1
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Gray S, Fort C, Wheeler RJ. Intraflagellar transport speed is sensitive to genetic and mechanical perturbations to flagellar beating. J Cell Biol 2024; 223:e202401154. [PMID: 38829962 PMCID: PMC11148470 DOI: 10.1083/jcb.202401154] [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: 01/31/2024] [Revised: 05/01/2024] [Accepted: 05/13/2024] [Indexed: 06/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Two sets of motor proteins underpin motile cilia/flagella function. The axoneme-associated inner and outer dynein arms drive sliding of adjacent axoneme microtubule doublets to periodically bend the flagellum for beating, while intraflagellar transport (IFT) kinesins and dyneins carry IFT trains bidirectionally along the axoneme. Despite assembling motile cilia and flagella, IFT train speeds have only previously been quantified in immobilized flagella-mechanical immobilization or genetic paralysis. This has limited investigation of the interaction between IFT and flagellar beating. Here, in uniflagellate Leishmania parasites, we use high-frequency, dual-color fluorescence microscopy to visualize IFT train movement in beating flagella. We discovered that adhesion of flagella to a microscope slide is detrimental, reducing IFT train speed and increasing train stalling. In flagella free to move, IFT train speed is not strongly dependent on flagella beat type; however, permanent disruption of flagella beating by deletion of genes necessary for formation or regulation of beating showed an inverse correlation of beat frequency and IFT train speed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sophie Gray
- Nuffield Department of Medicine, Peter Medawar Building for Pathogen Research, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Cecile Fort
- Nuffield Department of Medicine, Peter Medawar Building for Pathogen Research, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Richard John Wheeler
- Nuffield Department of Medicine, Peter Medawar Building for Pathogen Research, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
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2
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Durrani H, Bjork JA, Zimmer SL. Role of PIP39 in oxidative stress response appears conserved in kinetoplastids. Mol Biochem Parasitol 2024; 259:111620. [PMID: 38653348 DOI: 10.1016/j.molbiopara.2024.111620] [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: 03/14/2024] [Revised: 04/04/2024] [Accepted: 04/18/2024] [Indexed: 04/25/2024]
Abstract
Kinetoplastids, a group of flagellated protists that are often insect intestinal parasites, encounter various sources of oxidative stress. Such stressors include reactive oxygen species, both internally produced within the protist, and induced externally by host immune responses. This investigation focuses on the role of a highly conserved aspartate-based protein phosphatase, PTP-Interacting protein (PIP39) in managing oxidative stress. In addition to its well accepted role in a Trypanosoma brucei life stage transition, there is evidence of PIP39 participation in the T. brucei oxidative stress response. To examine whether this latter PIP39 role may exist more broadly, we aimed to elucidate PIP39's contribution to redox homeostasis in the monoxenous parasite Leptomonas seymouri. Utilizing CRISPR-Cas9-mediated elimination of PIP39 in conjunction with oxidative stress assays, we demonstrate that PIP39 is required for cellular tolerance to oxidative stress in L. seymouri, positing it as a putative regulatory node for adaptive stress responses. We propose that future analysis of L. seymouri PIP39 enzymatic activity, regulation, and potential localization to a specialized organelle termed a glycosome will contribute to a deeper understanding of the molecular mechanisms by which protozoan parasites adapt to oxidative environments. Our study also demonstrates success at using gene editing tools developed for Leishmania for the related L. seymouri.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hina Durrani
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Minnesota School of Medicine, Duluth, USA
| | - James A Bjork
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Minnesota School of Medicine, Duluth, USA
| | - Sara L Zimmer
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Minnesota School of Medicine, Duluth, USA.
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3
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Yanase R, Pruzinova K, Owino BO, Rea E, Moreira-Leite F, Taniguchi A, Nonaka S, Sádlová J, Vojtkova B, Volf P, Sunter JD. Discovery of essential kinetoplastid-insect adhesion proteins and their function in Leishmania-sand fly interactions. Nat Commun 2024; 15:6960. [PMID: 39138209 PMCID: PMC11322530 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-51291-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2023] [Accepted: 08/01/2024] [Indexed: 08/15/2024] Open
Abstract
Leishmania species, members of the kinetoplastid parasites, cause leishmaniasis, a neglected tropical disease, in millions of people worldwide. Leishmania has a complex life cycle with multiple developmental forms, as it cycles between a sand fly vector and a mammalian host; understanding their life cycle is critical to understanding disease spread. One of the key life cycle stages is the haptomonad form, which attaches to insect tissues through its flagellum. This adhesion, conserved across kinetoplastid parasites, is implicated in having an important function within their life cycles and hence in disease transmission. Here, we discover the kinetoplastid-insect adhesion proteins (KIAPs), which localise in the attached Leishmania flagellum. Deletion of these KIAPs impairs cell adhesion in vitro and prevents Leishmania from colonising the stomodeal valve in the sand fly, without affecting cell growth. Additionally, loss of parasite adhesion in the sand fly results in reduced physiological changes to the fly, with no observable damage of the stomodeal valve and reduced midgut swelling. These results provide important insights into a comprehensive understanding of the Leishmania life cycle, which will be critical for developing transmission-blocking strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryuji Yanase
- Department of Biological and Medical Sciences, Oxford Brookes University, Oxford, UK.
- School of Life Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK.
- Department of Genetics and Genome Biology, University of Leicester, Leicester, UK.
| | - Katerina Pruzinova
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Prague, Czechia
| | - Barrack O Owino
- Department of Biological and Medical Sciences, Oxford Brookes University, Oxford, UK
| | - Edward Rea
- Department of Biological and Medical Sciences, Oxford Brookes University, Oxford, UK
| | - Flávia Moreira-Leite
- Department of Biological and Medical Sciences, Oxford Brookes University, Oxford, UK
- Department of Biochemistry, Central Oxford Structural Molecular Imaging Centre (COSMIC), University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Atsushi Taniguchi
- Laboratory for Spatiotemporal Regulations, National Institute for Basic Biology, Okazaki, Japan
- Research Center of Mathematics for Social Creativity, Research Institute for Electronic Science, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Shigenori Nonaka
- Laboratory for Spatiotemporal Regulations, National Institute for Basic Biology, Okazaki, Japan
- Spatiotemporal Regulations Group, Exploratory Research Center for Life and Living Systems, Okazaki, Japan
- Department of Basic Biology, School of Life Science, SOKENDAI, Okazaki, Japan
| | - Jovana Sádlová
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Prague, Czechia
| | - Barbora Vojtkova
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Prague, Czechia
| | - Petr Volf
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Prague, Czechia.
| | - Jack D Sunter
- Department of Biological and Medical Sciences, Oxford Brookes University, Oxford, UK.
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4
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Alpizar-Sosa E, Zimbres FM, Mantilla BS, Dickie EA, Wei W, Burle-Caldas GA, Filipe LNS, Van Bocxlaer K, Price HP, Ibarra-Meneses AV, Beaudry F, Fernandez-Prada C, Whitfield PD, Barrett MP, Denny PW. Evaluation of the Leishmania Inositol Phosphorylceramide Synthase as a Drug Target Using a Chemical and Genetic Approach. ACS Infect Dis 2024; 10:2913-2928. [PMID: 39023360 PMCID: PMC11320567 DOI: 10.1021/acsinfecdis.4c00284] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2024] [Revised: 07/01/2024] [Accepted: 07/03/2024] [Indexed: 07/20/2024]
Abstract
The lack of effective vaccines and the development of resistance to the current treatments highlight the urgent need for new anti-leishmanials. Sphingolipid metabolism has been proposed as a promising source of Leishmania-specific targets as these lipids are key structural components of the eukaryotic plasma membrane and are involved in distinct cellular events. Inositol phosphorylceramide (IPC) is the primary sphingolipid in the Leishmania species and is the product of a reaction mediated by IPC synthase (IPCS). The antihistamine clemastine fumarate has been identified as an inhibitor of IPCS in L. major and a potent anti-leishmanial in vivo. Here we sought to further examine the target of this compound in the more tractable species L. mexicana, using an approach combining genomic, proteomic, metabolomic and lipidomic technologies, with molecular and biochemical studies. While the data demonstrated that the response to clemastine fumarate was largely conserved, unexpected disturbances beyond sphingolipid metabolism were identified. Furthermore, while deletion of the gene encoding LmxIPCS had little impact in vitro, it did influence clemastine fumarate efficacy and, importantly, in vivo pathogenicity. Together, these data demonstrate that clemastine does inhibit LmxIPCS and cause associated metabolic disturbances, but its primary target may lie elsewhere.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Flavia M. Zimbres
- Department
of Biosciences, University of Durham, South Road, Durham, DH1 3LE, U.K.
| | - Brian S. Mantilla
- Department
of Biosciences, University of Durham, South Road, Durham, DH1 3LE, U.K.
| | - Emily A. Dickie
- School
of Infection and Immunity, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life
Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8TA, U.K.
| | - Wenbin Wei
- Department
of Biosciences, University of Durham, South Road, Durham, DH1 3LE, U.K.
| | - Gabriela A. Burle-Caldas
- Department
of Biosciences, University of Durham, South Road, Durham, DH1 3LE, U.K.
- Departamento
de Bioquímica e Imunologia, Universidade
Federal de Minas Gerais, Caixa Postal 486 31270-901, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Laura N. S. Filipe
- Department
of Biosciences, University of Durham, South Road, Durham, DH1 3LE, U.K.
| | - Katrien Van Bocxlaer
- York
Biomedical Research Institute, Hull York Medical School, University of York, York YO10 5NG, U.K.
| | - Helen P. Price
- School
of Life Sciences, Keele University, Staffordshire, ST5 5BG, U.K.
| | - Ana V. Ibarra-Meneses
- Département
de Pathologie et Microbiologie, Faculté de Médecine
Vétérinaire, Université
de Montréal, Saint-Hyacinthe, Quebec J2S 2M2, Canada
| | - Francis Beaudry
- Département
de Biomédecine, Faculté de Médecine Vétérinaire, Université de Montréal, Saint-Hyacinthe, Quebec J2S 2M2, Canada
| | - Christopher Fernandez-Prada
- Département
de Pathologie et Microbiologie, Faculté de Médecine
Vétérinaire, Université
de Montréal, Saint-Hyacinthe, Quebec J2S 2M2, Canada
| | - Philip D. Whitfield
- School
of Infection and Immunity, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life
Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8TA, U.K.
| | - Michael P. Barrett
- School
of Infection and Immunity, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life
Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8TA, U.K.
| | - Paul W. Denny
- Department
of Biosciences, University of Durham, South Road, Durham, DH1 3LE, U.K.
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5
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Aellig S, Billington K, Damasceno JD, Davidson L, Dobramysl U, Etzensperger R, Ferreira ER, Gluenz E, Mottram JC, Neish R, Pereira R, Smith J, Sunter JD, Volf P, Wheeler RJ, Young M. LeishGEM: genome-wide deletion mutant fitness and protein localisations in Leishmania. Trends Parasitol 2024; 40:675-678. [PMID: 39030136 DOI: 10.1016/j.pt.2024.06.003] [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: 04/26/2024] [Revised: 06/03/2024] [Accepted: 06/03/2024] [Indexed: 07/21/2024]
Abstract
LeishGEM is a genome-wide functional annotation community resource for Leishmania mexicana, where deletion mutant growth in vitro and in vivo is measured and protein localisation is determined by endogenous tagging and LOPIT-DC (localisation of organelle proteins by isotope tagging with differential centrifugation) spatial proteomics. Data are being made available pre-publication via http://leishgem.org which allows data-driven identification of the mechanisms for Leishmania parasitism.
