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Sassmannshausen J, Bennink S, Distler U, Küchenhoff J, Minns AM, Lindner SE, Burda PC, Tenzer S, Gilberger TW, Pradel G. Comparative proteomics of vesicles essential for the egress of Plasmodium falciparum gametocytes from red blood cells. Mol Microbiol 2024; 121:431-452. [PMID: 37492994 DOI: 10.1111/mmi.15125] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2023] [Revised: 06/19/2023] [Accepted: 06/27/2023] [Indexed: 07/27/2023]
Abstract
Transmission of malaria parasites to the mosquito is mediated by sexual precursor cells, the gametocytes. Upon entering the mosquito midgut, the gametocytes egress from the enveloping erythrocyte while passing through gametogenesis. Egress follows an inside-out mode during which the membrane of the parasitophorous vacuole (PV) ruptures prior to the erythrocyte membrane. Membrane rupture requires exocytosis of specialized egress vesicles of the parasites; that is, osmiophilic bodies (OBs) involved in rupturing the PV membrane, and vesicles that harbor the perforin-like protein PPLP2 (here termed P-EVs) required for erythrocyte lysis. While some OB proteins have been identified, like G377 and MDV1/Peg3, the majority of egress vesicle-resident proteins is yet unknown. Here, we used high-resolution imaging and BioID methods to study the two egress vesicle types in Plasmodium falciparum gametocytes. We show that OB exocytosis precedes discharge of the P-EVs and that exocytosis of the P-EVs, but not of the OBs, is calcium sensitive. Both vesicle types exhibit distinct proteomes with the majority of proteins located in the OBs. In addition to known egress-related proteins, we identified novel components of OBs and P-EVs, including vesicle-trafficking proteins. Our data provide insight into the immense molecular machinery required for the inside-out egress of P. falciparum gametocytes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juliane Sassmannshausen
- Division of Cellular and Applied Infection Biology, Institute of Zoology, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Sandra Bennink
- Division of Cellular and Applied Infection Biology, Institute of Zoology, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Ute Distler
- Core Facility for Mass Spectrometry, Institute of Immunology, University Medical Centre of the Johannes-Gutenberg University, Mainz, Germany
| | - Juliane Küchenhoff
- Division of Cellular and Applied Infection Biology, Institute of Zoology, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Allen M Minns
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Huck Center for Malaria Research, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Scott E Lindner
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Huck Center for Malaria Research, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Paul-Christian Burda
- Centre for Structural Systems Biology, Hamburg, Germany
- Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, Hamburg, Germany
- Biology Department, University of Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Stefan Tenzer
- Core Facility for Mass Spectrometry, Institute of Immunology, University Medical Centre of the Johannes-Gutenberg University, Mainz, Germany
| | - Tim W Gilberger
- Centre for Structural Systems Biology, Hamburg, Germany
- Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, Hamburg, Germany
- Biology Department, University of Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Gabriele Pradel
- Division of Cellular and Applied Infection Biology, Institute of Zoology, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
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2
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Bekić V, Kilian N. Novel secretory organelles of parasite origin - at the center of host-parasite interaction. Bioessays 2023; 45:e2200241. [PMID: 37518819 DOI: 10.1002/bies.202200241] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2022] [Revised: 06/26/2023] [Accepted: 06/28/2023] [Indexed: 08/01/2023]
Abstract
Reorganization of cell organelle-deprived host red blood cells by the apicomplexan malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum enables their cytoadherence to endothelial cells that line the microvasculature. This increases the time red blood cells infected with mature developmental stages remain within selected organs such as the brain to avoid the spleen passage, which can lead to severe complications and cumulate in patient death. The Maurer's clefts are a novel secretory organelle of parasite origin established by the parasite in the cytoplasm of the host red blood cell in order to facilitate the establishment of cytoadherence by conducting the trafficking of immunovariant adhesins to the host cell surface. Another important function of the organelle is the sorting of other proteins the parasite traffics into its host cell. Although the organelle is of high importance for the pathology of malaria, additional putative functions, structure, and genesis remain shrouded in mystery more than a century after its discovery. In this review, we highlight our current knowledge about the Maurer's clefts and other novel secretory organelles established within the host cell cytoplasm by human-pathogenic malaria parasites and other parasites that reside within human red blood cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Viktor Bekić
