Respiration of Trichomonas vaginalis. Components detected by electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy

Protists: Eukaryotic single-celled organisms and the functioning of their organelles

Organelles are membrane bound structures that compartmentalize biochemical and molecular functions. With improved molecular, biochemical and microscopy tools the diversity and function of protistan organelles has increased in recent years, providing a complex panoply of structure/function relationships. This is particularly noticeable with the description of hydrogenosomes, and the diverse array of structures that followed, having hybrid hydrogenosome/mitochondria attributes. These diverse organelles have lost the major, at one time, definitive components of the mitochondrion (tricarboxylic cycle enzymes and cytochromes), however they all contain the machinery for the assembly of Fe-S clusters, which is the single unifying feature they share. The plasticity of organelles, like the mitochondrion, is therefore evident from its ability to lose its identity as an aerobic energy generating powerhouse while retaining key ancestral functions common to both aerobes and anaerobes. It is interesting to note that the apicoplast, a non-photosynthetic plastid that is present in all apicomplexan protozoa, apart from Cryptosporidium and possibly the gregarines, is also the site of Fe-S cluster assembly proteins. It turns out that in Cryptosporidium proteins involved in Fe-S cluster biosynthesis are localized in the mitochondrial remnant organelle termed the mitosome. Hence, different organisms have solved the same problem of packaging a life-requiring set of reactions in different ways, using different ancestral organelles, discarding what is not needed and keeping what is essential. Don't judge an organelle by its cover, more by the things it does, and always be prepared for surprises.

Oxygen levels are key to understanding "Anaerobic" protozoan pathogens with micro-aerophilic lifestyles

Publications abound on the physiology, biochemistry and molecular biology of "anaerobic" protozoal parasites as usually grown under "anaerobic" culture conditions. The media routinely used are poised at low redox potentials using techniques that remove O₂ to "undetectable" levels in sealed containers. However there is growing understanding that these culture conditions do not faithfully resemble the O₂ environments these organisms inhabit. Here we review for protists lacking oxidative energy metabolism, the oxygen cascade from atmospheric to intracellular concentrations and relevant methods of measurements of O₂, some well-studied parasitic or symbiotic protozoan lifestyles, their homeodynamic metabolic and redox balances, organism-drug-oxygen interactions, and the present and future prospects for improved drugs and treatment regimes.

Functional imaging of a model unicell: Spironucleus vortens as an anaerobic but aerotolerant flagellated protist

Advances in optical microscopy are continually narrowing the chasm in our appreciation of biological organization between the molecular and cellular levels, but many practical problems are still limiting. Observation is always limited by the rapid dynamics of ultrastructural modifications of intracellular components, and often by cell motility: imaging of the unicellular protist parasite of ornamental fish, Spironucleus vortens, has proved challenging. Autofluorescence of nicotinamide nucleotides and flavins in the 400-580 nm region of the visible spectrum, is the most useful indicator of cellular redox state and hence vitality. Fluorophores emitting in the red or near-infrared (i.e., phosphors) are less damaging and more penetrative than many routinely employed fluors. Mountants containing free radical scavengers minimize fluorophore photobleaching. Two-photon excitation provides a small focal spot, increased penetration, minimizes photon scattering and enables extended observations. Use of quantum dots clarifies the competition between endosomal uptake and exosomal extrusion. Rapid motility (161 μm/s) of the organism makes high resolution of ultrastructure difficult even at high scan speeds. Use of voltage-sensitive dyes determining transmembrane potentials of plasma membrane and hydrogenosomes (modified mitochondria) is also hindered by intracellular motion and controlled anesthesia perturbs membrane organization. Specificity of luminophore binding is always questionable; e.g. cationic lipophilic species widely used to measure membrane potentials also enter membrane-bounded neutral lipid droplet-filled organelles. This appears to be the case in S. vortens, where Coherent Anti-Stokes Raman Scattering (CARS) micro-spectroscopy unequivocally images the latter and simultaneous provides spectral identification at 2840 cm^-1. Secondary Harmonic Generation highlights the highly ordered structure of the flagella.

