 7 in S-Q loci. A significant association was found between allelic variants and clinical phenotypes of amoebiasis. This study reveals that allelic variation due to short tandem repeats (STRs) in tRNA gene of E. histolytica is associated different clinical outcome of amoebiasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Virendra Jaiswal
- Department of Microbiology, Sanjay Gandhi Postgraduate Institute of Medical Sciences, Lucknow, India
| | - Ujjala Ghoshal
- Department of Microbiology, Sanjay Gandhi Postgraduate Institute of Medical Sciences, Lucknow, India.
| | - Balraj Mittal
- Department of Genetics, Sanjay Gandhi Postgraduate Institute of Medical Sciences, Lucknow, India
| | - Tapan N Dhole
- Department of Microbiology, Sanjay Gandhi Postgraduate Institute of Medical Sciences, Lucknow, India
| | - Uday C Ghoshal
- Department of Gastroenterology, Sanjay Gandhi Postgraduate Institute of Medical Sciences, Lucknow, India
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Das K, Mukherjee AK, Chowdhury P, Sehgal R, Bhattacharya MK, Hashimoto T, Nozaki T, Ganguly S. Multilocus sequence typing system (MLST) reveals a significant association of Entamoeba histolytica genetic patterns with disease outcome. Parasitol Int 2013; 63:308-14. [PMID: 24321887 DOI: 10.1016/j.parint.2013.11.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2013] [Revised: 11/09/2013] [Accepted: 11/28/2013] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
The relationship between parasite genotypes and outcome of amoebic infection is still a paradox and needed to be explored. Proper identification and genetic characterization of Entamoeba histolytica clinical isolates is an effective tool for exploring this relation. Along with conventional polymorphic marker (Chitinase), tRNA linked short tandem repeat (STR) loci has been employed as multilocus genotyping tool due to its better resolution and evolutionary significance. Some common as well as exclusive repeat patterns showing significant relation with disease outcome have been identified. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that repeat patterns exclusively found in asymptomatic and amoebic liver abscess derived isolates are placed in a common lineage and has similar association pattern with the disease outcome. Assumption can be made that isolates of E. histolytica remaining asymptomatic is genetically closer siblings of those causing liver abscess rather than the diarrheal isolates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Koushik Das
- Division of Parasitology, National Institute of Cholera and Enteric Diseases, P-33, CIT Road, Scheme XM, Beliaghata, Kolkata 700010, India.
| | - Avik K Mukherjee
- Division of Parasitology, National Institute of Cholera and Enteric Diseases, P-33, CIT Road, Scheme XM, Beliaghata, Kolkata 700010, India.
| | - Punam Chowdhury
- Division of Parasitology, National Institute of Cholera and Enteric Diseases, P-33, CIT Road, Scheme XM, Beliaghata, Kolkata 700010, India.
| | - Rakesh Sehgal
- Department of Parasitology, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education & Research, Chandigarh 160012, India
| | - Mihir K Bhattacharya
- Division of Clinical Medicine, National Institute of Cholera and Enteric Diseases, P-33, CIT Road, Scheme XM, Beliaghata, Kolkata 700010, India
| | - Tetsuo Hashimoto
- Graduate School of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Tsukuba, 1-1-1 Tennoudai, Tsukuba 305-8572, Japan.
| | - Tomoyoshi Nozaki
- Graduate School of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Tsukuba, 1-1-1 Tennoudai, Tsukuba 305-8572, Japan; Department of Parasitology, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, 1-23-1 Toyama, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 162-8640, Japan.
| | - Sandipan Ganguly
- Division of Parasitology, National Institute of Cholera and Enteric Diseases, P-33, CIT Road, Scheme XM, Beliaghata, Kolkata 700010, India.
