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Winkler MA, Pan AA. Molecular similarities between the genes for Trypanosoma cruzi microtubule-associated proteins, mammalian interferons, and TRIMs. Parasitol Res 2024; 123:319. [PMID: 39251458 PMCID: PMC11384636 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-024-08329-4] [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: 04/15/2024] [Accepted: 08/16/2024] [Indexed: 09/11/2024]
Abstract
Initial studies using bioinformatics analysis revealed DNA sequence similarities between Trypanosoma cruzi GenBank® M21331, coding for Antigen 36 (Ag 36), and tripartite motif (TRIM) genes. TRIM40 showed 9.7% identity to GenBank M21331, and four additional TRIM genes had identities greater than 5.0%. TRIM37 showed a continuous stretch of identity of 12 nucleotides, that is, at least 25% longer than any of the other TRIMs. When we extended our analysis on the relationships of GenBank M21331 to further innate immune genes, using the Needleman-Wunsch (NW) algorithm for alignment, identities to human IFN-α, IFN-β, and IFN-γ genes of 13.6%, 12.6%, and 17.9%, respectively, were found. To determine the minimum number of genes coding for proteins closely related to Ag 36, a BLAST-p search was conducted with it versus the T. cruzi genome. The BLAST-p search revealed that T. cruzi GenBank M21331 had 14 gene sequences homologous to microtubule-associated protein (MAP) genes with 100% amino acid sequence identity. To verify the similarities in non-human genes, a study comparing TRIM21 region sequences among mammalian species to the comparable human TRIM21 region showed that related sequences were also present in 11 mammalian species. The MAP genes homologous to Ag 36 form a family of at least 14 genes which mimic human immune genes in the IFN and TRIM families. This mimicry is of gene sequences and not their protein products or epitopes. These results appear to be the first description of molecular mimicry of immune genes in humans by a protozoan parasite.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin A Winkler
- Biotech Advisor, 1321 Wagon Wheel Road, Lawrence, KS, 66049, USA.
| | - Alfred A Pan
- TNTC, Inc, 25A Crescent Drive, Pleasant Hill, CA, 94523, USA
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2
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Almeida LV, Reis-Cunha JL, Bartholomeu DC. dgfr: an R package to assess sequence diversity of gene families. BMC Bioinformatics 2024; 25:207. [PMID: 38844845 PMCID: PMC11155016 DOI: 10.1186/s12859-024-05826-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2024] [Accepted: 06/04/2024] [Indexed: 06/10/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Gene families are groups of homologous genes that often have similar biological functions. These families are formed by gene duplication events throughout evolution, resulting in multiple copies of an ancestral gene. Over time, these copies can acquire mutations and structural variations, resulting in members that may vary in size, motif ordering and sequence. Multigene families have been described in a broad range of organisms, from single-celled bacteria to complex multicellular organisms, and have been linked to an array of phenomena, such as host-pathogen interactions, immune evasion and embryonic development. Despite the importance of gene families, few approaches have been developed for estimating and graphically visualizing their diversity patterns and expression profiles in genome-wide studies. RESULTS Here, we introduce an R package named dgfr, which estimates and enables the visualization of sequence divergence within gene families, as well as the visualization of secondary data such as gene expression. The package takes as input a multi-fasta file containing the coding sequences (CDS) or amino acid sequences from a multigene family, performs a pairwise alignment among all sequences, and estimates their distance, which is subjected to dimension reduction, optimal cluster determination, and gene assignment to each cluster. The result is a dataset that allows for the visualization of sequence divergence and expression within the gene family, an approximation of the number of clusters present in the family. CONCLUSIONS dgfr provides a way to estimate and study the diversity of gene families, as well as visualize the dispersion and secondary profile of the sequences. The dgfr package is available at https://github.com/lailaviana/dgfr under the GPL-3 license.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laila Viana Almeida
- Departamento de Parasitologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - João Luís Reis-Cunha
- Department of Biology, York Biomedical Research Institute, University of York, York, UK
| | - Daniella C Bartholomeu
- Departamento de Parasitologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil.
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3
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Reis-Cunha JL, Pimenta-Carvalho SA, Almeida LV, Coqueiro-Dos-Santos A, Marques CA, Black JA, Damasceno J, McCulloch R, Bartholomeu DC, Jeffares DC. Ancestral aneuploidy and stable chromosomal duplication resulting in differential genome structure and gene expression control in trypanosomatid parasites. Genome Res 2024; 34:441-453. [PMID: 38604731 PMCID: PMC11067883 DOI: 10.1101/gr.278550.123] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2023] [Accepted: 03/14/2024] [Indexed: 04/13/2024]
Abstract
Aneuploidy is widely observed in both unicellular and multicellular eukaryotes, usually associated with adaptation to stress conditions. Chromosomal duplication stability is a tradeoff between the fitness cost of having unbalanced gene copies and the potential fitness gained from increased dosage of specific advantageous genes. Trypanosomatids, a family of protozoans that include species that cause neglected tropical diseases, are a relevant group to study aneuploidies. Their life cycle has several stressors that could select for different patterns of chromosomal duplications and/or losses, and their nearly universal use of polycistronic transcription increases their reliance on gene expansion/contraction, as well as post-transcriptional control as mechanisms for gene expression regulation. By evaluating the data from 866 isolates covering seven trypanosomatid genera, we have revealed that aneuploidy tolerance is an ancestral characteristic of trypanosomatids but has a reduced occurrence in a specific monophyletic clade that has undergone large genomic reorganization and chromosomal fusions. We have also identified an ancient chromosomal duplication that was maintained across these parasite's speciation, named collectively as the trypanosomatid ancestral supernumerary chromosome (TASC). TASC has most genes in the same coding strand, is expressed as a disomic chromosome (even having four copies), and has increased potential for functional variation, but it purges highly deleterious mutations more efficiently than other chromosomes. The evidence of stringent control over gene expression in this chromosome suggests that these parasites have adapted to mitigate the fitness cost associated with this ancient chromosomal duplication.
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Affiliation(s)
- João L Reis-Cunha
- York Biomedical Research Institute, Department of Biology, University of York, York YO10 5DD, United Kingdom;
| | - Samuel A Pimenta-Carvalho
- Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Departamento de Parasitologia, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, 31270-901, Brazil
| | - Laila V Almeida
- Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Departamento de Parasitologia, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, 31270-901, Brazil
| | - Anderson Coqueiro-Dos-Santos
- Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Departamento de Parasitologia, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, 31270-901, Brazil
| | - Catarina A Marques
- The Wellcome Centre for Integrative Parasitology, School of Infection and Immunity, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8TA, United Kingdom
| | - Jennifer A Black
- The Wellcome Centre for Integrative Parasitology, School of Infection and Immunity, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8TA, United Kingdom
- Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, 14049-900, Brazil
| | - Jeziel Damasceno
- The Wellcome Centre for Integrative Parasitology, School of Infection and Immunity, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8TA, United Kingdom
| | - Richard McCulloch
- The Wellcome Centre for Integrative Parasitology, School of Infection and Immunity, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8TA, United Kingdom
| | - Daniella C Bartholomeu
- Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Departamento de Parasitologia, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, 31270-901, Brazil
| | - Daniel C Jeffares
- York Biomedical Research Institute, Department of Biology, University of York, York YO10 5DD, United Kingdom
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4
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Vitarelli MDO, Franco TA, Pires DDS, Lima ARJ, Viala VL, Kraus AJ, de Azevedo IDLMJ, da Cunha JPC, Elias MC. Integrating high-throughput analysis to create an atlas of replication origins in Trypanosoma cruzi in the context of genome structure and variability. mBio 2024; 15:e0031924. [PMID: 38441981 PMCID: PMC11005370 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.00319-24] [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: 02/07/2024] [Accepted: 02/09/2024] [Indexed: 03/07/2024] Open
Abstract
Trypanosoma cruzi is the etiologic agent of the most prevalent human parasitic disease in Latin America, Chagas disease. Its genome is rich in multigenic families that code for virulent antigens and are present in the rapidly evolving genomic compartment named Disruptive. DNA replication is a meticulous biological process in which flaws can generate mutations and changes in chromosomal and gene copy numbers. Here, integrating high-throughput and single-molecule analyses, we were able to identify Predominant, Flexible, and Dormant Orc1Cdc6-dependent origins as well as Orc1Cdc6-independent origins. Orc1Cdc6-dependent origins were found in multigenic family loci, while independent origins were found in the Core compartment that contains conserved and hypothetical protein-coding genes, in addition to multigenic families. In addition, we found that Orc1Cdc6 density is related to the firing of origins and that Orc1Cdc6-binding sites within fired origins are depleted of a specific class of nucleosomes that we previously categorized as dynamic. Together, these data suggest that Orc1Cdc6-dependent origins may contribute to the rapid evolution of the Disruptive compartment and, therefore, to the success of T. cruzi infection and that the local epigenome landscape is also involved in this process.IMPORTANCETrypanosoma cruzi, responsible for Chagas disease, affects millions globally, particularly in Latin America. Lack of vaccine or treatment underscores the need for research. Parasite's genome, with virulent antigen-coding multigenic families, resides in the rapidly evolving Disruptive compartment. Study sheds light on the parasite's dynamic DNA replication, discussing the evolution of the Disruptive compartment. Therefore, the findings represent a significant stride in comprehending T. cruzi's biology and the molecular bases that contribute to the success of infection caused by this parasite.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcela de Oliveira Vitarelli
- Cell Cycle Laboratory, Butantan Institute, Av. Vital Brazil, São Paulo, Brazil
- Center of Toxins, Immune Response and Cell Signaling (CeTICS), Butantan Institute, Av. Vital Brazil, São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | | | | | - Vincent Louis Viala
- Biochemistry Laboratory, Butantan Institute, Av. Vital Brazil, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Amelie Johanna Kraus
- Division of Experimental Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität in Munich, Planegg-Martinsried, Germany
- Biomedical Center, Division of Physiological Chemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität in Munich, Planegg-Martinsried, Germany
| | | | - Julia Pinheiro Chagas da Cunha
- Cell Cycle Laboratory, Butantan Institute, Av. Vital Brazil, São Paulo, Brazil
- Center of Toxins, Immune Response and Cell Signaling (CeTICS), Butantan Institute, Av. Vital Brazil, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Maria Carolina Elias
- Cell Cycle Laboratory, Butantan Institute, Av. Vital Brazil, São Paulo, Brazil
- Center of Toxins, Immune Response and Cell Signaling (CeTICS), Butantan Institute, Av. Vital Brazil, São Paulo, Brazil
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Silvestrini MMA, Alessio GD, Frias BED, Sales Júnior PA, Araújo MSS, Silvestrini CMA, Brito Alvim de Melo GE, Martins-Filho OA, Teixeira-Carvalho A, Martins HR. New insights into Trypanosoma cruzi genetic diversity, and its influence on parasite biology and clinical outcomes. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1342431. [PMID: 38655255 PMCID: PMC11035809 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1342431] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2023] [Accepted: 02/26/2024] [Indexed: 04/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Chagas disease, caused by Trypanosoma cruzi, remains a serious public health problem worldwide. The parasite was subdivided into six distinct genetic groups, called "discrete typing units" (DTUs), from TcI to TcVI. Several studies have indicated that the heterogeneity of T. cruzi species directly affects the diversity of clinical manifestations of Chagas disease, control, diagnosis performance, and susceptibility to treatment. Thus, this review aims to describe how T. cruzi genetic diversity influences the biology of the parasite and/or clinical parameters in humans. Regarding the geographic dispersion of T. cruzi, evident differences were observed in the distribution of DTUs in distinct areas. For example, TcII is the main DTU detected in Brazilian patients from the central and southeastern regions, where there are also registers of TcVI as a secondary T. cruzi DTU. An important aspect observed in previous studies is that the genetic variability of T. cruzi can impact parasite infectivity, reproduction, and differentiation in the vectors. It has been proposed that T. cruzi DTU influences the host immune response and affects disease progression. Genetic aspects of the parasite play an important role in determining which host tissues will be infected, thus heavily influencing Chagas disease's pathogenesis. Several teams have investigated the correlation between T. cruzi DTU and the reactivation of Chagas disease. In agreement with these data, it is reasonable to suppose that the immunological condition of the patient, whether or not associated with the reactivation of the T. cruzi infection and the parasite strain, may have an important role in the pathogenesis of Chagas disease. In this context, understanding the genetics of T. cruzi and its biological and clinical implications will provide new knowledge that may contribute to additional strategies in the diagnosis and clinical outcome follow-up of patients with Chagas disease, in addition to the reactivation of immunocompromised patients infected with T. cruzi.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Glaucia Diniz Alessio
- Integrated Biomarker Research Group, René Rachou Institute, Fiocruz Minas, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Bruna Estefânia Diniz Frias
- Integrated Biomarker Research Group, René Rachou Institute, Fiocruz Minas, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Policarpo Ademar Sales Júnior
- Integrated Biomarker Research Group, René Rachou Institute, Fiocruz Minas, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Márcio Sobreira Silva Araújo
- Integrated Biomarker Research Group, René Rachou Institute, Fiocruz Minas, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | | | | | - Olindo Assis Martins-Filho
- Integrated Biomarker Research Group, René Rachou Institute, Fiocruz Minas, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Andréa Teixeira-Carvalho
- Integrated Biomarker Research Group, René Rachou Institute, Fiocruz Minas, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Helen Rodrigues Martins
- Department of Pharmacy, Federal University of the Jequitinhonha and Mucuri Valleys, Diamantina, Minas Gerais, Brazil
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6
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Durães-Oliveira J, Palma-Marques J, Moreno C, Rodrigues A, Monteiro M, Alexandre-Pires G, da Fonseca IP, Santos-Gomes G. Chagas Disease: A Silent Threat for Dogs and Humans. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:3840. [PMID: 38612650 PMCID: PMC11011309 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25073840] [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: 02/06/2024] [Revised: 03/15/2024] [Accepted: 03/22/2024] [Indexed: 04/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Chagas disease (CD) is a vector-borne Neglected Zoonotic Disease (NZD) caused by a flagellate protozoan, Trypanosoma cruzi, that affects various mammalian species across America, including humans and domestic animals. However, due to an increase in population movements and new routes of transmission, T. cruzi infection is presently considered a worldwide health concern, no longer restricted to endemic countries. Dogs play a major role in the domestic cycle by acting very efficiently as reservoirs and allowing the perpetuation of parasite transmission in endemic areas. Despite the significant progress made in recent years, still there is no vaccine against human and animal disease, there are few drugs available for the treatment of human CD, and there is no standard protocol for the treatment of canine CD. In this review, we highlight human and canine Chagas Disease in its different dimensions and interconnections. Dogs, which are considered to be the most important peridomestic reservoir and sentinel for the transmission of T. cruzi infection in a community, develop CD that is clinically similar to human CD. Therefore, an integrative approach, based on the One Health concept, bringing together the advances in genomics, immunology, and epidemiology can lead to the effective development of vaccines, new treatments, and innovative control strategies to tackle CD.
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Affiliation(s)
- João Durães-Oliveira
- Global Health and Tropical Medicine, GHTM, Associate Laboratory in Translation and Innovation Towards Global Health, LA-REAL, Instituto de Higiene e Medicina Tropical, IHMT, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, UNL, Rua da Junqueira 100, 1349-008 Lisbon, Portugal; (J.D.-O.); (G.S.-G.)
| | - Joana Palma-Marques
- Global Health and Tropical Medicine, GHTM, Associate Laboratory in Translation and Innovation Towards Global Health, LA-REAL, Instituto de Higiene e Medicina Tropical, IHMT, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, UNL, Rua da Junqueira 100, 1349-008 Lisbon, Portugal; (J.D.-O.); (G.S.-G.)
| | - Cláudia Moreno
- Global Health and Tropical Medicine, GHTM, Associate Laboratory in Translation and Innovation Towards Global Health, LA-REAL, Instituto de Higiene e Medicina Tropical, IHMT, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, UNL, Rua da Junqueira 100, 1349-008 Lisbon, Portugal; (J.D.-O.); (G.S.-G.)
| | - Armanda Rodrigues
- Global Health and Tropical Medicine, GHTM, Associate Laboratory in Translation and Innovation Towards Global Health, LA-REAL, Instituto de Higiene e Medicina Tropical, IHMT, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, UNL, Rua da Junqueira 100, 1349-008 Lisbon, Portugal; (J.D.-O.); (G.S.-G.)
| | - Marta Monteiro
- Global Health and Tropical Medicine, GHTM, Associate Laboratory in Translation and Innovation Towards Global Health, LA-REAL, Instituto de Higiene e Medicina Tropical, IHMT, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, UNL, Rua da Junqueira 100, 1349-008 Lisbon, Portugal; (J.D.-O.); (G.S.-G.)
- Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Animal Health, CIISA, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, FMV, University of Lisbon, ULisboa, 1649-004 Lisbon, Portugal; (G.A.-P.); (I.P.d.F.)
- Associate Laboratory for Animal and Veterinary Sciences (AL4AnimalS), 1300-477 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Graça Alexandre-Pires
- Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Animal Health, CIISA, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, FMV, University of Lisbon, ULisboa, 1649-004 Lisbon, Portugal; (G.A.-P.); (I.P.d.F.)
- Associate Laboratory for Animal and Veterinary Sciences (AL4AnimalS), 1300-477 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Isabel Pereira da Fonseca
- Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Animal Health, CIISA, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, FMV, University of Lisbon, ULisboa, 1649-004 Lisbon, Portugal; (G.A.-P.); (I.P.d.F.)
