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Ewald S, Nasuhidehnavi A, Feng TY, Lesani M, McCall LI. The intersection of host in vivo metabolism and immune responses to infection with kinetoplastid and apicomplexan parasites. Microbiol Mol Biol Rev 2024; 88:e0016422. [PMID: 38299836 PMCID: PMC10966954 DOI: 10.1128/mmbr.00164-22] [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] [Indexed: 02/02/2024] Open
Abstract
SUMMARYProtozoan parasite infection dramatically alters host metabolism, driven by immunological demand and parasite manipulation strategies. Immunometabolic checkpoints are often exploited by kinetoplastid and protozoan parasites to establish chronic infection, which can significantly impair host metabolic homeostasis. The recent growth of tools to analyze metabolism is expanding our understanding of these questions. Here, we review and contrast host metabolic alterations that occur in vivo during infection with Leishmania, trypanosomes, Toxoplasma, Plasmodium, and Cryptosporidium. Although genetically divergent, there are commonalities among these pathogens in terms of metabolic needs, induction of the type I immune responses required for clearance, and the potential for sustained host metabolic dysbiosis. Comparing these pathogens provides an opportunity to explore how transmission strategy, nutritional demand, and host cell and tissue tropism drive similarities and unique aspects in host response and infection outcome and to design new strategies to treat disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Ewald
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Cancer Biology at the Carter Immunology Center, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA
| | - Azadeh Nasuhidehnavi
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Oklahoma, Norman, Oklahoma, USA
| | - Tzu-Yu Feng
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Cancer Biology at the Carter Immunology Center, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA
| | - Mahbobeh Lesani
- Department of Microbiology and Plant Biology, University of Oklahoma, Norman, Oklahoma, USA
| | - Laura-Isobel McCall
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Oklahoma, Norman, Oklahoma, USA
- Department of Microbiology and Plant Biology, University of Oklahoma, Norman, Oklahoma, USA
- Laboratories of Molecular Anthropology and Microbiome Research, University of Oklahoma, Norman, Oklahoma, USA
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, San Diego State University, San Diego, California, USA
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2
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Docampo R. Advances in the cellular biology, biochemistry, and molecular biology of acidocalcisomes. Microbiol Mol Biol Rev 2024; 88:e0004223. [PMID: 38099688 PMCID: PMC10966946 DOI: 10.1128/mmbr.00042-23] [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] [Indexed: 02/04/2024] Open
Abstract
SUMMARYAcidocalcisomes are organelles conserved during evolution and closely related to the so-called volutin granules of bacteria and archaea, to the acidocalcisome-like vacuoles of yeasts, and to the lysosome-related organelles of animal species. All these organelles have in common their acidity and high content of polyphosphate and calcium. They are characterized by a variety of functions from storage of phosphorus and calcium to roles in Ca2+ signaling, osmoregulation, blood coagulation, and inflammation. They interact with other organelles through membrane contact sites or by fusion, and have several enzymes, pumps, transporters, and channels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberto Docampo
- Department of Cellular Biology, Center for Tropical and Emerging Global Diseases, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, USA
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3
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Basu S, Pawlowic MC, Hsu FF, Thomas G, Zhang K. Ethanolaminephosphate cytidylyltransferase is essential for survival, lipid homeostasis and stress tolerance in Leishmania major. PLoS Pathog 2023; 19:e1011112. [PMID: 37506172 PMCID: PMC10411802 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1011112] [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: 01/10/2023] [Revised: 08/09/2023] [Accepted: 07/12/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Glycerophospholipids including phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) and phosphatidylcholine (PC) are vital components of biological membranes. Trypanosomatid parasites of the genus Leishmania can acquire PE and PC via de novo synthesis and the uptake/remodeling of host lipids. In this study, we investigated the ethanolaminephosphate cytidylyltransferase (EPCT) in Leishmania major, which is the causative agent for cutaneous leishmaniasis. EPCT is a key enzyme in the ethanolamine branch of the Kennedy pathway which is responsible for the de novo synthesis of PE. Our results demonstrate that L. major EPCT is a cytosolic protein capable of catalyzing the formation of CDP-ethanolamine from ethanolamine-phosphate and cytidine triphosphate. Genetic manipulation experiments indicate that EPCT is essential in both the promastigote and amastigote stages of L. major as the chromosomal null mutants cannot survive without the episomal expression of EPCT. This differs from our previous findings on the choline branch of the Kennedy pathway (responsible for PC synthesis) which is required only in promastigotes but not amastigotes. While episomal EPCT expression does not affect promastigote proliferation under normal conditions, it leads to reduced production of ethanolamine plasmalogen or plasmenylethanolamine, the dominant PE subtype in Leishmania. In addition, parasites with episomal EPCT exhibit heightened sensitivity to acidic pH and starvation stress, and significant reduction in virulence. In summary, our investigation demonstrates that proper regulation of EPCT expression is crucial for PE synthesis, stress response, and survival of Leishmania parasites throughout their life cycle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Somrita Basu
- Department of Biological Sciences, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas, United States of America
| | - Mattie C. Pawlowic
- Department of Biological Sciences, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas, United States of America
- Wellcome Centre for Anti-Infectives Research (WCAIR), Division of Biological Chemistry and Drug Discovery, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee, United Kingdom
| | - Fong-Fu Hsu
- Mass Spectrometry Resource, Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism, and Lipid Research, Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, Missouri, United States of America
| | - Geoff Thomas
- Department of Biological Sciences, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas, United States of America
| | - Kai Zhang
- Department of Biological Sciences, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas, United States of America
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4
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Haram CS, Moitra S, Keane R, Kuhlmann FM, Frankfater C, Hsu FF, Beverley SM, Zhang K, Keyel PA. The sphingolipids ceramide and inositol phosphorylceramide protect the Leishmania major membrane from sterol-specific toxins. J Biol Chem 2023; 299:104745. [PMID: 37094699 PMCID: PMC10209034 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2023.104745] [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: 01/16/2023] [Revised: 04/19/2023] [Accepted: 04/21/2023] [Indexed: 04/26/2023] Open
Abstract
The accessibility of sterols in mammalian cells to exogenous sterol-binding agents has been well-described previously, but sterol accessibility in distantly related protozoa is unclear. The human pathogen Leishmania major uses sterols and sphingolipids distinct from those used in mammals. Sterols in mammalian cells can be sheltered from sterol-binding agents by membrane components, including sphingolipids, but the surface exposure of ergosterol in Leishmania remains unknown. Here, we used flow cytometry to test the ability of the Leishmania major sphingolipids inositol phosphorylceramide (IPC), and ceramide to shelter ergosterol by preventing binding of the sterol-specific toxins streptolysin O and perfringolysin O and subsequent cytotoxicity. In contrast to mammalian systems, we found that Leishmania sphingolipids did not preclude toxin binding to sterols in the membrane. However, we show that IPC reduced cytotoxicity, and that ceramide reduced perfringolysin O-, but not streptolysin O-, mediated cytotoxicity in cells. Furthermore, we demonstrate ceramide sensing was controlled by the toxin L3 loop, and that ceramide was sufficient to protect L. major promastigotes from the anti-leishmaniasis drug amphotericin B. Based on these results, we propose a mechanism whereby pore-forming toxins engage additional lipids like ceramide to determine the optimal environment to sustain pore formation. Thus, L. major could serve as a genetically tractable protozoan model organism for understanding toxin-membrane interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chaitanya S Haram
- Department of Biological Sciences, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX 79409
| | - Samrat Moitra
- Department of Biological Sciences, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX 79409
| | - Rilee Keane
- Department of Biological Sciences, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX 79409
| | - F Matthew Kuhlmann
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110
| | - Cheryl Frankfater
- Mass Spectrometry Resource, Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism, and Lipid Research, Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110
| | - Fong-Fu Hsu
- Mass Spectrometry Resource, Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism, and Lipid Research, Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110
| | - Stephen M Beverley
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110
| | - Kai Zhang
- Department of Biological Sciences, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX 79409
| | - Peter A Keyel
- Department of Biological Sciences, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX 79409.
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5
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Basu S, Pawlowic M, Hsu FF, Thomas G, Zhang K. Ethanolaminephosphate cytidyltransferase is essential for survival, lipid homeostasis and stress tolerance in Leishmania major. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.01.10.523530. [PMID: 36712124 PMCID: PMC9882048 DOI: 10.1101/2023.01.10.523530] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
Glycerophospholipids including phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) and phosphatidylcholine (PC) are vital components of biological membranes. Trypanosomatid parasites of the genus Leishmania can acquire PE and PC via de novo synthesis and the uptake/remodeling of host lipids. In this study, we investigated the ethanolaminephosphate cytidyltransferase (EPCT) in Leishmania major , which is the causative agent for cutaneous leishmaniasis. EPCT is a key enzyme in the ethanolamine branch of the Kennedy pathway which is responsible for the de novo synthesis of PE. Our results demonstrate that L. major EPCT is a cytosolic protein capable of catalyzing the formation of CDP-ethanolamine from ethanolamine-phosphate and cytidine triphosphate. Genetic manipulation experiments indicate that EPCT is essential in both the promastigote and amastigote stages of L. major as the chromosomal null mutants cannot survive without the episomal expression of EPCT. This differs from our previous findings on the choline branch of the Kennedy pathway (responsible for PC synthesis) which is required only in promastigotes but not amastigotes. While episomal EPCT expression does not affect promastigote proliferation under normal conditions, it leads to reduced production of ethanolamine plasmalogen or plasmenylethanolamine, the dominant PE subtype in Leishmania . In addition, parasites with epsiomal EPCT exhibit heightened sensitivity to acidic pH and starvation stress, and significant reduction in virulence. In summary, our investigation demonstrates that proper regulation of EPCT expression is crucial for PE synthesis, stress response, and survival of Leishmania parasites throughout their life cycle. AUTHOR SUMMARY In nature, Leishmania parasites alternate between fast replicating, extracellular promastigotes in sand fly gut and slow growing, intracellular amastigotes in macrophages. Previous studies suggest that promastigotes acquire most of their lipids via de novo synthesis whereas amastigotes rely on the uptake and remodeling of host lipids. Here we investigated the function of ethanolaminephosphate cytidyltransferase (EPCT) which catalyzes a key step in the de novo synthesis of phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) in Leishmania major . Results showed that EPCT is indispensable for both promastigotes and amastigotes, indicating that de novo PE synthesis is still needed at certain capacity for the intracellular form of Leishmania parasites. In addition, elevated EPCT expression alters overall PE synthesis and compromises parasite’s tolerance to adverse conditions and is deleterious to the growth of intracellular amastigotes. These findings provide new insight into how Leishmania acquire essential phospholipids and how disturbance of lipid metabolism can impact parasite fitness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Somrita Basu
- Department of Biological Sciences, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX 79409, USA
| | - Mattie Pawlowic
- Wellcome Centre for Anti-Infectives Research (WCAIR), Division of Biological Chemistry and Drug Discovery, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee, DD1 5EH, UK
| | - Fong-Fu Hsu
- Mass Spectrometry Resource, Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes, Metabolism, and Lipid Research, Department of Internal Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, 660S. Euclid Ave., Saint Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Geoff Thomas
- Department of Biological Sciences, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX 79409, USA
| | - Kai Zhang
- Department of Biological Sciences, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX 79409, USA
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6
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Kuhlmann FM, Key PN, Hickerson SM, Turk J, Hsu FF, Beverley SM. Inositol phosphorylceramide synthase null Leishmania are viable and virulent in animal infections where salvage of host sphingomyelin predominates. J Biol Chem 2022; 298:102522. [PMID: 36162499 PMCID: PMC9637897 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2022.102522] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2022] [Revised: 09/14/2022] [Accepted: 09/16/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Many pathogens synthesize inositol phosphorylceramide (IPC) as the major sphingolipid (SL), differing from the mammalian host where sphingomyelin (SM) or more complex SLs predominate. The divergence between IPC synthase and mammalian SL synthases has prompted interest as a potential drug target. However, in the trypanosomatid protozoan Leishmania, cultured insect stage promastigotes lack de novo SL synthesis (Δspt2-) and SLs survive and remain virulent, as infective amastigotes salvage host SLs and continue to produce IPC. To further understand the role of IPC, we generated null IPCS mutants in Leishmania major (Δipcs-). Unexpectedly and unlike fungi where IPCS is essential, Δipcs- was remarkably normal in culture and highly virulent in mouse infections. Both IPCS activity and IPC were absent in Δipcs- promastigotes and amastigotes, arguing against an alternative route of IPC synthesis. Notably, salvaged mammalian SM was highly abundant in purified amastigotes from both WT and Δipcs-, and salvaged SLs could be further metabolized into IPC. SM was about 7-fold more abundant than IPC in WT amastigotes, establishing that SM is the dominant amastigote SL, thereby rendering IPC partially redundant. These data suggest that SM salvage likely plays key roles in the survival and virulence of both WT and Δipcs- parasites in the infected host, confirmation of which will require the development of methods or mutants deficient in host SL/SM uptake in the future. Our findings call into question the suitability of IPCS as a target for chemotherapy, instead suggesting that approaches targeting SM/SL uptake or catabolism may warrant further emphasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- F. Matthew Kuhlmann
