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Prasadareddy Kajuluri L, Singh A, Bajpai R, Kumar Veluru N, Mitra K, Sahasrabuddhe AA. Actin-related protein 4: An unconventional negative regulator of mitochondrial calcium in protozoan parasite Leishmania. Mitochondrion 2021; 62:31-40. [PMID: 34752857 DOI: 10.1016/j.mito.2021.11.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2021] [Revised: 10/08/2021] [Accepted: 11/01/2021] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Regulation of mitochondrial calcium import is less understood in evolutionarily distinct protozoan parasites, such as Leishmania, as some of the mitochondrial calcium uniporter complex proteins are either missing or functionally diverged. Here, we show that Actin-related protein4 (ARP4), localizes exclusively into the Leishmania mitochondrion and depletion of this protein causes cells to accumulate calcium in the mitochondrion. The ARP4 depleted cells show increased activation of pyruvate dehydrogenase and production of ATP. Overall, our results indicate that ARP4 negatively regulates calcium uptake in the Leishmania mitochondrion.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Aastha Singh
- Molecular and Structural Biology Division, CSIR-Central Drug Research Institute, Lucknow, India
| | - Ranju Bajpai
- Molecular and Structural Biology Division, CSIR-Central Drug Research Institute, Lucknow, India
| | - Niranjan Kumar Veluru
- Molecular and Structural Biology Division, CSIR-Central Drug Research Institute, Lucknow, India
| | - Kalyan Mitra
- Electron Microscopy Unit, Sophisticated Analytical Instrumentation Facility, CSIR-Central Drug Research Institute, Lucknow, India
| | - Amogh A Sahasrabuddhe
- Molecular and Structural Biology Division, CSIR-Central Drug Research Institute, Lucknow, India.
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Gupta CM, Ambaru B, Bajaj R. Emerging Functions of Actins and Actin Binding Proteins in Trypanosomatids. Front Cell Dev Biol 2020; 8:587685. [PMID: 33163497 PMCID: PMC7581878 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2020.587685] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2020] [Accepted: 09/22/2020] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Actin is the major protein constituent of the cytoskeleton that performs wide range of cellular functions. It exists in monomeric and filamentous forms, dynamics of which is regulated by a large repertoire of actin binding proteins. However, not much was known about existence of these proteins in trypanosomatids, till the genome sequence data of three important organisms of this class, viz. Trypanosoma brucei, Trypanosoma cruzi and Leishmania major, became available. Here, we have reviewed most of the findings reported to date on the intracellular distribution, structure and functions of these proteins and based on them, we have hypothesized some of their functions. The major findings are as follows: (1) All the three organisms encode at least a set of ten actin binding proteins (profilin, twinfilin, ADF/cofilin, CAP/srv2, CAPz, coronin, two myosins, two formins) and one isoform of actin, except that T. cruzi encodes for three formins and several myosins along with four actins. (2) Actin 1 and a few actin binding proteins (ADF/cofilin, profilin, twinfilin, coronin and myosin13 in L. donovani; ADF/cofilin, profilin and myosin1 in T. brucei; profilin and myosin-F in T.cruzi) have been identified and characterized. (3) In all the three organisms, actin cytoskeleton has been shown to regulate endocytosis and intracellular trafficking. (4) Leishmania actin1 has been the most characterized protein among trypanosomatid actins. (5) This protein is localized to the cytoplasm as well as in the flagellum, nucleus and kinetoplast, and in vitro, it binds to DNA and displays scDNA relaxing and kDNA nicking activities. (6) The pure protein prefers to form bundles instead of thin filaments, and does not bind DNase1 or phalloidin. (7) Myosin13, myosin1 and myosin-F regulate endocytosis and intracellular trafficking, respectively, in Leishmania, T. brucei and T. cruzi. (8) Actin-dependent myosin13 motor is involved in dynamics and assembly of Leishmania flagellum. (9) Leishmania twinfilin localizes mostly to the nucleolus and coordinates karyokinesis by effecting splindle elongation and DNA synthesis. (10) Leishmania coronin binds and promotes actin filament formation and exists in tetrameric form rather than trimeric form, like other coronins. (11) Trypanosomatid profilins are essential for survival of all the three parasites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chhitar M Gupta
- Institute of Bioinformatics and Applied Biotechnology, Bengaluru, India
| | - Bindu Ambaru
- Institute of Bioinformatics and Applied Biotechnology, Bengaluru, India.,Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, India
| | - Rani Bajaj
- Institute of Bioinformatics and Applied Biotechnology, Bengaluru, India.,Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, India
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Saha A, Bhattacharjee A, Vij A, Das PK, Bhattacharya A, Biswas A. Evaluation of Modulators of cAMP-Response in Terms of Their Impact on Cell Cycle and Mitochondrial Activity of Leishmania donovani. Front Pharmacol 2020; 11:782. [PMID: 32670055 PMCID: PMC7326082 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2020.00782] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2020] [Accepted: 05/12/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