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6
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Queffeulou M, Leprohon P, Fernandez-Prada C, Ouellette M, Mejía-Jaramillo AM. CRISPR-Cas9 high-throughput screening to study drug resistance in Leishmania infantum. mBio 2024; 15:e0047724. [PMID: 38864609 PMCID: PMC11253630 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.00477-24] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2024] [Accepted: 04/23/2024] [Indexed: 06/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Parasites of the genus Leishmania pose a global health threat with limited treatment options. New drugs are urgently needed, and genomic screens have the potential to accelerate target discovery, mode of action, and resistance mechanisms against these new drugs. We describe here our effort in developing a genome-wide CRISPR-Cas9 screen in Leishmania, an organism lacking a functional nonhomologous end joining system that must rely on microhomology-mediated end joining, single-strand annealing, or homologous recombination for repairing Cas9-induced double-stranded DNA breaks. A new vector for cloning and expressing single guide RNAs (sgRNAs) was designed and proven to be effective in a small pilot project while enriching specific sgRNAs during drug selection. We then developed a whole-genome library of 49,754 sgRNAs, targeting all the genes of Leishmania infantum. This library was transfected in L. infantum expressing Cas9, and these cells were selected for resistance to two antileishmanials, miltefosine and amphotericin B. The sgRNAs the most enriched in the miltefosine screen targeted the miltefosine transporter gene, but sgRNAs targeting genes coding for a RING-variant protein and a transmembrane protein were also enriched. The sgRNAs the most enriched by amphotericin B targeted the sterol 24 C methyltransferase genes and a hypothetical gene. Through gene disruption experiments, we proved that loss of function of these genes was associated with resistance. This study describes the feasibility of carrying out whole-genome CRISPR-Cas9 screens in Leishmania provided that a strong selective pressure is applied. Such a screen can be used for accelerating the development of urgently needed antileishmanial drugs.IMPORTANCELeishmaniasis, a global health threat, lacks adequate treatment options and drug resistance exacerbates the challenge. This study introduces a CRISPR-Cas9 screening approach in Leishmania infantum, unraveling mechanisms of drug resistance at a genome-wide scale. Our screen was applied against two main antileishmanial drugs, and guides were enriched upon drug selection. These guides targeted known and new targets, hence validating the use of this screen against Leishmania. This strategy provides a powerful tool to expedite drug discovery as well as potential therapeutic targets against this neglected tropical disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marine Queffeulou
- Centre de Recherche en Infectiologie du Centre de Recherche du CHU Québec, Université Laval, Québec, Canada
- Département de Microbiologie, Infectiologie et Immunologie, Faculté de Médecine, Université Laval, Québec, Canada
| | - Philippe Leprohon
- Centre de Recherche en Infectiologie du Centre de Recherche du CHU Québec, Université Laval, Québec, Canada
- Département de Microbiologie, Infectiologie et Immunologie, Faculté de Médecine, Université Laval, Québec, Canada
| | - Christopher Fernandez-Prada
- Centre de Recherche en Infectiologie du Centre de Recherche du CHU Québec, Université Laval, Québec, Canada
- Département de Microbiologie, Infectiologie et Immunologie, Faculté de Médecine, Université Laval, Québec, Canada
| | - Marc Ouellette
- Centre de Recherche en Infectiologie du Centre de Recherche du CHU Québec, Université Laval, Québec, Canada
- Département de Microbiologie, Infectiologie et Immunologie, Faculté de Médecine, Université Laval, Québec, Canada
| | - Ana María Mejía-Jaramillo
- Centre de Recherche en Infectiologie du Centre de Recherche du CHU Québec, Université Laval, Québec, Canada
- Département de Microbiologie, Infectiologie et Immunologie, Faculté de Médecine, Université Laval, Québec, Canada
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7
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Tulloch LB, Tinti M, Wall RJ, Weidt SK, Corpas- Lopez V, Dey G, Smith TK, Fairlamb AH, Barrett MP, Wyllie S. Sterol 14-alpha demethylase (CYP51) activity in Leishmania donovani is likely dependent upon cytochrome P450 reductase 1. PLoS Pathog 2024; 20:e1012382. [PMID: 38991025 PMCID: PMC11265716 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1012382] [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: 02/12/2024] [Revised: 07/23/2024] [Accepted: 06/30/2024] [Indexed: 07/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Liposomal amphotericin B is an important frontline drug for the treatment of visceral leishmaniasis, a neglected disease of poverty. The mechanism of action of amphotericin B (AmB) is thought to involve interaction with ergosterol and other ergostane sterols, resulting in disruption of the integrity and key functions of the plasma membrane. Emergence of clinically refractory isolates of Leishmania donovani and L. infantum is an ongoing issue and knowledge of potential resistance mechanisms can help to alleviate this problem. Here we report the characterisation of four independently selected L. donovani clones that are resistant to AmB. Whole genome sequencing revealed that in three of the moderately resistant clones, resistance was due solely to the deletion of a gene encoding C24-sterol methyltransferase (SMT1). The fourth, hyper-resistant resistant clone (>60-fold) was found to have a 24 bp deletion in both alleles of a gene encoding a putative cytochrome P450 reductase (P450R1). Metabolic profiling indicated these parasites were virtually devoid of ergosterol (0.2% versus 18% of total sterols in wild-type) and had a marked accumulation of 14-methylfecosterol (75% versus 0.1% of total sterols in wild-type) and other 14-alpha methylcholestanes. These are substrates for sterol 14-alpha demethylase (CYP51) suggesting that this enzyme may be a bona fide P450R specifically involved in electron transfer from NADPH to CYP51 during catalysis. Deletion of P450R1 in wild-type cells phenocopied the metabolic changes observed in our AmB hyper-resistant clone as well as in CYP51 nulls. Likewise, addition of a wild type P450R1 gene restored sterol profiles to wild type. Our studies indicate that P450R1 is essential for L. donovani amastigote viability, thus loss of this gene is unlikely to be a driver of clinical resistance. Nevertheless, investigating the mechanisms underpinning AmB resistance in these cells provided insights that refine our understanding of the L. donovani sterol biosynthetic pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lindsay B. Tulloch
- Wellcome Centre for Anti-Infectives Research, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dow Street, Dundee, United Kingdom
| | - Michele Tinti
- Wellcome Centre for Anti-Infectives Research, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dow Street, Dundee, United Kingdom
| | - Richard J. Wall
- Wellcome Centre for Anti-Infectives Research, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dow Street, Dundee, United Kingdom
| | - Stefan K. Weidt
- Glasgow Polyomics, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Garscube Estate, Bearsden, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Victoriano Corpas- Lopez
- Wellcome Centre for Anti-Infectives Research, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dow Street, Dundee, United Kingdom
| | - Gourav Dey
- Wellcome Centre for Anti-Infectives Research, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dow Street, Dundee, United Kingdom
| | - Terry K. Smith
- Biomedical Sciences Research Complex, University of St Andrews, St Andrews, United Kingdom
| | - Alan H. Fairlamb
- Wellcome Centre for Anti-Infectives Research, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dow Street, Dundee, United Kingdom
| | - Michael P. Barrett
- Glasgow Polyomics, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Garscube Estate, Bearsden, Glasgow, United Kingdom
- School of Infection & Immunity, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Susan Wyllie
- Wellcome Centre for Anti-Infectives Research, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dow Street, Dundee, United Kingdom
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8
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Rolemberg Santana Travaglini Berti de Correia C, Torres C, Gomes E, Maffei Rodriguez G, Klaysson Pereira Regatieri W, Takamiya NT, Aparecida Rogerio L, Malavazi I, Damário Gomes M, Dener Damasceno J, Luiz da Silva V, Antonio Fernandes de Oliveira M, Santos da Silva M, Silva Nascimento A, Cappellazzo Coelho A, Regina Maruyama S, Teixeira FR. Functional characterization of Cullin-1-RING ubiquitin ligase (CRL1) complex in Leishmania infantum. PLoS Pathog 2024; 20:e1012336. [PMID: 39018347 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1012336] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2024] [Revised: 07/29/2024] [Accepted: 06/10/2024] [Indexed: 07/19/2024] Open
Abstract
Cullin-1-RING ubiquitin ligases (CRL1) or SCF1 (SKP1-CUL1-RBX1) E3 ubiquitin ligases are the largest and most extensively investigated class of E3 ligases in mammals that regulate fundamental processes, such as the cell cycle and proliferation. These enzymes are multiprotein complexes comprising SKP1, CUL1, RBX1, and an F-box protein that acts as a specificity factor by interacting with SKP1 through its F-box domain and recruiting substrates via other domains. E3 ligases are important players in the ubiquitination process, recognizing and transferring ubiquitin to substrates destined for degradation by proteasomes or processing by deubiquitinating enzymes. The ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS) is the main regulator of intracellular proteolysis in eukaryotes and is required for parasites to alternate hosts in their life cycles, resulting in successful parasitism. Leishmania UPS is poorly investigated, and CRL1 in L. infantum, the causative agent of visceral leishmaniasis in Latin America, is yet to be described. Here, we show that the L. infantum genes LINF_110018100 (SKP1-like protein), LINF_240029100 (cullin-like protein-like protein), and LINF_210005300 (ring-box protein 1 -putative) form a LinfCRL1 complex structurally similar to the H. sapiens CRL1. Mass spectrometry analysis of the LinfSkp1 and LinfCul1 interactomes revealed proteins involved in several intracellular processes, including six F-box proteins known as F-box-like proteins (Flp) (data are available via ProteomeXchange with identifier PXD051961). The interaction of LinfFlp 1-6 with LinfSkp1 was confirmed, and using in vitro ubiquitination assays, we demonstrated the function of the LinfCRL1(Flp1) complex to transfer ubiquitin. We also found that LinfSKP1 and LinfRBX1 knockouts resulted in nonviable L. infantum lineages, whereas LinfCUL1 was involved in parasite growth and rosette formation. Finally, our results suggest that LinfCul1 regulates the S phase progression and possibly the transition between the late S to G2 phase in L. infantum. Thus, a new class of E3 ubiquitin ligases has been described in L. infantum with functions related to various parasitic processes that may serve as prospective targets for leishmaniasis treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Camila Rolemberg Santana Travaglini Berti de Correia
- Department of Genetics and Evolution, Federal University of São Carlos, São Carlos, Brazil
- Department of Biochemistry and Immunology, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
| | - Caroline Torres
- Department of Genetics and Evolution, Federal University of São Carlos, São Carlos, Brazil
| | - Ellen Gomes
- Department of Genetics and Evolution, Federal University of São Carlos, São Carlos, Brazil
| | | | | | - Nayore Tamie Takamiya
- Department of Genetics and Evolution, Federal University of São Carlos, São Carlos, Brazil
| | | | - Iran Malavazi
- Department of Genetics and Evolution, Federal University of São Carlos, São Carlos, Brazil
| | - Marcelo Damário Gomes
- Department of Biochemistry and Immunology, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
| | - Jeziel Dener Damasceno
- Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Vitor Luiz da Silva
- Department of Biochemistry, Institute of Chemistry, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
- Department of Chemical and Biological Sciences, Biosciences Institute, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Botucatu, Brazil
| | | | - Marcelo Santos da Silva
- Department of Biochemistry, Institute of Chemistry, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | | | - Sandra Regina Maruyama
- Department of Genetics and Evolution, Federal University of São Carlos, São Carlos, Brazil
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9
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Chmelová Ľ, Kraeva N, Saura A, Krayzel A, Vieira CS, Ferreira TN, Soares RP, Bučková B, Galan A, Horáková E, Vojtková B, Sádlová J, Malysheva MN, Butenko A, Prokopchuk G, Frolov AO, Lukeš J, Horváth A, Škodová-Sveráková I, Feder D, Yu Kostygov A, Yurchenko V. Intricate balance of dually-localized catalase modulates infectivity of Leptomonas seymouri (Kinetoplastea: Trypanosomatidae). Int J Parasitol 2024; 54:391-400. [PMID: 38663543 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpara.2024.04.007] [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: 12/05/2023] [Revised: 03/24/2024] [Accepted: 04/19/2024] [Indexed: 05/02/2024]
Abstract
Nearly all aerobic organisms are equipped with catalases, powerful enzymes scavenging hydrogen peroxide and facilitating defense against harmful reactive oxygen species. In trypanosomatids, this enzyme was not present in the common ancestor, yet it had been independently acquired by different lineages of monoxenous trypanosomatids from different bacteria at least three times. This observation posited an obvious question: why was catalase so "sought after" if many trypanosomatid groups do just fine without it? In this work, we analyzed subcellular localization and function of catalase in Leptomonas seymouri. We demonstrated that this enzyme is present in the cytoplasm and a subset of glycosomes, and that its cytoplasmic retention is H2O2-dependent. The ablation of catalase in this parasite is not detrimental in vivo, while its overexpression resulted in a substantially higher parasite load in the experimental infection of Dysdercus peruvianus. We propose that the capacity of studied flagellates to modulate the catalase activity in the midgut of its insect host facilitates their development and protects them from oxidative damage at elevated temperatures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ľubomíra Chmelová
- Life Science Research Centre, Faculty of Science, University of Ostrava, Ostrava, Czechia
| | - Natalya Kraeva
- Life Science Research Centre, Faculty of Science, University of Ostrava, Ostrava, Czechia
| | - Andreu Saura
- Life Science Research Centre, Faculty of Science, University of Ostrava, Ostrava, Czechia
| | - Adam Krayzel
- Life Science Research Centre, Faculty of Science, University of Ostrava, Ostrava, Czechia
| | - Cecilia Stahl Vieira
- Universidade Federal Fluminense, Instituto de Biologia, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências e Biotecnologia, Niterói, Brazil
| | - Tainá Neves Ferreira
- Universidade Federal Fluminense, Instituto de Biologia, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências e Biotecnologia, Niterói, Brazil
| | - Rodrigo Pedro Soares
- Biotechnology Applied to Pathogens (BAP), Instituto René Rachou, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Barbora Bučková
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Comenius University, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Arnau Galan
- Life Science Research Centre, Faculty of Science, University of Ostrava, Ostrava, Czechia
| | - Eva Horáková
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre, Czech Academy of Sciences, České Budějovice, Czechia
| | - Barbora Vojtková
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Prague, Czechia
| | - Jovana Sádlová
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Prague, Czechia
| | - Marina N Malysheva
- Zoological Institute, Russian Academy of Sciences, St. Petersburg, Russia
| | - Anzhelika Butenko
- Life Science Research Centre, Faculty of Science, University of Ostrava, Ostrava, Czechia; Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre, Czech Academy of Sciences, České Budějovice, Czechia; Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, České Budějovice, Czechia
| | - Galina Prokopchuk
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre, Czech Academy of Sciences, České Budějovice, Czechia; Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, České Budějovice, Czechia
| | - Alexander O Frolov
- Zoological Institute, Russian Academy of Sciences, St. Petersburg, Russia
| | - Julius Lukeš
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre, Czech Academy of Sciences, České Budějovice, Czechia; Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, České Budějovice, Czechia
| | - Anton Horváth
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Comenius University, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Ingrid Škodová-Sveráková
- Life Science Research Centre, Faculty of Science, University of Ostrava, Ostrava, Czechia; Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Comenius University, Bratislava, Slovakia; Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre, Czech Academy of Sciences, České Budějovice, Czechia
| | - Denise Feder
- Universidade Federal Fluminense, Instituto de Biologia, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências e Biotecnologia, Niterói, Brazil; Universidade Federal Fluminense, Instituto de Biologia, Laboratório de Biologia de Insetos, Niterói, Brazil; Instituto Nacional de Entomologia Molecular, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Alexei Yu Kostygov
- Life Science Research Centre, Faculty of Science, University of Ostrava, Ostrava, Czechia; Zoological Institute, Russian Academy of Sciences, St. Petersburg, Russia
| | - Vyacheslav Yurchenko
- Life Science Research Centre, Faculty of Science, University of Ostrava, Ostrava, Czechia.
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10
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Burge RJ, Jameson KH, Geoghegan V, Dowle AA, Mottram JC, Wilkinson AJ. Formation of functional E3 ligase complexes with UBC2 and UEV1 of Leishmania mexicana. Mol Biochem Parasitol 2024; 258:111619. [PMID: 38556171 DOI: 10.1016/j.molbiopara.2024.111619] [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: 01/08/2024] [Revised: 03/14/2024] [Accepted: 03/26/2024] [Indexed: 04/02/2024]
Abstract
In eukaryotic cells, molecular fate and cellular responses are shaped by multicomponent enzyme systems which reversibly attach ubiquitin and ubiquitin-like modifiers to target proteins. The extent of the ubiquitin proteasome system in Leishmania mexicana and its importance for parasite survival has recently been established through deletion mutagenesis and life-cycle phenotyping studies. The ubiquitin conjugating E2 enzyme UBC2, and the E2 enzyme variant UEV1, with which it forms a stable complex in vitro, were shown to be essential for the differentiation of promastigote parasites to the infectious amastigote form. To investigate further, we used immunoprecipitation of Myc-UBC2 or Myc-UEV1 to identify interacting proteins in L. mexicana promastigotes. The interactome of UBC2 comprises multiple ubiquitin-proteasome components including UEV1 and four RING E3 ligases, as well as potential substrates predicted to have roles in carbohydrate metabolism and intracellular trafficking. The smaller UEV1 interactome comprises six proteins, including UBC2 and shared components of the UBC2 interactome consistent with the presence of intracellular UBC2-UEV1 complexes. Recombinant RING1, RING2 and RING4 E3 ligases were shown to support ubiquitin transfer reactions involving the E1, UBA1a, and UBC2 to available substrate proteins or to unanchored ubiquitin chains. These studies define additional components of a UBC2-dependent ubiquitination pathway shown previously to be essential for promastigote to amastigote differentiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca J Burge
- York Biomedical Research Institute, Department of Biology, University of York, York YO10 5DD, UK
| | - Katie H Jameson
- York Structural Biology Laboratory and York Biomedical Research Institute, Department of Chemistry, University of York, York YO10 5DD, UK
| | - Vincent Geoghegan
- York Biomedical Research Institute, Department of Biology, University of York, York YO10 5DD, UK
| | - Adam A Dowle
- Bioscience Technology Facility, Department of Biology, University of York, York YO10 5DD, UK
| | - Jeremy C Mottram
- York Biomedical Research Institute, Department of Biology, University of York, York YO10 5DD, UK.
| | - Anthony J Wilkinson
- York Structural Biology Laboratory and York Biomedical Research Institute, Department of Chemistry, University of York, York YO10 5DD, UK.
