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Alvarez-Sánchez ME, Quintas-Granados LI, Vázquez-Carrillo LI, Puente-Rivera J, Villalobos-Osnaya A, Ponce-Regalado MD, Camacho-Nuez M. Proteomic profile approach of effect of putrescine depletion over Trichomonas vaginalis. Parasitol Res 2018. [PMID: 29516214 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-018-5821-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Infection with Trichomonas vaginalis produces a malodorous seropurulent vaginal discharge due to several chemicals, including polyamines. The presence of 1,4-diamino-2-butanone (DAB) reduces the amount of intracellular putrescine by 90%, preventing the cotransport of exogenous spermine. DAB-treated parasites present morphological changes, which are restored by adding exogenous putrescine into the culture medium. However, the effect of polyamines over the trichomonad proteomic profile is unknown. In this study, we used a proteomic approach to analyze the polyamine-depletion and restoration effect by exogenous putrescine on T. vaginalis proteome. In the presence of inhibitor DAB, we obtained 369 spots in polyamine-depleted condition and observed 499 spots in the normal culture media. With DAB treatment, the intensity of 43 spots was increased but was found to be reduced in 39 spots, as compared to normal conditions. Interestingly, in DAB-treated parasites restored with a medium with added exogenous putrescine, 472 spots were found, of which 33 were upregulated and 63 were downregulated in protein intensity. Some of these downregulated proteins in DAB-treated parasites are involved in several cellular pathways such as glycolysis, glycolytic fermentation, arginine dihydrolase pathway, redox homeostasis, host cell binding mediated by carbohydrate, chaperone function, and cytoskeletal remodeling. Interestingly, the intensity of some of the proteins was restored by adding exogenous putrescine. In conclusion, the presence of DAB altered the proteomic profile of T. vaginalis, resulting in a decrease in the intensity of 130 proteins and an increase in the intensity of 43 proteins that was restored by the addition of putrescine.
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Affiliation(s)
- María Elizbeth Alvarez-Sánchez
- Posgrado en Ciencias Genómicas, Universidad Autónoma de la Ciudad de México (UACM), San Lorenzo # 290, Col. Del Valle, 03100, Mexico City, Mexico.
| | - Laura Itzel Quintas-Granados
- Posgrado en Ciencias Genómicas, Universidad Autónoma de la Ciudad de México (UACM), San Lorenzo # 290, Col. Del Valle, 03100, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Laura Isabel Vázquez-Carrillo
- Posgrado en Ciencias Genómicas, Universidad Autónoma de la Ciudad de México (UACM), San Lorenzo # 290, Col. Del Valle, 03100, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Jonathan Puente-Rivera
- Posgrado en Ciencias Genómicas, Universidad Autónoma de la Ciudad de México (UACM), San Lorenzo # 290, Col. Del Valle, 03100, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Alma Villalobos-Osnaya
- Posgrado en Ciencias Genómicas, Universidad Autónoma de la Ciudad de México (UACM), San Lorenzo # 290, Col. Del Valle, 03100, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - María Dolores Ponce-Regalado
- Departamento de Clínicas, Centro Universitario de los Altos, Universidad de Guadalajara, Tepatitlán de Morelos, Jalisco, Mexico
| | - Minerva Camacho-Nuez
- Posgrado en Ciencias Genómicas, Universidad Autónoma de la Ciudad de México (UACM), San Lorenzo # 290, Col. Del Valle, 03100, Mexico City, Mexico
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Momeni Z, Sadraei J, Kazemi B, Dalimi A. Molecular typing of the actin gene of Trichomonas vaginalis isolates by PCR-RFLP in Iran. Exp Parasitol 2015; 159:259-63. [PMID: 26542260 DOI: 10.1016/j.exppara.2015.10.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2015] [Revised: 09/06/2015] [Accepted: 10/29/2015] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
Trichomonas vaginalis is a human urogenital pathogen that causes trichomoniasis, the most common nonviral, parasitic sexually transmitted infection in the world. At present, little is known regarding the degree of strain variability of T. vaginalis. A classification method for T. vaginalis strains would be a useful tool in the study of the epidemiology, drug resistance, pathogenesis and transmission of T. vaginalis. Eight different types of actin genes have been identified by PCR-RFLP in T. vaginalis; the purpose of this study is to determine the genotypes of this parasite in Karaj city, Iran. Forty-five clinical T. vaginalis isolates from vaginal secretions and urine sediment were collected from Karaj city from 2012 through 2014. DNA was extracted and the actin gene was amplified by nested-PCR; all samples were positive. To determine the genetic differences, sequencing on seven samples was conducted. Then, all PCR products were digested with HindII, MseI, and RsaI restriction enzymes. Of 45 isolates, 23 samples (51.1%) were of actin genotype G, 11 samples (24.4%) of genotype E, six samples (13.3%) of genotype H, three samples (6.6%) of genotype I, and two samples (4.4%) were mixed genotypes of G and E. Genetic diversity of T. vaginalis isolates is notable. The actin genotype G may be the dominant genotype in Karaj city, Iran.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zohreh Momeni
- Parasitology & Entomology Dept., Medical Sciences Faculty, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Javid Sadraei
- Parasitology & Entomology Dept., Medical Sciences Faculty, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Bahram Kazemi
- Cellular and Molecular Biology Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Abdolhossein Dalimi
