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Nation CS, Stephany-Brassesco I, Kelly BL, Pizarro JC. Transgenic overexpression of heat shock protein (HSP83) enhances protein kinase A activity, disrupts GP63 surface protease expression and alters promastigote morphology in Leishmania amazonensis. Mol Biochem Parasitol 2023; 255:111574. [PMID: 37150327 DOI: 10.1016/j.molbiopara.2023.111574] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2022] [Revised: 04/18/2023] [Accepted: 05/02/2023] [Indexed: 05/09/2023]
Abstract
Leishmania parasites undergo morphological changes during their infectious life cycle, including developmental transitions within the sandfly vector, culminating in metacyclic stages that are pre-adapted for infection. Upon entering vertebrate host phagocytes, Leishmania differentiate into intracellular amastigotes, the form that is ultimately transmitted back to the vector to complete the life cycle. Although environmental conditions that induce these cellular transitions are well-established, molecular mechanisms governing Leishmania morphologic differentiation in response to these cues remain largely uncharacterized. Previous studies indicate a key role for HSP83 in both promastigote metacyclogenesis and amastigote differentiation. To further elucidate HSP83 functions in the Leishmania lifecycle, we examined the biological impact of experimentally elevating HSP83 gene expression in Leishmania. Significantly, HSP83 overexpression was associated with altered metacyclic morphology, increased protein kinase A (PKA) activity and decreased expression of the Leishmania major surface protease, GP63. Corroborating these findings, overexpression of the L. amazonensis PKA catalytic subunit resulted in a largely similar phenotype. Our findings demonstrate for the first time in Leishmania, a functional link between HSP83 and PKA in the control of Leishmania gene expression, replication and morphogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catherine S Nation
- Department of Tropical Medicine, Tulane University,1440 Canal St., Suite 2301, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA
| | - Isabel Stephany-Brassesco
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, 1901 Perdido St., New Orleans, LA 70112, USA
| | - Ben L Kelly
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, 1901 Perdido St., New Orleans, LA 70112, USA.
| | - Juan C Pizarro
- Department of Tropical Medicine, Tulane University,1440 Canal St., Suite 2301, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA.
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Proteomic Analysis of Leishmania donovani Membrane Components Reveals the Role of Activated Protein C Kinase in Host-Parasite Interaction. Pathogens 2021; 10:pathogens10091194. [PMID: 34578226 PMCID: PMC8465321 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens10091194] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2021] [Revised: 05/13/2021] [Accepted: 05/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Visceral leishmaniasis (VL), mainly caused by the Leishmania donovani parasitic infection, constitutes a potentially fatal disease, for which treatment is primarily dependent on chemotherapy. The emergence of a resistant parasite towards current antileishmanial agents and increasing reports of relapses are the major concerns. Detailed research on the molecular interaction at the host-parasite interface may provide the identification of the parasite and the host-related factors operating during disease development. Genomic and proteomic studies highlighted several essential secretory and cytosolic proteins that play vital roles during Leishmania pathogenesis. The aim of this study was to identify membrane proteins from the Leishmania donovani parasite and the host macrophage that interact with each other using 2-DE/MALDI-TOF/MS. We identified membrane proteins including activated protein C kinase, peroxidoxin, small myristoylated protein 1 (SMP-1), and cytochrome C oxidase from the parasite, while identifying filamin A interacting protein 1(FILIP1) and β-actin from macrophages. We further investigated parasite replication and persistence within macrophages following the macrophage-amastigote model in the presence or absence of withaferin (WA), an inhibitor of activated C kinase. WA significantly reduced Leishmania donovani replication within host macrophages. This study sheds light on the important interacting proteins for parasite proliferation and virulence, and the establishment of infection within host cells, which can be targeted further to develop a strategy for chemotherapeutic intervention.