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11
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Asencio C, Hervé P, Morand P, Oliveres Q, Morel CA, Prouzet-Mauleon V, Biran M, Monic S, Bonhivers M, Robinson DR, Ouellette M, Rivière L, Bringaud F, Tetaud E. Streptococcus pyogenes Cas9 ribonucleoprotein delivery for efficient, rapid and marker-free gene editing in Trypanosoma and Leishmania. Mol Microbiol 2024; 121:1079-1094. [PMID: 38558208 DOI: 10.1111/mmi.15256] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2023] [Revised: 02/13/2024] [Accepted: 03/14/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024]
Abstract
Kinetoplastids are unicellular eukaryotic flagellated parasites found in a wide range of hosts within the animal and plant kingdoms. They are known to be responsible in humans for African sleeping sickness (Trypanosoma brucei), Chagas disease (Trypanosoma cruzi), and various forms of leishmaniasis (Leishmania spp.), as well as several animal diseases with important economic impact (African trypanosomes, including Trypanosoma congolense). Understanding the biology of these parasites necessarily implies the ability to manipulate their genomes. In this study, we demonstrate that transfection of a ribonucleoprotein complex, composed of recombinant Streptococcus pyogenes Cas9 (SpCas9) and an in vitro-synthesized guide RNA, results in rapid and efficient genetic modifications of trypanosomatids, in marker-free conditions. This approach was successfully developed to inactivate, delete, and mutate candidate genes in various stages of the life cycle of T. brucei and T. congolense, and Leishmania promastigotes. The functionality of SpCas9 in these parasites now provides, to the research community working on these parasites, a rapid and efficient method of genome editing, without requiring plasmid construction and selection by antibiotics but requires only cloning and PCR screening of the clones. Importantly, this approach is adaptable to any wild-type parasite.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Perrine Hervé
- Univ. Bordeaux, CNRS, MFP, UMR 5234, Bordeaux, France
| | | | | | | | | | - Marc Biran
- Univ. Bordeaux, CNRS, CRMSB, UMR 5536, Bordeaux, France
| | - Sarah Monic
- Univ. Bordeaux, CNRS, MFP, UMR 5234, Bordeaux, France
| | | | | | - Marc Ouellette
- Centre de Recherche en Infectiologie du Centre de Recherche du CHU de Québec, Département de Microbiologie, Infectiologie et Immunologie, Faculté de Médecine, Université Laval, Québec, Québec, Canada
| | - Loïc Rivière
- Univ. Bordeaux, CNRS, MFP, UMR 5234, Bordeaux, France
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12
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Vignolini T, Couble JEC, Doré GRG, Baumgarten S. Transcript tinkering: RNA modifications in protozoan parasites. Curr Opin Microbiol 2024; 79:102477. [PMID: 38663181 DOI: 10.1016/j.mib.2024.102477] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2023] [Revised: 03/19/2024] [Accepted: 04/03/2024] [Indexed: 06/11/2024]
Abstract
Apicomplexan and trypanosomatid parasites have evolved a wide range of post-transcriptional processes that allow them to replicate, differentiate, and transmit within and among multiple different tissue, host, and vector environments. In this review, we highlight the recent advances that point toward the regulatory potential of RNA modifications in mediating these processes on the coding and noncoding transcriptome throughout the life cycle of protozoan parasites. We discuss the recent technical advancements enabling the study of the 'epitranscriptome' and how parasites evolved RNA modification-mediated mechanisms adapted to their unique lifestyles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tiziano Vignolini
- Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, G5 Parasite RNA Biology, Department of Parasites and Insect Vectors, F-75015 Paris, France
| | - Justine E C Couble
- Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, G5 Parasite RNA Biology, Department of Parasites and Insect Vectors, F-75015 Paris, France
| | - Grégory R G Doré
- Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, G5 Parasite RNA Biology, Department of Parasites and Insect Vectors, F-75015 Paris, France
| | - Sebastian Baumgarten
- Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, G5 Parasite RNA Biology, Department of Parasites and Insect Vectors, F-75015 Paris, France.
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13
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Trajano-Silva LAM, Mule SN, Palmisano G. Molecular tools to regulate gene expression in Trypanosoma cruzi. Adv Clin Chem 2024; 120:169-190. [PMID: 38762241 DOI: 10.1016/bs.acc.2024.04.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/20/2024]
Abstract
Developing molecular strategies to manipulate gene expression in trypanosomatids is challenging, particularly with respect to the unique gene expression mechanisms adopted by these unicellular parasites, such as polycistronic mRNA transcription and multi-gene families. In the case of Trypanosoma cruzi (T. cruzi), the causative agent of Chagas Disease, the lack of RNA interference machinery further complicated functional genetic studies important for understanding parasitic biology and developing biomarkers and potential therapeutic targets. Therefore, alternative methods of performing knockout and/or endogenous labelling experiments were developed to identify and understand the function of proteins for survival and interaction with the host. In this review, we present the main tools for the genetic manipulation of T. cruzi, focusing on the Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats Cas9-associated system technique widely used in this organism. Moreover, we highlight the importance of using these tools to elucidate the function of uncharacterized and glycosylated proteins. Further developments of these technologies will allow the identification of new biomarkers, therapeutic targets and potential vaccines against Chagas disease with greater efficiency and speed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lays Adrianne M Trajano-Silva
- Glycoproteomic Laboratory, Parasitology Department, Institute of Biomedical Science II, University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - Simon Ngao Mule
- Glycoproteomic Laboratory, Parasitology Department, Institute of Biomedical Science II, University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - Giuseppe Palmisano
- Glycoproteomic Laboratory, Parasitology Department, Institute of Biomedical Science II, University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil; School of Natural Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
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14
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Castro H, Rocha MI, Duarte M, Vilurbina J, Gomes-Alves AG, Leao T, Dias F, Morgan B, Deponte M, Tomás AM. The cytosolic hyperoxidation-sensitive and -robust Leishmania peroxiredoxins cPRX1 and cPRX2 are both dispensable for parasite infectivity. Redox Biol 2024; 71:103122. [PMID: 38490068 PMCID: PMC10955670 DOI: 10.1016/j.redox.2024.103122] [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: 01/17/2024] [Revised: 03/06/2024] [Accepted: 03/08/2024] [Indexed: 03/17/2024] Open
Abstract
Typical two-cysteine peroxiredoxins (2-Cys-PRXs) are H2O2-metabolizing enzymes whose activity relies on two cysteine residues. Protists of the family Trypanosomatidae invariably express one cytosolic 2-Cys-PRX (cPRX1). However, the Leishmaniinae sub-family features an additional isoform (cPRX2), almost identical to cPRX1, except for the lack of an elongated C-terminus with a Tyr-Phe (YF) motif. Previously, cytosolic PRXs were considered vital components of the trypanosomatid antioxidant machinery. Here, we shed new light on the properties, functions and relevance of cPRXs from the human pathogen Leishmania infantum. We show first that LicPRX1 is sensitive to inactivation by hyperoxidation, mirroring other YF-containing PRXs participating in redox signaling. Using genetic fusion constructs with roGFP2, we establish that LicPRX1 and LicPRX2 can act as sensors for H2O2 and oxidize protein thiols with implications for signal transduction. Third, we show that while disrupting the LicPRX-encoding genes increases susceptibility of L. infantum promastigotes to external H2O2in vitro, both enzymes are dispensable for the parasites to endure the macrophage respiratory burst, differentiate into amastigotes and initiate in vivo infections. This study introduces a novel perspective on the functions of trypanosomatid cPRXs, exposing their dual roles as both peroxidases and redox sensors. Furthermore, the discovery that Leishmania can adapt to the absence of both enzymes has significant implications for our understanding of Leishmania infections and their treatment. Importantly, it questions the conventional notion that the oxidative response of macrophages during phagocytosis is a major barrier to infection and the suitability of cPRXs as drug targets for leishmaniasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helena Castro
- i3S - Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Rua Alfredo Allen 208, 4200-135, Porto, Portugal
| | - Maria Inês Rocha
- i3S - Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Rua Alfredo Allen 208, 4200-135, Porto, Portugal
| | - Margarida Duarte
- i3S - Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Rua Alfredo Allen 208, 4200-135, Porto, Portugal
| | - Jordi Vilurbina
- Fachbereich Chemie, Abteilung Biochemie, RPTU Kaiserslautern, D-67663, Kaiserslautern, Germany
| | - Ana Georgina Gomes-Alves
- i3S - Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Rua Alfredo Allen 208, 4200-135, Porto, Portugal
| | - Teresa Leao
- i3S - Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Rua Alfredo Allen 208, 4200-135, Porto, Portugal
| | - Filipa Dias
- i3S - Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Rua Alfredo Allen 208, 4200-135, Porto, Portugal
| | - Bruce Morgan
- Institut für Biochemie, Zentrum für Human und Molekularbiologie (ZHMB), Universität des Saarlandes, D-66123, Saarbrücken, Germany
| | - Marcel Deponte
- Fachbereich Chemie, Abteilung Biochemie, RPTU Kaiserslautern, D-67663, Kaiserslautern, Germany
| | - Ana Maria Tomás
- i3S - Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Rua Alfredo Allen 208, 4200-135, Porto, Portugal; ICBAS - Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas Abel Salazar, Universidade do Porto, Rua de Jorge Viterbo Ferreira 228, 4050-313, Porto, Portugal.
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15
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Vitarelli MDO, Franco TA, Pires DDS, Lima ARJ, Viala VL, Kraus AJ, de Azevedo IDLMJ, da Cunha JPC, Elias MC. Integrating high-throughput analysis to create an atlas of replication origins in Trypanosoma cruzi in the context of genome structure and variability. mBio 2024; 15:e0031924. [PMID: 38441981 PMCID: PMC11005370 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.00319-24] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2024] [Accepted: 02/09/2024] [Indexed: 03/07/2024] Open
Abstract
Trypanosoma cruzi is the etiologic agent of the most prevalent human parasitic disease in Latin America, Chagas disease. Its genome is rich in multigenic families that code for virulent antigens and are present in the rapidly evolving genomic compartment named Disruptive. DNA replication is a meticulous biological process in which flaws can generate mutations and changes in chromosomal and gene copy numbers. Here, integrating high-throughput and single-molecule analyses, we were able to identify Predominant, Flexible, and Dormant Orc1Cdc6-dependent origins as well as Orc1Cdc6-independent origins. Orc1Cdc6-dependent origins were found in multigenic family loci, while independent origins were found in the Core compartment that contains conserved and hypothetical protein-coding genes, in addition to multigenic families. In addition, we found that Orc1Cdc6 density is related to the firing of origins and that Orc1Cdc6-binding sites within fired origins are depleted of a specific class of nucleosomes that we previously categorized as dynamic. Together, these data suggest that Orc1Cdc6-dependent origins may contribute to the rapid evolution of the Disruptive compartment and, therefore, to the success of T. cruzi infection and that the local epigenome landscape is also involved in this process.IMPORTANCETrypanosoma cruzi, responsible for Chagas disease, affects millions globally, particularly in Latin America. Lack of vaccine or treatment underscores the need for research. Parasite's genome, with virulent antigen-coding multigenic families, resides in the rapidly evolving Disruptive compartment. Study sheds light on the parasite's dynamic DNA replication, discussing the evolution of the Disruptive compartment. Therefore, the findings represent a significant stride in comprehending T. cruzi's biology and the molecular bases that contribute to the success of infection caused by this parasite.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcela de Oliveira Vitarelli
- Cell Cycle Laboratory, Butantan Institute, Av. Vital Brazil, São Paulo, Brazil
- Center of Toxins, Immune Response and Cell Signaling (CeTICS), Butantan Institute, Av. Vital Brazil, São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | | | | | - Vincent Louis Viala
- Biochemistry Laboratory, Butantan Institute, Av. Vital Brazil, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Amelie Johanna Kraus
- Division of Experimental Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität in Munich, Planegg-Martinsried, Germany
- Biomedical Center, Division of Physiological Chemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität in Munich, Planegg-Martinsried, Germany
| | | | - Julia Pinheiro Chagas da Cunha
- Cell Cycle Laboratory, Butantan Institute, Av. Vital Brazil, São Paulo, Brazil
- Center of Toxins, Immune Response and Cell Signaling (CeTICS), Butantan Institute, Av. Vital Brazil, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Maria Carolina Elias
- Cell Cycle Laboratory, Butantan Institute, Av. Vital Brazil, São Paulo, Brazil
- Center of Toxins, Immune Response and Cell Signaling (CeTICS), Butantan Institute, Av. Vital Brazil, São Paulo, Brazil
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16
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Cayla M, Spanos C, McWilliam K, Waskett E, Rappsilber J, Matthews KR. Differentiation granules, a dynamic regulator of T. brucei development. Nat Commun 2024; 15:2972. [PMID: 38582942 PMCID: PMC10998879 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-47309-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2023] [Accepted: 03/26/2024] [Indexed: 04/08/2024] Open
Abstract
Adaptation to a change of environment is an essential process for survival, in particular for parasitic organisms exposed to a wide range of hosts. Such adaptations include rapid control of gene expression through the formation of membraneless organelles composed of poly-A RNA and proteins. The African trypanosome Trypanosoma brucei is exquisitely sensitive to well-defined environmental stimuli that trigger cellular adaptations through differentiation events that characterise its complex life cycle. The parasite has been shown to form stress granules in vitro, and it has been proposed that such a stress response could have been repurposed to enable differentiation and facilitate parasite transmission. Therefore, we explored the composition and positional dynamics of membraneless granules formed in response to starvation stress and during differentiation in the mammalian host between the replicative slender and transmission-adapted stumpy forms. We find that T. brucei differentiation does not reflect the default response to environmental stress. Instead, the developmental response of the parasites involves a specific and programmed hierarchy of membraneless granule assembly, with distinct components and regulation by protein kinases such as TbDYRK, that are required for the parasite to successfully progress through its life cycle development and prepare for transmission.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mathieu Cayla
- Institute for Immunology and Infection Research, School of Biological Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK.
- York Biomedical Research Institute, Department of Biology, University of York, York, UK.
