1
|
Lucky AB, Wang C, Liu M, Liang X, Min H, Fan Q, Siddiqui FA, Adapa SR, Li X, Jiang RHY, Chen X, Cui L, Miao J. A type II protein arginine methyltransferase regulates merozoite invasion in Plasmodium falciparum. Commun Biol 2023; 6:659. [PMID: 37349497 PMCID: PMC10287762 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-023-05038-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2022] [Accepted: 06/12/2023] [Indexed: 06/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Protein arginine methyltransferases (PRMTs) regulate many important cellular processes, such as transcription and RNA processing in model organisms but their functions in human malaria parasites are not elucidated. Here, we characterize PfPRMT5 in Plasmodium falciparum, which catalyzes symmetric dimethylation of histone H3 at R2 (H3R2me2s) and R8, and histone H4 at R3 in vitro. PfPRMT5 disruption results in asexual stage growth defects primarily due to lower invasion efficiency of the merozoites. Transcriptomic analysis reveals down-regulation of many transcripts related to invasion upon PfPRMT5 disruption, in agreement with H3R2me2s being an active chromatin mark. Genome-wide chromatin profiling detects extensive H3R2me2s marking of genes of different cellular processes, including invasion-related genes in wildtype parasites and PfPRMT5 disruption leads to the depletion of H3R2me2s. Interactome studies identify the association of PfPRMT5 with invasion-related transcriptional regulators such as AP2-I, BDP1, and GCN5. Furthermore, PfPRMT5 is associated with the RNA splicing machinery, and PfPRMT5 disruption caused substantial anomalies in RNA splicing events, including those for invasion-related genes. In summary, PfPRMT5 is critical for regulating parasite invasion and RNA splicing in this early-branching eukaryote.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Amuza Byaruhanga Lucky
- Department of Internal Medicine, Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, 33612, USA
| | - Chengqi Wang
- Center for Global Health and Infectious Diseases, Department of Global Health, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, 33612, USA
| | - Min Liu
- Department of Internal Medicine, Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, 33612, USA
- Department of Pathogen Biology, School of Public Health, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510515, China
| | - Xiaoying Liang
- Department of Internal Medicine, Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, 33612, USA
| | - Hui Min
- Department of Internal Medicine, Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, 33612, USA
| | - Qi Fan
- Dalian Institute of Biotechnology, Dalian, Liaoning, China
| | - Faiza Amber Siddiqui
- Department of Internal Medicine, Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, 33612, USA
| | - Swamy Rakesh Adapa
- Center for Global Health and Infectious Diseases, Department of Global Health, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, 33612, USA
| | - Xiaolian Li
- Department of Internal Medicine, Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, 33612, USA
| | - Rays H Y Jiang
- Center for Global Health and Infectious Diseases, Department of Global Health, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, 33612, USA
| | - Xiaoguang Chen
- Department of Pathogen Biology, School of Public Health, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510515, China
| | - Liwang Cui
- Department of Internal Medicine, Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, 33612, USA
| | - Jun Miao
- Department of Internal Medicine, Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, 33612, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Li Z, Du W, Yang J, Lai DH, Lun ZR, Guo Q. Cryo-Electron Tomography of Toxoplasma gondii Indicates That the Conoid Fiber May Be Derived from Microtubules. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2023; 10:e2206595. [PMID: 36840635 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202206595] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2022] [Revised: 02/04/2023] [Indexed: 05/18/2023]
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) is the causative agent of toxoplasmosis and can infect numerous warm-blooded animals. An improved understanding of the fine structure of this parasite can help elucidate its replication mechanism. Previous studies have resolved the ultrastructure of the cytoskeleton using purified samples, which eliminates their cellular context. Here the application of cryo-electron tomography to visualize T. gondii tachyzoites in their native state is reported. The fine structure and cellular distribution of the cytoskeleton are resolved and analyzed at nanometer resolution. Additionally, the tachyzoite structural characteristics are annotated during its endodyogeny for the first time. By comparing the structural features in mature tachyzoites and their daughter buds, it is proposed that the conoid fiber of the Apicomplexa originates from microtubules. This work represents the detailed molecular anatomy of T. gondii, particularly during the budding replication stage of tachyzoite, and provides a reference for further studies of this fascinating organism.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zhixun Li
- State Key Laboratory of Protein and Plant Gene Research, Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, Academy for Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies, School of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, P. R. China
| | - Wenjing Du
