1
|
Parreira KS, Scarpelli P, Rezende Lima W, Garcia RS. Contribution of Transcriptome to Elucidate the Biology of Plasmodium spp. Curr Top Med Chem 2022; 22:169-187. [PMID: 35021974 DOI: 10.2174/1568026622666220111140803] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2021] [Revised: 12/22/2021] [Accepted: 12/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
In the present review, we discuss some of the new technologies that have been applied to elucidate how Plasmodium spp escape from the immune system and subvert the host physiology to orchestrate the regulation of its biological pathways. Our manuscript describes how techniques such as microarray approaches, RNA-Seq and single-cell RNA sequencing have contributed to the discovery of transcripts and changed the concept of gene expression regulation in closely related malaria parasite species. Moreover, the text highlights the contributions of high-throughput RNA sequencing for the current knowledge of malaria parasite biology, physiology, vaccine target and the revelation of new players in parasite signaling.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Pedro Scarpelli
- Departamento de Análises Clínicas e Toxicológicas, Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas, Universidade de São Paulo - USP, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Wânia Rezende Lima
- Departamento de Medicina, Instituto de Biotecnologia-Universidade Federal de Catalão
| | - R S Garcia
- Departamento de Análises Clínicas e Toxicológicas, Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas, Universidade de São Paulo - USP, São Paulo, Brazil
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Silva Neto GJ, Silva LR, Omena RJMD, Aguiar ACC, Annunciato Y, Rosseto B, Gazarini ML, Heimfarth L, Quintans-Júnior LJ, Ferreira E, Meneghetti MR. Dual Quinoline-Hybrid Compounds with Antimalarial Activity Against Plasmodium falciparum Parasites. NEW J CHEM 2022. [DOI: 10.1039/d1nj05598d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Although we have at our disposal relatively low-cost drugs that can be prescribed for the treatment of malaria, the prevalence of resistant strains of the causative parasite has required the...
Collapse
|
3
|
Montazeri M, Fakhar M, Keighobadi M. The Potential Role of the Serotonin Transporter as a Drug Target against Parasitic Infections: A Scoping Review of the Literature. RECENT ADVANCES IN ANTI-INFECTIVE DRUG DISCOVERY 2022; 17:23-33. [PMID: 35249526 DOI: 10.2174/1574891x16666220304232301] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2021] [Revised: 12/02/2021] [Accepted: 01/11/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Several in vitro and in vivo biological activities of serotonin, 5- hydroxytryptamine (5-HT), as a bioactive molecule, and its transporter (5-HT-Tr) were evaluated in parasitic infections. OBJECTIVE Herein, the roles of 5-HT and 5-HTR in helminths and protozoan infections with medical and veterinary importance are reviewed. METHODS We searched information in 4 main databases and reviewed published literature about the serotonin transporter's role as a promising therapeutic target against pathogenic parasitic infections between 2000 and 2021. RESULTS Based on recent investigations, 5-HT and 5-HT-Tr play various roles in parasite infections, including biological function, metabolic activity, organism motility, parasite survival, and immune response modulation. Moreover, some of the 5-HT-TR in Schistosoma mansoni showed an excess of favorite substrates for biogenic amine 5-HT compared to their mammalian hosts. Furthermore, the main neuronal protein related to the G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) was identified in S. mansoni and Echinococcus granulosus, playing main roles in these parasites. In addition, 5-HT increased in toxoplasmosis, giardiasis, and Chagas disease. On the other hand, in Plasmodium spp., different forms of targeted 5-HTR stimulate Ca2+ release, intracellular inositol triphosphate (ITP), cAMP, and protein kinase A (PKA) activity. CONCLUSION This review summarized the several functional roles of the 5-HT and the importance of the 5-HT-TR as a drug target with minimal harm to the host to fight against helminths and protozoan infections. Hopefully, this review will shed light on research regarding serotonin transporter-based therapies as a potential drug target soon.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mahbobeh Montazeri
- The Toxoplasmosis Research Center, Communicable Diseases Institute, School of Medicine, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
- The Iranian National Registry Center for Lophomoniasis and Toxoplasmosis, Imam Khomeini Hospital, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
| | - Mahdi Fakhar
- The Toxoplasmosis Research Center, Communicable Diseases Institute, School of Medicine, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
- The Iranian National Registry Center for Lophomoniasis and Toxoplasmosis, Imam Khomeini Hospital, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
| | - Masoud Keighobadi
- The Toxoplasmosis Research Center, Communicable Diseases Institute, School of Medicine, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
- The Iranian National Registry Center for Lophomoniasis and Toxoplasmosis, Imam Khomeini Hospital, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Borges-Pereira L, Dias BKM, Singh MK, Garcia CRS. Malaria parasites and circadian rhythm: New insights into an old puzzle. CURRENT RESEARCH IN MICROBIAL SCIENCES 2021; 2:100017. [PMID: 34841309 PMCID: PMC8610328 DOI: 10.1016/j.crmicr.2020.100017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2020] [Revised: 11/20/2020] [Accepted: 11/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Discuss molecular components for the coordination of circadian rhythm of malaria parasites inside the vertebrate host. Synthetic indole compounds show antimalarial activity in vitro against P.falciparum 3D7. Plasmodium falciparum synchronizes in cell culture upon melatonin treatment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lucas Borges-Pereira
- Department of Clinical and Toxicological Analyses, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Bárbara K M Dias
- Department of Clinical and Toxicological Analyses, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.,Department of Parasitology, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Maneesh Kumar Singh
- Department of Clinical and Toxicological Analyses, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Celia R S Garcia
- Department of Clinical and Toxicological Analyses, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Pereira PHS, Garcia CRS. Evidence of G-Protein-Coupled Receptors (GPCR) in the Parasitic Protozoa Plasmodium falciparum-Sensing the Host Environment and Coupling within Its Molecular Signaling Toolkit. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:12381. [PMID: 34830263 PMCID: PMC8620569 DOI: 10.3390/ijms222212381] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2021] [Accepted: 11/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Throughout evolution, the need for single-celled organisms to associate and form a single cluster of cells has had several evolutionary advantages. In complex, multicellular organisms, each tissue or organ has a specialty and function that make life together possible, and the organism as a whole needs to act in balance and adapt to changes in the environment. Sensory organs are essential for connecting external stimuli into a biological response, through the senses: sight, smell, taste, hearing, and touch. The G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are responsible for many of these senses and therefore play a key role in the perception of the cells' external environment, enabling interaction and coordinated development between each cell of a multicellular organism. The malaria-causing protozoan parasite, Plasmodium falciparum, has a complex life cycle that is extremely dependent on a finely regulated cellular signaling machinery. In this review, we summarize strong evidence and the main candidates of GPCRs in protozoan parasites. Interestingly, one of these GPCRs is a sensor for K+ shift in Plasmodium falciparum, PfSR25. Studying this family of proteins in P. falciparum could have a significant impact, both on understanding the history of the evolution of GPCRs and on finding new targets for antimalarials.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Celia R. S. Garcia
- Departamento de Análises Clínicas e Toxicológicas, Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas, Universidade de São Paulo—USP, São Paulo 05508-900, Brazil;
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Dos Santos BM, Pereira PH, Garcia CR. Molecular basis of synchronous replication of malaria parasites in the blood stage. Curr Opin Microbiol 2021; 63:210-215. [PMID: 34428626 DOI: 10.1016/j.mib.2021.08.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2021] [Revised: 08/02/2021] [Accepted: 08/04/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
The search for host factors that leads to malaria parasite synchronization has been the focus of several laboratories. The host hormone melatonin synchronizes Plasmodium falciparum in culture by increasing the number of mature parasite stages through a PLC-IP3 activation. Melatonin signaling is linked to crosstalk between Ca2+-cAMP that results in PKA activation. Two other kinases, PfPK7 and PfeIK1, and the nuclear protein PfMORC that lacks melatonin sensitivity in the inducible knock-down parasites are also identified as part of the hormone-signal transduction pathways. Melatonin also modulates P. falciparum mitochondrial fission genes FIS1, DYN1, and DYN2 in a stage-specific manner. How these multiple molecular mechanisms are orchestrated to lead to parasite synchronization is a fascinating and opened biological question.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Benedito M Dos Santos
- Laboratory of Functional Genomics and Antimalarial Discovery, Department of Clinical and Toxicological Analysis, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of São Paulo, 05508-000, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Pedro Hs Pereira
- Laboratory of Functional Genomics and Antimalarial Discovery, Department of Clinical and Toxicological Analysis, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of São Paulo, 05508-000, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Célia Rs Garcia
- Laboratory of Functional Genomics and Antimalarial Discovery, Department of Clinical and Toxicological Analysis, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of São Paulo, 05508-000, São Paulo, Brazil.