- Associate Laboratory for Animal and Veterinary Sciences (AL4AnimalS), 1300-477 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Gabriela Santos-Gomes
- Global Health and Tropical Medicine, GHTM, Associate Laboratory in Translation and Innovation Towards Global Health, LA-REAL, Instituto de Higiene e Medicina Tropical, IHMT, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, UNL, Rua da Junqueira 100, 1349-008 Lisbon, Portugal; (J.D.-O.); (G.S.-G.)
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Pavan TBS, Leony LM, de Souza WV, Santos EF, Tavares Daltro R, Erdens Maron Freitas N, Medrado Vasconcelos LC, Lopes Habib F, Silva AAO, Alejandra Fiorani Celedon P, Dias Sampaio D, Tonin Zanchin NI, Longhi SA, Neves Santos FL. Post-therapeutic cure criterion in chronic Chagas disease using Trypanosoma cruzi chimeric proteins. Folia Parasitol (Praha) 2024; 71:2024.004. [PMID: 38526232 DOI: 10.14411/fp.2024.004] [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] [Accepted: 01/19/2024] [Indexed: 03/26/2024]
Abstract
Chagas disease (CD) is a neglected disease caused by Trypanosoma cruzi Chagas, 1909. Causative treatment can be achieved with two drugs: benznidazole or Nifurtimox. There are some gaps that hinder progress in eradicating the disease. There is no test that can efficiently assess cure control after treatment. Currently, the decline in anti-T. cruzi antibody titres is assessed with conventional serological tests, which can take years. However, the search for new markers of cure must continue to fill this gap. The present study aimed to evaluate the decline in serological titres using chimeric proteins after treatment with benznidazole in chronic patients diagnosed with CD. It was a prospective cross-sectional cohort study between 2000 and 2004 of T. cruzi-positive participants from the Añatuya region (Argentina) treated with benznidazole. Serum samples from ten patients were collected before treatment (day zero) and after the end of treatment (2, 3, 6, 12, 24 and 36 months). For the detection of anti-T. cruzi antibodies, an indirect ELISA was performed using two chimeric recombinant proteins (IBMP-8.1 and IBMP-8.4) as antigens. The changes in reactivity index within the groups before and after treatment were evaluated using the Friedman test. All participants experienced a decrease in serological titres after treatment with benznidazole, especially IBMP-8.1. However, due to the small number of samples and the short follow-up period, it is premature to conclude that this molecule serves as a criterion for sustained cure. Further studies are needed to validate tests based on these or other biomarkers to demonstrate parasitological cure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tycha Bianca Sabaini Pavan
- Advanced Public Health Laboratory, Goncalo Moniz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (Fiocruz-BA), Salvador, Bahia, Brazil
| | - Leonardo Maia Leony
- Advanced Public Health Laboratory, Goncalo Moniz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (Fiocruz-BA), Salvador, Bahia, Brazil
| | - Wayner Vieira de Souza
- Department of Public Health, Aggeu Magalhaes Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (Fiocruz-PE), Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil
| | - Emily Ferreira Santos
- Advanced Public Health Laboratory, Goncalo Moniz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (Fiocruz-BA), Salvador, Bahia, Brazil
| | - Ramona Tavares Daltro
- Advanced Public Health Laboratory, Goncalo Moniz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (Fiocruz-BA), Salvador, Bahia, Brazil
| | - Natalia Erdens Maron Freitas
- Advanced Public Health Laboratory, Goncalo Moniz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (Fiocruz-BA), Salvador, Bahia, Brazil
| | | | - Fernanda Lopes Habib
- Advanced Public Health Laboratory, Goncalo Moniz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (Fiocruz-BA), Salvador, Bahia, Brazil
| | - Angelo Antonio Oliveira Silva
- Advanced Public Health Laboratory, Goncalo Moniz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (Fiocruz-BA), Salvador, Bahia, Brazil
| | - Paola Alejandra Fiorani Celedon
- Molecular Biology of Trypanosomatids Laboratory, Carlos Chagas Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (Fiocruz-PR), Curitiba, Parana, Brazil
| | - Daniel Dias Sampaio
- Department Brazil's Family Health Strategy, Municipal Health Department, Tremedal, Bahia, Brazil
| | - Nilson Ivo Tonin Zanchin
- Structural Biology and Protein Engineering Laboratory, Carlos Chagas Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (Fiocruz-PR), Curitiba, Parana, Brazil
| | - Silvia Andrea Longhi
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology of Chagas Disease, Institute for Research on Genetic Engineering and Molecular Biology "Dr Hector Torres", National Scientific and Technological Research Council, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Fred Luciano Neves Santos
- Advanced Public Health Laboratory, Goncalo Moniz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (Fiocruz-BA), Salvador, Bahia, Brazil
- Chagas Disease Translational Research Program (Fio-Chagas), Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (Fiocruz-RJ), Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
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8
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Hoyos Sanchez MC, Ospina Zapata HS, Suarez BD, Ospina C, Barbosa HJ, Carranza Martinez JC, Vallejo GA, Urrea Montes D, Duitama J. A phased genome assembly of a Colombian Trypanosoma cruzi TcI strain and the evolution of gene families. Sci Rep 2024; 14:2054. [PMID: 38267502 PMCID: PMC10808112 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-52449-x] [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: 08/03/2023] [Accepted: 01/18/2024] [Indexed: 01/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Chagas is an endemic disease in tropical regions of Latin America, caused by the parasite Trypanosoma cruzi. High intraspecies variability and genome complexity have been challenges to assemble high quality genomes needed for studies in evolution, population genomics, diagnosis and drug development. Here we present a chromosome-level phased assembly of a TcI T. cruzi strain (Dm25). While 29 chromosomes show a large collinearity with the assembly of the Brazil A4 strain, three chromosomes show both large heterozygosity and large divergence, compared to previous assemblies of TcI T. cruzi strains. Nucleotide and protein evolution statistics indicate that T. cruzi Marinkellei separated before the diversification of T. cruzi in the known DTUs. Interchromosomal paralogs of dispersed gene families and histones appeared before but at the same time have a more strict purifying selection, compared to other repeat families. Previously unreported large tandem arrays of protein kinases and histones were identified in this assembly. Over one million variants obtained from Illumina reads aligned to the primary assembly clearly separate the main DTUs. We expect that this new assembly will be a valuable resource for further studies on evolution and functional genomics of Trypanosomatids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Camila Hoyos Sanchez
- Systems and Computing Engineering Department, Universidad de los Andes, Bogotá, Colombia
- School of Veterinary Medicine, Texas Tech University, Amarillo, TX, 79106, USA
| | | | - Brayhan Dario Suarez
- Laboratorio de Investigaciones en Parasitología Tropical (LIPT), Universidad del Tolima, Ibagué, Colombia
| | - Carlos Ospina
- Laboratorio de Investigaciones en Parasitología Tropical (LIPT), Universidad del Tolima, Ibagué, Colombia
| | - Hamilton Julian Barbosa
- Laboratorio de Investigaciones en Parasitología Tropical (LIPT), Universidad del Tolima, Ibagué, Colombia
| | | | - Gustavo Adolfo Vallejo
- Laboratorio de Investigaciones en Parasitología Tropical (LIPT), Universidad del Tolima, Ibagué, Colombia
| | - Daniel Urrea Montes
- Laboratorio de Investigaciones en Parasitología Tropical (LIPT), Universidad del Tolima, Ibagué, Colombia
| | - Jorge Duitama
- Systems and Computing Engineering Department, Universidad de los Andes, Bogotá, Colombia.
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Zingales B, Macedo AM. Fifteen Years after the Definition of Trypanosoma cruzi DTUs: What Have We Learned? Life (Basel) 2023; 13:2339. [PMID: 38137940 PMCID: PMC10744745 DOI: 10.3390/life13122339] [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: 10/30/2023] [Revised: 12/04/2023] [Accepted: 12/06/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Trypanosoma cruzi, the protozoan causative of Chagas disease (ChD), exhibits striking genetic and phenotypic intraspecific diversity, along with ecoepidemiological complexity. Human-pathogen interactions lead to distinct clinical presentations of ChD. In 2009, an international consensus classified T. cruzi strains into six discrete typing units (DTUs), TcI to TcVI, later including TcBat, and proposed reproducible genotyping schemes for DTU identification. This article aims to review the impact of classifying T. cruzi strains into DTUs on our understanding of biological, ecoepidemiological, and pathogenic aspects of T. cruzi. We will explore the likely origin of DTUs and the intrinsic characteristics of each group of strains concerning genome organization, genomics, and susceptibility to drugs used in ChD treatment. We will also provide an overview of the association of DTUs with mammalian reservoirs, and summarize the geographic distribution, and the clinical implications, of prevalent specific DTUs in ChD patients. Throughout this review, we will emphasize the crucial roles of both parasite and human genetics in defining ChD pathogenesis and chemotherapy outcome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bianca Zingales
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Instituto de Química, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo 05508-900, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Andréa M. Macedo
- Departamento de Bioquímica e Imunologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte 31270-901, Minas Gerais, Brazil;
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10
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Bunkofske ME, Perumal N, White B, Strauch EM, Tarleton R. Epitopes in the Glycosylphosphatidylinositol Attachment Signal Peptide of Trypanosoma cruzi Mucin Proteins Generate Robust but Delayed and Nonprotective CD8+ T Cell Responses. JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY (BALTIMORE, MD. : 1950) 2023; 210:420-430. [PMID: 36603035 PMCID: PMC9898211 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.2200723] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2022] [Accepted: 12/05/2022] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Infection with the protozoan parasite Trypanosoma cruzi elicits substantial CD8+ T cell responses that disproportionately target epitopes encoded in the large trans-sialidase (TS) gene family. Within the C57BL/6 infection model, a significant proportion (30-40%) of the T. cruzi-specific CD8+ T cell response targets two immunodominant TS epitopes, TSKb18 and TSKb20. However, both TS-specific CD8+ T cell responses are dispensable for immune control, and TS-based vaccines have no demonstrable impact on parasite persistence, a determinant of disease. Besides TS, the specificity and protective capacity of CD8+ T cells that mediate immune control of T. cruzi infection are unknown. With the goal of identifying alternative CD8+ T cell targets, we designed and screened a representative set of genome-wide, in silico-predicted epitopes. Our screen identified a previously uncharacterized, to our knowledge, T cell epitope MUCKb25, found within mucin family proteins, the third most expanded large gene family in T. cruzi. The MUCKb25-specific response was characterized by delayed kinetics, relative to TS-specific responses, and extensive cross-reactivity with a large number of endogenous epitope variants. Similar to TS-specific responses, the MUCKb25 response was dispensable for control of the infection, and vaccination to generate MUCK-specific CD8+ T cells failed to confer protection. The lack of protection by MUCK vaccination was partly attributed to the fact that MUCKb25-specific T cells exhibit limited recognition of T. cruzi-infected host cells. Overall, these results indicate that the CD8+ T cell compartment in many T. cruzi-infected mice is occupied by cells with minimal apparent effector potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Molly E. Bunkofske
- Department of Microbiology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA
- Center for Tropical and Emerging Global Diseases, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA
| | - Natasha Perumal
- Center for Tropical and Emerging Global Diseases, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA
- Department of Cellular Biology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA
| | - Brooke White
- Center for Tropical and Emerging Global Diseases, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA
| | - Eva-Maria Strauch
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA
| | - Rick Tarleton
- Center for Tropical and Emerging Global Diseases, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA
- Department of Cellular Biology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA
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11
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García-Huertas P, Cuesta-Astroz Y, Araque-Ruiz V, Cardona-Castro N. Transcriptional changes during metacyclogenesis of a Colombian Trypanosoma cruzi strain. Parasitol Res 2023; 122:625-634. [PMID: 36567399 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-022-07766-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2022] [Accepted: 12/15/2022] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
During its life cycle, Trypanosoma cruzi undergoes physiological modifications in order to adapt to insect vector and mammalian host conditions. Metacyclogenesis is essential, as the parasite acquires the ability to infect a variety of mammalian species, including humans, in which pathology is caused. In this work, the transcriptomes of metacyclic trypomastigotes and epimastigotes were analyzed in order to identify differentially expressed genes that may be involved in metacyclogenesis. Toward this end, in vitro induction of metacyclogenesis was performed and metacyclic trypomastigotes obtained. RNA-Seq was performed on triplicate samples of epimastigotes and metacyclic trypomastigotes. Differential gene expression analysis showed 513 genes, of which 221 were upregulated and 292 downregulated in metacyclic trypomastigotes. The analysis showed that these genes are related to biological processes relevant in metacyclogenesis. Within these processes, we found that most of the genes associated with infectivity and gene expression regulation were upregulated in metacyclic trypomastigotes, while genes involved in cell division, DNA replication, differentiation, cytoskeleton, and metabolism were mainly downregulated. The participation of some of these genes in T. cruzi metacyclogenesis is of interest, as they may be used as potential therapeutic targets in the design of new drugs for Chagas disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paola García-Huertas
- Instituto Colombiano de Medicina Tropical, Universidad CES, CP 055450, Sabaneta, Antioquia, Colombia.
| | - Yesid Cuesta-Astroz
- Instituto Colombiano de Medicina Tropical, Universidad CES, CP 055450, Sabaneta, Antioquia, Colombia
| | - Valentina Araque-Ruiz
- Instituto Colombiano de Medicina Tropical, Universidad CES, CP 055450, Sabaneta, Antioquia, Colombia
| | - Nora Cardona-Castro
- Instituto Colombiano de Medicina Tropical, Universidad CES, CP 055450, Sabaneta, Antioquia, Colombia
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12
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Nath SK, Pankajakshan P, Sharma T, Kumari P, Shinde S, Garg N, Mathur K, Arambam N, Harjani D, Raj M, Kwatra G, Venkatesh S, Choudhoury A, Bano S, Tayal P, Sharan M, Arora R, Strych U, Hotez PJ, Bottazzi ME, Rawal K. A Data-Driven Approach to Construct a Molecular Map of Trypanosoma cruzi to Identify Drugs and Vaccine Targets. Vaccines (Basel) 2023; 11:vaccines11020267. [PMID: 36851145 PMCID: PMC9963959 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines11020267] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2022] [Revised: 01/10/2023] [Accepted: 01/12/2023] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Chagas disease (CD) is endemic in large parts of Central and South America, as well as in Texas and the southern regions of the United States. Successful parasites, such as the causative agent of CD, Trypanosoma cruzi have adapted to specific hosts during their phylogenesis. In this work, we have assembled an interactive network of the complex relations that occur between molecules within T. cruzi. An expert curation strategy was combined with a text-mining approach to screen 10,234 full-length research articles and over 200,000 abstracts relevant to T. cruzi. We obtained a scale-free network consisting of 1055 nodes and 874 edges, and composed of 838 proteins, 43 genes, 20 complexes, 9 RNAs, 36 simple molecules, 81 phenotypes, and 37 known pharmaceuticals. Further, we deployed an automated docking pipeline to conduct large-scale docking studies involving several thousand drugs and potential targets to identify network-based binding propensities. These experiments have revealed that the existing FDA-approved drugs benznidazole (Bz) and nifurtimox (Nf) show comparatively high binding energies to the T. cruzi network proteins (e.g., PIF1 helicase-like protein, trans-sialidase), when compared with control datasets consisting of proteins from other pathogens. We envisage this work to be of value to those interested in finding new vaccines for CD, as well as drugs against the T. cruzi parasite.