- School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Nicole Kilian
- Centre for Infectious Diseases, Parasitology, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
- Department of Medical Biochemistry, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, Delta State University, Abraka, Nigeria
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3
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Real E, Nardella F, Scherf A, Mancio-Silva L. Repurposing of Plasmodium falciparum var genes beyond the blood stage. Curr Opin Microbiol 2022; 70:102207. [PMID: 36183663 DOI: 10.1016/j.mib.2022.102207] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2022] [Revised: 08/26/2022] [Accepted: 09/03/2022] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
A commonly observed survival strategy in protozoan parasites is the sequential expression of clonally variant-surface antigens to avoid elimination by the host's immune response. In malaria-causing P. falciparum, the immunovariant erythrocyte-membrane protein-1 (PfEMP1) adhesin family, encoded by var genes, is responsible for both antigenic variation and cytoadherence of infected erythrocytes to the microvasculature. Until recently, the biological function of these variant genes was believed to be restricted to intraerythrocytic developmental stages. With the advent of new technologies, var gene expression has been confirmed in transmission and pre-erythrocytic stages. Here, we discuss how repurposing of var gene expression beyond chronic blood-stage infection may be critical for successful transmission.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eliana Real
- Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, Inserm U1201, CNRS EMR9195, Unité de Biologie des Interactions Hôte-Parasite, 25 Rue du Dr Roux, F-75015 Paris, France
| | - Flore Nardella
- Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, Inserm U1201, CNRS EMR9195, Unité de Biologie des Interactions Hôte-Parasite, 25 Rue du Dr Roux, F-75015 Paris, France
| | - Artur Scherf
- Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, Inserm U1201, CNRS EMR9195, Unité de Biologie des Interactions Hôte-Parasite, 25 Rue du Dr Roux, F-75015 Paris, France.
| | - Liliana Mancio-Silva
- Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, Inserm U1201, CNRS EMR9195, Unité de Biologie des Interactions Hôte-Parasite, 25 Rue du Dr Roux, F-75015 Paris, France.
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4
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Shakya B, Kilili GK, Wang L, Nakayasu ES, LaCount DJ. Identification of Exported Plasmodium falciparum Proteins That Bind to the Erythrocyte Cytoskeleton. Microorganisms 2022; 10:1438. [PMID: 35889157 PMCID: PMC9320996 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms10071438] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2022] [Revised: 07/11/2022] [Accepted: 07/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Plasmodium proteins are exported to the erythrocyte cytoplasm to create an environment that supports parasite replication. Although hundreds of proteins are predicted to be exported through Plasmodium export element (PEXEL)-dependent and -independent mechanisms, the functions of exported proteins are largely uncharacterized. In this study, we used a biochemical screening approach to identify putative exported P. falciparum proteins that bound to inside-out vesicles prepared from erythrocytes. Out of 69 P. falciparum PEXEL-motif proteins tested, 18 bound to inside-out vesicles (IOVs) in two or more independent assays. Using co-affinity purifications followed by mass spectrometry, pairwise co-purification experiments, and the split-luciferase assay, we identified 31 putative protein-protein interactions between erythrocyte cytoskeletal proteins and predicted exported P. falciparum proteins. We further showed that PF3D7_1401600 binds to the spectrin-binding domain of erythrocyte ankyrin via its MESA erythrocyte cytoskeleton binding (MEC) motif and to the N-terminal domains of ankyrin and 4.1R through a fragment that required an intact Plasmodium helical interspersed sub-telomeric (PHIST) domain. Introduction of PF3D7_1401600 into erythrocyte ghosts increased retention in the microsphiltration assay, consistent with previous data that reported a reduction of rigidity in red blood cells infected with PF3D7_1401600-deficient parasites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bikash Shakya
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA; (B.S.); (G.K.K.); (L.W.)
| | - Geoffrey Kimiti Kilili
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA; (B.S.); (G.K.K.); (L.W.)
| | - Ling Wang
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA; (B.S.); (G.K.K.); (L.W.)
| | - Ernesto S. Nakayasu
- Bindley Bioscience Center, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA;
- Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Biological Sciences Division, Richland, WA 99352, USA
| | - Douglas J. LaCount
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA; (B.S.); (G.K.K.); (L.W.)