- State Key Laboratory of Protein and Plant Gene Research, Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, Academy for Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies, School of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, P. R. China
| | - Jiong Yang
- MOE Key Laboratory of Gene Function and Regulation, State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 510275, P. R. China
| | - De-Hua Lai
- MOE Key Laboratory of Gene Function and Regulation, State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 510275, P. R. China
| | - Zhao-Rong Lun
- MOE Key Laboratory of Gene Function and Regulation, State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 510275, P. R. China
| | - Qiang Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Protein and Plant Gene Research, Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, Academy for Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies, School of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, P. R. China
- Changping Laboratory, Yard 28, Science Park Road, Beijing, 102206, P. R. China
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Horjales S, Li Calzi M, Francia ME, Cayota A, Garcia-Silva MR. piRNA pathway evolution beyond gonad context: Perspectives from apicomplexa and trypanosomatids. Front Genet 2023; 14:1129194. [PMID: 36816026 PMCID: PMC9935688 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2023.1129194] [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: 12/21/2022] [Accepted: 01/23/2023] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
piRNAs function as genome defense mechanisms against transposable elements insertions within germ line cells. Recent studies have unraveled that piRNA pathways are not limited to germ cells as initially reckoned, but are instead also found in non-gonadal somatic contexts. Moreover, these pathways have also been reported in bacteria, mollusks and arthropods, associated with safeguard of genomes against transposable elements, regulation of gene expression and with direct consequences in axon regeneration and memory formation. In this Perspective we draw attention to early branching parasitic protozoa, whose genome preservation is an essential function as in late eukaryotes. However, little is known about the defense mechanisms of these genomes. We and others have described the presence of putative PIWI-related machinery members in protozoan parasites. We have described the presence of a PIWI-like protein in Trypanosoma cruzi, bound to small non-coding RNAs (sRNAs) as cargo of secreted extracellular vesicles relevant in intercellular communication and host infection. Herein, we put forward the presence of members related to Argonaute pathways in both Trypanosoma cruzi and Toxoplasma gondii. The presence of PIWI-like machinery in Trypansomatids and Apicomplexa, respectively, could be evidence of an ancestral piRNA machinery that evolved to become more sophisticated and complex in multicellular eukaryotes. We propose a model in which ancient PIWI proteins were expressed broadly and had functions independent of germline maintenance. A better understanding of current and ancestral PIWI/piRNAs will be relevant to better understand key mechanisms of genome integrity conservation during cell cycle progression and modulation of host defense mechanisms by protozoan parasites.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- S. Horjales
- Apicomplexa Biology Laboratory, Institute Pasteur Montevideo, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - M Li Calzi
- Functional Genomics Laboratory, Institute Pasteur Montevideo, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - M. E. Francia
- Apicomplexa Biology Laboratory, Institute Pasteur Montevideo, Montevideo, Uruguay,Departamento de Parasitología y Micología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - A. Cayota
- Functional Genomics Laboratory, Institute Pasteur Montevideo, Montevideo, Uruguay,Departmento Basico de Medicina, Facultad de Medicina, Hospital de Clinicas, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - M. R. Garcia-Silva
- Functional Genomics Laboratory, Institute Pasteur Montevideo, Montevideo, Uruguay,*Correspondence: M. R. Garcia-Silva,
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Pan M, Ge CC, Fan YM, Jin QW, Shen B, Huang SY. The determinants regulating Toxoplasma gondii bradyzoite development. Front Microbiol 2022; 13:1027073. [PMID: 36439853 PMCID: PMC9691885 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.1027073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2022] [Accepted: 10/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii is an obligate intracellular zoonotic pathogen capable of infecting almost all cells of warm-blooded vertebrates. In intermediate hosts, this parasite reproduces asexually in two forms, the tachyzoite form during acute infection that proliferates rapidly and the bradyzoite form during chronic infection that grows slowly. Depending on the growth condition, the two forms can interconvert. The conversion of tachyzoites to bradyzoites is critical for T. gondii transmission, and the reactivation of persistent bradyzoites in intermediate hosts may lead to symptomatic toxoplasmosis. However, the mechanisms that control bradyzoite differentiation have not been well studied. Here, we review recent advances in the study of bradyzoite biology and stage conversion, aiming to highlight the determinants associated with bradyzoite development and provide insights to design better strategies for controlling toxoplasmosis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ming Pan