| | - Christos Spanos
- Wellcome Centre for Cell Biology, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Kirsty McWilliam
- Institute for Immunology and Infection Research, School of Biological Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Eliza Waskett
- Institute for Immunology and Infection Research, School of Biological Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Juri Rappsilber
- Wellcome Centre for Cell Biology, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Keith R Matthews
- Institute for Immunology and Infection Research, School of Biological Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
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17
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Ballmer D, Akiyoshi B. Dynamic localization of the chromosomal passenger complex in trypanosomes is controlled by the orphan kinesins KIN-A and KIN-B. eLife 2024; 13:RP93522. [PMID: 38564240 PMCID: PMC10987093 DOI: 10.7554/elife.93522] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/04/2024] Open
Abstract
The chromosomal passenger complex (CPC) is an important regulator of cell division, which shows dynamic subcellular localization throughout mitosis, including kinetochores and the spindle midzone. In traditional model eukaryotes such as yeasts and humans, the CPC consists of the catalytic subunit Aurora B kinase, its activator INCENP, and the localization module proteins Borealin and Survivin. Intriguingly, Aurora B and INCENP as well as their localization pattern are conserved in kinetoplastids, an evolutionarily divergent group of eukaryotes that possess unique kinetochore proteins and lack homologs of Borealin or Survivin. It is not understood how the kinetoplastid CPC assembles nor how it is targeted to its subcellular destinations during the cell cycle. Here, we identify two orphan kinesins, KIN-A and KIN-B, as bona fide CPC proteins in Trypanosoma brucei, the kinetoplastid parasite that causes African sleeping sickness. KIN-A and KIN-B form a scaffold for the assembly of the remaining CPC subunits. We show that the C-terminal unstructured tail of KIN-A interacts with the KKT8 complex at kinetochores, while its N-terminal motor domain promotes CPC translocation to spindle microtubules. Thus, the KIN-A:KIN-B complex constitutes a unique 'two-in-one' CPC localization module, which directs the CPC to kinetochores from S phase until metaphase and to the central spindle in anaphase. Our findings highlight the evolutionary diversity of CPC proteins and raise the possibility that kinesins may have served as the original transport vehicles for Aurora kinases in early eukaryotes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Ballmer
- Department of Biochemistry, University of OxfordOxfordUnited Kingdom
- The Wellcome Centre for Cell Biology, Institute of Cell Biology, School of Biological SciencesEdinburghUnited Kingdom
| | - Bungo Akiyoshi
- Department of Biochemistry, University of OxfordOxfordUnited Kingdom
- The Wellcome Centre for Cell Biology, Institute of Cell Biology, School of Biological SciencesEdinburghUnited Kingdom
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18
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Costa TFR, Catta-Preta CMC, Goundry A, Carvalho DB, Rodrigues NS, Vivarini AC, de Abreu MF, Reis FCG, Lima APCA. The ecotin-like peptidase inhibitor of Trypanosoma cruzi prevents TMPRSS2-PAR2-TLR4 crosstalk downmodulating infection and inflammation. FASEB J 2024; 38:e23566. [PMID: 38526868 DOI: 10.1096/fj.202302091rr] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2023] [Revised: 02/24/2024] [Accepted: 03/06/2024] [Indexed: 03/27/2024]
Abstract
Trypanosoma cruzi is the causative agent of Chagas disease, a chronic pathology that affects the heart and/or digestive system. This parasite invades and multiplies in virtually all nucleated cells, using a variety of host cell receptors for infection. T. cruzi has a gene that encodes an ecotin-like inhibitor of serine peptidases, ISP2. We generated ISP2-null mutants (Δisp2) in T. cruzi Dm28c using CRISPR/Cas9. Epimastigotes of Δisp2 grew normally in vitro but were more susceptible to lysis by human serum compared to parental and ISP2 add-back lines. Tissue culture trypomastigotes of Δisp2 were more infective to human muscle cells in vitro, which was reverted by the serine peptidase inhibitors aprotinin and camostat, suggesting that host cell epitheliasin/TMPRSS2 is the target of ISP2. Pretreatment of host cells with an antagonist to the protease-activated receptor 2 (PAR2) or an inhibitor of Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) selectively counteracted the increased cell invasion by Δisp2, but did not affect invasion by parental and add-back lines. The same was observed following targeted gene silencing of PAR2, TLR4 or TMPRSS2 in host cells by siRNA. Furthermore, Δisp2 caused increased tissue edema in a BALB/c mouse footpad infection model after 3 h differently to that observed following infection with parental and add-back lines. We propose that ISP2 contributes to protect T. cruzi from the anti-microbial effects of human serum and to prevent triggering of PAR2 and TLR4 in host cells, resulting in the modulation of host cell invasion and contributing to decrease inflammation during acute infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tatiana F R Costa
- Laboratório de Bioquímica e Biologia Molecular de Proteases, Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Carolina M C Catta-Preta
- Laboratório de Bioquímica e Biologia Molecular de Proteases, Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Amy Goundry
- Laboratório de Bioquímica e Biologia Molecular de Proteases, Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Danielle B Carvalho
- Laboratório de Bioquímica e Biologia Molecular de Proteases, Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Nathalia S Rodrigues
- Laboratório de Bioquímica e Biologia Molecular de Proteases, Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Aislan C Vivarini
- Departamento de Biologia Celular e Molecular, Insituto de Biologia, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Niteroi, Brazil
| | - Mayra Fonseca de Abreu
- Laboratório de Bioquímica e Biologia Molecular de Proteases, Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Flavia C G Reis
- Laboratório de Bioquímica e Biologia Molecular de Proteases, Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Ana Paula C A Lima
- Laboratório de Bioquímica e Biologia Molecular de Proteases, Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
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19
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Vizcaíno-Castillo A, Kotila T, Kogan K, Yanase R, Como J, Antenucci L, Michelot A, Sunter JD, Lappalainen P. Leishmania profilin interacts with actin through an unusual structural mechanism to control cytoskeletal dynamics in parasites. J Biol Chem 2024; 300:105740. [PMID: 38340794 PMCID: PMC10907219 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2024.105740] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2023] [Revised: 02/02/2024] [Accepted: 02/05/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Diseases caused by Leishmania and Trypanosoma parasites are a major health problem in tropical countries. Because of their complex life cycle involving both vertebrate and insect hosts, and >1 billion years of evolutionarily distance, the cell biology of trypanosomatid parasites exhibits pronounced differences to animal cells. For example, the actin cytoskeleton of trypanosomatids is divergent when compared with other eukaryotes. To understand how actin dynamics are regulated in trypanosomatid parasites, we focused on a central actin-binding protein profilin. Co-crystal structure of Leishmania major actin in complex with L. major profilin revealed that, although the overall folds of actin and profilin are conserved in eukaryotes, Leishmania profilin contains a unique α-helical insertion, which interacts with the target binding cleft of actin monomer. This insertion is conserved across the Trypanosomatidae family and is similar to the structure of WASP homology-2 (WH2) domain, a small actin-binding motif found in many other cytoskeletal regulators. The WH2-like motif contributes to actin monomer binding and enhances the actin nucleotide exchange activity of Leishmania profilin. Moreover, Leishmania profilin inhibited formin-catalyzed actin filament assembly in a mechanism that is dependent on the presence of the WH2-like motif. By generating profilin knockout and knockin Leishmania mexicana strains, we show that profilin is important for efficient endocytic sorting in parasites, and that the ability to bind actin monomers and proline-rich proteins, and the presence of a functional WH2-like motif, are important for the in vivo function of Leishmania profilin. Collectively, this study uncovers molecular principles by which profilin regulates actin dynamics in trypanosomatids.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Tommi Kotila
- HiLIFE Institute of Biotechnology, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Konstantin Kogan
- HiLIFE Institute of Biotechnology, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Ryuji Yanase
- Oxford Brookes University, Department of Biological and Medical Sciences, Oxford, UK
| | - Juna Como
- Aix Marseille University, CNRS, IBDM, Turing Centre for Living Systems, Marseille, France
| | - Lina Antenucci
- HiLIFE Institute of Biotechnology, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Alphee Michelot
- Aix Marseille University, CNRS, IBDM, Turing Centre for Living Systems, Marseille, France
| | - Jack D Sunter
- Oxford Brookes University, Department of Biological and Medical Sciences, Oxford, UK.
| | - Pekka Lappalainen
- HiLIFE Institute of Biotechnology, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland; Faculty of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.
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20
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Myburgh E, Geoghegan V, Alves-Ferreira EV, Nievas YR, Grewal JS, Brown E, McLuskey K, Mottram JC. TORC1 is an essential regulator of nutrient-controlled proliferation and differentiation in Leishmania. EMBO Rep 2024; 25:1075-1105. [PMID: 38396206 PMCID: PMC10933368 DOI: 10.1038/s44319-024-00084-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2023] [Revised: 01/19/2024] [Accepted: 01/25/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Leishmania parasites undergo differentiation between various proliferating and non-dividing forms to adapt to changing host environments. The mechanisms that link environmental cues with the parasite's developmental changes remain elusive. Here, we report that Leishmania TORC1 is a key environmental sensor for parasite proliferation and differentiation in the sand fly-stage promastigotes and for replication of mammalian-stage amastigotes. We show that Leishmania RPTOR1, interacts with TOR1 and LST8, and identify new parasite-specific proteins that interact in this complex. We investigate TORC1 function by conditional deletion of RPTOR1, where under nutrient-rich conditions RPTOR1 depletion results in decreased protein synthesis and growth, G1 cell cycle arrest and premature differentiation from proliferative promastigotes to non-dividing mammalian-infective metacyclic forms. These parasites are unable to respond to nutrients to differentiate into proliferative retroleptomonads, which are required for their blood-meal induced amplification in sand flies and enhanced mammalian infectivity. We additionally show that RPTOR1-/- metacyclic promastigotes develop into amastigotes but do not proliferate in the mammalian host to cause pathology. RPTOR1-dependent TORC1 functionality represents a critical mechanism for driving parasite growth and proliferation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elmarie Myburgh
- York Biomedical Research Institute, Hull York Medical School, University of York, York, YO10 5DD, UK.
| | - Vincent Geoghegan
- York Biomedical Research Institute, Department of Biology, University of York, York, YO10 5DD, UK
| | - Eliza Vc Alves-Ferreira
- York Biomedical Research Institute, Department of Biology, University of York, York, YO10 5DD, UK
| | - Y Romina Nievas
- York Biomedical Research Institute, Department of Biology, University of York, York, YO10 5DD, UK
| | - Jaspreet S Grewal
- York Biomedical Research Institute, Department of Biology, University of York, York, YO10 5DD, UK
| | - Elaine Brown
- York Biomedical Research Institute, Department of Biology, University of York, York, YO10 5DD, UK
| | - Karen McLuskey
- Wellcome Centre for Integrative Parasitology, Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, G12 8TA, UK
| | - Jeremy C Mottram
- York Biomedical Research Institute, Department of Biology, University of York, York, YO10 5DD, UK
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21
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Cabello-Donayre M, Cabello-Donayre I, Guerra D, Orrego LM, Morales JC, Cautain B, Vicente F, Pérez-Victoria JM. A yeast-based high-throughput screen identifies inhibitors of trypanosomatid HRG heme transporters with potent leishmanicidal and trypanocidal activity. Int J Antimicrob Agents 2024; 63:107092. [PMID: 38242251 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijantimicag.2024.107092] [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: 01/03/2023] [Revised: 12/19/2023] [Accepted: 01/11/2024] [Indexed: 01/21/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES New drugs are required to treat neglected diseases caused by trypanosomatid parasites such as Leishmania, Trypanosoma brucei and Trypanosoma cruzi. An Achilles' heel of these parasites is their heme auxotrophy; they have an absolute dependence on scavenging this molecule from the host, and trypanosomatid HRG heme transporters (TrypHRG) play an important role in this process. As these proteins are essential for the parasites and have low similarity with their human orthologue, they have been proposed as attractive therapeutic targets. Here, we have developed two yeast-based assays that allow an inexpensive high-throughput screening of TrypHRG inhibitors within a cellular context. METHODS We first assessed that Leishmania major, Leishmania donovani and T. brucei HRG proteins were heterologously expressed in the digestive vacuole membrane of a mutant heme auxotrophic yeast strain. Here, TrypHRG imports hemoglobinderived heme into the cytosol, allowing mutant yeast to grow in the presence of low hemoglobin concentrations and promoting the activity of hemeproteins such as catalase, which was used as a reporter of cytosolic heme levels. RESULTS In the presence of a TrypHRG inhibitor, both catalase activity (test 1) and yeast growth (test 2) were diminished, being easily monitored. The assays were then tested on a pilot scale for HTS purposes using a collection of repurposing drugs and food antioxidants. Some of the TrypHRG inhibitors identified in yeast presented strong trypanocidal and leishmanicidal activity in the submicromolar range, proving the potential of this approach. CONCLUSIONS Cumulatively, it was shown that the inhibition bioassays developed were robust and applicable to large-scale HTS.
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Affiliation(s)
- María Cabello-Donayre
- Instituto de Parasitología y Biomedicina "López-Neyra", CSIC, (IPBLN-CSIC), PTS Granada, Granada, Spain; Universidad Internacional de La Rioja, Logroño, La Rioja, Spain
| | - Irene Cabello-Donayre
- Instituto de Parasitología y Biomedicina "López-Neyra", CSIC, (IPBLN-CSIC), PTS Granada, Granada, Spain
| | - Diego Guerra
- Instituto de Parasitología y Biomedicina "López-Neyra", CSIC, (IPBLN-CSIC), PTS Granada, Granada, Spain; Programa de Estudio y Control de Enfermedades Tropicales PECET, Faculty of Medicine, University of Antioquia, Medellín, Colombia
| | - Lina M Orrego
- Instituto de Parasitología y Biomedicina "López-Neyra", CSIC, (IPBLN-CSIC), PTS Granada, Granada, Spain
| | - Juan C Morales
- Instituto de Parasitología y Biomedicina "López-Neyra", CSIC, (IPBLN-CSIC), PTS Granada, Granada, Spain
| | - Bastien Cautain
- Fundación MEDINA, Centro de Excelencia en Investigación de Medicamentos Innovadores en Andalucía, PTS Granada, Granada, Spain
| | - Francisca Vicente
- Fundación MEDINA, Centro de Excelencia en Investigación de Medicamentos Innovadores en Andalucía, PTS Granada, Granada, Spain
| | - José M Pérez-Victoria
- Instituto de Parasitología y Biomedicina "López-Neyra", CSIC, (IPBLN-CSIC), PTS Granada, Granada, Spain.
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22
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Abdi Ghavidel A, Aghamiri S, Raee P, Mohammadi-Yeganeh S, Noori E, Bandehpour M, Kazemi B, Jajarmi V. Recent Advances in CRISPR/Cas9-Mediated Genome Editing in Leishmania Strains. Acta Parasitol 2024; 69:121-134. [PMID: 38127288 DOI: 10.1007/s11686-023-00756-0] [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: 06/04/2023] [Accepted: 11/20/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Genome manipulation of Leishmania species and the creation of modified strains are widely employed strategies for various purposes, including gene function studies, the development of live attenuated vaccines, and the engineering of host cells for protein production. OBJECTIVE Despite the introduction of novel manipulation approaches like CRISPR/Cas9 technology with significant advancements in recent years, the development of a reliable protocol for efficiently and precisely altering the genes of Leishmania strains remains a challenging endeavor. Following the successful adaptation of the CRISPR/Cas9 system for higher eukaryotic cells, several research groups have endeavored to apply this system to manipulate the genome of Leishmania. RESULTS Despite the substantial differences between Leishmania and higher eukaryotes, the CRISPR/Cas9 system has been effectively tested and applied in Leishmania. CONCLUSION: This comprehensive review summarizes all the CRISPR/Cas9 systems that have been employed in Leishmania, providing details on their methods and the expression systems for Cas9 and gRNA. The review also explores the various applications of the CRISPR system in Leishmania, including the deletion of multicopy gene families, the development of the Leishmania vaccine, complete gene deletions, investigations into chromosomal translocations, protein tagging, gene replacement, large-scale gene knockout, genome editing through cytosine base replacement, and its innovative use in the detection of Leishmania. In addition, the review offers an up-to-date overview of all double-strand break repair mechanisms in Leishmania.
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Affiliation(s)
- Afshin Abdi Ghavidel
- Student Research Committee, Department of Medical Biotechnology, School of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Shahin Aghamiri
- Cellular and Molecular Biology Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Pourya Raee
- Department of Biology and Anatomical Sciences, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Samira Mohammadi-Yeganeh
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, School of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Effat Noori
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mojgan Bandehpour
- Cellular and Molecular Biology Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, School of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Bahram Kazemi
- Cellular and Molecular Biology Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, School of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Vahid Jajarmi
- Cellular and Molecular Biology Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, School of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
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23
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Sozanschi A, Asiki H, Amaral M, de Castro Levatti EV, Tempone AG, Wheeler RJ, Anderson EA. Synthesis and Evaluation of (Bis)benzyltetrahydroisoquinoline Alkaloids as Antiparasitic Agents. JACS AU 2024; 4:847-854. [PMID: 38425909 PMCID: PMC10900488 DOI: 10.1021/jacsau.4c00007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2024] [Revised: 01/31/2024] [Accepted: 02/01/2024] [Indexed: 03/02/2024]
Abstract
Visceral leishmaniasis and Chagas disease are neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) that severely impact the developing world. With current therapies suffering from poor efficacy and safety profiles as well as emerging resistance, new drug leads are direly needed. In this work, 26 alkaloids (9 natural and 17 synthetic) belonging to the benzyltetrahydroisoquinoline (BI) family were evaluated against both the pro/trypomastigote and amastigote forms of the parasites Leishmania infantum and Trypanosoma cruzi, the causative agents of these diseases. These alkaloids were synthesized via an efficient and modular enantioselective approach based on Bischler-Napieralski cyclization/Noyori asymmetric transfer hydrogenation to build the tetrahydroisoquinoline core. The bis-benzyltetrahydroisoquinoline (BBI) alkaloids were prepared using an Ullmann coupling of two BI units to form the biaryl ether linkage, which enabled a comprehensive survey of the influence of BI stereochemistry on bioactivity. Preliminary studies into the mechanism of action against Leishmania mexicana demonstrate that these compounds interfere with the cell cycle, potentially through inhibition of kinetoplast division, which may offer opportunities to identify a new target/mechanism of action. Three of the synthesized alkaloids showed promising druglike potential, meeting the Drugs for Neglected Disease initiative (DNDi) criteria for a hit against Chagas disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Sozanschi
- Chemistry
Research Laboratory, Department of Chemistry, University of Oxford, 12 Mansfield Road, Oxford OX1 3TA, U.K.
| | - Hannah Asiki
- Chemistry
Research Laboratory, Department of Chemistry, University of Oxford, 12 Mansfield Road, Oxford OX1 3TA, U.K.