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Shaheen F, Stephany-Brassesco I, Kelly BL. Dynamic modulation of Leishmania cytochrome c oxidase subunit IV (LmCOX4) expression in response to mammalian temperature. Mol Biochem Parasitol 2021; 244:111391. [PMID: 34144085 DOI: 10.1016/j.molbiopara.2021.111391] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2021] [Revised: 06/10/2021] [Accepted: 06/11/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
The Leishmania LACK antigen is a ribosome-associated protein that facilitates expression of mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit IV (LmCOX4) to support parasite mitochondrial fitness and virulence within the vertebrate host. To further examine the relationship between LACK, its putative ribosome binding motif and LmCOX4, we compared the kinetics of LmCOX4 expression following temperature elevation in wildtype LACK (LACK WT) and LACK-putative ribosome-binding mutant (LACKDDE) L. major. We found that, after initial exposure to mammalian temperature, LmCOX4 levels became undetectable in LACKDDE L. major and also, surprisingly, in wild type (WT) control strains. Upon sustained exposure to mammalian temperature, LmCOX4 expression returned in WT control strains only. The initial loss of LmCOX4 in WT L. major was substantially reversed by treatment with the proteasome inhibitor MG132. Our findings indicate that initial loss of LmCOX4 under mammalian conditions is dependent upon proteasome degradation and LmCOX4 re-expression is dependent upon LACK possessing a WT putative ribosome binding motif.
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Affiliation(s)
- Farhana Shaheen
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, LA, USA
| | - Isabel Stephany-Brassesco
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, LA, USA
| | - Ben L Kelly
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, LA, USA.
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Mukherjee S, Moitra S, Xu W, Hernandez V, Zhang K. Sterol 14-α-demethylase is vital for mitochondrial functions and stress tolerance in Leishmania major. PLoS Pathog 2020; 16:e1008810. [PMID: 32817704 PMCID: PMC7462297 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1008810] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2020] [Revised: 09/01/2020] [Accepted: 07/14/2020] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Sterol 14-α-demethylase (C14DM) is a key enzyme in the biosynthesis of sterols and the primary target of azoles. In Leishmania major, genetic or chemical inactivation of C14DM leads to accumulation of 14-methylated sterol intermediates and profound plasma membrane abnormalities including increased fluidity and failure to maintain ordered membrane microdomains. These defects likely contribute to the hypersensitivity to heat and severely reduced virulence displayed by the C14DM-null mutants (c14dm‾). In addition to plasma membrane, sterols are present in intracellular organelles. In this study, we investigated the impact of C14DM ablation on mitochondria. Our results demonstrate that c14dm‾ mutants have significantly higher mitochondrial membrane potential than wild type parasites. Such high potential leads to the buildup of reactive oxygen species in the mitochondria, especially under nutrient-limiting conditions. Consistent with these mitochondrial alterations, c14dm‾ mutants show impairment in respiration and are heavily dependent on glucose uptake and glycolysis to generate energy. Consequently, these mutants are extremely sensitive to glucose deprivation and such vulnerability can be rescued through the supplementation of glucose or glycerol. In addition, the accumulation of oxidants may also contribute to the heat sensitivity exhibited by c14dm‾. Finally, genetic or chemical ablation of C14DM causes increased susceptibility to pentamidine, an antimicrobial agent with activity against trypanosomatids. In summary, our investigation reveals that alteration of sterol synthesis can negatively affect multiple cellular processes in Leishmania parasites and make them vulnerable to clinically relevant stress conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sumit Mukherjee
- Department of Biological Sciences, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas, United States of America
| | - Samrat Moitra