- Institute of Comparative Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Zoonosis, Jiangsu Co-innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, Yangzhou, China
| | - Ceng-Ceng Ge
- Institute of Comparative Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Zoonosis, Jiangsu Co-innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, Yangzhou, China
| | - Yi-Min Fan
- Institute of Comparative Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Zoonosis, Jiangsu Co-innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, Yangzhou, China
| | - Qi-Wang Jin
- Institute of Comparative Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Zoonosis, Jiangsu Co-innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, Yangzhou, China
| | - Bang Shen
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
| | - Si-Yang Huang
- Institute of Comparative Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Zoonosis, Jiangsu Co-innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, Yangzhou, China
- Joint International Research Laboratory of Agriculture and Agri-Product Safety, The Ministry of Education of China, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Rodriguez MA. Protein arginine methyltransferases in protozoan parasites. Parasitology 2022; 149:427-435. [PMID: 35331350 PMCID: PMC11010539 DOI: 10.1017/s0031182021002043] [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: 09/20/2021] [Revised: 11/15/2021] [Accepted: 11/25/2021] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Arginine methylation is a post-translational modification involved in gene transcription, signalling pathways, DNA repair, RNA metabolism and splicing, among others, mechanisms that in protozoa parasites may be involved in pathogenicity-related events. This modification is performed by protein arginine methyltransferases (PRMTs), which according to their products are divided into three main types: type I yields monomethylarginine (MMA) and asymmetric dimethylarginine; type II produces MMA and symmetric dimethylarginine; whereas type III catalyses MMA only. Nine PRMTs (PRMT1 to PRMT9) have been characterized in humans, whereas in protozoa parasites, except for Giardia intestinalis, three to eight PRMTs have been identified, where in each group there are at least two enzymes belonging to type I, the majority with higher similarity to human PRMT1, and one of type II, related to human PRMT5. However, the information on the role of most of these enzymes in the parasites biology is limited so far. Here, current knowledge of PRMTs in protozoan parasites is reviewed; these enzymes participate in the cell growth, stress response, stage transitions and virulence of these microorganisms. Thus, PRMTs are attractive targets for developing new therapeutic strategies against these pathogens.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mario Alberto Rodriguez
- Departamento de Infectómica y Patogénesis Molecular, Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Ciudad de México, México
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Medina-Gómez C, Bolaños J, Borbolla-Vázquez J, Munguía-Robledo S, Orozco E, Rodríguez MA. The atypical protein arginine methyltrasferase of Entamoeba histolytica (EhPRMTA) is involved in cell proliferation, heat shock response and in vitro virulence. Exp Parasitol 2021; 222:108077. [PMID: 33465379 DOI: 10.1016/j.exppara.2021.108077] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2020] [Revised: 11/29/2020] [Accepted: 01/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Protein arginine methylation regulates several cellular events, including epigenetics, splicing, translation, and stress response, among others. This posttranslational modification is catalyzed by protein arginine methyltransferases (PRMTs), which according to their products are classified from type I to type IV. The type I produces monomethyl arginine and asymmetric dimethyl arginine; in mammalian there are six families of this PRMT type (PRMT1, 2, 3, 4, 6, and 8). The protozoa parasite Entamoeba histolytica has four PRMTs related to type I; three of them are similar to PRMT1, but the other one does not show significant homology to be grouped in any known PRMT family, thus we called it as atypical PRMT (EhPRMTA). Here, we showed that EhPRMTA does not contain several of the canonical amino acid residues of type I PRMTs, confirming that it is an atypical PRMT. A specific antibody against EhPRMTA localized this protein in cytoplasm. The recombinant EhPRMTA displayed catalytic activity on commercial histones and the native enzyme modified its expression level during heat shock and erythrophagocytosis. Besides, the knockdown of EhPRMTA produced an increment in cell growth, and phagocytosis, but decreases cell migration and the survival of trophozoites submitted to heat shock, suggesting that this protein is involved in regulate negatively or positively these events, respectively. Thus, results suggest that this methyltransferase regulates some cellular functions related to virulence and cell surviving.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Christian Medina-Gómez
- Departamento de Infectómica y Patogénesis Molecular, CINVESTAV-IPN, Ciudad de México, Mexico
| | - Jeni Bolaños
- Departamento de Infectómica y Patogénesis Molecular, CINVESTAV-IPN, Ciudad de México, Mexico
| | | | - Susana Munguía-Robledo
- Departamento de Infectómica y Patogénesis Molecular, CINVESTAV-IPN, Ciudad de México, Mexico
| | - Esther Orozco
- Departamento de Infectómica y Patogénesis Molecular, CINVESTAV-IPN, Ciudad de México, Mexico
| | - Mario A Rodríguez
- Departamento de Infectómica y Patogénesis Molecular, CINVESTAV-IPN, Ciudad de México, Mexico.