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Pereira PHS, Borges-Pereira L, Garcia CRS. Evidences of G Coupled-Protein Receptor (GPCR) Signaling in the human Malaria Parasite Plasmodium falciparum for Sensing its Microenvironment and the Role of Purinergic Signaling in Malaria Parasites. Curr Top Med Chem 2021; 21:171-180. [PMID: 32851963 DOI: 10.2174/1568026620666200826122716] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2020] [Revised: 07/15/2020] [Accepted: 07/20/2020] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
The nucleotides were discovered in the early 19th century and a few years later, the role of such molecules in energy metabolism and cell survival was postulated. In 1972, a pioneer work by Burnstock and colleagues suggested that ATP could also work as a neurotransmitter, which was known as the "purinergic hypothesis". The idea of ATP working as a signaling molecule faced initial resistance until the discovery of the receptors for ATP and other nucleotides, called purinergic receptors. Among the purinergic receptors, the P2Y family is of great importance because it comprises of G proteincoupled receptors (GPCRs). GPCRs are widespread among different organisms. These receptors work in the cells' ability to sense the external environment, which involves: to sense a dangerous situation or detect a pheromone through smell; the taste of food that should not be eaten; response to hormones that alter metabolism according to the body's need; or even transform light into an electrical stimulus to generate vision. Advances in understanding the mechanism of action of GPCRs shed light on increasingly promising treatments for diseases that have hitherto remained incurable, or the possibility of abolishing side effects from therapies widely used today.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Pedro H S Pereira
- Department of Clinical and Toxicological Analyses, University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - Lucas Borges-Pereira
- Department of Clinical and Toxicological Analyses, University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - Célia R S Garcia
- Department of Clinical and Toxicological Analyses, University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Dias BK, Nakabashi M, Alves MRR, Portella DP, dos Santos BM, Costa da Silva Almeida F, Ribeiro RY, Schuck DC, Jordão AK, Garcia CR. The Plasmodium falciparum eIK1 kinase (PfeIK1) is central for melatonin synchronization in the human malaria parasite. Melatotosil blocks melatonin action on parasite cell cycle. J Pineal Res 2020; 69:e12685. [PMID: 32702775 PMCID: PMC7539967 DOI: 10.1111/jpi.12685] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2020] [Revised: 07/15/2020] [Accepted: 07/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Melatonin and its indoles derivatives are central in the synchronization of malaria parasites. In this research, we discovered that melatonin is unable to increase the parasitemia in the human malaria Plasmodium falciparum that lacks the kinase PfeIK1. The PfeIK1 knockout strain is a valuable tool in the screening of indol-related compound that blocks the melatonin effect in wild-type (WT) parasite development. The assays were performed by using flow cytometry with simultaneous labeling for mitochondria viability with MitoTracker Deep Red and nucleus staining with SYBR Green. We found that Melatotosil leads to an increase in parasitemia in P. falciparum and blocks melatonin effect in the WT parasite. Using microscopy imaging system, we found that Melatotosil at 500 nM is able to induce cytosolic calcium rise in transgenic PfGCaMP3 parasites. On the contrary, the compound Triptiofen blocks P. falciparum cell cycle with IC50 9.76 µM ± 0.6, inhibits melatonin action, and does not lead to a cytosolic calcium rise in PfGCaMP3 parasites. We also found that the synthetic indol-related compounds arrested parasite cycle for PfeIK1 knockout and (WT) P. falciparum (3D7) in 72 hours culture assays with the IC50 values slighting lower for the WT strain. We concluded that the kinase PfeIK1 is central for melatonin downstream signaling pathways involved in parasite cell cycle progression. More importantly, the indol-related compounds block its cycle as an upstream essential mechanism for parasite survival. Our data clearly show that this class of compounds emerge as an alternative for the problem of resistance with the classical antimalarials.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Bárbara K.M. Dias
- Departamento de ParasitologiaInstituto de Ciências BiomédicasUniversidade de São PauloSão PauloSPBrazil
- Faculdade de Ciências FarmacêuticasUniversidade de São PauloSão PauloSPBrazil
| | - Myna Nakabashi
- Faculdade de Ciências FarmacêuticasUniversidade de São PauloSão PauloSPBrazil
| | | | | | | | | | - Ramira Yuri Ribeiro
- Departamento de ParasitologiaInstituto de Ciências BiomédicasUniversidade de São PauloSão PauloSPBrazil
| | - Desiree C. Schuck
- Departamento de ParasitologiaInstituto de Ciências BiomédicasUniversidade de São PauloSão PauloSPBrazil
| | - Alessandro Kappel Jordão
- Departamento de FarmáciaFaculdade de FarmáciaUniversidade Federal do Rio Grande do NorteNatalRNBrazil
- Unidade Universitária de FarmáciaCentro Universitário Estadual da Zona OesteRio de JaneiroRJBrazil
| | - Celia R.S. Garcia
- Faculdade de Ciências FarmacêuticasUniversidade de São PauloSão PauloSPBrazil
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Role of Melatonin in the Synchronization of Asexual Forms in the Parasite Plasmodium falciparum. Biomolecules 2020; 10:biom10091243. [PMID: 32867164 PMCID: PMC7563138 DOI: 10.3390/biom10091243] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2020] [Revised: 08/20/2020] [Accepted: 08/26/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The indoleamine compound melatonin has been extensively studied in the regulation of the circadian rhythm in nearly all vertebrates. The effects of melatonin have also been studied in Protozoan parasites, especially in the synchronization of the human malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum via a complex downstream signalling pathway. Melatonin activates protein kinase A (PfPKA) and requires the activation of protein kinase 7 (PfPK7), PLC-IP3, and a subset of genes from the ubiquitin-proteasome system. In other parasites, such as Trypanosoma cruzi and Toxoplasma gondii, melatonin increases inflammatory components, thus amplifying the protective response of the host’s immune system and affecting parasite load. The development of melatonin-related indole compounds exhibiting antiparasitic properties clearly suggests this new and effective approach as an alternative treatment. Therefore, it is critical to understand how melatonin confers stimulatory functions in host–parasite biology.
Collapse
|
10
|
Carvalho Cabral P, Olivier M, Cermakian N. The Complex Interplay of Parasites, Their Hosts, and Circadian Clocks. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2019; 9:425. [PMID: 31921702 PMCID: PMC6920103 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2019.00425] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2019] [Accepted: 11/28/2019] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Parasites have evolved various mechanisms to favor infection of their hosts and enhance the success of the infection. In this respect, time-of-day effects were found during the course of parasitic infections, which can be caused or controlled by circadian rhythms in the physiology of their vertebrate hosts. These include circadian clock-controlled rhythms in metabolism and in immune responses. Conversely, parasites can also modulate their hosts' behavioral and cellular rhythms. Lastly, parasites themselves were in some cases shown to possess their own circadian clock mechanisms, which can influence their capacity to infect their hosts. A better knowledge of the circadian regulation of host-parasite interactions will help in designing new preventive and therapeutic strategies for parasitic diseases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Priscilla Carvalho Cabral
- Laboratory of Molecular Chronobiology, Douglas Mental Health University Institute, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada.,Laboratory of Infectious Diseases and Immunity, Department of Medicine, Research Institute of the McGill University Health Center, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Martin Olivier
- Laboratory of Infectious Diseases and Immunity, Department of Medicine, Research Institute of the McGill University Health Center, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Nicolas Cermakian
- Laboratory of Molecular Chronobiology, Douglas Mental Health University Institute, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Scarpelli PH, Tessarin‐Almeida G, Viçoso KL, Lima WR, Borges‐Pereira L, Meissner KA, Wrenger C, Rafaello A, Rizzuto R, Pozzan T, Garcia CRS. Melatonin activates FIS1, DYN1, and DYN2 Plasmodium falciparum related-genes for mitochondria fission: Mitoemerald-GFP as a tool to visualize mitochondria structure. J Pineal Res 2019; 66:e12484. [PMID: 29480948 PMCID: PMC6585791 DOI: 10.1111/jpi.12484] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2017] [Accepted: 02/01/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Malaria causes millions of deaths worldwide and is considered a huge burden to underdeveloped countries. The number of cases with resistance to all antimalarials is continuously increasing, making the identification of novel drugs a very urgent necessity. A potentially very interesting target for novel therapeutic intervention is the parasite mitochondrion. In this work, we studied in Plasmodium falciparum 3 genes coding for proteins homologues of the mammalian FIS1 (Mitochondrial Fission Protein 1) and DRP1 (Dynamin Related Protein 1) involved in mitochondrial fission. We studied the expression of P. falciparum genes that show ample sequence and structural homologies with the mammalian counterparts, namely FIS1, DYN1, and DYN2. The encoded proteins are characterized by a distinct pattern of expression throughout the erythrocytic cycle of P. falciparum, and their mRNAs are modulated by treating the parasite with the host hormone melatonin. We have previously reported that the knockout of the Plasmodium gene that codes for protein kinase 7 is essential for melatonin sensing. We here show that PfPk7 knockout results in major alterations of mitochondrial fission genes expression when compared to wild-type parasites, and no change in fission proteins expression upon treatment with the host hormone. Finally, we have compared the morphological characteristics (using MitoTracker Red CMX Ros) and oxygen consumption properties of P. falciparum mitochondria in wild-type parasites and PfPk7 Knockout strains. A novel GFP construct targeted to the mitochondrial matrix to wild-type parasites was also developed to visualize P. falciparum mitochondria. We here show that, the functional characteristics of P. falciparum are profoundly altered in cells lacking protein kinase 7, suggesting that this enzyme plays a major role in the control of mitochondrial morphogenesis and maturation during the intra-erythrocyte cell cycle progression.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Pedro H. Scarpelli