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24
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Zermeño V, Ximénez C, Morán P, Valadez A, Valenzuela O, Rascón E, Diaz D, Cerritos R. Worldwide genealogy of Entamoeba histolytica: an overview to understand haplotype distribution and infection outcome. INFECTION GENETICS AND EVOLUTION 2013; 17:243-52. [PMID: 23624203 DOI: 10.1016/j.meegid.2013.04.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2012] [Revised: 04/18/2013] [Accepted: 04/18/2013] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Although Entamoeba histolytica is one of the most prevalent intestinal parasites, how the different strains of this species are distributed all over the world and how different genotypes are associated with the infection outcome are yet to be fully understood. Recently, the use of a number of molecular markers has made the characterization of several genotypes in those regions with high incidence of amoebiasis possible. This work proposes the first genealogy of E. histolytica, with an haplotype network based on two tRNA gene-linked array of Short Tandem Repeats (STRs) reported until today, and 47 sequences from 39 new isolates of Mexican Amoebic Liver Abscesses (ALA) samples. One hundred and three sequences were obtained from D-A locus, their information about the geographic region of isolation as well as clinical diagnosis were also collected. One hundred and five sequences from N-K2 locus were also obtained as well as the region of isolation, but the information about clinical diagnosis was not available in all cases. The most abundant and widely distributed haplotype in the world is the one of E. histolytica HM1:IMSS strain. This was found in Mexico, Bangladesh, Japan, China and USA and is associated to symptomatic patients as well as asymptomatic cyst passers. Many other haplotypes were found only in a single country. Both genealogies suggest that there are no lineages within the networks that may be related to a particular geographic region or infection outcome. A concatenated analysis of the two molecular markers revealed 12 different combinations, which suggests the possibility of genetic recombination events. The present study is the first to propose a global genealogy of this species and suggests that there are still many genotypes to be discovered. The genotyping of new isolates will help to understand the great diversity and genetic structure of this parasite.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valeria Zermeño
- Departamento de Medicina Experimental, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, México DF, Mexico
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25
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Sun J, Zhou M, Mao ZT, Hao DP, Wang ZZ, Li CX. Systematic analysis of genomic organization and structure of long non-coding RNAs in the human genome. FEBS Lett 2013; 587:976-82. [PMID: 23454638 DOI: 10.1016/j.febslet.2013.02.036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2013] [Revised: 02/17/2013] [Accepted: 02/19/2013] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
The genomic architecture of several functional elements in animals and plants, such as microRNAs and tRNA, has been better characterized. As yet, there is very little known about genomic organization and structure of lncRNA in animals and plants. Here, we conducted a genome-wide systematic computational analysis of genomic architecture of lncRNAs, and further provided a more comprehensive comparative view of genomic organization between lncRNAs and several other functional elements in the human genome. Our study not only provides comprehensive knowledge for further studies into the correlations between the genomic architecture of lncRNAs and their important functional roles in diverse cellular processes and in disease, but also will be valuable for understanding the origin and evolution of lncRNAs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Sun
- College of Bioinformatics Science and Technology, Harbin Medical University, Harbin 150081, China
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26
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Glöckner G, Noegel AA. Comparative genomics in the Amoebozoa clade. Biol Rev Camb Philos Soc 2012; 88:215-25. [PMID: 23134060 DOI: 10.1111/j.1469-185x.2012.00248.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2012] [Revised: 09/25/2012] [Accepted: 10/05/2012] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Amoeboid life forms can be found throughout the evolutionary tree. The greatest proportion of these life forms is found in the Amoebozoa clade, one of the six major eukaryote evolutionary branches. Despite its common origin this clade exhibits a wide diversity of lifestyles including free-living and parasitic species and species with multicellular and multinucleate life stages. In this group, development, cooperation, and social behaviour can be studied in addition to traits common to unicellular organisms. To date, only a few Amoebozoa genomes have been sequenced completely, however a number of expressed sequence tags (ESTs) and complete and draft genomes have become available recently for several species that represent some of the major evolutionary lineages in this clade. This resource allows us to compare and analyse the evolutionary history and fate of branch-specific genes if properly exploited. Despite the large evolutionary time scale since the emergence of the major groups the genomic organization in Amoebozoa has retained common features. The number of Amoebozoa-specific genetic inventions seems to be rather small. The emergence of subgroups is accompanied by gene and domain losses and acquisitions of bacterial gene material. The sophisticated developmental cycles of Myxogastria and Dictyosteliida likely have a common origin and are deeply rooted in amoebozoan evolution. In this review we describe initial approaches to comparative genomics in Amoebozoa, summarize recent findings, and identify goals for further studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gernot Glöckner
- Institute for Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries, IGB, Müggelseedamm 301, Berlin, D-12587, Germany.
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27
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Feng M, Cai J, Yang B, Fu Y, Min X, Tachibana H, Cheng X. Unique short tandem repeat nucleotide sequences in Entamoeba histolytica isolates from China. Parasitol Res 2012; 111:1137-42. [DOI: 10.1007/s00436-012-2945-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2012] [Accepted: 04/23/2012] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
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28
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Ali IKM, Haque R, Alam F, Kabir M, Siddique A, Petri WA. Evidence for a link between locus R-R sequence type and outcome of infection with Entamoeba histolytica. Clin Microbiol Infect 2012; 18:E235-7. [PMID: 22448930 DOI: 10.1111/j.1469-0691.2012.03826.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
The results of Entamoeba histolytica infections range from asymptomatic colonization to variable disease outcomes. However, markers that may predict infection outcomes are not known. Here, we investigated sequence types of a non-coding tRNA-linked locus R-R to identify surrogate markers that may show association with infection outcomes. Among 112 clinical samples--21 asymptomatic, 20 diarrhoea/dysentery and 71 liver abscesses--we identified 11 sequence types. Sequence type 5RR was mostly associated with asymptomatic samples, and sequence type 10RR was predominantly associated with the symptomatic (diarrhoea/dysentery and liver abscess) samples. This is the first report that identifies markers that may predict disease outcomes in E. histolytica infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- I K M Ali
- Division of Infectious Disease and International Health, University of Virginia Health System, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA.