- Parasitology & Entomology Dept., Medical Sciences Faculty, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
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3
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Morin-Adeline V, Lomas R, O’Meally D, Stack C, Conesa A, Šlapeta J. Comparative transcriptomics reveals striking similarities between the bovine and feline isolates of Tritrichomonas foetus: consequences for in silico drug-target identification. BMC Genomics 2014; 15:955. [PMID: 25374366 PMCID: PMC4247702 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2164-15-955] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2014] [Accepted: 10/22/2014] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Few, if any, protozoan parasites are reported to exhibit extreme organ tropism like the flagellate Tritrichomonas foetus. In cattle, T. foetus infects the reproductive system causing abortion, whereas the infection in cats results in chronic large bowel diarrhoea. In the absence of a T. foetus genome, we utilized a de novo approach to assemble the transcriptome of the bovine and feline genotype to identify host-specific adaptations and virulence factors specific to each genotype. Furthermore, a subset of orthologs was used to characterize putative druggable targets and expose complications of in silico drug target mining in species with indefinite host-ranges. RESULTS Illumina RNA-seq reads were assembled into two representative bovine and feline transcriptomes containing 42,363 and 36,559 contigs, respectively. Coding and non-coding regions of the genome libraries revealed striking similarities, with 24,620 shared homolog pairs reduced down to 7,547 coding orthologs between the two genotypes. The transcriptomes were near identical in functional category distribution; with no indication of selective pressure acting on orthologs despite differences in parasite origins/host. Orthologs formed a large proportion of highly expressed transcripts in both genotypes (bovine genotype: 76%, feline genotype: 56%). Mining the libraries for protease virulence factors revealed the cysteine proteases (CP) to be the most common. In total, 483 and 445 bovine and feline T. foetus transcripts were identified as putative proteases based on MEROPS database, with 9 hits to putative protease inhibitors. In bovine T. foetus, CP8 is the preferentially transcribed CP while in the feline genotype, transcription of CP7 showed higher abundance. In silico druggability analysis of the two genotypes revealed that when host sequences are taken into account, drug targets are genotype-specific. CONCLUSION Gene discovery analysis based on RNA-seq data analysis revealed prominent similarities between the bovine and feline T. foetus, suggesting recent adaptation to their respective host/niche. T. foetus represents a unique case of a mammalian protozoan expanding its parasitic grasp across distantly related host lineages. Consequences of the host-range for in silico drug targeting are exposed here, demonstrating that targets of the parasite in one host are not necessarily ideal for the same parasite in another host.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Rodrigo Lomas
- />Genomics of Gene Expression Lab, Prince Felipe Research Centre, Valencia, Spain
| | - Denis O’Meally
- />Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Sydney, New South Wales, 2006 Australia
| | - Colin Stack
- />School of Science and Health, University of Western Sydney, Penrith, New South Wales 2751 Australia
| | - Ana Conesa
- />Genomics of Gene Expression Lab, Prince Felipe Research Centre, Valencia, Spain
| | - Jan Šlapeta
- />Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Sydney, New South Wales, 2006 Australia
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4
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Noda S, Mantini C, Meloni D, Inoue JI, Kitade O, Viscogliosi E, Ohkuma M. Molecular phylogeny and evolution of parabasalia with improved taxon sampling and new protein markers of actin and elongation factor-1α. PLoS One 2012; 7:e29938. [PMID: 22253832 PMCID: PMC3253790 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0029938] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2011] [Accepted: 12/08/2011] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Inferring the evolutionary history of phylogenetically isolated, deep-branching groups of taxa—in particular determining the root—is often extraordinarily difficult because their close relatives are unavailable as suitable outgroups. One of these taxonomic groups is the phylum Parabasalia, which comprises morphologically diverse species of flagellated protists of ecological, medical, and evolutionary significance. Indeed, previous molecular phylogenetic analyses of members of this phylum have yielded conflicting and possibly erroneous inferences. Furthermore, many species of Parabasalia are symbionts in the gut of termites and cockroaches or parasites and therefore formidably difficult to cultivate, rendering available data insufficient. Increasing the numbers of examined taxa and informative characters (e.g., genes) is likely to produce more reliable inferences. Principal Findings Actin and elongation factor-1α genes were identified newly from 22 species of termite-gut symbionts through careful manipulations and seven cultured species, which covered major lineages of Parabasalia. Their protein sequences were concatenated and analyzed with sequences of previously and newly identified glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase and the small-subunit rRNA gene. This concatenated dataset provided more robust phylogenetic relationships among major groups of Parabasalia and a more plausible new root position than those previously reported. Conclusions/Significance We conclude that increasing the number of sampled taxa as well as the addition of new sequences greatly improves the accuracy and robustness of the phylogenetic inference. A morphologically simple cell is likely the ancient form in Parabasalia as opposed to a cell with elaborate flagellar and cytoskeletal structures, which was defined as most basal in previous inferences. Nevertheless, the evolution of Parabasalia is complex owing to several independent multiplication and simplification events in these structures. Therefore, systematics based solely on morphology does not reflect the evolutionary history of parabasalids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Satoko Noda