- Peter
Medawar Building for Pathogen Research, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford , OX1 3SY, U.K.
| | - Maiara Amaral
- Laboratory
of Pathophysiology, Butantan Institute, Av. Vital Brazil, 1500, 05503-900 São Paulo, Brazil
- Instituto
de Medicina Tropical, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo, 05403-000 São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | - Andre G. Tempone
- Laboratory
of Pathophysiology, Butantan Institute, Av. Vital Brazil, 1500, 05503-900 São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Richard J. Wheeler
- Peter
Medawar Building for Pathogen Research, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford , OX1 3SY, U.K.
| | - Edward A. Anderson
- Chemistry
Research Laboratory, Department of Chemistry, University of Oxford, 12 Mansfield Road, Oxford OX1 3TA, U.K.
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24
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Halliday C, de Liz LV, Vaughan S, Sunter JD. Disruption of Leishmania flagellum attachment zone architecture causes flagellum loss. Mol Microbiol 2024; 121:53-68. [PMID: 38010644 PMCID: PMC10953051 DOI: 10.1111/mmi.15199] [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: 08/28/2023] [Revised: 11/10/2023] [Accepted: 11/13/2023] [Indexed: 11/29/2023]
Abstract
Leishmania are flagellated eukaryotic parasites that cause leishmaniasis and are closely related to the other kinetoplastid parasites such as Trypanosoma brucei. In all these parasites there is a cell membrane invagination at the base of the flagellum called the flagellar pocket, which is tightly associated with and sculpted by cytoskeletal structures including the flagellum attachment zone (FAZ). The FAZ is a complex interconnected structure linking the flagellum to the cell body and has critical roles in cell morphogenesis, function and pathogenicity. However, this structure varies dramatically in size and organisation between these different parasites, suggesting changes in protein localisation and function. Here, we screened the localisation and function of the Leishmania orthologues of T. brucei FAZ proteins identified in the genome-wide protein tagging project TrypTag. We identified 27 FAZ proteins and our deletion analysis showed that deletion of two FAZ proteins in the flagellum, FAZ27 and FAZ34 resulted in a reduction in cell body size, and flagellum loss in some cells. Furthermore, after null mutant generation, we observed distinct and reproducible changes to cell shape, demonstrating the ability of the parasite to adapt to morphological perturbations resulting from gene deletion. This process of adaptation has important implications for the study of Leishmania mutants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clare Halliday
- Department of Biological and Medical SciencesOxford Brookes UniversityOxfordUK
| | - Laryssa Vanessa de Liz
- Department of Biological and Medical SciencesOxford Brookes UniversityOxfordUK
- Departamento de Microbiologia, Imunologia e ParasitologiaUniversidade Federal de Santa CatarinaFlorianópolisSCBrazil
| | - Sue Vaughan
- Department of Biological and Medical SciencesOxford Brookes UniversityOxfordUK
| | - Jack D. Sunter
- Department of Biological and Medical SciencesOxford Brookes UniversityOxfordUK
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25
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Ribeiro JM, Silva PA, Costa-Silva HM, Santi AMM, Murta SMF. Deletion of the lipid droplet protein kinase gene affects lipid droplets biogenesis, parasite infectivity, and resistance to trivalent antimony in Leishmania infantum. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2024; 18:e0011880. [PMID: 38236929 PMCID: PMC10795987 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0011880] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2023] [Accepted: 12/21/2023] [Indexed: 01/22/2024] Open
Abstract
The Lipid Droplet Protein Kinase (LDK) facilitates lipid droplet (LD) biogenesis, organelles involved in various metabolic and signaling functions in trypanosomatids. As LDK's function has not been previously explored in Leishmania spp., we utilized CRISPR/Cas9 technology to generate LDK-knockout lines of Leishmania infantum to investigate its role in this parasite. Our findings demonstrate that LDK is not an essential gene for L. infantum, as its deletion did not impede parasite survival. Furthermore, removing LDK did not impact the growth of promastigote forms of L. infantum lacking LDK. However, a noticeable reduction in LDs occurred during the stationary phase of parasite growth following LDK deletion. In the presence of myriocin, a LD inducer, LDK-knockout parasites displayed reduced LD abundance during both logarithmic and stationary growth phases compared to control parasites. Moreover, an infection analysis involving THP-1 cells revealed that 72 h post-infection, LDK-knockout L. infantum lines exhibited fewer infected macrophages and intracellular amastigotes than control parasites. LDK-knockout L. infantum lines also displayed 1.7 to 1.8 -fold greater resistance to trivalent antimony than control parasites. There were no observed alterations in susceptibility to amphotericin B, miltefosine, or menadione in LDK-knockout L. infantum lines. Our results suggest that LDK plays a crucial role in the biogenesis and/or maintenance of LDs in L. infantum, as well as in parasite infectivity and resistance to trivalent antimony.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juliana Martins Ribeiro
- Grupo Genômica Funcional de Parasitos, Instituto René Rachou, Fiocruz Minas, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Paula Alves Silva
- Grupo Genômica Funcional de Parasitos, Instituto René Rachou, Fiocruz Minas, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Héllida Marina Costa-Silva
- Grupo Genômica Funcional de Parasitos, Instituto René Rachou, Fiocruz Minas, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Ana Maria Murta Santi
- Grupo Genômica Funcional de Parasitos, Instituto René Rachou, Fiocruz Minas, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Silvane Maria Fonseca Murta
- Grupo Genômica Funcional de Parasitos, Instituto René Rachou, Fiocruz Minas, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
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26
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Tulloch LB, Carvalho S, Lima M, Wall RJ, Tinti M, Pinto EG, MacLean L, Wyllie S. RES-Seq-a barcoded library of drug-resistant Leishmania donovani allowing rapid assessment of cross-resistance and relative fitness. mBio 2023; 14:e0180323. [PMID: 37929970 PMCID: PMC10746238 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.01803-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2023] [Accepted: 10/02/2023] [Indexed: 11/07/2023] Open
Abstract
IMPORTANCE Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) remains the third largest parasitic killer worldwide, responsible for 20,000-30,000 deaths each year. Control and ultimate elimination of VL will require a range of therapeutic options with diverse mechanisms of action to combat drug resistance. One approach to ensure that compounds in development exploit diverse mechanisms of action is to screen them against highly curated cell lines resistant to drugs already in the VL pipeline. The identification of cross-resistant cell lines indicates that test compounds are likely acting via previously established mechanisms. Current cross-resistance screens are limited by the requirement to profile individual resistant cell lines one at a time. Here, we introduce unique DNA barcodes into multiple resistant cell lines to facilitate parallel profiling. Utilizing the power of Illumina sequencing, growth kinetics and relative fitness under compound selection can be monitored revolutionizing our ability to identify and prioritize compounds acting via novel mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lindsay B. Tulloch
- Wellcome Centre for Anti-Infectives Research, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee, United Kingdom
| | - Sandra Carvalho
- Wellcome Centre for Anti-Infectives Research, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee, United Kingdom
| | - Marta Lima
- Wellcome Centre for Anti-Infectives Research, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee, United Kingdom
| | - Richard J. Wall
- Wellcome Centre for Anti-Infectives Research, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee, United Kingdom
| | - Michele Tinti
- Wellcome Centre for Anti-Infectives Research, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee, United Kingdom
| | - Erika G. Pinto
- Drug Discovery Unit, Wellcome Centre for Anti-infectives Research, University of Dundee, Dundee, United Kingdom
| | - Lorna MacLean
- Drug Discovery Unit, Wellcome Centre for Anti-infectives Research, University of Dundee, Dundee, United Kingdom
| | - Susan Wyllie
- Wellcome Centre for Anti-Infectives Research, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee, United Kingdom
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27
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Girasol MJ, Krasilnikova M, Marques CA, Damasceno JD, Lapsley C, Lemgruber L, Burchmore R, Beraldi D, Carruthers R, Briggs EM, McCulloch R. RAD51-mediated R-loop formation acts to repair transcription-associated DNA breaks driving antigenic variation in Trypanosoma brucei. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2023; 120:e2309306120. [PMID: 37988471 PMCID: PMC10691351 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2309306120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2023] [Accepted: 09/13/2023] [Indexed: 11/23/2023] Open
Abstract
RNA-DNA hybrids are epigenetic features of all genomes that intersect with many processes, including transcription, telomere homeostasis, and centromere function. Increasing evidence suggests that RNA-DNA hybrids can provide two conflicting roles in the maintenance and transmission of genomes: They can be the triggers of DNA damage, leading to genome change, or can aid the DNA repair processes needed to respond to DNA lesions. Evasion of host immunity by African trypanosomes, such as Trypanosoma brucei, relies on targeted recombination of silent Variant Surface Glycoprotein (VSG) genes into a specialized telomeric locus that directs transcription of just one VSG from thousands. How such VSG recombination is targeted and initiated is unclear. Here, we show that a key enzyme of T. brucei homologous recombination, RAD51, interacts with RNA-DNA hybrids. In addition, we show that RNA-DNA hybrids display a genome-wide colocalization with DNA breaks and that this relationship is impaired by mutation of RAD51. Finally, we show that RAD51 acts to repair highly abundant, localised DNA breaks at the single transcribed VSG and that mutation of RAD51 alters RNA-DNA hybrid abundance at 70 bp repeats both around the transcribed VSG and across the silent VSG archive. This work reveals a widespread, generalised role for RNA-DNA hybrids in directing RAD51 activity during recombination and uncovers a specialised application of this interplay during targeted DNA break repair needed for the critical T. brucei immune evasion reaction of antigenic variation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark John Girasol
- College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, School of Infection and Immunity, Wellcome Centre for Integrative Parasitology, University of Glasgow, GlasgowG12 8TA, United Kingdom
- Faculty of the MD-PhD in Molecular Medicine Program, College of Medicine, University of the Philippines Manila, Manila1000, Philippines
| | - Marija Krasilnikova
- College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, School of Infection and Immunity, Wellcome Centre for Integrative Parasitology, University of Glasgow, GlasgowG12 8TA, United Kingdom
| | - Catarina A. Marques
- College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, School of Infection and Immunity, Wellcome Centre for Integrative Parasitology, University of Glasgow, GlasgowG12 8TA, United Kingdom
| | - Jeziel D. Damasceno
- College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, School of Infection and Immunity, Wellcome Centre for Integrative Parasitology, University of Glasgow, GlasgowG12 8TA, United Kingdom
| | - Craig Lapsley
- College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, School of Infection and Immunity, Wellcome Centre for Integrative Parasitology, University of Glasgow, GlasgowG12 8TA, United Kingdom
| | - Leandro Lemgruber
- College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, School of Infection and Immunity, Wellcome Centre for Integrative Parasitology, University of Glasgow, GlasgowG12 8TA, United Kingdom
| | - Richard Burchmore
- College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, School of Infection and Immunity, Wellcome Centre for Integrative Parasitology, University of Glasgow, GlasgowG12 8TA, United Kingdom
| | - Dario Beraldi
- College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, School of Infection and Immunity, Wellcome Centre for Integrative Parasitology, University of Glasgow, GlasgowG12 8TA, United Kingdom
| | - Ross Carruthers
- College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, School of Cancer Sciences, University of Glasgow, GlasgowG12 0YN, United Kingdom
| | - Emma M. Briggs
- College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, School of Infection and Immunity, Wellcome Centre for Integrative Parasitology, University of Glasgow, GlasgowG12 8TA, United Kingdom
- Institute for Immunology and Infection Research, School of Biological Sciences, University of Edinburgh, EdinburghEH9 3FL, United Kingdom
| | - Richard McCulloch
- College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, School of Infection and Immunity, Wellcome Centre for Integrative Parasitology, University of Glasgow, GlasgowG12 8TA, United Kingdom
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Souza-Melo N, de Lima Alcantara C, Vidal JC, Rocha GM, de Souza W. Implications of Flagellar Attachment Zone Proteins TcGP72 and TcFLA-1BP in Morphology, Proliferation, and Intracellular Dynamics in Trypanosoma cruzi. Pathogens 2023; 12:1367. [PMID: 38003831 PMCID: PMC10675206 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens12111367] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2023] [Revised: 11/05/2023] [Accepted: 11/10/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
The highly adaptable parasite Trypanosoma cruzi undergoes complex developmental stages to exploit host organisms effectively. Each stage involves the expression of specific proteins and precise intracellular structural organization. These morphological changes depend on key structures that control intracellular components' growth and redistribution. In trypanosomatids, the flagellar attachment zone (FAZ) connects the flagellum to the cell body and plays a pivotal role in cell expansion and structural rearrangement. While FAZ proteins are well-studied in other trypanosomatids, there is limited knowledge about specific components, organization, and function in T. cruzi. This study employed the CRISPR/Cas9 system to label endogenous genes and conduct deletions to characterize FAZ-specific proteins during epimastigote cell division and metacyclogenesis. In T. cruzi, these proteins exhibited distinct organization compared to their counterparts in T. brucei. TcGP72 is anchored to the flagellar membrane, while TcFLA-1BP is anchored to the membrane lining the cell body. We identified unique features in the organization and function of the FAZ in T. cruzi compared to other trypanosomatids. Deleting these proteins had varying effects on intracellular structures, cytokinesis, and metacyclogenesis. This study reveals specific variations that directly impact the success of cell division and differentiation of this parasite.
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Affiliation(s)
- Normanda Souza-Melo
- Laboratório de Ultraestrutura Celular Hertha Meyer, Centro de Pesquisas em Medicina de Precisão, Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 21491-590, Brazil; (C.d.L.A.); (J.C.V.); (G.M.R.)
| | - Carolina de Lima Alcantara
- Laboratório de Ultraestrutura Celular Hertha Meyer, Centro de Pesquisas em Medicina de Precisão, Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 21491-590, Brazil; (C.d.L.A.); (J.C.V.); (G.M.R.)
| | - Juliana Cunha Vidal
- Laboratório de Ultraestrutura Celular Hertha Meyer, Centro de Pesquisas em Medicina de Precisão, Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 21491-590, Brazil; (C.d.L.A.); (J.C.V.); (G.M.R.)
| | - Gustavo Miranda Rocha
- Laboratório de Ultraestrutura Celular Hertha Meyer, Centro de Pesquisas em Medicina de Precisão, Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 21491-590, Brazil; (C.d.L.A.); (J.C.V.); (G.M.R.)
| | - Wanderley de Souza
- Laboratório de Ultraestrutura Celular Hertha Meyer, Centro de Pesquisas em Medicina de Precisão, Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 21491-590, Brazil; (C.d.L.A.); (J.C.V.); (G.M.R.)
