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Yutin N, Mutz P, Krupovic M, Koonin EV. Mriyaviruses: Small Relatives of Giant Viruses. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.02.29.582850. [PMID: 38529486 PMCID: PMC10962738 DOI: 10.1101/2024.02.29.582850] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/27/2024]
Abstract
The phylum Nucleocytoviricota consists of large and giant viruses that range in genome size from about 100 kilobases (kb) to more than 2.5 megabases. Here, using metagenome mining followed by extensive phylogenomic analysis and protein structure comparison, we delineate a distinct group of viruses with double-stranded (ds) DNA genomes in the range of 35-45 kb that appear to be related to the Nucleocytoviricota. In phylogenetic trees of the conserved double jelly-roll major capsid proteins (MCP) and DNA packaging ATPases, these viruses do not show affinity to any particular branch of the Nucleocytoviricota and accordingly would comprise a class which we propose to name "Mriyaviricetes" (after Ukrainian Mriya, dream). Structural comparison of the MCP suggests that, among the extant virus lineages, mriyaviruses are the closest one to the ancestor of the Nucleocytoviricota. In the phylogenetic trees, mriyaviruses split into two well-separated branches, the family Yaraviridae and proposed new family "Gamadviridae". The previously characterized members of these families, Yaravirus and Pleurochrysis sp. endemic viruses, infect amoeba and haptophytes, respectively. The genomes of the rest of the mriyaviruses were assembled from metagenomes from diverse environments, suggesting that mriyaviruses infect various unicellular eukaryotes. Mriyaviruses lack DNA polymerase, which is encoded by all other members of the Nucleocytoviricota, and RNA polymerase subunits encoded by all cytoplasmic viruses among the Nucleocytoviricota, suggesting that they replicate in the host cell nuclei. All mriyaviruses encode a HUH superfamily endonuclease that is likely to be essential for the initiation of virus DNA replication via the rolling circle mechanism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalya Yutin
- National Center for Biotechnology Information, National Library of Medicine, Bethesda, MD 20894, USA
| | - Pascal Mutz
- National Center for Biotechnology Information, National Library of Medicine, Bethesda, MD 20894, USA
| | - Mart Krupovic
- Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, Archaeal Virology Unit, Paris 75015, France
| | - Eugene V. Koonin
- National Center for Biotechnology Information, National Library of Medicine, Bethesda, MD 20894, USA
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Povelones ML, Holmes NA, Povelones M. A sticky situation: When trypanosomatids attach to insect tissues. PLoS Pathog 2023; 19:e1011854. [PMID: 38128049 PMCID: PMC10734937 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1011854] [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] [Indexed: 12/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Transmission of trypanosomatids to their mammalian hosts requires a complex series of developmental transitions in their insect vectors, including stable attachment to an insect tissue. While there are many ultrastructural descriptions of attached cells, we know little about the signaling events and molecular mechanisms involved in this process. Each trypanosomatid species attaches to a specific tissue in the insect at a particular stage of its life cycle. Attachment is mediated by the flagellum, which is modified to accommodate a filament-rich plaque within an expanded region of the flagellar membrane. Attachment immediately precedes differentiation to the mammal-infectious stage and in some cases a direct mechanistic link has been demonstrated. In this review, we summarize the current state of knowledge of trypanosomatid attachment in insects, including structure, function, signaling, candidate molecules, and changes in gene expression. We also highlight remaining questions about this process and how the field is poised to address them through modern approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Megan L. Povelones
- Department of Biology, Villanova University, Villanova, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Nikki A. Holmes
- Department of Biology, Villanova University, Villanova, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Michael Povelones
- Department of Pathobiology, University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
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3
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Kaushal RS, Naik N, Prajapati M, Rane S, Raulji H, Afu NF, Upadhyay TK, Saeed M. Leishmania species: A narrative review on surface proteins with structural aspects involved in host-pathogen interaction. Chem Biol Drug Des 2023; 102:332-356. [PMID: 36872849 DOI: 10.1111/cbdd.14227] [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: 01/13/2023] [Revised: 02/25/2023] [Accepted: 03/02/2023] [Indexed: 03/07/2023]
Abstract