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Affiliation(s)
- Swarsat Kaushik Nath
- Centre for Computational Biology and Bioinformatics, Amity Institute of Biotechnology, Amity University, Noida 201303, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Preeti Pankajakshan
- Centre for Computational Biology and Bioinformatics, Amity Institute of Biotechnology, Amity University, Noida 201303, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Trapti Sharma
- Centre for Computational Biology and Bioinformatics, Amity Institute of Biotechnology, Amity University, Noida 201303, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Priya Kumari
- Centre for Computational Biology and Bioinformatics, Amity Institute of Biotechnology, Amity University, Noida 201303, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Sweety Shinde
- Centre for Computational Biology and Bioinformatics, Amity Institute of Biotechnology, Amity University, Noida 201303, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Nikita Garg
- Centre for Computational Biology and Bioinformatics, Amity Institute of Biotechnology, Amity University, Noida 201303, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Kartavya Mathur
- Centre for Computational Biology and Bioinformatics, Amity Institute of Biotechnology, Amity University, Noida 201303, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Nevidita Arambam
- Centre for Computational Biology and Bioinformatics, Amity Institute of Biotechnology, Amity University, Noida 201303, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Divyank Harjani
- Centre for Computational Biology and Bioinformatics, Amity Institute of Biotechnology, Amity University, Noida 201303, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Manpriya Raj
- Centre for Computational Biology and Bioinformatics, Amity Institute of Biotechnology, Amity University, Noida 201303, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Garwit Kwatra
- Centre for Computational Biology and Bioinformatics, Amity Institute of Biotechnology, Amity University, Noida 201303, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Sayantan Venkatesh
- Centre for Computational Biology and Bioinformatics, Amity Institute of Biotechnology, Amity University, Noida 201303, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Alakto Choudhoury
- Centre for Computational Biology and Bioinformatics, Amity Institute of Biotechnology, Amity University, Noida 201303, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Saima Bano
- Centre for Computational Biology and Bioinformatics, Amity Institute of Biotechnology, Amity University, Noida 201303, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Prashansa Tayal
- Centre for Computational Biology and Bioinformatics, Amity Institute of Biotechnology, Amity University, Noida 201303, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Mahek Sharan
- Centre for Computational Biology and Bioinformatics, Amity Institute of Biotechnology, Amity University, Noida 201303, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Ruchika Arora
- Centre for Computational Biology and Bioinformatics, Amity Institute of Biotechnology, Amity University, Noida 201303, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Ulrich Strych
- Texas Children’s Hospital Center for Vaccine Development, Departments of Pediatrics and Molecular Virology and Microbiology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
- National School of Tropical Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Peter J. Hotez
- Texas Children’s Hospital Center for Vaccine Development, Departments of Pediatrics and Molecular Virology and Microbiology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
- National School of Tropical Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
- Department of Biology, Baylor University, Waco, TX 76798, USA
| | - Maria Elena Bottazzi
- Texas Children’s Hospital Center for Vaccine Development, Departments of Pediatrics and Molecular Virology and Microbiology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
- National School of Tropical Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
- Department of Biology, Baylor University, Waco, TX 76798, USA
| | - Kamal Rawal
- Centre for Computational Biology and Bioinformatics, Amity Institute of Biotechnology, Amity University, Noida 201303, Uttar Pradesh, India
- Correspondence:
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Oliveira C, Holetz FB, Alves LR, Ávila AR. Modulation of Virulence Factors during Trypanosoma cruzi Differentiation. Pathogens 2022; 12:pathogens12010032. [PMID: 36678380 PMCID: PMC9865030 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens12010032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2022] [Revised: 12/19/2022] [Accepted: 12/20/2022] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Chagas disease is a neglected tropical disease caused by Trypanosoma cruzi. This protozoan developed several mechanisms to infect, propagate, and survive in different hosts. The specific expression of proteins is responsible for morphological and metabolic changes in different parasite stages along the parasite life cycle. The virulence strategies at the cellular and molecular levels consist of molecules responsible for mediating resistance mechanisms to oxidative damage, cellular invasion, and immune evasion, performed mainly by surface proteins. Since parasite surface coat remodeling is crucial to invasion and infectivity, surface proteins are essential virulence elements. Understanding the factors involved in these processes improves the knowledge of parasite pathogenesis. Genome sequencing has opened the door to high-throughput technologies, allowing us to obtain a deeper understanding of gene reprogramming along the parasite life cycle and identify critical molecules for survival. This review therefore focuses on proteins regulated during differentiation into infective forms considered virulence factors and addresses the current known mechanisms acting in the modulation of gene expression, emphasizing mRNA signals, regulatory factors, and protein complexes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Camila Oliveira
- Laboratório de Regulação da Expressão Gênica, Instituto Carlos Chagas, Fiocruz Paraná, Curitiba 81350-010, Brazil
- Centre de Recherche CERVO, Université Laval, Québec City, QC G1V 0A6, Canada
| | - Fabíola Barbieri Holetz
- Laboratório de Regulação da Expressão Gênica, Instituto Carlos Chagas, Fiocruz Paraná, Curitiba 81350-010, Brazil
| | - Lysangela Ronalte Alves
- Laboratório de Regulação da Expressão Gênica, Instituto Carlos Chagas, Fiocruz Paraná, Curitiba 81350-010, Brazil
- Research Center in Infectious Diseases, Division of Infectious Disease and Immunity CHU de Quebec Research Center, University Laval, Québec City, QC G1V 4G2, Canada
| | - Andréa Rodrigues Ávila
- Laboratório de Pesquisa em Apicomplexa, Instituto Carlos Chagas, Fiocruz Paraná, Curitiba 81350-010, Brazil
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +55-41-33163230
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14
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Accessing the Variability of Multicopy Genes in Complex Genomes using Unassembled Next-Generation Sequencing Reads: The Case of Trypanosoma cruzi Multigene Families. mBio 2022; 13:e0231922. [PMID: 36264102 PMCID: PMC9765020 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.02319-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Repetitive elements cause assembly fragmentation in complex eukaryotic genomes, limiting the study of their variability. The genome of Trypanosoma cruzi, the parasite that causes Chagas disease, has a high repetitive content, including multigene families. Although many T. cruzi multigene families encode surface proteins that play pivotal roles in host-parasite interactions, their variability is currently underestimated, as their high repetitive content results in collapsed gene variants. To estimate sequence variability and copy number variation of multigene families, we developed a read-based approach that is independent of gene-specific read mapping and de novo assembly. This methodology was used to estimate the copy number and variability of MASP, TcMUC, and Trans-Sialidase (TS), the three largest T. cruzi multigene families, in 36 strains, including members of all six parasite discrete typing units (DTUs). We found that these three families present a specific pattern of variability and copy number among the distinct parasite DTUs. Inter-DTU hybrid strains presented a higher variability of these families, suggesting that maintaining a larger content of their members could be advantageous. In addition, in a chronic murine model and chronic Chagasic human patients, the immune response was focused on TS antigens, suggesting that targeting TS conserved sequences could be a potential avenue to improve diagnosis and vaccine design against Chagas disease. Finally, the proposed approach can be applied to study multicopy genes in any organism, opening new avenues to access sequence variability in complex genomes. IMPORTANCE Sequences that have several copies in a genome, such as multicopy-gene families, mobile elements, and microsatellites, are among the most challenging genomic segments to study. They are frequently underestimated in genome assemblies, hampering the correct assessment of these important players in genome evolution and adaptation. Here, we developed a new methodology to estimate variability and copy numbers of repetitive genomic regions and employed it to characterize the T. cruzi multigene families MASP, TcMUC, and transsialidase (TS), which are important virulence factors in this parasite. We showed that multigene families vary in sequence and content among the parasite's lineages, whereas hybrid strains have a higher sequence variability that could be advantageous to the parasite's survivability. By identifying conserved sequences within multigene families, we showed that the mammalian host immune response toward these multigene families is usually focused on the TS multigene family. These TS conserved and immunogenic peptides can be explored in future works as diagnostic targets or vaccine candidates for Chagas disease. Finally, this methodology can be easily applied to any organism of interest, which will aid in our understanding of complex genomic regions.
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Freitas NEM, Habib FL, Santos EF, Silva ÂAO, Fontes ND, Leony LM, Sampaio DD, de Almeida MC, Dantas-Torres F, Santos FLN. Technological advances in the serological diagnosis of Chagas disease in dogs and cats: a systematic review. Parasit Vectors 2022; 15:343. [PMID: 36167575 PMCID: PMC9516836 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-022-05476-4] [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: 07/28/2022] [Accepted: 09/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Chagas disease (CD) is caused by Trypanosoma cruzi, which is transmitted mainly through the feces/urine of infected triatomine bugs. The acute phase lasts 2–3 months and is characterized by high parasitemia and nonspecific symptoms, whereas the lifelong chronic phase features symptoms affecting the heart and/or digestive tract occurring in 30–40% of infected individuals. As in humans, cardiac abnormalities are observed in T. cruzi-infected dogs and cats. We reviewed the technological advances in the serological diagnosis of CD in dogs and cats. Methods A review of the published literature during the last 54 years (1968–2022) on the epidemiology, clinical features, diagnosis, treatment and prevention of CD in dogs and cats was conducted. Results Using predefined eligibility criteria for a search of the published literature, we retrieved and screened 436 publications. Of these, 84 original studies were considered for inclusion in this review. Dogs and cats are considered as sentinels, potentially indicating an active T. cruzi transmission and thus the risk for human infection. Although dogs and cats are reputed to be important for maintaining the T. cruzi domestic transmission cycle, there are no commercial tests to detect past or active infections in these animals. Most published research on CD in dogs and cats have used in-house serological tests prepared with native and/or full-length recombinant antigens, resulting in variable diagnostic performance. In recent years, chimeric antigens have been used to improve the diagnosis of chronic CD in humans with encouraging results. Some of them have high performance values (> 95%) and extremely low cross-reactivity rates for Leishmania spp., especially the antigens IBMP-8.1 to IBMP-8.4. The diagnostic performance of IBMP antigens was also investigated in dogs, showing high diagnostic performance with negligible cross-reactivity with anti-Leishmania infantum antibodies. Conclusions The development of a commercial immunodiagnostic tool to identify past or active T. cruzi infections in dogs and cats is urgently needed. The use of chimeric recombinant T. cruzi antigens may help to fill this gap and is discussed in this review. Graphical Abstract ![]()
Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13071-022-05476-4.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natália Erdens Maron Freitas
- Advanced Health Public Laboratory, Gonçalo Moniz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Waldemar Falcão Street, 121, Candeal, Bahia, Salvador, 40296-710, Brazil
| | - Fernanda Lopes Habib
- Advanced Health Public Laboratory, Gonçalo Moniz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Waldemar Falcão Street, 121, Candeal, Bahia, Salvador, 40296-710, Brazil
| | - Emily Ferreira Santos
- Advanced Health Public Laboratory, Gonçalo Moniz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Waldemar Falcão Street, 121, Candeal, Bahia, Salvador, 40296-710, Brazil
| | - Ângelo Antônio Oliveira Silva
- Advanced Health Public Laboratory, Gonçalo Moniz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Waldemar Falcão Street, 121, Candeal, Bahia, Salvador, 40296-710, Brazil
| | - Natália Dantas Fontes
- Advanced Health Public Laboratory, Gonçalo Moniz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Waldemar Falcão Street, 121, Candeal, Bahia, Salvador, 40296-710, Brazil
| | - Leonardo Maia Leony
- Advanced Health Public Laboratory, Gonçalo Moniz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Waldemar Falcão Street, 121, Candeal, Bahia, Salvador, 40296-710, Brazil
| | - Daniel Dias Sampaio
- Brazil's Family Health Strategy, Municipal Health Department, Tremedal City Hall, Bahia, Tremedal, Brazil
| | - Marcio Cerqueira de Almeida
- Pathology and Molecular Biology Laboratory, Gonçalo Moniz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Salvador, Bahia, Brazil
| | - Filipe Dantas-Torres
- Laboratory of Immunoparasitology, Aggeu Magalhães Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil
| | - Fred Luciano Neves Santos
- Advanced Health Public Laboratory, Gonçalo Moniz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Waldemar Falcão Street, 121, Candeal, Bahia, Salvador, 40296-710, Brazil. .,Integrated Translational Program in Chagas Disease From Fiocruz (Fio-Chagas), Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
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16
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Montoya AL, Carvajal EG, Ortega-Rodriguez U, Estevao IL, Ashmus RA, Jankuru SR, Portillo S, Ellis CC, Knight CD, Alonso-Padilla J, Izquierdo L, Pinazo MJ, Gascon J, Suarez V, Watts DM, Malo IR, Ramsey JM, Alarcón De Noya B, Noya O, Almeida IC, Michael K. A Branched and Double Alpha-Gal-Bearing Synthetic Neoglycoprotein as a Biomarker for Chagas Disease. Molecules 2022; 27:5714. [PMID: 36080480 PMCID: PMC9457857 DOI: 10.3390/molecules27175714] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2022] [Revised: 08/26/2022] [Accepted: 08/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Chagas disease (CD) is caused by the parasite Trypanosoma cruzi and affects 6-7 million people worldwide. The diagnosis is still challenging, due to extensive parasite diversity encompassing seven genotypes (TcI-VI and Tcbat) with diverse ecoepidemiological, biological, and pathological traits. Chemotherapeutic intervention is usually effective but associated with severe adverse events. The development of safer, more effective therapies is hampered by the lack of biomarker(s) (BMKs) for the early assessment of therapeutic outcomes. The mammal-dwelling trypomastigote parasite stage expresses glycosylphosphatidylinositol-anchored mucins (tGPI-MUC), whose O-glycans are mostly branched with terminal, nonreducing α-galactopyranosyl (α-Gal) glycotopes. These are absent in humans, and thus highly immunogenic and inducers of specific CD anti-α-Gal antibodies. In search for α-Gal-based BMKs, here we describe the synthesis of neoglycoprotein NGP11b, comprised of a carrier protein decorated with the branched trisaccharide Galα(1,2)[Galα(1,6)]Galβ. By chemiluminescent immunoassay using sera/plasma from chronic CD (CCD) patients from Venezuela and Mexico and healthy controls, NGP11b exhibited sensitivity and specificity similar to that of tGPI-MUC from genotype TcI, predominant in those countries. Preliminary evaluation of CCD patients subjected to chemotherapy showed a significant reduction in anti-α-Gal antibody reactivity to NGP11b. Our data indicated that NGP11b is a potential BMK for diagnosis and treatment assessment in CCD patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alba L. Montoya
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Border Biochemical Research Center, The University of Texas at El Paso, El Paso, TX 79968, USA
| | - Elisa G. Carvajal
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Border Biochemical Research Center, The University of Texas at El Paso, El Paso, TX 79968, USA
| | - Uriel Ortega-Rodriguez
- Department of Biological Sciences, Border Biochemical Research Center, The University of Texas at El Paso, El Paso, TX 79968, USA
| | - Igor L. Estevao
- Department of Biological Sciences, Border Biochemical Research Center, The University of Texas at El Paso, El Paso, TX 79968, USA
| | - Roger A. Ashmus
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Border Biochemical Research Center, The University of Texas at El Paso, El Paso, TX 79968, USA
| | - Sohan R. Jankuru
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Border Biochemical Research Center, The University of Texas at El Paso, El Paso, TX 79968, USA
| | - Susana Portillo
- Department of Biological Sciences, Border Biochemical Research Center, The University of Texas at El Paso, El Paso, TX 79968, USA
| | - Cameron C. Ellis
- Department of Biological Sciences, Border Biochemical Research Center, The University of Texas at El Paso, El Paso, TX 79968, USA
| | - Colin D. Knight
- Department of Biological Sciences, Border Biochemical Research Center, The University of Texas at El Paso, El Paso, TX 79968, USA
| | - Julio Alonso-Padilla
- Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal), 08003 Barcelona, Spain
- Consorcio Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red (CIBER) de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Instituto de Salud Carlos III (CIBERINFEC, ISCIII), 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Luis Izquierdo
- Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal), 08003 Barcelona, Spain
- Consorcio Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red (CIBER) de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Instituto de Salud Carlos III (CIBERINFEC, ISCIII), 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Maria-Jesus Pinazo
- Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal), 08003 Barcelona, Spain
- Consorcio Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red (CIBER) de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Instituto de Salud Carlos III (CIBERINFEC, ISCIII), 28029 Madrid, Spain
- Hospital Clínic de Barcelona, 08036 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Joaquim Gascon
- Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal), 08003 Barcelona, Spain
- Consorcio Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red (CIBER) de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Instituto de Salud Carlos III (CIBERINFEC, ISCIII), 28029 Madrid, Spain
- Hospital Clínic de Barcelona, 08036 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Veronica Suarez
- Department of Biological Sciences, Border Biochemical Research Center, The University of Texas at El Paso, El Paso, TX 79968, USA
| | - Douglas M. Watts
- Department of Biological Sciences, Border Biochemical Research Center, The University of Texas at El Paso, El Paso, TX 79968, USA
| | - Iliana R. Malo
- Centro Regional de Investigación en Salud Pública, Instituto Nacional de Salud Pública, Tapachula 30700, Chiapas, Mexico
| | - Janine M. Ramsey
- Centro Regional de Investigación en Salud Pública, Instituto Nacional de Salud Pública, Tapachula 30700, Chiapas, Mexico
| | - Belkisyolé Alarcón De Noya
- Sección de Inmunología, Instituto de Medicina Tropical, Universidad Central de Venezuela, Caracas 1041, Venezuela
| | - Oscar Noya
- Seccion de Biohelmintiasis, Instituto de Medicina Tropical, Universidad Central de Venezuela, Caracas 1041, Venezuela
| | - Igor C. Almeida
- Department of Biological Sciences, Border Biochemical Research Center, The University of Texas at El Paso, El Paso, TX 79968, USA
| | - Katja Michael
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Border Biochemical Research Center, The University of Texas at El Paso, El Paso, TX 79968, USA
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17
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Olivo Freites C, Sy H, Gharamti A, Higuita NIA, Franco-Paredes C, Suárez JA, Henao-Martínez AF. Chronic Chagas Disease-the Potential Role of Reinfections in Cardiomyopathy Pathogenesis. Curr Heart Fail Rep 2022; 19:279-289. [PMID: 35951245 DOI: 10.1007/s11897-022-00568-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/11/2022] [Indexed: 10/15/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF THE REVIEW Chagas disease is a neglected anthropozoonosis of global importance with significant cardiovascular-associated mortality. This review focuses on the Trypanosoma cruzi reinfections' role in chronic Chagas cardiomyopathy pathogenesis. We discuss and summarize the available data related to pathology, pathogenesis, diagnosis, and treatment of reinfections. RECENT FINDINGS Reinfections influence the genetic and regional diversity of T. cruzi, tissue tropism, modulation of the host's immune system response, clinical manifestations, the risk for congenital infections, differences in diagnostics performances, response to antiparasitic therapy, and the natural history of the disease. Animal models suggest that reinfections lead to worse outcomes and increased mortality, while other studies showed an association between reinfections and lower parasitemia levels and subsequent infection protection. In some regions, the human risk of reinfections is 14% at 5 years. Evidence has shown that higher anti-T. cruzi antibodies are correlated with an increased rate of cardiomyopathy and death, suggesting that a higher parasite exposure related to reinfections may lead to worse outcomes. Based on the existing literature, reinfections may play a role in developing and exacerbating chronic Chagas cardiomyopathy and are linked to worse outcomes. Control efforts should be redirected to interventions that address structural poverty for the successful and sustainable prevention of Chagas disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christian Olivo Freites
- Division of Infectious Diseases, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Hendrik Sy
- Internal Medicine Department, Mount Sinai Health System, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Amal Gharamti
- Internal Medicine Department, Yale-Waterbury Hospital, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | | | | | - José Antonio Suárez
- Clinical Research Department, Investigador SNI Senacyt Panamá, Instituto Conmemorativo Gorgas de Estudios de La Salud, Panamá City, Republic of Panama
| | - Andrés F Henao-Martínez
- Department of Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, 12700 E. 19th Avenue, Mail Stop B168, Aurora, CO, USA.