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5
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Jonsdottir TK, Gabriela M, Crabb BS, F de Koning-Ward T, Gilson PR. Defining the Essential Exportome of the Malaria Parasite. Trends Parasitol 2021; 37:664-675. [PMID: 33985912 DOI: 10.1016/j.pt.2021.04.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2021] [Revised: 04/15/2021] [Accepted: 04/15/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
To survive inside red blood cells (RBCs), malaria parasites export many proteins to alter their host cell's physiological properties. Although most proteins of this exportome are involved in immune avoidance or in the trafficking of exported proteins to the host membrane, about 20% are essential for parasite survival in culture but little is known about their biological functions. Here, we have combined information from large-scale genetic screens and targeted gene-disruption studies to tabulate all currently known Plasmodium falciparum exported proteins according to their likelihood of being essential. We also discuss the essential functional pathways that exported proteins might be involved in to help direct research efforts towards a more comprehensive understanding of host-cell remodelling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thorey K Jonsdottir
- Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Victoria 3004, Australia; Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria 3010, Australia
| | - Mikha Gabriela
- Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Victoria 3004, Australia; School of Medicine, Deakin University, Waurn Ponds, Victoria 3216, Australia
| | - Brendan S Crabb
- Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Victoria 3004, Australia; Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria 3010, Australia
| | | | - Paul R Gilson
- Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Victoria 3004, Australia.
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6
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Yadavalli R, Peterson JW, Drazba JA, Sam-Yellowe TY. Trafficking and Association of Plasmodium falciparum MC-2TM with the Maurer's Clefts. Pathogens 2021; 10:pathogens10040431. [PMID: 33916455 PMCID: PMC8066109 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens10040431] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2021] [Revised: 03/28/2021] [Accepted: 03/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
In this study, we investigated stage specific expression, trafficking, solubility and topology of endogenous PfMC-2TM in P. falciparum (3D7) infected erythrocytes. Following Brefeldin A (BFA) treatment of parasites, PfMC-2TM traffic was evaluated using immunofluorescence with antibodies reactive with PfMC-2TM. PfMC-2TM is sensitive to BFA treatment and permeabilization of infected erythrocytes with streptolysin O (SLO) and saponin, showed that the N and C-termini of PfMC-2TM are exposed to the erythrocyte cytoplasm with the central portion of the protein protected in the MC membranes. PfMC-2TM was expressed as early as 4 h post invasion (hpi), was tightly colocalized with REX-1 and trafficked to the erythrocyte membrane without a change in solubility. PfMC-2TM associated with the MC and infected erythrocyte membrane and was resistant to extraction with alkaline sodium carbonate, suggestive of protein-lipid interactions with membranes of the MC and erythrocyte. PfMC-2TM is an additional marker of the nascent MCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raghavendra Yadavalli
- Department of Biological, Geological, and Environmental Sciences, Cleveland State University, Cleveland, OH 44115, USA;
| | - John W. Peterson
- Imaging Core Facility, The Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA; (J.W.P.); (J.A.D.)
| | - Judith A. Drazba
- Imaging Core Facility, The Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA; (J.W.P.); (J.A.D.)