In tropical and subtropical regions of the world, leishmaniasis is endemic and causes a range of clinical symptoms in people, from severe tegumentary forms (such as cutaneous, mucocutaneous, and diffuse leishmaniasis) to lethal visceral forms. The protozoan parasite of the genus Leishmania causes leishmaniasis, which is still a significant public health issue, according to the World Health Organization 2022. The public's worry about the neglected tropical disease is growing as new foci of the illness arise, which are exacerbated by alterations in behavior, changes in the environment, and an enlarged range of sand fly vectors. Leishmania research has advanced significantly during the past three decades in a few different avenues. Despite several studies on Leishmania, many issues, such as illness control, parasite resistance, parasite clearance, etc., remain unresolved. The key virulence variables that play a role in the pathogenicity-host-pathogen relationship of the parasite are comprehensively discussed in this paper. The important Leishmania virulence factors, such as Kinetoplastid Membrane Protein-11 (KMP-11), Leishmanolysin (GP63), Proteophosphoglycan (PPG), Lipophosphoglycan (LPG), Glycosylinositol Phospholipids (GIPL), and others, have an impact on the pathophysiology of the disease and enable the parasite to spread the infection. Leishmania infection may arise from virulence factors; they are treatable with medications or vaccinations more promptly and might greatly shorten the duration of treatment. Additionally, our research sought to present a modeled structure of a few putative virulence factors that might aid in the development of new chemotherapeutic approaches for the treatment of leishmaniasis. The predicted virulence protein's structure is utilized to design novel drugs, therapeutic targets, and immunizations for considerable advantage from a higher understanding of the host immune response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Radhey Shyam Kaushal
- Department of Biotechnology, Parul Institute of Applied Sciences and Centre of Research for Development, Parul University, Vadodara, 391760, Gujarat, India
| | - Nidhi Naik
- Department of Microbiology, Parul Institute of Applied Sciences, Parul University, Vadodara, 391760, Gujarat, India
| | - Maitri Prajapati
- Department of Microbiology, Parul Institute of Applied Sciences, Parul University, Vadodara, 391760, Gujarat, India
| | - Shruti Rane
- Department of Microbiology, Parul Institute of Applied Sciences, Parul University, Vadodara, 391760, Gujarat, India
| | - Himali Raulji
- Department of Microbiology, Parul Institute of Applied Sciences, Parul University, Vadodara, 391760, Gujarat, India
| | - Ngo Festus Afu
- Department of Biochemistry, Parul Institute of Applied Sciences, Parul University, Vadodara, 391760, Gujarat, India
| | - Tarun Kumar Upadhyay
- Department of Biotechnology, Parul Institute of Applied Sciences and Centre of Research for Development, Parul University, Vadodara, 391760, Gujarat, India
| | - Mohd Saeed
- Department of Biology, College of Sciences, University of Ha'il, P.O. Box 2440, Hail, 81411, Saudi Arabia
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Won MM, Krüger T, Engstler M, Burleigh BA. The Intracellular Amastigote of Trypanosoma cruzi Maintains an Actively Beating Flagellum. mBio 2023; 14:e0355622. [PMID: 36840555 PMCID: PMC10128032 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.03556-22] [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: 12/20/2022] [Accepted: 02/02/2023] [Indexed: 02/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Throughout its complex life cycle, the uniflagellate parasitic protist, Trypanosoma cruzi, adapts to different host environments by transitioning between elongated motile extracellular stages and a nonmotile intracellular amastigote stage that replicates in the cytoplasm of mammalian host cells. Intracellular T. cruzi amastigotes retain a short flagellum that extends beyond the opening of the flagellar pocket with access to the extracellular milieu. Contrary to the long-held view that the T. cruzi amastigote flagellum is inert, we report that this organelle is motile and displays quasiperiodic beating inside mammalian host cells. Kymograph analysis determined an average flagellar beat frequency of ~0.7 Hz for intracellular amastigotes and similar beat frequencies for extracellular amastigotes following their isolation from host cells. Inhibitor studies reveal that flagellar motility in T. cruzi amastigotes is critically dependent on parasite mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation. These novel observations reveal that flagellar motility is an intrinsic property of T. cruzi amastigotes and suggest that this organelle may play an active role in the parasite infection process. IMPORTANCE Understanding the interplay between intracellular pathogens and their hosts is vital to the development of new treatments and preventive strategies. The intracellular "amastigote" stage of the Chagas disease parasite, Trypanosoma cruzi, is a critical but understudied parasitic life stage. Previous work established that cytosolically localized T. cruzi amastigotes engage physically and selectively with host mitochondria using their short, single flagellum. The current study was initiated to examine the dynamics of the parasite flagellum-host mitochondrial interaction through live confocal imaging and led to the unexpected discovery that the T. cruzi amastigote flagellum is motile.