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, Missouri, USA,Department of Internal Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Phillip N. Key
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Suzanne M. Hickerson
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - John Turk
- Department of Internal Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Fong-Fu Hsu
- Department of Internal Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Stephen M. Beverley
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, Missouri, USA,For correspondence: Stephen M. Beverley
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7
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Bouabid C, Yamaryo-Botté Y, Rabhi S, Bichiou H, Hkimi C, Bouglita W, Chaouach M, Eddaikra N, Ghedira K, Guizani-Tabbane L, Botté CY, Rabhi I. Fatty Acid Profiles of Leishmania major Derived from Human and Rodent Hosts in Endemic Cutaneous Leishmaniasis Areas of Tunisia and Algeria. Pathogens 2022; 11:92. [PMID: 35056040 PMCID: PMC8781279 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens11010092] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2021] [Revised: 12/22/2021] [Accepted: 12/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Leishmaniasis is a protozoal vector-borne disease that affects both humans and animals. In the Mediterranean Basin, the primary reservoir hosts of Leishmania spp. are mainly rodents and canids. Lipidomic approaches have allowed scientists to establish Leishmania spp. lipid profiles for the identification of cell stage specific biomarkers, drug mechanisms of action, and host immune response. Using an in silico approach of global network interaction between genes involved in fatty acid (FA) synthesis followed by the GC-MS approach, we were able to characterize the fatty acid profiles of L. major derived from human and rodent hosts. Our results revealed that the lipid profile of L. major showed similarities and differences with those already reported for other Leishmania species. Phospholipids are the predominant lipid class. FA composition of rodent parasites was characterized by a lower abundance of the precursor C18:2(n-6). One of the rodent clones, which also expressed the lowest lipid abundance in PL and TAG, was the least sensitive clone to the miltefosine drug and has the lowest infection efficiency. Our findings suggest that the lipid composition variation may explain the response of the parasite toward treatment and their ability to infect their host.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cyrine Bouabid
- Laboratoire de Parasitologie Médicale, Biotechnologies et Biomolécules (LR16IPT06), Institut Pasteur de Tunis, Université Tunis El-Manar, 13 Place Pasteur-BP74, Tunis 1002, Tunisia
| | - Yoshiki Yamaryo-Botté
- ApicoLipid Team, Institute for Advanced Biosciences, CNRS UMR5309, INSERM-National Institute for Health and Medical Research, Université Grenoble Alpes, INSERM U1209, 38000 Grenoble, France
| | - Sameh Rabhi
- Laboratoire de Parasitologie Médicale, Biotechnologies et Biomolécules (LR16IPT06), Institut Pasteur de Tunis, Université Tunis El-Manar, 13 Place Pasteur-BP74, Tunis 1002, Tunisia
| | - Haifa Bichiou
- Laboratoire de Parasitologie Médicale, Biotechnologies et Biomolécules (LR16IPT06), Institut Pasteur de Tunis, Université Tunis El-Manar, 13 Place Pasteur-BP74, Tunis 1002, Tunisia
| | - Chaima Hkimi
- Laboratory of Bioinformatics, BioMathematics and Biostatistics, Institut Pasteur de Tunis, 13 Place Pasteur-BP74, Tunis 1002, Tunisia
| | - Wafa Bouglita
- Laboratoire de Parasitologie Médicale, Biotechnologies et Biomolécules (LR16IPT06), Institut Pasteur de Tunis, Université Tunis El-Manar, 13 Place Pasteur-BP74, Tunis 1002, Tunisia
- Higher Institute of Biotechnology of Sidi Thabet, University of Manouba, Tunis 2050, Tunisia
| | - Melek Chaouach
- Laboratoire de Parasitologie Médicale, Biotechnologies et Biomolécules (LR16IPT06), Institut Pasteur de Tunis, Université Tunis El-Manar, 13 Place Pasteur-BP74, Tunis 1002, Tunisia
| | - Naouel Eddaikra
- Laboratory of Eco-Epidemiology Parasitic Population Genetics, Pasteur Institute of Algiers, Algiers 16000, Algeria
| | - Kais Ghedira
- Laboratory of Bioinformatics, BioMathematics and Biostatistics, Institut Pasteur de Tunis, 13 Place Pasteur-BP74, Tunis 1002, Tunisia
| | - Lamia Guizani-Tabbane
- Laboratoire de Parasitologie Médicale, Biotechnologies et Biomolécules (LR16IPT06), Institut Pasteur de Tunis, Université Tunis El-Manar, 13 Place Pasteur-BP74, Tunis 1002, Tunisia
| | - Cyrille Y Botté
- ApicoLipid Team, Institute for Advanced Biosciences, CNRS UMR5309, INSERM-National Institute for Health and Medical Research, Université Grenoble Alpes, INSERM U1209, 38000 Grenoble, France
| | - Imen Rabhi
- Laboratoire de Parasitologie Médicale, Biotechnologies et Biomolécules (LR16IPT06), Institut Pasteur de Tunis, Université Tunis El-Manar, 13 Place Pasteur-BP74, Tunis 1002, Tunisia
- Higher Institute of Biotechnology of Sidi Thabet, University of Manouba, Tunis 2050, Tunisia
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8
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Zhang K. Balancing de novo synthesis and salvage of lipids by Leishmania amastigotes. Curr Opin Microbiol 2021; 63:98-103. [PMID: 34311265 PMCID: PMC8463422 DOI: 10.1016/j.mib.2021.07.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2021] [Revised: 06/30/2021] [Accepted: 07/05/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Leishmania parasites replicate as flagellated, extracellular promastigotes in the sand fly vector and then differentiate into non-flagellated, intracellular amastigotes in the vertebrate host. Promastigotes rely on de novo synthesis to produce the majority of their lipids including glycerophospholipids, sterols and sphingolipids. In contrast, amastigotes acquire most of their lipids from the host although they retain some capacity for de novo synthesis. The switch from de novo synthesis to salvage reflects the transition of Leishmania from fast-replicating promastigotes to slow-growing, metabolically quiescent amastigotes. Future studies will reveal the uptake and remodeling of host lipids by amastigotes at the cellular and molecular levels. Blocking the lipid transfer from host to parasites may present a novel strategy to control Leishmania growth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kai Zhang
- Department of Biological Sciences, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX 79409, USA.
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9
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Moitra S, Basu S, Pawlowic M, Hsu FF, Zhang K. De Novo Synthesis of Phosphatidylcholine Is Essential for the Promastigote But Not Amastigote Stage in Leishmania major. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2021; 11:647870. [PMID: 33777852 PMCID: PMC7996062 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2021.647870] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2021] [Accepted: 02/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Phosphatidylcholine (PC) is the most abundant type of phospholipids in eukaryotes constituting ~30% of total lipids in Leishmania. PC synthesis mainly occurs via the choline branch of the Kennedy pathway (choline ⇒ choline-phosphate ⇒ CDP-choline ⇒ PC) and the N-methylation of phosphatidylethanolamine (PE). In addition, Leishmania parasites can acquire PC and other lipids from the host or culture medium. In this study, we assessed the function and essentiality of choline ethanolamine phosphotransferase (CEPT) in Leishmania major which is responsible for the final step of the de novo synthesis of PC and PE. Our data indicate that CEPT is localized in the endoplasmic reticulum and possesses the activity to generate PC from CDP-choline and diacylglycerol. Targeted deletion of CEPT is only possible in the presence of an episomal CEPT gene in the promastigote stage of L. major. These chromosomal null parasites require the episomal expression of CEPT to survive in culture, confirming its essentiality during the promastigote stage. In contrast, during in vivo infection of BALB/c mice, these chromosomal null parasites appeared to lose the episomal copy of CEPT while maintaining normal levels of virulence, replication and cellular PC. Therefore, while the de novo synthesis of PC/PE is indispensable for the proliferation of promastigotes, intracellular amastigotes appear to acquire most of their lipids through salvage and remodeling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samrat Moitra
- Department of Biological Sciences, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX, United States
| | - Somrita Basu
- Department of Biological Sciences, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX, United States
| | - Mattie Pawlowic
- Department of Biological Sciences, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX, United States
| | - Fong-Fu Hsu
- Mass Spectrometry Resource, Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes, Metabolism, and Lipid research, Department of Internal Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, United States
| | - Kai Zhang
- Department of Biological Sciences, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX, United States
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10
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Mina JGM, Charlton RL, Alpizar-Sosa E, Escrivani DO, Brown C, Alqaisi A, Borsodi MPG, Figueiredo CP, de Lima EV, Dickie EA, Wei W, Coutinho-Silva R, Merritt A, Smith TK, Barrett MP, Rossi-Bergmann B, Denny PW, Steel PG. Antileishmanial Chemotherapy through Clemastine Fumarate Mediated Inhibition of the Leishmania Inositol Phosphorylceramide Synthase. ACS Infect Dis 2021; 7:47-63. [PMID: 33291887 PMCID: PMC7802075 DOI: 10.1021/acsinfecdis.0c00546] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Current chemotherapeutics for leishmaniasis have multiple deficiencies, and there is a need for new safe, efficacious, and affordable medicines. This study describes a successful drug repurposing approach that identifies the over-the-counter antihistamine, clemastine fumarate, as a potential antileishmanial drug candidate. The screening for inhibitors of the sphingolipid synthase (inositol phosphorylceramide synthase, IPCS) afforded, following secondary screening against Leishmania major (Lmj) promastigotes, 16 active compounds. Further refinement through the dose response against LmjIPCS and intramacrophage L. major amastigotes identified clemastine fumarate with good activity and selectivity with respect to the host macrophage. On target engagement was supported by diminished sensitivity in a sphingolipid-deficient L. major mutant (ΔLmjLCB2) and altered phospholipid and sphingolipid profiles upon treatment with clemastine fumarate. The drug also induced an enhanced host cell response to infection indicative of polypharmacology. The activity was sustained across a panel of Old and New World Leishmania species, displaying an in vivo activity equivalent to the currently used drug, glucantime, in a mouse model of L. amazonensis infection. Overall, these data validate IPCS as an antileishmanial drug target and indicate that clemastine fumarate is a candidate for repurposing for the treatment of leishmaniasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- John G. M. Mina
- Departments of Chemistry, University of Durham, Science Laboratories, South Road, Durham DH1 3LE, United Kingdom
| | - Rebecca L. Charlton
- Departments of Chemistry, University of Durham, Science Laboratories, South Road, Durham DH1 3LE, United Kingdom
- Institute of Biophysics Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, 21941-902 Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Edubiel Alpizar-Sosa
- Department of Biosciences, University of Durham, South Road, Durham DH1 3LE, United Kingdom
- Wellcome Centre for Integrative Parasitology and Glasgow Polyomics, Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8TA, United Kingdom
| | - Douglas O. Escrivani
- Departments of Chemistry, University of Durham, Science Laboratories, South Road, Durham DH1 3LE, United Kingdom
- Institute of Biophysics Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, 21941-902 Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Christopher Brown
- Departments of Chemistry, University of Durham, Science Laboratories, South Road, Durham DH1 3LE, United Kingdom
| | - Amjed Alqaisi
- Department of Biosciences, University of Durham, South Road, Durham DH1 3LE, United Kingdom
- Department of Biology, College of Science, University of Baghdad, Baghdad 10071, Iraq
| | - Maria Paula G. Borsodi
- Institute of Biophysics Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, 21941-902 Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Claudia P. Figueiredo
- School of Pharmacy, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, 21944-590 Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Emanuelle V. de Lima
- School of Pharmacy, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, 21944-590 Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Emily A. Dickie
- Wellcome Centre for Integrative Parasitology and Glasgow Polyomics, Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8TA, United Kingdom
| | - Wenbin Wei
- Department of Biosciences, University of Durham, South Road, Durham DH1 3LE, United Kingdom
| | - Robson Coutinho-Silva
- Institute of Biophysics Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, 21941-902 Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Andy Merritt
- LifeArc, Open Innovation Campus, Stevenage SG1 2FX, United Kingdom
| | - Terry K. Smith
- BSRC, Schools of Biology and Chemistry, University of St Andrews, North Haugh, St Andrews KY16 9ST, United Kingdom
| | - Michael P. Barrett
- Wellcome Centre for Integrative Parasitology and Glasgow Polyomics, Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8TA, United Kingdom
| | - Bartira Rossi-Bergmann
- Institute of Biophysics Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, 21941-902 Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Paul W. Denny
- Department of Biosciences, University of Durham, South Road, Durham DH1 3LE, United Kingdom
| | - Patrick G. Steel
- Departments of Chemistry, University of Durham, Science Laboratories, South Road, Durham DH1 3LE, United Kingdom
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11
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Cytokine saga in visceral leishmaniasis. Cytokine 2020; 147:155322. [PMID: 33127259 DOI: 10.1016/j.cyto.2020.155322] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2020] [Revised: 09/21/2020] [Accepted: 09/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
In humans, infection with Leishmania manifests into a spectrum of diseases. The manifestation of the diseases depend on the resultant evasion of the parasite to immune responses namely by macrophages, which is an exclusive host of Leishmania. The B cells valiantly mount antibody responses, however, to no avail as the Leishmania parasites occupy the intracellular niches of the macrophages and subvert the immune response. Extensive studies have been documented on the role of cell-mediated immunity (CMI) in protection and counter survival strategies of the parasites leading to downregulation of CMI. The present review attempts to discuss the cytokines in progression or resolution of visceral form of leishmaniasis or kala-azar, predominantly affecting the Indian subcontinent. The components/cytokine(s) responsible for the regulation of the critical balance of T helper cells and their subsets have been discussed in the perspective. Therefore, any strategy involving the treatment of visceral leishmania (VL) needs to consider the balance and regulation of T cell function.