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Yin D, Jiang N, Zhang Y, Wang D, Sang X, Feng Y, Chen R, Wang X, Yang N, Chen Q. Global Lysine Crotonylation and 2-Hydroxyisobutyrylation in Phenotypically Different Toxoplasma gondii Parasites. Mol Cell Proteomics 2019; 18:2207-2224. [PMID: 31488510 PMCID: PMC6823851 DOI: 10.1074/mcp.ra119.001611] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2019] [Revised: 09/04/2019] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii is a unicellular protozoan parasite of the phylum Apicomplexa. The parasite repeatedly goes through a cycle of invasion, division and induction of host cell rupture, which is an obligatory process for proliferation inside warm-blooded animals. It is known that the biology of the parasite is controlled by a variety of mechanisms ranging from genomic to epigenetic to transcriptional regulation. In this study, we investigated the global protein posttranslational lysine crotonylation and 2-hydroxyisobutyrylation of two T. gondii strains, RH and ME49, which represent distinct phenotypes for proliferation and pathogenicity in the host. Proteins with differential expression and modification patterns associated with parasite phenotypes were identified. Many proteins in T. gondii were crotonylated and 2-hydroxyisobutyrylated, and they were localized in diverse subcellular compartments involved in a wide variety of cellular functions such as motility, host invasion, metabolism and epigenetic gene regulation. These findings suggest that lysine crotonylation and 2-hydroxyisobutyrylation are ubiquitous throughout the T. gondii proteome, regulating critical functions of the modified proteins. These data provide a basis for identifying important proteins associated with parasite development and pathogenicity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Deqi Yin
- Key Laoratory of Animal Infectious Diseases in Northeast China, Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Zoonosis, Shenyang Agricultural University, 120 Dongling Road, Shenyang 110166, China
| | - Ning Jiang
- Key Laoratory of Animal Infectious Diseases in Northeast China, Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Zoonosis, Shenyang Agricultural University, 120 Dongling Road, Shenyang 110166, China
| | - Yue Zhang
- Key Laoratory of Animal Infectious Diseases in Northeast China, Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Zoonosis, Shenyang Agricultural University, 120 Dongling Road, Shenyang 110166, China
| | - Dawei Wang
- Key Laoratory of Animal Infectious Diseases in Northeast China, Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Zoonosis, Shenyang Agricultural University, 120 Dongling Road, Shenyang 110166, China
| | - Xiaoyu Sang
- Key Laoratory of Animal Infectious Diseases in Northeast China, Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Zoonosis, Shenyang Agricultural University, 120 Dongling Road, Shenyang 110166, China
| | - Ying Feng
- Key Laoratory of Animal Infectious Diseases in Northeast China, Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Zoonosis, Shenyang Agricultural University, 120 Dongling Road, Shenyang 110166, China
| | - Rang Chen
- Key Laoratory of Animal Infectious Diseases in Northeast China, Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Zoonosis, Shenyang Agricultural University, 120 Dongling Road, Shenyang 110166, China
| | - Xinyi Wang
- College of Basic Education, Shenyang Agricultural University, 120 Dongling Road, Shenyang 110166, China
| | - Na Yang
- Key Laoratory of Animal Infectious Diseases in Northeast China, Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Zoonosis, Shenyang Agricultural University, 120 Dongling Road, Shenyang 110166, China
| | - Qijun Chen
- Key Laoratory of Animal Infectious Diseases in Northeast China, Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Zoonosis, Shenyang Agricultural University, 120 Dongling Road, Shenyang 110166, China.
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Semenovskaya K, Lévêque MF, Berry L, Bordat Y, Dubremetz JF, Lebrun M, Besteiro S. TgZFP2 is a novel zinc finger protein involved in coordinating mitosis and budding in Toxoplasma. Cell Microbiol 2019; 22:e13120. [PMID: 31628778 DOI: 10.1111/cmi.13120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2019] [Revised: 09/09/2019] [Accepted: 09/23/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Zinc finger proteins (ZFPs) are one of the most abundant groups of proteins with a wide range of molecular functions. We have characterised a Toxoplasma protein that we named TgZFP2, as it bears a zinc finger domain conserved in eukaryotes. However, this protein has little homology outside this region and contains no other conserved domain that could hint for a particular function. We thus investigated TgZFP2 function by generating a conditional mutant. We showed that depletion of TgZFP2 leads to a drastic arrest in the parasite cell cycle, and complementation assays demonstrated the zinc finger domain is essential for TgZFP2 function. More precisely, whereas replication of the nuclear material is initially essentially unaltered, daughter cell budding is seriously impaired: to a large extent newly formed buds fail to incorporate nuclear material. TgZFP2 is found at the basal complex in extracellular parasites and after invasion, but as the parasites progress into cell division, it relocalises to cytoplasmic punctate structures and, strikingly, accumulates in the pericentrosomal area at the onset of daughter cell elongation. Centrosomes have emerged as major coordinators of the budding and nuclear cycles in Toxoplasma, and our study identifies a novel and important component of this machinery.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ksenia Semenovskaya