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Affiliation(s)
- Madalyn M. Won
- Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Timothy Krüger
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Biozentrum, University of Würzburg, Germany
| | - Markus Engstler
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Biozentrum, University of Würzburg, Germany
| | - Barbara A. Burleigh
- Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
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Won MM, Baublis A, Burleigh BA. Proximity-dependent biotinylation and identification of flagellar proteins in Trypanosoma cruzi. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.02.16.528900. [PMID: 36824716 PMCID: PMC9949143 DOI: 10.1101/2023.02.16.528900] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/19/2023]
Abstract
The flagellated kinetoplastid protozoan and causative agent of human Chagas disease, Trypanosoma cruzi , inhabits both invertebrate and mammalian hosts over the course of its complex life cycle. In these disparate environments, T. cruzi uses its single flagellum to propel motile life stages and in some instances, to establish intimate contact with the host. Beyond its role in motility, the functional capabilities of the T. cruzi flagellum have not been defined. Moreover, the lack of proteomic information for this organelle, in any parasite life stage, has limited functional investigation. In this study, we employed a proximity-dependent biotinylation approach based on the differential targeting of the biotin ligase, TurboID, to the flagellum or cytosol in replicative stages of T. cruzi , to identify flagellar-enriched proteins by mass spectrometry. Proteomic analysis of the resulting biotinylated protein fractions yielded 218 candidate flagellar proteins in T. cruzi epimastigotes (insect stage) and 99 proteins in intracellular amastigotes (mammalian stage). Forty of these flagellar-enriched proteins were common to both parasite life stages and included orthologs of known flagellar proteins in other trypanosomatid species, proteins specific to the T. cruzi lineage and hypothetical proteins. With the validation of flagellar localization for several of the identified candidates, our results demonstrate that TurboID-based proximity proteomics is an effective tool for probing subcellular compartments in T. cruzi . The proteomic datasets generated in this work offer a valuable resource to facilitate functional investigation of the understudied T. cruzi flagellum.
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Affiliation(s)
- Madalyn M Won
- Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Aaron Baublis
- Harvard Chan Advanced Multi-omics Platform, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA
| | - Barbara A Burleigh
- Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health Boston, MA 02115, USA
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San Francisco J, Astudillo C, Vega JL, Catalán A, Gutiérrez B, Araya JE, Zailberger A, Marina A, García C, Sanchez N, Osuna A, Vilchez S, Ramírez MI, Macedo J, Feijoli VS, Palmisano G, González J. Trypanosoma cruzi pathogenicity involves virulence factor expression and upregulation of bioenergetic and biosynthetic pathways. Virulence 2022; 13:1827-1848. [PMID: 36284085 PMCID: PMC9601562 DOI: 10.1080/21505594.2022.2132776] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/31/2022] Open
Abstract
The molecular repertoire of Trypanosoma cruzi effects its virulence and impacts the clinical course of the resulting Chagas disease. This study aimed to determine the mechanism underlying the pathogenicity of T. cruzi. Two T. cruzi cell lines (C8C3hvir and C8C3lvir), obtained from the clone H510 C8C3 and exhibiting different virulence phenotypes, were used to evaluate the parasite's infectivity in mice. The organ parasite load was analysed by qPCR. The proteomes of both T. cruzi cell lines were compared using nLC-MS/MS. Cruzipain (Czp), complement regulatory protein (CRP), trans-sialidase (TS), Tc-85, and sialylated epitope expression levels were evaluated by immunoblotting. High-virulence C8C3hvir was highly infectious in mice and demonstrated three to five times higher infectivity in mouse myocardial cells than low-virulence C8C3lvir. qPCR revealed higher parasite loads in organs of acute as well as chronically C8C3hvir-infected mice than in those of C8C3lvir-infected mice. Comparative quantitative proteomics revealed that 390 of 1547 identified proteins were differentially regulated in C8C3hvir with respect to C8C3lvir. Amongst these, 174 proteins were upregulated in C8C3hvir and 216 were downregulated in C8C3lvir. The upregulated proteins in C8C3hvir were associated with the tricarboxylic acid cycle, ribosomal proteins, and redoxins. Higher levels of Czp, CRP, TS, Tc-85, and sialylated epitopes were expressed in C8C3hvir than in C8C3lvir. Thus, T. cruzi virulence may be related to virulence factor expression as well as upregulation of bioenergetic and biosynthetic pathways proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan San Francisco