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18
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Morrone-Pozzuto P, Uhrig ML, Agusti R. Synthesis of Oligosaccharides Containing the S-Gal p(α1 → 3)Gal p Unit, Glycomimetic of the Epitope Recognized by Lytic Antibodies. J Org Chem 2022; 87:13455-13468. [PMID: 35775947 DOI: 10.1021/acs.joc.2c01059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Two important activities take place in the surface of Trypanosoma cruzi, the agent of Chagas disease: the trans-sialidase (TcTS) catalyzes the transfer of sialic acid from the host glycoconjugates to the mucin-like glycoproteins from the parasite and the presence of lytic antibodies recognize the epitope α-Galp(1 → 3)-β-Galp(1 → 4)-α-GlcNAcp. This antigenic structure is known to be present in the parasite mucins; however, in order to be substrates of trans-sialidase, some of the galactose residues should be in the β-Galp configuration. To study the interaction between both activities, it is important to count the synthetic structures as well as the structural-related glycomimetics. With this purpose, we addressed the synthesis of a trisaccharide and two isomeric tetrasaccharides containing the 1-S-α-Galp(1 → 3)-β-Galp motif, the thio analog of the epitope recognized by lytic antibodies. Starting with a common lactose precursor, the sulfur function was incorporated by double inversion of the configuration of the galactose residue that was further glycosylated using different activated donors. Both tetrasaccharides were good acceptors of sialic acid in the reaction catalyzed by TcTS, as determined by high-performance anion exchange chromatography.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pablo Morrone-Pozzuto
- Departamento de Química Orgánica, Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, C1428EGA Buenos Aires, Argentina.,Centro de Investigaciones en Hidratos de Carbono (CIHIDECAR), CONICET- Universidad de Buenos Aires, C1428EGA Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - María Laura Uhrig
- Departamento de Química Orgánica, Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, C1428EGA Buenos Aires, Argentina.,Centro de Investigaciones en Hidratos de Carbono (CIHIDECAR), CONICET- Universidad de Buenos Aires, C1428EGA Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Rosalia Agusti
- Departamento de Química Orgánica, Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, C1428EGA Buenos Aires, Argentina.,Centro de Investigaciones en Hidratos de Carbono (CIHIDECAR), CONICET- Universidad de Buenos Aires, C1428EGA Buenos Aires, Argentina
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19
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Matos GM, Lewis MD, Talavera-López C, Yeo M, Grisard EC, Messenger LA, Miles MA, Andersson B. Microevolution of Trypanosoma cruzi reveals hybridization and clonal mechanisms driving rapid genome diversification. eLife 2022; 11:75237. [PMID: 35535495 PMCID: PMC9098224 DOI: 10.7554/elife.75237] [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: 11/03/2021] [Accepted: 04/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Protozoa and fungi are known to have extraordinarily diverse mechanisms of genetic exchange. However, the presence and epidemiological relevance of genetic exchange in Trypanosoma cruzi, the agent of Chagas disease, has been controversial and debated for many years. Field studies have identified both predominantly clonal and sexually recombining natural populations. Two of six natural T. cruzi lineages (TcV and TcVI) show hybrid mosaicism, using analysis of single-gene locus markers. The formation of hybrid strains in vitro has been achieved and this provides a framework to study the mechanisms and adaptive significance of genetic exchange. Using whole genome sequencing of a set of experimental hybrids strains, we have confirmed that hybrid formation initially results in tetraploid parasites. The hybrid progeny showed novel mutations that were not attributable to either (diploid) parent showing an increase in amino acid changes. In long-term culture, up to 800 generations, there was a variable but gradual erosion of progeny genomes towards triploidy, yet retention of elevated copy number was observed at several core housekeeping loci. Our findings indicate hybrid formation by fusion of diploid T. cruzi, followed by sporadic genome erosion, but with substantial potential for adaptive evolution, as has been described as a genetic feature of other organisms, such as some fungi.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriel Machado Matos
- Departamento de Biologia Celular, Embriologia e Genética, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Florianopolis, Brazil.,Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Michael D Lewis
- Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Carlos Talavera-López
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden.,Institute of Computational Biology, Computational Health Centre, Helmholtz Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Matthew Yeo
- Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Edmundo C Grisard
- Departamento de Microbiologia, Imunologia e Parasitologia, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Florianopolis, Brazil
| | - Louisa A Messenger
- Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Michael A Miles
- Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Björn Andersson
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
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20
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de Castro Neto AL, da Silveira JF, Mortara RA. Role of Virulence Factors of Trypanosomatids in the Insect Vector and Putative Genetic Events Involved in Surface Protein Diversity. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2022; 12:807172. [PMID: 35573777 PMCID: PMC9097677 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2022.807172] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [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: 11/01/2021] [Accepted: 03/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Trypanosomatids are flagellate protozoans that can infect several invertebrate and vertebrate hosts, including insects and humans. The three most studied species are the human pathogens Trypanosoma brucei, Trypanosoma cruzi and Leishmania spp. which are the causative agents of Human African Trypanosomiasis (HAT), Chagas disease and different clinical forms of leishmaniasis, respectively. These parasites possess complex dixenous life cycles, with zoonotic and anthroponotic stages, and are transmitted by hematophagous insects. To colonize this myriad of hosts, they developed mechanisms, mediated by virulence factors, to infect, propagate and survive in different environments. In insects, surface proteins play roles in parasite attachment and survival in the insect gut, whilst in the mammalian host, the parasites have a whole group of proteins and mechanisms that aid them invading the host cells and evading its immune system components. Many studies have been done on the impact of these molecules in the vertebrate host, however it is also essential to notice the importance of these virulence factors in the insect vector during the parasite life cycle. When inside the insect, the parasites, like in humans, also need to survive defense mechanisms components that can inhibit parasite colonization or survival, e.g., midgut peritrophic membrane barrier, digestive enzymes, evasion of excretion alongside the digested blood meal, anatomic structures and physiological mechanisms of the anterior gut. This protection inside the insect is often implemented by the same group of virulence factors that perform roles of immune evasion in the mammalian host with just a few exceptions, in which a specific protein is expressed specifically for the insect vector form of the parasite. This review aims to discuss the roles of the virulence molecules in the insect vectors, showing the differences and similarities of modes of action of the same group of molecules in insect and humans, exclusive insect molecules and discuss possible genetic events that may have generated this protein diversity.
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21
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Leão AC, Viana LA, Fortes de Araujo F, de Lourdes Almeida R, Freitas LM, Coqueiro-Dos-Santos A, da Silveira-Lemos D, Cardoso MS, Reis-Cunha JL, Teixeira-Carvalho A, Bartholomeu DC. Antigenic diversity of MASP gene family of Trypanosoma cruzi. Microbes Infect 2022; 24:104982. [PMID: 35487471 DOI: 10.1016/j.micinf.2022.104982] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2021] [Revised: 04/15/2022] [Accepted: 04/19/2022] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Trypanosoma cruzi, the etiological agent of Chagas disease (CD), is a heterogeneous species with high genetic and phenotypic diversity. MASP is the second largest multigene family of T. cruzi. The high degree of polymorphism of the family associated with its location at the surface of infective forms of T. cruzi suggests that MASP participates in mechanisms of host-parasite interaction. In this work, MASP members were divided into 7 subgroups based on protein sequence similarity, and one representative member from each subgroup was chosen to be expressed recombinantly. Immunogenicity of recombinant MASP proteins (rMASP) was investigated using different sera panels from T. cruzi infected mice. To mimic a natural condition in which different MASP members are expressed at the same time in the parasite population, a multiplex bead-based flow cytometry assay was also standardized. Results showed that rMASPs are poorly recognized by sera from mice infected with Colombiana strain, whereas sera from mice infected with CL Brener and Y display high reactivity against the majority of rMASPs tested. Flow cytometry showed that MASP recognition profile changes 10 days after infection. Also, multiplex assay suggests that MASP M1 and M2 are more immunogenic than the other MASP members evaluated that may play an immunodominant role during infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Carolina Leão
- Departamento de Parasitologia - Instituto de Ciências Biológicas - ICB Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais - UFMG. Av. Antônio Carlos, 6627 - Pampulha Caixa Postal 486 31270-901, Belo Horizonte, MG
| | - Laila Almeida Viana
- Departamento de Parasitologia - Instituto de Ciências Biológicas - ICB Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais - UFMG. Av. Antônio Carlos, 6627 - Pampulha Caixa Postal 486 31270-901, Belo Horizonte, MG
| | - Fernanda Fortes de Araujo
- Grupo Integrado de Pesquisas em Biomarcadores, Instituto René Rachou, FIOCRUZ-Minas, Av. Augusto de Lima, 1715 CEP: 30.190-009, Belo Horizonte, MG
| | - Rodrigo de Lourdes Almeida
- Departamento de Parasitologia - Instituto de Ciências Biológicas - ICB Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais - UFMG. Av. Antônio Carlos, 6627 - Pampulha Caixa Postal 486 31270-901, Belo Horizonte, MG
| | - Leandro Martins Freitas
- Universidade Federal da Bahia Instituto Multidisciplinar em Saúde - Campus Anísio Teixeira, Rua Hormindo Barros, 58, Quadra 17, Lote 58 Bairro Candeias - CEP: 45.029-094 Vitória da Conquista, BA
| | - Anderson Coqueiro-Dos-Santos
- Departamento de Parasitologia - Instituto de Ciências Biológicas - ICB Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais - UFMG. Av. Antônio Carlos, 6627 - Pampulha Caixa Postal 486 31270-901, Belo Horizonte, MG
| | - Denise da Silveira-Lemos
- Departamento de Parasitologia - Instituto de Ciências Biológicas - ICB Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais - UFMG. Av. Antônio Carlos, 6627 - Pampulha Caixa Postal 486 31270-901, Belo Horizonte, MG; Grupo Integrado de Pesquisas em Biomarcadores, Instituto René Rachou, FIOCRUZ-Minas, Av. Augusto de Lima, 1715 CEP: 30.190-009, Belo Horizonte, MG
| | - Mariana Santos Cardoso
- Departamento de Parasitologia - Instituto de Ciências Biológicas - ICB Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais - UFMG. Av. Antônio Carlos, 6627 - Pampulha Caixa Postal 486 31270-901, Belo Horizonte, MG
| | - João Luís Reis-Cunha
- Departamento de Parasitologia - Instituto de Ciências Biológicas - ICB Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais - UFMG. Av. Antônio Carlos, 6627 - Pampulha Caixa Postal 486 31270-901, Belo Horizonte, MG
| | - Andréa Teixeira-Carvalho
- Grupo Integrado de Pesquisas em Biomarcadores, Instituto René Rachou, FIOCRUZ-Minas, Av. Augusto de Lima, 1715 CEP: 30.190-009, Belo Horizonte, MG
| | - Daniella Castanheira Bartholomeu
- Departamento de Parasitologia - Instituto de Ciências Biológicas - ICB Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais - UFMG. Av. Antônio Carlos, 6627 - Pampulha Caixa Postal 486 31270-901, Belo Horizonte, MG.
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22
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Rosón JN, Vitarelli MDO, Costa-Silva HM, Pereira KS, Pires DDS, Lopes LDS, Cordeiro B, Kraus AJ, Cruz KNT, Calderano SG, Fragoso SP, Siegel TN, Elias MC, da Cunha JPC. H2B.V demarcates divergent strand-switch regions, some tDNA loci, and genome compartments in Trypanosoma cruzi and affects parasite differentiation and host cell invasion. PLoS Pathog 2022; 18:e1009694. [PMID: 35180281 PMCID: PMC8893665 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1009694] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2021] [Revised: 03/03/2022] [Accepted: 01/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Histone variants play a crucial role in chromatin structure organization and gene expression. Trypanosomatids have an unusual H2B variant (H2B.V) that is known to dimerize with the variant H2A.Z generating unstable nucleosomes. Previously, we found that H2B.V protein is enriched in tissue-derived trypomastigote (TCT) life forms, a nonreplicative stage of Trypanosoma cruzi, suggesting that this variant may contribute to the differences in chromatin structure and global transcription rates observed among parasite life forms. Here, we performed the first genome-wide profiling of histone localization in T. cruzi using epimastigotes and TCT life forms, and we found that H2B.V was preferentially located at the edges of divergent transcriptional strand switch regions, which encompass putative transcriptional start regions; at some tDNA loci; and between the conserved and disrupted genome compartments, mainly at trans-sialidase, mucin and MASP genes. Remarkably, the chromatin of TCT forms was depleted of H2B.V-enriched peaks in comparison to epimastigote forms. Interactome assays indicated that H2B.V associated specifically with H2A.Z, bromodomain factor 2, nucleolar proteins and a histone chaperone, among others. Parasites expressing reduced H2B.V levels were associated with higher rates of parasite differentiation and mammalian cell infectivity. Taken together, H2B.V demarcates critical genomic regions and associates with regulatory chromatin proteins, suggesting a scenario wherein local chromatin structures associated with parasite differentiation and invasion are regulated during the parasite life cycle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juliana Nunes Rosón
- Laboratory of Cell Cycle, Butantan Institute, São Paulo, Brazil
- Center of Toxins, Immune Response and Cell Signaling (CeTICS), Butantan Institute, São Paulo, Brazil
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, Escola Paulista de Medicina–UNIFESP, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Marcela de Oliveira Vitarelli
- Laboratory of Cell Cycle, Butantan Institute, São Paulo, Brazil
- Center of Toxins, Immune Response and Cell Signaling (CeTICS), Butantan Institute, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Héllida Marina Costa-Silva
- Laboratory of Cell Cycle, Butantan Institute, São Paulo, Brazil
- Center of Toxins, Immune Response and Cell Signaling (CeTICS), Butantan Institute, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Kamille Schmitt Pereira
- Department of Bioprocesses and Biotechnology, Universidade Federal do Paraná, Curitiba, Brazil
- Laboratory of Molecular and Systems Biology of Trypanosomatids, Carlos Chagas Institute, FIOCRUZ, Curitiba, Brazil
| | - David da Silva Pires
- Laboratory of Cell Cycle, Butantan Institute, São Paulo, Brazil
- Center of Toxins, Immune Response and Cell Signaling (CeTICS), Butantan Institute, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Leticia de Sousa Lopes
- Laboratory of Cell Cycle, Butantan Institute, São Paulo, Brazil
- Center of Toxins, Immune Response and Cell Signaling (CeTICS), Butantan Institute, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Barbara Cordeiro
- Laboratory of Cell Cycle, Butantan Institute, São Paulo, Brazil
- Center of Toxins, Immune Response and Cell Signaling (CeTICS), Butantan Institute, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Amelie J. Kraus
- Division of Experimental Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität in Munich, Munich, Germany
- Biomedical Center, Division of Physiological Chemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universitäat in Munch, Munich, Germany
| | - Karin Navarro Tozzi Cruz
- Laboratory of Cell Cycle, Butantan Institute, São Paulo, Brazil
- Center of Toxins, Immune Response and Cell Signaling (CeTICS), Butantan Institute, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Simone Guedes Calderano
- Laboratory of Cell Cycle, Butantan Institute, São Paulo, Brazil
- Center of Toxins, Immune Response and Cell Signaling (CeTICS), Butantan Institute, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Stenio Perdigão Fragoso
- Department of Bioprocesses and Biotechnology, Universidade Federal do Paraná, Curitiba, Brazil
- Laboratory of Molecular and Systems Biology of Trypanosomatids, Carlos Chagas Institute, FIOCRUZ, Curitiba, Brazil
| | - T. Nicolai Siegel
- Division of Experimental Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität in Munich, Munich, Germany
- Biomedical Center, Division of Physiological Chemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universitäat in Munch, Munich, Germany
| | - Maria Carolina Elias
- Laboratory of Cell Cycle, Butantan Institute, São Paulo, Brazil
- Center of Toxins, Immune Response and Cell Signaling (CeTICS), Butantan Institute, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Julia Pinheiro Chagas da Cunha
- Laboratory of Cell Cycle, Butantan Institute, São Paulo, Brazil
- Center of Toxins, Immune Response and Cell Signaling (CeTICS), Butantan Institute, São Paulo, Brazil
- * E-mail:
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23
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Zingales B, Bartholomeu DC. Trypanosoma cruzi genetic diversity: impact on transmission cycles and Chagas disease. Mem Inst Oswaldo Cruz 2022; 117:e210193. [PMID: 35544857 PMCID: PMC9088421 DOI: 10.1590/0074-02760210193] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2021] [Accepted: 06/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Trypanosoma cruzi, the agent of Chagas disease (ChD), exhibits remarkable biological and genetic diversity, along with eco-epidemiological complexity. In order to facilitate communication among researchers aiming at the characterisation of biological and epidemiological aspects of T. cruzi, parasite isolates and strains were partitioned into seven discrete typing units (DTUs), TcI-TcVI and TcBat, identifiable by reproducible genotyping protocols. Here we present the potential origin of the genetic diversity of T. cruzi and summarise knowledge about eco-epidemiological associations of DTUs with mammalian reservoirs and vectors. Circumstantial evidence of a connection between T. cruzi genotype and ChD manifestations is also discussed emphasising the role of the host’s immune response in clinical ChD progression. We describe genomic aspects of DTUs focusing on polymorphisms in multigene families encoding surface antigens that play essential functions for parasite survival both in the insect vector and the mammalian host. Such antigens most probably contributed to the parasite success in establishing infections in different hosts and exploring several niches. Gaps in the current knowledge and challenges for future research are pointed out.