- Laboratory of Pathogen Host Interactions UMR5235, CNRS, Université de Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - Maude F Lévêque
- Laboratory of Pathogen Host Interactions UMR5235, CNRS, Université de Montpellier, Montpellier, France.,MiVEGEC, Université de Montpellier, CNRS, IRD, CHU de Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - Laurence Berry
- Laboratory of Pathogen Host Interactions UMR5235, CNRS, Université de Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - Yann Bordat
- Laboratory of Pathogen Host Interactions UMR5235, CNRS, Université de Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - Jean-François Dubremetz
- Laboratory of Pathogen Host Interactions UMR5235, CNRS, Université de Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - Maryse Lebrun
- Laboratory of Pathogen Host Interactions UMR5235, CNRS, Université de Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - Sébastien Besteiro
- Laboratory of Pathogen Host Interactions UMR5235, CNRS, Université de Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Liu M, Li FX, Li CY, Li XC, Chen LF, Wu K, Yang PL, Lai ZF, Liu TK, Sullivan WJ, Cui L, Chen XG. Characterization of protein arginine methyltransferase of TgPRMT5 in Toxoplasma gondii. Parasit Vectors 2019; 12:221. [PMID: 31068219 PMCID: PMC6505072 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-019-3464-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2019] [Accepted: 04/29/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Protein arginine methylation is a prevalent post-translational modification. The protein arginine methyltransferase family (PRMT) is involved in many cellular processes in eukaryotes, including transcriptional regulation, epigenetic regulation, RNA metabolism, and DNA damage repair. Toxoplasma gondii, an opportunistic protozoan parasite, encodes five conserved PRMTs. PRMT5 is thought to be responsible for substantial PRMT activity in T. gondii; however, it has not yet been characterized. METHODS We tagged the 3' end of the endogenous TgPRMT5 genomic locus with sequence encoding a 3X hemagglutinin (HA) epitope. IFA and WB were performed to check the expression and subcellular localization of TgPRMT5 in tachyzoites and bradyzoites. In vitro methylation assays were performed to determine whether endogenous TgPRMT5 has arginine methyltransferase activity. RESULTS IFA and WB results showed that T. gondii PRMT5 (TgPRMT5) was localized in the cytoplasm in the tachyzoite stage; however, it shifts largely to the nuclear compartment in the bradyzoite stage. The in vitro methylation showed that TgPRMT5 has authentic type II PRMT activity and forms monomethylarginines and symmetric dimethylarginines. CONCLUSIONS We determined the expression and cellular localization of TgPRMT5 in tachyzoites and bradyzoites and confirmed its type II PRMT activity. We demonstrated the major changes in expression and cellular localization of TgPRMT5 during the tachyzoite and bradyzoite stages in T. gondii. Our findings suggest that TgPRMT5 protein may be involved in tachyzoite-bradyzoite transformation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Min Liu
- Department of Pathogen Biology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Research, School of Public Health, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515 Guangdong People’s Republic of China
| | - Fen-Xiang Li
- Department of Pathogen Biology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Research, School of Public Health, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515 Guangdong People’s Republic of China
| | - Chun-Yuan Li
- Department of Pathogen Biology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Research, School of Public Health, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515 Guangdong People’s Republic of China
| | - Xiao-Cong Li
- Department of Pathogen Biology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Research, School of Public Health, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515 Guangdong People’s Republic of China
| | - Long-Fei Chen
- Department of Pathogen Biology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Research, School of Public Health, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515 Guangdong People’s Republic of China
| | - Kun Wu
- Department of Pathogen Biology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Research, School of Public Health, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515 Guangdong People’s Republic of China
| | - Pei-Liang Yang
- Laboratory Animal Research Center, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515 Guangdong People’s Republic of China
| | - Zhi-Fa Lai
- Futian Center for disease control and prevention, Shenzhen, 518040 Guangdong People’s Republic of China
| | - Ting-kai Liu
- Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN USA
| | - William J. Sullivan
- Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN USA
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN USA
| | - Liwang Cui
- Department of Entomology, Pennsylvania State University, 501 ASI Building, University Park, PA 16802 USA
| | - Xiao-Guang Chen
- Department of Pathogen Biology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Research, School of Public Health, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515 Guangdong People’s Republic of China