- Molecular Parasitology Unit, Medical Technology Department, University of Antofagasta, Antofagasta, Chile
| | - Constanza Astudillo
- Molecular Parasitology Unit, Medical Technology Department, University of Antofagasta, Antofagasta, Chile
| | - José Luis Vega
- Molecular Parasitology Unit, Medical Technology Department, University of Antofagasta, Antofagasta, Chile,Laboratory of Gap Junction Proteins and Parasitic Disease, Instituto Antofagasta, Universidad de Antofagasta, Antofagasta, Chile,Research Center in Immunology and Biomedical Biotechnology of Antofagasta, Antofagasta, Chile
| | - Alejandro Catalán
- Molecular Parasitology Unit, Medical Technology Department, University of Antofagasta, Antofagasta, Chile
| | - Bessy Gutiérrez
- Molecular Parasitology Unit, Medical Technology Department, University of Antofagasta, Antofagasta, Chile
| | - Jorge E Araya
- Molecular Parasitology Unit, Medical Technology Department, University of Antofagasta, Antofagasta, Chile
| | | | - Anabel Marina
- Centro de Biología Molecular Severo Ochoa Universidad Autonoma de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Carlos García
- Centro de Biología Molecular Severo Ochoa Universidad Autonoma de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Nuria Sanchez
- Centro de Biología Molecular Severo Ochoa Universidad Autonoma de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Antonio Osuna
- Institute of Biotechnology, University of Granada, Granada, Spain
| | - Susana Vilchez
- Institute of Biotechnology, University of Granada, Granada, Spain
| | - Marcel I Ramírez
- Laboratório de Biologia Molecular e Sistemática de Trypanosomatides, Instituto Carlos Chagas, Fiocruz, Parana, Brazil
| | - Janaina Macedo
- Department of Parasitology, University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | | | | | - Jorge González
- Molecular Parasitology Unit, Medical Technology Department, University of Antofagasta, Antofagasta, Chile,Research Center in Immunology and Biomedical Biotechnology of Antofagasta, Antofagasta, Chile,Laboratório de Biologia Molecular e Sistemática de Trypanosomatides, Millennium Institute on Immunology and Immunotherapy, Antofagasta, Chile,CONTACT Jorge González
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A multi-adenylate cyclase regulator at the flagellar tip controls African trypanosome transmission. Nat Commun 2022; 13:5445. [PMID: 36114198 PMCID: PMC9481589 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-33108-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2022] [Accepted: 08/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Signaling from ciliary microdomains controls developmental processes in metazoans. Trypanosome transmission requires development and migration in the tsetse vector alimentary tract. Flagellar cAMP signaling has been linked to parasite social motility (SoMo) in vitro, yet uncovering control of directed migration in fly organs is challenging. Here we show that the composition of an adenylate cyclase (AC) complex in the flagellar tip microdomain is essential for tsetse salivary gland (SG) colonization and SoMo. Cyclic AMP response protein 3 (CARP3) binds and regulates multiple AC isoforms. CARP3 tip localization depends on the cytoskeletal protein FLAM8. Re-localization of CARP3 away from the tip microdomain is sufficient to abolish SoMo and fly SG colonization. Since intrinsic development is normal in carp3 and flam8 knock-out parasites, AC complex-mediated tip signaling specifically controls parasite migration and thereby transmission. Participation of several developmentally regulated receptor-type AC isoforms may indicate the complexity of the in vivo signals perceived. Trypanosomes can sense signal molecules and coordinate their movement in response to such signals, a phenomenon termed social motility (SoMo). Here, Bachmaier et al show that cyclic AMP response protein 3 (CARP3) localization to the flagellar tip and its interaction with a number of different adenylate cyclases is essential for migration to tsetse fly salivary glands and for SoMo, therewith linking SoMo and cAMP signaling to trypanosome transmission.
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8
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New Vistas in the Biology of the Flagellum—Leishmania Parasites. Pathogens 2022; 11:pathogens11040447. [PMID: 35456123 PMCID: PMC9024700 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens11040447] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2022] [Revised: 04/04/2022] [Accepted: 04/05/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Like other kinetoplastid protozoa, the flagellum in Leishmania parasites plays central roles throughout the life cycle. Discoveries over the past decade have begun to elucidate flagellar functions at the molecular level in both the insect vector stage promastigotes and intra-macrophage amastigotes. This focused review will highlight recent advances that contribute to understanding flagellar function in the various biological contexts encountered by Leishmania parasites.