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29
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Mojarad EN, Azimirad M, Bayat M, Hellaly A, Aghdaei HA, Shalmani HM. Polymorphism in two short tandem repeat loci (R-R and S-Q) linked to tRNA genes in Entamoeba dispar isolates. GASTROENTEROLOGY AND HEPATOLOGY FROM BED TO BENCH 2012; 5:202-8. [PMID: 24834227 PMCID: PMC4017464] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2012] [Accepted: 07/08/2012] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
AIM In this study, genetic polymorphism of two tRNA-liked short tandem repeat (STR)-containing loci, R-R and S-Q, was analyzed in order to clarify further the genotypic differences among E. dispar isolates. BACKGROUND Entamoeba dispar is closely related to the human pathogen E. histolytica, the agent of amebic dysentery and amebic liver abscesses. E. dispar is, to some extent, capable of producing variable focal intestinal lesions in animals and of destroying epithelial cell monolayers in vitro, and some have reported it to be capable of producing amoebic liver abscess in hamsters. However no evidence exists at present to link E. dispar with human disease. PATIENTS AND METHODS A total of 28 E. dispar samples from gastrointestinal disorder patients were characterized using PCR and sequencing. The sequences obtained were edited manually and aligned. RESULTS Sequence analysis showed 9 and 6 different patterns of units in the repeat-containing region of R-R and S-Q, respectively. The repeat-containing regions of R-R and S-Q loci were found to be extensively polymorphic, varying in size, number and order of repeat units. CONCLUSION The results demonstrate extensive genetic variability among Iranian E. dispar clinical isolates. The genetic diversity of tRNA gene-linked STR loci shows them to be suitable for epidemiological studies such as the characterization of the routes of transmission of these parasites in Iran.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Masoumeh Azimirad
- Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mansour Bayat
- Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Abdollah Hellaly
- Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Hamid Asadzadeh Aghdaei
- Basic and Molecular epidemiology of Gastrointestinal Disorders Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Hamid Mohaghegh Shalmani
- Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
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30
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Christy NCV, Petri WA. Mechanisms of adherence, cytotoxicity and phagocytosis modulate the pathogenesis of Entamoeba histolytica. Future Microbiol 2011; 6:1501-19. [DOI: 10.2217/fmb.11.120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The unicellular parasite Entamoeba histolytica, the causative agent of the human disease amebiasis, has traditionally been distinguished from its nonpathogenic cousin Entamoeba dispar by its propensity for the ingestion of erythrocytes. This classic feature, along with the parasite’s ability to cause extensive host cell death, are critical mechanisms of pathogenesis during human infection. Recent advances have led to a greater understanding of the molecular components that allow E. histolytica to kill and phagocytose extracellular targets during human infection and include detailed studies of the role of the parasite’s cysteine proteinases and other effectors of cytotoxicity, as well as the mechanisms of ligand recognition, signaling and intracellular trafficking during phagocytosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nathaniel CV Christy
- Department of Microbiology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, 22908, USA
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31
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Abstract
Entamoeba histolytica is the causative agent of amoebiasis in humans and is responsible for an estimated 100 000 deaths annually, making it the second leading cause of death due to a protozoan parasite after Plasmodium. Pathogenesis appears to result from the potent cytotoxic activity of the parasite, which kills host cells within minutes. The mechanism is unknown, but progress has been made in determining that cytotoxicity requires parasite Gal (galactose)/GalNAc (N-acetylgalactosamine) lectin-mediated adherence, target cell calcium influx, dephosphorylation and activation of caspase 3. Putative cytotoxic effector proteins such as amoebapores, proteases and various parasite membrane proteins have also been identified. Nonetheless the bona fide cytotoxic effector molecules remain unknown and it is unclear how the lethal hit is delivered. To better understand the basic mechanism of pathogenesis and to enable the development of new therapeutics, more work will be needed in order to determine how the parasite elicits host cell death.