Mitochondria-derived organelles in the diplomonad fish parasite Spironucleus vortens

In some eukaryotes, mitochondria have become modified during evolution to yield derived organelles (MDOs) of a similar size (hydrogenosomes), or extremely reduced to produce tiny cellular vesicles (mitosomes). The current study provides evidence for the presence of MDOs in the highly infectious fish pathogen Spironucleus vortens, an organism that produces H₂ and is shown here to have no detectable cytochromes. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) reveals that S. vortens trophozoites contain electron-dense, membranous structures sometimes with an electron-dense core (200 nm-1 μm), resembling the hydrogenosomes previously described in other protists from habitats deficient in O₂. Confocal microscopy establishes that these organelles exhibit autofluorescence emission spectra similar to flavoprotein constituents previously described for mitochondria and also present in hydrogenosomes. These organelles possess a membrane potential and are labelled by a fluorescently labeled antibody against Fe-hydrogenase from Blastocystis hominis. Heterologous antibodies raised to mitochondrial proteins frataxin and Isu1, also exhibit a discrete punctate pattern of localization in S. vortens; however these labelled structures are distinctly smaller (90-150 nm) than hydrogenosomes as observed previously in other organisms. TEM confirms the presence of double-membrane bounded organelles of this smaller size. In addition, strong background immunostaining occurs in the cytosol for frataxin and Isu1, and labelling by anti-ferredoxin antibody is generally distributed and not specifically localized except for at the anterior polar region. This suggests that some of the functions traditionally attributed to such MDOs may also occur elsewhere. The specialized parasitic life-style of S. vortens may necessitate more complex intracellular compartmentation of redox reactions than previously recognized. Control of infection requires biochemical characterization of redox-related organelles.

Potentiating Metronidazole Scaffold against Resistant Trichomonas: Design, Synthesis, Biology and 3D-QSAR Analysis

Metronidazole (MTZ), the FDA-approved drug against Trichomonas vaginalis (TV), is being challenged seriously by drug resistance, while its inertness to sperm makes it ineffective as a vaginal contraceptive. Thirteen piperidine dithiocarbamate hybrids of 2-(2-methyl-5-nitro-1H-imidazol-1-yl)ethane (8-20) were designed to potentiate the MTZ framework against drug resistance and sperm. New compounds were 1.2-12.1 times more effective against MTZ-susceptible and -resistant strains of TV. All of the compounds exhibited high safety toward cervical (HeLa) cells and Lactobacillus. Thirty-eight compounds were scrutinized by CoMFA and CoMSIA techniques of 3D quantitative structure-activity relationship. Good predictive r pred (2) values for CoMFA and CoMSIA models reflected the robustness of the predictive ability. This was validated by designing five new analogues (46-50), which were potently microbicidal (3-10 and 10-20 times against MTZ-susceptible and -resistant TV, respectively) and spermicidal. This in vitro study may have significant clinical relevance, which could become evident in due course.

Mitochondrion‐Derived Organelles in Protists and Fungi

The mitochondrion is generally considered to be a defining feature of eukaryotic cells, yet most anaerobic eukaryotes lack this organelle. Many of these were previously thought to derive from eukaryotes that diverged prior to acquisition of the organelle through endosymbiosis. It is now known that all extant eukaryotes are descended from an ancestor that had a mitochondrion and that in anaerobic eukaryotes the organelle has been modified into either hydrogenosomes, which continue to generate energy for the host cell, or mitosomes, which do not. These organelles have each arisen independently several times. Recent evidence suggests a shared derived characteristic that may be responsible for the retention of the organelles in the absence of the better-known mitochondrial functions--iron-sulfur cluster assembly. This review explores the events leading to this new understanding of mitochondrion-derived organelles in amitochondriate eukaryotes, the current state of our knowledge, and future areas for investigation.

Nitrite inhibits hydrogen production and kills the cattle parasite Tritrichomonas foetus

AIMS

To investigate the effects of NaNO2 on the microaerophilic flagellated protozoan, Tritrichomonas foetus KV1, an economically important cattle parasite that inhabits the vagina and can spread rapidly through herds of animals by sexual transmission and leads to abortion of foetal calves.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Growth of the parasite was inhibited by 50% in the presence of 4 mm NaNO2; immediate killing occurred at 10 mm. Mass spectrometric monitoring of gases showed that H2 and CO2 evolution were inhibited by NaNO2, and electron paramagnetic resonance spectrometry revealed a signal similar to that of a thiolate-iron-NO complex. Growth with sublethal concentrations of NaNO2 yielded organisms that produced ethanol rather than H2.

CONCLUSIONS

NaNO2 probably inactivates FeS protein(s) of hydrogenosomes so as to inhibit the conversion of pyruvate (derived from maltose in the growth medium) to H2 and acetate.

SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY

The use of NaNO2 as a topical antitrichomonal agent in veterinary practice is a possibility. At present, slaughter of infected animals is the favoured method of control.

