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Parrella P, Elikan AB, Snow JW. Pathogen- and host-directed pharmacologic strategies for control of Vairimorpha (Nosema) spp. infection in honey bees. J Eukaryot Microbiol 2024:e13026. [PMID: 38572630 DOI: 10.1111/jeu.13026] [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: 02/14/2024] [Accepted: 03/07/2024] [Indexed: 04/05/2024]
Abstract
Microsporidia are obligate intracellular parasites of the Fungal Kingdom that cause widespread infections in nature, with important effects on invertebrates involved in food production systems. The two microsporidian species Vairimorpha (Nosema) ceranae (and the less common Vairimorpha (Nosema) apis) can cause individual disease in honey bees and contribute to colony collapse. The efficacy, safety, and availability of fumagillin, the only drug currently approved to treat microsporidia infection in bees, is uncertain. In this review, we will discuss some of the most promising alternative strategies for the mitigation of Vairimorpha spp. with an emphasis on infection by V. ceranae, now the dominant species infecting bees. We will focus on pharmacologic interventions where the mechanism of action is known and examine both pathogen-directed and host-directed approaches. As limiting toxicity to host cells has been especially emphasized in treating bees that are already facing numerous stressors, strategies that disrupt pathogen-specific targets may be especially advantageous. Therefore, efforts to increase the knowledge and tools for facilitating the discovery of such targets and pharmacologic agents directed against them should be prioritized.
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Affiliation(s)
- Parker Parrella
- Department of Biology, Barnard College, New York, New York, USA
| | | | - Jonathan W Snow
- Department of Biology, Barnard College, New York, New York, USA
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Unraveling the Gene Regulatory Networks of the Global Regulators VeA and LaeA in Aspergillus nidulans. Microbiol Spectr 2023:e0016623. [PMID: 36920196 PMCID: PMC10101098 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.00166-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/16/2023] Open
Abstract
In the filamentous fungus Aspergillus nidulans, the velvet family protein VeA and the global regulator of secondary metabolism LaeA govern development and secondary metabolism mostly by acting as the VelB/VeA/LaeA heterotrimeric complex. While functions of these highly conserved controllers have been well studied, the genome-wide regulatory networks governing cellular and chemical development remain to be uncovered. Here, by integrating transcriptomic analyses, protein-DNA interactions, and the known A. nidulans gene/protein interaction data, we have unraveled the gene regulatory networks governed by VeA and LaeA. Within the networks, VeA and LaeA directly control the expression of numerous genes involved in asexual/sexual development and primary/secondary metabolism in A. nidulans. Totals of 3,190 and 1,834 potential direct target genes of VeA and LaeA were identified, respectively, including several important developmental and metabolic regulators such as flbA·B·C, velB·C, areA, mpkB, and hogA. Moreover, by analyzing over 8,800 ChIP-seq peaks, we have revealed the predicted common consensus sequences 5'-TGATTGGCTG-3' and 5'-TCACGTGAC-3' that VeA and LaeA might bind to interchangeably. These findings further expand the biochemical and genomic studies of the VelB/VeA/LaeA complex functionality in the gene regulation. In summary, this study unveils genes that are under the regulation of VeA and LaeA, proposes the VeA- and LaeA-mediated gene regulatory networks, and demonstrates their genome-wide developmental and metabolic regulations in A. nidulans. IMPORTANCE Fungal development and metabolism are genetically programmed events involving specialized cellular differentiation, cellular communication, and temporal and spatial regulation of gene expression. In genus Aspergillus, the global regulators VeA and LaeA govern developmental and metabolic processes by affecting the expression of downstream genes, including multiple transcription factors and signaling elements. Due to their vital roles in overall biology, functions of VeA and LaeA have been extensively studied, but there still has been a lack of knowledge about their genome-wide regulatory networks. In this study, employing the model fungus A. nidulans, we have identified direct targets of VeA and LaeA and their gene regulatory networks by integrating transcriptome, protein-DNA interaction, and protein-protein interaction analyses. Our results demonstrate the genome-wide regulatory mechanisms of these global regulators, thereby advancing the knowledge of fungal biology and genetics.
