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Díaz-Pérez L, Salusso A, Patolsky R, Mayol G, Quassollo G, Feliziani C, Touz MC, Rópolo AS. Lysine methyltransferase 2 plays a key role in the encystation process in the parasite Giardia lamblia. Acta Trop 2024; 257:107295. [PMID: 38906362 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2024.107295] [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: 04/24/2024] [Revised: 06/11/2024] [Accepted: 06/18/2024] [Indexed: 06/23/2024]
Abstract
Histone post-translational modifications are extensively studied for their role in regulating gene transcription and cellular environmental adaptation. Research into these modifications has recently begun in the protozoan parasite Giardia lamblia, focusing on histone-modifying enzymes and specific post-translational changes. In the transformation from the trophozoite to the cyst form in the life cycle of this parasite, significant morphological and genetic alterations occur, culminating in the synthesis of cyst wall proteins responsible for forming the protective cyst wall. It has been previously demonstrated that histone deacetylation is required during encystation and that the enzyme lysine methyltransferase 1 is involved in the upregulation of encystation. Our study aims to extend the analysis to lysine methyltransferase 2 (GlKMT2) function. For this, two constructs were generated: one that downregulate the expression of GLKMT2 via antisense (glkmt2-as transgenic cells) and the other overexpressing GlKMT2 (glkmt2-ha transgenic cells). We found that the glktm2-as transgenic cells showed an arrest in progress at the late encystation stage. Consequently, the number of cysts produced was lower than that of the control cells. On the other hand, we found that the overexpression of GlKMT2 acts as a negative mutant of the enzyme. In this way, these glktm2-ha transgenic cells showed the same behavior during growth and encystation as glkmt2-as transgenic cells. This interplay between different enzymes acting during encystation reveals the complex process behind the differentiation of the parasite. Understanding how these enzymes play their role during the encystation of the parasite would allow the design of inhibitors to control the parasite.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luciano Díaz-Pérez
- Instituto de Investigación Médica Mercedes y Martín Ferreyra, INIMEC - Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Córdoba, Argentina
| | - Agostina Salusso
- Instituto de Investigación Médica Mercedes y Martín Ferreyra, INIMEC - Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Córdoba, Argentina
| | - Rocío Patolsky
- Instituto de Investigación Médica Mercedes y Martín Ferreyra, INIMEC - Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Córdoba, Argentina
| | - Gonzalo Mayol
- Departamento de Química Biológica, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Buenos Aires (FCEyN-UBA) - Instituto de Química Biológica de la Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales (IQUIBICEN) CONICET, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Gonzalo Quassollo
- Instituto de Investigación Médica Mercedes y Martín Ferreyra, INIMEC - Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Córdoba, Argentina
| | - Constanza Feliziani
- Instituto de Investigación Médica Mercedes y Martín Ferreyra, INIMEC - Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Córdoba, Argentina
| | - María Carolina Touz
- Instituto de Investigación Médica Mercedes y Martín Ferreyra, INIMEC - Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Córdoba, Argentina
| | - Andrea S Rópolo
- Instituto de Investigación Médica Mercedes y Martín Ferreyra, INIMEC - Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Córdoba, Argentina.
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Pal J, Sharma V, Khanna A, Saha S. The SET7 protein of Leishmania donovani moderates the parasite's response to a hostile oxidative environment. J Biol Chem 2024; 300:105720. [PMID: 38311179 PMCID: PMC10907163 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2024.105720] [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: 11/17/2023] [Revised: 01/17/2024] [Accepted: 01/29/2024] [Indexed: 02/10/2024] Open
Abstract
SET domain proteins methylate specific lysines on proteins, triggering stimulation or repression of downstream processes. Twenty-nine SET domain proteins have been identified in Leishmania donovani through sequence annotations. This study initiates the first investigation into these proteins. We find LdSET7 is predominantly cytosolic. Although not essential, set7 deletion slows down promastigote growth and hypersensitizes the parasite to hydroxyurea-induced G1/S arrest. Intriguingly, set7-nulls survive more proficiently than set7+/+ parasites within host macrophages, suggesting that LdSET7 moderates parasite response to the inhospitable intracellular environment. set7-null in vitro promastigote cultures are highly tolerant to hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)-induced stress, reflected in their growth pattern, and no detectable DNA damage at H2O2 concentrations tested. This is linked to reactive oxygen species levels remaining virtually unperturbed in set7-nulls in response to H2O2 exposure, contrasting to increased reactive oxygen species in set7+/+ cells under similar conditions. In analyzing the cell's ability to scavenge hydroperoxides, we find peroxidase activity is not upregulated in response to H2O2 exposure in set7-nulls. Rather, constitutive basal levels of peroxidase activity are significantly higher in these cells, implicating this to be a factor contributing to the parasite's high tolerance to H2O2. Higher levels of peroxidase activity in set7-nulls are coupled to upregulation of tryparedoxin peroxidase transcripts. Rescue experiments using an LdSET7 mutant suggest that LdSET7 methylation activity is critical to the modulation of the cell's response to oxidative environment. Thus, LdSET7 tunes the parasite's behavior within host cells, enabling the establishment and persistence of infection without eradicating the host cell population it needs for survival.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jyoti Pal
- Department of Microbiology, University of Delhi South Campus, New Delhi, India
| | - Varshni Sharma
- Department of Microbiology, University of Delhi South Campus, New Delhi, India
| | - Arushi Khanna
- Department of Microbiology, University of Delhi South Campus, New Delhi, India
| | - Swati Saha
- Department of Microbiology, University of Delhi South Campus, New Delhi, India.
