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Román-Álamo L, Avalos-Padilla Y, Bouzón-Arnáiz I, Iglesias V, Fernández-Lajo J, Monteiro JM, Rivas L, Fisa R, Riera C, Andreu D, Pintado-Grima C, Ventura S, Arce EM, Muñoz-Torrero D, Fernàndez-Busquets X. Effect of the aggregated protein dye YAT2150 on Leishmania parasite viability. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2024; 68:e0112723. [PMID: 38349159 PMCID: PMC10916400 DOI: 10.1128/aac.01127-23] [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: 09/01/2023] [Accepted: 01/15/2024] [Indexed: 03/07/2024] Open
Abstract
The problems associated with the drugs currently used to treat leishmaniasis, including resistance, toxicity, and the high cost of some formulations, call for the urgent identification of new therapeutic agents with novel modes of action. The aggregated protein dye YAT2150 has been found to be a potent antileishmanial compound, with a half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) of approximately 0.5 µM against promastigote and amastigote stages of Leishmania infantum. The encapsulation in liposomes of YAT2150 significantly improved its in vitro IC50 to 0.37 and 0.19 µM in promastigotes and amastigotes, respectively, and increased the half-maximal cytotoxic concentration in human umbilical vein endothelial cells to >50 µM. YAT2150 became strongly fluorescent when binding intracellular protein deposits in Leishmania cells. This fluorescence pattern aligns with the proposed mode of action of this drug in the malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum, the inhibition of protein aggregation. In Leishmania major, YAT2150 rapidly reduced ATP levels, suggesting an alternative antileishmanial mechanism. To the best of our knowledge, this first-in-class compound is the only one described so far having significant activity against both Plasmodium and Leishmania, thus being a potential drug for the treatment of co-infections of both parasites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucía Román-Álamo
- Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal), Hospital Clínic-Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Barcelona, Spain
- Doctoral School of Biotechnology, Faculty of Pharmacy and Food Sciences, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Yunuen Avalos-Padilla
- Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal), Hospital Clínic-Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Inés Bouzón-Arnáiz
- Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal), Hospital Clínic-Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Valentín Iglesias
- Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal), Hospital Clínic-Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Barcelona, Spain
- Institut de Biotecnologia i de Biomedicina (IBB) and Departament de Bioquímica i Biologia Molecular, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Spain
| | - Jorge Fernández-Lajo
- Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas Margarita Salas, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Madrid, Spain
| | - Juan M. Monteiro
- Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas Margarita Salas, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Madrid, Spain
| | - Luis Rivas
- Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas Margarita Salas, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Madrid, Spain
| | - Roser Fisa
- Section of Parasitology Department of Biology, Health and Environment, Faculty of Pharmacy and Food Sciences, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Cristina Riera
- Section of Parasitology Department of Biology, Health and Environment, Faculty of Pharmacy and Food Sciences, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - David Andreu
- Department of Medicine and Life Sciences, Barcelona Biomedical Research Park, Pompeu Fabra University, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Carlos Pintado-Grima
- Institut de Biotecnologia i de Biomedicina (IBB) and Departament de Bioquímica i Biologia Molecular, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Spain
| | - Salvador Ventura
- Institut de Biotecnologia i de Biomedicina (IBB) and Departament de Bioquímica i Biologia Molecular, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Spain
| | - Elsa M. Arce
- Laboratory of Medicinal Chemistry (CSIC Associated Unit), Faculty of Pharmacy and Food Sciences, and Institute of Biomedicine (IBUB), University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Diego Muñoz-Torrero
- Laboratory of Medicinal Chemistry (CSIC Associated Unit), Faculty of Pharmacy and Food Sciences, and Institute of Biomedicine (IBUB), University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Xavier Fernàndez-Busquets
- Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal), Hospital Clínic-Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Barcelona, Spain
- Nanoscience and Nanotechnology Institute (IN2UB), University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
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Pinheiro LS, Andrade-Neto VV, Mantuano-Barradas M, Pereira EC, Barbosa RCF, de Oliveira MCC, Menna-Barreto RFS, Cunha-Júnior EF, Torres-Santos EC. Biological effects of trans, trans-farnesol in Leishmania amazonensis. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2023; 13:1221246. [PMID: 38035328 PMCID: PMC10687452 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2023.1221246] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2023] [Accepted: 10/26/2023] [Indexed: 12/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Farnesol, derived from farnesyl pyrophosphate in the sterols biosynthetic pathway, is a molecule with three unsaturations and four possible isomers. Candida albicans predominantly secretes the trans, trans-farnesol (t, t-FOH) isomer, known for its role in regulating the virulence of various fungi species and modulating morphological transition processes. Notably, the evolutionary divergence in sterol biosynthesis between fungi, including Candida albicans, and trypanosomatids resulted in the synthesis of sterols with the ergostane skeleton, distinct from cholesterol. This study aims to assess the impact of exogenously added trans, trans-farnesol on the proliferative ability of Leishmania amazonensis and to identify its presence in the lipid secretome of the parasite. Methods The study involved the addition of exogenous trans, trans-farnesol to evaluate its interference with the proliferation of L. amazonensis promastigotes. Proliferation, cell cycle, DNA fragmentation, and mitochondrial functionality were assessed as indicators of the effects of trans, trans-farnesol. Additionally, lipid secretome analysis was conducted, focusing on the detection of trans, trans-farnesol and related products derived from the precursor, farnesyl pyrophosphate. In silico analysis was employed to identify the sequence for the farnesene synthase gene responsible for producing these isoprenoids in the Leishmania genome. Results Exogenously added trans, trans-farnesol was found to interfere with the proliferation of L. amazonensis promastigotes, inhibiting the cell cycle without causing DNA fragmentation or loss of mitochondrial functionality. Despite the absence of trans, trans-farnesol in the culture supernatant, other products derived from farnesyl pyrophosphate, specifically α-farnesene and β-farnesene, were detected starting on the fourth day of culture, continuing to increase until the tenth day. Furthermore, the identification of the farnesene synthase gene in the Leishmania genome through in silico analysis provided insights into the enzymatic basis of isoprenoid production. Discussion The findings collectively offer the first insights into the mechanism of action of farnesol on L. amazonensis. While trans, trans-farnesol was not detected in the lipid secretome, the presence of α-farnesene and β-farnesene suggests alternative pathways or modifications in the isoprenoid metabolism of the parasite. The inhibitory effects on proliferation and cell cycle without inducing DNA fragmentation or mitochondrial dysfunction raise questions about the specific targets and pathways affected by exogenous trans, trans-farnesol. The identification of the farnesene synthase gene provides a molecular basis for understanding the synthesis of related isoprenoids in Leishmania. Further exploration of these mechanisms may contribute to the development of novel therapeutic strategies against Leishmania infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liliane Sena Pinheiro
- Laboratório de Bioquímica de Tripanosomatídeos, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (FIOCRUZ), Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
- Universidade Federal dos Vales do Jequitinhonha e Mucuri, Teófilo Otoni, MG, Brazil
| | - Valter Viana Andrade-Neto
- Laboratório de Bioquímica de Tripanosomatídeos, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (FIOCRUZ), Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Marcio Mantuano-Barradas
- Laboratório de Bioquímica de Tripanosomatídeos, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (FIOCRUZ), Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Elisa Cavalcante Pereira
- Laboratório de Bioquímica de Tripanosomatídeos, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (FIOCRUZ), Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | | | | | | | - Edézio Ferreira Cunha-Júnior
- Laboratório de Imunoparasitologia, Unidade Integrada de Pesquisa em Produtos Bioativos e Biociências, Centro Multidisciplinar UFRJ-Macaé, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Macaé, Brazil
| | - Eduardo Caio Torres-Santos
- Laboratório de Bioquímica de Tripanosomatídeos, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (FIOCRUZ), Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
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Ferreira JDJG, Costa SCB, Addas-Carvalho M, Pereira MB, França ADO, de Lima RG, Andrade PD, Wanderley JDS, Martins LC, de Almeida EA, Marcon GEB. Evaluation of Molecular Methods to Identify Chagas Disease and Leishmaniasis in Blood Donation Candidates in Two Brazilian Centers. Pathogens 2023; 12:pathogens12040508. [PMID: 37111394 PMCID: PMC10141534 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens12040508] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2023] [Revised: 03/02/2023] [Accepted: 03/10/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023] Open
Abstract
In Brazil, blood donation is regulated by the Brazilian Ministry of Health, and all States follow the same protocol for clinical and laboratory screening. Brazil is an endemic country for Chagas disease (CD), caused by Trypanosoma cruzi, and for leishmaniasis, caused by a species of Leishmania spp. Screening for leishmaniosis is not routinely performed by blood banks. Given the antigenic similarity between T. cruzi and Leishmania spp., cross-reactions in serological tests can occur, and inconclusive results for CD have been found. The objective of this study was to apply molecular techniques, e.g., nPCR, PCR, and qPCR, to clarify cases of blood donation candidates with non-negative serology for CD and to analyze the difference between the melting temperature during real-time PCR using SYBR Green. Thirty-seven cases that showed non-negative results for CD using chemiluminescent microparticle immunoassay (CMIA) tests from blood banks in Campo Grande, MS, and Campinas, SP, were analyzed. In the serum samples, 35 samples were evaluated by ELISA, and 24.3% (9/35) showed positive results for CD. nPCR was able to detect 12 positive results in 35 samples (34.28%). qPCR for T. cruzi was quantifiable in the samples that showed a value ≥0.002 par eq/mL (parasite equivalents per milliliter), and in 35 samples, 11 (31.42%) were positive. Of all evaluated samples using the described tests (CMIA, ELISA, nPCR, and qPCR), 18 (48.6%) were positive for CD. For MCA by qPCR, the melting temperature was 82.06 °C ± 0.46 for T. cruzi and 81.9 °C ± 0.24 for Leishmania infantum. The Mann-Whitney test showed a significant value of p < 0.0001. However, the differentiation between T. cruzi and L. infantum could not be considered due to temperature overlap. For leishmaniasis, of the 35 samples with non-negative serology for CD tested by the indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFAT), only one sample (2.85%) was positive (1:80). The PCR for Leishmania spp. was performed on 36 blood samples from donation candidates, and all were negative. qPCR for L. infantum showed 37 negative results for the 37 analyzed samples. The data presented here show the importance of performing two different tests in CD screening at blood banks. Molecular tests should be used for confirmation, thereby improving the blood donation system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juliana de Jesus Guimarães Ferreira
- Laboratório de Diagnóstico de Doenças Infecciosas por Técnicas de Biologia Molecular, Departamento de Clínica Médica, Faculdade de Ciências Médicas, Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas 13083-887, SP, Brazil
| | - Sandra Cecília Botelho Costa
- Laboratório de Diagnóstico de Doenças Infecciosas por Técnicas de Biologia Molecular, Departamento de Clínica Médica, Faculdade de Ciências Médicas, Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas 13083-887, SP, Brazil
| | - Marcelo Addas-Carvalho
- Centro de Hematologia e Hemoterapia, Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas 13083-887, SP, Brazil
| | - Mariane Barroso Pereira
- Laboratório de Diagnóstico de Doenças Infecciosas por Técnicas de Biologia Molecular, Departamento de Clínica Médica, Faculdade de Ciências Médicas, Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas 13083-887, SP, Brazil
| | - Adriana de Oliveira França
- Laboratório de Doenças Infecciosas e Parasitárias (LabDIP), Programa de Pós-Graduação em Doenças Infecciosas e Parasitárias, Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso do Sul, Cidade Universitária s/n, Campo Grande 79090-900, MS, Brazil
| | - Rodrigo Gonçalves de Lima
- Laboratório de Diagnóstico de Doenças Infecciosas por Técnicas de Biologia Molecular, Departamento de Clínica Médica, Faculdade de Ciências Médicas, Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas 13083-887, SP, Brazil
| | - Paula Durante Andrade
- Laboratório de Diagnóstico de Doenças Infecciosas por Técnicas de Biologia Molecular, Departamento de Clínica Médica, Faculdade de Ciências Médicas, Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas 13083-887, SP, Brazil
| | - Jamiro da Silva Wanderley
- Grupo de Estudos em Doença de Chagas (GEDoCh), Departamento de Clínica Médica, Faculdade de Ciências Médicas, Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas 13083-887, SP, Brazil
| | - Luiz Cláudio Martins
- Grupo de Estudos em Doença de Chagas (GEDoCh), Departamento de Clínica Médica, Faculdade de Ciências Médicas, Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas 13083-887, SP, Brazil
| | - Eros Antonio de Almeida
- Grupo de Estudos em Doença de Chagas (GEDoCh), Departamento de Clínica Médica, Faculdade de Ciências Médicas, Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas 13083-887, SP, Brazil
| | - Gláucia Elisete Barbosa Marcon
- Laboratório de Diagnóstico de Doenças Infecciosas por Técnicas de Biologia Molecular, Departamento de Clínica Médica, Faculdade de Ciências Médicas, Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas 13083-887, SP, Brazil
- Fundação Oswaldo Cruz Mato Grosso do Sul (FIOCRUZ MS), Rua Gabriel Abrão, 92, Jardim das Nações, Campo Grande 79081-746, MS, Brazil
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Esteves S, Costa I, Luelmo S, Santarém N, Cordeiro-da-Silva A. Leishmania Vesicle-Depleted Exoproteome: What, Why, and How? Microorganisms 2022; 10:microorganisms10122435. [PMID: 36557688 PMCID: PMC9781507 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms10122435] [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: 11/11/2022] [Revised: 11/30/2022] [Accepted: 12/03/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Leishmaniasis, a vector-borne parasitic protozoan disease, is among the most important neglected tropical diseases. In the absence of vaccines, disease management is challenging. The available chemotherapy is suboptimal, and there are growing concerns about the emergence of drug resistance. Thus, a better understanding of parasite biology is essential to generate new strategies for disease control. In this context, in vitro parasite exoproteome characterization enabled the identification of proteins involved in parasite survival, pathogenesis, and other biologically relevant processes. After 2005, with the availability of genomic information, these studies became increasingly feasible and revealed the true complexity of the parasite exoproteome. After the discovery of Leishmania extracellular vesicles (EVs), most exoproteome studies shifted to the characterization of EVs. The non-EV portion of the exoproteome, named the vesicle-depleted exoproteome (VDE), has been mostly ignored even if it accounts for a significant portion of the total exoproteome proteins. Herein, we summarize the importance of total exoproteome studies followed by a special emphasis on the available information and the biological relevance of the VDE. Finally, we report on how VDE can be studied and disclose how it might contribute to providing biologically relevant targets for diagnosis, drug, and vaccine development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sofia Esteves
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal
- Institute for Research and Innovation in Health (i3S), University of Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal
| | - Inês Costa
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal
- Institute for Research and Innovation in Health (i3S), University of Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal
| | - Sara Luelmo
- Institute for Research and Innovation in Health (i3S), University of Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal
| | - Nuno Santarém
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal
- Institute for Research and Innovation in Health (i3S), University of Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal
- Correspondence: (N.S.); (A.C.-d.-S.)
| | - Anabela Cordeiro-da-Silva
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal
- Institute for Research and Innovation in Health (i3S), University of Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal
- Correspondence: (N.S.); (A.C.-d.-S.)