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32
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Watanabe K, Gatanaga H, Cadiz AED, Tanuma J, Nozaki T, Oka S. Amebiasis in HIV-1-infected Japanese men: clinical features and response to therapy. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2011; 5:e1318. [PMID: 21931875 PMCID: PMC3172195 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0001318] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2011] [Accepted: 08/01/2011] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Invasive amebic diseases caused by Entamoeba histolytica are increasing among men who have sex with men and co-infection of ameba and HIV-1 is an emerging problem in developed East Asian countries. To characterize the clinical and epidemiological features of invasive amebiasis in HIV-1 patients, the medical records of 170 co-infected cases were analyzed retrospectively, and E. histolytica genotype was assayed in 14 cases. In this series of HIV-1-infected patients, clinical presentation of invasive amebiasis was similar to that described in the normal host. High fever, leukocytosis and high CRP were associated with extraluminal amebic diseases. Two cases died from amebic colitis (resulting in intestinal perforation in one and gastrointestinal bleeding in one), and three cases died from causes unrelated to amebiasis. Treatment with metronidazole or tinidazole was successful in the other 165 cases. Luminal treatment was provided to 83 patients following metronidazole or tinidazole treatment. However, amebiasis recurred in 6 of these, a frequency similar to that seen in patients who did not receive luminal treatment. Recurrence was more frequent in HCV-antibody positive individuals and those who acquired syphilis during the follow-up period. Various genotypes of E. histolytica were identified in 14 patients but there was no correlation between genotype and clinical features. The outcome of metronidazole and tinidazole treatment of uncomplicated amebiasis was excellent even in HIV-1-infected individuals. Luminal treatment following metronidazole or tinidazole treatment does not reduce recurrence of amebiasis in high risk populations probably due to amebic re-infection. Amebiasis is usually transmitted by ingestion of contaminated food or water in developing countries. Recently, however, increased risk for amebiasis among men who have sex with men (MSM) due to oral-anal sexual contact was reported in developed countries, resulting in growing concern on amebiasis in HIV-1-infected MSM. The recommended treatment of amebiasis is metronidazole or tinidazole, followed by a luminal agent to eliminate intestinal cyst colonization. However, the efficacy of luminal treatment in preventing recurrence has not been assessed yet. In this study, we analyzed the medical records of 170 patients with amebiasis and HIV-1 co-infection. Treatment with metronidazole or tinidazole was excellent whereas luminal treatment did not reduce the frequency of recurrence of amebiasis. Recurrence was more frequent in those MSM with signs of sexual activity such as syphilis infection. Luminal treatment following metronidazole or tinidazole treatment does not reduce recurrence of amebiasis in high risk populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Koji Watanabe
- AIDS Clinical Center, National Center for Global Health and Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
- Center for AIDS Research, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Hiroyuki Gatanaga
- AIDS Clinical Center, National Center for Global Health and Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
- Center for AIDS Research, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
- * E-mail:
| | | | - Junko Tanuma
- AIDS Clinical Center, National Center for Global Health and Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Tomoyoshi Nozaki
- Department of Parasitology, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Shinichi Oka
- AIDS Clinical Center, National Center for Global Health and Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
- Center for AIDS Research, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
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Weedall GD, Hall N. Evolutionary genomics of Entamoeba. Res Microbiol 2011; 162:637-45. [PMID: 21288488 PMCID: PMC3268252 DOI: 10.1016/j.resmic.2011.01.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2010] [Accepted: 12/17/2010] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Entamoeba histolytica is a human pathogen that causes amoebic dysentery and leads to significant morbidity and mortality worldwide. Understanding the genome and evolution of the parasite will help explain how, when and why it causes disease. Here we review current knowledge about the evolutionary genomics of Entamoeba: how differences between the genomes of different species may help explain different phenotypes, and how variation among E. histolytica parasites reveals patterns of population structure. The imminent expansion of the amount genome data will greatly improve our knowledge of the genus and of pathogenic species within it.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gareth D Weedall
- Institute of Integrative Biology, University of Liverpool, Crown Street, Liverpool L69 7ZB, UK.