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii is a common veterinary and human pathogen that persists as latent bradyzoite forms within infected hosts. The ability of the parasite to interconvert between tachyzoite and bradyzoite is key for pathogenesis of toxoplasmosis, particularly in immunocompromised individuals. The transition between tachyzoites and bradyzoites is epigenetically regulated and coupled to the cell cycle. Recent epigenomic studies have begun to elucidate the chromatin states associated with developmental switches in T. gondii. Evidence is also emerging that AP2 transcription factors both activate and repress the bradyzoite developmental program. Further studies are needed to understand the mechanisms by which T. gondii transduces environmental signals to coordinate the epigenetic and transcriptional machinery that are responsible for tachyzoite-bradyzoite interconversion.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kami Kim
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases and International Medicine, Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida 33612, USA.,Department of Global Health, College of Public Health, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida 33612, USA;
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Courjol F, Gissot M. A coiled-coil protein is required for coordination of karyokinesis and cytokinesis in Toxoplasma gondii. Cell Microbiol 2018; 20:e12832. [PMID: 29447426 DOI: 10.1111/cmi.12832] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2017] [Revised: 01/19/2018] [Accepted: 02/07/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii is a unicellular eukaryotic pathogen that belongs to the Apicomplexa phylum, which encompasses some of the deadliest pathogens of medical and veterinary importance. The centrosome is key to the organisation and coordination of the cell cycle and division of apicomplexan parasites. The T. gondii centrosome possesses a particular bipartite structure (outer and inner cores). One of the main roles of the centrosome is to ensure proper coordination of karyokinesis. However, how these 2 events are coordinated is still unknown in T. gondii, for which the centrosome components are poorly described. To gain more insights into the biology and the composition of the T. gondii centrosome, we characterised a protein that resides at the interface of the outer and inner core centrosomes. TgCep530 is a large coiled-coil protein with an essential role in the survival of the parasite. Depletion of this protein leads to the accumulation of parasites lacking nuclei and disruption of the normal cell cycle. Lack of TgCep530 results in a discoordination between the nuclear cycle and the budding cycle that yields fully formed parasites without nuclei. TgCep530 has a crucial role in the coordination of karyokinesis and cytokinesis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Flavie Courjol
- CNRS, Inserm, CHU Lille, Institut Pasteur de Lille, U1019 - UMR 8204 - CIIL - Centre d'Infection et d'Immunité de Lille, Univ. Lille, Lille, France
| | - Mathieu Gissot
- CNRS, Inserm, CHU Lille, Institut Pasteur de Lille, U1019 - UMR 8204 - CIIL - Centre d'Infection et d'Immunité de Lille, Univ. Lille, Lille, France
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Genome-wide and protein kinase-focused RNAi screens reveal conserved and novel damage response pathways in Trypanosoma brucei. PLoS Pathog 2017; 13:e1006477. [PMID: 28742144 PMCID: PMC5542689 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1006477] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2017] [Revised: 08/03/2017] [Accepted: 06/17/2017] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
All cells are subject to structural damage that must be addressed for continued growth. A wide range of damage affects the genome, meaning multiple pathways have evolved to repair or bypass the resulting DNA lesions. Though many repair pathways are conserved, their presence or function can reflect the life style of individual organisms. To identify genome maintenance pathways in a divergent eukaryote and important parasite, Trypanosoma brucei, we performed RNAi screens to identify genes important for survival following exposure to the alkylating agent methyl methanesulphonate. Amongst a cohort of broadly conserved and, therefore, early evolved repair pathways, we reveal multiple activities not so far examined functionally in T. brucei, including DNA polymerases, DNA helicases and chromatin factors. In addition, the screens reveal Trypanosoma- or kinetoplastid-specific repair-associated activities. We also provide focused analyses of repair-associated protein kinases and show that loss of at least nine, and potentially as many as 30 protein kinases, including a nuclear aurora kinase, sensitises T. brucei to alkylation damage. Our results demonstrate the potential for synthetic lethal genome-wide screening of gene function in T. brucei and provide an evolutionary perspective on the repair pathways that underpin effective responses to damage, with particular relevance for related kinetoplastid pathogens. By revealing that a large number of diverse T. brucei protein kinases act in the response to damage, we expand the range of eukaryotic signalling factors implicated in genome maintenance activities. Damage to the genome is a universal threat to life. Though the repair pathways used to tackle damage can be widely conserved, lineage-specific specialisations are found, reflecting the differing life styles of extant organisms. Using RNAi coupled with next generation sequencing we have screened for genes that are important for growth of Trypanosoma brucei, a diverged eukaryotic microbe and important parasite, in the presence of alkylation damage caused by methyl methanesulphonate. We reveal both repair pathway conservation relative to characterised eukaryotes and specialisation, including uncharacterised roles for translesion DNA polymerases, DNA helicases and chromatin factors. Furthermore, we demonstrate that loss of around 15% of T. brucei protein kinases sensitises the parasites to alkylation, indicating phosphorylation signalling plays widespread and under-investigated roles in the damage response pathways of eukaryotes.