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Sandes JM, de Figueiredo RCBQ. The endoplasmic reticulum of trypanosomatids: An unrevealed road for chemotherapy. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2022; 12:1057774. [PMID: 36439218 PMCID: PMC9684732 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2022.1057774] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2022] [Accepted: 10/24/2022] [Indexed: 01/04/2024] Open
Abstract
The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) of higher eukaryotic cells forms an intricate membranous network that serves as the main processing facility for folding and assembling of secreted and membrane proteins. The ER is a highly dynamic organelle that interacts with other intracellular structures, as well as endosymbiotic pathogenic and non-pathogenic microorganisms. A strict ER quality control (ERQC) must work to ensure that proteins entering the ER are folded and processed correctly. Unfolded or misfolded proteins are usually identified, selected, and addressed to Endoplasmic Reticulum-Associated Degradation (ERAD) complex. Conversely, when there is a large demand for secreted proteins or ER imbalance, the accumulation of unfolded or misfolded proteins activates the Unfold Protein Response (UPR) to restore the ER homeostasis or, in the case of persistent ER stress, induces the cell death. Pathogenic trypanosomatids, such as Trypanosoma cruzi, Trypanosoma brucei and Leishmania spp are the etiological agents of important neglected diseases. These protozoans have a complex life cycle alternating between vertebrate and invertebrate hosts. The ER of trypanosomatids, like those found in higher eukaryotes, is also specialized for secretion, and depends on the ERAD and non-canonical UPR to deal with the ER stress. Here, we reviewed the basic aspects of ER biology, organization, and quality control in trypanosomatids. We also focused on the unusual way by which T. cruzi, T. brucei, and Leishmania spp. respond to ER stress, emphasizing how these parasites' ER-unrevealed roads might be an attractive target for chemotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jana Messias Sandes
- Laboratório de Biologia Celular e Molecular de Patógenos, Departamento de Microbiologia, Instituto Aggeu Magalhães, Recife, Brazil
- Laboratório de Microscopia Eletrônica, Instituto Keizo Assami, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Recife, Brazil
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Alonso A, Larraga J, Loayza FJ, Martínez E, Valladares B, Larraga V, Alcolea PJ. Stable Episomal Transfectant Leishmania infantum Promastigotes Over-Expressing the DEVH1 RNA Helicase Gene Down-Regulate Parasite Survival Genes. Pathogens 2022; 11:pathogens11070761. [PMID: 35890006 PMCID: PMC9323391 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens11070761] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2022] [Revised: 06/10/2022] [Accepted: 06/20/2022] [Indexed: 12/10/2022] Open
Abstract
The compartmentalization of untranslated mRNA molecules in granules occurring in many eukaryotic organisms including trypanosomatids involves the formation of complexes between mRNA molecules and RNA-binding proteins (RBPs). The putative ATP-dependent DEAD/H RNA helicase (DEVH1) from Leishmania infantum (Kinetoplastida: Trypanosomatidae) is one such proteins. The objective of this research is finding differentially expressed genes in a stable episomal transfectant L. infantum promastigote line over-expressing DEVH1 in the stationary phase of growth in axenic culture to get insight into the biological roles of this RNA helicase in the parasite. Interestingly, genes related to parasite survival and virulence factors, such as the hydrophilic surface protein/small hydrophilic endoplasmic reticulum protein (HASP/SHERP) gene cluster, an amastin, and genes related to reactive oxygen species detoxification are down-regulated in DEVH1 transfectant promastigotes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Alonso
- Laboratory of Molecular Parasitology and Vaccines, Biological, Immunological, and Chemical Drug Development for Global Health Unit (BICS), Department of Cellular and Molecular Biology, Center for Biological Research Margarita Salas, Spanish Research Council (CIBMS-CSIC), Calle Ramiro de Maeztu 9, 28040 Madrid, Spain; (A.A.); (J.L.); (F.J.L.); (V.L.)
| | - Jaime Larraga
- Laboratory of Molecular Parasitology and Vaccines, Biological, Immunological, and Chemical Drug Development for Global Health Unit (BICS), Department of Cellular and Molecular Biology, Center for Biological Research Margarita Salas, Spanish Research Council (CIBMS-CSIC), Calle Ramiro de Maeztu 9, 28040 Madrid, Spain; (A.A.); (J.L.); (F.J.L.); (V.L.)
| | - Francisco Javier Loayza
- Laboratory of Molecular Parasitology and Vaccines, Biological, Immunological, and Chemical Drug Development for Global Health Unit (BICS), Department of Cellular and Molecular Biology, Center for Biological Research Margarita Salas, Spanish Research Council (CIBMS-CSIC), Calle Ramiro de Maeztu 9, 28040 Madrid, Spain; (A.A.); (J.L.); (F.J.L.); (V.L.)
| | - Enrique Martínez
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Pediatrics, Preventive Medicine and Public Health, Toxicology, Legal and Forensic Medicine and Parasitology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University Institute of Public Health of the Canary Islands (IUETSPC), University of La Laguna (ULL), Avda, Astrofísico Francisco, Sánchez s/n, Campus de Anchieta, 38207 La Laguna, Spain; (E.M.); (B.V.)
| | - Basilio Valladares
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Pediatrics, Preventive Medicine and Public Health, Toxicology, Legal and Forensic Medicine and Parasitology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University Institute of Public Health of the Canary Islands (IUETSPC), University of La Laguna (ULL), Avda, Astrofísico Francisco, Sánchez s/n, Campus de Anchieta, 38207 La Laguna, Spain; (E.M.); (B.V.)
| | - Vicente Larraga
- Laboratory of Molecular Parasitology and Vaccines, Biological, Immunological, and Chemical Drug Development for Global Health Unit (BICS), Department of Cellular and Molecular Biology, Center for Biological Research Margarita Salas, Spanish Research Council (CIBMS-CSIC), Calle Ramiro de Maeztu 9, 28040 Madrid, Spain; (A.A.); (J.L.); (F.J.L.); (V.L.)
| | - Pedro José Alcolea
- Laboratory of Molecular Parasitology and Vaccines, Biological, Immunological, and Chemical Drug Development for Global Health Unit (BICS), Department of Cellular and Molecular Biology, Center for Biological Research Margarita Salas, Spanish Research Council (CIBMS-CSIC), Calle Ramiro de Maeztu 9, 28040 Madrid, Spain; (A.A.); (J.L.); (F.J.L.); (V.L.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +34-9-1837-3112; Fax: +34-9-1536-0432
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de Castro Neto AL, da Silveira JF, Mortara RA. Role of Virulence Factors of Trypanosomatids in the Insect Vector and Putative Genetic Events Involved in Surface Protein Diversity. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2022; 12:807172. [PMID: 35573777 PMCID: PMC9097677 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2022.807172] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2021] [Accepted: 03/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Trypanosomatids are flagellate protozoans that can infect several invertebrate and vertebrate hosts, including insects and humans. The three most studied species are the human pathogens Trypanosoma brucei, Trypanosoma cruzi and Leishmania spp. which are the causative agents of Human African Trypanosomiasis (HAT), Chagas disease and different clinical forms of leishmaniasis, respectively. These parasites possess complex dixenous life cycles, with zoonotic and anthroponotic stages, and are transmitted by hematophagous insects. To colonize this myriad of hosts, they developed mechanisms, mediated by virulence factors, to infect, propagate and survive in different environments. In insects, surface proteins play roles in parasite attachment and survival in the insect gut, whilst in the mammalian host, the parasites have a whole group of proteins and mechanisms that aid them invading the host cells and evading its immune system components. Many studies have been done on the impact of these molecules in the vertebrate host, however it is also essential to notice the importance of these virulence factors in the insect vector during the parasite life cycle. When inside the insect, the parasites, like in humans, also need to survive defense mechanisms components that can inhibit parasite colonization or survival, e.g., midgut peritrophic membrane barrier, digestive enzymes, evasion of excretion alongside the digested blood meal, anatomic structures and physiological mechanisms of the anterior gut. This protection inside the insect is often implemented by the same group of virulence factors that perform roles of immune evasion in the mammalian host with just a few exceptions, in which a specific protein is expressed specifically for the insect vector form of the parasite. This review aims to discuss the roles of the virulence molecules in the insect vectors, showing the differences and similarities of modes of action of the same group of molecules in insect and humans, exclusive insect molecules and discuss possible genetic events that may have generated this protein diversity.
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The Leishmania donovani Ortholog of the Glycosylphosphatidylinositol Anchor Biosynthesis Cofactor PBN1 Is Essential for Host Infection. mBio 2022; 13:e0043322. [PMID: 35420475 PMCID: PMC9239262 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.00433-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Visceral leishmaniasis is a deadly infectious disease caused by Leishmania donovani, a kinetoplastid parasite for which no licensed vaccine is available. To identify potential vaccine candidates, we systematically identified genes encoding putative cell surface and secreted proteins essential for parasite viability and host infection. We identified a protein encoded by LdBPK_061160 which, when ablated, resulted in a remarkable increase in parasite adhesion to tissue culture flasks. Here, we show that this phenotype is caused by the loss of glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI)-anchored surface molecules and that LdBPK_061160 encodes a noncatalytic component of the L. donovani GPI-mannosyltransferase I (GPI-MT I) complex. GPI-anchored surface molecules were rescued in the LdBPK_061160 mutant by the ectopic expression of both human genes PIG-X and PIG-M, but neither gene could complement the phenotype alone. From further sequence comparisons, we conclude that LdBPK_061160 is the functional orthologue of yeast PBN1 and mammalian PIG-X, which encode the noncatalytic subunits of their respective GPI-MT I complexes, and we assign LdBPK_061160 as LdPBN1. The LdPBN1 mutants could not establish a visceral infection in mice, a phenotype that was rescued by constitutive expression of LdPBN1. Although mice infected with the null mutant did not develop an infection, exposure to these parasites provided significant protection against subsequent infection with a virulent strain. In summary, we have identified the orthologue of the PBN1/PIG-X noncatalytic subunit of GPI-MT I in trypanosomatids, shown that it is essential for infection in a murine model of visceral leishmaniasis, and demonstrated that the LdPBN1 mutant shows promise for the development of an attenuated live vaccine.
