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Simião GM, Parreira KS, Klein SG, Ferreira FB, Freitas FDS, Silva EFD, Silva NM, Silva MVD, Lima WR. Involvement of Inflammatory Cytokines, Renal NaPi-IIa Cotransporter, and TRAIL Induced-Apoptosis in Experimental Malaria-Associated Acute Kidney Injury. Pathogens 2024; 13:376. [PMID: 38787228 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens13050376] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2024] [Revised: 04/24/2024] [Accepted: 04/26/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024] Open
Abstract
The murine model of experimental cerebral malaria (ECM) induced by Plasmodium berghei ANKA was used to investigate the relationship among pro-inflammatory cytokines, alterations in renal function biomarkers, and the induction of the TRAIL apoptosis pathway during malaria-associated acute kidney injury (AKI). Renal function was evaluated through the measurement of plasma creatinine and blood urea nitrogen (BUN). The mRNA expression of several cytokines and NaPi-IIa was quantified. Kidney sections were examined and cytokine levels were assessed using cytometric bead array (CBA) assays. The presence of glomerular IgG deposits and apoptosis-related proteins were investigated using in situ immunofluorescence assays and quantitative real-time PCR, respectively. NaPi-IIa downregulation in the kidneys provided novel insights into the pathogenesis of hypophosphatemia during CM. Histopathological analysis revealed characteristic features of severe malaria-associated nephritis, including glomerular collapse and tubular alterations. Pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6, were upregulated. The TRAIL apoptosis pathway was significantly activated, implicating its role in renal apoptosis. The observed alterations in renal biomarkers and the downregulation of NaPi-IIa shed light on potential mechanisms contributing to renal dysfunction in ECM. The intricate balance between pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines, along with the activation of the TRAIL apoptosis pathway, highlights the complexity of malaria-associated AKI and provides new therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gustavo Martins Simião
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Federal University of Rondonopolis, Rondonópolis 78736-900, MT, Brazil
| | | | - Sandra Gabriela Klein
- Laboratory of Biotechnology in Experimental Models, Federal University of Uberlandia, Uberlândia 38410-337, MG, Brazil
| | - Flávia Batista Ferreira
- Laboratory of Biotechnology in Experimental Models, Federal University of Uberlandia, Uberlândia 38410-337, MG, Brazil
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Federal University of Uberlandia, Uberlândia 38405-318, MG, Brazil
| | | | | | - Neide Maria Silva
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Federal University of Uberlandia, Uberlândia 38405-318, MG, Brazil
| | - Murilo Vieira da Silva
- Laboratory of Biotechnology in Experimental Models, Federal University of Uberlandia, Uberlândia 38410-337, MG, Brazil
| | - Wânia Rezende Lima
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Federal University of Rondonopolis, Rondonópolis 78736-900, MT, Brazil
- Institute of Biotechnology, Federal University of Catalao, Catalão 75706-881, GO, Brazil
- Laboratory of Biotechnology in Experimental Models, Federal University of Uberlandia, Uberlândia 38410-337, MG, Brazil
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2
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Ouologuem DT, Dara A, Kone A, Ouattara A, Djimde AA. Plasmodium falciparum Development from Gametocyte to Oocyst: Insight from Functional Studies. Microorganisms 2023; 11:1966. [PMID: 37630530 PMCID: PMC10460021 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms11081966] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2023] [Revised: 07/06/2023] [Accepted: 07/14/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Malaria elimination may never succeed without the implementation of transmission-blocking strategies. The transmission of Plasmodium spp. parasites from the human host to the mosquito vector depends on circulating gametocytes in the peripheral blood of the vertebrate host. Once ingested by the mosquito during blood meals, these sexual forms undergo a series of radical morphological and metabolic changes to survive and progress from the gut to the salivary glands, where they will be waiting to be injected into the vertebrate host. The design of effective transmission-blocking strategies requires a thorough understanding of all the mechanisms that drive the development of gametocytes, gametes, sexual reproduction, and subsequent differentiation within the mosquito. The drastic changes in Plasmodium falciparum shape and function throughout its life cycle rely on the tight regulation of stage-specific gene expression. This review outlines the mechanisms involved in Plasmodium falciparum sexual stage development in both the human and mosquito vector, and zygote to oocyst differentiation. Functional studies unravel mechanisms employed by P. falciparum to orchestrate the expression of stage-specific functional products required to succeed in its complex life cycle, thus providing us with potential targets for developing new therapeutics. These mechanisms are based on studies conducted with various Plasmodium species, including predominantly P. falciparum and the rodent malaria parasites P. berghei. However, the great potential of epigenetics, genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, and functional genetic studies to improve the understanding of malaria as a disease remains partly untapped because of limitations in studies using human malaria parasites and field isolates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dinkorma T. Ouologuem
- Malaria Research and Training Center, Faculty of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Sciences, Techniques, and Technologies of Bamako, Bamako 1805, Mali
| | - Antoine Dara
- Malaria Research and Training Center, Faculty of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Sciences, Techniques, and Technologies of Bamako, Bamako 1805, Mali
| | - Aminatou Kone
- Malaria Research and Training Center, Faculty of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Sciences, Techniques, and Technologies of Bamako, Bamako 1805, Mali
| | - Amed Ouattara
- Malaria Research Program, Center for Vaccine Development and Global Health, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
| | - Abdoulaye A. Djimde
- Malaria Research and Training Center, Faculty of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Sciences, Techniques, and Technologies of Bamako, Bamako 1805, Mali
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3
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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.