- Microbe Division/Japan Collection of Microorganisms, RIKEN BioResource Center, Wako, Saitama, Japan
- Interdisciplinary Graduate School of Medicine and Engineering, University of Yamanashi, Kofu, Yamanashi, Japan
- * E-mail: (SN); (MO)
| | - Cléa Mantini
- Center for Infection and Immunity of Lille, Institut Pasteur de Lille, Lille, France, and Inserm U1019, CNRS UMR 8204, and University Lille – Nord de France, Lille, France
| | - Dionigia Meloni
- Center for Infection and Immunity of Lille, Institut Pasteur de Lille, Lille, France, and Inserm U1019, CNRS UMR 8204, and University Lille – Nord de France, Lille, France
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Division of Experimental and Clinical Microbiology, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy
| | - Jun-Ichi Inoue
- Microbe Division/Japan Collection of Microorganisms, RIKEN BioResource Center, Wako, Saitama, Japan
| | - Osamu Kitade
- Natural History Laboratory, College of Science, Ibaraki University, Mito, Ibaraki, Japan
| | - Eric Viscogliosi
- Center for Infection and Immunity of Lille, Institut Pasteur de Lille, Lille, France, and Inserm U1019, CNRS UMR 8204, and University Lille – Nord de France, Lille, France
| | - Moriya Ohkuma
- Microbe Division/Japan Collection of Microorganisms, RIKEN BioResource Center, Wako, Saitama, Japan
- * E-mail: (SN); (MO)
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5
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Peng H, Cheng H, Yu X, Shi Q, Zhang H, Li J, Ma H. Molecular analysis of an actin gene, CarACT1, from chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.). Mol Biol Rep 2009; 37:1081-8. [DOI: 10.1007/s11033-009-9844-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2009] [Accepted: 09/15/2009] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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6
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de Souza W, Sant'Anna C, Cunha-e-Silva NL. Electron microscopy and cytochemistry analysis of the endocytic pathway of pathogenic protozoa. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2009; 44:67-124. [PMID: 19410686 DOI: 10.1016/j.proghi.2009.01.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Endocytosis is essential for eukaryotic cell survival and has been well characterized in mammal and yeast cells. Among protozoa it is also important for evading from host immune defenses and to support intense proliferation characteristic of some life cycle stages. Here we focused on the contribution of morphological and cytochemical studies to the understanding of endocytosis in Trichomonas, Giardia, Entamoeba, Plasmodium, and trypanosomatids, mainly Trypanosoma cruzi, and also Trypanosoma brucei and Leishmania.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wanderley de Souza
- Laboratório de Ultraestrutura Celular Hertha Meyer, Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Cidade Universitária, Ilha do Fundão, Rio de Janeiro 21941-902, Brazil.
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7
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Crucitti T, Abdellati S, Van Dyck E, Buvé A. Molecular typing of the actin gene of Trichomonas vaginalis isolates by PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism. Clin Microbiol Infect 2008; 14:844-52. [PMID: 18844685 DOI: 10.1111/j.1469-0691.2008.02034.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Human trichomoniasis, caused by the protozoan Trichomonas vaginalis, is a highly prevalent sexually transmitted infection. However, little is known about the degree of strain variability of T. vaginalis. A reliable classification method for T. vaginalis strains would be a useful tool in the study of the epidemiology, pathogenesis and transmission of T. vaginalis. A PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism typing method was designed and evaluated using T. vaginalis isolates obtained after culture of vaginal specimens collected in the Democratic Republic of Congo and in Zambia. The variation of the actin gene of T. vaginalis was determined for three ATCC reference strains and 151 T. vaginalis isolates. Eight different types were identified, on the basis of the digestion patterns of the amplified actin gene, with each of the restriction enzymes HindII, MseI and RsaI. It was determined that the ATCC reference strains 30001, 30240 and 50141 were of actin genotypes G, H and E, respectively. The actin genotype type E was more common in the Democratic Republic of Congo, whereas type G was the commonest type in Zambia. Translation of the nucleotide sequence showed up to three amino acid substitutions. We developed a reproducible, sensitive and specific typing method for T. vaginalis, and were able to distinguish at least eight T. vaginalis actin genotypes. Further studies are needed to evaluate the method using clinical specimens and to determine the utility of the typing method for the genotypic characterization of T. vaginalis.
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Affiliation(s)
- T Crucitti
- STD/HIV Research & Intervention Unit, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Antwerp, Belgium.