With the identification of novel cAMP binding effector molecules in Trypanosoma, the role of cAMP in kinetoplastida parasites gained an intriguing breakthrough. Despite earlier demonstrations of the role of cAMP in the survival of Leishmania during macrophage infection, there is essential need to specifically clarify the involvement of cAMP in various cellular processes in the parasite. In this context, we sought to gain a comprehensive understanding of the effect of cAMP analogs and cAMP-cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase (PDE) inhibitors on proliferation of log phase parasites. Administration of both hydrolyzable (8-pCPT-cAMP) and nonhydrolyzable analogs (Sp-8-pCPT-cAMPS) of cAMP resulted in a significant decrease of Leishmania proliferation. Among the various PDE inhibitors, etazolate was found to be potently antiproliferative. BrdU cell proliferation and K/N/F-enumeration microscopic study revealed that both cAMP analogs and selective PDE inhibitors resulted in significant cell cycle arrest at G1 phase with reduced S-phase population. Furthermore, careful examination of the flagellar motility patterns revealed significantly reduced coordinated forward flagellar movement of the promastigotes with a concomitant decrease in cellular ATP levels. Alongside, 8-pCPT-cAMP and PDE inhibitors etazolate and trequinsin showed marked reduction in mitochondrial membrane potential. Treatment of etazolate at subcytotoxic concentration to infected macrophages significantly reduced parasite burden, and administration of etazolate to Leishmania-infected BALB/c mice showed reduced liver and spleen parasite burden. Collectively, these results imply involvement of cAMP in various crucial processes paving the avenue for developing potent antileishmanial agent.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amrita Saha
- Infectious Diseases and Immunology, CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Biology, Kolkata, India
| | - Anindita Bhattacharjee
- Department of Zoology, Cell and Molecular Biology Laboratory, University of Kalyani, Kalyani, India
| | - Amit Vij
- Infectious Diseases and Immunology, CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Biology, Kolkata, India
| | - Pijush K. Das
- Infectious Diseases and Immunology, CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Biology, Kolkata, India
| | - Arijit Bhattacharya
- Department of Microbiology, School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Adamas University, Kolkata, India
| | - Arunima Biswas
- Infectious Diseases and Immunology, CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Biology, Kolkata, India
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Vizcaíno-Castillo A, Osorio-Méndez JF, Ambrosio JR, Hernández R, Cevallos AM. The complexity and diversity of the actin cytoskeleton of trypanosomatids. Mol Biochem Parasitol 2020; 237:111278. [PMID: 32353561 DOI: 10.1016/j.molbiopara.2020.111278] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2019] [Revised: 03/24/2020] [Accepted: 04/07/2020] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
Trypanosomatids are a monophyletic group of parasitic flagellated protists belonging to the order Kinetoplastida. Their cytoskeleton is primarily made up of microtubules in which no actin microfilaments have been detected. Although all these parasites contain actin, it is widely thought that their actin cytoskeleton is reduced when compared to most eukaryotic organisms. However, there is increasing evidence that it is more complex than previously thought. As in other eukaryotic organisms, trypanosomatids encode for a conventional actin that is expected to form microfilament-like structures, and for members of three conserved actin-related proteins probably involved in microfilament nucleation (ARP2, ARP3) and in gene expression regulation (ARP6). In addition to these canonical proteins, also encode for an expanded set of actins and actin-like proteins that seem to be restricted to kinetoplastids. Analysis of their amino acid sequences demonstrated that, although very diverse in primary sequence when compared to actins of model organisms, modelling of their tertiary structure predicted the presence of the actin fold in all of them. Experimental characterization has been done for only a few of the trypanosomatid actins and actin-binding proteins. The most studied is the conventional actin of Leishmania donovani (LdAct), which unusually requires both ATP and Mg2+ for polymerization, unlike other conventional actins that do not require ATP. Additionally, polymerized LdAct tends to assemble in bundles rather than in single filaments. Regulation of actin polymerization depends on their interaction with actin-binding proteins. In trypanosomatids, there is a reduced but sufficient core of actin-binding proteins to promote microfilament nucleation, turnover and stabilization. There are also genes encoding for members of two families of myosin motor proteins, including one lineage-specific. Homologues to all identified actin-family proteins and actin-binding proteins of trypanosomatids are also present in Paratrypanosoma confusum (an early branching trypanosomatid) and in Bodo saltans (a closely related free-living organism belonging to the trypanosomatid sister order of Bodonida) suggesting they were all present in their common ancestor. Secondary losses of these genes may have occurred during speciation within the trypanosomatids, with salivarian trypanosomes having lost many of them and stercorarian trypanosomes retaining most.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Vizcaíno-Castillo
- Departamento de Biología Molecular y Biotecnología, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Av. Universidad 3000, Ciudad Universitaria, Coyoacán, 04510, Ciudad de México, Mexico
| | - Juan Felipe Osorio-Méndez
- Departamento de Biología Molecular y Biotecnología, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Av. Universidad 3000, Ciudad Universitaria, Coyoacán, 04510, Ciudad de México, Mexico; Laboratorio de Microbiología y Biología Molecular, Programa de Medicina, Corporación Universitaria Empresarial Alexander von Humboldt, Armenia, Colombia
| | - Javier R Ambrosio
- Departamento de Microbiología y Parasitología de la Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Apartado Postal, 4510, D.F., Mexico
| | - Roberto Hernández
- Departamento de Biología Molecular y Biotecnología, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Av. Universidad 3000, Ciudad Universitaria, Coyoacán, 04510, Ciudad de México, Mexico
| | - Ana María Cevallos
- Departamento de Biología Molecular y Biotecnología, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Av. Universidad 3000, Ciudad Universitaria, Coyoacán, 04510, Ciudad de México, Mexico.