- Departamento de ParasitologiaInstituto de Ciências BiomédicasUniversidade de São PauloSão PauloBrazil
- Departamento de FisiologiaInstituto de BiociênciasUniversidade de São PauloSão PauloBrazil
| | | | - Kênia Lopes Viçoso
- Departamento de FisiologiaInstituto de BiociênciasUniversidade de São PauloSão PauloBrazil
| | - Wania Rezende Lima
- Instituto de Ciências Exatas e Naturais‐MedicinaUniversidade Federal de Mato Grosso‐Campus RondonópolisMato GrossoBrazil
| | - Lucas Borges‐Pereira
- Departamento de FisiologiaInstituto de BiociênciasUniversidade de São PauloSão PauloBrazil
| | - Kamila Anna Meissner
- Departamento de ParasitologiaInstituto de Ciências BiomédicasUniversidade de São PauloSão PauloBrazil
| | - Carsten Wrenger
- Departamento de ParasitologiaInstituto de Ciências BiomédicasUniversidade de São PauloSão PauloBrazil
| | - Anna Rafaello
- CNR Neurosciences InstituteUniversity of PadovaPadovaItaly
| | | | - Tullio Pozzan
- CNR Neurosciences InstituteUniversity of PadovaPadovaItaly
| | - Celia R. S. Garcia
- Departamento de FisiologiaInstituto de BiociênciasUniversidade de São PauloSão PauloBrazil
- Departamento de Fisiologia, Instituto de BiociênciasUniversidade de São PauloSão PauloBrazil
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Pecenin MF, Borges-Pereira L, Levano-Garcia J, Budu A, Alves E, Mikoshiba K, Thomas A, Garcia CRS. Blocking IP 3 signal transduction pathways inhibits melatonin-induced Ca 2+ signals and impairs P. falciparum development and proliferation in erythrocytes. Cell Calcium 2018; 72:81-90. [PMID: 29748136 DOI: 10.1016/j.ceca.2018.02.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2018] [Revised: 02/19/2018] [Accepted: 02/20/2018] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
Abstract
Inositol 1,4,5 trisphosphate (IP3) signaling plays a crucial role in a wide range of eukaryotic processes. In Plasmodium falciparum, IP3 elicits Ca2+ release from intracellular Ca2+ stores, even though no IP3 receptor homolog has been identified to date. The human host hormone melatonin plays a key role in entraining the P. falciparum life cycle in the intraerythrocytic stages, apparently through an IP3-dependent Ca2+ signal. The melatonin-induced cytosolic Ca2+ ([Ca2+]cyt) increase and malaria cell cycle can be blocked by the IP3 receptor blocker 2-aminoethyl diphenylborinate (2-APB). However, 2-APB also inhibits store-operated Ca2+ entry (SOCE). Therefore, we have used two novel 2-APB derivatives, DPB162-AE and DPB163-AE, which are 100-fold more potent than 2-APB in blocking SOCE in mammalian cells, and appear to act by interfering with clustering of STIM proteins. In the present work we report that DPB162-AE and DPB163-AE block the [Ca2+]cyt rise in response to melatonin in P. falciparum, but only at high concentrations. These compounds also block SOCE in the parasite at similarly high concentrations suggesting that P. falciparum SOCE is not activated in the same way as in mammalian cells. We further find that DPB162-AE and DPB163-AE affect the development of the intraerythrocytic parasites and invasion of new red blood cells. Our efforts to episomally express proteins that compete with native IP3 receptor like IP3-sponge and an IP3 sensor such as IRIS proved to be lethal to P. falciparum during intraerythrocytic cycle. The present findings point to an important role of IP3-induced Ca2+ release in intraerythrocytic stage of P. falciparum.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mateus Fila Pecenin
- Departamento de Parasitologia, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil; Núcleo de Pesquisa em Sinalização Celular Patógeno-Hospedeiro (NUSCEP) Departamento de Fisiologia, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Lucas Borges-Pereira
- Departamento de Parasitologia, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil; New Jersey Medical School Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, NJ, USA; Núcleo de Pesquisa em Sinalização Celular Patógeno-Hospedeiro (NUSCEP) Departamento de Fisiologia, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Julio Levano-Garcia
- Núcleo de Pesquisa em Sinalização Celular Patógeno-Hospedeiro (NUSCEP) Departamento de Fisiologia, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Alexandre Budu
- Departamento de Parasitologia, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Eduardo Alves
- Departamento de Parasitologia, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Katsuhiko Mikoshiba
- Lab. for Developmental Neurobiology, RIKEN Brain Science Institute, Saitama, Japan
| | - Andrew Thomas
- New Jersey Medical School Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, NJ, USA
| | - Celia R S Garcia
- New Jersey Medical School Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, NJ, USA; Núcleo de Pesquisa em Sinalização Celular Patógeno-Hospedeiro (NUSCEP) Departamento de Fisiologia, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Cruz LN, Wu Y, Ulrich H, Craig AG, Garcia CRS. Tumor necrosis factor reduces Plasmodium falciparum growth and activates calcium signaling in human malaria parasites. Biochim Biophys Acta Gen Subj 2016; 1860:1489-97. [PMID: 27080559 PMCID: PMC4876768 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbagen.2016.04.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2015] [Revised: 03/08/2016] [Accepted: 04/04/2016] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Background Plasmodium has a complex biology including the ability to interact with host signals modulating their function through cellular machinery. Tumor necrosis factor (TNF) elicits diverse cellular responses including effects in malarial pathology and increased infected erythrocyte cytoadherence. As TNF levels are raised during Plasmodium falciparum infection we have investigated whether it has an effect on the parasite asexual stage. Methods Flow cytometry, spectrofluorimetric determinations, confocal microscopy and PCR real time quantifications were employed for characterizing TNF induced effects and membrane integrity verified by wheat germ agglutinin staining. Results TNF is able to decrease intracellular parasitemia, involving calcium as a second messenger of the pathway. Parasites incubated for 48 h with TNF showed reduced erythrocyte invasion. Thus, TNF induced rises in intracellular calcium concentration, which were blocked by prior addition of the purinergic receptor agonists KN62 and A438079, or interfering with intra- or extracellular calcium release by thapsigargin or EGTA (ethylene glycol tetraacetic acid). Importantly, expression of PfPCNA1 which encodes the Plasmodium falciparum Proliferating-Cell Nuclear Antigen 1, decreased after P. falciparum treatment of TNF (tumor necrosis factor) or 6-Bnz cAMP (N6-benzoyladenosine-3′,5′-cyclic monophosphate sodium salt). Conclusions This is potentially interesting data showing the relevance of calcium in downregulating a gene involved in cellular proliferation, triggered by TNF. General significance The data show that Plasmodium may subvert the immunological system and use TNF for the control of its proliferation within the vertebrate host. TNF is able to decrease parasitemia in P. falciparum‐infected RBCs. TNF induced rises in intracellular calcium concentration, which were blocked by the purinergic receptor agonists KN62 and A438079. Interfering with intra‐ or extracellular calcium release by thapsigargin or EGTA also block TNF‐induce calcium release in P. falciparum. Expression of the P. falciparum Proliferating‐Cell Nuclear Antigen 1 (PfPCNA1) decreased after P. falciparum treatment with TNF or 6‐Bnz cAMP. The data show that Plasmodium may subvert the immunological system and use TNF for the control of its proliferation within the vertebrate host.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Laura N Cruz
- Department of Physiology, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade de São Paulo, Rua do Matão, travessa 14, n321, CEP 05508-900 São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Yang Wu
- Department of Parasitology, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Henning Ulrich
- Department of Biochemistry, Instituto de Química, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Alister G Craig
- Department of Parasitology, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Célia R S Garcia
- Department of Physiology, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade de São Paulo, Rua do Matão, travessa 14, n321, CEP 05508-900 São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Koyama FC, Azevedo MF, Budu A, Chakrabarti D, Garcia CRS. Melatonin-induced temporal up-regulation of gene expression related to ubiquitin/proteasome system (UPS) in the human malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum. Int J Mol Sci 2014; 15:22320-30. [PMID: 25479077 PMCID: PMC4284710 DOI: 10.3390/ijms151222320] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2014] [Revised: 09/11/2014] [Accepted: 10/16/2014] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
There is an increasing understanding that melatonin and the ubiquitin/ proteasome system (UPS) interact to regulate multiple cellular functions. Post-translational modifications such as ubiquitination are important modulators of signaling processes, cell cycle and many other cellular functions. Previously, we reported a melatonin-induced upregulation of gene expression related to ubiquitin/proteasome system (UPS) in Plasmodium falciparum, the human malaria parasite, and that P. falciparum protein kinase 7 influences this process. This implies a role of melatonin, an indolamine, in modulating intraerythrocytic development of the parasite. In this report we demonstrate by qPCR analysis, that melatonin induces gene upregulation in nine out of fourteen genes of the UPS, consisting of the same set of genes previously reported, between 4 to 5 h after melatonin treatment. We demonstrate that melatonin causes a temporally controlled gene expression of UPS members.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Fernanda C Koyama
- Departamento de Parasitologia, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade de São, São Paulo 05508-900, Brazil.
| | - Mauro F Azevedo
- Departamento de Fisiologia, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo 05508-090, Brazil.
| | - Alexandre Budu
- Departamento de Fisiologia, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo 05508-090, Brazil.
| | - Debopam Chakrabarti
- Burnett School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL 32826, USA.
| | - Célia R S Garcia
- Departamento de Fisiologia, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo 05508-090, Brazil.