| | - Tobili Y. Sam-Yellowe
- Department of Biological, Geological, and Environmental Sciences, Cleveland State University, Cleveland, OH 44115, USA;
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-216-687-2068
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7
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Green JL, Wu Y, Encheva V, Lasonder E, Prommaban A, Kunzelmann S, Christodoulou E, Grainger M, Truongvan N, Bothe S, Sharma V, Song W, Pinzuti I, Uthaipibull C, Srichairatanakool S, Birault V, Langsley G, Schindelin H, Stieglitz B, Snijders AP, Holder AA. Ubiquitin activation is essential for schizont maturation in Plasmodium falciparum blood-stage development. PLoS Pathog 2020; 16:e1008640. [PMID: 32569299 PMCID: PMC7332102 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1008640] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2020] [Revised: 07/02/2020] [Accepted: 05/17/2020] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Ubiquitylation is a common post translational modification of eukaryotic proteins and in the human malaria parasite, Plasmodium falciparum (Pf) overall ubiquitylation increases in the transition from intracellular schizont to extracellular merozoite stages in the asexual blood stage cycle. Here, we identify specific ubiquitylation sites of protein substrates in three intraerythrocytic parasite stages and extracellular merozoites; a total of 1464 sites in 546 proteins were identified (data available via ProteomeXchange with identifier PXD014998). 469 ubiquitylated proteins were identified in merozoites compared with only 160 in the preceding intracellular schizont stage, suggesting a large increase in protein ubiquitylation associated with merozoite maturation. Following merozoite invasion of erythrocytes, few ubiquitylated proteins were detected in the first intracellular ring stage but as parasites matured through trophozoite to schizont stages the apparent extent of ubiquitylation increased. We identified commonly used ubiquitylation motifs and groups of ubiquitylated proteins in specific areas of cellular function, for example merozoite pellicle proteins involved in erythrocyte invasion, exported proteins, and histones. To investigate the importance of ubiquitylation we screened ubiquitin pathway inhibitors in a parasite growth assay and identified the ubiquitin activating enzyme (UBA1 or E1) inhibitor MLN7243 (TAK-243) to be particularly effective. This small molecule was shown to be a potent inhibitor of recombinant PfUBA1, and a structural homology model of MLN7243 bound to the parasite enzyme highlights avenues for the development of P. falciparum specific inhibitors. We created a genetically modified parasite with a rapamycin-inducible functional deletion of uba1; addition of either MLN7243 or rapamycin to the recombinant parasite line resulted in the same phenotype, with parasite development blocked at the schizont stage. Nuclear division and formation of intracellular structures was interrupted. These results indicate that the intracellular target of MLN7243 is UBA1, and this activity is essential for the final differentiation of schizonts to merozoites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Judith L. Green
- Malaria Parasitology Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London, United Kingdom
| | - Yang Wu
- Malaria Parasitology Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London, United Kingdom
| | - Vesela Encheva
- Mass Spectrometry Proteomics, The Francis Crick Institute, London, United Kingdom
| | - Edwin Lasonder
- School of Biomedical Science, University of Plymouth, Plymouth, United Kingdom
| | - Adchara Prommaban
- Malaria Parasitology Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London, United Kingdom
- Department of Biochemistry, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand
| | - Simone Kunzelmann
- Structural Biology Science Technology Platform, The Francis Crick Institute, London, United Kingdom
| | - Evangelos Christodoulou
- Structural Biology Science Technology Platform, The Francis Crick Institute, London, United Kingdom
| | - Munira Grainger
- Malaria Parasitology Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London, United Kingdom
| | - Ngoc Truongvan
- Rudolf Virchow Center for Experimental Biomedicine, Universität Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Sebastian Bothe
- Department of Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Vikram Sharma
- School of Biomedical Science, University of Plymouth, Plymouth, United Kingdom
| | - Wei Song
- School of Biological and Chemical Sciences, Queen Mary University of London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Irene Pinzuti
- School of Biological and Chemical Sciences, Queen Mary University of London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Chairat Uthaipibull
- National Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Khlong Luang, Thailand
| | | | | | - Gordon Langsley
- Laboratoire de Biologie Cellulaire Comparative des Apicomplexes, Institut Cochin, Université Paris Descartes, Paris, France
| | - Hermann Schindelin
- Rudolf Virchow Center for Experimental Biomedicine, Universität Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Benjamin Stieglitz
- School of Biological and Chemical Sciences, Queen Mary University of London, London, United Kingdom
| | | | - Anthony A. Holder
- Malaria Parasitology Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London, United Kingdom
- * E-mail:
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8