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12
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O'Neal AJ, Butler LR, Rolandelli A, Gilk SD, Pedra JH. Lipid hijacking: a unifying theme in vector-borne diseases. eLife 2020; 9:61675. [PMID: 33118933 PMCID: PMC7595734 DOI: 10.7554/elife.61675] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2020] [Accepted: 10/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Vector-borne illnesses comprise a significant portion of human maladies, representing 17% of global infections. Transmission of vector-borne pathogens to mammals primarily occurs by hematophagous arthropods. It is speculated that blood may provide a unique environment that aids in the replication and pathogenesis of these microbes. Lipids and their derivatives are one component enriched in blood and are essential for microbial survival. For instance, the malarial parasite Plasmodium falciparum and the Lyme disease spirochete Borrelia burgdorferi, among others, have been shown to scavenge and manipulate host lipids for structural support, metabolism, replication, immune evasion, and disease severity. In this Review, we will explore the importance of lipid hijacking for the growth and persistence of these microbes in both mammalian hosts and arthropod vectors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anya J O'Neal
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, United States
| | - L Rainer Butler
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, United States
| | - Agustin Rolandelli
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, United States
| | - Stacey D Gilk
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, United States
| | - Joao Hf Pedra
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, United States
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13
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Wallnöfer EA, Thurner GC, Kremser C, Talasz H, Stollenwerk MM, Helbok A, Klammsteiner N, Albrecht-Schgoer K, Dietrich H, Jaschke W, Debbage P. Albumin-based nanoparticles as contrast medium for MRI: vascular imaging, tissue and cell interactions, and pharmacokinetics of second-generation nanoparticles. Histochem Cell Biol 2020; 155:19-73. [PMID: 33040183 DOI: 10.1007/s00418-020-01919-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/31/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
This multidisciplinary study examined the pharmacokinetics of nanoparticles based on albumin-DTPA-gadolinium chelates, testing the hypothesis that these nanoparticles create a stronger vessel signal than conventional gadolinium-based contrast agents and exploring if they are safe for clinical use. Nanoparticles based on human serum albumin, bearing gadolinium and designed for use in magnetic resonance imaging, were used to generate magnet resonance images (MRI) of the vascular system in rats ("blood pool imaging"). At the low nanoparticle doses used for radionuclide imaging, nanoparticle-associated metals were cleared from the blood into the liver during the first 4 h after nanoparticle application. At the higher doses required for MRI, the liver became saturated and kidney and spleen acted as additional sinks for the metals, and accounted for most processing of the nanoparticles. The multiple components of the nanoparticles were cleared independently of one another. Albumin was detected in liver, spleen, and kidneys for up to 2 days after intravenous injection. Gadolinium was retained in the liver, kidneys, and spleen in significant concentrations for much longer. Gadolinium was present as significant fractions of initial dose for longer than 2 weeks after application, and gadolinium clearance was only complete after 6 weeks. Our analysis could not account quantitatively for the full dose of gadolinium that was applied, but numerous organs were found to contain gadolinium in the collagen of their connective tissues. Multiple lines of evidence indicated intracellular processing opening the DTPA chelates and leading to gadolinium long-term storage, in particular inside lysosomes. Turnover of the stored gadolinium was found to occur in soluble form in the kidneys, the liver, and the colon for up to 3 weeks after application. Gadolinium overload poses a significant hazard due to the high toxicity of free gadolinium ions. We discuss the relevance of our findings to gadolinium-deposition diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- E A Wallnöfer
- Department of Radiology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Anichstrasse 35, 6020, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - G C Thurner
- Department of Radiology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Anichstrasse 35, 6020, Innsbruck, Austria
- Division of Histology and Embryology, Department of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Müllerstrasse 59, 6020, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - C Kremser
- Department of Radiology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Anichstrasse 35, 6020, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - H Talasz
- Division of Clinical Biochemistry, Biocenter, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innrain 80-82, 6020, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - M M Stollenwerk
- Faculty of Health and Society, Biomedical Laboratory Science, University Hospital MAS, Malmö University, 205 06, Malmö, Sweden
- Division of Histology and Embryology, Department of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Müllerstrasse 59, 6020, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - A Helbok
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Innsbruck Medical University, Anichstrasse 35, 6020, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - N Klammsteiner
- Division of Histology and Embryology, Department of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Müllerstrasse 59, 6020, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - K Albrecht-Schgoer
- Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, Institute of Pharmacy, Leopold-Franzens-University Innsbruck, Innrain 80-82/IV, 6020, Innsbruck, Austria
- Institute of Cell Genetics, Department for Pharmacology and Genetics, Medical University of Innsbruck, Peter-Mayr-Strasse 1a, 6020, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - H Dietrich
- Central Laboratory Animal Facilities, Innsbruck Medical University, Peter-Mayr-Strasse 4a, 6020, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - W Jaschke
- Department of Radiology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Anichstrasse 35, 6020, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - P Debbage
- Division of Histology and Embryology, Department of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Müllerstrasse 59, 6020, Innsbruck, Austria.
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14
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Booth LA, Smith TK. Lipid metabolism in Trypanosoma cruzi: A review. Mol Biochem Parasitol 2020; 240:111324. [PMID: 32961207 DOI: 10.1016/j.molbiopara.2020.111324] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2020] [Revised: 09/02/2020] [Accepted: 09/11/2020] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
The cellular membranes of Trypanosoma cruzi, like all eukaryotes, contain varying amounts of phospholipids, sphingolipids, neutral lipids and sterols. A multitude of pathways exist for the de novo synthesis of these lipid families but Trypanosoma cruzi has also become adapted to scavenge some of these lipids from the host. Completion of the TriTryp genomes has led to the identification of many putative genes involved in lipid synthesis, revealing some interesting differences to higher eukaryotes. Although many enzymes involved in lipid synthesis have yet to be characterised, completed experiments have shown the indispensability of some lipid metabolic pathways. Furthermore, the bioactive lipids of Trypanosoma cruzi and their effects on the host are becoming increasingly studied. Further studies on lipid metabolism in Trypanosoma cruzi will no doubt reveal some attractive targets for therapeutic intervention as well as reveal the interplay between parasite lipids, host response and pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leigh-Ann Booth
- Biomedical Sciences Research Complex, University of St Andrews, North Haugh, St Andrews, Scotland, KY16 9ST, United Kingdom
| | - Terry K Smith
- Biomedical Sciences Research Complex, University of St Andrews, North Haugh, St Andrews, Scotland, KY16 9ST, United Kingdom.