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24
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Probst CM, Melo MDFAD, Pavoni DP, Toledo MJDO, Galdino TS, Brandão AA, Britto C, Krieger MA. A new Trypanosoma cruzi genotyping method enables high resolution evolutionary analyses. Mem Inst Oswaldo Cruz 2021; 116:e200538. [PMID: 34468503 PMCID: PMC8405150 DOI: 10.1590/0074-02760200538] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2020] [Accepted: 07/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Trypanosoma cruzi is an important human pathogen in Latin America with nearly seven million people infected. It has a large degree of genetic diversity, classified into six discrete typing units (DTUs), which probably influences its physiological behavior and clinical manifestations. Several genotyping methods are available, with distinct performance on easiness, cost, resolution and applicability; no method excels in all parameters. OBJECTIVES AND METHODS To devise a molecular method for T. cruzi genotyping, based on polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification of a single target with multiple copies in the nuclear genome by large scale sequencing. We have applied this method to 29 T. cruzi isolates, comprising all described DTUs. FINDINGS We were able to classify all samples into sub DTU level with high robustness. Evolutionary relationship between DTUs were ascertained, suggesting that TcIII and TcIV DTUs are non-hybrid, and DTU IV is more similar to the common ancestral. CONCLUSION As the TS-LSS method is based on a single PCR reaction, comprising several copies of the target, it is probably useful for clinical samples, when the amount of DNA is a limiting factor. As large scale sequencing systems become more common, the TS-LSS method can be increasingly applied for T. cruzi genotyping.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christian Macagnan Probst
- Fundação Oswaldo Cruz-Fiocruz, Instituto Carlos Chagas, Laboratório de Genômica Funcional, Curitiba, PR, Brasil
| | | | - Daniela Parada Pavoni
- Fundação Oswaldo Cruz-Fiocruz, Instituto Carlos Chagas, Laboratório de Genômica Funcional, Curitiba, PR, Brasil
| | - Max Jean de Ornelas Toledo
- Universidade Estadual de Maringá, Departamento de Ciências da Saúde, Laboratório de Doença de Chagas, Maringá, PR, Brasil
| | - Tainah Silva Galdino
- Fundação Oswaldo Cruz-Fiocruz, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Laboratório Interdisciplinar de Pesquisas Médicas, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil
| | - Adeilton Alves Brandão
- Fundação Oswaldo Cruz-Fiocruz, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Laboratório Interdisciplinar de Pesquisas Médicas, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil
| | - Constança Britto
- Fundação Oswaldo Cruz-Fiocruz, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Laboratório de Biologia Molecular e Doenças Endêmicas, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil
| | - Marco Aurelio Krieger
- Fundação Oswaldo Cruz-Fiocruz, Instituto Carlos Chagas, Laboratório de Genômica Funcional, Curitiba, PR, Brasil
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25
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Coutinho JVP, Rosa-Fernandes L, Mule SN, de Oliveira GS, Manchola NC, Santiago VF, Colli W, Wrenger C, Alves MJM, Palmisano G. The thermal proteome stability profile of Trypanosoma cruzi in epimastigote and trypomastigote life stages. J Proteomics 2021; 248:104339. [PMID: 34352427 DOI: 10.1016/j.jprot.2021.104339] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2020] [Revised: 06/24/2021] [Accepted: 07/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Trypanosoma cruzi is a flagellate protozoa being the etiological agent of Chagas disease, a neglected tropical disease, which still poses a public health problem worldwide. The intricate molecular changes during T. cruzi-host interaction have been explored using different largescale omics techniques. However, protein stability is largely unknown. Thermal proteome profiling (TPP) methodology has the potential to characterize proteome-wide stability highlighting key proteins during T. cruzi infection and life stage transition from the invertebrate to the mammalian host. In the present work, T. cruzi epimastigotes and trypomastigotes cell lysates were subjected to TPP workflow and analyzed by quantitative large-scale mass spectrometry-based proteomics to fit a melting profile for each protein. A total of 2884 proteins were identified and associated to 1741 melting curves being 1370 in trypomastigotes (TmAVG 53.53 °C) and 1279 in epimastigotes (TmAVG 50.89 °C). A total of 453 proteins were identified with statistically different melting profiles between the two life stages. Proteins associated to pathogenesis and intracellular transport had regulated melting temperatures. Membrane and glycosylated proteins had a higher average Tm in trypomastigotes compared to epimastigotes. This study represents the first large-scale comparison of parasite protein stability between life stages. SIGNIFICANCE: Trypanosoma cruzi, a unicellular flagellate parasite, is the etiological agent of Chagas disease, endemic in South America and affecting more that 7 million people worldwide. There is an intense research to identify novel chemotherapeutic and diagnostic targets of Chagas disease. Proteomic approaches have helped in elucidating the quantitative proteome and PTMs changes of T. cruzi during life cycle transition and upon different biotic and abiotic stimuli. However, a comprehensive knowledge of the protein-protein interaction and protein conformation is still missing. In order to fill this gap, this manuscript elucidates the T. cruzi Y strain proteome-wide thermal stability map in the epimastigote and trypomastigote life stages. Comparison between life stages showed a higher average melting temperature stability for trypomastigotes than epimastigotes indicating a host temperature adaptation. Both presented a selective thermal stability shift for cellular compartments, molecular functions and biological processes based on the T. cruzi life stage. Membrane and glycosylated proteins presented a higher thermal stability in trypomastigotes when compared to the epimastigotes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joao V P Coutinho
- GlycoProteomics Laboratory, Department of Parasitology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - Livia Rosa-Fernandes
- GlycoProteomics Laboratory, Department of Parasitology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - Simon Ngao Mule
- GlycoProteomics Laboratory, Department of Parasitology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - Gilberto Santos de Oliveira
- GlycoProteomics Laboratory, Department of Parasitology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | | | - Veronica Feijoli Santiago
- GlycoProteomics Laboratory, Department of Parasitology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - Walter Colli
- Department of Biochemistry, Institute of Chemistry, University of Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - Carsten Wrenger
- Unit for Drug Discovery, Department of Parasitology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | | | - Giuseppe Palmisano
- GlycoProteomics Laboratory, Department of Parasitology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sao Paulo, Brazil.
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26
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Brink JTR, Fourie R, Sebolai O, Albertyn J, Pohl CH. The role of lipid droplets in microbial pathogenesis. J Med Microbiol 2021; 70. [PMID: 34184983 DOI: 10.1099/jmm.0.001383] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The nonpolar lipids present in cells are mainly triacylglycerols and steryl esters. When cells are provided with an abundance of nutrients, these storage lipids accumulate. As large quantities of nonpolar lipids cannot be integrated into membranes, they are isolated from the cytosolic environment in lipid droplets. As specialized, inducible cytoplasmic organelles, lipid droplets have functions beyond the regulation of lipid metabolism, in cell signalling and activation, membrane trafficking and control of inflammatory mediator synthesis and secretion. Pathogens, including fungi, viruses, parasites, or intracellular bacteria can induce and may benefit from lipid droplets in infected cells. Here we review biogenesis of lipid droplets as well as the role of lipid droplets in the pathogenesis of selected viruses, bacteria, protists and yeasts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacobus T R Brink
- Department of Microbiology and Biochemistry, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, South Africa
| | - Ruan Fourie
- Department of Microbiology and Biochemistry, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, South Africa
| | - Olihile Sebolai
- Department of Microbiology and Biochemistry, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, South Africa
| | - Jacobus Albertyn
- Department of Microbiology and Biochemistry, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, South Africa
| | - Carolina H Pohl
- Department of Microbiology and Biochemistry, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, South Africa
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27
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Teixeira AAR, Carnero LR, Kuramoto A, Tang FHF, Gomes CH, Pereira NB, de Oliveira LC, Garrini R, Monteiro JS, Setubal JC, Sabino EC, Pasqualini R, Colli W, Arap W, Alves MJM, Cunha-Neto E, Giordano RJ. A refined genome phage display methodology delineates the human antibody response in patients with Chagas disease. iScience 2021; 24:102540. [PMID: 34142048 PMCID: PMC8185243 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2021.102540] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2020] [Revised: 03/30/2021] [Accepted: 05/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Large-scale mapping of antigens and epitopes is pivotal for developing immunotherapies but challenging, especially for eukaryotic pathogens, owing to their large genomes. Here, we developed an integrated platform for genome phage display (gPhage) to show that unbiased libraries of the eukaryotic parasite Trypanosoma cruzi enable the identification of thousands of antigens recognized by serum samples from patients with Chagas disease. Because most of these antigens are hypothetical proteins, gPhage provides evidence of their expression during infection. We built and validated a comprehensive map of Chagas disease antibody response to show how linear and putative conformation epitopes, many rich in repetitive elements, allow the parasite to evade a buildup of neutralizing antibodies directed against protein domains that mediate infection pathogenesis. Thus, the gPhage platform is a reproducible and effective tool for rapid simultaneous identification of epitopes and antigens, not only in Chagas disease but perhaps also in globally emerging/reemerging acute pathogens. Genomic shotgun phage display (gPhage) of eukaryotes is feasible and promising. gPhage allows rapid antigen ID and epitope mapping, including 3D structures. Conformation epitopes can be identified and validated by using the gPhage platform. Most Chagas disease antigens are hypothetical proteins rich in repetitive elements.
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Affiliation(s)
- André Azevedo Reis Teixeira
- Department of Biochemistry, Institute of Chemistry, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, 05508-000, Brazil
| | - Luis Rodriguez Carnero
- Department of Biochemistry, Institute of Chemistry, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, 05508-000, Brazil
| | - Andréia Kuramoto
- Heart Institute (InCor), University of São Paulo School of Medicine, São Paulo, SP, 05403-000, Brazil
| | - Fenny Hui Fen Tang
- Department of Biochemistry, Institute of Chemistry, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, 05508-000, Brazil.,Division of Cancer Biology, Department of Radiation Oncology, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, Newark, NJ 07103, USA
| | - Carlos Hernique Gomes
- Department of Biochemistry, Institute of Chemistry, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, 05508-000, Brazil
| | - Natalia Bueno Pereira
- Heart Institute (InCor), University of São Paulo School of Medicine, São Paulo, SP, 05403-000, Brazil
| | - Léa Campos de Oliveira
- Institute of Tropical Medicine, University of São Paulo School of Medicine, São Paulo, SP, 05403-000, Brazil
| | - Regina Garrini
- Institute of Tropical Medicine, University of São Paulo School of Medicine, São Paulo, SP, 05403-000, Brazil
| | - Jhonatas Sirino Monteiro
- Department of Biochemistry, Institute of Chemistry, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, 05508-000, Brazil
| | - João Carlos Setubal
- Department of Biochemistry, Institute of Chemistry, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, 05508-000, Brazil
| | - Ester Cerdeira Sabino
- Institute of Tropical Medicine, University of São Paulo School of Medicine, São Paulo, SP, 05403-000, Brazil
| | - Renata Pasqualini
- Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, Newark, NJ 07103, USA.,Division of Cancer Biology, Department of Radiation Oncology, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, Newark, NJ 07103, USA
| | - Walter Colli
- Department of Biochemistry, Institute of Chemistry, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, 05508-000, Brazil
| | - Wadih Arap
- Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, Newark, NJ 07103, USA.,Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, Newark, NJ 07103, USA
| | - Maria Júlia Manso Alves
- Department of Biochemistry, Institute of Chemistry, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, 05508-000, Brazil
| | - Edécio Cunha-Neto
- Heart Institute (InCor), University of São Paulo School of Medicine, São Paulo, SP, 05403-000, Brazil.,Division of Clinical Immunology and Allergy, University of São Paulo School of Medicine, São Paulo, SP 01246-903, Brazil.,Institute for Investigation in Immunology (iii), INCT, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Ricardo José Giordano
- Department of Biochemistry, Institute of Chemistry, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, 05508-000, Brazil.,Institute for Investigation in Immunology (iii), INCT, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
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28
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Biophysical and Biochemical Comparison of Extracellular Vesicles Produced by Infective and Non-Infective Stages of Trypanosoma cruzi. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22105183. [PMID: 34068436 PMCID: PMC8153575 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22105183] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2021] [Revised: 05/04/2021] [Accepted: 05/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are small lipid vesicles released by either any prokaryotic or eukaryotic cell, or both, with a biological role in cell-to-cell communication. In this work, we characterize the proteomes and nanomechanical properties of EVs released by tissue-culture cell-derived trypomastigotes (mammalian infective stage; (TCT)) and epimastigotes (insect stage; (E)) of Trypanosoma cruzi, the etiologic agent of Chagas disease. EVs of each stage were isolated by differential centrifugation and analyzed using liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS), dynamic light scattering (DLS), nanoparticle tracking analysis (NTA), electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy (AFM). Measurements of zeta-potential were also included. Results show marked differences in the surface molecular cargos of EVs between both stages, with a noteworthy expansion of all groups of trans-sialidase proteins in trypomastigote's EVs. In contrast, chromosomal locations of trans-sialidases of EVs of epimastigotes were dramatically reduced and restricted to subtelomeric regions, indicating a possible regulatable expression of these proteins between both stages of the parasite. Regarding mechanical properties, EVs of trypomastigotes showed higher adhesion compared to the EVs of epimastigotes. These findings demonstrate the remarkable surface remodeling throughout the life cycle of T. cruzi, which shapes the physicochemical composition of the extracellular vesicles and could have an impact in the ability of these vesicles to participate in cell communication in completely different niches of infection.
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29
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Mule SN, Costa-Martins AG, Rosa-Fernandes L, de Oliveira GS, Rodrigues CMF, Quina D, Rosein GE, Teixeira MMG, Palmisano G. PhyloQuant approach provides insights into Trypanosoma cruzi evolution using a systems-wide mass spectrometry-based quantitative protein profile. Commun Biol 2021; 4:324. [PMID: 33707618 PMCID: PMC7952728 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-021-01762-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2020] [Accepted: 01/24/2021] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
The etiological agent of Chagas disease, Trypanosoma cruzi, is a complex of seven genetic subdivisions termed discrete typing units (DTUs), TcI-TcVI and Tcbat. The relevance of T. cruzi genetic diversity to the variable clinical course of the disease, virulence, pathogenicity, drug resistance, transmission cycles and ecological distribution requires understanding the parasite origin and population structure. In this study, we introduce the PhyloQuant approach to infer the evolutionary relationships between organisms based on differential mass spectrometry-based quantitative features. In particular, large scale quantitative bottom-up proteomics features (MS1, iBAQ and LFQ) were analyzed using maximum parsimony, showing a correlation between T. cruzi DTUs and closely related trypanosomes' protein expression and sequence-based clustering. Character mapping enabled the identification of synapomorphies, herein the proteins and their respective expression profiles that differentiate T. cruzi DTUs and trypanosome species. The distance matrices based on phylogenetics and PhyloQuant clustering showed statistically significant correlation highlighting the complementarity between the two strategies. Moreover, PhyloQuant allows the identification of differentially regulated and strain/DTU/species-specific proteins, and has potential application in the identification of specific biomarkers and candidate therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simon Ngao Mule
- Department of Parasitology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | - Livia Rosa-Fernandes
- Department of Parasitology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | - Carla Monadeli F Rodrigues
- Department of Parasitology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Daniel Quina
- Department of Parasitology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Graziella E Rosein
- Department of Biochemistry, Institute of Chemistry, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | - Giuseppe Palmisano
- Department of Parasitology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.
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30
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Ferri G, Edreira MM. All Roads Lead to Cytosol: Trypanosoma cruzi Multi-Strategic Approach to Invasion. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2021; 11:634793. [PMID: 33747982 PMCID: PMC7973469 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2021.634793] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2020] [Accepted: 01/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
T. cruzi has a complex life cycle involving four developmental stages namely, epimastigotes, metacyclic trypomastigotes, amastigotes and bloodstream trypomastigotes. Although trypomastigotes are the infective forms, extracellular amastigotes have also shown the ability to invade host cells. Both stages can invade a broad spectrum of host tissues, in fact, almost any nucleated cell can be the target of infection. To add complexity, the parasite presents high genetic variability with differential characteristics such as infectivity. In this review, we address the several strategies T. cruzi has developed to subvert the host cell signaling machinery in order to gain access to the host cell cytoplasm. Special attention is made to the numerous parasite/host protein interactions and to the set of signaling cascades activated during the formation of a parasite-containing vesicle, the parasitophorous vacuole, from which the parasite escapes to the cytosol, where differentiation and replication take place.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriel Ferri
- CONICET-Universidad de Buenos Aires, IQUIBICEN, Ciudad de Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Martin M Edreira
- CONICET-Universidad de Buenos Aires, IQUIBICEN, Ciudad de Buenos Aires, Argentina.,Laboratorio de Biología Molecular de Trypanosoma, Departamento de Química Biológica, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Buenos, Ciudad de Buenos Aires, Argentina.,Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
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31
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Santos Júnior ADCMD, Melo RM, Ferreira BVG, Pontes AH, Lima CMRD, Fontes W, Sousa MVD, Lima BDD, Ricart CAO. Quantitative proteomics and phosphoproteomics of Trypanosoma cruzi epimastigote cell cycle. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-PROTEINS AND PROTEOMICS 2021; 1869:140619. [PMID: 33561577 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbapap.2021.140619] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2020] [Revised: 01/19/2021] [Accepted: 02/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
The protozoan Trypanosoma cruzi is the causative agent of the neglected infectious illness Chagas disease. During its life cycle it differentiates into replicative and non-replicative life stages. So far, T. cruzi cell division has been investigated by transcriptomics but not by proteomics approaches. Here we show the first quantitative proteome analysis of T. cruzi cell division. T. cruzi epimastigote cultures were subject to synchronization with hydroxyurea and harvested at different time points. Analysis by flow cytometry, bright field and fluorescence microscopy indicated that samples collected at 0 h, 2 h, 6 h and 14 h overrepresented G1, G1-S, S and M cell cycle phases, respectively. After trypsin digestion of these samples, the resulting peptides were labelled with iTRAQ and subjected to LC-MS/MS. Also, iTRAQ-labelled phosphopeptides were enriched with TiO2 to access the phosphoproteome. Overall, 597 protein groups and 94 phosphopeptides presented regulation with the most remarkable variation in abundance at 6 h (S-phase). Comparison of our proteomic data to previous transcriptome-wise analysis of epimastigote cell cycle showed 16 sequence entries in common, with the highest mRNA/protein correlation observed in transcripts with peak abundance in G1-phase. Our data revealed regulated proteins and phosphopeptides which play important roles in the control of cell division in other organisms and some of them were previously detected in the nucleus or associated with T. cruzi chromatin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Agenor de Castro Moreira Dos Santos Júnior
- Laboratory Protein Chemistry and Biochemistry, Department of Cell Biology, University of Brasília, Brasília, DF, Brazil; Laboratory of Gene Biology, Department of Cell Biology, University of Brasília, Brasília, DF, Brazil
| | - Reynaldo Magalhães Melo
- Laboratory Protein Chemistry and Biochemistry, Department of Cell Biology, University of Brasília, Brasília, DF, Brazil
| | | | - Arthur Henriques Pontes
- Laboratory Protein Chemistry and Biochemistry, Department of Cell Biology, University of Brasília, Brasília, DF, Brazil
| | | | - Wagner Fontes
- Laboratory Protein Chemistry and Biochemistry, Department of Cell Biology, University of Brasília, Brasília, DF, Brazil
| | - Marcelo Valle de Sousa
- Laboratory Protein Chemistry and Biochemistry, Department of Cell Biology, University of Brasília, Brasília, DF, Brazil
| | - Beatriz Dolabela de Lima
- Laboratory of Gene Biology, Department of Cell Biology, University of Brasília, Brasília, DF, Brazil
| | - Carlos André Ornelas Ricart
- Laboratory Protein Chemistry and Biochemistry, Department of Cell Biology, University of Brasília, Brasília, DF, Brazil.