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8
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Cuervo P, Cupolillo E, Britto C, González LJ, E Silva-Filho FC, Lopes LC, Domont GB, De Jesus JB. Differential soluble protein expression between Trichomonas vaginalis isolates exhibiting low and high virulence phenotypes. J Proteomics 2008; 71:109-22. [PMID: 18541479 DOI: 10.1016/j.jprot.2008.01.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2007] [Revised: 01/23/2008] [Accepted: 01/24/2008] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
A comparative analysis of proteomic maps of long-term grown and fresh clinical Trichomonas vaginalis isolates exhibiting low and high virulence phenotypes, respectively, was performed using two-dimensional gel electrophoresis and mass spectrometry. Of 29 protein spots differentially expressed between the isolates, 19 were over-expressed in the isolate exhibiting high virulence phenotype: proteins associated with cytoskeletal dynamics, such as coronin and several isoforms of actin, as well as proteins involved in signal transduction, protein turnover, proteolysis, and energetic and polyamine metabolisms were identified. Some malate dehydrogenase, fructose-1,6-bisphosphate aldolase and ornithine cyclodeamidase isoforms were exclusively expressed by the highly virulent isolate. During interaction assays with VEC, parasites exhibiting high virulence phenotype rapidly adhered and switched to amoeboid forms. In contrast, low adhesion and no morphological transformation were observed in parasites displaying low virulence phenotype. Our findings demonstrate that expression of specific proteins by high and low virulence parasites could be associated with the ability of each isolate to undergo morphological transformation and interact with host cells. Such data represent an important step towards understanding of the complex interaction network of proteins that participate in the mechanism of pathogenesis of this protozoan.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrícia Cuervo
- Laboratório de Pesquisa em Leishmaniose, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, FIOCRUZ, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
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9
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De Jesus JB, Cuervo P, Junqueira M, Britto C, Silva-Filho FC, Sabóia-Vahia L, González LJ, Barbosa Domont G. Application of two-dimensional electrophoresis and matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry for proteomic analysis of the sexually transmitted parasite Trichomonas vaginalis. JOURNAL OF MASS SPECTROMETRY : JMS 2007; 42:1463-1473. [PMID: 17960578 DOI: 10.1002/jms.1286] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
Trichomonas vaginalis is a sexually transmitted protozoan parasite that infects the human urogenital tract causing trichomoniasis, a worldwide disease. In this work, a fresh clinical isolate of T. vaginalis was used for study of the protein expression in this species. Two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2-DE) and MALDI-TOF/TOF mass spectrometry (MS) were employed to create a reference map of soluble proteins in the pH range 4-7. A set of 116 proteins belonging to functional classes expressed in high and low abundance was identified by peptide mass fingerprinting and tandem MS. These identifications corresponded to 67 different proteins, suggesting that post-translational modifications are common phenomena in T. vaginalis. Identified proteins were classified into 16 groups according to biological processes. Among detected proteins we identified the major enzymes involved in both cytosolic and hydrogenosomal metabolic pathways, as well as putative protein targets for new drug design. In addition, this analysis allows validation of previous gene predictions confirming the expression of 15 hypothetical proteins. Finally, the findings here reported represent the first reference proteome map of T. vaginalis and the first steps towards the description of a comprehensive proteome map of this parasite.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jose Batista De Jesus
- Laboratório de Biologia Molecular e Doenças Endêmicas, Departamento de Bioquímica e Biologia Molecular, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, FIOCRUZ, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
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10
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De Jesus JB, Cuervo P, Junqueira M, Britto C, Silva-Filho FCE, Soares MJ, Cupolillo E, Fernandes O, Domont GB. A further proteomic study on the effect of iron in the human pathogen Trichomonas vaginalis. Proteomics 2007; 7:1961-72. [PMID: 17514679 DOI: 10.1002/pmic.200600797] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Iron is an essential element to support the growth and survival of Trichomonas vaginalis. It plays a critical role in the host-parasite interaction, and modulates the expression of virulence factors in this protozoan. In this work, parasites grown in iron-rich and iron-depleted media were analyzed by (i) light and scanning electron microscopy and (ii) 2-DE and MS. Withdrawal of iron from the culture medium resulted in dramatic changes in both the morphology and in the proteome pattern of T. vaginalis. Trophozoites underwent transformation from ellipsoid or amoeboid forms to rounded cells, whose flagella and axostyle were internalized. Forty-five proteins differentially expressed in parasites cultivated in the absence of iron were identified. In iron-depleted parasites, enzymes involved in energetic metabolism, proteolysis and hydrogenosomal iron-sulfur (Fe-S) proteins were down-regulated or even suppressed. Among up-regulated proteins, six isoforms of actin were detected. In addition, phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase, putative lactate dehydrogenase, and putative adenosine triphosphatase were also up-regulated or were exclusively observed in gels related to iron-depleted parasites. Our data demonstrate that iron has a pivotal role in the regulation of the morphological transformation of T. vaginalis and modulates the expression of both Fe-S and non-Fe-S proteins in the parasite.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jose Batista De Jesus
- Departamento de Bioquímica e Biologia Molecular, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz-FIOCRUZ, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil.