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15
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Mukherjee S, Moitra S, Xu W, Hernandez V, Zhang K. Sterol 14-α-demethylase is vital for mitochondrial functions and stress tolerance in Leishmania major. PLoS Pathog 2020; 16:e1008810. [PMID: 32817704 PMCID: PMC7462297 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1008810] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2020] [Revised: 09/01/2020] [Accepted: 07/14/2020] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Sterol 14-α-demethylase (C14DM) is a key enzyme in the biosynthesis of sterols and the primary target of azoles. In Leishmania major, genetic or chemical inactivation of C14DM leads to accumulation of 14-methylated sterol intermediates and profound plasma membrane abnormalities including increased fluidity and failure to maintain ordered membrane microdomains. These defects likely contribute to the hypersensitivity to heat and severely reduced virulence displayed by the C14DM-null mutants (c14dm‾). In addition to plasma membrane, sterols are present in intracellular organelles. In this study, we investigated the impact of C14DM ablation on mitochondria. Our results demonstrate that c14dm‾ mutants have significantly higher mitochondrial membrane potential than wild type parasites. Such high potential leads to the buildup of reactive oxygen species in the mitochondria, especially under nutrient-limiting conditions. Consistent with these mitochondrial alterations, c14dm‾ mutants show impairment in respiration and are heavily dependent on glucose uptake and glycolysis to generate energy. Consequently, these mutants are extremely sensitive to glucose deprivation and such vulnerability can be rescued through the supplementation of glucose or glycerol. In addition, the accumulation of oxidants may also contribute to the heat sensitivity exhibited by c14dm‾. Finally, genetic or chemical ablation of C14DM causes increased susceptibility to pentamidine, an antimicrobial agent with activity against trypanosomatids. In summary, our investigation reveals that alteration of sterol synthesis can negatively affect multiple cellular processes in Leishmania parasites and make them vulnerable to clinically relevant stress conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sumit Mukherjee
- Department of Biological Sciences, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas, United States of America
| | - Samrat Moitra
- Department of Biological Sciences, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas, United States of America
| | - Wei Xu
- Department of Biological Sciences, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas, United States of America
| | - Veronica Hernandez
- Department of Biological Sciences, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas, United States of America
| | - Kai Zhang
- Department of Biological Sciences, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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16
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Landoni M, Piñero T, Soprano LL, Garcia-Bournissen F, Fichera L, Esteva MI, Duschak VG, Couto AS. Tamoxifen acts on Trypanosoma cruzi sphingolipid pathway triggering an apoptotic death process. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2019; 516:934-940. [PMID: 31277939 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2019.06.149] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2019] [Accepted: 06/27/2019] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
This study shows the effects of tamoxifen, a known estrogen receptor antagonist used in the treatment of breast cancer, on the sphingolipid pathway of Trypanosoma cruzi, searching for potential chemotherapeutic targets. A dose-dependent epimastigote growth inhibition at increasing concentration of tamoxifen was determined. In blood trypomastigotes, treatment with 10 μM showed 90% lysis, while 86% inhibition of intracellular amastigote development was obtained using 50 μM. Lipid extracts from treated and non-treated metabolically labelled epimastigotes evidenced by thin layer chromatography different levels of sphingolipids and MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry analysis assured the identity of the labelled species. Comparison by HPLC-ESI mass spectrometry of lipids, notably exhibited a dramatic increase in the level of ceramide in tamoxifen-treated parasites and a restrained increase of ceramide-1P and sphingosine, indicating that the drug is acting on the enzymes involved in the final breakdown of ceramide. The ultrastructural analysis of treated parasites revealed characteristic morphology of cells undergoing an apoptotic-like death process. Flow cytometry confirmed cell death by an apoptotic-like machinery indicating that tamoxifen triggers this process by acting on the parasitic sphingolipid pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Malena Landoni
- Universidad de Buenos Aires, FCEN, Departamento de Química Orgánica - CONICET, CIHIDECAR, Intendente Güiraldes 2160, C1428GA, Ciudad Universitaria, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Tamara Piñero
- Universidad de Buenos Aires, FCEN, Departamento de Química Orgánica - CONICET, CIHIDECAR, Intendente Güiraldes 2160, C1428GA, Ciudad Universitaria, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Luciana L Soprano
- Instituto Nacional de Parasitología "Dr Mario Fatala Chaben", ANLIS-Malbrán, Secretaría de Salud de la Nación, Departamento de Investigación, Av. Paseo Colon 568, Buenos Aires, 1063, Argentina
| | - Facundo Garcia-Bournissen
- Instituto Multidisciplinario de Investigaciones en Enfermedades Pedíatricas (IMIPP), CONICET, Hospital de Niños "Ricardo Gutiérrez", Gallo 1330, Buenos Aires, 1425, Argentina
| | - Laura Fichera
- Instituto Nacional de Parasitología "Dr Mario Fatala Chaben", ANLIS-Malbrán, Secretaría de Salud de la Nación, Departamento de Investigación, Av. Paseo Colon 568, Buenos Aires, 1063, Argentina
| | - Monica I Esteva
- Instituto Nacional de Parasitología "Dr Mario Fatala Chaben", ANLIS-Malbrán, Secretaría de Salud de la Nación, Departamento de Investigación, Av. Paseo Colon 568, Buenos Aires, 1063, Argentina
| | - Vilma G Duschak
- Instituto Nacional de Parasitología "Dr Mario Fatala Chaben", ANLIS-Malbrán, Secretaría de Salud de la Nación, Departamento de Investigación, Av. Paseo Colon 568, Buenos Aires, 1063, Argentina
| | - Alicia S Couto
- Universidad de Buenos Aires, FCEN, Departamento de Química Orgánica - CONICET, CIHIDECAR, Intendente Güiraldes 2160, C1428GA, Ciudad Universitaria, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
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17
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Moitra S, Pawlowic MC, Hsu FF, Zhang K. Phosphatidylcholine synthesis through cholinephosphate cytidylyltransferase is dispensable in Leishmania major. Sci Rep 2019; 9:7602. [PMID: 31110206 PMCID: PMC6527706 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-44086-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2018] [Accepted: 05/09/2019] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Phosphatidylcholine (PC) is a major cell membrane constituent and precursor of important second messengers. In Leishmania parasites, PC synthesis can occur via the choline branch of the Kennedy pathway, the N-methylation of phosphatidylethanolamine (PE), or the remodeling of exogenous phospholipids. To investigate the role of de novo PC synthesis in Leishmania major, we focused on the cholinephosphate cytidylyltransferase (CPCT) which catalyzes the formation of CDP-choline, a key intermediate in the choline branch of the Kennedy pathway. Without CPCT, L. major parasites cannot incorporate choline into PC, yet the CPCT-null mutants contain similar levels of PC and PE as wild type parasites. Loss of CPCT does not affect the growth of parasites in complete medium or their virulence in mice. These results suggest that other mechanisms of PC synthesis can compensate the loss of CPCT. Importantly, CPCT-null parasites exhibited severe growth defects when ethanolamine and exogenous lipids became limited or when they were co-cultured with certain bacteria that are known to be members of sandfly midgut microbiota. These findings suggest that Leishmania employ multiple PC synthesis pathways to utilize a diverse pool of nutrients, which may be crucial for their survival and development in the sandfly.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samrat Moitra
- Department of Biological Sciences, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX, 79409, USA
| | - Mattie C Pawlowic
- Department of Biological Sciences, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX, 79409, USA.,Wellcome Centre for Anti-Infectives Research (WCAIR), Division of Biological Chemistry and Drug Discovery, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee, DD1 5EH, UK
| | - Fong-Fu Hsu
- Department of Internal Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, 660S. Euclid Ave., Saint Louis, MO, 63110, USA
| | - Kai Zhang
- Department of Biological Sciences, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX, 79409, USA.
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18
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Mukherjee S, Basu S, Zhang K. Farnesyl pyrophosphate synthase is essential for the promastigote and amastigote stages in Leishmania major. Mol Biochem Parasitol 2019; 230:8-15. [PMID: 30926449 DOI: 10.1016/j.molbiopara.2019.03.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2019] [Revised: 03/01/2019] [Accepted: 03/05/2019] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
Isoprenoid synthesis provides a diverse class of biomolecules including sterols, dolichols, ubiquinones and prenyl groups. The enzyme farnesyl pyrophosphate synthase (FPPS) catalyzes the formation of farnesyl pyrophosphate, a key intermediate for the biosynthesis of all isoprenoids. In Leishmania, FPPS is considered the main target of nitrogen containing bisphosphonates, yet the essentiality of this enzyme remains untested. Using a facilitated knockout approach, we carried out the genetic analysis of FPPS in Leishmania major. Our data indicated that chromosomal null mutants for FPPS could only be generated in presence of an episomally expressed FPPS. Long-term retention of the episome by the chromosomal FPPS-null mutants in culture and in infected BALB/c mice suggests that FPPS is indispensable. In addition, applying negative selection pressure failed to induce the loss of ectopic FPPS in the chromosomal FPPS-null mutants, although it led to significant growth delay in culture and in mice. Together, our findings have confirmed the essentiality of FPPS in both promastigotes and amastigotes in L. major and thus validate its potential as a drug target for the treatment of cutaneous leishmaniasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sumit Mukherjee
- Department of Biological Sciences, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX 79409, USA
| | - Somrita Basu
- Department of Biological Sciences, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX 79409, USA
| | - Kai Zhang
- Department of Biological Sciences, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX 79409, USA.
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19
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Trinconi CT, Miguel DC, Silber AM, Brown C, Mina JGM, Denny PW, Heise N, Uliana SRB. Tamoxifen inhibits the biosynthesis of inositolphosphorylceramide in Leishmania. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL FOR PARASITOLOGY-DRUGS AND DRUG RESISTANCE 2018; 8:475-487. [PMID: 30399513 PMCID: PMC6216108 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpddr.2018.10.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2018] [Revised: 09/21/2018] [Accepted: 10/23/2018] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Previous work from our group showed that tamoxifen, an oral drug that has been in use for the treatment of breast cancer for over 40 years, is active both in vitro and in vivo against several species of Leishmania, the etiological agent of leishmaniasis. Using a combination of metabolic labeling with [3H]-sphingosine and myo-[3H]-inositol, alkaline hydrolysis, HPTLC fractionations and mass spectrometry analyses, we observed a perturbation in the metabolism of inositolphosphorylceramides (IPCs) and phosphatidylinositols (PIs) after treatment of L. amazonensis promastigotes with tamoxifen, with a significant reduction in the biosynthesis of the major IPCs (composed of d16:1/18:0-IPC, t16:0/C18:0-IPC, d18:1/18:0-IPC and t16:0/20:0-IPC) and PIs (sn-1-O-(C18:0)alkyl -2-O-(C18:1)acylglycerol-3-HPO4-inositol and sn-1-O-(C18:0)acyl-2-O-(C18:1)acylglycerol-3-HPO4-inositol) species. Substrate saturation kinetics of myo-inositol uptake analyses indicated that inhibition of inositol transport or availability were not the main reasons for the reduced biosynthesis of IPC and PI observed in tamoxifen treated parasites. An in vitro enzymatic assay was used to show that tamoxifen was able to inhibit the Leishmania IPC synthase with an IC50 value of 8.48 μM (95% CI 7.68–9.37), suggesting that this enzyme is most likely one of the targets for this compound in the parasites. Tamoxifen alters the sphingolipid metabolism of L. amazonensis. Tamoxifen treated parasites show a significant reduction of IPC and PI species. Tamoxifen-treated parasites present a reduction of inositol transport. Tamoxifen is an inhibitor of L. major's IPC synthase in a micromolar range.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristiana T Trinconi
- Departamento de Parasitologia, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade de São Paulo, Av. Prof. Lineu Prestes, 1374, São Paulo, SP, 05508-000, Brazil
| | - Danilo C Miguel
- Departamento de Parasitologia, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade de São Paulo, Av. Prof. Lineu Prestes, 1374, São Paulo, SP, 05508-000, Brazil
| | - Ariel M Silber
- Departamento de Parasitologia, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade de São Paulo, Av. Prof. Lineu Prestes, 1374, São Paulo, SP, 05508-000, Brazil
| | - Christopher Brown
- Department of Biosciences, Durham University, Stockton Road, Durham, DH1 3LE, UK
| | - John G M Mina
- Department of Biosciences, Durham University, Stockton Road, Durham, DH1 3LE, UK
| | - Paul W Denny
- Department of Biosciences, Durham University, Stockton Road, Durham, DH1 3LE, UK
| | - Norton Heise
- Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Av. Carlos Chagas Filho, 373, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, 21941-902, Brazil
| | - Silvia R B Uliana
- Departamento de Parasitologia, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade de São Paulo, Av. Prof. Lineu Prestes, 1374, São Paulo, SP, 05508-000, Brazil.
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20
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Mukherjee S, Xu W, Hsu FF, Patel J, Huang J, Zhang K. Sterol methyltransferase is required for optimal mitochondrial function and virulence in Leishmania major. Mol Microbiol 2018; 111:65-81. [PMID: 30260041 DOI: 10.1111/mmi.14139] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/21/2018] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Limited knowledge on the exact functions of ergostane-based sterols has hampered the application of sterol synthesis inhibitors against trypanosomatid parasites. Sterol methyltransferase (SMT) is directly involved in the synthesis of parasite-specific C24-methylated sterols, including ergosterol and 5-dehydroepisterol. While pharmacological studies hint at its potential as a drug target against trypanosomatids, direct evidence for the cellular function and essentiality of SMT is lacking. Here, we characterized the SMT knockout mutants and their complemented strains in Leishmania major, the causative agent for cutaneous leishmaniasis. Deletion of SMT alleles led to a complete loss of C24-methylated sterols, which were replaced by cholestane-based sterols. SMT-null mutants were fully viable and replicative in culture but showed increased sensitivity to sphingolipid synthesis inhibition. They were not particularly vulnerable to heat, acidic pH, nitrosative or oxidative stress, yet exhibited high mitochondrial membrane potential and increased superoxide generation indicating altered physiology of the mitochondria. Despite possessing high levels of GPI-anchored glycoconjugates, SMT-null mutants showed significantly attenuated virulence in mice. In total, our study reveals that the biosynthesis of ergostane-based sterols is crucial for the proper function of mitochondria and the proliferation of Leishmania parasites in mammals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sumit Mukherjee
- Department of Biological Sciences, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX, 79409, USA
| | - Wei Xu
- Department of Biological Sciences, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX, 79409, USA
| | - Fong-Fu Hsu
- Mass Spectrometry Resource, Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes, Metabolism, and Lipid research, Department of Internal Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA
| | - Jigesh Patel
- Department of Physics, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX, 79409, USA
| | - Juyang Huang
- Department of Physics, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX, 79409, USA
| | - Kai Zhang
- Department of Biological Sciences, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX, 79409, USA
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21
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Sindhu KJ, Kureel AK, Saini S, Kumari S, Verma P, Rai AK. Characterization of phosphate transporter(s) and understanding their role in Leishmania donovani parasite. Acta Parasitol 2018; 63:75-88. [PMID: 29351081 DOI: 10.1515/ap-2018-0009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2017] [Accepted: 10/12/2017] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Inorganic phosphate (Pi) is shown to be involved in excretion of methylglyoxal (MG) in the promastigote form of Leishmania donovani parasite. Absence of Pi leads to its accumulation inside the parasite. Accumulation of MG is toxic to the parasite and utilizes glyoxylase as well as excretory pathways for its detoxification. In addition, Pi is also reported to regulate activities of ectoenzymes and energy metabolism (glucose to pyruvate) etc. Thus, it is known to cumulatively affect the growth of Leishmania parasite. Hence the transporters, which allow the movement of Pi across the membrane, can prove to be a crucial drug target. Therefore, we characterized two phosphate transporters in Leishmania (i) H+ dependent myo-inositol transporter (LdPHO84), and (ii) Na+ dependent transporter (LdPHO89), based on similar studies done previously on other lower organisms and trypanosomatids. We tried to understand the secondary structure of these two proteins and confirm modulation in their expression with the change in Pi concentration outside. Moreover, their modes of action were also measured in the presence of specific inhibitors (LiF, CCCP). Further analysis on the physiological role of these transporters in various stages of the parasite life cycle needs to be entrenched.