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32
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Lima ARJ, de Araujo CB, Bispo S, Patané J, Silber AM, Elias MC, da Cunha JPC. Nucleosome landscape reflects phenotypic differences in Trypanosoma cruzi life forms. PLoS Pathog 2021; 17:e1009272. [PMID: 33497423 PMCID: PMC7864430 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1009272] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2020] [Revised: 02/05/2021] [Accepted: 01/04/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Trypanosoma cruzi alternates between replicative and nonreplicative life forms, accompanied by a shift in global transcription levels and by changes in the nuclear architecture, the chromatin proteome and histone posttranslational modifications. To gain further insights into the epigenetic regulation that accompanies life form changes, we performed genome-wide high-resolution nucleosome mapping using two T. cruzi life forms (epimastigotes and cellular trypomastigotes). By combining a powerful pipeline that allowed us to faithfully compare nucleosome positioning and occupancy, more than 125 thousand nucleosomes were mapped, and approximately 20% of them differed between replicative and nonreplicative forms. The nonreplicative forms have less dynamic nucleosomes, possibly reflecting their lower global transcription levels and DNA replication arrest. However, dynamic nucleosomes are enriched at nonreplicative regulatory transcription initiation regions and at multigenic family members, which are associated with infective-stage and virulence factors. Strikingly, dynamic nucleosome regions are associated with GO terms related to nuclear division, translation, gene regulation and metabolism and, notably, associated with transcripts with different expression levels among life forms. Finally, the nucleosome landscape reflects the steady-state transcription expression: more abundant genes have a more deeply nucleosome-depleted region at putative 5' splice sites, likely associated with trans-splicing efficiency. Taken together, our results indicate that chromatin architecture, defined primarily by nucleosome positioning and occupancy, reflects the phenotypic differences found among T. cruzi life forms despite the lack of a canonical transcriptional control context.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alex R. J. Lima
- Laboratório de Ciclo Celular, Instituto Butantan, São Paulo, Brazil
- Center of Toxins, Immune Response and Cell Signaling (CeTICS), Instituto Butantan, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Christiane B. de Araujo
- Laboratório de Ciclo Celular, Instituto Butantan, São Paulo, Brazil
- Center of Toxins, Immune Response and Cell Signaling (CeTICS), Instituto Butantan, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Saloe Bispo
- Laboratório de Ciclo Celular, Instituto Butantan, São Paulo, Brazil
- Center of Toxins, Immune Response and Cell Signaling (CeTICS), Instituto Butantan, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - José Patané
- Laboratório de Ciclo Celular, Instituto Butantan, São Paulo, Brazil
- Center of Toxins, Immune Response and Cell Signaling (CeTICS), Instituto Butantan, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Ariel M. Silber
- Laboratory of Biochemistry of Tryps–LaBTryps, Department of Parasitology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - M. Carolina Elias
- Laboratório de Ciclo Celular, Instituto Butantan, São Paulo, Brazil
- Center of Toxins, Immune Response and Cell Signaling (CeTICS), Instituto Butantan, São Paulo, Brazil
- * E-mail: (MCE); (JPCC)
| | - Julia P. C. da Cunha
- Laboratório de Ciclo Celular, Instituto Butantan, São Paulo, Brazil
- Center of Toxins, Immune Response and Cell Signaling (CeTICS), Instituto Butantan, São Paulo, Brazil
- * E-mail: (MCE); (JPCC)
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33
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Wang W, Peng D, Baptista RP, Li Y, Kissinger JC, Tarleton RL. Strain-specific genome evolution in Trypanosoma cruzi, the agent of Chagas disease. PLoS Pathog 2021; 17:e1009254. [PMID: 33508020 PMCID: PMC7872254 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1009254] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2020] [Revised: 02/09/2021] [Accepted: 12/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The protozoan Trypanosoma cruzi almost invariably establishes life-long infections in humans and other mammals, despite the development of potent host immune responses that constrain parasite numbers. The consistent, decades-long persistence of T. cruzi in human hosts arises at least in part from the remarkable level of genetic diversity in multiple families of genes encoding the primary target antigens of anti-parasite immune responses. However, the highly repetitive nature of the genome-largely a result of these same extensive families of genes-have prevented a full understanding of the extent of gene diversity and its maintenance in T. cruzi. In this study, we have combined long-read sequencing and proximity ligation mapping to generate very high-quality assemblies of two T. cruzi strains representing the apparent ancestral lineages of the species. These assemblies reveal not only the full repertoire of the members of large gene families in the two strains, demonstrating extreme diversity within and between isolates, but also provide evidence of the processes that generate and maintain that diversity, including extensive gene amplification, dispersion of copies throughout the genome and diversification via recombination and in situ mutations. Gene amplification events also yield significant copy number variations in a substantial number of genes presumably not required for or involved in immune evasion, thus forming a second level of strain-dependent variation in this species. The extreme genome flexibility evident in T. cruzi also appears to create unique challenges with respect to preserving core genome functions and gene expression that sets this species apart from related kinetoplastids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Wang
- Center for Tropical and Emerging Global Diseases, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Duo Peng
- Center for Tropical and Emerging Global Diseases, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, United States of America
- Department of Cellular Biology, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Rodrigo P. Baptista
- Center for Tropical and Emerging Global Diseases, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, United States of America
- Institute of Bioinformatics, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Yiran Li
- Institute of Bioinformatics, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Jessica C. Kissinger
- Center for Tropical and Emerging Global Diseases, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, United States of America
- Institute of Bioinformatics, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, United States of America
- Department of Genetics, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Rick L. Tarleton
- Center for Tropical and Emerging Global Diseases, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, United States of America
- Department of Cellular Biology, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, United States of America
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34
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Herreros-Cabello A, Callejas-Hernández F, Gironès N, Fresno M. Trypanosoma Cruzi Genome: Organization, Multi-Gene Families, Transcription, and Biological Implications. Genes (Basel) 2020; 11:E1196. [PMID: 33066599 PMCID: PMC7602482 DOI: 10.3390/genes11101196] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2020] [Revised: 10/08/2020] [Accepted: 10/12/2020] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Chagas disease caused by the parasite Trypanosoma cruzi affects millions of people. Although its first genome dates from 2005, its complexity hindered a complete assembly and annotation. However, the new sequencing methods have improved genome annotation of some strains elucidating the broad genetic diversity and complexity of this parasite. Here, we reviewed the genomic structure and regulation, the genetic diversity, and the analysis of the principal multi-gene families of the recent genomes for several strains. The telomeric and sub-telomeric regions are sites with high recombination events, the genome displays two different compartments, the core and the disruptive, and the genome plasticity seems to play a key role in the survival and the infection process. Trypanosoma cruzi (T. cruzi) genome is composed mainly of multi-gene families as the trans-sialidases, mucins, and mucin-associated surface proteins. Trans-sialidases are the most abundant genes in the genome and show an important role in the effectiveness of the infection and the parasite survival. Mucins and MASPs are also important glycosylated proteins of the surface of the parasite that play a major biological role in both insect and mammal-dwelling stages. Altogether, these studies confirm the complexity of T. cruzi genome revealing relevant concepts to better understand Chagas disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alfonso Herreros-Cabello
- Centro de Biología Molecular Severo Ochoa, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Cantoblanco, 28049 Madrid, Spain; (A.H.-C.); (F.C.-H.)
| | - Francisco Callejas-Hernández
- Centro de Biología Molecular Severo Ochoa, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Cantoblanco, 28049 Madrid, Spain; (A.H.-C.); (F.C.-H.)
| | - Núria Gironès
- Centro de Biología Molecular Severo Ochoa, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Cantoblanco, 28049 Madrid, Spain; (A.H.-C.); (F.C.-H.)
- Instituto Sanitario de Investigación Princesa, 28006 Madrid, Spain
| | - Manuel Fresno
- Centro de Biología Molecular Severo Ochoa, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Cantoblanco, 28049 Madrid, Spain; (A.H.-C.); (F.C.-H.)
- Instituto Sanitario de Investigación Princesa, 28006 Madrid, Spain
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35
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Watanabe Costa R, Batista MF, Meneghelli I, Vidal RO, Nájera CA, Mendes AC, Andrade-Lima IA, da Silveira JF, Lopes LR, Ferreira LRP, Antoneli F, Bahia D. Comparative Analysis of the Secretome and Interactome of Trypanosoma cruzi and Trypanosoma rangeli Reveals Species Specific Immune Response Modulating Proteins. Front Immunol 2020; 11:1774. [PMID: 32973747 PMCID: PMC7481403 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.01774] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2020] [Accepted: 07/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Chagas disease, a zoonosis caused by the flagellate protozoan Trypanosoma cruzi, is a chronic and systemic parasitic infection that affects ~5–7 million people worldwide, mainly in Latin America. Chagas disease is an emerging public health problem due to the lack of vaccines and effective treatments. According to recent studies, several T. cruzi secreted proteins interact with the human host during cell invasion. Moreover, some comparative studies with T. rangeli, which is non-pathogenic in humans, have been performed to identify proteins directly involved in the pathogenesis of the disease. In this study, we present an integrated analysis of canonical putative secreted proteins (PSPs) from both species. Additionally, we propose an interactome with human host and gene family clusters, and a phylogenetic inference of a selected protein. In total, we identified 322 exclusively PSPs in T. cruzi and 202 in T. rangeli. Among the PSPs identified in T. cruzi, we found several trans-sialidases, mucins, MASPs, proteins with phospholipase 2 domains (PLA2-like), and proteins with Hsp70 domains (Hsp70-like) which have been previously characterized and demonstrated to be related to T. cruzi virulence. PSPs found in T. rangeli were related to protozoan metabolism, specifically carboxylases and phosphatases. Furthermore, we also identified PSPs that may interact with the human immune system, including heat shock and MASP proteins, but in a lower number compared to T. cruzi. Interestingly, we describe a hypothetical hybrid interactome of PSPs which reveals that T. cruzi secreted molecules may be down-regulating IL-17 whilst T. rangeli may enhance the production of IL-15. These results will pave the way for a better understanding of the pathophysiology of Chagas disease and may ultimately lead to the identification of molecular targets, such as key PSPs, that could be used to minimize the health outcomes of Chagas disease by modulating the immune response triggered by T. cruzi infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Renata Watanabe Costa
- Departamento de Microbiologia, Imunologia e Parasitologia, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Marina Ferreira Batista
- Departamento de Genética, Ecologia e Evolução, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Isabela Meneghelli
- Departamento de Genética, Ecologia e Evolução, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Ramon Oliveira Vidal
- The Berlin Institute for Medical Systems Biology-Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association in Berlin, Berlin, Germany.,Laboratorio Nacional de Biociências (LNBio), Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Carlos Alcides Nájera
- Departamento de Genética, Ecologia e Evolução, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Ana Clara Mendes
- Departamento de Genética, Ecologia e Evolução, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Izabela Augusta Andrade-Lima
- Departamento de Genética, Ecologia e Evolução, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - José Franco da Silveira
- Departamento de Microbiologia, Imunologia e Parasitologia, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Luciano Rodrigo Lopes
- Departamento de Informática em Saúde, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Ludmila Rodrigues Pinto Ferreira
- RNA Systems Biology Lab (RSBL), Departamento de Morfologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Fernando Antoneli
- Departamento de Informática em Saúde, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Diana Bahia
- Departamento de Microbiologia, Imunologia e Parasitologia, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.,Departamento de Genética, Ecologia e Evolução, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
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Ramirez JL. Trypanosoma cruzi Genome 15 Years Later: What Has Been Accomplished? Trop Med Infect Dis 2020; 5:E129. [PMID: 32781761 PMCID: PMC7559697 DOI: 10.3390/tropicalmed5030129] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2020] [Revised: 08/03/2020] [Accepted: 08/04/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
On 15 July 2020 was the 15th anniversary of the Science Magazine issue that reported three trypanosomatid genomes, namely Leishmania major, Trypanosoma brucei, and Trypanosoma cruzi. That publication was a milestone for the research community working with trypanosomatids, even more so, when considering that the first draft of the human genome was published only four years earlier after 15 years of research. Although nowadays, genome sequencing has become commonplace, the work done by researchers before that publication represented a huge challenge and a good example of international cooperation. Research in neglected diseases often faces obstacles, not only because of the unique characteristics of each biological model but also due to the lower funds the research projects receive. In the case of Trypanosoma cruzi the etiologic agent of Chagas disease, the first genome draft published in 2005 was not complete, and even after the implementation of more advanced sequencing strategies, to this date no final chromosomal map is available. However, the first genome draft enabled researchers to pick genes a la carte, produce proteins in vitro for immunological studies, and predict drug targets for the treatment of the disease or to be used in PCR diagnostic protocols. Besides, the analysis of the T. cruzi genome is revealing unique features about its organization and dynamics. In this work, I briefly summarize the actions of Latin American researchers that contributed to the first publication of the T. cruzi genome and discuss some features of the genome that may help to understand the parasite's robustness and adaptive capabilities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jose Luis Ramirez
- Instituto de Estudios Avanzados, Caracas, Venezuela and Universidad Central de Venezuela, Caracas 1080, Venezuela
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37
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de Araujo CB, da Cunha JPC, Inada DT, Damasceno J, Lima ARJ, Hiraiwa P, Marques C, Gonçalves E, Nishiyama-Junior MY, McCulloch R, Elias MC. Replication origin location might contribute to genetic variability in Trypanosoma cruzi. BMC Genomics 2020; 21:414. [PMID: 32571205 PMCID: PMC7310030 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-020-06803-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2019] [Accepted: 06/05/2020] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Background DNA replication in trypanosomatids operates in a uniquely challenging environment, since most of their genomes are constitutively transcribed. Trypanosoma cruzi, the etiological agent of Chagas disease, presents high variability in both chromosomes size and copy number among strains, though the underlying mechanisms are unknown. Results Here we have mapped sites of DNA replication initiation across the T. cruzi genome using Marker Frequency Analysis, which has previously only been deployed in two related trypanosomatids. The putative origins identified in T. cruzi show a notable enrichment of GC content, a preferential position at subtelomeric regions, coinciding with genes transcribed towards the telomeres, and a pronounced enrichment within coding DNA sequences, most notably in genes from the Dispersed Gene Family 1 (DGF-1). Conclusions These findings suggest a scenario where collisions between DNA replication and transcription are frequent, leading to increased genetic variability, as seen by the increase SNP levels at chromosome subtelomeres and in DGF-1 genes containing putative origins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christiane Bezerra de Araujo
- Laboratório de Ciclo Celular, Instituto Butantan, São Paulo, Brazil.,Center of Toxins, Immune Response and Cell Signaling (CeTICS), Instituto Butantan, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Julia Pinheiro Chagas da Cunha
- Laboratório de Ciclo Celular, Instituto Butantan, São Paulo, Brazil. .,Center of Toxins, Immune Response and Cell Signaling (CeTICS), Instituto Butantan, São Paulo, Brazil.
| | - Davi Toshio Inada
- Laboratório de Ciclo Celular, Instituto Butantan, São Paulo, Brazil.,Center of Toxins, Immune Response and Cell Signaling (CeTICS), Instituto Butantan, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Jeziel Damasceno
- The Wellcome Centre for Molecular Parasitology, Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Alex Ranieri Jerônimo Lima
- Laboratório de Tecnologia Biomolecular - Bioinformática, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém, Brazil
| | | | - Catarina Marques
- The Wellcome Centre for Molecular Parasitology, Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Evonnildo Gonçalves
- Laboratório de Tecnologia Biomolecular - Bioinformática, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém, Brazil
| | - Milton Yutaka Nishiyama-Junior
- Center of Toxins, Immune Response and Cell Signaling (CeTICS), Instituto Butantan, São Paulo, Brazil.,Laboratório Especial de Toxinologia Aplicada, Instituto Butantan, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Richard McCulloch
- The Wellcome Centre for Molecular Parasitology, Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Maria Carolina Elias
- Laboratório de Ciclo Celular, Instituto Butantan, São Paulo, Brazil. .,Center of Toxins, Immune Response and Cell Signaling (CeTICS), Instituto Butantan, São Paulo, Brazil.