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11
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Torres-Machorro AL, Hernández R, Sánchez J, López-Villaseñor I. The 5S ribosomal RNA gene from the early diverging protozoa Trichomonas vaginalis. Mol Biochem Parasitol 2006; 145:269-73. [PMID: 16300840 DOI: 10.1016/j.molbiopara.2005.10.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2005] [Revised: 10/12/2005] [Accepted: 10/12/2005] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Ana Lilia Torres-Machorro
- Departamento de Biología Molecular y Biotecnología, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Apartado Postal 70-228, C.P. 04510, México D.F., Mexico
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12
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Zhu XJ, Dai ZM, Liu J, Yang WJ. Actin gene in prawn, Macrobrachium rosenbergii: characteristics and differential tissue expression during embryonic development. Comp Biochem Physiol B Biochem Mol Biol 2005; 140:599-605. [PMID: 15763515 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpc.2004.12.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2004] [Revised: 12/12/2004] [Accepted: 12/13/2004] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
An actin gene (named Mar-actin) from the commercial prawn, Macrobrachium rosenbergii, was isolated, sequenced and gene expression was characterized. The cDNA sequence was 1281 bp in length and contained 1131 bp open reading frame encoding 376 amino acids. The amino acid sequence deduced from the nucleotide sequence showed high identity (70.3% to 98.1%) with other known actins of various organisms, highest with that of the European flounder (98.1%). The 3' untranslated region (3' UTR) of the Mar-actin mRNA has a high A+U content (approximately 78%) and contains one AUUUUUA and two repeats of the AUUUA motifs, that may function in regulating mRNA decay. Northern blot analysis revealed that the Mar-actin gene was expressed predominantly in muscle tissues. Transcripts in hepatopancreas were barely detectable. Expression of the Mar-actin gene varied during embryonic development and reached the maximal level at the zoea stage. This is the first report describing the complete sequence and expression pattern of the actin gene in prawns.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiao-Jing Zhu
- College of Life Sciences, Zhejiang University, 232 Wensan Road, Hangzhou, PR China
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13
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Kelley GO, Beauchamp KA, Hedrick RP. Phylogenetic Comparison of the Myxosporea Based on an Actin cDNA Isolated from Myxobolus cerebralis. J Eukaryot Microbiol 2004; 51:660-3. [PMID: 15666723 DOI: 10.1111/j.1550-7408.2004.tb00605.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
The full-length actin gene from Myxobolus cerebralis (McerAct-1), the first characterized from representatives in the phylum Myxozoa, encodes a 378-amino acid polypeptide with an estimated molecular weight of 41,580-Da. A phylogenetic comparison found M. cerebralis to branch outside the metazoans. This finding contrasts with previous reports that suggest an evolutionary affinity of the Myxozoa with either the Bilateria or Cnidaria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Garry O Kelley
- Department of Medicine and Epidemiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, California 95616, USA.
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14
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Benchimol M. Trichomonads under Microscopy. MICROSCOPY AND MICROANALYSIS : THE OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF MICROSCOPY SOCIETY OF AMERICA, MICROBEAM ANALYSIS SOCIETY, MICROSCOPICAL SOCIETY OF CANADA 2004; 10:528-550. [PMID: 15525428 DOI: 10.1017/s1431927604040905] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2002] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
Trichomonads are flagellate protists, and among them Trichomonas vaginalis and Tritrichomonas foetus are the most studied because they are parasites of the urogenital tract of humans and cattle, respectively. Microscopy provides new insights into the cell biology and morphology of these parasites, and thus allows better understanding of the main aspects of their physiology. Here, we review the ultrastructure of T. foetus and T. vaginalis, stressing the participation of the axostyle in the process of cell division and showing that the pseudocyst may be a new form in the trichomonad cell cycle and not simply a degenerative form. Other organelles, such as the Golgi and hydrogenosomes, are also reviewed. The virus present in trichomonads is discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marlene Benchimol
- Santa Ursula University, Rua Jornalista Orlando Dantas, 59, CEP 222-31-010, Botafogo, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.
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15
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López-Villaseñor I, Contreras AP, López-Griego L, Alvarez-Sánchez E, Hernández R. Trichomonas vaginalis ribosomal DNA: analysis of the intergenic region and mapping of the transcription start point. Mol Biochem Parasitol 2004; 137:175-9. [PMID: 15279964 DOI: 10.1016/j.molbiopara.2004.04.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2003] [Revised: 03/26/2004] [Accepted: 04/08/2004] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Imelda López-Villaseñor
- Departamento de Biología Molecular y Biotecnología, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Apartado Postal 70-228, 04510 Mexico DF, Mexico.
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16
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Espinosa N, Hernández R, López-Griego L, López-Villaseñor I. Separable putative polyadenylation and cleavage motifs in Trichomonas vaginalis mRNAs. Gene 2002; 289:81-6. [PMID: 12036586 DOI: 10.1016/s0378-1119(02)00476-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
3' Untranslated region processing and polyadenylation in Trichomonas vaginalis was analyzed by 3' rapid amplification of cDNA ends and sequence analysis of T. vaginalis mRNAs. A putative polyadenylation signal with the sequence UAAA was found 11-30 nucleotides upstream from the cleavage site. The motif pyrimidine( downward arrow)(A)(0-3)AAUU is proposed to be the cleavage site for polyadenylation of transcripts. This potential sequence defining the cleavage site for polyadenylation in eukaryotes is a novel finding. As in other eukaryotes, runs of several U's downstream from the cleavage site were identified. A working hypothesis is proposed which couples the UAA translation stop codon with the signaling for the 3'end processing of transcripts in this early divergent parasitic protozoa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Norma Espinosa
- Departamento de Biología Molecular y Biotecnología, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Apartado Postal 70-228, 04510 Mexico D. F., Mexico
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17
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Archibald JM, O'Kelly CJ, Doolittle WF. The chaperonin genes of jakobid and jakobid-like flagellates: implications for eukaryotic evolution. Mol Biol Evol 2002; 19:422-31. [PMID: 11919283 DOI: 10.1093/oxfordjournals.molbev.a004097] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The jakobids are free-living mitochondriate protists that share ultrastructural features with certain amitochondriate groups and possess the most bacterial-like mitochondrial genomes described thus far. Jakobids belong to a diverse group of mitochondriate and amitochondriate eukaryotes, the excavate taxa. The relationships among the various excavate taxa and their relationships to other putative deep-branching protist groups are largely unknown. With the hope of clarifying these issues, we have isolated the cytosolic chaperonin CCTalpha gene from the jakobid Reclinomonas americana (strains 50394 and 50283), the jakobid-like malawimonad Malawimonas jakobiformis, two heteroloboseans (Acrasis rosea and Naegleria gruberi), a euglenozoan (Trypanosoma brucei), and a parabasalid (Monocercomonas sp.). We also amplified the CCTdelta gene from M. jakobiformis. The Reclinomonas and Malawimonas sequences presented here are among the first nuclear protein-coding genes to be described from these organisms. Unlike other putative early diverging protist lineages, a high density of spliceosomal introns was found in the jakobid and malawimonad CCTs-similar to that observed in vertebrate protein-coding genes. An analysis of intron positions in CCT genes from protists, plants, animals, and fungi suggests that many of the intron-sparse or intron-lacking protist lineages may not be primitively so but have lost spliceosomal introns during their evolutionary history. In phylogenetic trees constructed from CCTalpha protein sequences, R. americana (but not M. jakobiformis) shows a weak but consistent affinity for the Heterolobosea and Euglenozoa.