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Affiliation(s)
- K J Sindhu
- Department of Biotechnology, Motilal Nehru National Institute of Technology, Allahabad, 211004, U.P., India
| | - Amit Kumar Kureel
- Department of Biotechnology, Motilal Nehru National Institute of Technology, Allahabad, 211004, U.P., India
| | - Sheetal Saini
- Department of Biotechnology, Motilal Nehru National Institute of Technology, Allahabad, 211004, U.P., India
| | - Smita Kumari
- Department of Biotechnology, Motilal Nehru National Institute of Technology, Allahabad, 211004, U.P., India
| | - Pankaj Verma
- Department of Biotechnology, Motilal Nehru National Institute of Technology, Allahabad, 211004, U.P., India
| | - Ambak Kumar Rai
- Department of Biotechnology, Motilal Nehru National Institute of Technology, Allahabad, 211004, U.P., India
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Mina JGM, Denny PW. Everybody needs sphingolipids, right! Mining for new drug targets in protozoan sphingolipid biosynthesis. Parasitology 2018; 145:134-147. [PMID: 28637533 PMCID: PMC5964470 DOI: 10.1017/s0031182017001081] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2017] [Revised: 05/15/2017] [Accepted: 05/18/2017] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Sphingolipids (SLs) are an integral part of all eukaryotic cellular membranes. In addition, they have indispensable functions as signalling molecules controlling a myriad of cellular events. Disruption of either the de novo synthesis or the degradation pathways has been shown to have detrimental effects. The earlier identification of selective inhibitors of fungal SL biosynthesis promised potent broad-spectrum anti-fungal agents, which later encouraged testing some of those agents against protozoan parasites. In this review we focus on the key enzymes of the SL de novo biosynthetic pathway in protozoan parasites of the Apicomplexa and Kinetoplastidae, outlining the divergence and interconnection between host and pathogen metabolism. The druggability of the SL biosynthesis is considered, alongside recent technology advances that will enable the dissection and analyses of this pathway in the parasitic protozoa. The future impact of these advances for the development of new therapeutics for both globally threatening and neglected infectious diseases is potentially profound.
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Affiliation(s)
- John G M Mina
- Department of Biosciences,Lower Mountjoy,Stockton Road,Durham DH1 3LE,UK
| | - P W Denny
- Department of Biosciences,Lower Mountjoy,Stockton Road,Durham DH1 3LE,UK
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23
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Comparative sphingolipidomics of disease-causing trypanosomatids reveal unique lifecycle- and taxonomy-specific lipid chemistries. Sci Rep 2017; 7:13617. [PMID: 29051559 PMCID: PMC5648825 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-13931-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2017] [Accepted: 10/03/2017] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Trypanosomatids are parasitic protozoa which cause a spectrum of diseases, including trypanosomiasis and leishmaniasis, affecting millions of humans and animals worldwide. The surface of most protozoan parasites is heavily decorated with lipids and lipid-anchored molecules, forming protective barriers and acting as virulence factors during infection. Sphingolipids (SP) are major components of eukaryotic biomembranes, which play important roles in structural integrity, energy homeostasis and signaling. However, the precise chemical composition of SP in pathogens as well as their biochemical pathways and functions remain poorly characterized. Here, we present the first system-scale analyses of SP found in a panel of 7 trypanosomatids, including Leishmania donovani, Trypanosoma brucei and Trypanosoma cruzi. We characterized the structure of aminoethylphosphonate-containing ceramides, which are found exclusively in stercorarian Trypanosoma. Employing the sensitive and semi-quantitative sphingolipidomics approach that we developed, we report the detection of over 300 molecular species of SP, and identified unique metabolic signatures which serve as discriminants of the pathogens based on their taxonomy and lifecycle stages. The deep sphingolipidome presented here is an important biochemical and technological resource for future works to dissect SP metabolism and functions in these medically and agriculturally relevant systems.
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Biagiotti M, Dominguez S, Yamout N, Zufferey R. Lipidomics and anti-trypanosomatid chemotherapy. Clin Transl Med 2017; 6:27. [PMID: 28766182 PMCID: PMC5539062 DOI: 10.1186/s40169-017-0160-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2017] [Accepted: 07/26/2017] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Trypanosomatids such as Leishmania, Trypanosoma brucei and Trypanosoma cruzi belong to the order Kinetoplastida and are the source of many significant human and animal diseases. Current treatment is unsatisfactory and is compromised by the rising appearance of drug resistant parasites. Novel and more effective chemotherapeutics are urgently needed to treat and prevent these devastating diseases, which relies on the identification of essential, parasite specific targets that are absent in the host. Lipids constitute essential components of the cell and carry out multiple critical functions from building blocks of biological membranes to regulatory roles in signal transduction, organellar biogenesis, energy storage, and virulence. The recent technological advances of lipidomics has facilitated the broadening of our knowledge in the field of cellular lipid content, structure, functions, and metabolic pathways. MAIN BODY This review highlights the application of lipidomics (i) in the characterization of the lipidome of kinetoplastid parasites or of their subcellular structure(s), (ii) in the identification of unique lipid species or metabolic pathways that can be targeted for novel drug therapies, (iii) as an analytic tool to gain a deeper insight into the roles of specific enzymes in lipid metabolism using genetically modified microorganisms, and (iv) in deciphering the mechanism of action of anti-microbial drugs on lipid metabolism. Lastly, an outlook stating where the field is evolving is presented. CONCLUSION Lipidomics has contributed to the expanding knowledge related to lipid metabolism, mechanism of drug action and resistance, and pathogen-host interaction of trypanosomatids, which provides a solid basis for the development of better anti-parasitic pharmaceuticals.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Nader Yamout
- St John's University, 8000 Utopia Parkway, Queens, NY, 11439, USA
| | - Rachel Zufferey
- St John's University, 8000 Utopia Parkway, Queens, NY, 11439, USA.
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25
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Pawlowic MC, Hsu FF, Moitra S, Biyani N, Zhang K. Plasmenylethanolamine synthesis in Leishmania major. Mol Microbiol 2016; 101:238-49. [PMID: 27062077 DOI: 10.1111/mmi.13387] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/28/2016] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Ethanolamine glycerophospholipids are ubiquitous cell membrane components. Trypanosomatid parasites of the genus Leishmania synthesize the majority of their ethanolamine glycerophospholipids as 1-O-alk-1'-enyl-2-acyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphoethanolamine or plasmenylethanolamine (PME) through the Kennedy pathway. PME is a subtype of ether phospholipids also known as ethanolamine plasmalogen whose functions are not well characterized. In this study, we investigated the role of PME synthesis in Leishmania major through the characterization of an ethanolamine phosphotransferase (EPT) mutant. EPT-null parasites are largely devoid of PME and fully viable in regular medium but fail to proliferate in the absence of fetal bovine serum. They exhibit significant abnormalities in the synthesis and localization of GPI-anchored surface molecules. EPT-null mutants also show attenuated virulence in BALB/c mice. Furthermore, in addition to PME synthesis, ethanolamine also contributes to the production of phosphatidylcholine, the most abundant class of lipids in Leishmania. Together, these findings suggest that ethanolamine production is likely required for Leishmania promastigotes to generate bulk phospholipids, to handle stress, and to control the expression of membrane bound virulence factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mattie C Pawlowic
- Department of Biological Sciences, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX, 79409, USA
| | - Fong-Fu Hsu
- Department of Internal Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, 660 S. Euclid Ave., Saint Louis, MO, 63110, USA
| | - Samrat Moitra
- Department of Biological Sciences, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX, 79409, USA
| | - Neha Biyani
- Department of Biological Sciences, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX, 79409, USA
| | - Kai Zhang
- Department of Biological Sciences, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX, 79409, USA
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26
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Li Y, Shah-Simpson S, Okrah K, Belew AT, Choi J, Caradonna KL, Padmanabhan P, Ndegwa DM, Temanni MR, Corrada Bravo H, El-Sayed NM, Burleigh BA. Transcriptome Remodeling in Trypanosoma cruzi and Human Cells during Intracellular Infection. PLoS Pathog 2016; 12:e1005511. [PMID: 27046031 PMCID: PMC4821583 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1005511] [Citation(s) in RCA: 116] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2015] [Accepted: 02/28/2016] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Intracellular colonization and persistent infection by the kinetoplastid protozoan parasite, Trypanosoma cruzi, underlie the pathogenesis of human Chagas disease. To obtain global insights into the T. cruzi infective process, transcriptome dynamics were simultaneously captured in the parasite and host cells in an infection time course of human fibroblasts. Extensive remodeling of the T. cruzi transcriptome was observed during the early establishment of intracellular infection, coincident with a major developmental transition in the parasite. Contrasting this early response, few additional changes in steady state mRNA levels were detected once mature T. cruzi amastigotes were formed. Our findings suggest that transcriptome remodeling is required to establish a modified template to guide developmental transitions in the parasite, whereas homeostatic functions are regulated independently of transcriptomic changes, similar to that reported in related trypanosomatids. Despite complex mechanisms for regulation of phenotypic expression in T. cruzi, transcriptomic signatures derived from distinct developmental stages mirror known or projected characteristics of T. cruzi biology. Focusing on energy metabolism, we were able to validate predictions forecast in the mRNA expression profiles. We demonstrate measurable differences in the bioenergetic properties of the different mammalian-infective stages of T. cruzi and present additional findings that underscore the importance of mitochondrial electron transport in T. cruzi amastigote growth and survival. Consequences of T. cruzi colonization for the host include dynamic expression of immune response genes and cell cycle regulators with upregulation of host cholesterol and lipid synthesis pathways, which may serve to fuel intracellular T. cruzi growth. Thus, in addition to the biological inferences gained from gene ontology and functional enrichment analysis of differentially expressed genes in parasite and host, our comprehensive, high resolution transcriptomic dataset provides a substantially more detailed interpretation of T. cruzi infection biology and offers a basis for future drug and vaccine discovery efforts. In-depth knowledge of the functional processes governing host colonization and transmission of pathogenic microorganisms is essential for the advancement of effective intervention strategies. This study focuses on Trypanosoma cruzi, the vector-borne protozoan parasite responsible for human Chagas disease and the leading cause of infectious myocarditis worldwide. To gain global insights into the biology of this parasite and its interaction with mammalian host cells, we have exploited a deep-sequencing approach to generate comprehensive, high-resolution transcriptomic maps for mammalian-infective stages of T. cruzi with the simultaneous interrogation of the human host cell transcriptome across an infection time course. We demonstrate that the establishment of intracellular T. cruzi infection in mammalian host cells is accompanied by extensive remodeling of the parasite and host cell transcriptomes. Despite the lack of transcriptional control mechanisms in trypanosomatids, our analyses identified functionally-enriched processes within sets of developmentally-regulated transcripts in T. cruzi that align with known or predicted biological features of the parasite. The novel insights into the biology of intracellular T. cruzi infection and the regulation of amastigote development gained in this study establish a unique foundation for functional network analyses that will be instrumental in providing functional links between parasite dependencies and host functional pathways that have the potential to be exploited for intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuan Li
- Department of Cell Biology and Molecular Genetics, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Sheena Shah-Simpson
- Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Kwame Okrah
- Center for Bioinformatics and Computational Biology, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland, United States of America
| | - A Trey Belew
- Department of Cell Biology and Molecular Genetics, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Jungmin Choi
- Department of Cell Biology and Molecular Genetics, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Kacey L Caradonna
- Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Prasad Padmanabhan
- Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - David M Ndegwa
- Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - M Ramzi Temanni
- Department of Cell Biology and Molecular Genetics, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Héctor Corrada Bravo
- Center for Bioinformatics and Computational Biology, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Najib M El-Sayed
- Department of Cell Biology and Molecular Genetics, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland, United States of America.,Center for Bioinformatics and Computational Biology, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Barbara A Burleigh
- Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
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27