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Varotto-Boccazzi I, Manenti A, Dapporto F, Gourlay LJ, Bisaglia B, Gabrieli P, Forneris F, Faravelli S, Bollati V, Rubolini D, Zuccotti G, Montomoli E, Epis S, Bandi C. Epidemic Preparedness- Leishmania tarentolae as an Easy-to-Handle Tool to Produce Antigens for Viral Diagnosis: Application to COVID-19. Front Microbiol 2021; 12:736530. [PMID: 34966362 PMCID: PMC8710741 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.736530] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2021] [Accepted: 11/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
To detect and prevent emerging epidemics, discovery platforms are urgently needed, for the rapid development of diagnostic assays. Molecular diagnostic tests for COVID-19 were developed shortly after the isolation of SARS-CoV-2. However, serological tests based on antiviral antibody detection, revealing previous exposure to the virus, required longer testing phases, due to the need to obtain correctly folded and glycosylated antigens. The delay between the identification of a new virus and the development of reliable serodiagnostic tools limits our readiness to tackle future epidemics. We suggest that the protozoan Leishmania tarentolae can be used as an easy-to-handle microfactory for the rapid production of viral antigens to face emerging epidemics. We engineered L. tarentolae to express the SARS-CoV-2 receptor-binding domain (RBD) and we recorded the ability of the purified RBD antigen to detect SARS-CoV-2 infection in human sera, with a sensitivity and reproducibility comparable to that of a reference antigen produced in human cells. This is the first application of an antigen produced in L. tarentolae for the serodiagnosis of a Coronaviridae infection. On the basis of our results, we propose L. tarentolae as an effective system for viral antigen production, even in countries that lack high-technology cell factories.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ilaria Varotto-Boccazzi
- Department of Biosciences, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
- Department of Biomedical and Clinical Science “L. Sacco”, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | | | | | | | | | - Paolo Gabrieli
- Department of Biosciences, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Federico Forneris
- The Armenise-Harvard Laboratory of Structural Biology, Department of Biology and Biotechnology “L. Spallanzani”, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | - Silvia Faravelli
- The Armenise-Harvard Laboratory of Structural Biology, Department of Biology and Biotechnology “L. Spallanzani”, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | - Valentina Bollati
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Diego Rubolini
- Department of Environmental Science and Policy, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
- Water Research Institute—National Research Council of Italy, IRSA−CNR, Brugherio, Italy
| | - Gianvincenzo Zuccotti
- Department of Biomedical and Clinical Science “L. Sacco”, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
- Pediatric CRC “Romeo ed Enrica Invernizzi”, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Emanuele Montomoli
- VisMederi Research, Siena, Italy
- Department of Molecular and Developmental Medicine, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - Sara Epis
- Department of Biosciences, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
- Pediatric CRC “Romeo ed Enrica Invernizzi”, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Claudio Bandi
- Department of Biosciences, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
- Pediatric CRC “Romeo ed Enrica Invernizzi”, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
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Lechuga GC, Napoleão-Pêgo P, Gomes LR, da Matta Durans A, Provance DW, De-Simone SG. Nicastrin-Like, a Novel Transmembrane Protein from Trypanosoma cruzi Associated to the Flagellar Pocket. Microorganisms 2021; 9:microorganisms9081750. [PMID: 34442829 PMCID: PMC8400621 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms9081750] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2021] [Revised: 06/26/2021] [Accepted: 07/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Nicastrin (NICT) is a transmembrane protein physically associated with the polytypical aspartyl protease presenilin that plays a vital role in the correct localization and stabilization of presenilin to the membrane-bound γ-secretase complex. This complex is involved in the regulation of a wide range of cellular events, including cell signaling and the regulation of endocytosed membrane proteins for their trafficking and protein processing. Methods: In Trypanosoma cruzi, the causal agent of the Chagas disease, a NICT-like protein (Tc/NICT) was identified with a short C-terminus orthologous to the human protein, a large ectodomain (ECD) with numerous glycosylation sites and a single-core transmembrane domain containing a putative TM-domain (457GSVGA461) important for the γ-secretase complex activity. Results: Using the Spot-synthesis strategy with Chagasic patient sera, five extracellular epitopes were identified and synthetic forms were used to generate rabbit anti-Tc/NICT polyclonal serum that recognized a ~72-kDa molecule in immunoblots of T. cruzi epimastigote extracts. Confocal microscopy suggests that Tc/NICT is localized in the flagellar pocket, which is consistent with data from our previous studies with a T. cruzi presenilin-like protein. Phylogenetically, Tc/NICT was localized within a subgroup with the T. rangeli protein that is clearly detached from the other Trypanosomatidae, such as T. brucei. These results, together with a comparative analysis of the selected peptide sequence regions between the T. cruzi and mammalian proteins, suggest a divergence from the human NICT that might be relevant to Chagas disease pathology. As a whole, our data show that a NICT-like protein is expressed in the infective and replicative stages of T. cruzi and may be considered further evidence for a γ-secretase complex in trypanosomatids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guilherme Curty Lechuga
- FIOCRUZ, Center for Technological Development in Health (CDTS), National Institute of Science and Technology for Innovation on Neglected Diseases Populations (INCT-IDPN), Rio de Janeiro 21040-900, Brazil; (G.C.L.); (P.N.-P.); (L.R.G.); (A.d.M.D.); (D.W.P.J.)
| | - Paloma Napoleão-Pêgo
- FIOCRUZ, Center for Technological Development in Health (CDTS), National Institute of Science and Technology for Innovation on Neglected Diseases Populations (INCT-IDPN), Rio de Janeiro 21040-900, Brazil; (G.C.L.); (P.N.-P.); (L.R.G.); (A.d.M.D.); (D.W.P.J.)
| | - Larissa Rodrigues Gomes
- FIOCRUZ, Center for Technological Development in Health (CDTS), National Institute of Science and Technology for Innovation on Neglected Diseases Populations (INCT-IDPN), Rio de Janeiro 21040-900, Brazil; (G.C.L.); (P.N.-P.); (L.R.G.); (A.d.M.D.); (D.W.P.J.)
| | - Andressa da Matta Durans
- FIOCRUZ, Center for Technological Development in Health (CDTS), National Institute of Science and Technology for Innovation on Neglected Diseases Populations (INCT-IDPN), Rio de Janeiro 21040-900, Brazil; (G.C.L.); (P.N.-P.); (L.R.G.); (A.d.M.D.); (D.W.P.J.)
| | - David William Provance
- FIOCRUZ, Center for Technological Development in Health (CDTS), National Institute of Science and Technology for Innovation on Neglected Diseases Populations (INCT-IDPN), Rio de Janeiro 21040-900, Brazil; (G.C.L.); (P.N.-P.); (L.R.G.); (A.d.M.D.); (D.W.P.J.)
- FIOCRUZ, Interdisciplinary Medical Research Laboratory, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Rio de Janeiro 21040-900, Brazil
| | - Salvatore Giovanni De-Simone
- FIOCRUZ, Center for Technological Development in Health (CDTS), National Institute of Science and Technology for Innovation on Neglected Diseases Populations (INCT-IDPN), Rio de Janeiro 21040-900, Brazil; (G.C.L.); (P.N.-P.); (L.R.G.); (A.d.M.D.); (D.W.P.J.)
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Biology, Biology Institute, Federal Fluminense University, Niterói 24020-141, Brazil
- Correspondence: ; Fax: +55-21-2590-3495
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11
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Guo H, Damerow S, Penha L, Menzies S, Polanco G, Zegzouti H, Ferguson MAJ, Beverley SM. A broadly active fucosyltransferase LmjFUT1 whose mitochondrial localization and activity are essential in parasitic Leishmania. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2021; 118:e2108963118. [PMID: 34385330 PMCID: PMC8379939 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2108963118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Glycoconjugates play major roles in the infectious cycle of the trypanosomatid parasite Leishmania While GDP-Fucose synthesis is essential, fucosylated glycoconjugates have not been reported in Leishmania major [H. Guo et al., J. Biol. Chem. 292, 10696-10708 (2017)]. Four predicted fucosyltransferases appear conventionally targeted to the secretory pathway; SCA1/2 play a role in side-chain modifications of lipophosphoglycan, while gene deletion studies here showed that FUT2 and SCAL were not essential. Unlike most eukaryotic glycosyltransferases, the predicted α 1-2 fucosyltransferase encoded by FUT1 localized to the mitochondrion. A quantitative "plasmid segregation" assay, expressing FUT1 from the multicopy episomal pXNG vector in a chromosomal null ∆fut1- background, established that FUT1 is essential. Similarly, "plasmid shuffling" confirmed that both enzymatic activity and mitochondrial localization were required for viability, comparing import-blocked or catalytically inactive enzymes, respectively. Enzymatic assays of tagged proteins expressed in vivo or of purified recombinant FUT1 showed it had a broad fucosyltransferase activity including glycan and peptide substrates. Unexpectedly, a single rare ∆fut1- segregant (∆fut1s ) was obtained in rich media, which showed severe growth defects accompanied by mitochondrial dysfunction and loss, all of which were restored upon FUT1 reexpression. Thus, FUT1 along with the similar Trypanosoma brucei enzyme TbFUT1 [G. Bandini et al., bioRxiv, https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/726117v2 (2021)] joins the eukaryotic O-GlcNAc transferase isoform as one of the few glycosyltransferases acting within the mitochondrion. Trypanosomatid mitochondrial FUT1s may offer a facile system for probing mitochondrial glycosylation in a simple setting, and their essentiality for normal growth and mitochondrial function renders it an attractive target for chemotherapy of these serious human pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongjie Guo
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110
| | - Sebastian Damerow
- Division of Biological Chemistry and Drug Discovery, Wellcome Trust Biocentre, College of Life Science, University of Dundee, Dundee DD1 5EH, Scotland, United Kingdom
| | - Luciana Penha
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110
| | - Stefanie Menzies
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110
| | - Gloria Polanco
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110
| | | | - Michael A J Ferguson
- Division of Biological Chemistry and Drug Discovery, Wellcome Trust Biocentre, College of Life Science, University of Dundee, Dundee DD1 5EH, Scotland, United Kingdom
| | - Stephen M Beverley
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110;
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12
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Anti-Leishmania braziliensis activity of 1,10-phenanthroline-5,6-dione and its Cu(II) and Ag(I) complexes. Parasitol Res 2021; 120:3273-3285. [PMID: 34363115 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-021-07265-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2021] [Accepted: 07/21/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Leishmaniasis, included in the priority list of the WHO, remains as a neglected disease caused by parasites of the Leishmania genus. There is no vaccine available for human leishmaniasis, and the current treatment is based on old drugs that cause serious side effects. Herein, we initially studied the cellular distribution of the virulence factor gp63, the major metallopeptidase, in a virulent strain of Leishmania braziliensis, and then we measured the inhibitory effects of 1,10-phenanthroline-5,6-dione (phendione), and its metal complexes, [Cu(phendione)3](ClO4)2.4H2O and [Ag(phendione)2]ClO4, on both cellular and extracellular metallopeptidases produced by promastigotes. The action of the three compounds on parasite viability and on parasite-macrophage interaction was also determined. Gp63 molecules were detected in several parasite compartments, including the cytoplasm, the membrane lining the cell body and flagellum, and in the flagellar pocket, which explains the presence of gp63 in the culture medium. The test compounds inhibited parasite metallopeptidases in a typical dose-dependent manner, and they also caused a significant and irreversible inhibition of parasite motility. Moreover, the pre-treatment of promastigotes with the test compounds induced a decrease in the association index with macrophages. Collectively, phendione and its Cu(II) and Ag(I) complexes are excellent prototypes for the development of new anti-L. braziliensis drugs.
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13
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Carrera-Bravo C, Koh EY, Tan KSW. The roles of parasite-derived extracellular vesicles in disease and host-parasite communication. Parasitol Int 2021; 83:102373. [PMID: 33933651 DOI: 10.1016/j.parint.2021.102373] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2021] [Revised: 04/14/2021] [Accepted: 04/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
In recent years, several parasites have been shown to interact with their hosts through intra- and inter-community communication mechanisms, which were identified to be mediated by extracellular vesicles (EVs) through various uptake mechanisms. EVs are a heterogenous group of nanoparticles (~30-5000 nm) classified into three main types according to their size and biogenesis. EVs contain proteins, lipids, nucleic acids and metabolites from the cell of origin which are essential for genetic exchange, biomarker identification and diagnosis of pathological diseases. As important "forward lines of parasite infectivity", the parasite-secreted EVs function as information transmitters in the early-stage of host-parasite interaction and subsequent host-cell colonization. For this review, we summarize from the literature the relevance of EVs to the pathogenesis and development of human parasitic protistan diseases such as giardiasis, leishmaniasis, amoebiasis, malaria and Blastocystis-mediated gut pathology. Specific in vitro and in vivo interactions of the parasite-EVs and the host, with the reported cellular and immunological outcomes are discussed in this review. EVs have great potential to be further developed as diagnostic, immunomodulation and therapeutic alternatives to fill the knowledge gaps in the current parasitic diseases discussed in this review. Nanomedicine and vaccine development could be explored, with the utilization and/or modification of the parasitic EVs as novel treatment and prevention strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Carrera-Bravo
- Healthy Longevity Translational Research Programme, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, MD4, 5 Science Drive 2, Singapore 117545, Singapore; A*STAR Infectious Diseases Labs, Agency for Science, Technology and Research, Immunos, Biopolis, Singapore 138648, Singapore.
| | - Eileen Y Koh
- Healthy Longevity Translational Research Programme, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, MD4, 5 Science Drive 2, Singapore 117545, Singapore
| | - Kevin S W Tan
- Healthy Longevity Translational Research Programme, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, MD4, 5 Science Drive 2, Singapore 117545, Singapore.
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14
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Dong G, Wagner V, Minguez-Menendez A, Fernandez-Prada C, Olivier M. Extracellular vesicles and leishmaniasis: Current knowledge and promising avenues for future development. Mol Immunol 2021; 135:73-83. [PMID: 33873096 DOI: 10.1016/j.molimm.2021.04.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2021] [Revised: 03/23/2021] [Accepted: 04/01/2021] [Indexed: 02/09/2023]
Abstract
Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are small, membrane-bound "delivery trucks" that are present in the extracellular environment, including biological fluids. EVs are capable of inducing changes in the physiological status of neighboring cells through the transfer of key macromolecules, and are thought to play a role in a number of pathological processes. Leishmaniasis, caused by the protozoan parasite Leishmania, is an important example. The biology of Leishmania EVs has been studied in detail, and findings point to their role in exacerbation of disease and potential involvement in the perpetuation of drug resistance. Furthermore, the use of EVs for development of vaccines has been explored, as well as their potential use in a number of fields as biomarkers of disease and drug resistance. Here we discuss the latest findings on EVs, with a particular focus on Leishmania, as well as potential avenues for their future development and clinical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- George Dong
- Infectious Diseases and Immunology in Global Health Program (IDIGH), The Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Victoria Wagner
- Department of Pathology and Microbiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Université de Montréal, QC, Canada; The Research Group on Infectious Diseases in Production Animals (GREMIP), Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Université de Montréal, QC, Canada
| | | | - Christopher Fernandez-Prada
- Department of Pathology and Microbiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Université de Montréal, QC, Canada; The Research Group on Infectious Diseases in Production Animals (GREMIP), Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Université de Montréal, QC, Canada.
| | - Martin Olivier
- Infectious Diseases and Immunology in Global Health Program (IDIGH), The Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montréal, QC, Canada; Departments of Medicine, Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, McGill University, Montréal, QC, Canada.