Iron-induced changes in pyruvate metabolism of Tritrichomonas foetus and involvement of iron in expression of hydrogenosomal proteins

The main function of the hydrogenosome, a typical organelle of trichomonads, is to convert malate or pyruvate to H(2), CO(2) and acetate by a pathway associated with ATP synthesis. This pathway relies on activity of iron-sulfur proteins such as pyruvate:ferredoxin oxidoreductase (PFOR), hydrogenase and ferredoxin. To examine the effect of iron availability on proper hydrogenosomal function, the metabolic activity of the hydrogenosome and expression of hydrogenosomal enzymes were compared in Tritrichomonas foetus maintained under iron-rich (150 microM iron nitrilotriacetate) or iron-restricted (180 microM 2,2-dipyridyl) conditions in vitro. The activities of PFOR and hydrogenase, and also production of acetate and H(2), were markedly decreased or absent in iron-restricted trichomonads. Moreover, a decrease in activity of the hydrogenosomal malic enzyme, which is a non-Fe-S protein, was also observed. Impaired function of hydrogenosomes under iron-restricted conditions was compensated for by activation of the cytosolic pathway, mediating conversion of pyruvate to ethanol via acetaldehyde. This metabolic switch was fully reversible. Production of hydrogen by iron-restricted trichomonads was restored to the level of organisms grown under iron-rich conditions within 3 h after addition of 150 microM iron nitrilotriacetate. Protein analysis of purified hydrogenosomes from iron-restricted cells showed decreased levels of proteins corresponding to PFOR, malic enzyme and ferredoxin. Accordingly, these cells displayed decreased steady-state level and synthesis of mRNAs encoding PFOR and hydrogenosomal malic enzyme. These data demonstrate that iron is essential for function of the hydrogenosome, show its involvement in the expression of hydrogenosomal proteins and indicate the presence of iron-dependent control of gene transcription in Tt. foetus.

Electron transport components of the parasitic protozoon Giardia lamblia

The energy metabolism of the intestinal parasite, Giardia lamblia, involves the iron-sulphur protein, pyruvate:ferredoxin oxidoreductase. Cell fractionation studies showed that this enzyme is associated with the membranes. NADH and NADPH dehydrogenases were found in both the membrane and cytosolic fractions. EPR spectroscopic studies showed the presence of iron-sulphur clusters in the membrane fraction and in the cytosolic fraction, non-sedimentable at 6 x 10(6) g.min. An acidic, soluble protein fraction was separated from the cytosol. It had an EPR spectrum in the reduced state, characteristic of the 2[4Fe-4S] type of ferredoxin, with g-factors at 2.04. 1.93 and 1.89, and the midpoint redox potential was estimated to be -360 mV. This species is probably a ferredoxin, like those of anaerobic bacteria such as Clostridium and Desulfovibrio spp. and also that of Entamoeba histolytica. The protein was readily and irreversibly oxidized to give [3Fe-4S] clusters.

Evidence for an [Fe]-type hydrogenase in the parasitic protozoan Trichomonas vaginalis

The hydrogenase of the pathogenic protozoan Trichomonas vaginalis was extracted and partially purified. The catalytic and spectroscopic properties of the enzyme indicate that it belongs to the class of [Fe]-hydrogenases, rather than the [NiFe]-hydrogenases. The hydrogenase activity was highly sensitive to carbon monoxide, 50% inhibition being attained by 1 microM CO. The EPR spectrum of the most active fractions from chromatography, after reduction by hydrogen and partial reoxidation under argon, showed an EPR spectrum at g = 2.10, 2.04, 2.00. This unusual spectrum is characteristic of the 'H-cluster', as seen in [Fe]-hydrogenases of anaerobic bacteria such as Clostridium spp.

Reduced transcription of the ferredoxin gene in metronidazole-resistant Trichomonas vaginalis

Metronidazole [1-(2-hydroxyethyl)-2-methyl-5-nitroimidazole] is used to treat infections caused by Trichomonas vaginalis, a sexually transmitted human parasite. This drug is administered in an inactive form and is reduced to its cytotoxic form within the hydrogenosome, an unusual organelle found in trichomonads. Metronidazole reduction occurs via ferredoxin-mediated electron transport. We have investigated the role of ferredoxin in metronidazole resistance. Immunoblot analysis of drug-resistant and -sensitive T. vaginalis strains shows that intracellular levels of ferredoxin are invariably reduced in the resistant strains relative to a sensitive strain. Similarly, Northern blot analysis shows that ferredoxin mRNA levels are reduced 50-65% in resistant strains. Using nuclear run-on assays, we show that ferredoxin gene transcription is reduced 40-65% in resistant strains. Sequence comparison of the region 5' of the ferredoxin gene among drug-sensitive and -resistant strains reveals two point mutations, at -178 and -239 nucleotides relative to the start of transcription, in a resistant strain. Interestingly, a protein of approximately 23 kDa binds to a 28-base-pair region that encompasses the mutation at -239 nucleotides. The binding affinity of this protein appears to be reduced in the mutant. These data strongly correlate drug resistance with altered regulation of ferredoxin gene transcription. A reduction in gene transcription results in decreased intracellular levels of ferredoxin. This, in turn, may play a role in metronidazole resistance by decreasing the ability of the cell to activate the drug.