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Helms JB, Kaloyanova DV, Strating JRP, van Hellemond JJ, van der Schaar HM, Tielens AGM, van Kuppeveld FJM, Brouwers JF. Targeting of the hydrophobic metabolome by pathogens. Traffic 2016; 16:439-60. [PMID: 25754025 PMCID: PMC7169838 DOI: 10.1111/tra.12280] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2014] [Revised: 01/09/2015] [Accepted: 01/09/2015] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The hydrophobic molecules of the metabolome – also named the lipidome – constitute a major part of the entire metabolome. Novel technologies show the existence of a staggering number of individual lipid species, the biological functions of which are, with the exception of only a few lipid species, unknown. Much can be learned from pathogens that have evolved to take advantage of the complexity of the lipidome to escape the immune system of the host organism and to allow their survival and replication. Different types of pathogens target different lipids as shown in interaction maps, allowing visualization of differences between different types of pathogens. Bacterial and viral pathogens target predominantly structural and signaling lipids to alter the cellular phenotype of the host cell. Fungal and parasitic pathogens have complex lipidomes themselves and target predominantly the release of polyunsaturated fatty acids from the host cell lipidome, resulting in the generation of eicosanoids by either the host cell or the pathogen. Thus, whereas viruses and bacteria induce predominantly alterations in lipid metabolites at the host cell level, eukaryotic pathogens focus on interference with lipid metabolites affecting systemic inflammatory reactions that are part of the immune system. A better understanding of the interplay between host–pathogen interactions will not only help elucidate the fundamental role of lipid species in cellular physiology, but will also aid in the generation of novel therapeutic drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Bernd Helms
- Department of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine & Institute of Biomembranes, Utrecht University, Yalelaan 2, 3584 CM, Utrecht, The Netherlands
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28
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Xu W, Hsu FF, Baykal E, Huang J, Zhang K. Sterol biosynthesis is required for heat resistance but not extracellular survival in leishmania. PLoS Pathog 2014; 10:e1004427. [PMID: 25340392 PMCID: PMC4207814 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1004427] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2014] [Accepted: 08/27/2014] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Sterol biosynthesis is a crucial pathway in eukaryotes leading to the production of cholesterol in animals and various C24-alkyl sterols (ergostane-based sterols) in fungi, plants, and trypanosomatid protozoa. Sterols are important membrane components and precursors for the synthesis of powerful bioactive molecules, including steroid hormones in mammals. Their functions in pathogenic protozoa are not well characterized, which limits the development of sterol synthesis inhibitors as drugs. Here we investigated the role of sterol C14α-demethylase (C14DM) in Leishmania parasites. C14DM is a cytochrome P450 enzyme and the primary target of azole drugs. In Leishmania, genetic or chemical inactivation of C14DM led to a complete loss of ergostane-based sterols and accumulation of 14-methylated sterols. Despite the drastic change in lipid composition, C14DM-null mutants (c14dm(-)) were surprisingly viable and replicative in culture. They did exhibit remarkable defects including increased membrane fluidity, failure to maintain detergent resistant membrane fraction, and hypersensitivity to heat stress. These c14dm(-) mutants showed severely reduced virulence in mice but were highly resistant to itraconazole and amphotericin B, two drugs targeting sterol synthesis. Our findings suggest that the accumulation of toxic sterol intermediates in c14dm(-) causes strong membrane perturbation and significant vulnerability to stress. The new knowledge may help improve the efficacy of current drugs against pathogenic protozoa by exploiting the fitness loss associated with drug resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Xu
- Department of Biological Sciences, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas, United States of America
| | - Fong-Fu Hsu
- Department of Internal Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, Missouri, United States of America
| | - Eda Baykal
- Department of Physics, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas, United States of America
| | - Juyang Huang
- Department of Physics, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas, United States of America
| | - Kai Zhang
- Department of Biological Sciences, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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29
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Aguilera-Romero A, Gehin C, Riezman H. Sphingolipid homeostasis in the web of metabolic routes. Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Cell Biol Lipids 2014; 1841:647-56. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbalip.2013.10.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2013] [Revised: 10/17/2013] [Accepted: 10/19/2013] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
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30
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Zhang O, Hsu FF, Xu W, Pawlowic M, Zhang K. Sphingosine kinase A is a pleiotropic and essential enzyme for Leishmania survival and virulence. Mol Microbiol 2013; 90:489-501. [PMID: 23980754 DOI: 10.1111/mmi.12378] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/24/2013] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Sphingosine kinase is a key enzyme in sphingolipid metabolism, catalysing the conversion of sphingosine or dihydrosphingosine into sphingosine-1-phosphate or dihydrosphingosine-1-phosphate respectively. In mammals, sphingosine-1-phosphate is a powerful signalling molecule regulating cell growth, differentiation, apoptosis and immunity. Functions of sphingosine kinase or sphingosine-1-phosphate in pathogenic protozoans are virtually unknown. While most organisms possess two closely related sphingosine kinases, only one sphingosine kinase homologue (SKa) can be identified in Leishmania, which are vector-borne protozoan parasites responsible for leishmaniasis. Leishmania SKa is a large, cytoplasmic enzyme capable of phosphorylating both sphingosine and dihydrosphingosine. Remarkably, deletion of SKa leads to catastrophic defects in both the insect stage and mammalian stage of Leishmania parasites. Genetic and biochemical analyses demonstrate that proper expression of SKa is essential for Leishmania parasites to remove toxic metabolites, to survive stressful conditions, and to cause disease in mice. Therefore, SKa is a pleiotropic enzyme with vital roles throughout the life cycle of Leishmania. The essentiality of SKa and its apparent divergence from mammalian counterparts suggests that this enzyme can be selectively targeted to reduce Leishmania infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ou Zhang
- Department of Biological Sciences, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX, 79409, USA
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31
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Lipid synthesis in protozoan parasites: a comparison between kinetoplastids and apicomplexans. Prog Lipid Res 2013; 52:488-512. [PMID: 23827884 DOI: 10.1016/j.plipres.2013.06.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 103] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2013] [Revised: 06/16/2013] [Accepted: 06/17/2013] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Lipid metabolism is of crucial importance for pathogens. Lipids serve as cellular building blocks, signalling molecules, energy stores, posttranslational modifiers, and pathogenesis factors. Parasites rely on a complex system of uptake and synthesis mechanisms to satisfy their lipid needs. The parameters of this system change dramatically as the parasite transits through the various stages of its life cycle. Here we discuss the tremendous recent advances that have been made in the understanding of the synthesis and uptake pathways for fatty acids and phospholipids in apicomplexan and kinetoplastid parasites, including Plasmodium, Toxoplasma, Cryptosporidium, Trypanosoma and Leishmania. Lipid synthesis differs in significant ways between parasites from both phyla and the human host. Parasites have acquired novel pathways through endosymbiosis, as in the case of the apicoplast, have dramatically reshaped substrate and product profiles, and have evolved specialized lipids to interact with or manipulate the host. These differences potentially provide opportunities for drug development. We outline the lipid pathways for key species in detail as they progress through the developmental cycle and highlight those that are of particular importance to the biology of the pathogens and/or are the most promising targets for parasite-specific treatment.
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Rub A, Arish M, Husain SA, Ahmed N, Akhter Y. Host-lipidome as a potential target of protozoan parasites. Microbes Infect 2013; 15:649-60. [PMID: 23811020 DOI: 10.1016/j.micinf.2013.06.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2013] [Revised: 04/13/2013] [Accepted: 06/18/2013] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Host-lipidome caters parasite interaction by acting as first line of recognition, attachment on the cell surface, intracellular trafficking, and survival of the parasite inside the host cell. Here, we summarize how protozoan parasites exploit host-lipidome by suppressing, augmenting, engulfing, remodeling and metabolizing lipids to achieve successful parasitism inside the host.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abdur Rub
- Infection and Immunity Lab, Department of Biotechnology, Jamia Millia Islamia (A Central University), New Delhi 110025, India.
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Castro EV, Yoneyama KG, Haapalainen EF, Toledo MS, Takahashi HK, Straus AH. Myriocin, a Serine Palmitoyltransferase Inhibitor, Blocks Cytokinesis in Leishmania (Viannia) braziliensis
Promastigotes. J Eukaryot Microbiol 2013; 60:377-87. [DOI: 10.1111/jeu.12043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2012] [Revised: 01/29/2013] [Accepted: 01/30/2013] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Erica V. Castro
- Department of Biochemistry; Escola Paulista de Medicina; Universidade Federal de São Paulo; Rua Botucatu 862 São Paulo SP 04023-900 Brazil
| | - Kelly G. Yoneyama
- Department of Biochemistry; Escola Paulista de Medicina; Universidade Federal de São Paulo; Rua Botucatu 862 São Paulo SP 04023-900 Brazil
| | - Edna F. Haapalainen
- Electron Microscopy Center; Escola Paulista de Medicina; Universidade Federal de São Paulo; Rua Botucatu 862 São Paulo SP 04023-900 Brazil
| | - Marcos S. Toledo
- Department of Biochemistry; Escola Paulista de Medicina; Universidade Federal de São Paulo; Rua Botucatu 862 São Paulo SP 04023-900 Brazil
| | - Helio K. Takahashi
- Department of Biochemistry; Escola Paulista de Medicina; Universidade Federal de São Paulo; Rua Botucatu 862 São Paulo SP 04023-900 Brazil
| | - Anita H. Straus
- Department of Biochemistry; Escola Paulista de Medicina; Universidade Federal de São Paulo; Rua Botucatu 862 São Paulo SP 04023-900 Brazil
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Lynn MA, Marr AK, McMaster WR. Differential quantitative proteomic profiling of Leishmania infantum and Leishmania mexicana density gradient separated membranous fractions. J Proteomics 2013; 82:179-92. [PMID: 23466312 DOI: 10.1016/j.jprot.2013.02.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2012] [Revised: 02/08/2013] [Accepted: 02/09/2013] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
UNLABELLED Leishmaniasis, caused by infection with Leishmania, is a major public health concern affecting more than 20million people globally. Leishmania has a digenetic lifecycle consisting of an extracellular flagellated promastigote, adapted to live in the mid-gut of the sand fly host and an aflagellated intracellular amastigote that resides within the macrophage of the mammalian host. Leishmania mexicana and Leishmania infantum are causative agents of cutaneous and visceral leishmaniasis, respectively. Membrane proteins play a pivotal role in host-pathogen interactions and in regulatory pathways. As the genome of Leishmania is essentially constitutively expressed, regulation of protein expression during differentiation occurs post-transcriptionally and/or post-translationally. Quantitative mass spectrometry using iTRAQ labeling identified differences in the proteomes of density gradient separated membranous fractions of promastigote and amastigote life-stages. We identified 189 L. infantum and 107 L. mexicana non-redundant proteins of which 20-40% showed differential expression levels between promastigote and amastigote lifecycle stages. Differentially expressed proteins mapped to several pathways including cell motility, metabolism, and infectivity as well as virulence factors such as eEF-1α, amastin and leishmanolysin (GP63). Western blot analysis validated iTRAQ quantitation for leishmanolysin. Focusing on differentially expressed proteins essential for pathogenesis, may ultimately lead to the identification of novel potential therapeutic targets. BIOLOGICAL SIGNIFICANCE Leishmania, protozoan parasites of the Trypanosomatidae family, are the causative agents of leishmaniasis that represents a major public health concern affecting more than 20million people globally Membrane associated proteins play a pivotal role in host-pathogen interactions and in regulatory pathways. Quantitative proteomic analysis of the membranous fractions from L. mexicana and L. infantum (causative agents of cutaneous and visceral leishmaniasis, respectively) identified a number of proteins that may have important stage-specific functions in either the sand fly or mammalian host. The function of these proteins includes roles in virulence, as well as differences in metabolic process between life stages. Many of the proteins identified may act as virulence factors playing significant roles in parasite invasion, host-parasite interaction or parasite survival and thus may have therapeutic potential as drug target candidates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miriam A Lynn
- Infection and Immunity Research Centre, Vancouver Coastal Health Research Institute, 2660 Oak Street, Vancouver, B.C., V6H 3Z6, Canada
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35
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Identification of a sphingosine-sensitive Ca2+ channel in the plasma membrane of Leishmania mexicana. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2013; 430:1091-6. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2012.12.033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2012] [Accepted: 12/06/2012] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
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36
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New insights into roles of acidocalcisomes and contractile vacuole complex in osmoregulation in protists. INTERNATIONAL REVIEW OF CELL AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2013; 305:69-113. [PMID: 23890380 DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-12-407695-2.00002-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
While free-living protists are usually subjected to hyposmotic environments, parasitic protists are also in contact with hyperosmotic habitats. Recent work in one of these parasites, Trypanosoma cruzi, has revealed that its contractile vacuole complex, which usually collects and expels excess water as a mechanism of regulatory volume decrease after hyposmotic stress, has also a role in cell shrinking when the cells are submitted to hyperosmotic stress. Trypanosomes also have an acidic calcium store rich in polyphosphate (polyP), named the acidocalcisome, which is involved in their response to osmotic stress. Here, we review newly emerging insights on the role of acidocalcisomes and the contractile vacuole complex in the cellular response to hyposmotic and hyperosmotic stresses. We also review the current state of knowledge on the composition of these organelles and their other roles in calcium homeostasis and protein trafficking.