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Bermudez-Santana C, Attolini CSO, Kirsten T, Engelhardt J, Prohaska SJ, Steigele S, Stadler PF. Genomic organization of eukaryotic tRNAs. BMC Genomics 2010; 11:270. [PMID: 20426822 PMCID: PMC2888827 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2164-11-270] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2010] [Accepted: 04/28/2010] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Surprisingly little is known about the organization and distribution of tRNA genes and tRNA-related sequences on a genome-wide scale. While tRNA gene complements are usually reported in passing as part of genome annotation efforts, and peculiar features such as the tandem arrangements of tRNA gene in Entamoeba histolytica have been described in some detail, systematic comparative studies are rare and mostly restricted to bacteria. We therefore set out to survey the genomic arrangement of tRNA genes and pseudogenes in a wide range of eukaryotes to identify common patterns and taxon-specific peculiarities. RESULTS In line with previous reports, we find that tRNA complements evolve rapidly and tRNA gene and pseudogene locations are subject to rapid turnover. At phylum level, the distributions of the number of tRNA genes and pseudogenes numbers are very broad, with standard deviations on the order of the mean. Even among closely related species we observe dramatic changes in local organization. For instance, 65% and 87% of the tRNA genes and pseudogenes are located in genomic clusters in zebrafish and stickleback, resp., while such arrangements are relatively rare in the other three sequenced teleost fish genomes. Among basal metazoa, Trichoplax adherens has hardly any duplicated tRNA gene, while the sea anemone Nematostella vectensis boasts more than 17000 tRNA genes and pseudogenes. Dramatic variations are observed even within the eutherian mammals. Higher primates, for instance, have 616 +/- 120 tRNA genes and pseudogenes of which 17% to 36% are arranged in clusters, while the genome of the bushbaby Otolemur garnetti has 45225 tRNA genes and pseudogenes of which only 5.6% appear in clusters. In contrast, the distribution is surprisingly uniform across plant genomes. Consistent with this variability, syntenic conservation of tRNA genes and pseudogenes is also poor in general, with turn-over rates comparable to those of unconstrained sequence elements. Despite this large variation in abundance in Eukarya we observe a significant correlation between the number of tRNA genes, tRNA pseudogenes, and genome size. CONCLUSIONS The genomic organization of tRNA genes and pseudogenes shows complex lineage-specific patterns characterized by an extensive variability that is in striking contrast to the extreme levels of sequence-conservation of the tRNAs themselves. The comprehensive analysis of the genomic organization of tRNA genes and pseudogenes in Eukarya provides a basis for further studies into the interplay of tRNA gene arrangements and genome organization in general.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clara Bermudez-Santana
- Bioinformatics Group, Department of Computer Science and Interdisciplinary Center for Bioinformatics, University of Leipzig, Härtelstraße 16-18, D-04107, Leipzig, Germany
- Department of Biology, Universidad Nacional de Colombia. Carrera45 # 26-85 - Edificio Uriel Gutiérrez, Bogotá D.C., Colombia
| | - Camille Stephan-Otto Attolini
- Bioinformatics Group, Department of Computer Science and Interdisciplinary Center for Bioinformatics, University of Leipzig, Härtelstraße 16-18, D-04107, Leipzig, Germany
- Biostatistics and Bioinformatics unit, Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB Barcelona), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Toralf Kirsten
- Bioinformatics Group, Department of Computer Science and Interdisciplinary Center for Bioinformatics, University of Leipzig, Härtelstraße 16-18, D-04107, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Jan Engelhardt
- Bioinformatics Group, Department of Computer Science and Interdisciplinary Center for Bioinformatics, University of Leipzig, Härtelstraße 16-18, D-04107, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Sonja J Prohaska
- Bioinformatics Group, Department of Computer Science and Interdisciplinary Center for Bioinformatics, University of Leipzig, Härtelstraße 16-18, D-04107, Leipzig, Germany
| | | | - Peter F Stadler
- Bioinformatics Group, Department of Computer Science and Interdisciplinary Center for Bioinformatics, University of Leipzig, Härtelstraße 16-18, D-04107, Leipzig, Germany
- Max Planck Institute for Mathematics in the Sciences, Inselstraß 22 D-04103 Leipzig, Germany
- Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology, Perlickstraße 1, D-04103 Leipzig, Germany
- Santa Fe Institute, 1399 Hyde Park Rd, Santa Fe, NM 87501, USA
- Institute for Theoretical Chemistry, University of Vienna, Währingerstraße 17, A-1090 Wien, Austria
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35
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Ximénez C, Cerritos R, Rojas L, Dolabella S, Morán P, Shibayama M, González E, Valadez A, Hernández E, Valenzuela O, Limón A, Partida O, Silva EF. Human amebiasis: breaking the paradigm? INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2010; 7:1105-20. [PMID: 20617021 PMCID: PMC2872301 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph7031105] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2009] [Revised: 02/02/2010] [Accepted: 03/08/2010] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
For over 30 years it has been established that the Entamoeba histolytica protozoan included two biologically and genetically different species, one with a pathogenic phenotype called E. histolytica and the other with a non-pathogenic phenotype called Entamoeba dispar. Both of these amoebae species can infect humans. E. histolytica has been considered as a potential pathogen that can cause serious damage to the large intestine (colitis, dysentery) and other extraintestinal organs, mainly the liver (amebic liver abscess), whereas E. dispar is a species that interacts with humans in a commensal relationship, causing no symptoms or any tissue damage. This paradigm, however, should be reconsidered or re-evaluated. In the present work, we report the detection and genotyping of E. dispar sequences of DNA obtained from patients with amebic liver abscesses, including the genotyping of an isolate obtained from a Brazilian patient with a clinical diagnosis of intestinal amebiasis that was previously characterized as an E. dispar species. The genetic diversity and phylogenetic analysis performed by our group has shown the existence of several different genotypes of E. dispar that can be associated to, or be potentiality responsible for intestinal or liver tissue damage, similar to that observed with E. histolytica.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cecilia Ximénez
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM), Mexico City, 04510, Mexico; E-Mails:
(R.C.);
(L.R.);
(P.M.);
(E.G.);
(A.V.);
(E.H.);
(A.L.);
(O.P.)