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Dong Z, Gao N, Deng B, Huang X, Hu C, Chen P, Wu Q, Lu C, Pan M. Stable transformation of fluorescent proteins into Nosema bombycis by electroporation. Parasit Vectors 2022; 15:141. [PMID: 35449112 PMCID: PMC9022262 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-022-05236-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2021] [Accepted: 03/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Microsporidia are a group of intracellular parasitic eukaryotes, serious pathogens that cause widespread infection in humans, vertebrates, and invertebrates. Because microsporidia have a thick spore wall structure, the in vitro transformation, cell culture, and genetic operation technology of microsporidia are far behind that of other parasites. Methods In this study, according to an analysis of the life-cycle of microsporidia, Nosema bombycis, and different electro-transformation conditions, the transduction efficiency of introducing foreign genes into N. bombycis was systematically determined. Results We analyzed the direct electro-transformation of foreign genes into germinating N. bombycis using reporters under the regulation of different characteristic promoters. Furthermore, we systematically determined the efficiency of electro-transformation into N. bombycis under different electro-transformation conditions and different developmental stages through an analysis of the whole life-cycle of N. bombycis. These results revealed that foreign genes could be effectively introduced through a perforation voltage of 100 V pulsed for 15 ms during the period of N. bombycis sporeplasm proliferation. Conclusions We present an effective method for electro-transformation of a plasmid encoding a fluorescent protein into N. bombycis, which provides new insight for establishing genetic modifications and potential applications in these intracellular parasites. Graphical Abstract ![]()
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhanqi Dong
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400716, China.,Key Laboratory of Sericultural Biology and Genetic Breeding, Ministry of Agriculture, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400716, China
| | - Na Gao
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400716, China
| | - Boyuan Deng
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400716, China
| | - Xuhua Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400716, China.,The General Extension Station of Sericulture Technology of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Nanning, 530007, China
| | - Congwu Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400716, China
| | - Peng Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400716, China.,Key Laboratory of Sericultural Biology and Genetic Breeding, Ministry of Agriculture, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400716, China
| | - Qin Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400716, China
| | - Cheng Lu
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400716, China. .,Key Laboratory of Sericultural Biology and Genetic Breeding, Ministry of Agriculture, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400716, China.
| | - Minhui Pan
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400716, China. .,Key Laboratory of Sericultural Biology and Genetic Breeding, Ministry of Agriculture, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400716, China.
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Burnham AJ. Scientific Advances in Controlling Nosema ceranae ( Microsporidia) Infections in Honey Bees ( Apis mellifera). Front Vet Sci 2019; 6:79. [PMID: 30931319 PMCID: PMC6428737 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2019.00079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2018] [Accepted: 02/25/2019] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Honey bees (Apis mellifera) are agriculturally important pollinators that have been recently at risk to severe colony losses. A variety of parasites and pathogens have been linked to colony decline, including the microsporidian parasite Nosema ceranae. While fumagillin has been used to control nosemosis in managed honey bee colonies for decades, research shows that this antibiotic poses a toxic threat and that its efficacy against N. ceranae is uncertain. There is certainly a demand for a new veterinary medication to treat honey bee colonies infected with N. ceranae. In this review, recent scientific advances in controlling N. ceranae infections in honey bees are summarized.