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Lakhal-Naouar I, Jardim A, Strasser R, Luo S, Kozakai Y, Nakhasi HL, Duncan RC. Leishmania donovani argininosuccinate synthase is an active enzyme associated with parasite pathogenesis. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2012; 6:e1849. [PMID: 23094117 PMCID: PMC3475689 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0001849] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2012] [Accepted: 08/22/2012] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Gene expression analysis in Leishmania donovani (Ld) identified an orthologue of the urea cycle enzyme, argininosuccinate synthase (LdASS), that was more abundantly expressed in amastigotes than in promastigotes. In order to characterize in detail this newly identified protein in Leishmania, we determined its enzymatic activity, subcellular localization in the parasite and affect on virulence in vivo. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS Two parasite cell lines either over expressing wild type LdASS or a mutant form (G128S) associated with severe cases of citrullinemia in humans were developed. In addition we also produced bacterially expressed recombinant forms of the same proteins. Our results demonstrated that LdASS has argininosuccinate synthase enzymatic activity that is abolished using an ASS specific inhibitor (MDLA: methyl-D-L-Aspartic acid). However, the mutant form of the protein is inactive. We demonstrate that though LdASS has a glycosomal targeting signal that binds the targeting apparatus in vitro, only a small proportion of the total cellular ASS is localized in a vesicle, as indicated by protection from protease digestion of the crude organelle fraction. The majority of LdASS was found to be in the cytosolic fraction that may include large cytosolic complexes as indicated by the punctate distribution in IFA. Surprisingly, comparison to known glycosomal proteins by IFA revealed that LdASS was located in a structure different from the known glycosomal vesicles. Significantly, parasites expressing a mutant form of LdASS associated with a loss of in vitro activity had reduced virulence in vivo in BALB/c mice as demonstrated by a significant reduction in the parasite load in spleen and liver. CONCLUSION/SIGNIFICANCE Our study suggests that LdASS is an active enzyme, with unique localization and essential for parasite survival and growth in the mammalian host. Based on these observations LdASS could be further explored as a potential drug target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ines Lakhal-Naouar
- Laboratory of Emerging Pathogens, Division of Emerging and Transfusion Transmitted Diseases, Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research (CBER), Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Bethesda, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Armando Jardim
- Institute of Parasitology, McGill University and the Centre for Host-Parasite Interactions, Quebec, Canada
| | - Rona Strasser
- Institute of Parasitology, McGill University and the Centre for Host-Parasite Interactions, Quebec, Canada
| | - Shen Luo
- Laboratory of Chemistry, Division of Therapeutic Proteins, Center for Drug Evaluation and Research (CDER), Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Bethesda, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Yukiko Kozakai
- Laboratory of Emerging Pathogens, Division of Emerging and Transfusion Transmitted Diseases, Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research (CBER), Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Bethesda, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Hira L. Nakhasi
- Laboratory of Emerging Pathogens, Division of Emerging and Transfusion Transmitted Diseases, Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research (CBER), Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Bethesda, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Robert C. Duncan
- Laboratory of Emerging Pathogens, Division of Emerging and Transfusion Transmitted Diseases, Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research (CBER), Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Bethesda, Maryland, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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Pawlowic MC, Zhang K. Leishmania parasites possess a platelet-activating factor acetylhydrolase important for virulence. Mol Biochem Parasitol 2012; 186:11-20. [PMID: 22954769 DOI: 10.1016/j.molbiopara.2012.08.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2012] [Revised: 08/20/2012] [Accepted: 08/21/2012] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Leishmania parasites are intracellular protozoans capable of salvaging and remodeling lipids from the host. To understand the role of lipid metabolism in Leishmania virulence, it is necessary to characterize the enzymes involved in the uptake and turnover of phospholipids. This study focuses on a putative phospholipase A2 (PLA2)/platelet-activating factor acetylhydrolase (PAF-AH) in Leishmania major. In mammals, PAF-AH is a subgroup of PLA2 catalyzing the hydrolysis/inactivation of platelet-activating factor (PAF), a potent mediator of many leukocyte functions. By immunofluorescence microscopy, L. major PLA2/PAF-AH is predominantly localized in the ER. While wild type L. major parasites are able to hydrolyze PAF, this activity is completely absent in the PLA2/PAF-AH-null mutants. Meanwhile, deletion of PLA2/PAF-AH had no significant effect on the turnover of common glycerophospholipids such as phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylserine, and phosphatidylglycerol. PLA2/PAF-AH is not required for the growth of L. major parasites in culture, or the production of GPI-anchored virulence factors. Nonetheless, it does play a key role in the mammalian host as the PLA2/PAF-AH null mutants exhibit attenuated virulence in BALB/c mice. In conclusion, these data suggest that Leishmania parasites possess a functional PAF-AH and the degradation of PAF or PAF-like lipids is an important step in infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mattie C Pawlowic
- Department of Biological Sciences, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX 79409, USA
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Mandlik V, Shinde S, Chaudhary A, Singh S. Biological network modeling identifies IPCS in Leishmania as a therapeutic target. Integr Biol (Camb) 2012; 4:1130-42. [PMID: 22842708 DOI: 10.1039/c2ib20037f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Systems biology aims to develop mathematical models of biological systems by integrating experimental and theoretical techniques by leveraging on the genome wide data to unravel the complexity of gene regulation. Despite the availability of effective chemotherapy, leishmaniasis continues to be one of the major parasitic infections that affect the human population worldwide. Currently, little is known of the structural biology of the parasites that are responsible for the disease and few attempts have been made to develop second generation drugs, which may become essential if multi-drug resistance arises. These facts make the discovery of novel drug targets a priority. Multiscale modeling and simulation techniques permit us to study the spatial and temporal properties of large systems to be simulated using atomic-detail structures. The estimation of kinetic parameters for the mathematical modeling provides a basis for iterative manipulation of biochemical pathways. In this paper, emphasis is laid on the discrete regulation of gene or protein expression as modeling can be done based on pure qualitative knowledge about interaction between genes or proteins that is widely available from the existing experimental methodologies. IPC synthase is one of them, believed to play a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of Leishmania sp. and resides in an acidic macrophage phagolysosome, defining a new class of eukaryotic sphingolipid synthases. This work will facilitate the rational development of inhibitors against a protozoan enzyme with no mammalian equivalent, leading to the prospect of anti-protozoal compounds with minimal toxic side effects. Henceforth, it can be said that exploiting the interactome for novel human drug targets could provide new therapeutic avenues towards the treatment of infectious diseases, which could ameliorate the growing clinical challenge of drug-resistant infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vineetha Mandlik
- National Centre for Cell Science, NCCS Complex, Pune University Campus, Ganeshkhind, Pune 411007, India
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40
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Brotherton MC, Racine G, Ouameur AA, Leprohon P, Papadopoulou B, Ouellette M. Analysis of membrane-enriched and high molecular weight proteins in Leishmania infantum promastigotes and axenic amastigotes. J Proteome Res 2012; 11:3974-85. [PMID: 22716046 DOI: 10.1021/pr201248h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Membrane and high molecular weight (HMW) proteins tend to be underrepresented in proteome analyses. Here, we optimized a protocol designed for the extraction and purification of membranes from the protozoan parasite Leishmania using a combination of serial centrifugation and free-flow zone electrophoresis (ZE-FFE). We also enriched for Leishmania HMW proteins from total extracts using the Gelfree 8100 fractionation system. This allowed the study of expression of both membrane-enriched and HMW proteins in Leishmania infantum promastigotes and amastigotes. We identified 194 proteins with at least one transmembrane domain (TMD) and 171 HMW proteins (≥100 kDa) in the invertebrate promastigote stage and 66 proteins with at least one TMD and 154 HMW proteins in the mammalian amastigote stage. Several of the proteins identified in one of the stages are part of pathways consistent with the known biology of the parasite, with many proteins involved in lipid synthesis, numerous dynein heavy chains, and some surface antigen proteins 2 detected in the promastigote stage. Notably, some proteins involved in transport and proteolysis were detected either in promastigote or amastigote. The present study is using improved proteomic methods for studying membrane-enriched and HMW proteins helping to achieve a better understanding of the parasite life cycle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marie-Christine Brotherton
- Centre de Recherche en Infectiologie, Département de Microbiologie et Immunologie, Faculté de Médecine, Université Laval, Québec, Canada
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Sphingolipid and ceramide homeostasis: potential therapeutic targets. Biochem Res Int 2012; 2012:248135. [PMID: 22400113 PMCID: PMC3286894 DOI: 10.1155/2012/248135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2011] [Accepted: 10/20/2011] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Sphingolipids are ubiquitous in eukaryotic cells where they have been attributed a plethora of functions from the formation of structural domains to polarized cellular trafficking and signal transduction. Recent research has identified and characterised many of the key enzymes involved in sphingolipid metabolism and this has led to a heightened interest in the possibility of targeting these processes for therapies against cancers, Alzheimer's disease, and numerous important human pathogens. In this paper we outline the major pathways in eukaryotic sphingolipid metabolism and discuss these in relation to disease and therapy for both chronic and infectious conditions.
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42
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Zhang O, Xu W, Balakrishna Pillai A, Zhang K. Developmentally regulated sphingolipid degradation in Leishmania major. PLoS One 2012; 7:e31059. [PMID: 22299050 PMCID: PMC3267774 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0031059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2011] [Accepted: 01/01/2012] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Leishmania parasites alternate between extracellular promastigotes in sandflies and intracellular amastigotes in mammals. These protozoans acquire sphingolipids (SLs) through de novo synthesis (to produce inositol phosphorylceramide) and salvage (to obtain sphingomyelin from the host). A single ISCL (Inositol phosphoSphingolipid phospholipase C-Like) enzyme is responsible for the degradation of both inositol phosphorylceramide (the IPC hydrolase or IPCase activity) and sphingomyelin (the SMase activity). Recent studies of a L. major ISCL-null mutant (iscl−) indicate that SL degradation is required for promastigote survival in stationary phase, especially under acidic pH. ISCL is also essential for L. major proliferation in mammals. To further understand the role of ISCL in Leishmania growth and virulence, we introduced a sole IPCase or a sole SMase into the iscl− mutant. Results showed that restoration of IPCase only complemented the acid resistance defect in iscl− promastigotes and improved their survival in macrophages, but failed to recover virulence in mice. In contrast, a sole SMase fully restored parasite infectivity in mice but was unable to reverse the promastigote defects in iscl−. These findings suggest that SL degradation in Leishmania possesses separate roles in different stages: while the IPCase activity is important for promastigote survival and acid tolerance, the SMase activity is required for amastigote proliferation in mammals. Consistent with these findings, ISCL was preferentially expressed in stationary phase promastigotes and amastigotes. Together, our results indicate that SL degradation by Leishmania is critical for parasites to establish and sustain infection in the mammalian host.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ou Zhang
- Department of Biological Sciences, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas, United States of America
| | - Wei Xu
- Department of Biological Sciences, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas, United States of America
| | | | - Kai Zhang
- Department of Biological Sciences, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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McConville MJ, Naderer T. Metabolic pathways required for the intracellular survival of Leishmania. Annu Rev Microbiol 2012; 65:543-61. [PMID: 21721937 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-micro-090110-102913] [Citation(s) in RCA: 101] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Leishmania spp. are sandfly-transmitted parasitic protozoa that cause a spectrum of important diseases and lifelong chronic infections in humans. In the mammalian host, these parasites proliferate within acidified vacuoles in several phagocytic host cells, including macrophages, dendritic cells, and neutrophils. In this review, we discuss recent progress that has been made in defining the nutrient composition of the Leishmania parasitophorous vacuole, as well as metabolic pathways required by these parasites for virulence. Analysis of the virulence phenotype of Leishmania mutants has been particularly useful in defining carbon sources and nutrient salvage pathways that are essential for parasite persistence and/or induction of pathology. We also review data suggesting that intracellular parasite stages modulate metabolic processes in their host cells in order to generate a more permissive niche.