| | - Rene Cerritos
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM), Mexico City, 04510, Mexico; E-Mails:
(R.C.);
(L.R.);
(P.M.);
(E.G.);
(A.V.);
(E.H.);
(A.L.);
(O.P.)
- Department of Zoology, ENCB, National Polytechnic Institute (IPN), México City, 11340, Mexico
| | - Liliana Rojas
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM), Mexico City, 04510, Mexico; E-Mails:
(R.C.);
(L.R.);
(P.M.);
(E.G.);
(A.V.);
(E.H.);
(A.L.);
(O.P.)
| | - Silvio Dolabella
- Department of Morphology, Laboratory of Parasitology, Federal University of Sergipe, Aracaju, Sergipe, 49100-000, Brazil; E-Mail:
| | - Patricia Morán
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM), Mexico City, 04510, Mexico; E-Mails:
(R.C.);
(L.R.);
(P.M.);
(E.G.);
(A.V.);
(E.H.);
(A.L.);
(O.P.)
| | - Mineko Shibayama
- Department of Infectomic and Molecular Pathogenesis, (CINVESTAV), Mexico City, 07360, Mexico; E-Mail:
| | - Enrique González
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM), Mexico City, 04510, Mexico; E-Mails:
(R.C.);
(L.R.);
(P.M.);
(E.G.);
(A.V.);
(E.H.);
(A.L.);
(O.P.)
| | - Alicia Valadez
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM), Mexico City, 04510, Mexico; E-Mails:
(R.C.);
(L.R.);
(P.M.);
(E.G.);
(A.V.);
(E.H.);
(A.L.);
(O.P.)
| | - Eric Hernández
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM), Mexico City, 04510, Mexico; E-Mails:
(R.C.);
(L.R.);
(P.M.);
(E.G.);
(A.V.);
(E.H.);
(A.L.);
(O.P.)
| | - Olivia Valenzuela
- Department of Chemistry and Biological Science, University of Sonora (UNISON), Hermosillo, Sonora, 83000, Mexico; E-Mail:
| | - Angélica Limón
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM), Mexico City, 04510, Mexico; E-Mails:
(R.C.);
(L.R.);
(P.M.);
(E.G.);
(A.V.);
(E.H.);
(A.L.);
(O.P.)
| | - Oswaldo Partida
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM), Mexico City, 04510, Mexico; E-Mails:
(R.C.);
(L.R.);
(P.M.);
(E.G.);
(A.V.);
(E.H.);
(A.L.);
(O.P.)
| | - Edwards F Silva
- Department of Parasitology, Institute for Biological Sciences, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, 31270-901, Brazil; E-Mail:
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Escueta-de Cadiz A, Kobayashi S, Takeuchi T, Tachibana H, Nozaki T. Identification of an avirulent Entamoeba histolytica strain with unique tRNA-linked short tandem repeat markers. Parasitol Int 2009; 59:75-81. [PMID: 19895903 DOI: 10.1016/j.parint.2009.10.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2009] [Revised: 10/29/2009] [Accepted: 10/29/2009] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Highly polymorphic, non-coding short tandem repeats (STR) are scattered between the tRNA genes in Entamoeba histolytica in a unique tandemly arrayed organization. STR markers that correlate with the virulence of individual E. histolytica strains have recently been reported. Here we evaluated the usefulness of tRNA-linked STR loci as genetic markers in identifying virulent and avirulent strains of E. histolytica from 37 Japanese E. histolytica samples (12 diarrheic/dysenteric, 20 amebic liver abscess (ALA), and 5 asymptomatic cases). Twenty three genotypes, assigned by combining the STR sequence types from all 6 STR loci, were identified. One to 8 new STR sequence types per locus were also discovered. Genotypes found in asymptomatic isolates were highly polymorphic (4 out of 5 genotypes were unique to this group), while in symptomatic isolates, almost half of the genotypes were shared between diarrhea/dysentery and ALA. One asymptomatic isolate (KU27) showed unique STR patterns in 4 loci. This strain, though associated with the typical pathogenic zymodeme II, failed to induce amebic liver abscess by animal challenge, which suggests that inherently avirulent E. histolytica strains exist, that are associated with unique genotypes. Furthermore, STR genotyping and in vivo challenge of 2 other asymptomatic isolates (KU14 and KU26) verified the covert virulence of these strains.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aleyla Escueta-de Cadiz
- Department of Parasitology, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, 1-23-1 Toyama, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 162-8640, Japan
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Mojarad EN, Haghighi A, Kazemi B, Nejad MR, Abadi A, Zali MR. High genetic diversity among Iranian Entamoeba dispar isolates based on the noncoding short tandem repeat locus D-A. Acta Trop 2009; 111:133-6. [PMID: 19524081 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2009.03.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2008] [Revised: 01/29/2009] [Accepted: 03/23/2009] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