- Centro de Estudos Biomédicos-CMABio, Escola Superior de Saúde, Universidade do Estado do Amazonas-UEA, Manaus 69065-000, Brazil
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29
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Girasol MJ, Briggs EM, Marques CA, Batista JM, Beraldi D, Burchmore R, Lemgruber L, McCulloch R. Immunoprecipitation of RNA-DNA hybrid interacting proteins in Trypanosoma brucei reveals conserved and novel activities, including in the control of surface antigen expression needed for immune evasion by antigenic variation. Nucleic Acids Res 2023; 51:11123-11141. [PMID: 37843098 PMCID: PMC10639054 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkad836] [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: 05/26/2023] [Revised: 09/14/2023] [Accepted: 09/28/2023] [Indexed: 10/17/2023] Open
Abstract
RNA-DNA hybrids are epigenetic features of genomes that provide a diverse and growing range of activities. Understanding of these functions has been informed by characterising the proteins that interact with the hybrids, but all such analyses have so far focused on mammals, meaning it is unclear if a similar spectrum of RNA-DNA hybrid interactors is found in other eukaryotes. The African trypanosome is a single-cell eukaryotic parasite of the Discoba grouping and displays substantial divergence in several aspects of core biology from its mammalian host. Here, we show that DNA-RNA hybrid immunoprecipitation coupled with mass spectrometry recovers 602 putative interactors in T. brucei mammal- and insect-infective cells, some providing activities also found in mammals and some lineage-specific. We demonstrate that loss of three factors, two putative helicases and a RAD51 paralogue, alters T. brucei nuclear RNA-DNA hybrid and DNA damage levels. Moreover, loss of each factor affects the operation of the parasite immune survival mechanism of antigenic variation. Thus, our work reveals the broad range of activities contributed by RNA-DNA hybrids to T. brucei biology, including new functions in host immune evasion as well as activities likely fundamental to eukaryotic genome function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark J Girasol
- University of Glasgow, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, School of Infection and Immunity, Wellcome Centre for Integrative Parasitology, Glasgow, UK
- University of the Philippines Manila, College of Medicine, Manila, Philippines
| | - Emma M Briggs
- University of Glasgow, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, School of Infection and Immunity, Wellcome Centre for Integrative Parasitology, Glasgow, UK
- University of Edinburgh, Institute for Immunology and Infection Research, School of Biological Sciences, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Catarina A Marques
- University of Glasgow, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, School of Infection and Immunity, Wellcome Centre for Integrative Parasitology, Glasgow, UK
| | - José M Batista
- University of Glasgow, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, School of Infection and Immunity, Wellcome Centre for Integrative Parasitology, Glasgow, UK
| | - Dario Beraldi
- University of Glasgow, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, School of Infection and Immunity, Wellcome Centre for Integrative Parasitology, Glasgow, UK
| | - Richard Burchmore
- University of Glasgow, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, School of Infection and Immunity, Wellcome Centre for Integrative Parasitology, Glasgow, UK
| | - Leandro Lemgruber
- University of Glasgow, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, School of Infection and Immunity, Wellcome Centre for Integrative Parasitology, Glasgow, UK
| | - Richard McCulloch
- University of Glasgow, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, School of Infection and Immunity, Wellcome Centre for Integrative Parasitology, Glasgow, UK
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30
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Catta-Preta CMC, Ferreira TR, Ghosh K, Paun A, Sacks D. HOP1 and HAP2 are conserved components of the meiosis-related machinery required for successful mating in Leishmania. Nat Commun 2023; 14:7159. [PMID: 37935664 PMCID: PMC10630298 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-42789-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2023] [Accepted: 10/21/2023] [Indexed: 11/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Whole genome analysis of Leishmania hybrids generated experimentally in sand flies supports a meiotic mechanism of genetic exchange, with Mendelian segregation of the nuclear genome. Here, we perform functional analyses through the generation of double drug-resistant hybrids in vitro and in vivo (during sand fly infections) to assess the importance of conserved meiosis-related genes in recombination and plasmogamy. We report that HOP1 and a HAP2-paralog (HAP2-2) are essential components of the Leishmania meiosis machinery and cell-to-cell fusion mechanism, respectively, since deletion of either gene in one or both parents significantly reduces or completely abrogates mating competence. These findings significantly advance our understanding of sexual reproduction in Leishmania, with likely relevance to other trypanosomatids, by formally demonstrating the involvement of a meiotic protein homolog and a distinct fusogen that mediates non-canonical, bilateral fusion in the hybridizing cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carolina Moura Costa Catta-Preta
- Laboratory of Parasitic Diseases, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Tiago Rodrigues Ferreira
- Laboratory of Parasitic Diseases, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Kashinath Ghosh
- Laboratory of Parasitic Diseases, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Andrea Paun
- Laboratory of Parasitic Diseases, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - David Sacks
- Laboratory of Parasitic Diseases, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA.
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31
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Chiurillo MA, Ahmed M, González C, Raja A, Lande N. Gene editing of putative cAMP and Ca 2+ -regulated proteins using an efficient cloning-free CRISPR/Cas9 system in Trypanosoma cruzi. J Eukaryot Microbiol 2023; 70:e12999. [PMID: 37724511 PMCID: PMC10841170 DOI: 10.1111/jeu.12999] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2023] [Revised: 08/23/2023] [Accepted: 08/23/2023] [Indexed: 09/20/2023]
Abstract
Trypanosoma cruzi, the agent of Chagas disease, must adapt to a diversity of environmental conditions that it faces during its life cycle. The adaptation to these changes is mediated by signaling pathways that coordinate the cellular responses to the new environmental settings. Cyclic AMP (cAMP) and Calcium (Ca2+ ) signaling pathways regulate critical cellular processes in this parasite, such as differentiation, osmoregulation, host cell invasion and cell bioenergetics. Although the use of CRISPR/Cas9 technology prompted reverse genetics approaches for functional analysis in T. cruzi, it is still necessary to expand the toolbox for genome editing in this parasite, as for example to perform multigene analysis. Here we used an efficient T7RNAP/Cas9 strategy to tag and delete three genes predicted to be involved in cAMP and Ca2+ signaling pathways: a putative Ca2+ /calmodulin-dependent protein kinase (CAMK), Flagellar Member 6 (FLAM6) and Cyclic nucleotide-binding domain/C2 domain-containing protein (CC2CP). We endogenously tagged these three genes and determined the subcellular localization of the tagged proteins. Furthermore, the strategy used to knockout these genes allows us to presume that TcCC2CP is an essential gene in T. cruzi epimastigotes. Our results will open new venues for future research on the role of these proteins in T. cruzi.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miguel A. Chiurillo
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio 45221-006, United States of America
| | - Milad Ahmed
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio 45221-006, United States of America
| | - César González
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio 45221-006, United States of America
- Escuela de Medicina y Ciencias de la Salud. Instituto Tecnológico y de Estudios Superiores de Monterrey. Monterrey, Nuevo Leon, Mexico
| | - Aqsa Raja
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio 45221-006, United States of America
| | - Noelia Lande
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio 45221-006, United States of America
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Campbell PC, de Graffenried CL. Morphogenesis in Trypanosoma cruzi epimastigotes proceeds via a highly asymmetric cell division. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2023; 17:e0011731. [PMID: 37917723 PMCID: PMC10656021 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0011731] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2023] [Revised: 11/17/2023] [Accepted: 10/16/2023] [Indexed: 11/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Trypanosoma cruzi is a protist parasite that is the causative agent of Chagas disease, a neglected tropical disease endemic to the Americas. T. cruzi cells are highly polarized and undergo morphological changes as they cycle within their insect and mammalian hosts. Work on related trypanosomatids has described cell division mechanisms in several life-cycle stages and identified a set of essential morphogenic proteins that serve as markers for key events during trypanosomatid division. Here, we use Cas9-based tagging of morphogenic genes, live-cell imaging, and expansion microscopy to study the cell division mechanism of the insect-resident epimastigote form of T. cruzi, which represents an understudied trypanosomatid morphotype. We find that T. cruzi epimastigote cell division is highly asymmetric, producing one daughter cell that is significantly smaller than the other. Daughter cell division rates differ by 4.9 h, which may be a consequence of this size disparity. Many of the morphogenic proteins identified in T. brucei have altered localization patterns in T. cruzi epimastigotes, which may reflect fundamental differences in the cell division mechanism of this life cycle stage, which widens and shortens the cell body to accommodate the duplicated organelles and cleavage furrow rather than elongating the cell body along the long axis of the cell, as is the case in life-cycle stages that have been studied in T. brucei. This work provides a foundation for further investigations of T. cruzi cell division and shows that subtle differences in trypanosomatid cell morphology can alter how these parasites divide.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul C. Campbell
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, United States of America
| | - Christopher L. de Graffenried
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, United States of America
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33
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Fesser A, Beilstein S, Kaiser M, Schmidt RS, Mäser P. Trypanosoma cruzi STIB980: A TcI Strain for Drug Discovery and Reverse Genetics. Pathogens 2023; 12:1217. [PMID: 37887733 PMCID: PMC10610277 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens12101217] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2023] [Revised: 09/25/2023] [Accepted: 10/03/2023] [Indexed: 10/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Since the first published genome sequence of Trypanosoma cruzi in 2005, there have been tremendous technological advances in genomics, reverse genetics, and assay development for this elusive pathogen. However, there is still an unmet need for new and better drugs to treat Chagas disease. Here, we introduce a T. cruzi assay strain that is useful for drug research and basic studies of host-pathogen interactions. T. cruzi STIB980 is a strain of discrete typing unit TcI that grows well in culture as axenic epimastigotes or intracellular amastigotes. We evaluated the optimal parameters for genetic transfection and constructed derivatives of T. cruzi STIB980 that express reporter genes for fluorescence- or bioluminescence-based drug efficacy testing, as well as a Cas9-expressing line for CRISPR/Cas9-mediated gene editing. The genome of T. cruzi STIB980 was sequenced by combining short-read Illumina with long-read Oxford Nanopore technologies. The latter served as the primary assembly and the former to correct mistakes. This resulted in a high-quality nuclear haplotype assembly of 28 Mb in 400 contigs, containing 10,043 open-reading frames with a median length of 1077 bp. We believe that T. cruzi STIB980 is a useful addition to the antichagasic toolbox and propose that it can serve as a DTU TcI reference strain for drug efficacy testing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Fesser
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Department Medical Parasitology and Infection Biology, 4123 Allschwil, Switzerland
- University of Basel, 4001 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Sabina Beilstein
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Department Medical Parasitology and Infection Biology, 4123 Allschwil, Switzerland
- University of Basel, 4001 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Marcel Kaiser
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Department Medical Parasitology and Infection Biology, 4123 Allschwil, Switzerland
- University of Basel, 4001 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Remo S Schmidt
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Department Medical Parasitology and Infection Biology, 4123 Allschwil, Switzerland
- University of Basel, 4001 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Pascal Mäser
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Department Medical Parasitology and Infection Biology, 4123 Allschwil, Switzerland
- University of Basel, 4001 Basel, Switzerland
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34
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Minet C, Chantal I, Berthier D. Recent advances in genome editing of bloodstream forms of Trypanosoma congolense using CRISPR-Cas9 ribonucleoproteins: Proof of concept. Exp Parasitol 2023; 252:108589. [PMID: 37516291 DOI: 10.1016/j.exppara.2023.108589] [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: 03/15/2023] [Revised: 06/26/2023] [Accepted: 07/24/2023] [Indexed: 07/31/2023]
Abstract
African Animal Trypanosomosis (AAT or Nagana) is a vector-borne disease caused by Trypanosomatidae, genus Trypanosoma. The disease is transmitted by the bite of infected hematophagous insects, mainly tsetse flies but also other blood-sucking insects including stomoxes and tabanids. Although many trypanosome species infect animals, the main agents responsible for this disease with a strong socio-economic and veterinary health impact are Trypanosoma congolense (T. congolense or Tc), Trypanosoma vivax (T.vivax), and to a lesser extent, Trypanosoma brucei brucei (T.brucei brucei or Tbb). These parasites mainly infect livestock, including cattle, in sub-Saharan Africa, with major repercussions in terms of animal productivity and poverty for populations which are often already very poor. As there is currently no vaccine, the fight against the disease is primarily based on diagnosis, treatment and vector control. To develop new tools (particularly therapeutic tools) to fight against the disease, we need to know both the biology and the genes involved in the pathogenicity and virulence of the parasites. To date, unlike for Trypanosoma brucei (T.brucei) or Trypanosoma cruzi (T.cruzi), genome editing tools has been relatively little used to study T. congolense. We present an efficient, reproducible and stable CRISPR-Cas9 genome editing system for use in Tc bloodstream forms (Tc-BSF). This plasmid-free system is based on transient expression of Cas9 protein and the use of a ribonucleoprotein formed by the Cas9 and sgRNA complex. This is the first proof of concept of genome editing using CRISPR-Cas9 ribonucleoproteins on Tc-BSF. This adapted protocol enriches the "toolbox" for the functional study of genes of interest in blood forms of the Trypanosoma congolense. This proof of concept is an important step for the scientific community working on the study of trypanosomes and opens up new perspectives for the control of and fight against animal trypanosomosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cécile Minet
- CIRAD, UMR INTERTRYP, F-34398, Montpellier, France; INTERTRYP, Univ Montpellier, CIRAD, IRD, Montpellier, France.
| | - Isabelle Chantal
- CIRAD, UMR INTERTRYP, F-34398, Montpellier, France; INTERTRYP, Univ Montpellier, CIRAD, IRD, Montpellier, France
| | - David Berthier
- CIRAD, UMR INTERTRYP, F-34398, Montpellier, France; INTERTRYP, Univ Montpellier, CIRAD, IRD, Montpellier, France
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35
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Ebrahimi S, Khosravi MA, Raz A, Karimipoor M, Parvizi P. CRISPR-Cas Technology as a Revolutionary Genome Editing tool: Mechanisms and Biomedical Applications. IRANIAN BIOMEDICAL JOURNAL 2023; 27:219-46. [PMID: 37873636 PMCID: PMC10707817 DOI: 10.61186/ibj.27.5.219] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2023] [Accepted: 06/14/2023] [Indexed: 12/17/2023]
Abstract
Programmable nucleases are powerful genomic tools for precise genome editing. These tools precisely recognize, remove, or change DNA at a defined site, thereby, stimulating cellular DNA repair pathways that can cause mutations or accurate replacement or deletion/insertion of a sequence. CRISPR-Cas9 system is the most potent and useful genome editing technique adapted from the defense immune system of certain bacteria and archaea against viruses and phages. In the past decade, this technology made notable progress, and at present, it has largely been used in genome manipulation to make precise gene editing in plants, animals, and human cells. In this review, we aim to explain the basic principle, mechanisms of action, and applications of this system in different areas of medicine, with emphasizing on the detection and treatment of parasitic diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sahar Ebrahimi
- Molecular Systematics Laboratory, Parasitology Department, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
- Molecular Medicine Department, Biotechnology Research Center (BRC), Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mohammad Ali Khosravi
- Molecular Medicine Department, Biotechnology Research Center (BRC), Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Abbasali Raz
- Malaria and Vector Research Group (MVRG), Biotechnology Research Center (BRC), Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Morteza Karimipoor
- Molecular Medicine Department, Biotechnology Research Center (BRC), Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Parviz Parvizi
- Molecular Systematics Laboratory, Parasitology Department, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
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36
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Chiurillo MA, Ahmed M, González C, Raja A, Lander N. Gene editing of putative cAMP and Ca 2+ -regulated proteins using an efficient cloning-free CRISPR/Cas9 system in Trypanosoma cruzi. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.07.09.548290. [PMID: 37502958 PMCID: PMC10369910 DOI: 10.1101/2023.07.09.548290] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/29/2023]
Abstract
Trypanosoma cruzi , the agent of Chagas disease, must adapt to a diversity of environmental conditions that it faces during its life cycle. The adaptation to these changes is mediated by signaling pathways that coordinate the cellular responses to the new environmental settings. Cyclic AMP (cAMP) and Calcium (Ca 2+ ) signaling pathways regulate critical cellular processes in this parasite, such as differentiation, osmoregulation, host cell invasion and cell bioenergetics. Although the use of CRISPR/Cas9 technology prompted reverse genetics approaches for functional analysis in T. cruzi , it is still necessary to expand the toolbox for genome editing in this parasite, as for example to perform multigene analysis. Here we used an efficient T7RNAP/Cas9 strategy to tag and delete three genes predicted to be involved in cAMP and Ca 2+ signaling pathways: a putative Ca 2+ /calmodulin-dependent protein kinase ( CAMK ), Flagellar Member 6 ( FLAM6 ) and Cyclic nucleotide-binding domain/C2 domain-containing protein ( CC2CP ). We endogenously tagged these three genes and determined the subcellular localization of the tagged proteins. Furthermore, the strategy used to knockout these genes allow us to presume that TcCC2CP is an essential gene in T. cruzi epimastigotes. Our results will open new venues for future research on the role of these proteins in T. cruzi .
