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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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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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3
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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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4
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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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Shanmugasundram A, Starns D, Böhme U, Amos B, Wilkinson PA, Harb OS, Warrenfeltz S, Kissinger JC, McDowell MA, Roos DS, Crouch K, Jones AR. TriTrypDB: An integrated functional genomics resource for kinetoplastida. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2023; 17:e0011058. [PMID: 36656904 PMCID: PMC9888696 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0011058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2022] [Revised: 01/31/2023] [Accepted: 12/23/2022] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Parasitic diseases caused by kinetoplastid parasites are a burden to public health throughout tropical and subtropical regions of the world. TriTrypDB (https://tritrypdb.org) is a free online resource for data mining of genomic and functional data from these kinetoplastid parasites and is part of the VEuPathDB Bioinformatics Resource Center (https://veupathdb.org). As of release 59, TriTrypDB hosts 83 kinetoplastid genomes, nine of which, including Trypanosoma brucei brucei TREU927, Trypanosoma cruzi CL Brener and Leishmania major Friedlin, undergo manual curation by integrating information from scientific publications, high-throughput assays and user submitted comments. TriTrypDB also integrates transcriptomic, proteomic, epigenomic, population-level and isolate data, functional information from genome-wide RNAi knock-down and fluorescent tagging, and results from automated bioinformatics analysis pipelines. TriTrypDB offers a user-friendly web interface embedded with a genome browser, search strategy system and bioinformatics tools to support custom in silico experiments that leverage integrated data. A Galaxy workspace enables users to analyze their private data (e.g., RNA-sequencing, variant calling, etc.) and explore their results privately in the context of publicly available information in the database. The recent addition of an annotation platform based on Apollo enables users to provide both functional and structural changes that will appear as 'community annotations' immediately and, pending curatorial review, will be integrated into the official genome annotation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Achchuthan Shanmugasundram
- Department of Biochemistry and Systems Biology, Institute of Integrative, Systems and Molecular Biology, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - David Starns
- Department of Biochemistry and Systems Biology, Institute of Integrative, Systems and Molecular Biology, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Ulrike Böhme
- Department of Biochemistry and Systems Biology, Institute of Integrative, Systems and Molecular Biology, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Beatrice Amos
- Department of Biochemistry and Systems Biology, Institute of Integrative, Systems and Molecular Biology, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Paul A. Wilkinson
- Department of Biochemistry and Systems Biology, Institute of Integrative, Systems and Molecular Biology, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Omar S. Harb
- Department of Biology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Susanne Warrenfeltz
- Center for Tropical & Emerging Global Diseases, Department of Genetics, Institute of Bioinformatics, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Jessica C. Kissinger
- Center for Tropical & Emerging Global Diseases, Department of Genetics, Institute of Bioinformatics, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Mary Ann McDowell
- Department of Biological Sciences, Eck Institute for Global Health, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana, United States of America
| | - David S. Roos
- Department of Biology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Kathryn Crouch
- School of Infection and Immunity, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Andrew R. Jones
- Department of Biochemistry and Systems Biology, Institute of Integrative, Systems and Molecular Biology, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom
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Geoghegan V, Carnielli JBT, Jones NG, Saldivia M, Antoniou S, Hughes C, Neish R, Dowle A, Mottram JC. CLK1/CLK2-driven signalling at the Leishmania kinetochore is captured by spatially referenced proximity phosphoproteomics. Commun Biol 2022; 5:1305. [PMID: 36437406 PMCID: PMC9701682 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-022-04280-1] [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: 08/10/2022] [Accepted: 11/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Kinetochores in the parasite Leishmania and related kinetoplastids appear to be unique amongst eukaryotes and contain protein kinases as core components. Using the kinetochore kinases KKT2, KKT3 and CLK2 as baits, we developed a BirA* proximity biotinylation methodology optimised for sensitivity, XL-BioID, to investigate the composition and function of the Leishmania kinetochore. We could detect many of the predicted components and also discovered two novel kinetochore proteins, KKT24 and KKT26. Using KKT3 tagged with a fast-acting promiscuous biotin ligase variant, we took proximity biotinylation snapshots of the kinetochore in synchronised parasites. To quantify proximal phosphosites at the kinetochore as the parasite progressed through the cell cycle, we further developed a spatially referenced proximity phosphoproteomics approach. This revealed a group of phosphosites at the kinetochore that were highly dynamic during kinetochore assembly. We show that the kinase inhibitor AB1 targets CLK1/CLK2 (KKT10/KKT19) in Leishmania leading to defective cytokinesis. Using AB1 to uncover CLK1/CLK2 driven signalling pathways important for kinetochore function at G2/M, we found a set of 16 inhibitor responsive kinetochore-proximal phosphosites. Our results exploit new proximity labelling approaches to provide a direct analysis of the Leishmania kinetochore, which is emerging as a promising drug target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vincent Geoghegan
- grid.5685.e0000 0004 1936 9668York Biomedical Research Institute and Department of Biology, University of York, Wentworth Way, Heslington, York, YO10 5DD UK
| | - Juliana B. T. Carnielli
- grid.5685.e0000 0004 1936 9668York Biomedical Research Institute and Department of Biology, University of York, Wentworth Way, Heslington, York, YO10 5DD UK
| | - Nathaniel G. Jones
- grid.5685.e0000 0004 1936 9668York Biomedical Research Institute and Department of Biology, University of York, Wentworth Way, Heslington, York, YO10 5DD UK
| | - Manuel Saldivia
- grid.418424.f0000 0004 0439 2056Novartis Institute for Tropical Diseases, Emeryville, CA USA
| | - Sergios Antoniou
- grid.5685.e0000 0004 1936 9668York Biomedical Research Institute and Department of Biology, University of York, Wentworth Way, Heslington, York, YO10 5DD UK
| | - Charlotte Hughes
- grid.5685.e0000 0004 1936 9668York Biomedical Research Institute and Department of Biology, University of York, Wentworth Way, Heslington, York, YO10 5DD UK
| | - Rachel Neish
- grid.5685.e0000 0004 1936 9668York Biomedical Research Institute and Department of Biology, University of York, Wentworth Way, Heslington, York, YO10 5DD UK
| | - Adam Dowle
- grid.5685.e0000 0004 1936 9668Bioscience Technology Facility, Department of Biology, University of York, York, YO10 5DD UK
| | - Jeremy C. Mottram
- grid.5685.e0000 0004 1936 9668York Biomedical Research Institute and Department of Biology, University of York, Wentworth Way, Heslington, York, YO10 5DD UK
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7
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Monte Neto RLD, Moreira POL, de Sousa AM, Garcia MADN, Maran SR, Moretti NS. Antileishmanial metallodrugs and the elucidation of new drug targets linked to post-translational modifications machinery: pitfalls and progress. Mem Inst Oswaldo Cruz 2022; 117:e210403. [PMID: 35320824 PMCID: PMC8944189 DOI: 10.1590/0074-02760220403] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2021] [Accepted: 01/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite the increasing number of manuscripts describing potential alternative antileishmanial compounds, little is advancing on translating these knowledges to new products to treat leishmaniasis. This is in part due to the lack of standardisations during pre-clinical drug discovery stage and also depends on the alignment of goals among universities/research centers, government and pharmaceutical industry. Inspired or not by drug repurposing, metal-based antileishmanial drugs represent a class that deserves more attention on its use for leishmaniasis chemotherapy. Together with new chemical entities, progresses have been made on the knowledge of parasite-specific drug targets specially after using CRISPR/Cas system for functional studies. In this regard, Leishmania parasites undergoe post-translational modification as key regulators in several cellular processes, which represents an entire new field for drug target elucidation, once this is poorly explored. This perspective review describes the advances on antileishmanial metallodrugs and the elucidation of drug targets based on post-translational modifications, highlighting the limitations on the drug discovery/development process and suggesting standardisations focused on products addressed to who need it most.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rubens Lima do Monte Neto
- Fundação Oswaldo Cruz-Fiocruz, Instituto René Rachou, Grupo de Pesquisas em Biotecnologia Aplicada ao Estudo de Patógenos, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brasil
| | - Paulo Otávio Lourenço Moreira
- Fundação Oswaldo Cruz-Fiocruz, Instituto René Rachou, Grupo de Pesquisas em Biotecnologia Aplicada ao Estudo de Patógenos, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brasil
| | - Alessandra Mara de Sousa
- Fundação Oswaldo Cruz-Fiocruz, Instituto René Rachou, Grupo de Pesquisas em Biotecnologia Aplicada ao Estudo de Patógenos, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brasil
| | - Miguel Antonio do Nascimento Garcia
- Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Departamento de Microbiologia, Imunologia e Parasitologia, Laboratório de Biologia Molecular de Patógenos, São Paulo, SP, Brasil
| | - Suellen Rodrigues Maran
- Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Departamento de Microbiologia, Imunologia e Parasitologia, Laboratório de Biologia Molecular de Patógenos, São Paulo, SP, Brasil
| | - Nilmar Silvio Moretti
- Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Departamento de Microbiologia, Imunologia e Parasitologia, Laboratório de Biologia Molecular de Patógenos, São Paulo, SP, Brasil
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8
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Monte Neto RLD, Moreira POL, de Sousa AM, Garcia MADN, Maran SR, Moretti NS. Antileishmanial metallodrugs and the elucidation of new drug targets linked to post-translational modifications machinery: pitfalls and progress. Mem Inst Oswaldo Cruz 2022. [DOI: 10.1590/0074-02760210403] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
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Assis LHC, Andrade-Silva D, Shiburah ME, de Oliveira BCD, Paiva SC, Abuchery BE, Ferri YG, Fontes VS, de Oliveira LS, da Silva MS, Cano MIN. Cell Cycle, Telomeres, and Telomerase in Leishmania spp.: What Do We Know So Far? Cells 2021; 10:cells10113195. [PMID: 34831418 PMCID: PMC8621916 DOI: 10.3390/cells10113195] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2021] [Revised: 11/12/2021] [Accepted: 11/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Leishmaniases belong to the inglorious group of neglected tropical diseases, presenting different degrees of manifestations severity. It is caused by the transmission of more than 20 species of parasites of the Leishmania genus. Nevertheless, the disease remains on the priority list for developing new treatments, since it affects millions in a vast geographical area, especially low-income people. Molecular biology studies are pioneers in parasitic research with the aim of discovering potential targets for drug development. Among them are the telomeres, DNA–protein structures that play an important role in the long term in cell cycle/survival. Telomeres are the physical ends of eukaryotic chromosomes. Due to their multiple interactions with different proteins that confer a likewise complex dynamic, they have emerged as objects of interest in many medical studies, including studies on leishmaniases. This review aims to gather information and elucidate what we know about the phenomena behind Leishmania spp. telomere maintenance and how it impacts the parasite’s cell cycle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luiz H. C. Assis
- Telomeres Laboratory, Department of Chemical and Biological Sciences, Biosciences Institute, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Botucatu 18618-689, Brazil; (L.H.C.A.); (D.A.-S.); (M.E.S.); (B.C.D.d.O.); (S.C.P.); (V.S.F.); (L.S.d.O.)
| | - Débora Andrade-Silva
- Telomeres Laboratory, Department of Chemical and Biological Sciences, Biosciences Institute, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Botucatu 18618-689, Brazil; (L.H.C.A.); (D.A.-S.); (M.E.S.); (B.C.D.d.O.); (S.C.P.); (V.S.F.); (L.S.d.O.)
| | - Mark E. Shiburah
- Telomeres Laboratory, Department of Chemical and Biological Sciences, Biosciences Institute, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Botucatu 18618-689, Brazil; (L.H.C.A.); (D.A.-S.); (M.E.S.); (B.C.D.d.O.); (S.C.P.); (V.S.F.); (L.S.d.O.)
| | - Beatriz C. D. de Oliveira
- Telomeres Laboratory, Department of Chemical and Biological Sciences, Biosciences Institute, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Botucatu 18618-689, Brazil; (L.H.C.A.); (D.A.-S.); (M.E.S.); (B.C.D.d.O.); (S.C.P.); (V.S.F.); (L.S.d.O.)
| | - Stephany C. Paiva
- Telomeres Laboratory, Department of Chemical and Biological Sciences, Biosciences Institute, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Botucatu 18618-689, Brazil; (L.H.C.A.); (D.A.-S.); (M.E.S.); (B.C.D.d.O.); (S.C.P.); (V.S.F.); (L.S.d.O.)
| | - Bryan E. Abuchery
- DNA Replication and Repair Laboratory (DRRL), Department of Chemical and Biological Sciences, Biosciences Institute, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Botucatu 18618-689, Brazil; (B.E.A.); (Y.G.F.)
| | - Yete G. Ferri
- DNA Replication and Repair Laboratory (DRRL), Department of Chemical and Biological Sciences, Biosciences Institute, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Botucatu 18618-689, Brazil; (B.E.A.); (Y.G.F.)
| | - Veronica S. Fontes
- Telomeres Laboratory, Department of Chemical and Biological Sciences, Biosciences Institute, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Botucatu 18618-689, Brazil; (L.H.C.A.); (D.A.-S.); (M.E.S.); (B.C.D.d.O.); (S.C.P.); (V.S.F.); (L.S.d.O.)
| | - Leilane S. de Oliveira
- Telomeres Laboratory, Department of Chemical and Biological Sciences, Biosciences Institute, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Botucatu 18618-689, Brazil; (L.H.C.A.); (D.A.-S.); (M.E.S.); (B.C.D.d.O.); (S.C.P.); (V.S.F.); (L.S.d.O.)
| | - Marcelo S. da Silva
- DNA Replication and Repair Laboratory (DRRL), Department of Chemical and Biological Sciences, Biosciences Institute, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Botucatu 18618-689, Brazil; (B.E.A.); (Y.G.F.)