- Department of Biological Sciences, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas, United States of America
| | - Wei Xu
- Department of Biological Sciences, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas, United States of America
| | - Veronica Hernandez
- Department of Biological Sciences, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas, United States of America
| | - Kai Zhang
- Department of Biological Sciences, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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Lathosterol Oxidase (Sterol C-5 Desaturase) Deletion Confers Resistance to Amphotericin B and Sensitivity to Acidic Stress in Leishmania major. mSphere 2020; 5:5/4/e00380-20. [PMID: 32611698 PMCID: PMC7333571 DOI: 10.1128/msphere.00380-20] [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] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Sterols are essential membrane components in eukaryotes, and sterol synthesis inhibitors can have potent effects against pathogenic fungi and trypanosomatids. Understanding the roles of sterols will facilitate the development of new drugs and counter drug resistance. LSO is required for the formation of the C-5–C-6 double bond in the sterol core structure in mammals, fungi, protozoans, plants, and algae. Functions of this C-5–C-6 double bond are not well understood. In this study, we generated and characterized a lathosterol oxidase-null mutant in Leishmania major. Our data suggest that LSO is vital for the structure and membrane-stabilizing functions of leishmanial sterols. In addition, our results imply that while mutations in lathosterol oxidase can confer resistance to amphotericin B, an important antifungal and antiprotozoal agent, the alteration in sterol structure leads to significant defects in stress response that could be exploited for drug development. Lathosterol oxidase (LSO) catalyzes the formation of the C-5–C-6 double bond in the synthesis of various types of sterols in mammals, fungi, plants, and protozoa. In Leishmania parasites, mutations in LSO or other sterol biosynthetic genes are associated with amphotericin B resistance. To investigate the biological roles of sterol C-5–C-6 desaturation, we generated an LSO-null mutant line (lso−) in Leishmania major, the causative agent for cutaneous leishmaniasis. lso− parasites lacked the ergostane-based sterols commonly found in wild-type L. major and instead accumulated equivalent sterol species without the C-5–C-6 double bond. These mutant parasites were replicative in culture and displayed heightened resistance to amphotericin B. However, they survived poorly after reaching the maximal density and were highly vulnerable to the membrane-disrupting detergent Triton X-100. In addition, lso− mutants showed defects in regulating intracellular pH and were hypersensitive to acidic conditions. They also had potential alterations in the carbohydrate composition of lipophosphoglycan, a membrane-bound virulence factor in Leishmania. All these defects in lso− were corrected upon the restoration of LSO expression. Together, these findings suggest that the C-5–C-6 double bond is vital for the structure of the sterol core, and while the loss of LSO can lead to amphotericin B resistance, it also makes Leishmania parasites vulnerable to biologically relevant stress. IMPORTANCE Sterols are essential membrane components in eukaryotes, and sterol synthesis inhibitors can have potent effects against pathogenic fungi and trypanosomatids. Understanding the roles of sterols will facilitate the development of new drugs and counter drug resistance. LSO is required for the formation of the C-5–C-6 double bond in the sterol core structure in mammals, fungi, protozoans, plants, and algae. Functions of this C-5–C-6 double bond are not well understood. In this study, we generated and characterized a lathosterol oxidase-null mutant in Leishmania major. Our data suggest that LSO is vital for the structure and membrane-stabilizing functions of leishmanial sterols. In addition, our results imply that while mutations in lathosterol oxidase can confer resistance to amphotericin B, an important antifungal and antiprotozoal agent, the alteration in sterol structure leads to significant defects in stress response that could be exploited for drug development.