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15
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de Castro Neto AL, da Silveira JF, Mortara RA. Comparative Analysis of Virulence Mechanisms of Trypanosomatids Pathogenic to Humans. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2021; 11:669079. [PMID: 33937106 PMCID: PMC8085324 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2021.669079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2021] [Accepted: 03/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Trypanosoma brucei, Leishmania spp., and T. cruzi are flagellate protozoans of the family Trypanosomatidae and the causative agents of human African trypanosomiasis, leishmaniasis, and Chagas disease, respectively. These diseases affect humans worldwide and exert a significant impact on public health. Over the course of evolution, the parasites associated with these pathologies have developed mechanisms to circumvent the immune response system throughout the infection cycle. In cases of human infection, this function is undertaken by a group of proteins and processes that allow the parasites to propagate and survive during host invasion. In T. brucei, antigenic variation is promoted by variant surface glycoproteins and other proteins involved in evasion from the humoral immune response, which helps the parasite sustain itself in the extracellular milieu during infection. Conversely, Leishmania spp. and T. cruzi possess a more complex infection cycle, with specific intracellular stages. In addition to mechanisms for evading humoral immunity, the pathogens have also developed mechanisms for facilitating their adhesion and incorporation into host cells. In this review, the different immune evasion strategies at cellular and molecular levels developed by these human-pathogenic trypanosomatids have been discussed, with a focus on the key molecules responsible for mediating the invasion and evasion mechanisms and the effects of these molecules on virulence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Artur Leonel de Castro Neto
- Departamento de Microbiologia, Imunologia e Parasitologia, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - José Franco da Silveira
- Departamento de Microbiologia, Imunologia e Parasitologia, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Renato Arruda Mortara
- Departamento de Microbiologia, Imunologia e Parasitologia, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
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Heat Shock Proteins as the Druggable Targets in Leishmaniasis: Promises and Perils. Infect Immun 2021; 89:IAI.00559-20. [PMID: 33139381 DOI: 10.1128/iai.00559-20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Leishmania, the causative agent of leishmaniasis, is an intracellular pathogen that thrives in the insect gut and mammalian macrophages to complete its life cycle. Apart from temperature difference (26 to 37°C), it encounters several harsh conditions, including oxidative stress, inflammatory reactions, and low pH. Heat shock proteins (HSPs) play essential roles in cell survival by strategically reprogramming cellular processes and signaling pathways. HSPs assist cells in multiple functions, including differentiation, adaptation, virulence, and persistence in the host cell. Due to cyclical epidemiological patterns, limited chemotherapeutic options, drug resistance, and the absence of a vaccine, control of leishmaniasis remains a far-fetched dream. The essential roles of HSPs in parasitic differentiation and virulence and increased expression in drug-resistant strains highlight their importance in combating the disease. In this review, we highlighted the diverse physiological importance of HSPs present in Leishmania, emphasizing their significance in disease pathogenesis. Subsequently, we assessed the potential of HSPs as a chemotherapeutic target and underlined the challenges associated with it. Furthermore, we have summarized a few ongoing drug discovery initiatives that need to be explored further to develop clinically successful chemotherapeutic agents in the future.
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17
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Torrecilhas AC, Soares RP, Schenkman S, Fernández-Prada C, Olivier M. Extracellular Vesicles in Trypanosomatids: Host Cell Communication. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2020; 10:602502. [PMID: 33381465 PMCID: PMC7767885 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2020.602502] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2020] [Accepted: 11/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Trypanosoma cruzi, Trypanosoma brucei and Leishmania (Trypanosomatidae: Kinetoplastida) are parasitic protozoan causing Chagas disease, African Trypanosomiasis and Leishmaniases worldwide. They are vector borne diseases transmitted by triatomine bugs, Tsetse fly, and sand flies, respectively. Those diseases cause enormous economic losses and morbidity affecting not only rural and poverty areas but are also spreading to urban areas. During the parasite-host interaction, those organisms release extracellular vesicles (EVs) that are crucial for the immunomodulatory events triggered by the parasites. EVs are involved in cell-cell communication and can act as important pro-inflammatory mediators. Therefore, interface between EVs and host immune responses are crucial for the immunopathological events that those diseases exhibit. Additionally, EVs from these organisms have a role in the invertebrate hosts digestive tracts prior to parasite transmission. This review summarizes the available data on how EVs from those medically important trypanosomatids affect their interaction with vertebrate and invertebrate hosts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Claudia Torrecilhas
- Departamento de Ciências Farmacêuticas, Federal University of Sao Paulo (UNIFESP), Diadema, Brazil
| | | | - Sergio Schenkman
- Departamento de Microbiologia, Imunologia e Parasitologia, UNIFESP, São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | - Martin Olivier
- The Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, McGill University, Montréal, QC, Canada
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Lechuga GC, Napoleão-Pêgo P, Bottino CCG, Pinho RT, Provance-Jr DW, De-Simone SG. Trypanosoma cruzi Presenilin-Like Transmembrane Aspartyl Protease: Characterization and Cellular Localization. Biomolecules 2020; 10:biom10111564. [PMID: 33212923 PMCID: PMC7698364 DOI: 10.3390/biom10111564] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2020] [Revised: 11/06/2020] [Accepted: 11/09/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The increasing detection of infections of Trypanosoma cruzi, the etiological agent of Chagas disease, in non-endemic regions beyond Latin America has risen to be a major public health issue. With an impact in the millions of people, current treatments rely on antiquated drugs that produce severe side effects and are considered nearly ineffective for the chronic phase. The minimal progress in the development of new drugs highlights the need for advances in basic research on crucial biochemical pathways in T. cruzi to identify new targets. Here, we report on the T. cruzi presenilin-like transmembrane aspartyl enzyme, a protease of the aspartic class in a unique phylogenetic subgroup with T. vivax separate from protozoans. Computational analyses suggest it contains nine transmembrane domains and an active site with the characteristic PALP motif of the A22 family. Multiple linear B-cell epitopes were identified by SPOT-synthesis analysis with Chagasic patient sera. Two were chosen to generate rabbit antisera, whose signal was primarily localized to the flagellar pocket, intracellular vesicles, and endoplasmic reticulum in parasites by whole-cell immunofluorescence. The results suggest that the parasitic presenilin-like enzyme could have a role in the secretory pathway and serve as a target for the generation of new therapeutics specific to the T. cruzi.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guilherme C. Lechuga
- Center for Technological Development in Health/National Institute of Science and Technology for Innovation on Diseases of Neglected Population (INCT-IDPN), FIOCRUZ, Rio de Janeiro 21040-900, Brazil; (G.C.L.); (P.N.-P.); (C.C.G.B.); (D.W.P.-J.)
- Cellular Ultrastructure Laboratory, FIOCRUZ, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Rio de Janeiro 21040-900, Brazil
| | - Paloma Napoleão-Pêgo
- Center for Technological Development in Health/National Institute of Science and Technology for Innovation on Diseases of Neglected Population (INCT-IDPN), FIOCRUZ, Rio de Janeiro 21040-900, Brazil; (G.C.L.); (P.N.-P.); (C.C.G.B.); (D.W.P.-J.)
| | - Carolina C. G. Bottino
- Center for Technological Development in Health/National Institute of Science and Technology for Innovation on Diseases of Neglected Population (INCT-IDPN), FIOCRUZ, Rio de Janeiro 21040-900, Brazil; (G.C.L.); (P.N.-P.); (C.C.G.B.); (D.W.P.-J.)
| | - Rosa T. Pinho
- Clinical Immunology Laboratory, FIOCRUZ, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Rio de Janeiro 21040-900, Brazil;
| | - David W. Provance-Jr
- Center for Technological Development in Health/National Institute of Science and Technology for Innovation on Diseases of Neglected Population (INCT-IDPN), FIOCRUZ, Rio de Janeiro 21040-900, Brazil; (G.C.L.); (P.N.-P.); (C.C.G.B.); (D.W.P.-J.)
- Interdisciplinary Medical Research Laboratory, FIOCRUZ, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Rio de Janeiro 21040-900, Brazil
| | - Salvatore G. De-Simone
- Center for Technological Development in Health/National Institute of Science and Technology for Innovation on Diseases of Neglected Population (INCT-IDPN), FIOCRUZ, Rio de Janeiro 21040-900, Brazil; (G.C.L.); (P.N.-P.); (C.C.G.B.); (D.W.P.-J.)
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Federal Fluminense University, Niterói 24220-008, Brazil
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +55-21-3865-8183
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19
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Abstract
p67 is a type I transmembrane glycoprotein of the terminal lysosome of African trypanosomes. Its biosynthesis involves transport of an initial gp100 ER precursor to the lysosome, followed by cleavage to N-terminal (gp32) and C-terminal (gp42) subunits that remain non-covalently associated. p67 knockdown is lethal, but the only overt phenotype is an enlarged lysosome (~250 to >1000 nm). Orthologues have been characterized in Dictyostelium and mammals. These have processing pathways similar to p67, and are thought to have phospholipase B-like (PLBL) activity. The mouse PLBD2 crystal structure revealed that the PLBLs represent a subgroup of the larger N-terminal nucleophile (NTN) superfamily, all of which are hydrolases. NTNs activate by internal autocleavage mediated by a nucleophilic residue, i.e. Cys, Ser or Thr, on the upstream peptide bond to form N-terminal α (gp32) and C-terminal β (gp42) subunits that remain non-covalently associated. The N-terminal residue of the β subunit is then catalytic in subsequent hydrolysis reactions. All PLBLs have a conserved Cys/Ser dipeptide at the α/β junction (Cys241/Ser242 in p67), mutation of which renders p67 non-functional in RNAi rescue assays. p67 orthologues are found in many clades of parasitic protozoa, thus p67 is the founding member of a group of hydrolases that likely play a role broadly in the pathogenesis of parasitic infections.
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Fernandes ACS, Soares DC, Neves RFC, Koeller CM, Heise N, Adade CM, Frases S, Meyer-Fernandes JR, Saraiva EM, Souto-Padrón T. Endocytosis and Exocytosis in Leishmania amazonensis Are Modulated by Bromoenol Lactone. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2020; 10:39. [PMID: 32117812 PMCID: PMC7020749 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2020.00039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2019] [Accepted: 01/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
In the protozoan pathogen Leishmania, endocytosis, and exocytosis occur mainly in the small area of the flagellar pocket membrane, which makes this parasite an interesting model of strikingly polarized internalization and secretion. Moreover, little is known about vesicle recognition and fusion mechanisms, which are essential for both endo/exocytosis in this parasite. In other cell types, vesicle fusion events require the activity of phospholipase A2 (PLA2), including Ca2+-independent iPLA2 and soluble, Ca2+-dependent sPLA2. Here, we studied the role of bromoenol lactone (BEL) inhibition of endo/exocytosis in promastigotes of Leishmania amazonensis. PLA2 activities were assayed in intact parasites, in whole conditioned media, and in soluble and extracellular vesicles (EVs) conditioned media fractions. BEL did not affect the viability of promastigotes, but reduced the differentiation into metacyclic forms. Intact parasites and EVs had BEL-sensitive iPLA2 activity. BEL treatment reduced total EVs secretion, as evidenced by reduced total protein concentration, as well as its size distribution and vesicles in the flagellar pocket of treated parasites as observed by TEM. Membrane proteins, such as acid phosphatases and GP63, became concentrated in the cytoplasm, mainly in multivesicular tubules of the endocytic pathway. BEL also prevented the endocytosis of BSA, transferrin and ConA, with the accumulation of these markers in the flagellar pocket. These results suggested that the activity inhibited by BEL, which is one of the irreversible inhibitors of iPLA2, is required for both endocytosis and exocytosis in promastigotes of L. amazonensis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne C S Fernandes
- Centro de Ciências da Saúde, Instituto de Microbiologia Paulo de Góes, Universidade Federal Do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.,Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia de Biologia Estrutural e Bioimagem, Universidade Federal Do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Deivid C Soares
- Centro de Ciências da Saúde, Instituto de Microbiologia Paulo de Góes, Universidade Federal Do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Roberta F C Neves
- Centro de Ciências da Saúde, Instituto de Microbiologia Paulo de Góes, Universidade Federal Do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Carolina M Koeller
- Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal Do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Norton Heise
- Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal Do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Camila M Adade
- Centro de Ciências da Saúde, Instituto de Microbiologia Paulo de Góes, Universidade Federal Do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Susana Frases
- Laboratório de Ultraestrutura Celular Hertha Meyer, Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal Do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - José R Meyer-Fernandes
- Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia de Biologia Estrutural e Bioimagem, Universidade Federal Do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.,Centro de Ciências da Saúde, Instituto de Bioquímica Médica Leopoldo de Meis, Universidade Federal Do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Elvira M Saraiva
- Centro de Ciências da Saúde, Instituto de Microbiologia Paulo de Góes, Universidade Federal Do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Thaïs Souto-Padrón
- Centro de Ciências da Saúde, Instituto de Microbiologia Paulo de Góes, Universidade Federal Do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.,Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia de Biologia Estrutural e Bioimagem, Universidade Federal Do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
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21
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Sabiá Júnior EF, Menezes LFS, de Araújo IFS, Schwartz EF. Natural Occurrence in Venomous Arthropods of Antimicrobial Peptides Active against Protozoan Parasites. Toxins (Basel) 2019; 11:E563. [PMID: 31557900 PMCID: PMC6832604 DOI: 10.3390/toxins11100563] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2019] [Revised: 08/31/2019] [Accepted: 09/10/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Arthropoda is a phylum of invertebrates that has undergone remarkable evolutionary radiation, with a wide range of venomous animals. Arthropod venom is a complex mixture of molecules and a source of new compounds, including antimicrobial peptides (AMPs). Most AMPs affect membrane integrity and produce lethal pores in microorganisms, including protozoan pathogens, whereas others act on internal targets or by modulation of the host immune system. Protozoan parasites cause some serious life-threatening diseases among millions of people worldwide, mostly affecting the poorest in developing tropical regions. Humans can be infected with protozoan parasites belonging to the genera Trypanosoma, Leishmania, Plasmodium, and Toxoplasma, responsible for Chagas disease, human African trypanosomiasis, leishmaniasis, malaria, and toxoplasmosis. There is not yet any cure or vaccine for these illnesses, and the current antiprotozoal chemotherapeutic compounds are inefficient and toxic and have been in clinical use for decades, which increases drug resistance. In this review, we will present an overview of AMPs, the diverse modes of action of AMPs on protozoan targets, and the prospection of novel AMPs isolated from venomous arthropods with the potential to become novel clinical agents to treat protozoan-borne diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elias Ferreira Sabiá Júnior
- Departamento de Ciências Fisiológicas, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade de Brasília, Brasília, DF 70910-900, Brazil.
| | - Luis Felipe Santos Menezes
- Departamento de Ciências Fisiológicas, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade de Brasília, Brasília, DF 70910-900, Brazil.
| | - Israel Flor Silva de Araújo
- Departamento de Ciências Fisiológicas, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade de Brasília, Brasília, DF 70910-900, Brazil.
| | - Elisabeth Ferroni Schwartz
- Departamento de Ciências Fisiológicas, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade de Brasília, Brasília, DF 70910-900, Brazil.