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Gaona-López C, Vazquez-Jimenez LK, Gonzalez-Gonzalez A, Delgado-Maldonado T, Ortiz-Pérez E, Nogueda-Torres B, Moreno-Rodríguez A, Vázquez K, Saavedra E, Rivera G. Advances in Protozoan Epigenetic Targets and Their Inhibitors for the Development of New Potential Drugs. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2023; 16:ph16040543. [PMID: 37111300 PMCID: PMC10143871 DOI: 10.3390/ph16040543] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2023] [Revised: 03/29/2023] [Accepted: 03/31/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Protozoan parasite diseases cause significant mortality and morbidity worldwide. Factors such as climate change, extreme poverty, migration, and a lack of life opportunities lead to the propagation of diseases classified as tropical or non-endemic. Although there are several drugs to combat parasitic diseases, strains resistant to routinely used drugs have been reported. In addition, many first-line drugs have adverse effects ranging from mild to severe, including potential carcinogenic effects. Therefore, new lead compounds are needed to combat these parasites. Although little has been studied regarding the epigenetic mechanisms in lower eukaryotes, it is believed that epigenetics plays an essential role in vital aspects of the organism, from controlling the life cycle to the expression of genes involved in pathogenicity. Therefore, using epigenetic targets to combat these parasites is foreseen as an area with great potential for development. This review summarizes the main known epigenetic mechanisms and their potential as therapeutics for a group of medically important protozoal parasites. Different epigenetic mechanisms are discussed, highlighting those that can be used for drug repositioning, such as histone post-translational modifications (HPTMs). Exclusive parasite targets are also emphasized, including the base J and DNA 6 mA. These two categories have the greatest potential for developing drugs to treat or eradicate these diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlos Gaona-López
- Laboratorio de Biotecnología Farmacéutica, Centro de Biotecnología Genómica, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Reynosa 88710, Mexico
| | - Lenci K Vazquez-Jimenez
- Laboratorio de Biotecnología Farmacéutica, Centro de Biotecnología Genómica, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Reynosa 88710, Mexico
| | - Alonzo Gonzalez-Gonzalez
- Laboratorio de Biotecnología Farmacéutica, Centro de Biotecnología Genómica, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Reynosa 88710, Mexico
| | - Timoteo Delgado-Maldonado
- Laboratorio de Biotecnología Farmacéutica, Centro de Biotecnología Genómica, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Reynosa 88710, Mexico
| | - Eyrá Ortiz-Pérez
- Laboratorio de Biotecnología Farmacéutica, Centro de Biotecnología Genómica, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Reynosa 88710, Mexico
| | - Benjamín Nogueda-Torres
- Departamento de Parasitología, Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biológicas, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Mexico City 11340, Mexico
| | - Adriana Moreno-Rodríguez
- Laboratorio de Estudios Epidemiológicos, Clínicos, Diseños Experimentales e Investigación, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Autónoma "Benito Juárez" de Oaxaca, Avenida Universidad S/N, Ex Hacienda Cinco Señores, Oaxaca 68120, Mexico
| | - Karina Vázquez
- Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, Francisco Villa 20, General Escobedo 66054, Mexico
| | - Emma Saavedra
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Instituto Nacional de Cardiología Ignacio Chávez, Mexico City 14080, Mexico
| | - Gildardo Rivera
- Laboratorio de Biotecnología Farmacéutica, Centro de Biotecnología Genómica, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Reynosa 88710, Mexico
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Lysine Methyltransferase EhPKMT2 Is Involved in the In Vitro Virulence of Entamoeba histolytica. Pathogens 2023; 12:pathogens12030474. [PMID: 36986396 PMCID: PMC10058465 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens12030474] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2023] [Revised: 03/06/2023] [Accepted: 03/11/2023] [Indexed: 03/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Lysine methylation, a posttranslational modification catalyzed by protein lysine methyltransferases (PKMTs), is involved in epigenetics and several signaling pathways, including cell growth, cell migration and stress response, which in turn may participate in virulence of protozoa parasites. Entamoeba histolytica, the etiologic agent of human amebiasis, has four PKMTs (EhPKMT1 to EhPKMT4), but their role in parasite biology is unknown. Here, to obtain insight into the role of EhPKMT2, we analyzed its expression level and localization in trophozoites subjected to heat shock and during phagocytosis, two events that are related to amoeba virulence. Moreover, the effect of EhPKMT2 knockdown on those activities and on cell growth, migration and cytopathic effect was investigated. The results indicate that this enzyme participates in all these cellular events, suggesting that it could be a potential target for development of novel therapeutic strategies against amebiasis.