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Affiliation(s)
- John M Archibald
- Department of Botany, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada V6T 1Z4.
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Espinosa N, Hernández R, López-Griego L, Arroyo R, López-Villaseñor I. Differences between coding and non-coding regions in the Trichomonas vaginalis genome: an actin gene as a locus model(1). Acta Trop 2001; 78:147-54. [PMID: 11230824 DOI: 10.1016/s0001-706x(00)00180-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
The sequence of a cloned genomic fragment of Trichomonas vaginalis containing a complete actin gene was determined. An uninterrupted open reading frame of 1128 nucleotides was found that codes for an actin gene. Two overlapped consensus promoter sequences for T. vaginalis were found 12 nucleotides upstream the actin initiation codon. In addition to actin, two incomplete open reading frames were found at the 5' and 3' ends of the clone. These two sequences are expressed and showed similarity to adenylate cyclase genes and a yeast hypothetical protein. The overall sequence showed a higher G+C content and a lower frequency of repeated sequences in the coding regions when compared with the non-coding regions. A similar unequal nucleotide distribution was found in various T. vaginalis genes retrieved from data bases.
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MESH Headings
- Actins/genetics
- Amino Acid Sequence
- Animals
- Base Composition
- Base Sequence
- Blotting, Northern
- Blotting, Southern
- DNA Probes/chemistry
- DNA, Protozoan/chemistry
- DNA, Protozoan/genetics
- DNA, Protozoan/isolation & purification
- Gene Library
- Genome, Protozoan
- Molecular Sequence Data
- Open Reading Frames
- Polymerase Chain Reaction
- RNA, Protozoan/chemistry
- RNA, Protozoan/genetics
- RNA, Protozoan/isolation & purification
- Repetitive Sequences, Nucleic Acid
- Sequence Analysis, DNA
- Trichomonas vaginalis/chemistry
- Trichomonas vaginalis/genetics
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Affiliation(s)
- N Espinosa
- Departamento de Biotecnología, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Apartado postal 70-228, CP 04510, México D.F., Mexico
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19
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Bricheux G, Coffe G, Bayle D, Brugerolle G. Characterization, cloning and immunolocalization of a coronin homologue in Trichomonas vaginalis. Eur J Cell Biol 2000; 79:413-22. [PMID: 10928457 DOI: 10.1078/0171-9335-00065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
On adhesion to host cells the flagellate Trichomonas vaginalis switches to an amoeboid form rich in actin microfilaments. We have undertaken the identification of actin-associated proteins that regulate actin dynamics. A monoclonal antibody 4C12 raised against a cytoskeletal fraction of T. vaginalis labeled a protein doublet at circa 50 kDa. These two bands were recognized by the antibody against Dictyostelium discoideum coronin. During cell extraction and actin polymerization, T. vaginalis coronin cosedimented with F-actin. By two-dimensional gel electrophoresis, the protein doublet was separated into two sets of isoforms covering two Ip zones around 6 and 7. By screening a T. vaginalis library with 4C12, two clones Cor 1 and Cor 2 were isolated. This gene duplicity is a particularity among unicellular organisms examined. The complete sequence of the gene Cor 1 encodes a 435-residue protein with a calculated molecular mass of 48 kDa and Ip of 5.58. The incomplete sequence Cor 2 was very similar but with a more basic calculated Ip than Cor 1 on the same region. T. vaginalis coronin had 50% similarity with the coronin family, possessing the five WD-repeats and a leucine zipper in its C-terminal part. Double immunofluorescence labeling showed that coronin mainly colocalized with actin at the periphery of the adherent amoeboid cells. However, coronin labeling displayed patches within a reticular array. Immunogold electron microscopy confirmed the coronin labeling in the actin-rich microfilamentous fringe beneath the plasma membrane, with accumulation in phagocytic zones and pseudopodial extensions. In T. vaginalis, one of the first emerging lineage of eukaryotes, coronin seems to play an important role in actin dynamics and may be a downstream target of a signaling mechanism for the cytoskeleton reorganization.