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22
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Klatt S, Simpson L, Maslov DA, Konthur Z. Leishmania tarentolae: Taxonomic classification and its application as a promising biotechnological expression host. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2019; 13:e0007424. [PMID: 31344033 PMCID: PMC6657821 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0007424] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
In this review, we summarize the current knowledge concerning the eukaryotic protozoan parasite Leishmania tarentolae, with a main focus on its potential for biotechnological applications. We will also discuss the genus, subgenus, and species-level classification of this parasite, its life cycle and geographical distribution, and similarities and differences to human-pathogenic species, as these aspects are relevant for the evaluation of biosafety aspects of L. tarentolae as host for recombinant DNA/protein applications. Studies indicate that strain LEM-125 but not strain TARII/UC of L. tarentolae might also be capable of infecting mammals, at least transiently. This could raise the question of whether the current biosafety level of this strain should be reevaluated. In addition, we will summarize the current state of biotechnological research involving L. tarentolae and explain why this eukaryotic parasite is an advantageous and promising human recombinant protein expression host. This summary includes overall biotechnological applications, insights into its protein expression machinery (especially on glycoprotein and antibody fragment expression), available expression vectors, cell culture conditions, and its potential as an immunotherapy agent for human leishmaniasis treatment. Furthermore, we will highlight useful online tools and, finally, discuss possible future applications such as the humanization of the glycosylation profile of L. tarentolae or the expression of mammalian recombinant proteins in amastigote-like cells of this species or in amastigotes of avirulent human-pathogenic Leishmania species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephan Klatt
- Max Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces, Potsdam, Germany
- * E-mail: (SK); (ZK)
| | - Larry Simpson
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Molecular Genetics, Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, University of California, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
| | - Dmitri A. Maslov
- Department of Molecular, Cell, and Systems Biology, University of California, Riverside, California, United States of America
| | - Zoltán Konthur
- Max Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces, Potsdam, Germany
- * E-mail: (SK); (ZK)
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23
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Dong G, Filho AL, Olivier M. Modulation of Host-Pathogen Communication by Extracellular Vesicles (EVs) of the Protozoan Parasite Leishmania. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2019; 9:100. [PMID: 31032233 PMCID: PMC6470181 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2019.00100] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2018] [Accepted: 03/25/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Leishmania genus protozoan parasites have developed various strategies to overcome host cell protective mechanisms favoring their survival and propagation. Recent findings in the field propose a new player in this infectious strategy, the Leishmania exosomes. Exosomes are eukaryotic extracellular vesicles essential to cell communication in various biological contexts. In fact, there have been an increasing number of reports over the last 10 years regarding the role of protozoan parasite exosomes, Leishmania exosomes included, in their capacity to favor infection and propagation within their hosts. In this review, we will discuss the latest findings regarding Leishmania exosome function during infectious conditions with a strong focus on Leishmania-host interaction from a mammalian perspective. We also compare the immunomodulatory properties of Leishmania exosomes to other parasite exosomes, demonstrating the conserved, important role that exosomes play during parasite infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- George Dong
- Infectious Diseases and Immunity in Global Heath Program, The Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Alonso Lira Filho
- Infectious Diseases and Immunity in Global Heath Program, The Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Martin Olivier
- Infectious Diseases and Immunity in Global Heath Program, The Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, QC, Canada
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24
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Lobo M, Balouz V, Melli L, Carlevaro G, Cortina ME, Cámara MDLM, Cánepa GE, Carmona SJ, Altcheh J, Campetella O, Ciocchini AE, Agüero F, Mucci J, Buscaglia CA. Molecular and antigenic characterization of Trypanosoma cruzi TolT proteins. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2019; 13:e0007245. [PMID: 30870417 PMCID: PMC6435186 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0007245] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [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: 10/16/2018] [Revised: 03/26/2019] [Accepted: 02/14/2019] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Background TolT was originally described as a Trypanosoma cruzi molecule that accumulated on the trypomastigote flagellum bearing similarity to bacterial TolA colicins receptors. Preliminary biochemical studies indicated that TolT resolved in SDS-PAGE as ~3–5 different bands with sizes between 34 and 45 kDa, and that this heterogeneity could be ascribed to differences in polypeptide glycosylation. However, the recurrent identification of TolT-deduced peptides, and variations thereof, in trypomastigote proteomic surveys suggested an intrinsic TolT complexity, and prompted us to undertake a thorough reassessment of this antigen. Methods/Principle findings Genome mining exercises showed that TolT constitutes a larger-than-expected family of genes, with at least 12 polymorphic members in the T. cruzi CL Brener reference strain and homologs in different trypanosomes. According to structural features, TolT deduced proteins could be split into three robust groups, termed TolT-A, TolT-B, and TolT-C, all of them showing marginal sequence similarity to bacterial TolA proteins and canonical signatures of surface localization/membrane association, most of which were herein experimentally validated. Further biochemical and microscopy-based characterizations indicated that this grouping may have a functional correlate, as TolT-A, TolT-B and TolT-C molecules showed differences in their expression profile, sub-cellular distribution, post-translational modification(s) and antigenic structure. We finally used a recently developed fluorescence magnetic beads immunoassay to validate a recombinant protein spanning the central and mature region of a TolT-B deduced molecule for Chagas disease serodiagnosis. Conclusion/Significance This study unveiled an unexpected genetic and biochemical complexity within the TolT family, which could be exploited for the development of novel T. cruzi biomarkers with diagnostic/therapeutic applications. Chagas disease, caused by the protozoan Trypanosoma cruzi, is a lifelong and debilitating neglected illness of major significance in Latin America, for which no vaccine or adequate drugs are yet available. Identification of novel biomarkers able to transcend the current limits of diagnostic and/or therapeutic assessment methods hence surfaces as a main priority in Chagas disease applied research. In this framework, we herein undertook a thorough biochemical and antigenic characterization of T. cruzi TolT surface antigens. Our results unveil an unexpected complexity within this family, with at least 12 polymorphic TolT genes in the T. cruzi CL Brener reference strain genome. According to structural features, TolT deduced molecules could be split into three robust groups that show differences in their structural features, expression profile, sub-cellular distribution, post-translational modification(s) and antigenic structure. Overall, we show that TolT molecules are conspicuously expressed by both major mammal-dwelling stages of the parasite, and that they are differentially recognized by the immune system in Chagasic patients and in T. cruzi-infected mammals. Our findings are discussed in terms of the evolution and possible structural/functional roles of TolT molecules, as well as in terms of their applicability in Chagas disease serodiagnosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maite Lobo
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biotecnológicas “Dr Rodolfo Ugalde” (IIB-INTECh, Universidad Nacional de San Martín and CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Virginia Balouz
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biotecnológicas “Dr Rodolfo Ugalde” (IIB-INTECh, Universidad Nacional de San Martín and CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Luciano Melli
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biotecnológicas “Dr Rodolfo Ugalde” (IIB-INTECh, Universidad Nacional de San Martín and CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Giannina Carlevaro
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biotecnológicas “Dr Rodolfo Ugalde” (IIB-INTECh, Universidad Nacional de San Martín and CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - María E. Cortina
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biotecnológicas “Dr Rodolfo Ugalde” (IIB-INTECh, Universidad Nacional de San Martín and CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - María de los Milagros Cámara
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biotecnológicas “Dr Rodolfo Ugalde” (IIB-INTECh, Universidad Nacional de San Martín and CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Gaspar E. Cánepa
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biotecnológicas “Dr Rodolfo Ugalde” (IIB-INTECh, Universidad Nacional de San Martín and CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Santiago J. Carmona
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biotecnológicas “Dr Rodolfo Ugalde” (IIB-INTECh, Universidad Nacional de San Martín and CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Jaime Altcheh
- Servicio de Parasitología-Chagas, Hospital de Niños Ricardo Gutiérrez, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Oscar Campetella
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biotecnológicas “Dr Rodolfo Ugalde” (IIB-INTECh, Universidad Nacional de San Martín and CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Andrés E. Ciocchini
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biotecnológicas “Dr Rodolfo Ugalde” (IIB-INTECh, Universidad Nacional de San Martín and CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Fernán Agüero
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biotecnológicas “Dr Rodolfo Ugalde” (IIB-INTECh, Universidad Nacional de San Martín and CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Juan Mucci
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biotecnológicas “Dr Rodolfo Ugalde” (IIB-INTECh, Universidad Nacional de San Martín and CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
- * E-mail: (JM); (CAB)
| | - Carlos A. Buscaglia
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biotecnológicas “Dr Rodolfo Ugalde” (IIB-INTECh, Universidad Nacional de San Martín and CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
- * E-mail: (JM); (CAB)
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25
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Landfear SM. Protean permeases: Diverse roles for membrane transport proteins in kinetoplastid protozoa. Mol Biochem Parasitol 2018; 227:39-46. [PMID: 30590069 DOI: 10.1016/j.molbiopara.2018.12.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2018] [Revised: 12/13/2018] [Accepted: 12/19/2018] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Kinetoplastid parasites such as Trypanosoma brucei, Trypanosoma cruzi, and Leishmania species rely upon their insect and vertebrate hosts to provide a plethora of nutrients throughout their life cycles. Nutrients and ions critical for parasite survival are taken up across the parasite plasma membrane by transporters and channels, polytopic membrane proteins that provide substrate-specific pores across the hydrophobic barrier. However, transporters and channels serve a wide range of biological functions beyond uptake of nutrients. This article highlights the diversity of activities that these integral membrane proteins serve and underscores the emerging complexity of their functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Scott M Landfear
- Department of Molecular Microbiology & Immunology, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, 97239, USA.
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26
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Khan AH, Noordin R. Strategies for humanizing glycosylation pathways and producing recombinant glycoproteins in microbial expression systems. Biotechnol Prog 2018; 35:e2752. [DOI: 10.1002/btpr.2752] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2018] [Revised: 10/26/2018] [Accepted: 11/16/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Amjad Hayat Khan
- Inst. for Research in Molecular Medicine (INFORMM), Universiti Sains Malaysia 11800 Penang Malaysia
| | - Rahmah Noordin
- Inst. for Research in Molecular Medicine (INFORMM), Universiti Sains Malaysia 11800 Penang Malaysia
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27
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Ati J, Colas C, Lafite P, Sweeney RP, Zheng RB, Lowary TL, Daniellou R. The LPG1x family from Leishmania major is constituted of rare eukaryotic galactofuranosyltransferases with unprecedented catalytic properties. Sci Rep 2018; 8:17566. [PMID: 30514885 PMCID: PMC6279836 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-35847-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2018] [Accepted: 11/09/2018] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Galactofuranosyltransferases are poorly described enzymes despite their crucial role in the virulence and the pathogenicity of numerous microorganisms. These enzymes are considered as potential targets for therapeutic action. In addition to the only well-characterised prokaryotic GlfT2 from Mycobacterium tuberculosis, four putative genes in Leishmania major were previously described as potential galactofuranosyltransferases. In this study, we have cloned, over-expressed, purified and fully determined the kinetic parameters of these four eukaryotic enzymes, thus demonstrating their unique potency in catalysing the transfer of the galactofuranosyl moiety into acceptors. Their individual promiscuity revealed to be different, as some of them could efficiently use NDP-pyranoses as donor substrates in addition to the natural UDP-galactofuranose. Such results pave the way for the development of chemoenzymatic synthesis of furanosyl-containing glycoconjugates as well as the design of improved drugs against leishmaniasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jihen Ati
- Institut de Chimie Organique et Analytique, UMR CNRS 7311, Université d'Orléans, Rue de Chartres, BP6759, Orléans, Cedex 02, France
| | - Cyril Colas
- Institut de Chimie Organique et Analytique, UMR CNRS 7311, Université d'Orléans, Rue de Chartres, BP6759, Orléans, Cedex 02, France
| | - Pierre Lafite
- Institut de Chimie Organique et Analytique, UMR CNRS 7311, Université d'Orléans, Rue de Chartres, BP6759, Orléans, Cedex 02, France
| | - Ryan P Sweeney
- Alberta Glycomics Centre and Department of Chemistry, The University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, T6G 2G2, Canada
| | - Ruixiang Blake Zheng
- Alberta Glycomics Centre and Department of Chemistry, The University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, T6G 2G2, Canada
| | - Todd L Lowary
- Alberta Glycomics Centre and Department of Chemistry, The University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, T6G 2G2, Canada
| | - Richard Daniellou
- Institut de Chimie Organique et Analytique, UMR CNRS 7311, Université d'Orléans, Rue de Chartres, BP6759, Orléans, Cedex 02, France.