Collapse
|
13
|
Chen AL, Moon AS, Bell HN, Huang AS, Vashisht AA, Toh JY, Lin AH, Nadipuram SM, Kim EW, Choi CP, Wohlschlegel JA, Bradley PJ. Novel insights into the composition and function of the Toxoplasma IMC sutures. Cell Microbiol 2017; 19:10.1111/cmi.12678. [PMID: 27696623 PMCID: PMC5909696 DOI: 10.1111/cmi.12678] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2016] [Revised: 08/19/2016] [Accepted: 09/28/2016] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
The Toxoplasma inner membrane complex (IMC) is a specialized organelle underlying the parasite's plasma membrane that consists of flattened rectangular membrane sacs that are sutured together and positioned atop a supportive cytoskeleton. We have previously identified a novel class of proteins localizing to the transverse and longitudinal sutures of the IMC, which we named IMC sutures components (ISCs). Here, we have used proximity-dependent biotin identification at the sutures to better define the composition of this IMC subcompartment. Using ISC4 as bait, we demonstrate biotin-dependent labeling of the sutures and have uncovered two new ISCs. We also identified five new proteins that exclusively localize to the transverse sutures that we named transverse sutures components (TSCs), demonstrating that components of the IMC sutures consist of two groups: those that localize to the transverse and longitudinal sutures (ISCs) and those residing only in the transverse sutures (TSCs). In addition, we functionally analyze the ISC protein ISC3 and demonstrate that ISC3-null parasites have morphological defects and reduced fitness in vitro. Most importantly, Δisc3 parasites exhibit a complete loss of virulence in vivo. These studies expand the known composition of the IMC sutures and highlight the contribution of ISCs to the ability of the parasite to proliferate and cause disease.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Allan L. Chen
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Molecular Genetics, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA 90095
| | - Andy S. Moon
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Molecular Genetics, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA 90095
| | - Hannah N. Bell
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Molecular Genetics, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA 90095
| | - Amy S. Huang
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Molecular Genetics, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA 90095
| | - Ajay A. Vashisht
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Institute of Genomics and Proteomics, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA 90095
| | - Justin Y. Toh
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Molecular Genetics, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA 90095
| | - Andrew H. Lin
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Molecular Genetics, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA 90095
| | - Santhosh M. Nadipuram
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Molecular Genetics, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA 90095
| | - Elliot W. Kim
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Molecular Genetics, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA 90095
- Molecular Biology Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA 90095
| | - Charles P. Choi
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Molecular Genetics, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA 90095
- Molecular Biology Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA 90095
| | - James A. Wohlschlegel
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Institute of Genomics and Proteomics, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA 90095
- Molecular Biology Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA 90095
| | - Peter J. Bradley
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Molecular Genetics, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA 90095
- Molecular Biology Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA 90095
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Yakubu RR, Silmon de Monerri NC, Nieves E, Kim K, Weiss LM. Comparative Monomethylarginine Proteomics Suggests that Protein Arginine Methyltransferase 1 (PRMT1) is a Significant Contributor to Arginine Monomethylation in Toxoplasma gondii. Mol Cell Proteomics 2017; 16:567-580. [PMID: 28143887 DOI: 10.1074/mcp.m117.066951] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2017] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Arginine methylation is a common posttranslational modification found on nuclear and cytoplasmic proteins that has roles in transcriptional regulation, RNA metabolism and DNA repair. The protozoan parasite Toxoplasma gondii has a complex life cycle requiring transcriptional plasticity and has unique transcriptional regulatory pathways. Arginine methylation may play an important part in transcriptional regulation and splicing biology in this organism. The T. gondii genome contains five putative protein arginine methyltransferases (PRMTs), of which PRMT1 is important for cell division and growth. In order to better understand the function(s) of the posttranslational modification monomethyl arginine (MMA) in T. gondii, we performed a proteomic analysis of MMA proteins using affinity purification employing anti-MMA specific antibodies followed by mass spectrometry. The arginine monomethylome of T. gondii contains a large number of RNA binding proteins and multiple ApiAP2 transcription factors, suggesting a role for arginine methylation in RNA biology and transcriptional regulation. Surprisingly, 90% of proteins that are arginine monomethylated were detected as being phosphorylated in a previous phosphoproteomics study which raises the possibility of interplay between MMA and phosphorylation in this organism. Supporting this, a number of kinases are also arginine methylated. Because PRMT1 is thought to be a major PRMT in T. gondii, an organism which lacks a MMA-specific PRMT, we applied comparative proteomics to understand how PRMT1 might contribute to the MMA proteome in T. gondii We identified numerous putative PRMT1 substrates, which include RNA binding proteins, transcriptional regulators (e.g. AP2 transcription factors), and kinases. Together, these data highlight the importance of MMA and PRMT1 in arginine methylation in T. gondii, as a potential regulator of a large number of processes including RNA biology and transcription.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rama R Yakubu