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Affiliation(s)
- G Bricheux
- Laboratoire de Biologie des Protistes, Université Blaise Pascal de Clermont-Ferrand, UPRESA CNRS, Aubière, France.
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Brugerolle G, Bricheux G, Coffe G. Centrin protein and genes in Trichomonas vaginalis and close relatives. J Eukaryot Microbiol 2000; 47:129-38. [PMID: 10750840 DOI: 10.1111/j.1550-7408.2000.tb00022.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Anti-centrin monoclonal antibodies 20H5 and 11B2 produced against Clamydomononas centrin decorated the group of basal bodies as well as very closely attached structures in all trichomonads studied and in the devescovinids Foaina and Devescovina. Moreover, these antibodies decorated the undulating membrane in Trichomonas vaginalis, Trichomitus batrachorum, and Tritrichomonas foetus, and the cresta in Foaina. Centrin was not demonstrated in the dividing spindle and paradesmosis. Immunogold labeling, both in pre- and post-embedding, confirmed that centrin is associated with the basal body cylinder and is a component of the nine anchoring arms between the terminal plate of flagellar bases and the plasma-membrane. Centrin is also associated with the hook-shaped fibers attached to basal bodies (F1, F3), the X-fiber, and along sigmoid fibers (F2) at the pelta-axostyle junction, which is the microtubule organizing center for pelta-axostyle microtubules. There was no labeling on the striated costa and parabasal fibers nor on microtubular pelta-axostyle, but the fibrous structure inside the undulating membrane was labeled in T. vaginalis. Two proteins of 22-20 kDa corresponding to the centrin molecular mass were recognized by immunoblotting using these antibodies in the three trichomonad species examined. By screening a T. vaginalis cDNA library with 20H5 antibody, two genes encoding identical protein sequences were found. The sequence comprises the 4 typical EF-hand Ca++-binding domains present in every known centrin. Trichomonad centrin is closer to the green algal cluster (70% identity) than to the yeast Cdc31 cluster (55% identity) or the Alveolata cluster (46% identity).
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Affiliation(s)
- G Brugerolle
- Biologie des Protistes, UPRESA 6023, Université Blaise Pascal de Clermont-Ferrand, Aubiere, France.
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Baldauf SL. A Search for the Origins of Animals and Fungi: Comparing and Combining Molecular Data. Am Nat 1999; 154:S178-S188. [PMID: 10527926 DOI: 10.1086/303292] [Citation(s) in RCA: 81] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
Green plants, animals, and fungi have long held our interest as complex, largely multicellular eukaryotes of indeterminate origin. Considerable progress has now been made toward understanding the evolutionary relationships among these taxa as well as identifying their closest protistan relatives. An exclusive animal-fungal clade (the Opisthokonta) is now widely accepted based on an insertion in the protein synthesis elongation factor 1alpha (EF-1alpha) and molecular phylogenies of ribosomal RNAs and the conservative proteins actin, alpha-tubulin, beta-tubulin, and EF-1alpha. Protein data also suggest that the cellular (dictyostelid) and acellular (myxogastrid) slime molds are a close outgroup to the animal-fungal clade. Subsequent sequencing and phylogenetic analysis of EF-1alpha sequences very strongly support a monophyletic slime mold clade (the Mycetozoa or Eumycetozoa), which also includes the lesser-known protostelid slime molds. Monophyly of the opisthokont and mycetozoan clades, exclusive of green plants, is suggested by individual analyses of EF-1alpha and actin and given strong support by concatenated protein data. Neither the monophyly of the slime molds nor their close relationship to animals and fungi are consistently supported by ribosomal RNA data. Thus, it appears unlikely that any single molecule will accurately reconstruct all higher-order taxonomy.
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Abstract
Resolving the order of events that occurred during the transition from prokaryotic to eukaryotic cells remains one of the greatest problems in cell evolution. One view, the Archezoa hypothesis, proposes that the endosymbiotic origin of mitochondria occurred relatively late in eukaryotic evolution and that several mitochondrion-lacking protist groups diverged before the establishment of the organelle. Phylogenies based on small subunit ribosomal RNA and several protein-coding genes supported this proposal, placing amitochondriate protists such as diplomonads, parabasalids, and Microsporidia as the earliest diverging eukaryotic lineages. However, trees of other molecules, such as tubulins, heat shock protein 70, TATA box-binding protein, and the largest subunit of RNA polymerase II, indicate that Microsporidia are not deeply branching eukaryotes but instead are close relatives of the Fungi. Furthermore, recent discoveries of mitochondrion-derived genes in the nuclear genomes of entamoebae, Microsporidia, parabasalids, and diplomonads suggest that these organisms likely descend from mitochondrion-bearing ancestors. Although several protist lineages formally remain as candidates for Archezoa, most evidence suggests that the mitochondrial endosymbiosis took place prior to the divergence of all extant eukaryotes. In addition, discoveries of proteobacterial-like nuclear genes coding for cytoplasmic proteins indicate that the mitochondrial symbiont may have contributed more to the eukaryotic lineage than previously thought. As genome sequence data from parabasalids and diplomonads accumulate, it is becoming clear that the last common ancestor of these protist taxa and other extant eukaryotic groups already possessed many of the complex features found in most eukaryotes but lacking in prokaryotes. However, our confidence in the deeply branching position of diplomonads and parabasalids among eukaryotes is weakened by conflicting phylogenies and potential sources of artifact. Our current picture of early eukaryotic evolution is in a state of flux.