This study has identified and characterized the structure of locus D-A, a noncoding short tandem repeat (STR) region, also known as locus 1-2, in Iranian Entamoeba dispar isolates. This polymorphic locus has been shown to be potentially useful in investigating the molecular epidemiology of Entamoeba histolytica and E. dispar. The genetic polymorphisms in locus D-A in 28 isolates of E. dispar from three different geographic regions of Iran were distinguished using PCR and sequencing, and the results were compared with the E. dispar gene sequences available in GenBank. In all microscopy-positive E. histolytica/E. dispar samples, PCR with species-specific primers was used to amplify a 477-531 bp product, identifying the samples that had E. dispar. Analysis of the sequences revealed a remarkable degree of genetic diversity with regard to size, number and organization of the repeat units among the E. dispar isolates. The sequenced products showed 12 novel E. dispar genotypes, which have been submitted to the GenBank/EMBL/DDBJ database under accession numbers AB354125-AB354136.
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Ximénez C, Morán P, Rojas L, Valadez A, Gómez A. Reassessment of the epidemiology of amebiasis: state of the art. INFECTION GENETICS AND EVOLUTION 2009; 9:1023-32. [PMID: 19540361 DOI: 10.1016/j.meegid.2009.06.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 133] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2009] [Revised: 05/25/2009] [Accepted: 06/08/2009] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
The epidemiology of amebiasis has dramatically changed since the separation of Entamoeba histolytica and Entamoeba dispar species, and the worldwide prevalence of these species has not been estimated until recently. The most cited data regarding prevalence, morbidity, or mortality due to amebiasis is the 1986 Walsh report, in which 100,000 deaths are reported to occur worldwide each year due to medical complications of invasive amebiasis. However, the prevalence values of Entamoeba histolytica infection could be completely erroneous since the estimations were performed prior to the molecular characterization of E. histolytica and E. dispar species. Moreover, Entamoeba moshkovskii, another morphologically indistinguishable human parasitic Entamoeba, was not mentioned or considered as a contributor to the prevalence figures in endemic areas. However, recent available prevalence and morbidity data obtained through molecular techniques allow the construction of a more reliable map of endemic regions of amebiasis all over the world [the Asian subcontinent (India, Bangladesh), Africa, Asian Pacific Countries (Thailand, Japan), South and Central America (Mexico, Colombia)]. The epidemiology of infectious diseases focuses on identification of factors that determine disease distribution in time and space, transmission factors responsible for the disease, clinical manifestations, and progression in the host, with the goal being the design of realistic intervention and prevention strategies in a reasonable period of time. In the present review, we will describe how molecular tools have made actual knowledge regarding the epidemiology of amebiasis possible. We will also analyze the most relevant available data on prevalence, morbidity, geographic distribution, patterns of transmission, exposure, and risk factors for infection in the human host. Our intention is to emphasize the recent molecular typing methods applied in genotyping Entamoeba species and strains, and to assess their value and limitations. Finally, we will discuss those areas of the host-parasite relationship that are still not fully understood, and the scientific challenges to approach this important public health problem in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cecilia Ximénez
- Departamento de Medicina Experimental, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, México DF, Mexico.
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Takano JI, Tachibana H, Kato M, Narita T, Yanagi T, Yasutomi Y, Fujimoto K. DNA characterization of simian Entamoeba histolytica-like strains to differentiate them from Entamoeba histolytica. Parasitol Res 2009; 105:929-37. [DOI: 10.1007/s00436-009-1480-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2009] [Accepted: 05/08/2009] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Entamoeba histolytica is an important global pathogen and a leading cause of parasitic death worldwide. This article summarizes significant research findings over the last year. RECENT FINDINGS Efforts have focused primarily on identification of novel virulence determinants in E. histolytica, transcriptional profiling during tissue invasion and stage conversion, and characterization of basic cell biological processes. Additionally, new techniques for gene silencing have been identified. SUMMARY A comprehensive examination of the parasite lifestyle on a whole genome level has been undertaken, allowing identification of new virulence genes and signaling pathways and processes relevant to amebic biology.