Influence of CO2 and low concentrations of O2 on fermentative metabolism of the ruminal ciliate Polyplastron multivesiculatum

The effects of ruminal concentrations of CO2 and oxygen on the end products of endogenous metabolism and fermentation of D-glucose by the ruminal entodiniomorphid ciliate Polyplastron multivesiculatum were investigated. The principal metabolic products were butyric, acetic, and lactic acids, H2, and CO2. 13C nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy identified glycerol as a previously unknown major product of D-[1-13C]glucose fermentation by this protozoan. Metabolite formation rates were clearly influenced by the headspace gas composition. In the presence of 1 to 3 microM O2, acetate, H2, and CO2 formation was partially depressed. A gas headspace with a high CO2 content (66 kPa) was found to suppress hydrogenosomal pathways and to favor butyrate accumulation. Cytochromes were not detected (less than 2 pmol/mg of protein) in P. multivesiculatum; protozoal suspensions, however, consumed O2 for up to 3 h at 1 kPa of O2. Under gas phases of greater than 2.6 kPa of O2, the organisms rapidly became vacuolate and the cilia became inactive. The results suggest that fermentative pathways in P. multivesiculatum are influenced by the O2 and CO2 concentrations that prevail in situ in the rumen.

Molecular analysis of the hydrogenosomal ferredoxin of the anaerobic protist Trichomonas vaginalis

We have determined the primary structure of the [2Fe-2S]ferredoxin of the anaerobic protist Trichomonas vaginalis. This protein, situated in the hydrogenosome, is composed of 93 amino acids. A comparison of T. vaginalis ferredoxin with greater than 80 other ferredoxins shows the closest similarity to [2Fe-2S]putidaredoxin of the aerobic bacterium Pseudomonas putida and a lesser one to mitochondrial [2Fe-2S]ferredoxins of vertebrates. This similarity is reflected in the overall primary structure and in the spacing of cysteine residues coordinating the iron-sulfur center. The primary structure, but not the environment of the iron-sulfur center, also shows similarity with [2Fe-2S]ferredoxins of photosynthetic organisms and halobacteria. We have cloned and analyzed the T. vaginalis ferredoxin gene. The gene is present in a single copy and devoid of introns. It gives rise to a transcript with unusually short 5' and 3' untranslated regions of 16 and 18 nucleotides, respectively. DNA sequence analysis of the gene predicts an additional 8 amino acids at the amino terminus which are absent from the purified protein. This amino-terminal region of the protein is characterized by properties typical of mitochondrial presequences.

Sensitivity of parasites to free radical damage by antiparasitic drugs

Over the last few years a remarkable progress has been made in the understanding of parasites biochemistry, molecular biology, and immunology. This progress is especially encouraging in that emphasis on drug development is shifting from random screening towards a more rational approach. A number of peculiar aspects characteristic of parasites which are not present in other organisms and that might be exploitable for the design of specific agents have been described recently. One of these aspects is their deficiency in defense mechanisms against oxygen toxicity. Catalase is absent in many parasites. Distinct superoxide dismutases have been detected and specific inhibitors of these enzymes have been investigated. Glutathione is absent in some anaerobic protozoa. Peroxidase and reductase activities dependent on a glutathione-spermidine cofactor termed trypanothione have been detected in several trypanosomatids and apparently replace the glutathione peroxidase-glutathione reductase system of other eukaryotic cells. Free radical intermediates have been shown to be involved in the reaction of enzymes present in anaerobic protozoa. In addition, a number of antiparasitic agents have been shown to exert their actions through a free radical metabolism: nitro compounds used against trypanosomatids, anaerobic protozoa and helminths; crystal violet used in blood banks to prevent blood transmission of Chagas' disease; the antimalarial primaquine, chloroquinine, and quinhasou; and quinones active in vitro and in vivo against different parasites.