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Cardenas D, Sylvester C, Cao B, Nation CS, Pizarro JC, Lu H, Guidry J, Wojcik EJ, Kelly BL. Disruption of the Putative Ribosome-Binding Motif of a Scaffold Protein Impairs Cytochrome c Oxidase Subunit Expression in Leishmania major. mSphere 2019; 4:e00644-18. [PMID: 30842271 PMCID: PMC6403457 DOI: 10.1128/msphere.00644-18] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2018] [Accepted: 02/09/2019] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
During their parasitic life cycle, through sandflies and vertebrate hosts, Leishmania parasites confront strikingly different environments, including abrupt changes in pH and temperature, to which they must rapidly adapt. These adaptations include alterations in Leishmania gene expression, metabolism, and morphology, allowing them to thrive as promastigotes in the sandfly and as intracellular amastigotes in the vertebrate host. A critical aspect of Leishmania metabolic adaptation to these changes is maintenance of efficient mitochondrial function in the hostile vertebrate environment. Such functions, including generation of ATP, depend upon the expression of many mitochondrial proteins, including subunits of cytochrome c oxidase (COX). Significantly, under mammalian temperature conditions, expression of Leishmania major COX subunit IV (LmCOX4) and virulence are dependent upon two copies of LACK, a gene that encodes the ribosome-associated scaffold protein, LACK (Leishmania ortholog of RACK1 [receptor for activated C kinase]). Targeted replacement of an endogenous LACK copy with a putative ribosome-binding motif-disrupted variant (LACKR34D35G36→LACKD34D35E36) resulted in thermosensitive parasites that showed diminished LmCOX4 expression, mitochondrial fitness, and replication in macrophages. Surprisingly, despite these phenotypes, LACKD34D35E36 associated with monosomes and polysomes and showed no major impairment of global protein synthesis. Collectively, these data suggest that wild-type (WT) LACK orchestrates robust LmCOX4 expression and mitochondrial fitness to ensure parasite virulence, via optimized functional interactions with the ribosome.IMPORTANCELeishmania parasites are trypanosomatid protozoans that persist in infected human hosts to cause a spectrum of pathologies, from cutaneous and mucocutaneous manifestations to visceral leishmaniasis caused by Leishmania donovani The latter is usually fatal if not treated. Persistence of L. major in the mammalian host depends upon maintaining gene-regulatory programs to support essential parasite metabolic functions. These include expression and assembly of mitochondrial L. major cytochrome c oxidase (LmCOX) subunits, important for Leishmania ATP production. Significantly, under mammalian conditions, WT levels of LmCOX subunits require threshold levels of the Leishmania ribosome-associated scaffold protein, LACK. Unexpectedly, we find that although disruption of LACK's putative ribosome-binding motif does not grossly perturb ribosome association or global protein synthesis, it nonetheless impairs COX subunit expression, mitochondrial function, and virulence. Our data indicate that the quality of LACK's interaction with Leishmania ribosomes is critical for LmCOX subunit expression and parasite mitochondrial function in the mammalian host. Collectively, these findings validate LACK's ribosomal interactions as a potential therapeutic target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daviel Cardenas
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA
| | - Charity Sylvester
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA
| | - Bo Cao
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology and Tulane Cancer Center, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA
| | - Catherine S Nation
- Department of Tropical Medicine, Tulane University, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA
| | - Juan C Pizarro
- Department of Tropical Medicine, Tulane University, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA
| | - Hua Lu
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology and Tulane Cancer Center, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA
| | - Jessie Guidry
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA
| | - Edward J Wojcik
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA
| | - Ben L Kelly
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA
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Mukherjee S, Xu W, Hsu FF, Patel J, Huang J, Zhang K. Sterol methyltransferase is required for optimal mitochondrial function and virulence in Leishmania major. Mol Microbiol 2019; 111:65-81. [PMID: 30260041 PMCID: PMC6351164 DOI: 10.1111/mmi.14139] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/21/2018] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Limited knowledge on the exact functions of ergostane-based sterols has hampered the application of sterol synthesis inhibitors against trypanosomatid parasites. Sterol methyltransferase (SMT) is directly involved in the synthesis of parasite-specific C24-methylated sterols, including ergosterol and 5-dehydroepisterol. While pharmacological studies hint at its potential as a drug target against trypanosomatids, direct evidence for the cellular function and essentiality of SMT is lacking. Here, we characterized the SMT knockout mutants and their complemented strains in Leishmania major, the causative agent for cutaneous leishmaniasis. Deletion of SMT alleles led to a complete loss of C24-methylated sterols, which were replaced by cholestane-based sterols. SMT-null mutants were fully viable and replicative in culture but showed increased sensitivity to sphingolipid synthesis inhibition. They were not particularly vulnerable to heat, acidic pH, nitrosative or oxidative stress, yet exhibited high mitochondrial membrane potential and increased superoxide generation indicating altered physiology of the mitochondria. Despite possessing high levels of GPI-anchored glycoconjugates, SMT-null mutants showed significantly attenuated virulence in mice. In total, our study reveals that the biosynthesis of ergostane-based sterols is crucial for the proper function of mitochondria and the proliferation of Leishmania parasites in mammals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sumit Mukherjee
- Department of Biological Sciences, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX 79409, USA
| | - Wei Xu
- Department of Biological Sciences, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX 79409, USA
- Current address: Department of Molecular Microbiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Fong-Fu Hsu
- Mass Spectrometry Resource, Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes, Metabolism, and Lipid research, Department of Internal Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Jigesh Patel
- Department of Physics, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX 79409, USA
| | - Juyang Huang
- Department of Physics, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX 79409, USA
| | - Kai Zhang
- Department of Biological Sciences, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX 79409, USA
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Abstract
The WD40 domain is one of the most abundant and interacting domains in the eukaryotic genome. In proteins the WD domain folds into a β-propeller structure, providing a platform for the interaction and assembly of several proteins into a signalosome. WD40 repeats containing proteins, in lower eukaryotes, are mainly involved in growth, cell cycle, development and virulence, while in higher organisms, they play an important role in diverse cellular functions like signal transduction, cell cycle control, intracellular transport, chromatin remodelling, cytoskeletal organization, apoptosis, development, transcriptional regulation, immune responses. To play the regulatory role in various processes, they act as a scaffold for protein-protein or protein-DNA interaction. So far, no WD40 domain has been identified with intrinsic enzymatic activity. Several WD40 domain-containing proteins have been recently characterized in prokaryotes as well. The review summarizes the vast array of functions performed by different WD40 domain containing proteins, their domain organization and functional conservation during the course of evolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Buddhi Prakash Jain
- Department of Zoology, School of Life Sciences, Mahatma Gandhi Central University, Motihari, Bihar, 845401, India.
| | - Shweta Pandey
- APSGMNS Govt P G College, Kawardha, Chhattisgarh, 491995, India
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Islas-Flores T, Pérez-Cervantes E, Nava-Galeana J, Loredo-Guillén M, Guillén G, Villanueva MA. Molecular Features and mRNA Expression of the Receptor for Activated C Kinase 1 from Symbiodinium microadriaticum ssp. microadriaticum During Growth and the Light/Dark cycle. J Eukaryot Microbiol 2018; 66:254-266. [PMID: 30027647 DOI: 10.1111/jeu.12667] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2018] [Revised: 06/22/2018] [Accepted: 07/03/2018] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