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Dickel F, Freitak D, Mappes J. Long-Term Prophylactic Antibiotic Treatment: Effects on Survival, Immunocompetence and Reproduction Success of Parasemia plantaginis (Lepidoptera: Erebidae). JOURNAL OF INSECT SCIENCE (ONLINE) 2016; 16:iew035. [PMID: 27271967 PMCID: PMC4896460 DOI: 10.1093/jisesa/iew035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2016] [Accepted: 04/18/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Hundreds of insect species are nowadays reared under laboratory conditions. Rearing of insects always implicates the risk of diseases, among which microbial infections are the most frequent and difficult problems. Although there are effective prophylactic treatments, the side effects of applied antibiotics are not well understood. We examined the effect of prophylactic antibiotic treatment on the overwintering success of wood tiger moth (Parasemia plantaginis) larvae, and the postdiapause effect on their life-history traits. Four weeks before hibernation larvae were treated with a widely used antibiotic (fumagillin). We monitored moths' survival and life-history traits during the following 10 mo, and compared them to those of untreated control larvae. Prophylactic antibiotic treatment had no effect on survival but we show effects on some life-history traits by decreasing the developmental time of treated larvae. However, we also revealed relevant negative effects, as antibiotic treated individuals show a decreased number of laid eggs and also furthermore a suppressed immunocompetence. These results implicate, that a prophylactic medication can also lead to negative effects on life-history traits and reproductive success, which should be seriously taken in consideration when applying a prophylactic treatment to laboratory reared insect populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Franziska Dickel
- Centre of Excellence in Biological Interactions, University of Jyvaskyla, Department of Biological and Environmental Science, P.O. Box 35, FI-40014 University of Jyvaskyla, Finland (; ),
| | - Dalial Freitak
- Centre of Excellence in Biological Interactions, Department of Biosciences, University of Helsinki, P.O. Box 65, FI-00014, Finland
| | - Johanna Mappes
- Centre of Excellence in Biological Interactions, University of Jyvaskyla, Department of Biological and Environmental Science, P.O. Box 35, FI-40014 University of Jyvaskyla, Finland (; )
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Azam A, Peerzada MN, Ahmad K. Parasitic diarrheal disease: drug development and targets. Front Microbiol 2015; 6:1183. [PMID: 26617574 PMCID: PMC4621754 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2015.01183] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2015] [Accepted: 10/12/2015] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Diarrhea is the manifestation of gastrointestinal infection and is one of the major causes of mortality and morbidity specifically among the children of less than 5 years age worldwide. Moreover, in recent years there has been a rise in the number of reports of intestinal infections continuously in the industrialized world. These are largely related to waterborne and food borne outbreaks. These occur by the pathogenesis of both prokaryotic and eukaryotic organisms like bacteria and parasites. The parasitic intestinal infection has remained mostly unexplored and under assessed in terms of therapeutic development. The lack of new drugs and the risk of resistance have led us to carry out this review on drug development for parasitic diarrheal diseases. The major focus has been depicted on commercially available drugs, currently synthesized active heterocyclic compounds and unique drug targets, that are vital for the existence and growth of the parasites and can be further exploited for the search of therapeutically active anti-parasitic agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amir Azam
- Medicinal Chemistry Laboratory, Department of Chemistry, Jamia Millia IslamiaNew Delhi, India
| | - Mudasir N. Peerzada
- Medicinal Chemistry Laboratory, Department of Chemistry, Jamia Millia IslamiaNew Delhi, India
| | - Kamal Ahmad
- Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Basic Sciences, Jamia Millia IslamiaNew Delhi, India
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Mother Nature's gifts to diseases of man: the impact of natural products on anti-infective, anticholestemics and anticancer drug discovery. PROGRESS IN DRUG RESEARCH. FORTSCHRITTE DER ARZNEIMITTELFORSCHUNG. PROGRES DES RECHERCHES PHARMACEUTIQUES 2007; 65:1, 3-44. [PMID: 18084912 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-7643-8117-2_1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
This chapter is designed to demonstrate that compounds derived from nature are still in the forefront of drug discovery in diseases such as microbial and parasitic infections, carcinomas of many types and control of cholesterol/lipids in man. In each disease area we have provided short discussions of past, present and future agents, in general only considering compounds currently in clinical Phase II or later, that were/are derived from nature's chemical skeletons. Finishing with a discussion of the current and evolving role(s) of microbes (bacteria and fungi) in the production of old and new agents ostensibly produced by higher organisms.
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