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Coceres VM, Iriarte LS, Miranda-Magalhães A, Santos de Andrade TA, de Miguel N, Pereira-Neves A. Ultrastructural and Functional Analysis of a Novel Extra-Axonemal Structure in Parasitic Trichomonads. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2021; 11:757185. [PMID: 34858875 PMCID: PMC8630684 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2021.757185] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2021] [Accepted: 10/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Trichomonas vaginalis and Tritrichomonas foetus are extracellular flagellated parasites that inhabit humans and other mammals, respectively. In addition to motility, flagella act in a variety of biological processes in different cell types, and extra-axonemal structures (EASs) have been described as fibrillar structures that provide mechanical support and act as metabolic, homeostatic, and sensory platforms in many organisms. It has been assumed that T. vaginalis and T. foetus do not have EASs. However, here, we used complementary electron microscopy techniques to reveal the ultrastructure of EASs in both parasites. Such EASs are thin filaments (3-5 nm diameter) running longitudinally along the axonemes and surrounded by the flagellar membrane, forming prominent flagellar swellings. We observed that the formation of EAS increases after parasite adhesion on the host cells, fibronectin, and precationized surfaces. A high number of rosettes, clusters of intramembrane particles that have been proposed as sensorial structures, and microvesicles protruding from the membrane were observed in the EASs. Our observations demonstrate that T. vaginalis and T. foetus can connect to themselves by EASs present in flagella. The protein VPS32, a member of the ESCRT-III complex crucial for diverse membrane remodeling events, the pinching off and release of microvesicles, was found in the surface as well as in microvesicles protruding from EASs. Moreover, we demonstrated that the formation of EAS also increases in parasites overexpressing VPS32 and that T. vaginalis-VPS32 parasites showed greater motility in semisolid agar. These results provide valuable data about the role of the flagellar EASs in the cell-to-cell communication and pathogenesis of these extracellular parasites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Veronica M Coceres
- Laboratorio de Parásitos Anaerobios, Instituto Tecnológico Chascomús (INTECH), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas - Universidad Nacional de General San Martín (CONICET-UNSAM), Chascomús, Argentina
| | - Lucrecia S Iriarte
- Laboratorio de Parásitos Anaerobios, Instituto Tecnológico Chascomús (INTECH), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas - Universidad Nacional de General San Martín (CONICET-UNSAM), Chascomús, Argentina
| | | | | | - Natalia de Miguel
- Laboratorio de Parásitos Anaerobios, Instituto Tecnológico Chascomús (INTECH), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas - Universidad Nacional de General San Martín (CONICET-UNSAM), Chascomús, Argentina
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10
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Papadaki A, Tziouvara O, Kotopouli A, Koumarianou P, Doukas A, Rios P, Tardieux I, Köhn M, Boleti H. The Leishmania donovani LDBPK_220120.1 Gene Encodes for an Atypical Dual Specificity Lipid-Like Phosphatase Expressed in Promastigotes and Amastigotes; Substrate Specificity, Intracellular Localizations, and Putative Role(s). Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2021; 11:591868. [PMID: 33842381 PMCID: PMC8027504 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2021.591868] [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: 08/05/2020] [Accepted: 01/25/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The intracellular protozoan parasites of the Leishmania genus are responsible for Leishmaniases, vector borne diseases with a wide range of clinical manifestations. Leishmania (L.) donovani causes visceral leishmaniasis (kala azar), the most severe of these diseases. Along their biological cycle, Leishmania parasites undergo distinct developmental transitions including metacyclogenesis and differentiation of metacyclic promastigotes (MPs) to amastigotes. Metacyclogenesis inside the phlebotomine sandfly host's midgut converts the procyclic dividing promastigotes to non-dividing infective MPs eventually injected into the skin of mammalian hosts and phagocytosed by macrophages where the MPs are converted inside modified phagolysosomes to the intracellular amastigotes. These developmental transitions involve dramatic changes in cell size and shape and reformatting of the flagellum requiring