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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
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4
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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.
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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
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5
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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.
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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;
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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.
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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
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7
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Pereira PHS, Garcia CRS. Melatonin action in Plasmodium infection: Searching for molecules that modulate the asexual cycle as a strategy to impair the parasite cycle. J Pineal Res 2021; 70:e12700. [PMID: 33025644 PMCID: PMC7757246 DOI: 10.1111/jpi.12700] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2020] [Revised: 09/26/2020] [Accepted: 09/28/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Half of the world's population lives in countries at risk of malaria infection, which results in approximately 450,000 deaths annually. Malaria parasites infect erythrocytes in a coordinated manner, with cycle durations in multiples of 24 hours, which reflects a behavior consistent with the host's circadian cycle. Interference in cycle coordination can help the immune system to naturally fight infection. Consequently, there is a search for new drugs that interfere with the cycle duration for combined treatment with conventional antimalarials. Melatonin appears to be a key host hormone responsible for regulating circadian behavior in the parasite cycle. In addition to host factors, there are still unknown factors intrinsic to the parasite that control the cycle duration. In this review, we present a series of reports of indole compounds and melatonin derivatives with antimalarial activity that were tested on several species of Plasmodium to evaluate the cytotoxicity to parasites and human cells, in addition to the ability to interfere with the development of the erythrocytic cycle. Most of the reported compounds had an IC50 value in the low micromolar range, without any toxicity to human cells. Triptosil, an indole derivative of melatonin, was able to inhibit the effect of melatonin in vitro without causing changes to the parasitemia. The wide variety of tested compounds indicates that it is possible to develop a compound capable of safely eliminating parasites from the host and interfering with the life cycle, which is promising for the development of new combined therapies against malaria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pedro H. S. Pereira
- Department of Clinical and Toxicological AnalysesSchool of Pharmaceutical SciencesUniversity of São PauloSão PauloBrazil
| | - Celia R. S. Garcia
- Department of Clinical and Toxicological AnalysesSchool of Pharmaceutical SciencesUniversity of São PauloSão PauloBrazil
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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.
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9
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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.
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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
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10
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Identification of Plasmodium berghei Oocyst Rupture Protein 2 (ORP2) domains involved in sporozoite egress from the oocyst. Int J Parasitol 2018; 48:1127-1136. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpara.2018.09.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2018] [Revised: 07/17/2018] [Accepted: 09/11/2018] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
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11
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Lima WR, Martins DC, Parreira KS, Scarpelli P, Santos de Moraes M, Topalis P, Hashimoto RF, Garcia CRS. Genome-wide analysis of the human malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum transcription factor PfNF-YB shows interaction with a CCAAT motif. Oncotarget 2017; 8:113987-114001. [PMID: 29371963 PMCID: PMC5768380 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.23053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2017] [Accepted: 11/26/2017] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Little is known about transcription factor regulation during the Plasmodium falciparum intraerythrocytic cycle. In order to elucidate the role of the P. falciparum (Pf)NF-YB transcription factor we searched for target genes in the entire genome. PfNF-YB mRNA is highly expressed in late trophozoite and schizont stages relative to the ring stage. In order to determine the candidate genes bound by PfNF-YB a ChIP-on-chip assay was carried out and 297 genes were identified. Ninety nine percent of PfNF-YB binding was to putative promoter regions of protein coding genes of which only 16% comprise proteins of known function. Interestingly, our data reveal that PfNF-YB binding is not exclusively to a canonical CCAAT box motif. PfNF-YB binds to genes coding for proteins implicated in a range of different biological functions, such as replication protein A large subunit (DNA replication), hypoxanthine phosphoribosyltransferase (nucleic acid metabolism) and multidrug resistance protein 2 (intracellular transport).