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28
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Meshram RJ, Goundge MB, Kolte BS, Gacche RN. An in silico approach in identification of drug targets in Leishmania: A subtractive genomic and metabolic simulation analysis. Parasitol Int 2018; 69:59-70. [PMID: 30503238 DOI: 10.1016/j.parint.2018.11.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2018] [Revised: 10/17/2018] [Accepted: 11/28/2018] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Leishmaniasis is one of the major health issue in developing countries. The current therapeutic regimen for this disease is less effective with lot of adverse effects thereby warranting an urgent need to develop not only new and selective drug candidates but also identification of effective drug targets. Here we present subtractive genomics procedure for identification of putative drug targets in Leishmania. Comprehensive druggability analysis has been carried out in the current work for identified metabolic pathways and drug targets. We also demonstrate effective metabolic simulation methodology to pinpoint putative drug targets in threonine biosynthesis pathway. Metabolic simulation data from the current study indicate that decreasing flux through homoserine kinase reaction can be considered as a good therapeutic opportunity. The data from current study is expected to show new avenue for designing experimental strategies in search of anti-leishmanial agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rohan J Meshram
- Bioinformatics Centre, Savitribai Phule Pune University, Pune 411007, India.
| | - Mayuri B Goundge
- Bioinformatics Centre, Savitribai Phule Pune University, Pune 411007, India
| | - Baban S Kolte
- Bioinformatics Centre, Savitribai Phule Pune University, Pune 411007, India; Department of Biotechnology, Savitribai Phule Pune University, Pune 411007, India
| | - Rajesh N Gacche
- Department of Biotechnology, Savitribai Phule Pune University, Pune 411007, India
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29
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Maheshwari D, Yadav R, Rastogi R, Jain A, Tripathi S, Mukhopadhyay A, Arora A. Structural and Biophysical Characterization of Rab5a from Leishmania Donovani. Biophys J 2018; 115:1217-1230. [PMID: 30241678 PMCID: PMC6170798 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpj.2018.08.032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2018] [Revised: 08/10/2018] [Accepted: 08/15/2018] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Leishmania donovani possess two isoforms of Rab5 (Rab5a and Rab5b), which are involved in fluid phase and receptor-mediated endocytosis, respectively. We have characterized the solution structure and dynamics of a stabilized truncated LdRab5a mutant. For the purpose of NMR structure determination, protein stability was enhanced by systematically introducing various deletions and mutations. Deletion of hypervariable C-terminal and the 20 residues LdRab5a specific insert slightly enhanced the stability, which was further improved by C107S mutation. The final construct, truncated LdRab5a with C107S mutation, was found to be stable for longer durations at higher concentration, with an increase in melting temperature by 10°C. Solution structure of truncated LdRab5a shows the characteristic GTPase fold having nucleotide and effector binding sites. Orientation of switch I and switch II regions match well with that of guanosine 5'-(β, γ-imido)triphosphate (GppNHp)-bound human Rab5a, indicating that the truncated LdRab5a attains the canonical GTP bound state. However, the backbone dynamics of the P-loop, switch I, and switch II regions were slower than that observed for guanosine 5'-(β, γ-imido)triphosphate (GMPPNP)-bound H-Ras. This dynamic profile may further complement the residue-specific complementarity in determining the specificity of interaction with the effectors. In parallel, biophysical investigations revealed the urea induced unfolding of truncated LdRab5a to be a four-state process that involved two intermediates, I1 and I2. The maximal 4,4'-dianilino-1,1'-binaphthyl-5,5'-disulfonic acid (Bis-ANS) binding was observed for I2 state, which was inferred to have molten globule like characteristics. Overall, the strategy presented would have significant impact for studying other Rab and small GTPase proteins by NMR spectroscopy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diva Maheshwari
- Molecular and Structural Biology Division, CSIR-Central Drug Research Institute, Lucknow, India
| | - Rahul Yadav
- Molecular and Structural Biology Division, CSIR-Central Drug Research Institute, Lucknow, India
| | - Ruchir Rastogi
- Cell Biology Lab, National Institute of Immunology, New Delhi, India
| | - Anupam Jain
- Molecular and Structural Biology Division, CSIR-Central Drug Research Institute, Lucknow, India
| | - Sarita Tripathi
- Molecular and Structural Biology Division, CSIR-Central Drug Research Institute, Lucknow, India
| | | | - Ashish Arora
- Molecular and Structural Biology Division, CSIR-Central Drug Research Institute, Lucknow, India.
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Abstract
Glucose transport plays important roles for in vitro growth of insect-stage promastigotes and especially for viability of intramacrophage mammalian host-stage amastigotes of Leishmania mexicana. However, the roles of the three distinct glucose transporters, GT1, GT2, and GT3, in parasite viability inside macrophages and virulence in mice have not been fully explored. Parasite lines expressing GT1 or GT2 alone were strongly impaired in growth inside macrophages, but lines expressing GT3 alone infected macrophages and caused lesions in mice as robustly as wild-type parasites. Notably, GT3 localizes to the endoplasmic reticulum of intracellular amastigotes, suggesting a potential role for salvage of glucose from that organelle for viability of infectious amastigotes. This study establishes the unique role of GT3 for parasite survival inside host macrophages and for robust virulence in infected animals. Glucose transporters are important for viability and infectivity of the disease-causing amastigote stages of Leishmania mexicana. The Δgt1-3 null mutant, in which the 3 clustered glucose transporter genes, GT1, GT2, and GT3, have been deleted, is strongly impaired in growth inside macrophages in vitro. We have now demonstrated that this null mutant is also impaired in virulence in the BALB/c murine model of infection and forms lesions considerably more slowly than wild-type parasites. Previously, we established that amplification of the PIFTC3 gene, which encodes an intraflagellar transport protein, both facilitated and accompanied the isolation of the original Δgt1-3 null mutant generated in extracellular insect-stage promastigotes. We have now isolated Δgt1-3 null mutants without coamplification of PIFTC3. These amplicon-negative null mutants are further impaired in growth as promastigotes, compared to the previously described null mutants containing the PIFTC3 amplification. In contrast, the GT3 glucose transporter plays an especially important role in promoting amastigote viability. A line that expresses only the single glucose transporter GT3 grows as well inside macrophages and induces lesions in animals as robustly as do wild-type amastigotes, but lines expressing only the GT1 or GT2 transporters replicate poorly in macrophages. Strikingly, GT3 is restricted largely to the endoplasmic reticulum in intracellular amastigotes. This observation raises the possibility that GT3 may play an important role as an intracellular glucose transporter in the infectious stage of the parasite life cycle. IMPORTANCE Glucose transport plays important roles for in vitro growth of insect-stage promastigotes and especially for viability of intramacrophage mammalian host-stage amastigotes of Leishmania mexicana. However, the roles of the three distinct glucose transporters, GT1, GT2, and GT3, in parasite viability inside macrophages and virulence in mice have not been fully explored. Parasite lines expressing GT1 or GT2 alone were strongly impaired in growth inside macrophages, but lines expressing GT3 alone infected macrophages and caused lesions in mice as robustly as wild-type parasites. Notably, GT3 localizes to the endoplasmic reticulum of intracellular amastigotes, suggesting a potential role for salvage of glucose from that organelle for viability of infectious amastigotes. This study establishes the unique role of GT3 for parasite survival inside host macrophages and for robust virulence in infected animals.
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Abstract
INTRODUCTION Parasitic diseases that pose a threat to human life include leishmaniasis - caused by protozoan parasite Leishmania species. Existing drugs have limitations due to deleterious side effects like teratogenicity, high cost and drug resistance. This calls for the need to have an insight into therapeutic aspects of disease. Areas covered: We have identified different drug targets via. molecular, imuunological, metabolic as well as by system biology approaches. We bring these promising drug targets into light so that they can be explored to their maximum. In an effort to bridge the gaps between existing knowledge and prospects of drug discovery, we have compiled interesting studies on drug targets, thereby paving the way for establishment of better therapeutic aspects. Expert opinion: Advancements in technology shed light on many unexplored pathways. Further probing of well established pathways led to the discovery of new drug targets. This review is a comprehensive report on current and emerging drug targets, with emphasis on several metabolic targets, organellar biochemistry, salvage pathways, epigenetics, kinome and more. Identification of new targets can contribute significantly towards strengthening the pipeline for disease elimination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shyam Sundar
- Department of Medicine, Institute of Medical Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi-221 005, UP, India
| | - Bhawana Singh
- Department of Medicine, Institute of Medical Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi-221 005, UP, India
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Mijiddorj B, Kaneda S, Sato H, Kitahashi Y, Javkhlantugs N, Naito A, Ueda K, Kawamura I. The role of d-allo-isoleucine in the deposition of the anti-Leishmania peptide bombinin H4 as revealed by 31P solid-state NMR, VCD spectroscopy, and MD simulation. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-PROTEINS AND PROTEOMICS 2018; 1866:789-798. [PMID: 29337209 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbapap.2018.01.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2017] [Revised: 01/02/2018] [Accepted: 01/08/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Bombinin H4 is an antimicrobial peptide that was isolated from the toad Bombina variegata. Bombinin H family peptides are active against gram-positive, gram-negative bacteria, and fungi as well as the parasite Leishmania. Among them, bombinin H4 (H4), which contains d-allo-isoleucine (d-allo-Ile) as the second residue in its sequence, is the most active, and its l-isomer is bombinin H2 (H2). H4 has a significantly lower LC50 than H2 against Leishmania. However, the atomic-level mechanism of the membrane interaction and higher activity of H4 has not been clarified. In this work, we investigated the behavior of the conformations and interactions of H2 and H4 with the Leishmania membrane using 31P solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), vibrational circular dichroism (VCD) spectroscopy, and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. The generation of isotropic 31P NMR signals depending on the peptide concentration indicated the abilities of H2 and H4 to exert antimicrobial activity via membrane disruption. The VCD experiment and density functional theory calculation confirmed the different stability and conformations of the N-termini of H2 and H4. MD simulations revealed that the N-terminus of H4 is more stable than that of H2 in the membrane, in line with the VCD experiment data. VCD and MD analyses demonstrated that the first l-Ile and second d-allo-Ile of H4 tend to take a cis conformation. These residues function as an anchor and facilitate the easy winding of the helical conformation of H4 in the membrane. It may assist to quickly reach to the threshold concentration of H4 on the Leishmania membrane. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: d-Amino acids: biology in the mirror, edited by Dr. Loredano Pollegioni, Dr. Jean-Pierre Mothet and Dr. Molla Gianluca.
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Affiliation(s)
- Batsaikhan Mijiddorj
- Graduate School of Engineering, Yokohama National University, Yokohama, Japan; School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, National University of Mongolia, Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
| | - Shiho Kaneda
- Graduate School of Engineering, Yokohama National University, Yokohama, Japan
| | - Hisako Sato
- Graduate School of Science and Engineering, Ehime University, Matsuyama, Japan
| | - Yuki Kitahashi
- Graduate School of Engineering, Yokohama National University, Yokohama, Japan
| | - Namsrai Javkhlantugs
- School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, National University of Mongolia, Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
| | - Akira Naito
- Graduate School of Engineering, Yokohama National University, Yokohama, Japan
| | - Kazuyoshi Ueda
- Graduate School of Engineering, Yokohama National University, Yokohama, Japan.
| | - Izuru Kawamura
- Graduate School of Engineering, Yokohama National University, Yokohama, Japan.