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Investigating a Plasmodium falciparum erythrocyte invasion phenotype switch at the whole transcriptome level. Sci Rep 2020; 10:245. [PMID: 31937828 PMCID: PMC6959351 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-56386-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2019] [Accepted: 12/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The central role that erythrocyte invasion plays in Plasmodium falciparum survival and reproduction makes this process an attractive target for therapeutic or vaccine development. However, multiple invasion-related genes with complementary and overlapping functions afford the parasite the plasticity to vary ligands used for invasion, leading to phenotypic variation and immune evasion. Overcoming the challenge posed by redundant ligands requires a deeper understanding of conditions that select for variant phenotypes and the molecular mediators. While host factors including receptor heterogeneity and acquired immune responses may drive parasite phenotypic variation, we have previously shown that host-independent changes in invasion phenotype can be achieved by continuous culturing of the W2mef and Dd2 P. falciparum strains in moving suspension as opposed to static conditions. Here, we have used a highly biologically replicated whole transcriptome sequencing approach to identify the molecular signatures of variation associated with the phenotype switch. The data show increased expression of particular invasion-related genes in switched parasites, as well as a large number of genes encoding proteins that are either exported or form part of the export machinery. The genes with most markedly increased expression included members of the erythrocyte binding antigens (EBA), reticulocyte binding homologues (RH), surface associated interspersed proteins (SURFIN), exported protein family 1 (EPF1) and Plasmodium Helical Interspersed Sub-Telomeric (PHIST) gene families. The data indicate changes in expression of a repertoire of genes not previously associated with erythrocyte invasion phenotypes, suggesting the possibility that moving suspension culture may also select for other traits.
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9
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Otto TD, Böhme U, Sanders M, Reid A, Bruske EI, Duffy CW, Bull PC, Pearson RD, Abdi A, Dimonte S, Stewart LB, Campino S, Kekre M, Hamilton WL, Claessens A, Volkman SK, Ndiaye D, Amambua-Ngwa A, Diakite M, Fairhurst RM, Conway DJ, Franck M, Newbold CI, Berriman M. Long read assemblies of geographically dispersed Plasmodium falciparum isolates reveal highly structured subtelomeres. Wellcome Open Res 2018; 3:52. [PMID: 29862326 PMCID: PMC5964635 DOI: 10.12688/wellcomeopenres.14571.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 78] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/27/2018] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Although thousands of clinical isolates of
Plasmodium falciparum are being sequenced and analysed by short read technology, the data do not resolve the highly variable subtelomeric regions of the genomes that contain polymorphic gene families involved in immune evasion and pathogenesis. There is also no current standard definition of the boundaries of these variable subtelomeric regions. Methods: Using long-read sequence data (Pacific Biosciences SMRT technology), we assembled and annotated the genomes of 15
P. falciparum isolates, ten of which are newly cultured clinical isolates. We performed comparative analysis of the entire genome with particular emphasis on the subtelomeric regions and the internal
var genes clusters.
Results: The nearly complete sequence of these 15 isolates has enabled us to define a highly conserved core genome, to delineate the boundaries of the subtelomeric regions, and to compare these across isolates. We found highly structured variable regions in the genome. Some exported gene families purportedly involved in release of merozoites show copy number variation. As an example of ongoing genome evolution, we found a novel CLAG gene in six isolates. We also found a novel gene that was relatively enriched in the South East Asian isolates compared to those from Africa. Conclusions: These 15 manually curated new reference genome sequences with their nearly complete subtelomeric regions and fully assembled genes are an important new resource for the malaria research community. We report the overall conserved structure and pattern of important gene families and the more clearly defined subtelomeric regions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas D Otto
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Hinxton, UK.,Centre of Immunobiology, Institute of Infection, Immunity & Inflammation, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | | | | | - Adam Reid
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Hinxton, UK
| | - Ellen I Bruske
- Institute of Tropical Medicine, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Craig W Duffy
- London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Pete C Bull
- Department of Pathology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Richard D Pearson
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Hinxton, UK.,Big Data Institute, Li Ka Shing Centre for Health Information and Discovery, Oxford, UK
| | | | - Sandra Dimonte
- Institute of Tropical Medicine, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | | | - Susana Campino
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Hinxton, UK.,London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | | | | | | | - Sarah K Volkman
- Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA.,The Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA.,Simmons College, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Daouda Ndiaye
- Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Université Cheikh Anta Diop, Dakar, Senegal
| | | | - Mahamadou Diakite
- Malaria Research and Training Center, University of Bamako, Bamako, Mali
| | - Rick M Fairhurst
- Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, MD, USA
| | - David J Conway