thus membrane and cytoskeleton remodeling in which phosphoinositide (PI) signaling and metabolism must play central roles. This study reports on the LDBPK_220120.1 gene, the L. donovani ortholog of LmjF.22.0250 from L. major that encodes a phosphatase from the "Atypical Lipid Phosphatases" (ALPs) enzyme family. We confirmed the expression of the LDBPK_220120.1 gene product in both L. donovani promastigotes and axenic amastigotes and showed that it behaves in vitro as a Dual Specificity P-Tyr and monophosphorylated [PI(3)P and PI(4)P] PI phosphatase and therefore named it LdTyrPIP_22 (Leishmaniad onovani Tyrosine PI Phosphatase, gene locus at chromosome 22). By immunofluorescence confocal microscopy we localized the LdTyrPIP_22 in several intracellular sites in the cell body of L. donovani promastigotes and amastigotes and in the flagellum. A temperature and pH shift from 25°C to 37°C and from pH 7 to 5.5, induced a pronounced recruitment of LdTyrPIP_22 epitopes to the flagellar pocket and a redistribution around the nucleus. These results suggest possible role(s) for this P-Tyr/PI phosphatase in the regulation of processes initiated or upregulated by this temperature/pH shift that contribute to the developmental transition from MPs to amastigotes inside the mammalian host macrophages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amalia Papadaki
- Intracellular Parasitism Laboratory, Department of Microbiology, Hellenic Pasteur Institute, Athens, Greece
| | - Olympia Tziouvara
- Intracellular Parasitism Laboratory, Department of Microbiology, Hellenic Pasteur Institute, Athens, Greece
| | - Anastasia Kotopouli
- Intracellular Parasitism Laboratory, Department of Microbiology, Hellenic Pasteur Institute, Athens, Greece
| | - Petrina Koumarianou
- Intracellular Parasitism Laboratory, Department of Microbiology, Hellenic Pasteur Institute, Athens, Greece.,Light Microscopy Unit, Hellenic Pasteur Institute, Athens, Greece
| | - Anargyros Doukas
- Intracellular Parasitism Laboratory, Department of Microbiology, Hellenic Pasteur Institute, Athens, Greece
| | - Pablo Rios
- Genome Biology Unit, European Molecular Biology Laboratory, Heidelberg, Germany.,Signalling Research Centres BIOSS and CIBSS, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany.,Faculty of Biology, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Isabelle Tardieux
- Team «Biomechanics of Host Parasite Interactions», Institut for Advanced BioSciences, Univ. Grenoble Alpes, Inserm U1209 - CNRS UMR 5309, 38700 La Tronche, France
| | - Maja Köhn
- Genome Biology Unit, European Molecular Biology Laboratory, Heidelberg, Germany.,Signalling Research Centres BIOSS and CIBSS, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany.,Faculty of Biology, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Haralabia Boleti
- Intracellular Parasitism Laboratory, Department of Microbiology, Hellenic Pasteur Institute, Athens, Greece.,Light Microscopy Unit, Hellenic Pasteur Institute, Athens, Greece
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11
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Genome Analysis of Endotrypanum and Porcisia spp., Closest Phylogenetic Relatives of Leishmania, Highlights the Role of Amastins in Shaping Pathogenicity. Genes (Basel) 2021; 12:genes12030444. [PMID: 33804709 PMCID: PMC8004069 DOI: 10.3390/genes12030444] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2021] [Revised: 03/15/2021] [Accepted: 03/18/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
While numerous genomes of Leishmania spp. have been sequenced and analyzed, an understanding of the evolutionary history of these organisms remains limited due to the unavailability of the sequence data for their closest known relatives, Endotrypanum and Porcisia spp., infecting sloths and porcupines. We have sequenced and analyzed genomes of three members of this clade in order to fill this gap. Their comparative analyses revealed only minute differences from Leishmaniamajor genome in terms of metabolic capacities. We also documented that the number of genes under positive selection on the Endotrypanum/Porcisia branch is rather small, with the flagellum-related group of genes being over-represented. Most significantly, the analysis of gene family evolution revealed a substantially reduced repertoire of surface proteins, such as amastins and biopterin transporters BT1 in the Endotrypanum/Porcisia species when compared to amastigote-dwelling Leishmania. This reduction was especially pronounced for δ-amastins, a subfamily of cell surface proteins crucial in the propagation of Leishmania amastigotes inside vertebrate macrophages and, apparently, dispensable for Endotrypanum/Porcisia, which do not infect such cells.