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Chauhan P, Shukla D, Chattopadhyay D, Saha B. Redundant and regulatory roles for Toll-like receptors in Leishmania infection. Clin Exp Immunol 2017; 190:167-186. [PMID: 28708252 PMCID: PMC5629438 DOI: 10.1111/cei.13014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/13/2017] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Toll-like receptors (TLRs) are germline-encoded, non-clonal innate immune receptors, which are often the first receptors to recognize the molecular patterns on pathogens. Therefore, the immune response initiated by TLRs has far-reaching consequences on the outcome of an infection. As soon as the cell surface TLRs and other receptors recognize a pathogen, the pathogen is phagocytosed. Inclusion of TLRs in the phagosome results in quicker phagosomal maturation and stronger adaptive immune response, as TLRs influence co-stimulatory molecule expression and determinant selection by major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II and MHC class I for cross-presentation. The signals delivered by the TCR-peptide-MHC complex and co-stimulatory molecules are indispensable for optimal T cell activation. In addition, the cytokines induced by TLRs can skew the differentiation of activated T cells to different effector T cell subsets. However, the potential of TLRs to influence adaptive immune response into different patterns is severely restricted by multiple factors: gross specificity for the molecular patterns, lack of receptor rearrangements, sharing of limited number of adaptors that assemble signalling complexes and redundancy in ligand recognition. These features of apparent redundancy and regulation in the functioning of TLRs characterize them as important and probable contributory factors in the resistance or susceptibility to an infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- P. Chauhan
- Pathogenesis and Cellular Response Division, National Centre for Cell ScienceGaneshkhind, PuneIndia
| | - D. Shukla
- Pathogenesis and Cellular Response Division, National Centre for Cell ScienceGaneshkhind, PuneIndia
| | | | - B. Saha
- National Institute of Traditional MedicineBelagaviIndia
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Durante IM, La Spina PE, Carmona SJ, Agüero F, Buscaglia CA. High-resolution profiling of linear B-cell epitopes from mucin-associated surface proteins (MASPs) of Trypanosoma cruzi during human infections. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2017; 11:e0005986. [PMID: 28961244 PMCID: PMC5636173 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0005986] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2017] [Revised: 10/11/2017] [Accepted: 09/21/2017] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The Trypanosoma cruzi genome bears a huge family of genes and pseudogenes coding for Mucin-Associated Surface Proteins (MASPs). MASP molecules display a 'mosaic' structure, with highly conserved flanking regions and a strikingly variable central and mature domain made up of different combinations of a large repertoire of short sequence motifs. MASP molecules are highly expressed in mammal-dwelling stages of T. cruzi and may be involved in parasite-host interactions and/or in diverting the immune response. METHODS/PRINCIPLE FINDINGS High-density microarrays composed of fully overlapped 15mer peptides spanning the entire sequences of 232 non-redundant MASPs (~25% of the total MASP content) were screened with chronic Chagasic sera. This strategy led to the identification of 86 antigenic motifs, each one likely representing a single linear B-cell epitope, which were mapped to 69 different MASPs. These motifs could be further grouped into 31 clusters of structurally- and likely antigenically-related sequences, and fully characterized. In contrast to previous reports, we show that MASP antigenic motifs are restricted to the central and mature region of MASP polypeptides, consistent with their intracellular processing. The antigenicity of these motifs displayed significant positive correlation with their genome dosage and their relative position within the MASP polypeptide. In addition, we verified the biased genetic co-occurrence of certain antigenic motifs within MASP polypeptides, compatible with proposed intra-family recombination events underlying the evolution of their coding genes. Sequences spanning 7 MASP antigenic motifs were further evaluated using distinct synthesis/display approaches and a large panel of serum samples. Overall, the serological recognition of MASP antigenic motifs exhibited a remarkable non normal distribution among the T. cruzi seropositive population, thus reducing their applicability in conventional serodiagnosis. As previously observed in in vitro and animal infection models, immune signatures supported the concurrent expression of several MASPs during human infection. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE In spite of their conspicuous expression and potential roles in parasite biology, this study constitutes the first unbiased, high-resolution profiling of linear B-cell epitopes from T. cruzi MASPs during human infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ignacio M. Durante
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biotecnológicas-Instituto Tecnológico de Chascomús (IIB-INTECh), Universidad Nacional de San Martín (UNSAM) and Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET); Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Pablo E. La Spina
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biotecnológicas-Instituto Tecnológico de Chascomús (IIB-INTECh), Universidad Nacional de San Martín (UNSAM) and Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET); Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Santiago J. Carmona
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biotecnológicas-Instituto Tecnológico de Chascomús (IIB-INTECh), Universidad Nacional de San Martín (UNSAM) and Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET); Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Fernán Agüero
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biotecnológicas-Instituto Tecnológico de Chascomús (IIB-INTECh), Universidad Nacional de San Martín (UNSAM) and Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET); Buenos Aires, Argentina
- * E-mail: (FA); (CAB)
| | - Carlos A. Buscaglia
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biotecnológicas-Instituto Tecnológico de Chascomús (IIB-INTECh), Universidad Nacional de San Martín (UNSAM) and Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET); Buenos Aires, Argentina
- * E-mail: (FA); (CAB)
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Characterization of the Protein Tyrosine Phosphatase LmPRL-1 Secreted by Leishmania major via the Exosome Pathway. Infect Immun 2017; 85:IAI.00084-17. [PMID: 28507071 DOI: 10.1128/iai.00084-17] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2017] [Accepted: 05/11/2017] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Similar to other intracellular pathogens, Leishmania parasites are known to evade the antimicrobial effector functions of host immune cells. To date, however, only a few virulence factors have been described for Leishmania major, one of the causative agents of cutaneous leishmaniasis. Here, we have characterized the expression and function of an L. major phosphatase, which we termed LmPRL-1. This enzyme shows a strong structural similarity to the human phosphatases of regenerating liver (PRL-1, -2, and -3) that regulate the proliferation, differentiation, and motility of cells. The biochemical characterization of the L. major phosphatase revealed that the enzyme is redox sensitive. When analyzing the subcellular localization of LmPRL-1 in promastigotes, amastigotes, and infected macrophages, we found that the phosphatase was predominantly expressed and secreted by promastigotes via the exosome route. Finally, we observed that ectopic expression of LmPRL-1 in L. major led to an increased number of parasites in macrophages. From these data, we conclude that the L. major phosphatase LmPRL-1 contributes to the intracellular survival of the parasites in macrophages.
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Different Golgi ultrastructure across species and tissues: Implications under functional and pathological conditions, and an attempt at classification. Tissue Cell 2017; 49:186-201. [DOI: 10.1016/j.tice.2016.12.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2016] [Revised: 12/05/2016] [Accepted: 12/05/2016] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
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Azevedo CS, Guido BC, Pereira JL, Nolasco DO, Corrêa R, Magalhães KG, Motta FN, Santana JM, Grellier P, Bastos IMD. Revealing a Novel Otubain-Like Enzyme from Leishmania infantum with Deubiquitinating Activity toward K48-Linked Substrate. Front Chem 2017; 5:13. [PMID: 28386537 PMCID: PMC5362604 DOI: 10.3389/fchem.2017.00013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2016] [Accepted: 02/28/2017] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Deubiquitinating enzymes (DUBs) play an important role in regulating a variety of eukaryotic processes. In this context, exploring the role of deubiquitination in Leishmania infantum could be a promising alternative to search new therapeutic targets for leishmaniasis. Here we present the first characterization of a DUB from L. infantum, otubain (OtuLi), and its localization within parasite. The recombinant OtuLi (rOtuLi) showed improved activity on lysine 48 (K48)-linked over K63-linked tetra-ubiquitin (Ub) and site-directed mutations on amino acids close to the catalytic site (F82) or involved in Ub interaction (L265 and F182) caused structural changes as shown by molecular dynamics, resulting in a reduction or loss of enzyme activity, respectively. Furthermore, rOtuLi stimulates lipid droplet biogenesis (an inflammatory marker) and induces IL-6 and TNF-α secretion in peritoneal macrophages, both proinflammatory cytokines. Our findings suggest that OtuLi is a cytoplasmic enzyme with K48-linked substrate specificity that could play a part in proinflammatory response in stimulated murine macrophages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clênia S Azevedo
- Pathogen-Host Interface Laboratory, Department of Cell Biology, University of Brasilia Brasilia, Brazil
| | - Bruna C Guido
- Laboratory of Electron Microscopy, Department of Cell Biology, University of Brasilia Brasilia, Brazil
| | - Jhonata L Pereira
- Pathogen-Host Interface Laboratory, Department of Cell Biology, University of Brasilia Brasilia, Brazil
| | - Diego O Nolasco
- Physics Course, Catholic University of BrasiliaBrasilia, Brazil; Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Genômicas e Biotecnologia, Catholic University of BrasiliaBrasilia, Brazil
| | - Rafael Corrêa
- Laboratory of Immunology and Inflammation, Department of Cell Biology, University of Brasilia Brasilia, Brazil
| | - Kelly G Magalhães
- Laboratory of Immunology and Inflammation, Department of Cell Biology, University of Brasilia Brasilia, Brazil
| | - Flávia N Motta
- Pathogen-Host Interface Laboratory, Department of Cell Biology, University of BrasiliaBrasilia, Brazil; Faculty of Ceilandia, University of BrasíliaBrasilia, Brazil
| | - Jaime M Santana
- Pathogen-Host Interface Laboratory, Department of Cell Biology, University of Brasilia Brasilia, Brazil
| | - Philippe Grellier
- UMR 7245 Centre Nationnal de la Recherche Scientifique, Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle, Sorbonne Universités Paris, France
| | - Izabela M D Bastos
- Pathogen-Host Interface Laboratory, Department of Cell Biology, University of Brasilia Brasilia, Brazil
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Immune complexes in chronic Chagas disease patients are formed by exovesicles from Trypanosoma cruzi carrying the conserved MASP N-terminal region. Sci Rep 2017; 7:44451. [PMID: 28294160 PMCID: PMC5353755 DOI: 10.1038/srep44451] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2016] [Accepted: 02/08/2017] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The exovesicles (EVs) are involved in pathologic host-parasite immune associations and have been recently used as biomarkers for diagnosis of infectious diseases. The release of EVs by Trypanosoma cruzi, the causative agent of Chagas disease, has recently been described, with different protein cargoes including the MASP multigene family of proteins MASPs are specific to this parasite and characterized by a conserved C-terminal (C-term) region and an N-terminal codifying for a signal peptide (SP). In this investigation, we identified immature MASP proteins containing the MASP SP in EVs secreted by the infective forms of the parasite. Those EVs are responsible for the formation of immune complexes (ICs) containing anti-MASP SP IgGs in patients with different (cardiac, digestive and asymptomatic) chronic Chagas disease manifestations. Moreover, purified EVs as well as the MASP SP inhibit the action of the complement system and also show a significant association with the humoral response in patients with digestive pathologies. These findings reveal a new route for the secretion of MASP proteins in T. cruzi, which uses EVs as vehicles for immature and misfolded proteins, forming circulating immune complexes. Such complexes could be used in the prognosis of digestive pathologies of clinical forms of Chagas disease.
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Ivanova IM, Nepogodiev SA, Saalbach G, O'Neill EC, Urbaniak MD, Ferguson MAJ, Gurcha SS, Besra GS, Field RA. Fluorescent mannosides serve as acceptor substrates for glycosyltransferase and sugar-1-phosphate transferase activities in Euglena gracilis membranes. Carbohydr Res 2016; 438:26-38. [PMID: 27960097 PMCID: PMC5240791 DOI: 10.1016/j.carres.2016.11.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2016] [Revised: 11/16/2016] [Accepted: 11/29/2016] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Synthetic hexynyl α-D-mannopyranoside and its α-1,6-linked disaccharide counterpart were fluorescently labelled through CuAAC click chemistry with 3-azido-7-hydroxycoumarin. The resulting triazolyl-coumarin adducts, which were amenable to analysis by TLC, HPLC and mass spectrometry, proved to be acceptor substrates for α-1,6-ManT activities in mycobacterial membranes, as well as α- and β-GalT activities in trypanosomal membranes, benchmarking the potential of the fluorescent acceptor approach against earlier radiochemical assays. Following on to explore the glycobiology of the benign protozoan alga Euglena gracilis, α-1,3- and α-1,2-ManT activities were detected in membrane preparations, along with GlcT, Glc-P-T and GlcNAc-P-T activities. These studies serve to demonstrate the potential of readily accessible fluorescent glycans as substrates for exploring carbohydrate active enzymes. Assays for the analysis of carbohydrate-active enzymes that rely upon fluorescent acceptor substrates are set out. New assays are validated by benchmarking against radiochemical work with known glycosyltransferase activities. The installation of a fluorophore on acceptor substrates was easily achieved through click chemistry. Fluorescence assays are used to discover GTs activities in Euglena gracilis microsomal membranes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irina M Ivanova
- Department of Biological Chemistry, John Innes Centre, Norwich Research Park, Norwich NR4 7UH, UK
| | - Sergey A Nepogodiev
- Department of Biological Chemistry, John Innes Centre, Norwich Research Park, Norwich NR4 7UH, UK
| | - Gerhard Saalbach
- Department of Biological Chemistry, John Innes Centre, Norwich Research Park, Norwich NR4 7UH, UK
| | - Ellis C O'Neill
- Department of Biological Chemistry, John Innes Centre, Norwich Research Park, Norwich NR4 7UH, UK
| | - Michael D Urbaniak
- Biomedical and Life Sciences, Lancaster University, Furness Building, Lancaster LA1 4YG, UK; College of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee DD1 5EH, Scotland, UK
| | | | - Sudagar S Gurcha
- School of Biosciences, The University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK
| | - Gurdyal S Besra
- School of Biosciences, The University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK
| | - Robert A Field
- Department of Biological Chemistry, John Innes Centre, Norwich Research Park, Norwich NR4 7UH, UK.