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Huete-Toral F, Crooke A, Martínez-Águila A, Pintor J. Melatonin receptors trigger cAMP production and inhibit chloride movements in nonpigmented ciliary epithelial cells. J Pharmacol Exp Ther 2014; 352:119-28. [PMID: 25344385 DOI: 10.1124/jpet.114.218263] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Melatonin and its analog 5-MCA-NAT (5-methylcarboxyamino-N-acetyl tryptamine) are active compounds reducing intraocular pressure (IOP). This action is mediated through MT2 and the putative MT3 melatonin receptor, producing a transient reduction of IOP that lasts for a few hours and has not yet been characterized. The use of melatonin and its analog are causing a decrease in chloride efflux from rabbit nonpigmented epithelial cells (NPE), possibly explaining the decrease in IOP. Melatonin and 5-MCA-NAT inhibited rabbit NPE chloride release in a concentration-dependent manner, whereas the pD2 values were between 4.5 ± 1.2 and 4.4 ± 1.0, respectively. Melatonin hypotensive action was enhanced by the presence of MT2 antagonists, such as DH97 (N-pentanoyl-2-benzyltryptamine) and 4-P-P-DOT (4-phenyl-2-propionamidotetralin) and by the nonselective melatonin receptor antagonist luzindole. Prazosin (1.5 µM) partially reverses the melatonin action by acting as a selective MT3 antagonist. However, at 15 nM it acts as an α-adrenergic receptor antagonist, enhancing the melatonin effect. Regarding the intracellular pathways triggered by melatonin receptors, neither phospholipase C/protein kinase C pathway nor the canonical reduction of intracellular cAMP was responsible for melatonin or 5-MCA-NAT actions. On the contrary, the application of these substances produced a concentration-dependent increase of cAMP, with pD2 values of 4.6 ± 0.2 and 4.9 ± 0.7 for melatonin and 5-MCA-NAT, respectively. In summary, melatonin reduces the release of chloride concomitantly to cAMP generation. The reduction of Cl(-) secretion accounts for a decrease in the water outflow and therefore a decrease in aqueous humor production. This could be one of the main mechanisms responsible for the reduction of IOP after application of melatonin and 5-MCA-NAT.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Fernando Huete-Toral
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular IV, Facultad de Óptica y Optometría, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Almudena Crooke
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular IV, Facultad de Óptica y Optometría, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Alejandro Martínez-Águila
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular IV, Facultad de Óptica y Optometría, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Jesús Pintor
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular IV, Facultad de Óptica y Optometría, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Silva GNS, Schuck DC, Cruz LN, Moraes MS, Nakabashi M, Gosmann G, Garcia CRS, Gnoatto SCB. Investigation of antimalarial activity, cytotoxicity and action mechanism of piperazine derivatives of betulinic acid. Trop Med Int Health 2014; 20:29-39. [PMID: 25308185 DOI: 10.1111/tmi.12395] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To semisynthesise piperazine derivatives of betulinic acid to evaluate antimalarial activity, cytotoxicity and action mechanism. METHODS The new derivatives were evaluated against the CQ-sensitive Plasmodium falciparum 3D7 strain by flow cytometry (FC) using YOYO-1 as stain. Cytotoxicity of 4a and 4b was performed with HEK293T cells for 24 and 48 h by MTT assay. The capability of compound 4a to modulate Ca(2+) in the trophozoite stage was investigated. The trophozoites were stained with Fluo4-AM and analysed by spectrofluorimetry. Effect on mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm) was tested for 4a by FC with DiOC6 (3) as stain. For β-haematin assay, 4a was incubated for 24 h with reagents such as haemin, and the fluorescence was measured by FlexStation at an absorbance of 405 nm. RESULTS Antimalarial activity of 4a and 4b was IC50 = 1 and 4 μm, respectively. Compound 4a displayed cytotoxicity with IC50 = 69 and 29 μm for 24 and 48 h, respectively, and 4b was not cytotoxic at the tested concentrations. Addition of 4a leads to an increase in cytosolic Ca(2+) . We have measured ΔΨm after treating parasites with the compound. Data on Figure 4a show that mitochondria were not affected. The action mechanism for 4a, inhibition of β-haematin formation (17%), was lower than CQ treatment (83%; IC50 = 3 mm). CONCLUSION Compound 4a showed excellent antimalarial activity, and its action mechanism is involved in Ca(2+) pathway(s).
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Gloria N S Silva
- Phytochemistry and Organic Synthesis Laboratory, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil; Plasmodium Molecular and Cellular Biology Laboratory, Department of Physiology, São Paulo University, São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
17
|
Elmahallawy EK, Jiménez-Aranda A, Martínez AS, Rodriguez-Granger J, Navarro-Alarcón M, Gutiérrez-Fernández J, Agil A. Activity of melatonin against Leishmania infantum promastigotes by mitochondrial dependent pathway. Chem Biol Interact 2014; 220:84-93. [PMID: 24973643 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbi.2014.06.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2014] [Revised: 06/06/2014] [Accepted: 06/16/2014] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
Visceral leishmaniasis, a potentially fatal disease, remains a major international health problem. Only a limited number of effective antileishmanial agents are available for chemotherapy, and many of them are expensive with severe side effects or have a markedly reduced effectiveness due to the development of drug resistance. Hence, there is a genuine need to develop a novel effective and less toxic antileishmanial drug. Melatonin, a neurohormone found in animals, plants, and microbes, can participate in various biological and physiological functions. Several in vitro or in vivo studies have reported the inhibitory effect of melatonin against many parasites via various mechanisms, including modulation of intracellular concentrations of calcium in the parasite and/or any other suggested mechanism. Importantly, many of available antileishmanial drugs have been reported to exert their effects by disrupting calcium homeostasis in the parasite. The objective of the present study was to test the efficacy of exogenous melatonin against Leishmania infantum promastigotes in vitro. Interestingly, melatonin not only demonstrated a significant antileishmanial activity of against promastigote viability in tested cultures but was also accompanied by an alteration of the calcium homeostasis of parasite mitochondrion, represented by earlier mitochondrial permeability transition pore opening, and by changes in some mitochondrial parameters are critical to parasite survival. These pioneering findings suggest that melatonin may be a candidate for the development of novel effective antileishmanial agents either alone or in associations with other drugs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ehab Kotb Elmahallawy
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Granada, Granada, Spain; Department of Zoonotic diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Sohag University, Sohag, Egypt
| | - Aroa Jiménez-Aranda
- Department of Pharmacology and Neurosciences Institute (CIBM), Faculty of Medicine, University of Granada, Granada, Spain
| | | | - Javier Rodriguez-Granger
- Service of Microbiology and Parasitology, University Hospital Virgen de las Nieves, Granada, Spain
| | - Miguel Navarro-Alarcón
- Department of Nutrition and Food Science, School of Pharmacy, University of Granada, Granada, Spain
| | | | - Ahmad Agil
- Department of Pharmacology and Neurosciences Institute (CIBM), Faculty of Medicine, University of Granada, Granada, Spain.