Two genes of the RACK1 homolog from the photosynthetic dinoflagellate Symbiodinium microadriaticum ssp. microadriaticum (SmicRACK1), termed SmicRACK1A and SmicRACK1B, were found tandemly arrayed and displayed a single synonymous substitution (T/C) encoding threonine. They included two exons of 942 bp each, encoding 313 amino acids with seven WD-40 repeats and two PKC-binding motifs. The protein theoretical mass and pI were 34,200 Da and 5.9, respectively. SmicRACK1 showed maximum identities with RACK1 homologs at the amino acid and nucleotide level, respectively, of 92 and 84% with S. minutum, and phylogenetic analysis revealed clustered related RACK1 sequences from the marine dinoflagellates S. minutum, Heterocapsa triquetra, Karenia brevis, and Alexandrium tamarense. Interestingly, light-dependent regulatory elements were found both within the 282 bp SmicRACK1A promotor sequence, and within an intergenic sequence of 359 nucleotides that separated both genes, which strongly suggest light-related functions. This was further supported by mRNA accumulation analysis, which fluctuated along the light and dark phases of the growth cycle showing maximum specific peaks under either condition. Finally, qRT-PCR analysis revealed differential SmicRACK1 mRNA accumulation with maxima at 6 and 20 d of culture. Our SmicRACK1 characterization suggests roles in active growth and proliferation, as well as light/dark cycle regulation in S. microadriaticum.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tania Islas-Flores
- Instituto de Ciencias del Mar y Limnología, Unidad Académica de Sistemas Arrecifales, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, U. N. A. M., Prolongación Avenida Niños Héroes S/N, Puerto Morelos, Quintana Roo, 77580, México
| | - Esmeralda Pérez-Cervantes
- Instituto de Ciencias del Mar y Limnología, Unidad Académica de Sistemas Arrecifales, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, U. N. A. M., Prolongación Avenida Niños Héroes S/N, Puerto Morelos, Quintana Roo, 77580, México.,Posgrado en Ciencias del Mar y Limnología-UNAM, Circuito Exterior S/N Ciudad Universitaria, Ciudad de México, CP 04510, México
| | - Jessica Nava-Galeana
- Instituto de Ciencias del Mar y Limnología, Unidad Académica de Sistemas Arrecifales, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, U. N. A. M., Prolongación Avenida Niños Héroes S/N, Puerto Morelos, Quintana Roo, 77580, México
| | - Montserrat Loredo-Guillén
- Grupo QUAE, S. de R.L., Laboratorio de Diagnóstico Molecular, Int. Hospital Morelos, Calle de la Luz 44, Col. Chapultepec, Cuernavaca, Morelos, CP 62450, México
| | - Gabriel Guillén
- Grupo QUAE, S. de R.L., Laboratorio de Diagnóstico Molecular, Int. Hospital Morelos, Calle de la Luz 44, Col. Chapultepec, Cuernavaca, Morelos, CP 62450, México.,Departamento de Biología Molecular de Plantas, Instituto de Biotecnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, U. N. A. M., Avenida Universidad 2001, Col. Chamilpa, Cuernavaca, Morelos, 62210, México
| | - Marco A Villanueva
- Instituto de Ciencias del Mar y Limnología, Unidad Académica de Sistemas Arrecifales, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, U. N. A. M., Prolongación Avenida Niños Héroes S/N, Puerto Morelos, Quintana Roo, 77580, México
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Sinha S, Sundaram S. An analysis of phosphorylation sites in protein kinases from Leishmania. Bioinformation 2017; 12:249-253. [PMID: 28197062 PMCID: PMC5290666 DOI: 10.6026/97320630012249] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2016] [Revised: 07/04/2016] [Accepted: 07/05/2016] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Protein kinases are promising drug targets for Leishmaniasis. We have evaluated the phosphorylation potential of protein kinases in
different species and strains of Leishmania. Phosphorylation potential of serine, threonine and tyrosine residues of kinases in Leishmania
parasite were studied. The results indicate that some species specific residues of serine, threonine and tyrosine have a phosphorylation
potential of 1 suggesting that these residues are important target sites in protein kinases based anti-leishmanial therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sukrat Sinha
- Centre of Biotechnology, University of Allahabad, Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh - 211002 India
| | - Shanthy Sundaram
- Centre of Biotechnology, University of Allahabad, Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh - 211002 India
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Roles of Rack1 Proteins in Fungal Pathogenesis. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2016; 2016:4130376. [PMID: 27656651 PMCID: PMC5021465 DOI: 10.1155/2016/4130376] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2016] [Accepted: 08/16/2016] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
Pathogenic fungi cause diseases on various organisms. Despite their differences in life cycles, fungal pathogens use well-conserved proteins and pathways to regulate developmental and infection processes. In this review, we focus on Rack1, a multifaceted scaffolding protein involved in various biological processes. Rack1 is well conserved in eukaryotes and plays important roles in fungi, though limited studies have been conducted. To accelerate the study of Rack1 proteins in fungi, we review the functions of Rack1 proteins in model and pathogenic fungi and summarize recent progress on how Rack1 proteins are involved in fungal pathogenesis.