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Affiliation(s)
- Wânia Rezende Lima
- Departamento de Fisiologia, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.,Instituto de Ciências Exatas e Naturais-Medicina, Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso-Campus Rondonópolis, Mato Grosso, Brazil
| | - David Correa Martins
- Centro de Matemática, Computação e Cognição, Universidade Federal do ABC, Santo André, Brazil
| | - Kleber Simônio Parreira
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Instituto de Química, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.,Instituto de Ciências Exatas e Naturais-Medicina, Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso-Campus Rondonópolis, Mato Grosso, Brazil
| | - Pedro Scarpelli
- Departamento de Fisiologia, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Miriam Santos de Moraes
- Departamento de Fisiologia, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Pantelis Topalis
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, FORTH, Hellas, Greece
| | - Ronaldo Fumio Hashimoto
- Departamento de Ciência da Computação, Instituto de Matemática e Estatística, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Célia R S Garcia
- Departamento de Fisiologia, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
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12
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The potential use of melatonin to treat protozoan parasitic infections: A review. Biomed Pharmacother 2017; 97:948-957. [PMID: 29136773 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2017.11.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2017] [Revised: 11/01/2017] [Accepted: 11/03/2017] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Melatonin (N-acetyl-5-methoxytryptamine) is a circadian hormone produced in vertebrates by the pineal gland and other organs. Melatonin is believed to influence immune cells leading to modulation of the proliferative response of stimulated lymphocytes as well as cytokine production. Due to the antioxidant and immunomodulatory effects of melatonin, it is suggested that this molecule could be a therapeutic alternative agent to fight bacterial, viral, and parasitic infections by a variety of mechanisms. Herein, we review the effects of melatonin on the cell biology of protozoan parasites and host's immune response. In toxoplasmosis, African trypanosomiasis and Chagas' disease, melatonin enhances host's immune response against the parasite via regulating the secretion of inflammatory mediators. In amoebiasis, melatonin reduces the amoebic lesions as well as increasing the leukophagocytosis and the number of dead amoebae. In giardiasis, serum melatonin levels are elevated in these patients; this suggests a positive correlation between the level of melatonin and phagocytic activity in the G. duodenalis infected patients, possibly related to melatonin's immunomodulatory effect. In leishmaniasis, melatonin arrests parasite replication accompanied by releasing mitochondrial Ca2+ into the cytosol, increasing the level of mitochondrial nitrites as well as reducing superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity. In malaria, melatonin synchronizes the Plasmodium cell cycle via modulating cAMP-PKA and IP3-Ca2+ pathways. Thus, simultaneous administration of melatonin agonists or giving pharmacological doses of melatonin may be considered a novel approach for treatment of malarial infection.
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Currà C, Gessmann R, Pace T, Picci L, Peruzzi G, Varamogianni-Mamatsi V, Spanos L, Garcia CRS, Spaccapelo R, Ponzi M, Siden-Kiamos I. Release of Plasmodium sporozoites requires proteins with histone-fold dimerization domains. Nat Commun 2016; 7:13846. [PMID: 27982038 PMCID: PMC5172368 DOI: 10.1038/ncomms13846] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2016] [Accepted: 11/04/2016] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
The sporozoite, the stage of the malaria parasite transmitted by the mosquito, first develops for ∼2 weeks in an oocyst. Rupture of the oocyst capsule is required for release of sporozoites, which then transfer to the salivary gland where they are injected into a new host. Here we identify two parasite proteins that we call oocyst rupture proteins 1 (ORP1) and ORP2. These proteins have a histone-fold domain (HFD) that promotes heterodimer formation in the oocyst capsule at the time of rupture. Oocyst rupture is prevented in mutants lacking either protein. Mutational analysis confirms the HFD as essential for ORP1 and ORP2 function, and heterodimer formation was verified in vitro. These two proteins are potential targets for blocking transmission of the parasite in the mosquito.