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Lhouvum K, Balaji S, Ahsan MJ, Trivedi V. Plasmodium falciparum PFI1625c offers an opportunity to design potent anti-malarials: Biochemical characterization and testing potentials in drug discovery. Acta Trop 2019; 191:116-127. [PMID: 30594502 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2018.12.033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2018] [Revised: 12/12/2018] [Accepted: 12/20/2018] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Putative PFI1625c was cloned, over-expressed and purified to homogeneity. It is a 56.2 kDa monomeric protease which preferentially catalyzes the degradation of gelatin with a Km = 30μM. It is a slow acting enzyme with optimal pH 8.5 and temperature 37 °C, and activity is sensitive to metalloprotease inhibitor 1,10-phenanthroline. PFI1625c active site was probed with a series of heterocyclic compounds and three molecules namely, BNPC-Inh2, DDBM-Inh1 and BHPM-Inh1 from the series were inhibiting PFI1625c protease activity. These heterocyclic compounds were found to irreversible inhibiting PFI1625c protease activity. Parasite culture was treated with these inhibitors and PFI1625c isolated from culture was found to be inactive without affecting other gelatinases present in the parasite. These inhibitors were used to generate chemically knockout PFI1625c in the parasite. PFI1625c knockout parasite remained at ring stage and was unable to complete its erythrocytic schizogony. Also, these knockout parasites were incapable to multiply. More careful analysis indicate these parasites develop oxidative stress as evident by the increase in lipid peroxidation, protein-carbonyl and a decrease of GSH level. In summary, the current study has employed biochemical, computational and pharmacological approaches to explore the role of PFI1625c in the parasite, its utility as a potential drug target to develop anti-malarials.
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Chhajer R, Ali N. Genetically modified organisms and visceral leishmaniasis. Front Immunol 2014; 5:213. [PMID: 24860575 PMCID: PMC4030198 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2014.00213] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2014] [Accepted: 04/28/2014] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Vaccination is the most effective method of preventing infectious diseases. Since the eradication of small pox in 1976, many other potentially life compromising if not threatening diseases have been dealt with subsequently. This event was a major leap not only in the scientific world already burdened with many diseases but also in the mindset of the common man who became more receptive to novel treatment options. Among the many protozoan diseases, the leishmaniases have emerged as one of the largest parasite killers of the world, second only to malaria. There are three types of leishmaniasis namely cutaneous (CL), mucocutaneous (ML), and visceral (VL), caused by a group of more than 20 species of Leishmania parasites. Visceral leishmaniasis, also known as kala-azar is the most severe form and almost fatal if untreated. Since the first attempts at leishmanization, we have killed parasite vaccines, subunit protein, or DNA vaccines, and now we have live recombinant carrier vaccines and live attenuated parasite vaccines under various stages of development. Although some research has shown promising results, many more potential genes need to be evaluated as live attenuated vaccine candidates. This mini-review attempts to summarize the success and failures of genetically modified organisms used in vaccination against some of major parasitic diseases for their application in leishmaniasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rudra Chhajer
- Infectious Diseases and Immunology Division, Council of Scientific and Industrial Research-Indian Institute of Chemical Biology , Kolkata , India
| | - Nahid Ali
- Infectious Diseases and Immunology Division, Council of Scientific and Industrial Research-Indian Institute of Chemical Biology , Kolkata , India
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