- London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Matthias Franck
- Institute of Tropical Medicine, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Chris I Newbold
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Hinxton, UK.,Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Oxford, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, UK
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10
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Liu X, Wang Y, Liang J, Wang L, Qin N, Zhao Y, Zhao G. In-depth comparative analysis of malaria parasite genomes reveals protein-coding genes linked to human disease in Plasmodium falciparum genome. BMC Genomics 2018; 19:312. [PMID: 29716542 PMCID: PMC5930813 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-018-4654-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2017] [Accepted: 04/10/2018] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Plasmodium falciparum is the most virulent malaria parasite capable of parasitizing human erythrocytes. The identification of genes related to this capability can enhance our understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying human malaria and lead to the development of new therapeutic strategies for malaria control. With the availability of several malaria parasite genome sequences, performing computational analysis is now a practical strategy to identify genes contributing to this disease. Results Here, we developed and used a virtual genome method to assign 33,314 genes from three human malaria parasites, namely, P. falciparum, P. knowlesi and P. vivax, and three rodent malaria parasites, namely, P. berghei, P. chabaudi and P. yoelii, to 4605 clusters. Each cluster consisted of genes whose protein sequences were significantly similar and was considered as a virtual gene. Comparing the enriched values of all clusters in human malaria parasites with those in rodent malaria parasites revealed 115 P. falciparum genes putatively responsible for parasitizing human erythrocytes. These genes are mainly located in the chromosome internal regions and participate in many biological processes, including membrane protein trafficking and thiamine biosynthesis. Meanwhile, 289 P. berghei genes were included in the rodent parasite-enriched clusters. Most are located in subtelomeric regions and encode erythrocyte surface proteins. Comparing cluster values in P. falciparum with those in P. vivax and P. knowlesi revealed 493 candidate genes linked to virulence. Some of them encode proteins present on the erythrocyte surface and participate in cytoadhesion, virulence factor trafficking, or erythrocyte invasion, but many genes with unknown function were also identified. Cerebral malaria is characterized by accumulation of infected erythrocytes at trophozoite stage in brain microvascular. To discover cerebral malaria-related genes, fast Fourier transformation (FFT) was introduced to extract genes highly transcribed at the trophozoite stage. Finally, 55 candidate genes were identified. Considering that parasite-infected erythrocyte surface protein 2 (PIESP2) contains gap-junction-related Neuromodulin_N domain and that anti-PIESP2 might provide protection against malaria, we chose PIESP2 for further experimental study. Conclusions Our analysis revealed a limited number of genes linked to human disease in P. falciparum genome. These genes could be interesting targets for further functional characterization. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s12864-018-4654-5) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuewu Liu
- Department of Pathogenic Biology, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, 710032, China
| | - Yuanyuan Wang
- Department of Neurology, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, 710032, China
| | - Jiao Liang
- Department of Pathogenic Biology, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, 710032, China
| | - Luojun Wang
- Department of Neurology, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, 710032, China
| | - Na Qin
- Department of Neurology, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, 710032, China
| | - Ya Zhao
- Department of Pathogenic Biology, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, 710032, China.
| | - Gang Zhao
- Department of Neurology, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, 710032, China.
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11
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Pino P, Caldelari R, Mukherjee B, Vahokoski J, Klages N, Maco B, Collins CR, Blackman MJ, Kursula I, Heussler V, Brochet M, Soldati-Favre D. A multistage antimalarial targets the plasmepsins IX and X essential for invasion and egress. Science 2018; 358:522-528. [PMID: 29074775 DOI: 10.1126/science.aaf8675] [Citation(s) in RCA: 97] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2017] [Accepted: 09/18/2017] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Regulated exocytosis by secretory organelles is important for malaria parasite invasion and egress. Many parasite effector proteins, including perforins, adhesins, and proteases, are extensively proteolytically processed both pre- and postexocytosis. Here we report the multistage antiplasmodial activity of the aspartic protease inhibitor hydroxyl-ethyl-amine-based scaffold compound 49c. This scaffold inhibits the preexocytosis processing of several secreted rhoptry and microneme proteins by targeting the corresponding maturases plasmepsins IX (PMIX) and X (PMX), respectively. Conditional excision of PMIX revealed its crucial role in invasion, and recombinantly active PMIX and PMX cleave egress and invasion factors in a 49c-sensitive manner.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paco Pino
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine-University of Geneva, Centre Médical Universitaire (CMU), 1211 Geneva, Switzerland.