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37
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Kieft R, Zhang Y, Yan H, Schmitz RJ, Sabatini R. Knockout of protein phosphatase 1 in Leishmania major reveals its role during RNA polymerase II transcription termination. Nucleic Acids Res 2023; 51:6208-6226. [PMID: 37194692 PMCID: PMC10325913 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkad394] [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: 03/13/2023] [Revised: 04/26/2023] [Accepted: 05/04/2023] [Indexed: 05/18/2023] Open
Abstract
The genomes of kinetoplastids are organized into polycistronic transcription units that are flanked by a modified DNA base (base J, beta-D-glucosyl-hydroxymethyluracil). Previous work established a role of base J in promoting RNA polymerase II (Pol II) termination in Leishmania major and Trypanosoma brucei. We recently identified a PJW/PP1 complex in Leishmania containing a J-binding protein (JBP3), PP1 phosphatase 1, PP1 interactive-regulatory protein (PNUTS) and Wdr82. Analyses suggested the complex regulates transcription termination by recruitment to termination sites via JBP3-base J interactions and dephosphorylation of proteins, including Pol II, by PP1. However, we never addressed the role of PP1, the sole catalytic component, in Pol II transcription termination. We now demonstrate that deletion of the PP1 component of the PJW/PP1 complex in L. major, PP1-8e, leads to readthrough transcription at the 3'-end of polycistronic gene arrays. We show PP1-8e has in vitro phosphatase activity that is lost upon mutation of a key catalytic residue and associates with PNUTS via the conserved RVxF motif. Additionally, purified PJW complex with associated PP1-8e, but not complex lacking PP1-8e, led to dephosphorylation of Pol II, suggesting a direct role of PNUTS/PP1 holoenzymes in regulating transcription termination via dephosphorylating Pol II in the nucleus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rudo Kieft
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA30602, USA
| | - Yang Zhang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA30602, USA
| | - Haidong Yan
- Department of Genetics, University of Georgia, Athens, GA30602, USA
| | - Robert J Schmitz
- Department of Genetics, University of Georgia, Athens, GA30602, USA
| | - Robert Sabatini
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA30602, USA
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McCoy CJ, Paupelin-Vaucelle H, Gorilak P, Beneke T, Varga V, Gluenz E. ULK4 and Fused/STK36 interact to mediate assembly of a motile flagellum. Mol Biol Cell 2023; 34:ar66. [PMID: 36989043 PMCID: PMC10295485 DOI: 10.1091/mbc.e22-06-0222] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2022] [Revised: 03/10/2023] [Accepted: 03/21/2023] [Indexed: 03/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Unc-51-like kinase (ULK) family serine-threonine protein kinase homologues have been linked to the function of motile cilia in diverse species. Mutations in Fused/STK36 and ULK4 in mice resulted in hydrocephalus and other phenotypes consistent with ciliary defects. How either protein contributes to the assembly and function of motile cilia is not well understood. Here we studied the phenotypes of ULK4 and Fused gene knockout (KO) mutants in the flagellated protist Leishmania mexicana. Both KO mutants exhibited a variety of structural defects of the flagellum cytoskeleton. Biochemical approaches indicate spatial proximity of these proteins and indicate a direct interaction between the N-terminus of LmxULK4 and LmxFused. Both proteins display a dispersed localization throughout the cell body and flagellum, with enrichment near the flagellar base and tip. The stable expression of LmxULK4 was dependent on the presence of LmxFused. Fused/STK36 was previously shown to localize to mammalian motile cilia, and we demonstrate here that ULK4 also localizes to the motile cilia in mouse ependymal cells. Taken together these data suggest a model where the pseudokinase ULK4 is a positive regulator of the kinase Fused/ STK36 in a pathway required for stable assembly of motile cilia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ciaran J. McCoy
- Sir William Dunn School of Pathology, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3RE, United Kingdom
| | | | - Peter Gorilak
- Institute of Molecular Genetics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, 142 20 Prague 4, Czech Republic
| | - Tom Beneke
- Sir William Dunn School of Pathology, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3RE, United Kingdom
| | - Vladimir Varga
- Institute of Molecular Genetics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, 142 20 Prague 4, Czech Republic
| | - Eva Gluenz
- Sir William Dunn School of Pathology, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3RE, United Kingdom
- Wellcome Centre for Integrative Parasitology, School of Infection and Immunity, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8TA, United Kingdom
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Bose P, Baron N, Pullaiahgari D, Ben-Zvi A, Shapira M. LeishIF3d is a non-canonical cap-binding protein in Leishmania. Front Mol Biosci 2023; 10:1191934. [PMID: 37325473 PMCID: PMC10266417 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2023.1191934] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2023] [Accepted: 05/15/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Translation of most cellular mRNAs in eukaryotes proceeds through a cap-dependent pathway, whereby the cap-binding complex, eIF4F, anchors the pre-initiation complex at the 5' end of mRNAs driving translation initiation. The genome of Leishmania encodes a large repertoire of cap-binding complexes that fulfill a variety of functions possibly involved in survival along the life cycle. However, most of these complexes function in the promastigote life form that resides in the sand fly vector and decrease their activity in amastigotes, the mammalian life form. Here we examined the possibility that LeishIF3d drives translation in Leishmania using alternative pathways. We describe a non-canonical cap-binding activity of LeishIF3d and examine its potential role in driving translation. LeishIF3d is required for translation, as reducing its expression by a hemizygous deletion reduces the translation activity of the LeishIF3d(+/-) mutant cells. Proteomic analysis of the mutant cells highlights the reduced expression of flagellar and cytoskeletal proteins, as reflected in the morphological changes observed in the mutant cells. Targeted mutations in two predicted alpha helices diminish the cap-binding activity of LeishIF3d. Overall, LeishIF3d could serve as a driving force for alternative translation pathways, although it does not seem to offer an alternative pathway for translation in amastigotes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Priyanka Bose
- Department of Life Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheva, Israel
| | - Nofar Baron
- Department of Life Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheva, Israel
| | | | - Anat Ben-Zvi
- Department of Life Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheva, Israel
| | - Michal Shapira
- Department of Life Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheva, Israel
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Campbell PC, de Graffenried CL. Morphogenesis in Trypanosoma cruzi epimastigotes proceeds via a highly asymmetric cell division. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.05.24.542100. [PMID: 37293088 PMCID: PMC10245916 DOI: 10.1101/2023.05.24.542100] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Trypanosoma cruzi is a protist parasite that is the causative agent of Chagas' disease, a neglected tropical disease endemic to the Americas. T. cruzi cells are highly polarized and undergo morphological changes as they cycle within their insect and mammalian hosts. Work on related trypanosomatids has described cell division mechanisms in several life-cycle stages and identified a set of essential morphogenic proteins that serve as markers for key events during trypanosomatid division. Here, we use Cas9-based tagging of morphogenic genes, live-cell imaging, and expansion microscopy to study the cell division mechanism of the insect-resident epimastigote form of T. cruzi, which represents an understudied trypanosomatid morphotype. We find that T. cruzi epimastigote cell division is highly asymmetric, producing one daughter cell that is significantly smaller than the other. Daughter cell division rates differ by 4.9 h, which may be a consequence of this size disparity. Many of the morphogenic proteins identified in T. brucei have altered localization patterns in T. cruzi epimastigoes, which may reflect fundamental differences in the cell division mechanism of this life cycle stage, which widens and shortens the cell body to accommodate the duplicated organelles and cleavage furrow rather than elongating the cell body along the long axis of the cell, as is the case in life-cycle stages that have been studied in T. brucei. This work provides a foundation for further investigations of T. cruzi cell division and shows that subtle differences in trypansomatid cell morphology can alter how these parasites divide.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul C. Campbell
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, USA
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Halliday C, Dean S, Sunter JD, Wheeler RJ. Subcellular protein localisation of Trypanosoma brucei bloodstream form-upregulated proteins maps stage-specific adaptations. Wellcome Open Res 2023; 8:46. [PMID: 37251657 PMCID: PMC10209625 DOI: 10.12688/wellcomeopenres.18586.2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/21/2023] [Indexed: 05/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: Genome-wide subcellular protein localisation in Trypanosoma brucei, through our TrypTag project, has comprehensively dissected the molecular organisation of this important pathogen. Powerful as this resource is , T. brucei has multiple developmental forms and we previously only analysed the procyclic form. This is an insect life cycle stage, leaving the mammalian bloodstream form unanalysed. The expectation is that between life stages protein localisation would not change dramatically (completely unchanged or shifting to analogous stage-specific structures). However, this has not been specifically tested. Similarly, which organelles tend to contain proteins with stage-specific expression can be predicted from known stage specific adaptations but has not been comprehensively tested. Methods: We used endogenous tagging with mNG to determine the sub-cellular localisation of the majority of proteins encoded by transcripts significantly upregulated in the bloodstream form, and performed comparison to the existing localisation data in procyclic forms. Results: We have confirmed the localisation of known stage-specific proteins and identified the localisation of novel stage-specific proteins. This gave a map of which organelles tend to contain stage specific proteins: the mitochondrion for the procyclic form, and the endoplasmic reticulum, endocytic system and cell surface in the bloodstream form. Conclusions: This represents the first genome-wide map of life cycle stage-specific adaptation of organelle molecular machinery in T. brucei.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clare Halliday
- Sir William Dunn School of Pathology, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Samuel Dean
- Division of Biomedical Sciences, Warwick Medical School, University of Warwick, Coventry, UK
| | - Jack Daniel Sunter
- Department of Biological and Medical Sciences, Oxford Brookes University, Oxford, UK
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Briggs EM, Marques CA, Oldrieve GR, Hu J, Otto TD, Matthews KR. Profiling the bloodstream form and procyclic form Trypanosoma brucei cell cycle using single-cell transcriptomics. eLife 2023; 12:e86325. [PMID: 37166108 PMCID: PMC10212563 DOI: 10.7554/elife.86325] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2023] [Accepted: 05/10/2023] [Indexed: 05/12/2023] Open
Abstract
African trypanosomes proliferate as bloodstream forms (BSFs) and procyclic forms in the mammal and tsetse fly midgut, respectively. This allows them to colonise the host environment upon infection and ensure life cycle progression. Yet, understanding of the mechanisms that regulate and drive the cell replication cycle of these forms is limited. Using single-cell transcriptomics on unsynchronised cell populations, we have obtained high resolution cell cycle regulated (CCR) transcriptomes of both procyclic and slender BSF Trypanosoma brucei without prior cell sorting or synchronisation. Additionally, we describe an efficient freeze-thawing protocol that allows single-cell transcriptomic analysis of cryopreserved T. brucei. Computational reconstruction of the cell cycle using periodic pseudotime inference allowed the dynamic expression patterns of cycling genes to be profiled for both life cycle forms. Comparative analyses identify a core cycling transcriptome highly conserved between forms, as well as several genes where transcript levels dynamics are form specific. Comparing transcript expression patterns with protein abundance revealed that the majority of genes with periodic cycling transcript and protein levels exhibit a relative delay between peak transcript and protein expression. This work reveals novel detail of the CCR transcriptomes of both forms, which are available for further interrogation via an interactive webtool.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emma M Briggs
- Institute for Immunology and Infection Research, School of Biological Sciences, University of EdinburghEdinburghUnited Kingdom
- Wellcome Centre for Integrative Parasitology, School of Infection & Immunity, University of GlasgowGlasgowUnited Kingdom
| | - Catarina A Marques
- Wellcome Centre for Integrative Parasitology, School of Infection & Immunity, University of GlasgowGlasgowUnited Kingdom
| | - Guy R Oldrieve
- Institute for Immunology and Infection Research, School of Biological Sciences, University of EdinburghEdinburghUnited Kingdom
| | - Jihua Hu
- Institute for Immunology and Infection Research, School of Biological Sciences, University of EdinburghEdinburghUnited Kingdom
| | - Thomas D Otto
- Wellcome Centre for Integrative Parasitology, School of Infection & Immunity, University of GlasgowGlasgowUnited Kingdom
| | - Keith R Matthews
- Institute for Immunology and Infection Research, School of Biological Sciences, University of EdinburghEdinburghUnited Kingdom
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Moreira POL, Nogueira PM, Monte-Neto RL. Next-Generation Leishmanization: Revisiting Molecular Targets for Selecting Genetically Engineered Live-Attenuated Leishmania. Microorganisms 2023; 11:microorganisms11041043. [PMID: 37110466 PMCID: PMC10145799 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms11041043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2023] [Revised: 04/07/2023] [Accepted: 04/14/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Despite decades of research devoted to finding a vaccine against leishmaniasis, we are still lacking a safe and effective vaccine for humans. Given this scenario, the search for a new prophylaxis alternative for controlling leishmaniasis should be a global priority. Inspired by leishmanization-a first generation vaccine strategy where live L. major parasites are inoculated in the skin to protect against reinfection-live-attenuated Leishmania vaccine candidates are promising alternatives due to their robust elicited protective immune response. In addition, they do not cause disease and could provide long-term protection upon challenge with a virulent strain. The discovery of a precise and easy way to perform CRISPR/Cas-based gene editing allowed the selection of safer null mutant live-attenuated Leishmania parasites obtained by gene disruption. Here, we revisited molecular targets associated with the selection of live-attenuated vaccinal strains, discussing their function, their limiting factors and the ideal candidate for the next generation of genetically engineered live-attenuated Leishmania vaccines to control leishmaniasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paulo O L Moreira
- Biotechnology Applied to Pathogens (BAP), Instituto René Rachou, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Fiocruz Minas, Belo Horizonte 30190-009, Brazil
| | - Paula M Nogueira
- Biotechnology Applied to Pathogens (BAP), Instituto René Rachou, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Fiocruz Minas, Belo Horizonte 30190-009, Brazil
| | - Rubens L Monte-Neto
- Biotechnology Applied to Pathogens (BAP), Instituto René Rachou, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Fiocruz Minas, Belo Horizonte 30190-009, Brazil
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Porta EOJ, Ballari MS, Carlucci R, Wilkinson S, Ma G, Tekwani BL, Labadie GR. Systematic study of 1,2,3-triazolyl sterols for the development of new drugs against parasitic Neglected Tropical Diseases. Eur J Med Chem 2023; 254:115378. [PMID: 37084599 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2023.115378] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2022] [Revised: 04/11/2023] [Accepted: 04/12/2023] [Indexed: 04/23/2023]
Abstract
A series of thirty 1,2,3-triazolylsterols, inspired by azasterols with proven antiparasitic activity, were prepared by a stereocontrolled synthesis. Ten of these compounds constitute chimeras/hybrids of 22,26-azasterol (AZA) and 1,2,3-triazolyl azasterols. The entire library was assayed against the kinetoplastid parasites Leishmania donovani, Trypanosoma cruzi, and Trypanosoma brucei, the causatives agents for visceral leishmaniasis, Chagas disease, and sleeping sickness, respectively. Most of the compounds were active at submicromolar/nanomolar concentrations with high selectivity index, when compared to their cytotoxicity against mammalian cells. Analysis of in silico physicochemical properties were conducted to rationalize the activities against the neglected tropical disease pathogens. The analogs with selective activity against L. donovani (E4, IC50 0.78 μM), T brucei (E1, IC50 0.12 μM) and T. cruzi (B1- IC50 0.33 μM), and the analogs with broad-spectrum antiparasitic activities against the three kinetoplastid parasites (B1 and B3), may be promising leads for further development as selective or broad-spectrum antiparasitic drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Exequiel O J Porta
- Instituto de Química Rosario (IQUIR-CONICET), Facultad de Ciencias Bioquímicas y Farmacéuticas, Universidad Nacional de Rosario, Suipacha 531, S2002LRK, Rosario, Argentina
| | - María Sol Ballari
- Instituto de Química Rosario (IQUIR-CONICET), Facultad de Ciencias Bioquímicas y Farmacéuticas, Universidad Nacional de Rosario, Suipacha 531, S2002LRK, Rosario, Argentina
| | - Renzo Carlucci
- Instituto de Química Rosario (IQUIR-CONICET), Facultad de Ciencias Bioquímicas y Farmacéuticas, Universidad Nacional de Rosario, Suipacha 531, S2002LRK, Rosario, Argentina
| | - Shane Wilkinson
- Queen Mary University of London, Mile End Road, London, E1 4NS, UK
| | - Guoyi Ma
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Division of Scientific Platforms, Southern Research, Birmingham, AL, 35205, USA
| | - Babu L Tekwani
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Division of Scientific Platforms, Southern Research, Birmingham, AL, 35205, USA
| | - Guillermo R Labadie
- Instituto de Química Rosario (IQUIR-CONICET), Facultad de Ciencias Bioquímicas y Farmacéuticas, Universidad Nacional de Rosario, Suipacha 531, S2002LRK, Rosario, Argentina; Departamento de Química Orgánica, Facultad de Ciencias Bioquímicas y Farmacéuticas, Universidad Nacional de Rosario, Suipacha 531, S2002LRK, Rosario, Argentina.