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38
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Manzano-Román R, Fuentes M. Relevance and proteomics challenge of functional posttranslational modifications in Kinetoplastid parasites. J Proteomics 2020; 220:103762. [PMID: 32244008 DOI: 10.1016/j.jprot.2020.103762] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2019] [Revised: 03/06/2020] [Accepted: 03/23/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Protozoan parasitic infections are health, social and economic issues impacting both humans and animals, with significant morbidity and mortality worldwide. Protozoan parasites have complicated life cycles with both intracellular and extracellular forms. As a consequence, protozoan adapt to changing environments in part through a dynamic enzyme-catalyzed process leading to reversible posttranslational modifications (PTMs). The characterization by proteomics approaches reveals the critical role of the PTMs of the proteins involved in host-pathogen interaction. The complexity of PTMs characterization is increased by the high diversity, stoichiometry, dynamic and also co-existence of several PTMs in the same moieties which crosstalk between them. Here, we review how to understand the complexity and the essential role of PTMs crosstalk in order to provide a new hallmark for vaccines developments, immunotherapies and personalized medicine. In addition, the importance of these motifs in the biology and biological cycle of kinetoplastid parasites is highlighted with key examples showing the potential to act as targets against protozoan diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Manzano-Román
- Proteomics Unit, Cancer Research Centre (IBMCC/CSIC/USAL/IBSAL), 37007, Salamanca, Spain..
| | - M Fuentes
- Proteomics Unit, Cancer Research Centre (IBMCC/CSIC/USAL/IBSAL), 37007, Salamanca, Spain.; Proteomics Unit, Cancer Research Centre (IBMCC/CSIC/USAL/IBSAL), 37007 Salamanca, Spain; Department of Medicine and General Cytometry Service-Nucleus, Cancer Research Centre (IBMCC/CSIC/USAL/IBSAL), 37007, Salamanca, Spain
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39
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Induction of Effective Immunity against Trypanosoma cruzi. Infect Immun 2020; 88:IAI.00908-19. [PMID: 31907197 DOI: 10.1128/iai.00908-19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2019] [Accepted: 12/22/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Chagas disease, caused by Trypanosoma cruzi, is a major public health issue. Limitations in immune responses to natural T. cruzi infection usually result in parasite persistence with significant complications. A safe, effective, and reliable vaccine would reduce the threat of T. cruzi infections; however, no suitable vaccine is currently available due to a lack of understanding of the requirements for induction of fully protective immunity. We established a T. cruzi strain expressing green fluorescent protein (GFP) under the control of dihydrofolate reductase degradation domain (DDD) with a hemagglutinin (HA) tag, GFP-DDDHA, which was induced by trimethoprim-lactate (TMP-lactate), which results in the death of intracellular parasites. This attenuated strain induces very strong protection against reinfection. Using this GFP-DDDHA strain, we investigated the mechanisms underlying the protective immune response in mice. Immunization with this strain led to a response that included high levels of gamma interferon (IFN-γ) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), as well as a rapid expansion of effector and memory T cells in the spleen. More CD8+ T cells differentiate to memory cells following GFP-DDDHA infection than after infection with a wild-type (WT) strain. The GFP-DDDHA strain also provides cross-protection against another T. cruzi isolate. IFN-γ is important in mediating the protection, as IFN-γ knockout (KO) mice failed to acquire protection when infected with the GFP-DDDHA strain. Immune cells demonstrated earlier and stronger protective responses in immunized mice after reinfection with T. cruzi than those in naive mice. Adoptive transfers with several types of immune cells or with serum revealed that several branches of the immune system mediated protection. A combination of serum and natural killer cells provided the most effective protection against infection in these transfer experiments.
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40
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Rios LE, Vázquez-Chagoyán JC, Pacheco AO, Zago MP, Garg NJ. Immunity and vaccine development efforts against Trypanosoma cruzi. Acta Trop 2019; 200:105168. [PMID: 31513763 PMCID: PMC7409534 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2019.105168] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2019] [Revised: 08/27/2019] [Accepted: 09/07/2019] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Trypanosoma cruzi (T. cruzi) is the causative agent for Chagas disease (CD). There is a critical lack of methods for prevention of infection or treatment of acute infection and chronic disease. Studies in experimental models have suggested that the protective immunity against T. cruzi infection requires the elicitation of Th1 cytokines, lytic antibodies and the concerted activities of macrophages, T helper cells, and cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs). In this review, we summarize the research efforts in vaccine development to date and the challenges faced in achieving an efficient prophylactic or therapeutic vaccine against human CD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lizette E Rios
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555-1070, USA
| | - Juan Carlos Vázquez-Chagoyán
- Centro de Investigación y Estudios Avanzados en Salud Animal, Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, Universidad Autónoma del Estado de México, Toluca, México
| | - Antonio Ortega Pacheco
- Departamento de Salud Animal y Medicina Preventiva, Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, Universidad Autónoma de Yucatán, Mérida, Yucatán, México
| | - M Paola Zago
- Instituto de Patología Experimental, Universidad Nacional de Salta - Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Salta, Argentina
| | - Nisha J Garg
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555-1070, USA; Institute for Human Infections and Immunity, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX.
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41
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Abstract
AbstractSurvival and infectivity of trypanosomatids rely on cell-surface and secreted glycoconjugates, many of which contain a variable number of galactose residues. Incorporation of galactose to proteins and lipids occurs along the secretory pathway from UDP-galactose (UDP-Gal). Before being used in glycosylation reactions, however, this activated sugar donor must first be transported across the endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi membranes by a specific nucleotide sugar transporter (NST). In this study, we identified an UDP-Gal transporter (named TcNST2 and encoded by the TcCLB.504085.60 gene) fromTrypanosoma cruzi, the etiological agent of Chagas disease. TcNST2 was identified by heterologous expression of selected putative nucleotide sugar transporters in a mutant Chinese Hamster Ovary cell line.TcNST2mRNA levels were detected in allT. cruzilife-cycle forms, with an increase in expression in axenic amastigotes. Confocal microscope analysis indicated that the transporter is specifically localized to the Golgi apparatus. A three-dimensional model of TcNST2 suggested an overall structural conservation as compared with members of the metabolite transporter superfamily and also suggested specific features that could be related to its activity. The identification of this transporter is an important step toward a better understanding of glycoconjugate biosynthesis and the role NSTs play in this process in trypanosomatids.
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da Fonseca LM, da Costa KM, Chaves VDS, Freire-de-Lima CG, Morrot A, Mendonça-Previato L, Previato JO, Freire-de-Lima L. Theft and Reception of Host Cell's Sialic Acid: Dynamics of Trypanosoma Cruzi Trans-sialidases and Mucin-Like Molecules on Chagas' Disease Immunomodulation. Front Immunol 2019; 10:164. [PMID: 30787935 PMCID: PMC6372544 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2019.00164] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2018] [Accepted: 01/18/2019] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
The last decades have produced a plethora of evidence on the role of glycans, from cell adhesion to signaling pathways. Much of that information pertains to their role on the immune system and their importance on the surface of many human pathogens. A clear example of this is the flagellated protozoan Trypanosoma cruzi, which displays on its surface a great variety of glycoconjugates, including O-glycosylated mucin-like glycoproteins, as well as multiple glycan-binding proteins belonging to the trans-sialidase (TS) family. Among the latter, different and concurrently expressed molecules may present or not TS activity, and are accordingly known as active (aTS) and inactive (iTS) members. Over the last thirty years, it has been well described that T. cruzi is unable to synthesize sialic acid (SIA) on its own, making use of aTS to steal the host's SIA. Although iTS did not show enzymatic activity, it retains a substrate specificity similar to aTS (α-2,3 SIA-containing glycotopes), displaying lectinic properties. It is accepted that aTS members act as virulence factors in mammals coursing the acute phase of the T. cruzi infection. However, recent findings have demonstrated that iTS may also play a pathogenic role during T. cruzi infection, since it modulates events related to adhesion and invasion of the parasite into the host cells. Since both aTS and iTS proteins share structural substrate specificity, it might be plausible to speculate that iTS proteins are able to assuage and/or attenuate biological phenomena depending on the catalytic activity displayed by aTS members. Since SIA-containing glycotopes modulate the host immune system, it should not come as any surprise that changes in the sialylation of parasite's mucin-like molecules, as well as host cell glycoconjugates might disrupt critical physiological events, such as the building of effective immune responses. This review aims to discuss the importance of mucin-like glycoproteins and both aTS and iTS for T. cruzi biology, as well as to present a snapshot of how disturbances in both parasite and host cell sialoglycophenotypes may facilitate the persistence of T. cruzi in the infected mammalian host.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leonardo Marques da Fonseca
- Laboratório de Glicobiologia, Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Kelli Monteiro da Costa
- Laboratório de Glicobiologia, Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Victoria de Sousa Chaves
- Laboratório de Glicobiologia, Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Célio Geraldo Freire-de-Lima
- Laboratório de Imunomodulação, Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Alexandre Morrot
- Laboratório de Pesquisa em Tuberculose, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.,Laboratório de Imunoparasitologia, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Lucia Mendonça-Previato
- Laboratório de Glicobiologia, Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Jose Osvaldo Previato
- Laboratório de Glicobiologia, Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Leonardo Freire-de-Lima
- Laboratório de Glicobiologia, Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
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43
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Ortega-Rodriguez U, Portillo S, Ashmus RA, Duran JA, Schocker NS, Iniguez E, Montoya AL, Zepeda BG, Olivas JJ, Karimi NH, Alonso-Padilla J, Izquierdo L, Pinazo MJ, de Noya BA, Noya O, Maldonado RA, Torrico F, Gascon J, Michael K, Almeida IC. Purification of Glycosylphosphatidylinositol-Anchored Mucins from Trypanosoma cruzi Trypomastigotes and Synthesis of α-Gal-Containing Neoglycoproteins: Application as Biomarkers for Reliable Diagnosis and Early Assessment of Chemotherapeutic Outcomes of Chagas Disease. Methods Mol Biol 2019; 1955:287-308. [PMID: 30868536 PMCID: PMC6589430 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4939-9148-8_22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Chagas disease (ChD), caused by the protozoan parasite Trypanosoma cruzi, affects millions of people worldwide. Chemotherapy is restricted to two drugs, which are partially effective and may cause severe side effects, leading to cessation of treatment in a significant number of patients. Currently, there are no biomarkers to assess therapeutic efficacy of these drugs in the chronic stage. Moreover, no preventive or therapeutic vaccines are available. In this chapter, we describe the purification of Trypanosoma cruzi trypomastigote-derived glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI)-anchored mucins (tGPI-mucins) for their use as antigens for the reliable primary or confirmatory diagnosis and as prognostic biomarkers for early assessment of cure following ChD chemotherapy. We also describe, as an example, the synthesis of a potential tGPI-mucin-derived α-Gal-terminating glycan and its coupling to a carrier protein for use as diagnostic and prognostic biomarker in ChD.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Susana Portillo
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Texas at El Paso, El Paso, TX, USA
| | - Roger A Ashmus
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Texas at El Paso, El Paso, TX, USA
| | - Jerry A Duran
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Texas at El Paso, El Paso, TX, USA
| | - Nathaniel S Schocker
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Texas at El Paso, El Paso, TX, USA
| | - Eva Iniguez
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Texas at El Paso, El Paso, TX, USA
| | - Alba L Montoya
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Texas at El Paso, El Paso, TX, USA
| | - Brenda G Zepeda
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Texas at El Paso, El Paso, TX, USA
| | - Janet J Olivas
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Texas at El Paso, El Paso, TX, USA
| | - Nasim H Karimi
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Texas at El Paso, El Paso, TX, USA
| | - Julio Alonso-Padilla
- Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal), Hospital Clínic - Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Luis Izquierdo
- Barcelona Centre for International Health Research (ISGlobal), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Maria-Jesús Pinazo
- Barcelona Centre for International Health Research (ISGlobal), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Belkisyolé Alarcón de Noya
- Facultad de Medicina, Instituto de Medicina Tropical, Universidad Central de Venezuela, Caracas, Venezuela
| | - Oscar Noya
- Facultad de Medicina, Instituto de Medicina Tropical, Universidad Central de Venezuela, Caracas, Venezuela
| | - Rosa A Maldonado
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Texas at El Paso, El Paso, TX, USA
| | - Faustino Torrico
- Faculty of Medicine, Universidad Mayor de San Simón, Cochabamba, Bolivia
- Fundación CEADES, Cochabamba, Bolivia
| | - Joaquim Gascon
- Facultad de Medicina, Instituto de Medicina Tropical, Universidad Central de Venezuela, Caracas, Venezuela
| | - Katja Michael
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Texas at El Paso, El Paso, TX, USA
| | - Igor C Almeida
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Texas at El Paso, El Paso, TX, USA.
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44
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Reis-Cunha JL, Baptista RP, Rodrigues-Luiz GF, Coqueiro-Dos-Santos A, Valdivia HO, de Almeida LV, Cardoso MS, D'Ávila DA, Dias FHC, Fujiwara RT, Galvão LMC, Chiari E, Cerqueira GC, Bartholomeu DC. Whole genome sequencing of Trypanosoma cruzi field isolates reveals extensive genomic variability and complex aneuploidy patterns within TcII DTU. BMC Genomics 2018; 19:816. [PMID: 30424726 PMCID: PMC6234542 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-018-5198-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2017] [Accepted: 10/23/2018] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Trypanosoma cruzi, the etiologic agent of Chagas disease, is currently divided into six discrete typing units (DTUs), named TcI-TcVI. TcII is among the major DTUs enrolled in human infections in South America southern cone, where it is associated with severe cardiac and digestive symptoms. Despite the importance of TcII in Chagas disease epidemiology and pathology, so far, no genome-wide comparisons of the mitochondrial and nuclear genomes of TcII field isolates have been performed to track the variability and evolution of this DTU in endemic regions. RESULTS In the present work, we have sequenced and compared the whole nuclear and mitochondrial genomes of seven TcII strains isolated from chagasic patients from the central and northeastern regions of Minas Gerais, Brazil, revealing an extensive genetic variability within this DTU. A comparison of the phylogeny based on the nuclear or mitochondrial genomes revealed that the majority of branches were shared by both sequences. The subtle divergences in the branches are probably consequence of mitochondrial introgression events between TcII strains. Two T. cruzi strains isolated from patients living in the central region of Minas Gerais, S15 and S162a, were clustered in the nuclear and mitochondrial phylogeny analysis. These two strains were isolated from the other five by the Espinhaço Mountains, a geographic barrier that could have restricted the traffic of insect vectors during T. cruzi evolution in the Minas Gerais state. Finally, the presence of aneuploidies was evaluated, revealing that all seven TcII strains have a different pattern of chromosomal duplication/loss. CONCLUSIONS Analysis of genomic variability and aneuploidies suggests that there is significant genomic variability within Minas Gerais TcII strains, which could be exploited by the parasite to allow rapid selection of favorable phenotypes. Also, the aneuploidy patterns vary among T. cruzi strains and does not correlate with the nuclear phylogeny, suggesting that chromosomal duplication/loss are recent and frequent events in the parasite evolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- João Luís Reis-Cunha
- Departamento de Parasitologia, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Rodrigo P Baptista
- Departamento de Parasitologia, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil.,The University of Georgia, Athens, USA
| | - Gabriela F Rodrigues-Luiz
- Departamento de Parasitologia, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil.,Departamento de Microbiologia, Imunologia e Parasitologia, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, Brazil
| | | | - Hugo O Valdivia
- Departamento de Parasitologia, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil.,U.S. Naval Medical Research, Lima, Peru
| | - Laila Viana de Almeida
- Departamento de Parasitologia, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Mariana Santos Cardoso
- Departamento de Parasitologia, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | | | | | | | - Lúcia M C Galvão
- Departamento de Parasitologia, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Egler Chiari
- Departamento de Parasitologia, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | | | - Daniella C Bartholomeu
- Departamento de Parasitologia, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil.