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Gao Y, Liu H, Zhang C, Su S, Chen Y, Chen X, Li Y, Shao Z, Zhang Y, Shao Q, Li J, Huang Z, Ma J, Gan J. Structural basis for guide RNA trimming by RNase D ribonuclease in Trypanosoma brucei. Nucleic Acids Res 2021; 49:568-583. [PMID: 33332555 PMCID: PMC7797062 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkaa1197] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2020] [Accepted: 11/24/2020] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Infection with kinetoplastid parasites, including Trypanosoma brucei (T. brucei), Trypanosoma cruzi (T. cruzi) and Leishmania can cause serious disease in humans. Like other kinetoplastid species, mRNAs of these disease-causing parasites must undergo posttranscriptional editing in order to be functional. mRNA editing is directed by gRNAs, a large group of small RNAs. Similar to mRNAs, gRNAs are also precisely regulated. In T. brucei, overexpression of RNase D ribonuclease (TbRND) leads to substantial reduction in the total gRNA population and subsequent inhibition of mRNA editing. However, the mechanisms regulating gRNA binding and cleavage by TbRND are not well defined. Here, we report a thorough structural study of TbRND. Besides Apo- and NMP-bound structures, we also solved one TbRND structure in complexed with single-stranded RNA. In combination with mutagenesis and in vitro cleavage assays, our structures indicated that TbRND follows the conserved two-cation-assisted mechanism in catalysis. TbRND is a unique RND member, as it contains a ZFD domain at its C-terminus. In addition to T. brucei, our studies also advanced our understanding on the potential gRNA degradation pathway in T. cruzi, Leishmania, as well for as other disease-associated parasites expressing ZFD-containing RNDs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanqing Gao
- Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center, State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Collaborative Innovation Center of Genetics and Development, Department of Physiology and Biophysics, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200438, China
| | - Hehua Liu
- Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center, State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Collaborative Innovation Center of Genetics and Development, Department of Physiology and Biophysics, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200438, China
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Collaborative Innovation Center of Genetics and Development, Department of Biochemistry, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200438, China
| | - Chong Zhang
- College of Life Sciences, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Shichen Su
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Collaborative Innovation Center of Genetics and Development, Department of Biochemistry, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200438, China
| | - Yiqing Chen
- Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center, State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Collaborative Innovation Center of Genetics and Development, Department of Physiology and Biophysics, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200438, China
| | - Xi Chen
- Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center, State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Collaborative Innovation Center of Genetics and Development, Department of Physiology and Biophysics, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200438, China
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Collaborative Innovation Center of Genetics and Development, Department of Biochemistry, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200438, China
| | - Yangyang Li
- Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center, State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Collaborative Innovation Center of Genetics and Development, Department of Physiology and Biophysics, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200438, China
| | - Zhiwei Shao
- Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center, State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Collaborative Innovation Center of Genetics and Development, Department of Physiology and Biophysics, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200438, China
| | - Yixi Zhang
- Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center, State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Collaborative Innovation Center of Genetics and Development, Department of Physiology and Biophysics, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200438, China
| | - Qiyuan Shao
- Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center, State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Collaborative Innovation Center of Genetics and Development, Department of Physiology and Biophysics, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200438, China
| | - Jixi Li
- Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center, State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Collaborative Innovation Center of Genetics and Development, Department of Physiology and Biophysics, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200438, China
| | - Zhen Huang
- College of Life Sciences, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Jinbiao Ma
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Collaborative Innovation Center of Genetics and Development, Department of Biochemistry, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200438, China
| | - Jianhua Gan
- Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center, State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Collaborative Innovation Center of Genetics and Development, Department of Physiology and Biophysics, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200438, China