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Synthetic indole and melatonin derivatives exhibit antimalarial activity on the cell cycle of the human malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum. Eur J Med Chem 2014; 78:375-82. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2014.03.055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2013] [Revised: 03/14/2014] [Accepted: 03/16/2014] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
|
19
|
Koyama FC, Carvalho TLG, Alves E, da Silva HB, de Azevedo MF, Hemerly AS, Garcia CRS. The Structurally Related Auxin and Melatonin Tryptophan-Derivatives and their Roles in Arabidopsis thaliana
and in the Human Malaria Parasite Plasmodium falciparum. J Eukaryot Microbiol 2013; 60:646-51. [DOI: 10.1111/jeu.12080] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2013] [Revised: 07/25/2013] [Accepted: 07/25/2013] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Fernanda C. Koyama
- Departamento de Parasitologia; Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas; Universidade de São Paulo; 05508-000 São Paulo Brazil
- Departamento de Fisiologia; Instituto de Biociências; Universidade de São Paulo; 05508-090 São Paulo Brazil
| | - Thais L. G. Carvalho
- Laboratório de Biologia Molecular de Plantas; Instituto de Bioquímica Médica; Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro; 21941-590 Rio de Janeiro Brazil
| | - Eduardo Alves
- Departamento de Parasitologia; Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas; Universidade de São Paulo; 05508-000 São Paulo Brazil
- Departamento de Fisiologia; Instituto de Biociências; Universidade de São Paulo; 05508-090 São Paulo Brazil
| | - Henrique B. da Silva
- Departamento de Imunologia; Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas; Universidade de São Paulo; 05508-900 São Paulo Brazil
| | - Mauro F. de Azevedo
- Centre for Immunology; Macfarlane Burnet Institute of Medical Research and Public Health; Melbourne Victoria 3004 Australia
| | - Adriana S. Hemerly
- Laboratório de Biologia Molecular de Plantas; Instituto de Bioquímica Médica; Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro; 21941-590 Rio de Janeiro Brazil
| | - Célia R. S. Garcia
- Departamento de Fisiologia; Instituto de Biociências; Universidade de São Paulo; 05508-090 São Paulo Brazil
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Lima WR, Holder AA, Garcia CRS. Melatonin signaling and its modulation of PfNF-YB transcription factor expression in Plasmodium falciparum. Int J Mol Sci 2013; 14:13704-18. [PMID: 23839089 PMCID: PMC3742212 DOI: 10.3390/ijms140713704] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2013] [Revised: 06/23/2013] [Accepted: 06/25/2013] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Malaria is one of the most severe tropical infectious diseases. More than 220 million people around the world have a clinical malaria infection and about one million die because of Plasmodium annually. This parasitic pathogen replicates efficiently in its human host making it difficult to eradicate. It is transmitted by mosquito vectors and so far mosquito control programs have not effectively eliminated this transmission. Because of malaria's enormous health and economic impact and the need to develop new control and eventual elimination strategies, a big research effort has been made to better understand the biology of this parasite and its interactions with its vertebrate host. Determination of the genome sequence and organization, the elucidation of the role of key proteins, and cell signaling studies have helped to develop an understanding of the molecular mechanisms that provide the parasite's versatility. The parasite can sense its environment and adapt to benefit its survival, indeed this is essential for it to complete its life cycle. For many years we have studied how the Plasmodium parasite is able to sense melatonin. In this review we discuss the melatonin signaling pathway and its role in the control of Plasmodium replication and development.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Wânia Rezende Lima
- Departamento de Fisiologia, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo 05508900, Brazil; E-Mail:
| | - Anthony A. Holder
- Division of Parasitology, MRC National Institute for Medical Research, The Ridgeway, Mill Hill, London NW7 1AA, UK; E-Mail:
| | - Célia R. S. Garcia
- Departamento de Fisiologia, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo 05508900, Brazil; E-Mail:
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Agarwal S, Singh MK, Garg S, Chitnis CE, Singh S. Ca2+-mediated exocytosis of subtilisin-like protease 1: a key step in egress ofPlasmodium falciparummerozoites. Cell Microbiol 2012; 15:910-21. [DOI: 10.1111/cmi.12086] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2012] [Revised: 10/30/2012] [Accepted: 11/23/2012] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Shalini Agarwal
- Malaria Group; International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB); New Delhi; India
| | - Maneesh Kumar Singh
- Malaria Group; International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB); New Delhi; India
| | - Swati Garg
- Malaria Group; International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB); New Delhi; India
| | - Chetan E. Chitnis
- Malaria Group; International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB); New Delhi; India
| | - Shailja Singh
- Malaria Group; International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB); New Delhi; India
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Koyama FC, Ribeiro RY, Garcia JL, Azevedo MF, Chakrabarti D, Garcia CRS. Ubiquitin proteasome system and the atypical kinase PfPK7 are involved in melatonin signaling in Plasmodium falciparum. J Pineal Res 2012; 53:147-53. [PMID: 22348509 PMCID: PMC3360131 DOI: 10.1111/j.1600-079x.2012.00981.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
We previously reported that melatonin modulates the Plasmodium falciparum erythrocytic cycle by increasing schizont stage population as well as diminishing ring stage population. In addition, the importance of calcium and cAMP in melatonin signaling pathway in P. falciparum was also demonstrated. Nevertheless, the molecular effectors of the indoleamine signaling pathway remain elusive. We now demonstrate by real-time PCR that melatonin treatment up-regulates genes related to ubiquitin/proteasome system (UPS) components and that luzindole, a melatonin receptor antagonist, inhibits UPS transcription modulation. We also show that protein kinase PfPK7, a P. falciparum orphan kinase, plays a crucial role in the melatonin transduction pathway, since following melatonin treatment of P. falciparum parasites where pfpk7 gene is disrupted (pfpk7(-) parasites) (i) the ratio of asexual stages remain unchanged, (ii) the increase in cytoplasmatic calcium in response to melatonin was strongly diminished and (iii) up-regulation of UPS genes did not occur. The wild-type melatonin-induced alterations in cell cycle features, calcium rise and UPS gene transcription were restored by re-introduction of a functional copy of the pfpk7 gene in the pfpk7(-) parasites.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Fernanda C Koyama
- Departamento de Parasitologia, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
23
|
Involvement of TSSA (trypomastigote small surface antigen) in Trypanosoma cruzi invasion of mammalian cells. Biochem J 2012; 444:211-8. [PMID: 22428617 DOI: 10.1042/bj20120074] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
TSSA (trypomastigote small surface antigen) is a polymorphic mucin-like molecule displayed on the surface of Trypanosoma cruzi trypomastigote forms. To evaluate its functional properties, we undertook comparative biochemical and genetic approaches on isoforms present in parasite stocks from extant evolutionary lineages (CL Brener and Sylvio X-10). We show that CL Brener TSSA, but not the Sylvio X-10 counterpart, exhibits dose-dependent and saturable binding towards non-macrophagic cell lines. This binding triggers Ca(2+)-based signalling responses in the target cell while providing an anchor for the invading parasite. Accordingly, exogenous addition of either TSSA-derived peptides or specific antibodies significantly inhibits invasion of CL Brener, but not Sylvio X-10, trypomastigotes. Non-infective epimastigote forms, which do not express detectable levels of TSSA, were stably transfected with TSSA cDNA from either parasite stock. Although both transfectants produced a surface-associated mucin-like TSSA product, epimastigotes expressing CL Brener TSSA showed a ~2-fold increase in their attachment to mammalian cells. Overall, these findings indicate that CL Brener TSSA functions as a parasite adhesin, engaging surface receptor(s) and inducing signalling pathways on the host cell as a prerequisite for parasite internalization. More importantly, the contrasting functional features of TSSA isoforms provide one appealing mechanism underlying the differential infectivity of T. cruzi stocks.
Collapse
|
24
|
Thomas DC, Ahmed A, Gilberger TW, Sharma P. Regulation of Plasmodium falciparum glideosome associated protein 45 (PfGAP45) phosphorylation. PLoS One 2012; 7:e35855. [PMID: 22558243 PMCID: PMC3338798 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0035855] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2012] [Accepted: 03/23/2012] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The actomyosin motor complex of the glideosome provides the force needed by apicomplexan parasites such as Toxoplasma gondii (Tg) and Plasmodium falciparum (Pf) to invade their host cells and for gliding motility of their motile forms. Glideosome Associated Protein 45 (PfGAP45) is an essential component of the glideosome complex as it facilitates anchoring and effective functioning of the motor. Dissection of events that regulate PfGAP45 may provide insights into how the motor and the glideosome operate. We found that PfGAP45 is phosphorylated in response to Phospholipase C (PLC) and calcium signaling. It is phosphorylated by P. falciparum kinases Protein Kinase B (PfPKB) and Calcium Dependent Protein Kinase 1 (PfCDPK1), which are calcium dependent enzymes, at S89, S103 and S149. The Phospholipase C pathway influenced the phosphorylation of S103 and S149. The phosphorylation of PfGAP45 at these sites is differentially regulated during parasite development. The localization of PfGAP45 and its association may be independent of the phosphorylation of these sites. PfGAP45 regulation in response to calcium fits in well with the previously described role of calcium in host cell invasion by malaria parasite.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Divya Catherine Thomas
- Eukaryotic Gene Expression Laboratory, National Institute of Immunology, New Delhi, India
| | - Anwar Ahmed
- Eukaryotic Gene Expression Laboratory, National Institute of Immunology, New Delhi, India
| | - Tim Wolf Gilberger
- Department of Molecular Parasitology, Bernhard-Nocht-Institute for Tropical Medicine, Hamburg, Germany
- M. G. DeGroote Institute for Infectious Disease Research and Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, Canada
| | - Pushkar Sharma
- Eukaryotic Gene Expression Laboratory, National Institute of Immunology, New Delhi, India
- * E-mail:
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
Generation of second messengers in Plasmodium. Microbes Infect 2012; 14:787-95. [PMID: 22584103 DOI: 10.1016/j.micinf.2012.04.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2011] [Revised: 04/17/2012] [Accepted: 04/18/2012] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Signalling in malaria parasites is a field of growing interest as its components may prove to be valuable drug targets, especially when one considers the burden of a disease that is responsible for up to 500 million infections annually. The scope of this review is to discuss external stimuli in the parasite life cycle and the upstream machinery responsible for translating them into intracellular responses, focussing particularly on the calcium signalling pathway.
Collapse
|
26
|
Abstract
The in vitro cultivation of Plasmodium falciparum is absolutely essential for the molecular dissection of parasite biology and still poses several challenges. The dependence on, and interaction with host red blood cells, the tightly regulated stage-specific expression of proteins, and the parasite peculiar demands on nutrients and gaseous environments are only a few aspects that need to be addressed to successfully cultivate P. falciparum in vitro. In this chapter, we present techniques for normal maintenance of the erythrocytic stages of P. falciparum cultures, their synchronization and the generation of clonal cell lines.
Collapse
|
27
|
Drug-induced permeabilization of parasite's digestive vacuole is a key trigger of programmed cell death in Plasmodium falciparum. Cell Death Dis 2011; 2:e216. [PMID: 21993392 PMCID: PMC3219093 DOI: 10.1038/cddis.2011.97] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
Having previously characterized chloroquine (CQ)-induced programmed cell death (PCD) hallmarks in the malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum and delineating a pathway linking these features, the roles of non-classical mediators were investigated in this paper. It was shown that the later stages of this pathway are Ca2+-dependent and transcriptionally regulated. Moreover, it was demonstrated for the first time that micromolar concentrations of CQ partially permeabilized the parasite's digestive vacuole (DV) membrane and that this important upstream event appears to precede mitochondrial dysfunction. This permeabilization of the DV occurred without rupture of the DV membrane and was reminiscent of lysosome-mediated cell death in mammalian cells. As such micromolar concentrations of CQ are found in the patient's plasma after initial CQ loading, this alludes to a clinically relevant antimalarial mechanism of the drug which has yet to be recognized. Furthermore, other ‘non-antimalarial' lysosomotropic compounds were also shown to cause DV permeabilization, triggering PCD in both CQ-sensitive and -resistant parasites. These findings present new avenues for antimalarial developments, which induce DV destabilization to kill parasites.