Oocyst rupture and release of malaria sporozoites is needed for transmission of parasites from vector to humans. Here the authors identify two proteins, which they name ORP1 and ORP2, that form heterodimers and are required for oocyst rupture.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiara Currà
- Foundation for Research and Technology-Hellas, Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, N. Plastira 100, GR 700 13 Heraklion, Greece
| | - Renate Gessmann
- Foundation for Research and Technology-Hellas, Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, N. Plastira 100, GR 700 13 Heraklion, Greece
| | - Tomasino Pace
- Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Dipartimento di Malattie Infettive, Parassitarie ed Immunomediate, 0161 Roma, Italy
| | - Leonardo Picci
- Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Dipartimento di Malattie Infettive, Parassitarie ed Immunomediate, 0161 Roma, Italy
| | - Giulia Peruzzi
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Perugia, 06132 Perugia, Italy
| | - Vassiliki Varamogianni-Mamatsi
- Foundation for Research and Technology-Hellas, Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, N. Plastira 100, GR 700 13 Heraklion, Greece
| | - Lefteris Spanos
- Foundation for Research and Technology-Hellas, Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, N. Plastira 100, GR 700 13 Heraklion, Greece
| | - Célia R S Garcia
- Departamento de Fisiologia, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo 05508-900, Brazil
| | - Roberta Spaccapelo
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Perugia, 06132 Perugia, Italy
| | - Marta Ponzi
- Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Dipartimento di Malattie Infettive, Parassitarie ed Immunomediate, 0161 Roma, Italy
| | - Inga Siden-Kiamos
- Foundation for Research and Technology-Hellas, Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, N. Plastira 100, GR 700 13 Heraklion, Greece
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Lima WR, Tessarin-Almeida G, Rozanski A, Parreira KS, Moraes MS, Martins DC, Hashimoto RF, Galante PAF, Garcia CRS. Signaling transcript profile of the asexual intraerythrocytic development cycle of Plasmodium falciparum induced by melatonin and cAMP. Genes Cancer 2016; 7:323-339. [PMID: 28050233 PMCID: PMC5115173 DOI: 10.18632/genesandcancer.118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), Plasmodium falciparum is the deadliest parasite among all species. This parasite possesses the ability to sense molecules, including melatonin (MEL) and cAMP, and modulate its cell cycle accordingly. MEL synchronizes the development of this malaria parasite by activating several cascades, including the generation of the second messenger cAMP. Therefore, we performed RNA sequencing (RNA-Seq) analysis in P. falciparum erythrocytic stages (ring, trophozoite and schizont) treated with MEL and cAMP. To investigate the expression profile of P. falciparum genes regulated by MEL and cAMP, we performed RNA-Seq analysis in three P. falciparum strains (control, 3D7; protein kinase 7 knockout, PfPK7-; and PfPK7 complement, PfPK7C). In the 3D7 strain, 38 genes were differentially expressed upon MEL treatment; however, none of the genes in the trophozoite (T) stage PfPK7- knockout parasites were differentially expressed upon MEL treatment for 5 hours compared to untreated controls, suggesting that PfPK7 may be involved in the signaling leading to differential gene expression. Moreover, we found that MEL modified the mRNA expression of genes encoding membrane proteins, zinc ion-binding proteins and nucleic acid-binding proteins, which might influence numerous functions in the parasite. The RNA-Seq data following treatment with cAMP show that this molecule modulates different genes throughout the intraerythrocytic cycle, namely, 75, 101 and 141 genes, respectively, in the ring (R), T and schizont (S) stages. Our results highlight P. falciparum's perception of the external milieu through the signaling molecules MEL and cAMP, which are able to drive to changes in gene expression in the parasite.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wânia Rezende Lima
- Departamento de Fisiologia, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade de Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil.,Instituto de Ciências Exatas e Naturais (ICEN)- Medicina, Universidade Federal do Mato Grosso - Campus Rondonópolis, Brazil
| | | | - Andrei Rozanski
- Centro de Oncologia Molecular, Hospital Sírio-Libanês, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - Kleber S Parreira
- Departamento de Imunologia e Parasitologia, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Brazil
| | - Miriam S Moraes
- Departamento de Fisiologia, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade de Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - David C Martins
- Centro de Matemática, Computação e Cognição, Universidade Federal do ABC, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Ronaldo F Hashimoto
- Departamento de Ciência da Computação, Instituto de Matemática e Estatística, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Pedro A F Galante
- Centro de Oncologia Molecular, Hospital Sírio-Libanês, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - Célia R S Garcia
- Departamento de Fisiologia, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade de Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil
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15
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Vielma JR, Bonilla E, Chacín-Bonilla L, Mora M, Medina-Leendertz S, Bravo Y. Effects of melatonin on oxidative stress, and resistance to bacterial, parasitic, and viral infections: a review. Acta Trop 2014; 137:31-8. [PMID: 24811367 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2014.04.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2014] [Revised: 04/10/2014] [Accepted: 04/13/2014] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Melatonin, a hormone secreted by the pineal gland, works directly and indirectly as a free radical scavenger. Its other physiological or pharmacological activities could be dependent or independent of receptors located in different cells, organs, and tissues. In addition to its role in promoting sleep and circadian rhythms regulation, it has important immunomodulatory, antioxidant, and neuroprotective effects suggesting that this indole must be considered as a therapeutic alternative against infections. The aim of this review is to describe the effects of melatonin on oxidative stress and the resistance to bacterial (Klebsiella pneumoniae, Helicobacter pylori, Mycobacterium tuberculosis, and Clostridium perfringens), viral (Venezuelan equine encephalomyelitis virus and respiratory syncytial virus), and parasitic (Plasmodium spp., Entamoeba histolytica, Trypanosoma cruzi, Toxoplasma gondii, and Opisthorchis viverrini) infections.
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16
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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.
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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.
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17
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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.
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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:
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