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Pérez-Romero P, Villalobo E, Díaz-Ramos C, Calvo P, Torres A. Actin of Histriculus cavicola: characteristics of the highly divergent hypotrich ciliate actins. J Eukaryot Microbiol 1999; 46:469-72. [PMID: 10519214 DOI: 10.1111/j.1550-7408.1999.tb06063.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
A macronuclear gene-sized molecule carrying an actin gene from the hypotrich ciliate, Histriculus cavicola, was characterized. Southern blot analysis using a coding region probe suggested that actin in H. cavicola is encoded by a single gene. A comparison of the promoter regions indicated that the H. cavicola actin gene has a TATA box in the 5' flanking region in a position identical to those in other oxytrich ciliates. The coding sequence of this gene is not interrupted by any introns, and codes for a protein of 375 amino acid residues. This protein shares a high degree of similarity with other oxytrichid actins, and a relatively low similarity with actins from other eukaryotes. Comparative analyses of sequences indicated that most of the amino acid substitutions in hypotrich actins are found in surface loops, while the core structures are well-conserved. The sites that interact with DNase I and several regions involved in actin-actin contact have diverged considerably in hypotrich actins, while nucleotide-binding sites are the best-conserved interaction motif.
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Affiliation(s)
- P Pérez-Romero
- Departamento de Microbiología, Facultad de Biología, Universidad de Sevilla, Spain
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24
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Brugerolle G. Fine structure of Pseudotrypanosoma giganteum of Porotermes, a Trichomonad with a contractile costa. Eur J Protistol 1999. [DOI: 10.1016/s0932-4739(99)80029-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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Germot A, Philippe H. Critical analysis of eukaryotic phylogeny: a case study based on the HSP70 family. J Eukaryot Microbiol 1999; 46:116-24. [PMID: 10361733 DOI: 10.1111/j.1550-7408.1999.tb04594.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Trichomonads, together with diplomonads and microsporidia, emerge at the base of the eukaryotic tree, on the basis of the small subunit rRNA phylogeny. However, phylogenies based on protein sequences such as tubulin are markedly different with these protists emerging much later. We have investigated 70 kDa heat-shock protein (HSP70), which could be a reliable phylogenetic marker. In eukaryotes, HSP70s are found in cytosol, endoplasmic reticulum, and organelles (mitochondria and chloroplasts). In Trichomonas vaginalis we identified nine different HSP70-encoding genes and sequenced three nearly complete cDNAs corresponding to cytosolic, endoplasmic reticulum, and mitochondrial-type HSP70. Phylogenies of eukaryotes were reconstructed using the classical methods while varying the number of species and characters considered. Almost all the undoubtedly monophyletic groups, defined by ultrastructural characters, were recovered. However, due to the long branch attraction phenomenon, the evolutionary rates were the main factor determining the position of species, even with the use of a close outgroup, which is an important advantage of HSP70 with respect to many other markers. Numerous variable sites are peculiar to Trichomonas and probably generated the artefactual placement of this species at the base of the eukaryotes or as the sister group of fast-evolving species. The inter-phyla relationships were not well supported and were sensitive to the reconstruction method, the number of species; and the quantity of information used. This lack of resolution could be explained by the very rapid diversification of eukaryotes, likely after the mitochondrial endosymbiosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Germot
- Laboratoire de Biologie comparée des Protistes (UPRESA CNRS 6023), Université Clermont Ferrand 2, Aubière, France
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Addis MF, Rappelli P, Delogu G, Carta F, Cappuccinelli P, Fiori PL. Cloning and molecular characterization of a cDNA clone coding for Trichomonas vaginalis alpha-actinin and intracellular localization of the protein. Infect Immun 1998; 66:4924-31. [PMID: 9746598 PMCID: PMC108609 DOI: 10.1128/iai.66.10.4924-4931.1998] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
We have identified and sequenced a cDNA clone coding for Trichomonas vaginalis alpha-actinin. Analysis of the obtained sequence revealed that the 2,857-nucleotide-long cDNA contained an open reading frame encoding 849 amino acids which showed consistent homology with alpha-actinins of different species. Such homology was particularly significant in regions which have been reported to represent the actin-binding and Ca2+-binding domains in other alpha-actinins. The deduced protein was also characterized by the presence of a divergent central region thought to play a role in its high immunogenicity. A study of protein localization performed by immunofluorescence revealed that the protein is diffusely distributed throughout the T. vaginalis cytoplasm when the cell is pear shaped. When parasites adhere and transform into the amoeboid morphology, the protein is located only in areas close to the cytoplasmic membrane and colocalizes with actin. Concomitantly with transformation into the amoeboid morphology, alpha-actinin mRNA expression is upregulated.
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Affiliation(s)
- M F Addis
- Division of Experimental and Clinical Microbiology, Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy
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