Collapse
|
28
|
Bagnaresi P, Nakabashi M, Thomas AP, Reiter RJ, Garcia CRS. The role of melatonin in parasite biology. Mol Biochem Parasitol 2011; 181:1-6. [PMID: 21982826 DOI: 10.1016/j.molbiopara.2011.09.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2011] [Revised: 09/21/2011] [Accepted: 09/23/2011] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
Abstract
Regarded as the circadian hormone in mammals, melatonin is a highly conserved molecule, present in nearly all species. In this review, we discuss the role of this indolamine and its precursors in the cell biology of parasites and the role of the molecule in the physiology of the host. In Plasmodium, melatonin can modulate intracellular concentrations of calcium and cAMP, which in turn can regulate kinase activity and cell cycle. In Trypanosoma infections, modulation of the immune system by melatonin is extremely important in controlling the parasite population. Melatonin also contributes to the inflammatory response to Toxoplasma gondii infection. Thus, there are a number of unique adaptations involving intricate connections between melatonin and the biology of the parasite-host relationship.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Piero Bagnaresi
- Departamento de Biofísica, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
29
|
Schuck DC, Ribeiro RY, Nery AA, Ulrich H, Garcia CRS. Flow cytometry as a tool for analyzing changes in Plasmodium falciparum cell cycle following treatment with indol compounds. Cytometry A 2011; 79:959-64. [PMID: 22015733 DOI: 10.1002/cyto.a.21136] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2011] [Revised: 07/28/2011] [Accepted: 08/04/2011] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Melatonin and its derivatives modulate the Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium chabaudi cell cycle. Flow cytometry was employed together with the nucleic acid dye YOYO-1 allowing precise discrimination between mono- and multinucleated forms of P. falciparum-infected red blood cell. The use of YOYO-1 permitted excellent discrimination between uninfected and infected red blood cells as well as between early and late parasite stages. Fluorescence intensities of schizont-stage parasites were about 10-fold greater than those of ring-trophozoite form parasites. Melatonin and related indolic compounds including serotonin, N-acetyl-serotonin and tryptamine induced an increase in the percentage of multinucleated forms compared to non-treated control cultures. YOYO-1 staining of infected erythrocyte and subsequent flow cytometry analysis provides a powerful tool in malaria research for screening of bioactive compounds.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Desirée Cigaran Schuck
- Departamento de Parasitologia, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
30
|
Gazarini ML, Beraldo FH, Almeida FM, Bootman M, Da Silva AM, Garcia CRS. Melatonin triggers PKA activation in the rodent malaria parasite Plasmodium chabaudi. J Pineal Res 2011; 50:64-70. [PMID: 20964707 DOI: 10.1111/j.1600-079x.2010.00810.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Calcium (Ca(2+) ) is a critical regulator of many aspects of the Plasmodium reproductive cycle. In particular, intra-erythrocyte Plasmodium parasites respond to circulating levels of the melatonin in a process mediated partly by intracellular Ca(2+) . Melatonin promotes the development and synchronicity of parasites, thereby enhancing their spread and worsening the clinical implications. The signalling mechanisms underlying the effects of melatonin are not fully established, although both Ca(2+) and cyclic AMP (cAMP) have been implicated. Furthermore, it is not clear whether different strains of Plasmodium use the same, or divergent, signals to control their development. The aim of this study was to explore the signalling mechanisms engaged by melatonin in P. chabaudi, a virulent rodent parasite. Using parasites at the throphozoite stage acutely isolated from mice erythrocytes, we demonstrate that melatonin triggers cAMP production and protein kinase A (PKA) activation. Interestingly, the stimulation of cAMP/PKA signalling by melatonin was dependent on elevation of Ca(2+) within the parasite, because buffering Ca(2+) changes using the chelator BAPTA prevented cAMP production in response to melatonin. Incubation with melatonin evoked robust Ca(2+) signals within the parasite, as did the application of a membrane-permeant analogue of cAMP. Our data suggest that P. chabaudi engages both Ca(2+) and cAMP signalling systems when stimulated by melatonin. Furthermore, there is positive feedback between these messengers, because Ca(2+) evokes cAMP elevation and vice versa. Melatonin more than doubled the observed extent of parasitemia, and the increase in cAMP concentration and PKA activation was essential for this effect. These data support the possibility to use melatonin antagonists or derivates in therapeutic approach.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Marcos L Gazarini
- Departamento de Biociências, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Santos, SP, Brasil
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
31
|
Alves E, Bartlett PJ, Garcia CRS, Thomas AP. Melatonin and IP3-induced Ca2+ release from intracellular stores in the malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum within infected red blood cells. J Biol Chem 2010; 286:5905-12. [PMID: 21149448 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m110.188474] [Citation(s) in RCA: 83] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
IP(3)-dependent Ca(2+) signaling controls a myriad of cellular processes in higher eukaryotes and similar signaling pathways are evolutionarily conserved in Plasmodium, the intracellular parasite that causes malaria. We have reported that isolated, permeabilized Plasmodium chabaudi, releases Ca(2+) upon addition of exogenous IP(3). In the present study, we investigated whether the IP(3) signaling pathway operates in intact Plasmodium falciparum, the major disease-causing human malaria parasite. P. falciparum-infected red blood cells (RBCs) in the trophozoite stage were simultaneously loaded with the Ca(2+) indicator Fluo-4/AM and caged-IP(3). Photolytic release of IP(3) elicited a transient Ca(2+) increase in the cytosol of the intact parasite within the RBC. The intracellular Ca(2+) pools of the parasite were selectively discharged, using thapsigargin to deplete endoplasmic reticulum (ER) Ca(2+) and the antimalarial chloroquine to deplete Ca(2+) from acidocalcisomes. These data show that the ER is the major IP(3)-sensitive Ca(2+) store. Previous work has shown that the human host hormone melatonin regulates P. falciparum cell cycle via a Ca(2+)-dependent pathway. In the present study, we demonstrate that melatonin increases inositol-polyphosphate production in intact intraerythrocytic parasite. Moreover, the Ca(2+) responses to melatonin and uncaging of IP(3) were mutually exclusive in infected RBCs. Taken together these data provide evidence that melatonin activates PLC to generate IP(3) and open ER-localized IP(3)-sensitive Ca(2+) channels in P. falciparum. This receptor signaling pathway is likely to be involved in the regulation and synchronization of parasite cell cycle progression.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Eduardo Alves
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, UMDNJ, New Jersey Medical School, Newark, New Jersey 07103, USA
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
32
|
Levano-Garcia J, Dluzewski AR, Markus RP, Garcia CRS. Purinergic signalling is involved in the malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum invasion to red blood cells. Purinergic Signal 2010; 6:365-72. [PMID: 21437007 DOI: 10.1007/s11302-010-9202-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2010] [Accepted: 09/30/2010] [Indexed: 10/18/2022] Open
Abstract
UNLABELLED Plasmodium falciparum, the most important etiological agent of human malaria, is endowed with a highly complex cell cycle that is essential for its successful replication within the host. A number of evidence suggest that changes in parasite Ca(2+) levels occur during the intracellular cycle of the parasites and play a role in modulating its functions within the RBC. However, the molecular identification of Plasmodium receptors linked with calcium signalling and the causal relationship between Ca(2+) increases and parasite functions are still largely mysterious. We here describe that increases in P. falciparum Ca(2+) levels, induced by extracellular ATP, modulate parasite invasion. In particular, we show that addition of ATP leads to an increase of cytosolic Ca(2+) in trophozoites and segmented schizonts. Addition of the compounds KN62 and Ip5I on parasites blocked the ATP-induced rise in [Ca(2+)](c). Besides, the compounds or hydrolysis of ATP with apyrase added in culture drastically reduce RBC infection by parasites, suggesting strongly a role of extracellular ATP during RBC invasion. The use of purinoceptor antagonists Ip5I and KN62 in this study suggests the presence of putative purinoceptor in P. falciparum. In conclusion, we have demonstrated that increases in [Ca(2+)](c) in the malarial parasite P. falciparum by ATP leads to the modulation of its invasion of red blood cells. ELECTRONIC SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIAL The online version of this article (doi:10.1007/s11302-010-9202-y) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
Collapse
|
33
|
Waknine-Grinberg JH, McQuillan JA, Hunt N, Ginsburg H, Golenser J. Modulation of cerebral malaria by fasudil and other immune-modifying compounds. Exp Parasitol 2010; 125:141-6. [DOI: 10.1016/j.exppara.2010.01.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2009] [Revised: 11/12/2009] [Accepted: 01/12/2010] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
|
34
|
Distinct external signals trigger sequential release of apical organelles during erythrocyte invasion by malaria parasites. PLoS Pathog 2010; 6:e1000746. [PMID: 20140184 PMCID: PMC2816683 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1000746] [Citation(s) in RCA: 212] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2009] [Accepted: 12/31/2009] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The invasion of erythrocytes by Plasmodium merozoites requires specific interactions between host receptors and parasite ligands. Parasite proteins that bind erythrocyte receptors during invasion are localized in apical organelles called micronemes and rhoptries. The regulated secretion of microneme and rhoptry proteins to the merozoite surface to enable receptor binding is a critical step in the invasion process. The sequence of these secretion events and the external signals that trigger release are not known. We have used time-lapse video microscopy to study changes in intracellular calcium levels in Plasmodium falciparum merozoites during erythrocyte invasion. In addition, we have developed flow cytometry based methods to measure relative levels of cytosolic calcium and study surface expression of apical organelle proteins in P. falciparum merozoites in response to different external signals. We demonstrate that exposure of P. falciparum merozoites to low potassium ion concentrations as found in blood plasma leads to a rise in cytosolic calcium levels through a phospholipase C mediated pathway. Rise in cytosolic calcium triggers secretion of microneme proteins such as the 175 kD erythrocyte binding antigen (EBA175) and apical membrane antigen-1 (AMA-1) to the merozoite surface. Subsequently, interaction of EBA175 with glycophorin A (glyA), its receptor on erythrocytes, restores basal cytosolic calcium levels and triggers release of rhoptry proteins. Our results identify for the first time the external signals responsible for the sequential release of microneme and rhoptry proteins during erythrocyte invasion and provide a starting point for the dissection of signal transduction pathways involved in regulated exocytosis of these key apical organelles. Signaling pathway components involved in apical organelle discharge may serve as novel targets for drug development since inhibition of microneme and rhoptry secretion can block invasion and limit blood-stage parasite growth. Malaria remains a major public health problem in many parts of the tropical world. All the clinical symptoms of malaria are attributed to the blood stage of the parasite life cycle during which Plasmodium merozoites invade and multiply within host erythrocytes. Invasion by Plasmodium merozoites is a complex process that requires multiple molecular interactions between the invading parasite and target erythrocyte. Parasite proteins that mediate such interactions are localized in membrane bound internal organelles at the apical end of merozoites called micronemes and rhoptries. The timely secretion of microneme and rhoptry proteins to the merozoite surface to allow receptor binding is a crucial step in the invasion process. In this study, we demonstrate that exposure of Plasmodium falciparum merozoites to low potassium ion concentrations as found in blood plasma provides the natural signal that triggers a rise in intracellular calcium, which in turn triggers secretion of microneme proteins to the merozoite surface. Subsequently, binding of released microneme proteins with erythrocyte receptors provides the signal for release of rhoptry proteins. These studies open the path for analysis of signal transduction pathways involved in apical organelle secretion. A clear understanding of these pathways will enable development of inhibitors that block secretion of key parasite proteins required for receptor-binding. Such inhibitors will block erythrocyte invasion and inhibit parasite growth, providing promising leads for development of novel drugs against malaria.