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Sarid L, Ankri S. Are Metabolites From the Gut Microbiota Capable of Regulating Epigenetic Mechanisms in the Human Parasite Entamoeba histolytica? Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 10:841586. [PMID: 35300430 PMCID: PMC8921869 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.841586] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2021] [Accepted: 01/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The unicellular parasite Entamoeba histolytica inhabits the human gut. It has to adapt to a complex environment that consists of the host microbiota, nutritional stress, oxidative stress, and nitrosative stress. Adaptation to this complex environment is vital for the survival of this parasite. Studies have shown that the host microbiota shapes virulence and stress adaptation in E. histolytica. Increasing evidence suggests that metabolites from the microbiota mediate communication between the parasite and microbiota. In this review, we discuss the bacterial metabolites that regulate epigenetic processes in E. histolytica and the implications that this knowledge may have for the development of new anti-amebic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lotem Sarid
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, Ruth and Bruce Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, Technion, Haifa, Israel
| | - Serge Ankri
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, Ruth and Bruce Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, Technion, Haifa, Israel
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Lozano-Amado D, Ávila-López PA, Hernández-Montes G, Briseño-Díaz P, Vargas M, Lopez-Rubio JJ, Carrero JC, Hernández-Rivas R. A class I histone deacetylase is implicated in the encystation of Entamoeba invadens. Int J Parasitol 2020; 50:1011-1022. [PMID: 32822677 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpara.2020.05.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2020] [Revised: 05/26/2020] [Accepted: 05/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Epigenetic mechanisms such as histone acetylation and deacetylation participate in regulation of the genes involved in encystation of Entamoeba invadens. However, the histones and target residues involved, and whether the acetylation and deacetylation of the histones leads to the regulation of gene expression associated with the encystation of this parasite, remain unknown. In this study, we found that E. invadens histone H4 is acetylated in both stages of the parasite and is more highly acetylated during the trophozoite stage than in the cyst. Histone hyperacetylation induced by Trichostatin A negatively affects the encystation of E. invadens, and this inhibition is associated with the downregulation of the expression of genes implicated in the synthesis of chitin, polyamines, gamma-aminobutyric acid pathways and cyst wall proteins, all of which are important in the formation of cysts. Finally, in silico analysis and activity assays suggest that a class I histone deacetylase (EiHDAC3) could be involved in control of the expression of a subset of genes that are important in several pathways during encystation. Therefore, the identification of enzymes that acetylate and/or deacetylate histones that control encystation in E. invadens could be a promising therapeutic target for preventing transmission of other amoebic parasites such as E. histolytica, the causative agent of amoebiasis in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniela Lozano-Amado
- Departamento de Biomedicina Molecular, Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del Instituto Politécnico Nacional (CINVESTAV-IPN), Ciudad de México, Mexico
| | - Pedro Antonio Ávila-López
- Departamento de Biomedicina Molecular, Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del Instituto Politécnico Nacional (CINVESTAV-IPN), Ciudad de México, Mexico
| | - Georgina Hernández-Montes
- Coordinación de la Investigación Científica, Red de Apoyo a la Investigación, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad Universitaria, Ciudad de México, Mexico
| | - Paola Briseño-Díaz
- Departamento de Biomedicina Molecular, Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del Instituto Politécnico Nacional (CINVESTAV-IPN), Ciudad de México, Mexico
| | - Miguel Vargas
- Departamento de Biomedicina Molecular, Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del Instituto Politécnico Nacional (CINVESTAV-IPN), Ciudad de México, Mexico
| | - Jose-Juan Lopez-Rubio
- LPHI - Laboratory of Pathogen Host Interactions - UMR5235, CNRS, INSERM, Université de Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - Julio César Carrero
- Departamento de Inmunología, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad Universitaria, Ciudad de México, Mexico
| | - Rosaura Hernández-Rivas
- Departamento de Biomedicina Molecular, Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del Instituto Politécnico Nacional (CINVESTAV-IPN), Ciudad de México, Mexico.
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