- Correspondence: (M.S.d.S.); (M.I.N.C.)
| | - Maria Isabel N. Cano
- Telomeres Laboratory, Department of Chemical and Biological Sciences, Biosciences Institute, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Botucatu 18618-689, Brazil; (L.H.C.A.); (D.A.-S.); (M.E.S.); (B.C.D.d.O.); (S.C.P.); (V.S.F.); (L.S.d.O.)
- Correspondence: (M.S.d.S.); (M.I.N.C.)
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Kirti A, Sharma M, Rani K, Bansal A. CRISPRing protozoan parasites to better understand the biology of diseases. PROGRESS IN MOLECULAR BIOLOGY AND TRANSLATIONAL SCIENCE 2021; 180:21-68. [PMID: 33934837 DOI: 10.1016/bs.pmbts.2021.01.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Precise gene editing techniques are paramount to gain deeper insights into the biological processes such as host-parasite interactions, drug resistance mechanisms, and gene-function relationships. Discovery of CRISPR-Cas9 system has spearheaded mechanistic understanding of protozoan parasite biology as evident from the number of reports in the last decade. Here, we have described the use of CRISPR-Cas9 in understanding the biology of medically important protozoan parasites such as Plasmodium, Leishmania, Trypanosoma, Babesia and Trichomonas. In spite of intrinsic difficulties in genome editing in these protozoan parasites, CRISPR-Cas9 has acted as a catalyst for faster generation of desired transgenic parasites. Modifications in the CRISPR-Cas9 system for improving the efficiency have been useful in better understanding the molecular mechanisms associated with repair of double strand breaks in the parasites. Moreover, improvement in reagents used for CRISPR mediated gene editing have been instrumental in addressing the issue of non-specificity and toxicity for therapeutic use. These application-based modifications may help in further increasing the efficiency of gene editing in protozoan parasites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Apurva Kirti
- School of Life Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, India
| | - Manish Sharma
- School of Life Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, India
| | - Komal Rani
- School of Life Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, India
| | - Abhisheka Bansal
- School of Life Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, India.
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Application of CRISPR/Cas9-Based Reverse Genetics in Leishmania braziliensis: Conserved Roles for HSP100 and HSP23. Genes (Basel) 2020; 11:genes11101159. [PMID: 33007987 PMCID: PMC7601497 DOI: 10.3390/genes11101159] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2020] [Revised: 09/23/2020] [Accepted: 09/25/2020] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
The protozoan parasite Leishmania (Viannia) braziliensis (L. braziliensis) is the main cause of human tegumentary leishmaniasis in the New World, a disease affecting the skin and/or mucosal tissues. Despite its importance, the study of the unique biology of L. braziliensis through reverse genetics analyses has so far lagged behind in comparison with Old World Leishmania spp. In this study, we successfully applied a cloning-free, PCR-based CRISPR–Cas9 technology in L. braziliensis that was previously developed for Old World Leishmania major and New World L. mexicana species. As proof of principle, we demonstrate the targeted replacement of a transgene (eGFP) and two L. braziliensis single-copy genes (HSP23 and HSP100). We obtained homozygous Cas9-free HSP23- and HSP100-null mutants in L. braziliensis that matched the phenotypes reported previously for the respective L. donovani null mutants. The function of HSP23 is indeed conserved throughout the Trypanosomatida as L. majorHSP23 null mutants could be complemented phenotypically with transgenes from a range of trypanosomatids. In summary, the feasibility of genetic manipulation of L. braziliensis by CRISPR–Cas9-mediated gene editing sets the stage for testing the role of specific genes in that parasite’s biology, including functional studies of virulence factors in relevant animal models to reveal novel therapeutic targets to combat American tegumentary leishmaniasis.
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Yagoubat A, Corrales RM, Bastien P, Lévêque MF, Sterkers Y. Gene Editing in Trypanosomatids: Tips and Tricks in the CRISPR-Cas9 Era. Trends Parasitol 2020; 36:745-760. [DOI: 10.1016/j.pt.2020.06.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2020] [Revised: 06/19/2020] [Accepted: 06/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
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