Collapse
|
35
|
Srinivasan V, Spence DW, Moscovitch A, Pandi-Perumal SR, Trakht I, Brown GM, Cardinali DP. Malaria: therapeutic implications of melatonin. J Pineal Res 2010; 48:1-8. [PMID: 20025640 DOI: 10.1111/j.1600-079x.2009.00728.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Malaria, which infects more than 300 million people annually, is a serious disease. Epidemiological surveys indicate that of those who are affected, malaria will claim the lives of more than one million individuals, mostly children. There is evidence that the synchronous maturation of Plasmodium falciparum, the parasite that causes a severe form of malaria in humans and Plasmodium chabaudi, responsible for rodent malaria, could be linked to circadian changes in melatonin concentration. In vitro melatonin stimulates the growth and development of P. falciparum through the activation of specific melatonin receptors coupled to phospholipase-C activation and the concomitant increase of intracellular Ca2+. The Ca2+ signaling pathway is important to stimulate parasite transition from the trophozoite to the schizont stage, the final stage of intraerythrocytic cycle, thus promoting the rise of parasitemia. Either pinealectomy or the administration of the melatonin receptor blocking agent luzindole desynchronizes the parasitic cell cycle. Therefore, the use of melatonin antagonists could be a novel therapeutic approach for controlling the disease. On the other hand, the complexity of melatonin's action in malaria is underscored by the demonstration that treatment with high doses of melatonin is actually beneficial for inhibiting apoptosis and liver damage resulting from the oxidative stress in malaria. The possibility that the coordinated administration of melatonin antagonists (to impair the melatonin signal that synchronizes P. falciparum) and of melatonin in doses high enough to decrease oxidative damage could be a novel approach in malaria treatment is discussed.
Collapse
|
36
|
Plasmodium falciparum biology: analysis of in vitro versus in vivo growth conditions. Trends Parasitol 2009; 25:474-81. [PMID: 19747879 DOI: 10.1016/j.pt.2009.07.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2009] [Revised: 06/12/2009] [Accepted: 07/09/2009] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Recent studies of Plasmodium falciparum isolated directly from infected patients indicate that alternative parasite biological states occur in the natural host that are not observed with in vitro cultivated parasites. Variation in host substrates, immune responses and other factors probably induce modifications in parasite biology. These biological states could have important implications for pathogenesis, transmission and therapy. We review the differences between P. falciparum in vitro culture systems and in vivo host environments, as well as evidence that host conditions can alter pathogen biology. For select biological questions, the incorporation of naturally occurring conditions into in vitro experimental manipulation of microbes may provide novel insight into pathogen biology.
Collapse
|
37
|
Bagnaresi P, Alves E, Borges da Silva H, Epiphanio S, Mota MM, Garcia CR. Unlike the synchronous Plasmodium falciparum and P. chabaudi infection, the P. berghei and P. yoelii asynchronous infections are not affected by melatonin. Int J Gen Med 2009; 2:47-55. [PMID: 20360886 PMCID: PMC2840578 DOI: 10.2147/ijgm.s3699] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
We have previously reported that Plasmodium chabaudi and P.
falciparum sense the hormone melatonin and this could be responsible for
the synchrony of malaria infection. In P. chabaudi and P.
falciparum, melatonin induces calcium release from internal stores, and
this response is abolished by U73122, a phospholipase C inhibitor, and luzindole, a
melatonin-receptor competitive antagonist. Here we show that, in
vitro, melatonin is not able to modulate cell cycle, nor to elicit an
elevation in intracellular calcium concentration of the intraerythrocytic forms of
P. berghei or P. yoelii, two rodent parasites
that show an asynchrononous development in vivo. Interestingly,
melatonin and its receptor do not seem to play a role during hepatic infection by
P. berghei sporozoites either. These data strengthen the
hypothesis that host-derived melatonin does not synchronize malaria infection caused
by P. berghei and P. yoelii. Moreover, these data
explain why infections by these parasites are asynchronous, contrary to what is
observed in P. falciparum and P. chabaudi
infections.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Piero Bagnaresi
- Departamento de Fisiologia, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
38
|
Pleass RJ. Platelet power: sticky problems for sticky parasites? Trends Parasitol 2009; 25:296-9. [PMID: 19539528 PMCID: PMC3116138 DOI: 10.1016/j.pt.2009.04.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2009] [Revised: 03/20/2009] [Accepted: 04/01/2009] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Platelets might have a crucial role in the pathogenesis of both human and rodent malarias by assisting in the sequestration of infected erythrocytes within the cerebral vasculature. However, recent elegant work by McMorran et al. suggests that they are also involved in innate protection during the early stages of infection. Here, we discuss the implications of their important findings in the context of immunity to malaria.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Richard J Pleass
- Institute of Genetics, School of Biology, University of Nottingham, NG7 2UH, UK.
| |
Collapse
|
39
|
Carmargo LM, de Oliveira S, Basano S, Garcia CR. Antimalarials and the fight against malaria in Brazil. Ther Clin Risk Manag 2009; 5:311-7. [PMID: 19753125 PMCID: PMC2690974 DOI: 10.2147/tcrm.s4571] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Malaria, known as the “fevers,” has been treated for over three thousand years in China with extracts of plants of the genus Artemisia (including Artemisia annua, A. opiacea, and A. lancea) from which the active compound is artemisin, a sesquiterpene that is highly effective in the treatment of the disease, especially against young forms of the parasite. South American Indians in the seventeenth century already used an extract of the bark of chinchona tree, commonly named “Jesuits’ powder.” Its active compound was isolated in 1820 and its use spread all over the world being used as a prophylactic drug during the construction of the Madeira–Mamoré railroad in the beginning of the twentieth century. During the 1920s to the 1940s, new antimalarial drugs were synthesized to increase the arsenal against this parasite. However, the parasite has presented systematic resistence to conventional antimalarial drugs, driving researchers to find new strategies to treat the disease. In the present review we discuss how Brazil treats Plasmodium-infected patients.
Collapse
|
40
|
Molecular machinery of signal transduction and cell cycle regulation in Plasmodium. Mol Biochem Parasitol 2009; 165:1-7. [PMID: 19393157 DOI: 10.1016/j.molbiopara.2009.01.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2008] [Revised: 12/27/2008] [Accepted: 01/07/2009] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
The regulation of the Plasmodium cell cycle is not understood. Although the Plasmodium falciparum genome is completely sequenced, about 60% of the predicted proteins share little or no sequence similarity with other eukaryotes. This feature impairs the identification of important proteins participating in the regulation of the cell cycle. There are several open questions that concern cell cycle progression in malaria parasites, including the mechanism by which multiple nuclear divisions is controlled and how the cell cycle is managed in all phases of their complex life cycle. Cell cycle synchrony of the parasite population within the host, as well as the circadian rhythm of proliferation, are striking features of some Plasmodium species, the molecular basis of which remains to be elucidated. In this review we discuss the role of indole-related molecules as signals that modulate the cell cycle in Plasmodium and other eukaryotes, and we also consider the possible role of kinases in the signal transduction and in the responses it triggers.