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Li Y, Shah-Simpson S, Okrah K, Belew AT, Choi J, Caradonna KL, Padmanabhan P, Ndegwa DM, Temanni MR, Corrada Bravo H, El-Sayed NM, Burleigh BA. Transcriptome Remodeling in Trypanosoma cruzi and Human Cells during Intracellular Infection. PLoS Pathog 2016; 12:e1005511. [PMID: 27046031 PMCID: PMC4821583 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1005511] [Citation(s) in RCA: 116] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2015] [Accepted: 02/28/2016] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Intracellular colonization and persistent infection by the kinetoplastid protozoan parasite, Trypanosoma cruzi, underlie the pathogenesis of human Chagas disease. To obtain global insights into the T. cruzi infective process, transcriptome dynamics were simultaneously captured in the parasite and host cells in an infection time course of human fibroblasts. Extensive remodeling of the T. cruzi transcriptome was observed during the early establishment of intracellular infection, coincident with a major developmental transition in the parasite. Contrasting this early response, few additional changes in steady state mRNA levels were detected once mature T. cruzi amastigotes were formed. Our findings suggest that transcriptome remodeling is required to establish a modified template to guide developmental transitions in the parasite, whereas homeostatic functions are regulated independently of transcriptomic changes, similar to that reported in related trypanosomatids. Despite complex mechanisms for regulation of phenotypic expression in T. cruzi, transcriptomic signatures derived from distinct developmental stages mirror known or projected characteristics of T. cruzi biology. Focusing on energy metabolism, we were able to validate predictions forecast in the mRNA expression profiles. We demonstrate measurable differences in the bioenergetic properties of the different mammalian-infective stages of T. cruzi and present additional findings that underscore the importance of mitochondrial electron transport in T. cruzi amastigote growth and survival. Consequences of T. cruzi colonization for the host include dynamic expression of immune response genes and cell cycle regulators with upregulation of host cholesterol and lipid synthesis pathways, which may serve to fuel intracellular T. cruzi growth. Thus, in addition to the biological inferences gained from gene ontology and functional enrichment analysis of differentially expressed genes in parasite and host, our comprehensive, high resolution transcriptomic dataset provides a substantially more detailed interpretation of T. cruzi infection biology and offers a basis for future drug and vaccine discovery efforts. In-depth knowledge of the functional processes governing host colonization and transmission of pathogenic microorganisms is essential for the advancement of effective intervention strategies. This study focuses on Trypanosoma cruzi, the vector-borne protozoan parasite responsible for human Chagas disease and the leading cause of infectious myocarditis worldwide. To gain global insights into the biology of this parasite and its interaction with mammalian host cells, we have exploited a deep-sequencing approach to generate comprehensive, high-resolution transcriptomic maps for mammalian-infective stages of T. cruzi with the simultaneous interrogation of the human host cell transcriptome across an infection time course. We demonstrate that the establishment of intracellular T. cruzi infection in mammalian host cells is accompanied by extensive remodeling of the parasite and host cell transcriptomes. Despite the lack of transcriptional control mechanisms in trypanosomatids, our analyses identified functionally-enriched processes within sets of developmentally-regulated transcripts in T. cruzi that align with known or predicted biological features of the parasite. The novel insights into the biology of intracellular T. cruzi infection and the regulation of amastigote development gained in this study establish a unique foundation for functional network analyses that will be instrumental in providing functional links between parasite dependencies and host functional pathways that have the potential to be exploited for intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuan Li
- Department of Cell Biology and Molecular Genetics, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Sheena Shah-Simpson
- Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Kwame Okrah
- Center for Bioinformatics and Computational Biology, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland, United States of America
| | - A Trey Belew
- Department of Cell Biology and Molecular Genetics, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Jungmin Choi
- Department of Cell Biology and Molecular Genetics, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Kacey L Caradonna
- Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Prasad Padmanabhan
- Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - David M Ndegwa
- Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - M Ramzi Temanni
- Department of Cell Biology and Molecular Genetics, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Héctor Corrada Bravo
- Center for Bioinformatics and Computational Biology, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Najib M El-Sayed
- Department of Cell Biology and Molecular Genetics, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland, United States of America.,Center for Bioinformatics and Computational Biology, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Barbara A Burleigh
- Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
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Abstract
The ability of Leishmania parasites to infect and persist in the antigen-presenting cell population of their mammalian hosts is dependent on their ability to gain entry to their host and host cells, to survive the mammalian cell environment, and to suppress or evade the protective immune response mechanisms of their hosts. A multitude of genes and their products have been implicated in each of these virulence-enhancing strategies to date, and we present an overview of the nature and known function of such virulence genes.
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