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Ali IKM, Clark CG, Petri WA. Molecular epidemiology of amebiasis. INFECTION GENETICS AND EVOLUTION 2008; 8:698-707. [PMID: 18571478 DOI: 10.1016/j.meegid.2008.05.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 88] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2008] [Revised: 04/18/2008] [Accepted: 05/01/2008] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Entamoeba histolytica, the causative agent of human amebiasis, remains a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in developing countries and is responsible for up to 100,000 deaths worldwide each year. Entamoeba dispar, morphologically indistinguishable from E. histolytica, is more common in humans in many parts of the world. Similarly Entamoeba moshkovskii, which was long considered to be a free-living ameba, is also morphologically identical to E. histolytica and E. dispar, and is highly prevalent in some E. histolytica endemic countries. However, the only species to cause disease in humans is E. histolytica. Most old epidemiological data on E. histolytica are unusable as the techniques employed do not differentiate between the above three Entamoeba species. Molecular tools are now available not only to diagnose these species accurately but also to study intra-species genetic diversity. Recent studies suggest that only a minority of all E. histolytica infections progress to the development of clinical symptoms in the host and there exist population level differences between the E. histolytica strains isolated from the asymptomatic and symptomatic individuals. Nevertheless the underlying factors responsible for variable clinical outcome of infection by E. histolytica remain largely unknown. We anticipate that the recently completed E. histolytica genome sequence and new molecular techniques will rapidly advance our understanding of the epidemiology and pathogenicity of amebiasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ibne Karim M Ali
- Division of Infectious Diseases and International Health, University of Virginia Health System, MR4 Building Room 2115, Lane Road, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA.
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Ali IKM, Solaymani-Mohammadi S, Akhter J, Roy S, Gorrini C, Calderaro A, Parker SK, Haque R, Petri WA, Clark CG. Tissue invasion by Entamoeba histolytica: evidence of genetic selection and/or DNA reorganization events in organ tropism. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2008; 2:e219. [PMID: 18398490 PMCID: PMC2274956 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0000219] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2007] [Accepted: 02/28/2008] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Entamoeba histolytica infection may have various clinical manifestations. Nine out of ten E. histolytica infections remain asymptomatic, while the remainder become invasive and cause disease. The most common form of invasive infection is amebic diarrhea and colitis, whereas the most common extra-intestinal disease is amebic liver abscess. The underlying reasons for the different outcomes are unclear, but a recent study has shown that the parasite genotype is a contributor. To investigate this link further we have examined the genotypes of E. histolytica in stool- and liver abscess-derived samples from the same patients. Analysis of all 18 paired samples (16 from Bangladesh, one from the United States of America, and one from Italy) revealed that the intestinal and liver abscess amebae are genetically distinct. The results suggest either that E. histolytica subpopulations in the same infection show varying organ tropism, or that a DNA reorganization event takes place prior to or during metastasis from intestine to liver. The parasite Entamoeba histolytica can cause serious disease by invading the lining of the large intestine and spreading to other organs of the body. However, most infected individuals never develop symptoms, and it is not clear what determines the different outcomes of infection. Factors that might be having an effect range from the immune response of the infected individual, to concurrent infections with other organisms or genetic differences among the parasites. In the present study we investigated the role of the latter by comparing parasites in the intestine with those that have invaded the liver of the same patient. In all 18 pairs of samples we could detect genetic differences among the parasites. Interpreting the findings is difficult, as we cannot distinguish at present between mutations that have occurred during tissue invasion and genetic diversity that was already present in the population of parasites in the intestine. However, our results strongly support a role for the parasite in determining the outcome of infection with E. histolytica.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ibne Karim M. Ali
- Department of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
- Division of Infectious Diseases and International Health, University of Virginia Health System, Charlottesville, Virginia, United States of America
| | - Shahram Solaymani-Mohammadi
- Division of Infectious Diseases and International Health, University of Virginia Health System, Charlottesville, Virginia, United States of America
- Division of Intestinal and Genital Protozoal Diseases, Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, School of Public Health and Institute of Public Health Research, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Jasmine Akhter
- International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Shantanu Roy
- Department of Medicine, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, United States of America
| | - Chiara Gorrini
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Section of Microbiology, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Adriana Calderaro
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Section of Microbiology, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Sarah K. Parker
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Infectious Diseases, University of Colorado Health Sciences Center and The Children's Hospital, Aurora, Colorado, United States of America
| | - Rashidul Haque
- International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - William A. Petri
- Division of Infectious Diseases and International Health, University of Virginia Health System, Charlottesville, Virginia, United States of America
- * E-mail: (WAP); (CGC)
| | - C. Graham Clark
- Department of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
- * E-mail: (WAP); (CGC)
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