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Kelly FD, Yates PA, Landfear SM. Nutrient sensing in Leishmania: Flagellum and cytosol. Mol Microbiol 2020; 115:849-859. [PMID: 33112443 DOI: 10.1111/mmi.14635] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2020] [Revised: 10/23/2020] [Accepted: 10/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Parasites are by definition organisms that utilize resources from a host to support their existence, thus, promoting their ability to establish long-term infections and disease. Hence, sensing and acquiring nutrients for which the parasite and host compete is central to the parasitic mode of existence. Leishmania are flagellated kinetoplastid parasites that parasitize phagocytic cells, principally macrophages, of vertebrate hosts and the alimentary tract of sand fly vectors. Because nutritional supplies vary over time within both these hosts and are often restricted in availability, these parasites must sense a plethora of nutrients and respond accordingly. The flagellum has been recognized as an "antenna" that plays a core role in sensing environmental conditions, and various flagellar proteins have been implicated in sensing roles. In addition, these parasites exhibit non-flagellar intracellular mechanisms of nutrient sensing, several of which have been explored. Nonetheless, mechanistic details of these sensory pathways are still sparse and represent a challenging frontier for further experimental exploration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Felice D Kelly
- Department of Molecular Microbiology & Immunology, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA
| | - Phillip A Yates
- Department of Chemical Physiology & Biochemistry, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA
| | - Scott M Landfear
- Department of Molecular Microbiology & Immunology, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA
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14
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Butenko A, Hammond M, Field MC, Ginger ML, Yurchenko V, Lukeš J. Reductionist Pathways for Parasitism in Euglenozoans? Expanded Datasets Provide New Insights. Trends Parasitol 2020; 37:100-116. [PMID: 33127331 DOI: 10.1016/j.pt.2020.10.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2020] [Revised: 09/30/2020] [Accepted: 10/01/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
The unicellular trypanosomatids belong to the phylum Euglenozoa and all known species are obligate parasites. Distinct lineages infect plants, invertebrates, and vertebrates, including humans. Genome data for marine diplonemids, together with freshwater euglenids and free-living kinetoplastids, the closest known nonparasitic relatives to trypanosomatids, recently became available. Robust phylogenetic reconstructions across Euglenozoa are now possible and place the results of parasite-focused studies into an evolutionary context. Here we discuss recent advances in identifying the factors shaping the evolution of Euglenozoa, focusing on ancestral features generally considered parasite-specific. Remarkably, most of these predate the transition(s) to parasitism, suggesting that the presence of certain preconditions makes a significant lifestyle change more likely.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anzhelika Butenko
- Biology Centre, Institute of Parasitology, Czech Academy of Sciences, České Budějovice (Budweis), Czech Republic; Faculty of Science, University of Ostrava, Ostrava, Czech Republic.
| | - Michael Hammond
- Biology Centre, Institute of Parasitology, Czech Academy of Sciences, České Budějovice (Budweis), Czech Republic
| | - Mark C Field
- Biology Centre, Institute of Parasitology, Czech Academy of Sciences, České Budějovice (Budweis), Czech Republic; School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee, UK
| | - Michael L Ginger
- School of Applied Sciences, University of Huddersfield, Huddersfield, UK
| | - Vyacheslav Yurchenko
- Faculty of Science, University of Ostrava, Ostrava, Czech Republic; Martsinovsky Institute of Medical Parasitology, Sechenov University, Moscow, Russia
| | - Julius Lukeš
- Biology Centre, Institute of Parasitology, Czech Academy of Sciences, České Budějovice (Budweis), Czech Republic; Faculty of Sciences, University of South Bohemia, České Budějovice (Budweis), Czech Republic.
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15
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Kelly FD, Tran KD, Hatfield J, Schmidt K, Sanchez MA, Landfear SM. A cytoskeletal protein complex is essential for division of intracellular amastigotes of Leishmania mexicana. J Biol Chem 2020; 295:13106-13122. [PMID: 32719012 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.ra120.014065] [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: 04/28/2020] [Revised: 07/09/2020] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Previous studies in Leishmania mexicana have identified the cytoskeletal protein KHARON as being important for both flagellar trafficking of the glucose transporter GT1 and for successful cytokinesis and survival of infectious amastigote forms inside mammalian macrophages. KHARON is located in three distinct regions of the cytoskeleton: the base of the flagellum, the subpellicular microtubules, and the mitotic spindle. To deconvolve the different functions for KHARON, we have identified two partner proteins, KHAP1 and KHAP2, which associate with KHARON. KHAP1 is located only in the subpellicular microtubules, whereas KHAP2 is located at the subpellicular microtubules and the base of the flagellum. Both KHAP1 and KHAP2 null mutants are unable to execute cytokinesis but are able to traffic GT1 to the flagellum. These results confirm that KHARON assembles into distinct functional complexes and that the subpellicular complex is essential for cytokinesis and viability of disease-causing amastigotes but not for flagellar membrane trafficking.
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Affiliation(s)
- Felice D Kelly
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon, USA
| | - Khoa D Tran
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon, USA
| | - Jess Hatfield
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon, USA
| | - Kat Schmidt
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon, USA
| | - Marco A Sanchez
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon, USA
| | - Scott M Landfear
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon, USA.
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