| | - Reto Caldelari
- Institute of Cell Biology, University of Bern, 3012 Bern, Switzerland
| | - Budhaditya Mukherjee
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine-University of Geneva, Centre Médical Universitaire (CMU), 1211 Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Juha Vahokoski
- Department of Biomedicine, University of Bergen, Jonas Lies vei 91, 5009 Bergen, Norway
| | - Natacha Klages
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine-University of Geneva, Centre Médical Universitaire (CMU), 1211 Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Bohumil Maco
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine-University of Geneva, Centre Médical Universitaire (CMU), 1211 Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Christine R Collins
- Malaria Biochemistry Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, Mill Hill, London NW1 1AT, UK
| | - Michael J Blackman
- Malaria Biochemistry Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, Mill Hill, London NW1 1AT, UK.,Department of Pathogen Molecular Biology, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London WC1E 7HT, UK
| | - Inari Kursula
- Department of Biomedicine, University of Bergen, Jonas Lies vei 91, 5009 Bergen, Norway.,Biocenter Oulu and Faculty of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, University of Oulu, Aapistie 7, 90220 Oulu, Finland
| | - Volker Heussler
- Institute of Cell Biology, University of Bern, 3012 Bern, Switzerland
| | - Mathieu Brochet
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine-University of Geneva, Centre Médical Universitaire (CMU), 1211 Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Dominique Soldati-Favre
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine-University of Geneva, Centre Médical Universitaire (CMU), 1211 Geneva, Switzerland.
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Sherling ES, van Ooij C. Host cell remodeling by pathogens: the exomembrane system in Plasmodium-infected erythrocytes. FEMS Microbiol Rev 2017; 40:701-21. [PMID: 27587718 PMCID: PMC5007283 DOI: 10.1093/femsre/fuw016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/18/2016] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Malaria is caused by infection of erythrocytes by parasites of the genus Plasmodium. To survive inside erythrocytes, these parasites induce sweeping changes within the host cell, one of the most dramatic of which is the formation of multiple membranous compartments, collectively referred to as the exomembrane system. As an uninfected mammalian erythrocyte is devoid of internal membranes, the parasite must be the force and the source behind the formation of these compartments. Even though the first evidence of the presence these of internal compartments was obtained over a century ago, their functions remain mostly unclear, and in some cases completely unknown, and the mechanisms underlying their formation are still mysterious. In this review, we provide an overview of the different parts of the exomembrane system, describing the parasitophorous vacuole, the tubovesicular network, Maurer's clefts, the caveola-vesicle complex, J dots and other mobile compartments, and the small vesicles that have been observed in Plasmodium-infected cells. Finally, we combine the data into a simplified view of the exomembrane system and its relation to the alterations of the host erythrocyte. Plasmodium parasites remodel the host erythrocyte in various ways, including the formation of several membranous compartments, together referred to as the exomembrane system, within the erythrocyte cytosol that together are key to the sweeping changes in the host cell.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emma S Sherling
- The Francis Crick Institute, Mill Hill Laboratory, Mill Hill, London NW7 1AA, UK Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, MD 20852, USA
| | - Christiaan van Ooij
- The Francis Crick Institute, Mill Hill Laboratory, Mill Hill, London NW7 1AA, UK
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13
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Braun-Breton C, Abkarian M. Red Blood Cell Spectrin Skeleton in the Spotlight. Trends Parasitol 2016; 32:90-92. [DOI: 10.1016/j.pt.2015.11.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2015] [Accepted: 11/18/2015] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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14
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Spielmann T, Gilberger TW. Critical Steps in Protein Export of Plasmodium falciparum Blood Stages. Trends Parasitol 2015; 31:514-525. [DOI: 10.1016/j.pt.2015.06.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2015] [Revised: 06/16/2015] [Accepted: 06/24/2015] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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15
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Trafficking of the signature protein of intra-erythrocytic Plasmodium berghei-induced structures, IBIS1, to P. falciparum Maurer's clefts. Mol Biochem Parasitol 2015; 200:25-9. [DOI: 10.1016/j.molbiopara.2015.04.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2014] [Revised: 04/23/2015] [Accepted: 04/27/2015] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