Collapse
|
41
|
Garcia CRS, de Azevedo MF, Wunderlich G, Budu A, Young JA, Bannister L. Plasmodium in the postgenomic era: new insights into the molecular cell biology of malaria parasites. INTERNATIONAL REVIEW OF CELL AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2008; 266:85-156. [PMID: 18544493 DOI: 10.1016/s1937-6448(07)66003-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
In this review, we bring together some of the approaches toward understanding the cellular and molecular biology of Plasmodium species and their interaction with their host red blood cells. Considerable impetus has come from the development of new methods of molecular genetics and bioinformatics, and it is important to evaluate the wealth of these novel data in the context of basic cell biology. We describe how these approaches are gaining valuable insights into the parasite-host cell interaction, including (1) the multistep process of red blood cell invasion by the merozoite; (2) the mechanisms by which the intracellular parasite feeds on the red blood cell and exports parasite proteins to modify its cytoadherent properties; (3) the modulation of the cell cycle by sensing the environmental tryptophan-related molecules; (4) the mechanism used to survive in a low Ca(2+) concentration inside red blood cells; (5) the activation of signal transduction machinery and the regulation of intracellular calcium; (6) transfection technology; and (7) transcriptional regulation and genome-wide mRNA studies in Plasmodium falciparum.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Celia R S Garcia
- Departamento de Fisiologia, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade de São Paulo, CEP 05508-900, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
42
|
Beraldo FH, Mikoshiba K, Garcia CRS. Human malarial parasite, Plasmodium falciparum, displays capacitative calcium entry: 2-aminoethyl diphenylborinate blocks the signal transduction pathway of melatonin action on the P. falciparum cell cycle. J Pineal Res 2007; 43:360-4. [PMID: 17910604 DOI: 10.1111/j.1600-079x.2007.00486.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
The malarial parasite senses the environment to modulate its own cycle. Knowledge of the mechanisms for regulation signaling processes at the invasion, maturation, as well as division of Plasmodium falciparum before reinvasion would represent a major breakthrough and, therefore, might open new avenues for therapy. We have previously reported that melatonin modulates the circadian rhythm of malarial parasites through the activation of phospholipase C (PLC), production of InsP3, and induction of calcium release from intracellular stores. To further investigate the molecular mechanism of melatonin's action, we have used the InsP3 modulator 2-aminoethyl diphenylborinate (2-APB) given in a culture of P. falciparum parasites. Here we show that the melatonin acts on Plasmodium cell cycle through InsP3 signaling as 2-APB blocks melatonin's effect on calcium release. The function of the InsP3 signaling can be regarded as an important event for parasite invasion and maturation process, since addition of the PLC inhibitor, U73122 into Plasmodium-infected red blood cells impairs parasite invasion in vitro. By using 8BrcAMP, we also report here that Plasmodia displays a 'capacitative calcium entry' mechanism for amplification of calcium signals throughout the cytoplasm.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Flávio H Beraldo
- Departamento de Parasitologia, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
43
|
Beraldo FH, Almeida FM, da Silva AM, Garcia CRS. Cyclic AMP and calcium interplay as second messengers in melatonin-dependent regulation of Plasmodium falciparum cell cycle. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2007; 170:551-7. [PMID: 16103224 PMCID: PMC2171486 DOI: 10.1083/jcb.200505117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 107] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
The host hormone melatonin increases cytoplasmic Ca(2+) concentration and synchronizes Plasmodium cell cycle (Hotta, C.T., M.L. Gazarini, F.H. Beraldo, F.P. Varotti, C. Lopes, R.P. Markus, T. Pozzan, and C.R. Garcia. 2000. Nat. Cell Biol. 2:466-468). Here we show that in Plasmodium falciparum melatonin induces an increase in cyclic AMP (cAMP) levels and cAMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA) activity (40 and 50%, respectively). When red blood cells infected with P. falciparum are treated with cAMP analogue adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate N6-benzoyl/PKA activator (6-Bz-cAMP) there is an alteration of the parasite cell cycle. This effect appears to depend on activation of PKA (abolished by the PKA inhibitors adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphorothioate/8 Bromo Rp isomer, PKI [cell permeable peptide], and H89). An unexpected cross talk was found to exist between the cAMP and the Ca(2+)-dependent signaling pathways. The increases in cAMP by melatonin are inhibited by blocker of phospholipase C U73122, and addition of 6-Bz-cAMP increases cytosolic Ca(2+) concentration, through PKA activation. These findings suggest that in Plasmodium a highly complex interplay exists between the Ca(2+) and cAMP signaling pathways, but also that the control of the parasite cell cycle by melatonin requires the activation of both second messenger controlled pathways.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Flávio H Beraldo
- Departamento de Parasitologia, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
44
|
Beraldo FH, Garcia CRS. Divergent calcium signaling in RBCs from Tropidurus torquatus (Squamata--Tropiduridae) strengthen classification in lizard evolution. BMC PHYSIOLOGY 2007; 7:7. [PMID: 17716375 PMCID: PMC2018699 DOI: 10.1186/1472-6793-7-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2006] [Accepted: 08/23/2007] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
Background We have previously reported that a Teiid lizard red blood cells (RBCs) such as Ameiva ameiva and Tupinambis merianae controls intracellular calcium levels by displaying multiple mechanisms. In these cells, calcium stores could be discharged not only by: thapsigargin, but also by the Na+/H+ ionophore monensin, K+/H+ ionophore nigericin and the H+ pump inhibitor bafilomycin as well as ionomycin. Moreover, these lizards possess a P2Y-type purinoceptors that mobilize Ca2+ from intracellular stores upon ATP addition. Results Here we report, that RBCs from the tropidurid lizard Tropidurus torquatus store Ca2+ in endoplasmic reticulum (ER) pool but unlike in the referred Teiidae, these cells do not store calcium in monensin-nigericin sensitive pools. Moreover, mitochondria from T. torquatus RBCs accumulate Ca2+. Addition of ATP to a calcium-free medium does not increase the [Ca2+]c levels, however in a calcium medium we observe an increase in cytosolic calcium. This is an indication that purinergic receptors in these cells are P2X-like. Conclusion T. torquatus RBCs present different mechanisms from Teiid lizard red blood cells (RBCs), for controlling its intracellular calcium levels. At T. torquatus the ion is only stored at endoplasmic reticulum and mitochondria. Moreover activation of purinergic receptor, P2X type, was able to induce an influx of calcium from extracelullar medium. These studies contribute to the understanding of the evolution of calcium homeostasis and signaling in nucleated RBCs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Flávio H Beraldo
- Universidade de São Paulo, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Departamento de Parasitologia, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Célia RS Garcia
- Universidade de São Paulo, Instituto de Biociências, Departamento de Fisiologia, São Paulo, Brazil
| |
Collapse
|
45
|
Budu A, Peres R, Bueno VB, Catalani LH, Garcia CRDS. N1-acetyl-N2-formyl-5-methoxykynuramine modulates the cell cycle of malaria parasites. J Pineal Res 2007; 42:261-6. [PMID: 17349024 DOI: 10.1111/j.1600-079x.2006.00414.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
We previously reported that intraerythrocytic malaria parasites have their development synchronized by melatonin and other products of tryptophan catabolism (i.e. serotonin, N-acetylserotonin and tryptamine). Here, we show that N(1)-acetyl-N(2)-formyl-5-methoxykynuramine (AFMK), a product of melatonin degradation, synchronizes Plasmodium chabaudi and Plasmodium falciparum. The synchronization is abrogated with a melatonin receptor antagonist, luzindole. We established quantitatively that a differential AFMK production occurred within the intraerythrocytic stages of rodent malaria parasite Plasmodium chabaudi (ring, trophozoite and schizont), when the infected erythrocytes were previously incubated with melatonin. Measurement of AFMK formation in P. chabaudi after incubation with melatonin at a concentration of 500 nmol/L revealed the following values for AFMK production: ring 0.1 +/- 0.1 nmol/L, trophozoite 22.9 +/- 0.5 nmol/L, schizont 29 +/- 5 nmol/L. Confocal and spectrofluorophotometer experiments with isolated parasites and infected-RBC, loaded with calcium indicator Fluo-4 showed that AFMK elicits an increase in the cytosol calcium concentration in these parasites. Our data suggest that AFMK could have an important role in modulating the cell cycle of malaria parasites mainly in the late stages (trophozoite and schizont).
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alexandre Budu
- Departamento de Fisiologia, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
46
|
Abstract
Oscillations are surprisingly common in the immune system, both in its healthy state and in disease. The most famous example is that of periodic fevers caused by the malaria parasite. A number of hereditary disorders, which also cause periodic fevers, have also been known for a long time. Various reports of oscillations in cytokine concentrations following antigen challenge have been published over at least the past three decades. Oscillations can also occur at the intracellular level. Calcium oscillations following T-cell activation are familiar to all immunologists, and metabolic and reactive oxygen species oscillations in neutrophils have been well documented. More recently, oscillations in nuclear factor kappaB activity following stimulation by tumor necrosis factor alpha have received considerable publicity. However, despite all of these examples, oscillations in the immune system still tend to be considered mainly as pathological aberrations, and their causes and significance remained largely unknown. This is partly because of a lack of awareness within the immunological community of the appropriate theoretical frameworks for describing and analyzing such behavior. We provide an introduction to these frameworks and give a survey of the currently known oscillations that occur within the immune system.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jaroslav Stark
- Department of Mathematics, Imperial College London, London, UK.
| | | | | |
Collapse
|