- From the ‡Department of Pathology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York
| | - Natalie C Silmon de Monerri
- §Department of Medicine- Division of Infectious Diseases, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York
| | - Edward Nieves
- ¶Department of Biochemistry, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York.,‖Department of Developmental and Molecular Biology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York
| | - Kami Kim
- From the ‡Department of Pathology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York; .,§Department of Medicine- Division of Infectious Diseases, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York.,**Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York
| | - Louis M Weiss
- From the ‡Department of Pathology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York; .,§Department of Medicine- Division of Infectious Diseases, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Morlon-Guyot J, Francia ME, Dubremetz JF, Daher W. Towards a molecular architecture of the centrosome in Toxoplasma gondii. Cytoskeleton (Hoboken) 2017; 74:55-71. [PMID: 28026138 DOI: 10.1002/cm.21353] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2016] [Revised: 12/14/2016] [Accepted: 12/15/2016] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii is the causative agent of toxoplasmosis. The pathogenicity of this unicellular parasite is tightly linked to its ability to efficiently proliferate within its host. Tachyzoites, the fast dividing form of the parasite, divide by endodyogeny. This process involves a single round of DNA replication, closed nuclear mitosis, and assembly of two daughter cells within a mother. The successful completion of endodyogeny relies on the temporal and spatial coordination of a plethora of simultaneous events. It has been shown that the Toxoplasma centrosome serves as signaling hub which nucleates spindle microtubules during mitosis and organizes the scaffolding of daughter cells components during cytokinesis. In addition, the centrosome is essential for inheriting both the apicoplast (a chloroplast-like organelle) and the Golgi apparatus. A growing body of evidence supports the notion that the T. gondii centrosome diverges in protein composition, structure and organization from its counterparts in higher eukaryotes making it an attractive source of potentially druggable targets. Here, we summarize the current knowledge on T. gondii centrosomal proteins and extend the putative centrosomal protein repertoire by in silico identification of mammalian centrosomal protein orthologs. We propose a working model for the organization and architecture of the centrosome in Toxoplasma parasites. Experimental validation of our proposed model will uncover how each predicted protein translates into the biology of centrosome, cytokinesis, karyokinesis, and organelle inheritance in Toxoplasma parasites.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Juliette Morlon-Guyot
- Dynamique des Interactions Membranaires Normales et Pathologiques, UMR5235 CNRS, Université Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - Maria E Francia
- Molecular Biology Unit, Institut Pasteur de Montevideo, Mataojo 2020, Montevideo, 11400, Uruguay
| | - Jean-François Dubremetz
- Dynamique des Interactions Membranaires Normales et Pathologiques, UMR5235 CNRS, Université Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - Wassim Daher
- Dynamique des Interactions Membranaires Normales et Pathologiques, UMR5235 CNRS, Université Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Toxoplasma gondii Cyclic AMP-Dependent Protein Kinase Subunit 3 Is Involved in the Switch from Tachyzoite to Bradyzoite Development. mBio 2016; 7:mBio.00755-16. [PMID: 27247232 PMCID: PMC4895117 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.00755-16] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii is an obligate intracellular apicomplexan parasite that infects warm-blooded vertebrates, including humans. Asexual reproduction in T. gondii allows it to switch between the rapidly replicating tachyzoite and quiescent bradyzoite life cycle stages. A transient cyclic AMP (cAMP) pulse promotes bradyzoite differentiation, whereas a prolonged elevation of cAMP inhibits this process. We investigated the mechanism(s) by which differential modulation of cAMP exerts a bidirectional effect on parasite differentiation. There are three protein kinase A (PKA) catalytic subunits (TgPKAc1 to -3) expressed in T. gondii. Unlike TgPKAc1 and TgPKAc2, which are conserved in the phylum Apicomplexa, TgPKAc3 appears evolutionarily divergent and specific to coccidian parasites. TgPKAc1 and TgPKAc2 are distributed in the cytomembranes, whereas TgPKAc3 resides in the cytosol. TgPKAc3 was genetically ablated in a type II cyst-forming strain of T. gondii (PruΔku80Δhxgprt) and in a type I strain (RHΔku80Δhxgprt), which typically does not form cysts. The Δpkac3 mutant exhibited slower growth than the parental and complemented strains, which correlated with a higher basal rate of tachyzoite-to-bradyzoite differentiation. 3-Isobutyl-1-methylxanthine (IBMX) treatment, which elevates cAMP levels, maintained wild-type parasites as tachyzoites under bradyzoite induction culture conditions (pH 8.2/low CO2), whereas the Δpkac3 mutant failed to respond to the treatment. This suggests that TgPKAc3 is the factor responsible for the cAMP-dependent tachyzoite maintenance. In addition, the Δpkac3 mutant had a defect in the production of brain cysts in vivo, suggesting that a substrate of TgPKAc3 is probably involved in the persistence of this parasite in the intermediate host animals. Toxoplasma gondii is one of the most prevalent eukaryotic parasites in mammals, including humans. Parasites can switch from rapidly replicating tachyzoites responsible for acute infection to slowly replicating bradyzoites that persist as a latent infection. Previous studies have demonstrated that T. gondii cAMP signaling can induce or suppress bradyzoite differentiation, depending on the strength and duration of cAMP signal. Here, we report that TgPKAc3 is responsible for cAMP-dependent tachyzoite maintenance while suppressing differentiation into bradyzoites, revealing one mechanism underlying how this parasite transduces cAMP signals during differentiation.
Collapse
|