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16
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Baum E, Badu K, Molina DM, Liang X, Felgner PL, Yan G. Protein microarray analysis of antibody responses to Plasmodium falciparum in western Kenyan highland sites with differing transmission levels. PLoS One 2013; 8:e82246. [PMID: 24312649 PMCID: PMC3846730 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0082246] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2013] [Accepted: 10/22/2013] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Malaria represents a major public health problem in Africa. In the East African highlands, the high-altitude areas were previously considered too cold to support vector population and parasite transmission, rendering the region particularly prone to epidemic malaria due to the lack of protective immunity of the population. Since the 1980’s, frequent malaria epidemics have been reported and these successive outbreaks may have generated some immunity against Plasmodium falciparum amongst the highland residents. Serological studies reveal indirect evidence of human exposure to the parasite, and can reliably assess prevalence of exposure and transmission intensity in an endemic area. However, the vast majority of serological studies of malaria have been, hereto, limited to a small number of the parasite’s antigens. We surveyed and compared the antibody response profiles of age-stratified sera from residents of two endemic areas in the western Kenyan highlands with differing malaria transmission intensities, during two distinct seasons, against 854 polypeptides of P. falciparum using high-throughput proteomic microarray technology. We identified 107 proteins as serum antibody targets, which were then characterized for their gene ontology biological process and cellular component of the parasite, and showed significant enrichment for categories related to immune evasion, pathogenesis and expression on the host’s cell and parasite’s surface. Additionally, we calculated age-fitted annual seroconversion rates for the immunogenic proteins, and contrasted the age-dependent antibody acquisition for those antigens between the two sampling sites. We observed highly immunogenic antigens that produce stable antibody responses from early age in both sites, as well as less immunogenic proteins that require repeated exposure for stable responses to develop and produce different seroconversion rates between sites. We propose that a combination of highly and less immunogenic proteins could be used in serological surveys to detect differences in malaria transmission levels, distinguishing sites of unstable and stable transmission.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisabeth Baum
- Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, University of California Irvine, Irvine, California, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| | - Kingsley Badu
- Department of Immunology, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Sciences, College of Health Science, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana
| | - Douglas M. Molina
- Antigen Discovery Inc., Irvine, California, United States of America
| | - Xiaowu Liang
- Antigen Discovery Inc., Irvine, California, United States of America
| | - Philip L. Felgner
- Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, University of California Irvine, Irvine, California, United States of America
| | - Guiyun Yan
- Program in Public Health, University of California Irvine, Irvine, California, United States of America
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17
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Abstract
Plasmodium falciparum, the causative agent of malaria, completely remodels the infected human erythrocyte to acquire nutrients and to evade the immune system. For this process, the parasite exports more than 10% of all its proteins into the host cell cytosol, including the major virulence factor PfEMP1 (P. falciparum erythrocyte surface protein 1). This unusual protein trafficking system involves long-known parasite-derived membranous structures in the host cell cytosol, called Maurer's clefts. However, the genesis, role, and function of Maurer's clefts remain elusive. Similarly unclear is how proteins are sorted and how they are transported to and from these structures. Recent years have seen a large increase of knowledge but, as yet, no functional model has been established. In this perspective we review the most important findings and conclude with potential possibilities to shed light into the enigma of Maurer's clefts. Understanding the mechanism and function of these structures, as well as their involvement in protein export in P. falciparum, might lead to innovative control strategies and might give us a handle with which to help to eliminate this deadly parasite.
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