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Affiliation(s)
- Malcolm J McConville
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Melbourne, Bio21 Institute of Molecular Science and Biotechnology, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia.
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44
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Silva AM, Cordeiro-da-Silva A, Coombs GH. Metabolic variation during development in culture of Leishmania donovani promastigotes. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2011; 5:e1451. [PMID: 22206037 PMCID: PMC3243725 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0001451] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2011] [Accepted: 11/10/2011] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
The genome sequencing of several Leishmania species has provided immense amounts of data and allowed the prediction of the metabolic pathways potentially operating. Subsequent genetic and proteomic studies have identified stage-specific proteins and putative virulence factors but many aspects of the metabolic adaptations of Leishmania remain to be elucidated. In this study, we have used an untargeted metabolomics approach to analyze changes in the metabolite profile as promastigotes of L. donovani develop during in vitro cultures from logarithmic to stationary phase. The results show that the metabolomes of promastigotes on days 3–6 of culture differ significantly from each other, consistent with there being distinct developmental changes. Most notable were the structural changes in glycerophospholipids and increase in the abundance of sphingolipids and glycerolipids as cells progress from logarithmic to stationary phase. Leishmania infections are considered neglected tropical diseases as the parasites affect millions of people worldwide but there are limited research efforts aimed at obtaining vaccines and new drugs. Leishmania has a digenetic life cycle alternating between promastigote forms, which develop in the sand-fly, the vector of the disease, and an amastigote form, which grows in mammals after being bitten by an infected sand-fly. In vitro studies with the promastigote forms are routinely used to gain insights about the parasite's cell biology. Little is known about how the different promastigotes forms are metabolically adapted to their particular micro-environment in the host or how they are pre-adapted metabolically for infecting a mammal, thus we have undertaken a study of the metabolite profile of L. donovani promastigotes in order to gain an understanding of the changes that occur during promastigote development. The analysis has revealed that the changes in promastigotes' metabolome between days 3 and 6 take place in a progressive manner; however major differences were observed when comparing the promastigotes on days 3 and 6. An increase in lipid abundance as promastigote development occurred was notable and is likely to reflect remodelling of the parasite's surface in readiness for infecting a mammal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Marta Silva
- Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, United Kingdom
- Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
- Laboratório de Ciências Biológicas, Faculdade de Farmácia da Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Anabela Cordeiro-da-Silva
- Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
- Laboratório de Ciências Biológicas, Faculdade de Farmácia da Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Graham H. Coombs
- Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, United Kingdom
- * E-mail:
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45
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Docampo R, Jimenez V, King-Keller S, Li ZH, Moreno SNJ. The role of acidocalcisomes in the stress response of Trypanosoma cruzi. ADVANCES IN PARASITOLOGY 2011; 75:307-24. [PMID: 21820562 DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-12-385863-4.00014-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Acidocalcisomes of Trypanosoma cruzi are acidic calcium-containing organelles rich in phosphorus in the form of pyrophosphate (PP(i)) and polyphosphate (poly P). Acidification of the organelles is driven by vacuolar proton pumps, one of which, the vacuolar-type proton pyrophosphatase, is absent in mammalian cells. A calcium ATPase is involved in calcium uptake, and an aquaporin is important for water transport. Enzymes involved in the synthesis and degradation of PPi and poly P are present within the organelle. Acidocalcisomes function as storage sites for cations and phosphorus, participate in PP(i) and poly P metabolism and volume regulation and are essential for virulence. A signalling pathway involving cyclic AMP generation is important for fusion of acidocalcisomes to the contractile vacuole complex, transference of aquaporin and volume regulation. This pathway is an excellent target for chemotherapy as shown by the effects of phosphodiesterase C inhibitors on parasite survival.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberto Docampo
- Department of Cellular Biology and Center for Tropical and Global Emerging Diseases, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
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46
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Huang G, Fang J, Sant'Anna C, Li ZH, Wellems DL, Rohloff P, Docampo R. Adaptor protein-3 (AP-3) complex mediates the biogenesis of acidocalcisomes and is essential for growth and virulence of Trypanosoma brucei. J Biol Chem 2011; 286:36619-30. [PMID: 21880705 PMCID: PMC3196089 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m111.284661] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2011] [Revised: 08/24/2011] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Acidocalcisomes are acidic calcium and polyphosphate storage organelles found in a diverse range of organisms. Here we present evidence that the biogenesis of acidocalcisomes in Trypanosoma brucei is linked to the expression of adaptor protein-3 (AP-3) complex. Localization studies in cell lines expressing β3 and δ subunits of AP-3 fused to epitope tags revealed their partial co-localization with the vacuolar proton pyrophosphatase, a marker of acidocalcisomes, with the Golgi marker Golgi reassembly and stacking protein, and with antibodies against the small GTPase Rab11. Ablation of the β3 subunit by RNA interference (RNAi) resulted in disappearance of acidocalcisomes from both procyclic and bloodstream form trypanosomes, as revealed by immmunofluorescence and electron microscopy assays, with no alterations in trafficking of different markers to lysosomes. Knockdown of the β3 subunit resulted in lower acidic calcium, pyrophosphate, and polyphosphate content as well as defects in growth in culture, resistance to osmotic stress, and virulence in mice. Similar results were obtained by knocking down the expression of the δ subunit of AP-3. These results indicate that AP-3 is essential for the biogenesis of acidocalcisomes and for growth and virulence of T. brucei.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guozhong Huang
- From the Center for Tropical and Emerging Global Diseases and Department of Cellular Biology, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia 30602
| | - Jianmin Fang
- From the Center for Tropical and Emerging Global Diseases and Department of Cellular Biology, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia 30602
| | - Celso Sant'Anna
- From the Center for Tropical and Emerging Global Diseases and Department of Cellular Biology, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia 30602
| | - Zhu-Hong Li
- From the Center for Tropical and Emerging Global Diseases and Department of Cellular Biology, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia 30602
| | - Dianne L. Wellems
- From the Center for Tropical and Emerging Global Diseases and Department of Cellular Biology, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia 30602
| | - Peter Rohloff
- From the Center for Tropical and Emerging Global Diseases and Department of Cellular Biology, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia 30602
| | - Roberto Docampo
- From the Center for Tropical and Emerging Global Diseases and Department of Cellular Biology, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia 30602
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Creek DJ, Anderson J, McConville MJ, Barrett MP. Metabolomic analysis of trypanosomatid protozoa. Mol Biochem Parasitol 2011; 181:73-84. [PMID: 22027026 DOI: 10.1016/j.molbiopara.2011.10.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2011] [Revised: 10/04/2011] [Accepted: 10/06/2011] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Metabolomics aims to measure all low molecular weight chemicals within a given system in a manner analogous to transcriptomics, proteomics and genomics. In this review we highlight metabolomics approaches that are currently being applied to the kinetoplastid parasites, Trypanosoma brucei and Leishmania spp. The use of untargeted metabolomics approaches, made possible through advances in mass spectrometry and informatics, and stable isotope labelling has increased our understanding of the metabolism in these organisms beyond the views established using classical biochemical approaches. Set within the context of metabolic networks, predicted using genome-wide reconstructions of metabolism, new hypotheses on how to target aspects of metabolism to design new drugs against these protozoa are emerging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Darren J Creek
- Wellcome Trust Centre for Molecular Parasitology, Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8TA, United Kingdom
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Endocytosis and Sphingolipid Scavenging in Leishmania mexicana Amastigotes. Biochem Res Int 2011; 2012:691363. [PMID: 21941657 PMCID: PMC3177366 DOI: 10.1155/2012/691363] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2011] [Revised: 07/18/2011] [Accepted: 07/22/2011] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Leishmania species are the causative agents of the leishmaniases, a spectrum of neglected tropical diseases. Amastigote stage parasites exist within macrophages and scavenge host factors for survival, for example, Leishmania species utilise host sphingolipid for synthesis of complex sphingolipid. In this study L. mexicana endocytosis was shown to be significantly upregulated in amastigotes, indicating that sphingolipid scavenging may be enhanced. However, inhibition of host sphingolipid biosynthesis had no significant effect on amastigote proliferation within a macrophage cell line. In addition, infection itself did not directly influence host biosynthesis. Notably, in contrast to L. major, L. mexicana amastigotes are indicated to possess a complete biosynthetic pathway suggesting that scavenged sphingolipids may be nonessential for proliferation. This suggested that Old and New World species differ in their interactions with the macrophage host. This will need to be considered when targeting the Leishmania sphingolipid biosynthetic pathway with novel therapeutics.
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Salay LC, Nobre TM, Colhone MC, Zaniquelli MED, Ciancaglini P, Stabeli RG, Leite JRSA, Zucolotto V. Dermaseptin 01 as antimicrobial peptide with rich biotechnological potential: study of peptide interaction with membranes containing Leishmania amazonensis lipid-rich extract and membrane models. J Pept Sci 2011; 17:700-7. [PMID: 21805539 DOI: 10.1002/psc.1392] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2011] [Revised: 05/27/2011] [Accepted: 06/10/2011] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
This article addresses the interactions of the synthetic antimicrobial peptide dermaseptin 01 (GLWSTIKQKGKEAAIAAA- KAAGQAALGAL-NH(2) , DS 01) with phospholipid (PL) monolayers comprising (i) a lipid-rich extract of Leishmania amazonensis (LRE-La), (ii) zwitterionic PL (dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine, DPPC), and (iii) negatively charged PL (dipalmitoylphosphatidylglycerol, DPPG). The degree of interaction of DS 01 with the different biomembrane models was quantified from equilibrium and dynamic liquid-air interface parameters. At low peptide concentrations, interactions between DS 01 and zwitterionic PL, as well as with the LRE-La monolayers were very weak, whereas with negatively charged PLs the interactions were stronger. For peptide concentrations above 1 µg/ml, a considerable expansion of negatively charged monolayers occurred. In the case of DPPC, it was possible to return to the original lipid area in the condensed phase, suggesting that the peptide was expelled from the monolayer. However, in the case of DPPG, the average area per lipid molecule in the presence of DS 01 was higher than pure PLs even at high surface pressures, suggesting that at least part of DS 01 remained incorporated in the monolayer. For the LRE-La monolayers, DS 01 also remained in the monolayer. This is the first report on the antiparasitic activity of AMPs using Langmuir monolayers of a natural lipid extract from L. amazonensis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luiz C Salay
- Instituto de Física de São Carlos, IFSC, Universidade de São Paulo, USP, 13560-970 São Carlos, São Paulo, Brazil.
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50
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Abstract
Acidocalcisomes are acidic organelles containing calcium and a high concentration of phosphorus in the form of pyrophosphate (PP(i)) and polyphosphate (poly P). Organelles with these characteristics have been found from bacteria to human cells implying an early appearance and persistence over evolutionary time or their appearance by convergent evolution. Acidification of the organelles is driven by the presence of vacuolar proton pumps, one of which, the vacuolar proton pyrophosphatase, is absent in animals, where it is substituted by a vacuolar proton ATPase. A number of other pumps, antiporters, and channels have been described in acidocalcisomes of different species and are responsible for their internal content. Enzymes involved in the synthesis and degradation of PP(i) and poly P are present within the organelle. Acidocalcisomes function as storage sites for cations and phosphorus, and participate in PP(i) and poly P metabolism, calcium homeostasis, maintenance of intracellular pH, and osmoregulation. Experiments in which the acidocalcisome Ca(2+)-ATPase of different parasites were downregulated or eliminated, or acidocalcisome Ca(2+) was depleted revealed the importance of this store in Ca(2+) signaling needed for host invasion and virulence. Acidocalcisomes interact with other organelles in a number of organisms suggesting their association with the endosomal/lysosomal pathway, and are considered part of the lysosome-related group of organelles.
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