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Amaral PDA, Autheman D, de Melo GD, Gouault N, Cupif JF, Goyard S, Dutra P, Coatnoan N, Cosson A, Monet D, Saul F, Haouz A, Uriac P, Blondel A, Minoprio P. Designed mono- and di-covalent inhibitors trap modeled functional motions for Trypanosoma cruzi proline racemase in crystallography. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2018; 12:e0006853. [PMID: 30372428 PMCID: PMC6224121 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0006853] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2018] [Revised: 11/08/2018] [Accepted: 09/18/2018] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Chagas disease, caused by Trypanosoma cruzi, affects millions of people in South America and no satisfactory therapy exists, especially for its life threatening chronic phase. We targeted the Proline Racemase of T. cruzi, which is present in all stages of the parasite life cycle, to discover new inhibitors against this disease. The first published crystal structures of the enzyme revealed that the catalytic site is too small to allow any relevant drug design. In previous work, to break through the chemical space afforded to virtual screening and drug design, we generated intermediate models between the open (ligand free) and closed (ligand bound) forms of the enzyme. In the present work, we co-crystallized the enzyme with the selected inhibitors and found that they were covalently bound to the catalytic cysteine residues in the active site, thus explaining why these compounds act as irreversible inhibitors. These results led us to the design of a novel, more potent specific inhibitor, NG-P27. Co-crystallization of this new inhibitor with the enzyme allowed us to confirm the predicted protein functional motions and further characterize the chemical mechanism. Hence, the catalytic Cys300 sulfur atom of the enzyme attacks the C2 carbon of the inhibitor in a coupled, regiospecific—stereospecific Michael reaction with trans-addition of a proton on the C3 carbon. Strikingly, the six different conformations of the catalytic site in the crystal structures reported in this work had key similarities to our intermediate models previously generated by inference of the protein functional motions. These crystal structures span a conformational interval covering roughly the first quarter of the opening mechanism, demonstrating the relevance of modeling approaches to break through chemical space in drug design. There is an urgent need to develop innovative medicines addressing neglected diseases, multi-drug resistance and other unmet therapeutic needs. To create new drug design opportunities, we attempted to exploit protein functional motions by using a rational approach to model structural intermediates of a therapeutic target. After successfully designing inhibitors based on modeled intermediates of T. Cruzi proline racemase, the determination of crystal structures of the target protein in complex with the inhibitors revealed conformations that were strikingly close to the predicted models. Thus, beyond the discovery of compounds establishing a novel mode of action that can lead to innovative treatments of Chagas disease, we illustrate how modeling protein functional motions can be exploited in a rational approach to create opportunities in drug design.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patricia de Aguiar Amaral
- Université de Rennes 1, Equipe Chimie organique et interfaces (CORINT), UMR 6226 Sciences Chimiques de Rennes, Rennes, France
| | - Delphine Autheman
- Institut Pasteur, Laboratoire des Processus Infectieux à Trypanosomatidés, Département Infection et Epidémiologie, Paris, France
| | - Guilherme Dias de Melo
- Institut Pasteur, Laboratoire des Processus Infectieux à Trypanosomatidés, Département Infection et Epidémiologie, Paris, France
| | - Nicolas Gouault
- Université de Rennes 1, Equipe Chimie organique et interfaces (CORINT), UMR 6226 Sciences Chimiques de Rennes, Rennes, France
| | - Jean-François Cupif
- Université de Rennes 1, Equipe Chimie organique et interfaces (CORINT), UMR 6226 Sciences Chimiques de Rennes, Rennes, France
| | - Sophie Goyard
- Institut Pasteur, Laboratoire des Processus Infectieux à Trypanosomatidés, Département Infection et Epidémiologie, Paris, France
| | - Patricia Dutra
- Institut Pasteur, Laboratoire des Processus Infectieux à Trypanosomatidés, Département Infection et Epidémiologie, Paris, France
| | - Nicolas Coatnoan
- Institut Pasteur, Laboratoire des Processus Infectieux à Trypanosomatidés, Département Infection et Epidémiologie, Paris, France
| | - Alain Cosson
- Institut Pasteur, Laboratoire des Processus Infectieux à Trypanosomatidés, Département Infection et Epidémiologie, Paris, France
| | - Damien Monet
- Institut Pasteur, Unité de Bioinformatique Structurale, Département de Biologie Structurale et Chimie, CNRS-UMR 3528, Paris, France
| | - Frederick Saul
- Institut Pasteur, Plateforme de Cristallographie, Département de Biologie Structurale et Chimie, CNRS-UMR 3528, Paris, France
| | - Ahmed Haouz
- Institut Pasteur, Plateforme de Cristallographie, Département de Biologie Structurale et Chimie, CNRS-UMR 3528, Paris, France
| | - Philippe Uriac
- Université de Rennes 1, Equipe Chimie organique et interfaces (CORINT), UMR 6226 Sciences Chimiques de Rennes, Rennes, France
- * E-mail: (PU); (AB); (PM)
| | - Arnaud Blondel
- Institut Pasteur, Unité de Bioinformatique Structurale, Département de Biologie Structurale et Chimie, CNRS-UMR 3528, Paris, France
- * E-mail: (PU); (AB); (PM)
| | - Paola Minoprio
- Institut Pasteur, Laboratoire des Processus Infectieux à Trypanosomatidés, Département Infection et Epidémiologie, Paris, France
- * E-mail: (PU); (AB); (PM)
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46
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Conserved epitopes in variants of amastin protein of Trypanosoma cruzi for vaccine design: A bioinformatics approach. Microb Pathog 2018; 125:423-430. [PMID: 30296452 DOI: 10.1016/j.micpath.2018.10.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2018] [Revised: 09/24/2018] [Accepted: 10/04/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Chagas disease caused by protozoan parasite Trypanosoma cruzi is endemic disease in South and Central American countries but due to migrating human populations it has shown emergence in Europe, North America and Australia. With only two drugs, benznidazole and nifurtimox for its treatment there is need for newer therapies. In the current study, we have tried to analyse the potential of amastin, a major surface protein as a vaccine target using bioinformatics tools. Using 282 variants of this protein available in NCBI protein database we have found out five conserved potential Tc cell and two TH cell epitopes. These epitopes are conserved in more than 90% of the cohort of sequences used in the study. The epitopes showed binding to the peptide binding cleft of HLA-A02 and HLA-DR molecules. With coverage of pan world populations and being non-toxic and non-allergic these epitopes could be used for future vaccine applications.
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47
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Callejas-Hernández F, Rastrojo A, Poveda C, Gironès N, Fresno M. Genomic assemblies of newly sequenced Trypanosoma cruzi strains reveal new genomic expansion and greater complexity. Sci Rep 2018; 8:14631. [PMID: 30279473 PMCID: PMC6168536 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-32877-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2018] [Accepted: 09/13/2018] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Chagas disease is a complex illness caused by the protozoan Trypanosoma cruzi displaying highly diverse clinical outcomes. In this sense, the genome sequence elucidation and comparison between strains may lead to disease understanding. Here, two new T. cruzi strains, have been sequenced, Y using Illumina and Bug2148 using PacBio, assembled, analyzed and compared with the T. cruzi annotated genomes available to date. The assembly stats from the new sequences show effective improvement of T. cruzi genome over the actual ones. Such as, the largest contig assembled (1.3 Mb in Bug2148) in de novo attempts and the highest mean assembly coverage (71X for Y). Our analysis reveals a new genomic expansion and greater complexity for those multi-copy gene families related to infection process and disease development, such as Trans-sialidases, Mucins and Mucin Associated Surface Proteins, among others. On one side, we demonstrate that multi-copy gene families are located near telomeric regions of the "chromosome-like" 1.3 Mb contig assembled of Bug2148, where they likely suffer high evolutive pressure. On the other hand, we identified several strain-specific single copy genes that might help to understand the differences in infectivity and physiology among strains. In summary, our results indicate that T. cruzi has a complex genomic architecture that may have promoted its evolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francisco Callejas-Hernández
- Centro de Biología Molecular Severo Ochoa, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Cantoblanco, Madrid, Spain
| | - Alberto Rastrojo
- Centro de Biología Molecular Severo Ochoa, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Cantoblanco, Madrid, Spain
| | - Cristina Poveda
- Centro de Biología Molecular Severo Ochoa, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Cantoblanco, Madrid, Spain
| | - Núria Gironès
- Centro de Biología Molecular Severo Ochoa, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Cantoblanco, Madrid, Spain.
- Instituto Sanitario de Investigación Princesa, Madrid, Spain.
| | - Manuel Fresno
- Centro de Biología Molecular Severo Ochoa, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Cantoblanco, Madrid, Spain.
- Instituto Sanitario de Investigación Princesa, Madrid, Spain.
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48
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de Pablos Torró LM, Retana Moreira L, Osuna A. Extracellular Vesicles in Chagas Disease: A New Passenger for an Old Disease. Front Microbiol 2018; 9:1190. [PMID: 29910793 PMCID: PMC5992290 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2018.01190] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2018] [Accepted: 05/16/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are small lipid vesicles released by prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells containing nucleic acids, proteins, and small metabolites essential for cellular communication. Depending on the targeted cell, EVs can act either locally or in distant tissues in a paracrine or endocrine cell signaling manner. Released EVs from virus-infected cells, bacteria, fungi, or parasites have been demonstrated to perform a pivotal role in a myriad of biochemical changes occurring in the host and pathogen, including the modulation the immune system. In the past few years, the biology of Trypanosoma cruzi EVs, as well as their role in innate immunity evasion, has been started to be unveiled. This review article will present findings on and provide a coherent understanding of the currently known mechanisms of action of T. cruzi-EVs and hypothesize the implication of these parasite components during the acute and chronic phases of Chagas disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luis M de Pablos Torró
- Grupo de Bioquímica y Parasitología Molecular, Departamento de Parasitología, Campus de Fuentenueva, Universidad de Granada, Granada, Spain
| | - Lissette Retana Moreira
- Grupo de Bioquímica y Parasitología Molecular, Departamento de Parasitología, Campus de Fuentenueva, Universidad de Granada, Granada, Spain
| | - Antonio Osuna
- Grupo de Bioquímica y Parasitología Molecular, Departamento de Parasitología, Campus de Fuentenueva, Universidad de Granada, Granada, Spain
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49
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Kelly S, Ivens A, Mott GA, O'Neill E, Emms D, Macleod O, Voorheis P, Tyler K, Clark M, Matthews J, Matthews K, Carrington M. An Alternative Strategy for Trypanosome Survival in the Mammalian Bloodstream Revealed through Genome and Transcriptome Analysis of the Ubiquitous Bovine Parasite Trypanosoma (Megatrypanum) theileri. Genome Biol Evol 2018; 9:2093-2109. [PMID: 28903536 PMCID: PMC5737535 DOI: 10.1093/gbe/evx152] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/12/2017] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
There are hundreds of Trypanosoma species that live in the blood and tissue spaces of their vertebrate hosts. The vast majority of these do not have the ornate system of antigenic variation that has evolved in the small number of African trypanosome species, but can still maintain long-term infections in the face of the vertebrate adaptive immune system. Trypanosoma theileri is a typical example, has a restricted host range of cattle and other Bovinae, and is only occasionally reported to cause patent disease although no systematic survey of the effect of infection on agricultural productivity has been performed. Here, a detailed genome sequence and a transcriptome analysis of gene expression in bloodstream form T. theileri have been performed. Analysis of the genome sequence and expression showed that T. theileri has a typical kinetoplastid genome structure and allowed a prediction that it is capable of meiotic exchange, gene silencing via RNA interference and, potentially, density-dependent growth control. In particular, the transcriptome analysis has allowed a comparison of two distinct trypanosome cell surfaces, T. brucei and T. theileri, that have each evolved to enable the maintenance of a long-term extracellular infection in cattle. The T. theileri cell surface can be modeled to contain a mixture of proteins encoded by four novel large and divergent gene families and by members of a major surface protease gene family. This surface composition is distinct from the uniform variant surface glycoprotein coat on African trypanosomes providing an insight into a second mechanism used by trypanosome species that proliferate in an extracellular milieu in vertebrate hosts to avoid the adaptive immune response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Steven Kelly
- Department of Plant Sciences, University of Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Alasdair Ivens
- Centre for Immunity, Infection and Evolution and Institute for Immunology and Infection Research, School of Biological Sciences, University of Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - G Adam Mott
- Centre for Immunity, Infection and Evolution and Institute for Immunology and Infection Research, School of Biological Sciences, University of Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Ellis O'Neill
- Department of Plant Sciences, University of Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - David Emms
- Department of Plant Sciences, University of Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Olivia Macleod
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Paul Voorheis
- School of Biochemistry and Immunology, Trinity College, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Kevin Tyler
- Norwich Medical School, University of East Anglia, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, Norfolk, United Kingdom
| | - Matthew Clark
- Earlham Institute, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, Norfolk, United Kingdom
| | - Jacqueline Matthews
- Moredun Research Institute, Pentlands Science Park, Bush Loan, Penicuik, Midlothian, United Kingdom
| | - Keith Matthews
- Centre for Immunity, Infection and Evolution and Institute for Immunology and Infection Research, School of Biological Sciences, University of Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Mark Carrington
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, United Kingdom
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50
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Caeiro LD, Alba-Soto CD, Rizzi M, Solana ME, Rodriguez G, Chidichimo AM, Rodriguez ME, Sánchez DO, Levy GV, Tekiel V. The protein family TcTASV-C is a novel Trypanosoma cruzi virulence factor secreted in extracellular vesicles by trypomastigotes and highly expressed in bloodstream forms. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2018; 12:e0006475. [PMID: 29727453 PMCID: PMC5955593 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0006475] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2017] [Revised: 05/16/2018] [Accepted: 04/24/2018] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
TcTASV-C is a protein family of about 15 members that is expressed only in the trypomastigote stage of Trypanosoma cruzi. We have previously shown that TcTASV-C is located at the parasite surface and secreted to the medium. Here we report that the expression of different TcTASV-C genes occurs simultaneously at the trypomastigote stage and while some secreted and parasite-associated products are found in both fractions, others are different. Secreted TcTASV-C are mainly shedded through trypomastigote extracellular vesicles, of which they are an abundant constituent, despite its scarce expression on culture-derived trypomastigotes. In contrast, TcTASV-C is highly expressed in bloodstream trypomastigotes; its upregulation in bloodstream parasites was observed in different T. cruzi strains and was specific for TcTASV-C, suggesting that some host-molecules trigger TcTASV-C expression. TcTASV-C is also strongly secreted by bloodstream parasites. A DNA prime—protein boost immunization scheme with TcTASV-C was only partially effective to control the infection in mice challenged with a highly virulent T. cruzi strain. Vaccination triggered a strong humoral response that delayed the appearance of bloodstream trypomastigotes at the early phase of the infection. Linear epitopes recognized by vaccinated mice were mapped within the TcTASV-C family motif, suggesting that blockade of secreted TcTASV-C impacts on the settlement of infection. Furthermore, although experimental and naturally T. cruzi-infected hosts did not react with antigens from extracellular vesicles, vaccinated and challenged mice recognized not only TcTASV-C but also other vesicle-antigens. We hypothesize that TcTASV-C is involved in the establishment of the initial T. cruzi infection in the mammalian host. Altogether, these results point towards TcTASV-C as a novel secreted virulence factor of T. cruzi trypomastigotes. Trypanosoma cruzi is the kinetoplastid parasite that causes Chagas’ disease, a neglected infection endemic in Latin America and emerging worldwide. Being vaccines currently unavailable and treatments not completely effective, identification and characterization of parasite molecules that can be target for these interventions are urgently needed. Of particular interest are surface anchored and secreted proteins involved in parasite—host interplay. Recently, extracellular vesicles released from protozoan pathogens have been shown to alter host cell function favoring the establishment of infection. Trypomastigotes are the disseminating stage of T. cruzi, being their presence in peripheral blood a hallmark of early acute infection in mammals. While the most abundant proteins of the trypomastigote surface are fairly well characterized, little is known about other, less abundant and more recently discovered multigenic families, which could have critical functions in the parasite—host interaction. The T. cruziTrypomastigote Alanine, Valine and Serine rich proteins (TcTASV) belong to a medium-size multigene family of ~40 members that remained unobserved until a few years ago when it was identified through a trypomastigote-enriched cDNA library. Almost simultaneously, an expression library immunization approach designed to discover novel vaccine antigens in T. cruzi, spotlighted the TcTASV-C subfamily, as a fragment of a TcTASV-C gene was identified in a pool of protective clones. A distinctive feature that characterizes TcTASV proteins–and particularly the TcTASV-C subfamily- is their predominant expression in trypomastigotes. Recent transcriptomic and proteomic studies uphold our previous observations that the TcTASV family is over-represented in the trypomastigote stage, and therefore could represent an interesting target for rational intervention against T. cruzi infection. Here show that TcTASV-C is mainly secreted through extracellular vesicles (EVs) of trypomastigotes, and is a major cargo of its content. We have also shown that TcTASV-C is much more expressed in trypomastigotes purified from blood from infected mice than in trypomastigotes harvested from in vitro cultures, suggesting that host molecules should trigger TcTASV-C expression in vivo during the infection. The immunization of mice with TcTASV-C interfered with the early acute phase of T. cruzi infection through a strong humoral immune response. TcTASV-C should be considered as a novel secreted virulence factor of T. cruzi trypomastigotes and -although its biological function is still unknown- we hypothesize its participation in the early steps of T cruzi infection in the mammalian host.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucas D Caeiro
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biotecnológicas-Instituto Tecnológico de Chascomús (IIB-INTECH), Universidad Nacional de San Martín (UNSAM)-Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), San Martín, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Catalina D Alba-Soto
- Departamento de Microbiología, Parasitología e Inmunología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Instituto de Investigaciones en Microbiología y Parasitología Médicas (IMPaM), UBA-CONICET, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Mariana Rizzi
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biotecnológicas-Instituto Tecnológico de Chascomús (IIB-INTECH), Universidad Nacional de San Martín (UNSAM)-Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), San Martín, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - María Elisa Solana
- Departamento de Microbiología, Parasitología e Inmunología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Instituto de Investigaciones en Microbiología y Parasitología Médicas (IMPaM), UBA-CONICET, Buenos Aires, Argentina.,Departamento de Cs. Básicas, Universidad Nacional de Luján, Luján, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Giselle Rodriguez
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biotecnológicas-Instituto Tecnológico de Chascomús (IIB-INTECH), Universidad Nacional de San Martín (UNSAM)-Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), San Martín, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Agustina M Chidichimo
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biotecnológicas-Instituto Tecnológico de Chascomús (IIB-INTECH), Universidad Nacional de San Martín (UNSAM)-Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), San Martín, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Matías E Rodriguez
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biotecnológicas-Instituto Tecnológico de Chascomús (IIB-INTECH), Universidad Nacional de San Martín (UNSAM)-Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), San Martín, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Daniel O Sánchez
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biotecnológicas-Instituto Tecnológico de Chascomús (IIB-INTECH), Universidad Nacional de San Martín (UNSAM)-Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), San Martín, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Gabriela V Levy
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biotecnológicas-Instituto Tecnológico de Chascomús (IIB-INTECH), Universidad Nacional de San Martín (UNSAM)-Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), San Martín, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Valeria Tekiel
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biotecnológicas-Instituto Tecnológico de Chascomús (IIB-INTECH), Universidad Nacional de San Martín (UNSAM)-Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), San Martín, Buenos Aires, Argentina
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