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Casas-Sanchez A, Ramaswamy R, Perally S, Haines LR, Rose C, Aguilera-Flores M, Portillo S, Verbeelen M, Hussain S, Smithson L, Yunta C, Lehane MJ, Vaughan S, van den Abbeele J, Almeida IC, Boulanger MJ, Acosta-Serrano Á. The Trypanosoma brucei MISP family of invariant proteins is co-expressed with BARP as triple helical bundle structures on the surface of salivary gland forms, but is dispensable for parasite development within the tsetse vector. PLoS Pathog 2023; 19:e1011269. [PMID: 36996244 PMCID: PMC10089363 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1011269] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2022] [Revised: 04/11/2023] [Accepted: 03/08/2023] [Indexed: 04/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Trypanosoma brucei spp. develop into mammalian-infectious metacyclic trypomastigotes inside tsetse salivary glands. Besides acquiring a variant surface glycoprotein (VSG) coat, little is known about the metacyclic expression of invariant surface antigens. Proteomic analyses of saliva from T. brucei-infected tsetse flies identified, in addition to VSG and Brucei Alanine-Rich Protein (BARP) peptides, a family of glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI)-anchored surface proteins herein named as Metacyclic Invariant Surface Proteins (MISP) because of its predominant expression on the surface of metacyclic trypomastigotes. The MISP family is encoded by five paralog genes with >80% protein identity, which are exclusively expressed by salivary gland stages of the parasite and peak in metacyclic stage, as shown by confocal microscopy and immuno-high resolution scanning electron microscopy. Crystallographic analysis of a MISP isoform (MISP360) and a high confidence model of BARP revealed a triple helical bundle architecture commonly found in other trypanosome surface proteins. Molecular modelling combined with live fluorescent microscopy suggests that MISP N-termini are potentially extended above the metacyclic VSG coat, and thus could be tested as a transmission-blocking vaccine target. However, vaccination with recombinant MISP360 isoform did not protect mice against a T. brucei infectious tsetse bite. Lastly, both CRISPR-Cas9-driven knock out and RNAi knock down of all MISP paralogues suggest they are not essential for parasite development in the tsetse vector. We suggest MISP may be relevant during trypanosome transmission or establishment in the vertebrate's skin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aitor Casas-Sanchez
- Department of Vector Biology, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, United Kingdom
- Department of Tropical Disease Biology, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | | | - Samïrah Perally
- Department of Tropical Disease Biology, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Lee R. Haines
- Department of Vector Biology, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Clair Rose
- Department of Vector Biology, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Marcela Aguilera-Flores
- Border Biomedical Research Center, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Texas at El Paso, El Paso, Texas, United States of America
| | - Susana Portillo
- Border Biomedical Research Center, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Texas at El Paso, El Paso, Texas, United States of America
| | | | | | - Laura Smithson
- Biological and Medical Sciences, Oxford Brookes University, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Cristina Yunta
- Department of Vector Biology, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Michael J. Lehane
- Department of Vector Biology, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Sue Vaughan
- Biological and Medical Sciences, Oxford Brookes University, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | | | - Igor C. Almeida
- Border Biomedical Research Center, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Texas at El Paso, El Paso, Texas, United States of America
| | - Martin J. Boulanger
- Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, University of Victoria, Victoria, Canada
| | - Álvaro Acosta-Serrano
- Department of Vector Biology, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, United Kingdom
- Department of Tropical Disease Biology, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, United Kingdom
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Vats K, Tandon R, Roshanara, Beg MA, Corrales RM, Yagoubat A, Reyaz E, Wani TH, Baig MS, Chaudhury A, Krishnan A, Puri N, Salotra P, Sterkers Y, Selvapandiyan A. Interaction of novel proteins, centrin4 and protein of centriole in Leishmania parasite and their effects on the parasite growth. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA. MOLECULAR CELL RESEARCH 2023; 1870:119416. [PMID: 36623775 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamcr.2022.119416] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2022] [Revised: 12/07/2022] [Accepted: 12/14/2022] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Centrins are cytoskeletal proteins associated with the centrosomes or basal bodies in the eukaryotes. We previously reported the involvement of Centrin 1-3 proteins in cell division in the protozoan parasites Leishmania donovani and Trypanosoma brucei. Centrin4 and 5, unique to such parasites, had never been characterized in Leishmania parasite. In the current study, we addressed the function of centrin4 (LdCen4) in Leishmania. By dominant-negative study, the episomal expression of C-terminal truncated LdCen4 in the parasite reduced the parasite growth. LdCen4 double allele gene deletion by either homologous recombination or CRISPR-Cas9 was not successful in L. donovani. However, CRISPR-Cas9-based deletion of the homologous gene was possible in L. mexicana, which attenuated the parasite growth in vitro, but not ex vivo in the macrophages. LdCen4 also interacts with endogenous and overexpressed LdPOC protein, a homolog of centrin reacting human POC (protein of centriole) in a calcium sensitive manner. LdCen4 and LdPOC binding has also been confirmed through in silico analysis by protein structural docking and validated by co-immunoprecipitation. By immunofluorescence studies, we found that both the proteins share a common localization at the basal bodies. Thus, for the first time, this article describes novel centrin4 and its binding protein in the protozoan parasites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kavita Vats
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Jamia Hamdard, New Delhi 110062, India; Department of Bio & Nano Technology, Bio & Nano Technology Centre, Guru Jambheshwar University of Science and Technology, Hisar 125001, India; MiVEGEC, University of Montpellier, CNRS, IRD, Academic Hospital (CHU) of Montpellier, Montpellier 34295, France
| | - Rati Tandon
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Jamia Hamdard, New Delhi 110062, India
| | - Roshanara
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Jamia Hamdard, New Delhi 110062, India
| | - Mirza A Beg
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Jamia Hamdard, New Delhi 110062, India
| | - Rosa M Corrales
- MiVEGEC, University of Montpellier, CNRS, IRD, Academic Hospital (CHU) of Montpellier, Montpellier 34295, France
| | - Akila Yagoubat
- MiVEGEC, University of Montpellier, CNRS, IRD, Academic Hospital (CHU) of Montpellier, Montpellier 34295, France
| | - Enam Reyaz
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Jamia Hamdard, New Delhi 110062, India
| | - Tasaduq H Wani
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Jamia Hamdard, New Delhi 110062, India
| | - Mirza S Baig
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Jamia Hamdard, New Delhi 110062, India
| | - Ashok Chaudhury
- Department of Bio & Nano Technology, Bio & Nano Technology Centre, Guru Jambheshwar University of Science and Technology, Hisar 125001, India
| | - Anuja Krishnan
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Jamia Hamdard, New Delhi 110062, India
| | - Niti Puri
- School of Life Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi 110067, India
| | - Poonam Salotra
- ICMR-National Institute of Pathology, Safdarjung Hospital Campus, New Delhi 110029, India
| | - Yvon Sterkers
- MiVEGEC, University of Montpellier, CNRS, IRD, Academic Hospital (CHU) of Montpellier, Montpellier 34295, France
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Beneke T, Dobramysl U, Catta-Preta CMC, Mottram JC, Gluenz E, Wheeler RJ. Genome sequence of Leishmania mexicana MNYC/BZ/62/M379 expressing Cas9 and T7 RNA polymerase. Wellcome Open Res 2023; 7:294. [PMID: 36874584 PMCID: PMC9975418 DOI: 10.12688/wellcomeopenres.18575.2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/15/2023] [Indexed: 02/25/2023] Open
Abstract
We present the genome sequence of Leishmania mexicana MNYC/BZ/62/M379 modified to express Cas9 and T7 RNA-polymerase, revealing high similarity to the reference genome (MHOM/GT2001/U1103). Through RNAseq-based annotation of coding sequences and untranslated regions, we provide primer sequences for construct and sgRNA template generation for CRISPR-assisted gene deletion and endogenous tagging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tom Beneke
- Sir William Dunn School of Pathology, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Biocentre, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, 97074, Germany
| | - Ulrich Dobramysl
- Peter Medawar Building for Pathogen Research, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | | | | | - Eva Gluenz
- Sir William Dunn School of Pathology, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
- Institute of Cell Biology, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Richard J. Wheeler
- Peter Medawar Building for Pathogen Research, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
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Ungogo MA, Aldfer MM, Natto MJ, Zhuang H, Chisholm R, Walsh K, McGee M, Ilbeigi K, Asseri JI, Burchmore RJS, Caljon G, Van Calenbergh S, De Koning HP. Cloning and Characterization of Trypanosoma congolense and T. vivax Nucleoside Transporters Reveal the Potential of P1-Type Carriers for the Discovery of Broad-Spectrum Nucleoside-Based Therapeutics against Animal African Trypanosomiasis. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24043144. [PMID: 36834557 PMCID: PMC9960827 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24043144] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2023] [Revised: 02/01/2023] [Accepted: 02/02/2023] [Indexed: 02/09/2023] Open
Abstract
African Animal Trypanosomiasis (AAT), caused predominantly by Trypanosoma brucei brucei, T. vivax and T. congolense, is a fatal livestock disease throughout Sub-Saharan Africa. Treatment options are very limited and threatened by resistance. Tubercidin (7-deazaadenosine) analogs have shown activity against individual parasites but viable chemotherapy must be active against all three species. Divergence in sensitivity to nucleoside antimetabolites could be caused by differences in nucleoside transporters. Having previously characterized the T. brucei nucleoside carriers, we here report the functional expression and characterization of the main adenosine transporters of T. vivax (TvxNT3) and T. congolense (TcoAT1/NT10), in a Leishmania mexicana cell line ('SUPKO') lacking adenosine uptake. Both carriers were similar to the T. brucei P1-type transporters and bind adenosine mostly through interactions with N3, N7 and 3'-OH. Expression of TvxNT3 and TcoAT1 sensitized SUPKO cells to various 7-substituted tubercidins and other nucleoside analogs although tubercidin itself is a poor substrate for P1-type transporters. Individual nucleoside EC50s were similar for T. b. brucei, T. congolense, T. evansi and T. equiperdum but correlated less well with T. vivax. However, multiple nucleosides including 7-halogentubercidines displayed pEC50>7 for all species and, based on transporter and anti-parasite SAR analyses, we conclude that nucleoside chemotherapy for AAT is viable.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marzuq A. Ungogo
- School of Infection and Immunity, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8TA, UK
- Department of Veterinary Pharmacology and Toxicology, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria 810107, Kaduna State, Nigeria
- Roslin Institute, Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, University of Edinburgh, Midlothian EH25 9RG, UK
| | - Mustafa M. Aldfer
- School of Infection and Immunity, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8TA, UK
| | - Manal J. Natto
- School of Infection and Immunity, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8TA, UK
| | - Hainan Zhuang
- School of Infection and Immunity, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8TA, UK
| | - Robyn Chisholm
- School of Infection and Immunity, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8TA, UK
| | - Katy Walsh
- School of Infection and Immunity, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8TA, UK
| | - MarieClaire McGee
- School of Infection and Immunity, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8TA, UK
| | - Kayhan Ilbeigi
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Parasitology and Hygiene (LMPH), University of Antwerp, B-2610 Wilrijk, Belgium
| | - Jamal Ibrahim Asseri
- School of Infection and Immunity, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8TA, UK
| | - Richard J. S. Burchmore
- School of Infection and Immunity, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8TA, UK
| | - Guy Caljon
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Parasitology and Hygiene (LMPH), University of Antwerp, B-2610 Wilrijk, Belgium
| | - Serge Van Calenbergh
- Laboratory for Medicinal Chemistry (Campus Heymans), Ghent University, B-9000 Gent, Belgium
| | - Harry P. De Koning
- School of Infection and Immunity, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8TA, UK
- Correspondence:
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Halliday C, Dean S, Sunter JD, Wheeler RJ. Subcellular protein localisation of Trypanosoma brucei bloodstream form-upregulated proteins maps stage-specific adaptations. Wellcome Open Res 2023. [DOI: 10.12688/wellcomeopenres.18586.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: Genome-wide subcellular protein localisation in Trypanosoma brucei, through our TrypTag project, has comprehensively dissected the molecular organisation of this important pathogen. Powerful as this resource is, T. brucei has multiple developmental forms and we previously only analysed the procyclic form. This is an insect life cycle stage, leaving the mammalian bloodstream form unanalysed. The expectation is that between life stages protein localisation would not change dramatically (completely unchanged or shifting to analogous stage-specific structures). However, this has not been specifically tested. Similarly, which organelles tend to contain proteins with stage-specific expression can be predicted from known stage specific adaptations but has not been comprehensively tested. Methods: We used endogenous tagging with mNG to determine the sub-cellular localisation of the majority of proteins encoded by transcripts significantly upregulated in the bloodstream form, and performed comparison to the existing localisation data in procyclic forms. Results: We have confirmed the localisation of known and identified the localisation of novel stage-specific proteins. This gave a map of which organelles tend to contain stage specific proteins: the mitochondrion for the procyclic form, and the endoplasmic reticulum, endocytic system and cell surface in the bloodstream form. Conclusions: This represents the first genome-wide map of life cycle stage-specific adaptation of organelle molecular machinery in T. brucei.
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Black JA, Reis-Cunha JL, Cruz AK, Tosi LR. Life in plastic, it's fantastic! How Leishmania exploit genome instability to shape gene expression. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2023; 13:1102462. [PMID: 36779182 PMCID: PMC9910336 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2023.1102462] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2022] [Accepted: 01/05/2023] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Leishmania are kinetoplastid pathogens that cause leishmaniasis, a debilitating and potentially life-threatening infection if untreated. Unusually, Leishmania regulate their gene expression largely post-transcriptionally due to the arrangement of their coding genes into polycistronic transcription units that may contain 100s of functionally unrelated genes. Yet, Leishmania are capable of rapid and responsive changes in gene expression to challenging environments, often instead correlating with dynamic changes in their genome composition, ranging from chromosome and gene copy number variations to the generation of extrachromosomal DNA and the accumulation of point mutations. Typically, such events indicate genome instability in other eukaryotes, coinciding with genetic abnormalities, but for Leishmania, exploiting these products of genome instability can provide selectable substrates to catalyse necessary gene expression changes by modifying gene copy number. Unorthodox DNA replication, DNA repair, replication stress factors and DNA repeats are recognised in Leishmania as contributors to this intrinsic instability, but how Leishmania regulate genome plasticity to enhance fitness whilst limiting toxic under- or over-expression of co-amplified and co-transcribed genes is unclear. Herein, we focus on fresh, and detailed insights that improve our understanding of genome plasticity in Leishmania. Furthermore, we discuss emerging models and factors that potentially circumvent regulatory issues arising from polycistronic transcription. Lastly, we highlight key gaps in our understanding of Leishmania genome plasticity and discuss future studies to define, in higher resolution, these complex regulatory interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer A. Black
- Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil,The Wellcome Centre for Integrative Parasitology, School of Infection, Immunity, and Inflammation, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom,*Correspondence: Luiz. R.O. Tosi, ; Jennifer A. Black,
| | | | - Angela. K. Cruz
- Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
| | - Luiz. R.O. Tosi
- Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil,*Correspondence: Luiz. R.O. Tosi, ; Jennifer A. Black,
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