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Brosson S, Fontaine F, Vermeersch M, Perez-Morga D, Pays E, Bousbata S, Salmon D. Specific Endocytosis Blockade of Trypanosoma cruzi Exposed to a Poly-LAcNAc Binding Lectin Suggests that Lectin-Sugar Interactions Participate to Receptor-Mediated Endocytosis. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0163302. [PMID: 27685262 PMCID: PMC5042520 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0163302] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2016] [Accepted: 09/07/2016] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Trypanosoma cruzi is a protozoan parasite transmitted by a triatomine insect, and causing human Chagas disease in South America. This parasite undergoes a complex life cycle alternating between non-proliferative and dividing forms. Owing to their high energy requirement, replicative epimastigotes of the insect midgut display high endocytic activity. This activity is mainly restricted to the cytostome, by which the cargo is taken up and sorted through the endosomal vesicular network to be delivered to reservosomes, the final lysosomal-like compartments. In African trypanosomes tomato lectin (TL) and ricin, respectively specific to poly-N-acetyllactosamine (poly-LacNAc) and β-D-galactose, allowed the identification of giant chains of poly-LacNAc in N-glycoproteins of the endocytic pathway. We show that in T. cruzi epimastigote forms also, glycoproteins of the endocytic pathway are characterized by the presence of N-linked glycans binding to both ricin and TL. Affinity chromatography using both TL and Griffonia simplicifolia lectin II (GSLII), specific to non-reducing terminal residue of N-acetylglucosamine (GlcNAc), led to an enrichment of glycoproteins of the trypanosomal endocytic pathway. Incubation of live parasites with TL, which selectively bound to the cytostome/cytopharynx, specifically inhibited endocytosis of transferrin (Tf) but not dextran, a marker of fluid endocytosis. Taken together, our data suggest that N-glycan modification of endocytic components plays a crucial role in receptor-mediated endocytosis of T. cruzi.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sébastien Brosson
- Laboratory of Molecular Parasitology, Institute of Molecular Biology and Medicine, Université Libre de Bruxelles, 12 rue des Professeurs Jeener et Brachet, B-6041 Gosselies, Belgium
| | - Frédéric Fontaine
- Laboratory of Molecular Parasitology, Institute of Molecular Biology and Medicine, Université Libre de Bruxelles, 12 rue des Professeurs Jeener et Brachet, B-6041 Gosselies, Belgium
| | - Marjorie Vermeersch
- Center for Microscopy and Molecular Imaging-CMMI, Université Libre de Bruxelles, 8 rue Adrienne Bolland, B-6041 Gosselies, Belgium
| | - David Perez-Morga
- Laboratory of Molecular Parasitology, Institute of Molecular Biology and Medicine, Université Libre de Bruxelles, 12 rue des Professeurs Jeener et Brachet, B-6041 Gosselies, Belgium
- Center for Microscopy and Molecular Imaging-CMMI, Université Libre de Bruxelles, 8 rue Adrienne Bolland, B-6041 Gosselies, Belgium
| | - Etienne Pays
- Laboratory of Molecular Parasitology, Institute of Molecular Biology and Medicine, Université Libre de Bruxelles, 12 rue des Professeurs Jeener et Brachet, B-6041 Gosselies, Belgium
| | - Sabrina Bousbata
- Laboratory of Molecular Parasitology, Institute of Molecular Biology and Medicine, Université Libre de Bruxelles, 12 rue des Professeurs Jeener et Brachet, B-6041 Gosselies, Belgium
- * E-mail: (DS); (SB)
| | - Didier Salmon
- Laboratory of Molecular Parasitology, Institute of Molecular Biology and Medicine, Université Libre de Bruxelles, 12 rue des Professeurs Jeener et Brachet, B-6041 Gosselies, Belgium
- Institute of Medical Biochemistry Leopoldo de Meis, Centro de Ciências e da Saúde, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Av. Brigadeiro Trompowsky, Rio de Janeiro, 21941-590, Brazil
- * E-mail: (DS); (SB)
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Garcia-Salcedo JA, Unciti-Broceta JD, Valverde-Pozo J, Soriano M. New Approaches to Overcome Transport Related Drug Resistance in Trypanosomatid Parasites. Front Pharmacol 2016; 7:351. [PMID: 27733833 PMCID: PMC5039210 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2016.00351] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2016] [Accepted: 09/16/2016] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Leishmania and Trypanosoma are members of the Trypanosomatidae family that cause severe human infections such as leishmaniasis, Chagas disease, and sleeping sickness affecting millions of people worldwide. Despite efforts to eradicate them, migrations are expanding these infections to developing countries. There are no vaccines available and current treatments depend only on chemotherapy. Drug resistance is a major obstacle for the treatment of these diseases given that existing drugs are old and limited, with some having severe side effects. Most resistance mechanisms developed by these parasites are related with a decreased uptake or increased efflux of the drug due to mutations or altered expression of membrane transporters. Different new approaches have been elaborated that can overcome these mechanisms of resistance including the use of inhibitors of efflux pumps and drug carriers for both active and passive targeting. Here we review new formulations that have been successfully applied to circumvent resistance related to drug transporters, opening alternative ways to solve drug resistance in protozoan parasitic diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jose A Garcia-Salcedo
- Unidad de Enfermedades Infecciosas y Microbiología, Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria, ibs.GRANADA, Hospitales Universitarios de Granada - Universidad de Granada, GranadaSpain; Centro de Genómica e Investigación Oncológica - Pfizer/Universidad de Granada/Junta de Andalucía, GranadaSpain
| | - Juan D Unciti-Broceta
- Unidad de Enfermedades Infecciosas y Microbiología, Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria, ibs.GRANADA, Hospitales Universitarios de Granada - Universidad de Granada, Granada Spain
| | - Javier Valverde-Pozo
- Unidad de Enfermedades Infecciosas y Microbiología, Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria, ibs.GRANADA, Hospitales Universitarios de Granada - Universidad de Granada, GranadaSpain; Centro de Genómica e Investigación Oncológica - Pfizer/Universidad de Granada/Junta de Andalucía, GranadaSpain
| | - Miguel Soriano
- Centro de Genómica e Investigación Oncológica - Pfizer/Universidad de Granada/Junta de Andalucía, GranadaSpain; Departamento de Agronomía, Universidad de Almería, AlmeríaSpain
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Aoki JI, Coelho AC, Muxel SM, Zampieri RA, Sanchez EMR, Nerland AH, Floeter-Winter LM, Cotrim PC. Characterization of a Novel Endoplasmic Reticulum Protein Involved in Tubercidin Resistance in Leishmania major. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2016; 10:e0004972. [PMID: 27606425 PMCID: PMC5015992 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0004972] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2016] [Accepted: 08/11/2016] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Tubercidin (TUB) is a toxic adenosine analog with potential antiparasitic activity against Leishmania, with mechanism of action and resistance that are not completely understood. For understanding the mechanisms of action and identifying the potential metabolic pathways affected by this drug, we employed in this study an overexpression/selection approach using TUB for the identification of potential targets, as well as, drug resistance genes in L. major. Although, TUB is toxic to the mammalian host, these findings can provide evidences for a rational drug design based on purine pathway against leishmaniasis. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS After transfection of a cosmid genomic library into L. major Friedlin (LmjF) parasites and application of the overexpression/selection method, we identified two cosmids (cosTUB1 and cosTU2) containing two different loci capable of conferring significant levels of TUB resistance. In the cosTUB1 contained a gene encoding NUPM1-like protein, which has been previously described as associated with TUB resistance in L. amazonensis. In the cosTUB2 we identified and characterized a gene encoding a 63 kDa protein that we denoted as tubercidin-resistance protein (TRP). Functional analysis revealed that the transfectants were less susceptible to TUB than LmjF parasites or those transfected with the control vector. In addition, the trp mRNA and protein levels in cosTUB2 transfectants were higher than LmjF. TRP immunolocalization revealed that it was co-localized to the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), a cellular compartment with many functions. In silico predictions indicated that TRP contains only a hypothetical transmembrane domain. Thus, it is likely that TRP is a lumen protein involved in multidrug efflux transport that may be involved in the purine metabolic pathway. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE This study demonstrated for the first time that TRP is associated with TUB resistance in Leishmania. The next challenge is to determine how TRP mediates TUB resistance and whether purine metabolism is affected by this protein in the parasite. Finally, these findings may be helpful for the development of alternative anti-leishmanial drugs that target purine pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juliana Ide Aoki
- Departamento de Fisiologia, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Adriano Cappellazzo Coelho
- Departamento de Parasitologia, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
- Departamento de Biologia Animal, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Campinas, Brazil
| | - Sandra Marcia Muxel
- Departamento de Fisiologia, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Ricardo Andrade Zampieri
- Departamento de Fisiologia, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | | | | | - Paulo Cesar Cotrim
- Instituto de Medicina Tropical, Departamento de Moléstias Infecciosas e Parasitárias, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
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Atayde VD, Hassani K, da Silva Lira Filho A, Borges AR, Adhikari A, Martel C, Olivier M. Leishmania exosomes and other virulence factors: Impact on innate immune response and macrophage functions. Cell Immunol 2016; 309:7-18. [PMID: 27499212 DOI: 10.1016/j.cellimm.2016.07.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 89] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2016] [Revised: 07/14/2016] [Accepted: 07/25/2016] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Leishmania parasites are the causative agents of the leishmaniases, a collection of vector-borne diseases that range from simple cutaneous to fatal visceral forms. Employing potent immune modulation mechanisms, Leishmania is able to render the host macrophage inactive and persist inside its phagolysosome. In the last few years, the role of exosomes in Leishmania-host interactions has been increasingly investigated. For instance, it was reported that Leishmania exosome release is augmented following temperature shift, a condition mimicking parasite's entry into its mammalian host. Leishmania exosomes were found to strongly affect macrophage cell signaling and functions, similarly to whole parasites. Importantly, these vesicles were shown to be pro-inflammatory, capable to recruit neutrophils at their inoculation site exacerbating the pathology. In this review, we provide the most recent insights on the role of exosomes and other virulence factors, especially the surface protease GP63, in Leishmania-host interactions, deepening our knowledge on leishmaniasis and paving the way for the development of new therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vanessa Diniz Atayde
- Departments of Medicine, Microbiology and Immunology, McGill University, 3775 University Street, Montréal, QC H3A 2B4, Canada; Infectious Diseases and Immunity in Global Heath Program, The Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, 1001 Boulevard Décarie, Montréal, QC H4A 3J1, Canada
| | - Kasra Hassani
- Departments of Medicine, Microbiology and Immunology, McGill University, 3775 University Street, Montréal, QC H3A 2B4, Canada; Infectious Diseases and Immunity in Global Heath Program, The Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, 1001 Boulevard Décarie, Montréal, QC H4A 3J1, Canada
| | - Alonso da Silva Lira Filho
- Departments of Medicine, Microbiology and Immunology, McGill University, 3775 University Street, Montréal, QC H3A 2B4, Canada; Infectious Diseases and Immunity in Global Heath Program, The Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, 1001 Boulevard Décarie, Montréal, QC H4A 3J1, Canada
| | - Andrezza Raposo Borges
- Departments of Medicine, Microbiology and Immunology, McGill University, 3775 University Street, Montréal, QC H3A 2B4, Canada; Infectious Diseases and Immunity in Global Heath Program, The Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, 1001 Boulevard Décarie, Montréal, QC H4A 3J1, Canada
| | - Anupam Adhikari
- Departments of Medicine, Microbiology and Immunology, McGill University, 3775 University Street, Montréal, QC H3A 2B4, Canada; Infectious Diseases and Immunity in Global Heath Program, The Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, 1001 Boulevard Décarie, Montréal, QC H4A 3J1, Canada
| | - Caroline Martel
- Departments of Medicine, Microbiology and Immunology, McGill University, 3775 University Street, Montréal, QC H3A 2B4, Canada; Infectious Diseases and Immunity in Global Heath Program, The Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, 1001 Boulevard Décarie, Montréal, QC H4A 3J1, Canada
| | - Martin Olivier
- Departments of Medicine, Microbiology and Immunology, McGill University, 3775 University Street, Montréal, QC H3A 2B4, Canada; Infectious Diseases and Immunity in Global Heath Program, The Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, 1001 Boulevard Décarie, Montréal, QC H4A 3J1, Canada.
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Leishmania mexicana: promastigotes and amastigotes secrete protein phosphatases and this correlates with the production of inflammatory cytokines in macrophages. Parasitology 2016; 143:1409-20. [PMID: 27220404 DOI: 10.1017/s0031182016000949] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Phosphatase activity of Leishmania spp. has been shown to deregulate the signalling pathways of the host cell. We here show that Leishmania mexicana promastigotes and amastigotes secrete proteins with phosphatase activity to the culture medium, which was higher in the Promastigote Secretion Medium (PSM) as compared with the Amastigote Secretion Medium (ASM) and was not due to cell lysis, since parasite viability was not affected by the secretion process. The biochemical characterization showed that the phosphatase activity present in PSM was higher in dephosphorylating the peptide END (pY) INASL as compared with the peptide RRA (pT)VA. In contrast, the phosphatase activity in ASM showed little dephosphorylating capacity for both peptides. Inhibition assays demonstrated that the phosphatase activity of both PSM and ASM was sensible only to protein tyrosine phosphatases inhibitors. An antibody against a protein phosphatase 2C (PP2C) of Leishmania major cross-reacted with a 44·9 kDa molecule in different cellular fractions of L. mexicana promastigotes and amastigotes, however, in PSM and ASM, the antibody recognized a protein about 70 kDa. By electron microscopy, the PP2C was localized in the flagellar pocket of amastigotes. PSM and ASM induced the production of tumor necrosis factor alpha, IL-1β, IL-12p70 and IL-10 in human macrophages.
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Alcolea PJ, Alonso A, Degayón MA, Moreno-Paz M, Jiménez M, Molina R, Larraga V. In vitro infectivity and differential gene expression of Leishmania infantum metacyclic promastigotes: negative selection with peanut agglutinin in culture versus isolation from the stomodeal valve of Phlebotomus perniciosus. BMC Genomics 2016; 17:375. [PMID: 27206922 PMCID: PMC4874012 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-016-2672-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2015] [Accepted: 04/26/2016] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Leishmania infantum is the protozoan parasite responsible for zoonotic visceral leishmaniasis in the Mediterranean basin. A recent outbreak in humans has been reported in this area. The life cycle of the parasite is digenetic. The promastigote stage develops within the gut of phlebotomine sand flies, whereas amastigotes survive and multiply within phagolysosomes of mammalian host phagocytes. The major vector of L. infantum in Spain is Phlebotomus perniciosus. The axenic culture model of promastigotes is generally used because it is able to mimic the conditions of the natural environment (i.e. the sand fly vector gut). However, infectivity decreases with culture passages and infection of laboratory animals is frequently required. Enrichment of the stationary phase population in highly infective metacyclic promastigotes is achieved by negative selection with peanut agglutinin (PNA), which is possible only in certain Leishmania species such as L. major and L. infantum. In this study, in vitro infectivity and differential gene expression of cultured PNA-negative promastigotes (Pro-PNA−) and metacyclic promastigotes isolated from the sand fly anterior thoracic midgut (Pro-Pper) have been compared. Results In vitro infectivity is about 30 % higher in terms of rate of infected cells and number of amastigotes per infected cell in Pro-Pper than in Pro-PNA−. This finding is in agreement with up-regulation of a leishmanolysin gene (gp63) and genes involved in biosynthesis of glycosylinositolphospholipids (GIPL), lipophosphoglycan (LPG) and proteophosphoglycan (PPG) in Pro-Pper. In addition, differences between Pro-Pper and Pro-PNA− in genes involved in important cellular processes (e.g. signaling and regulation of gene expression) have been found. Conclusions Pro-Pper are significantly more infective than peanut lectin non-agglutinating ones. Therefore, negative selection with PNA is an appropriate method for isolating metacyclic promastigotes in stationary phase of axenic culture but it does not allow reaching the in vitro infectivity levels of Pro-Pper. Indeed, GIPL, LPG and PPG biosynthetic genes together with a gp63 gene are up-regulated in Pro-Pper and interestingly, the correlation coefficient between both transcriptomes in terms of transcript abundance is R2 = 0.68. This means that the correlation is sufficiently high to consider that both samples are physiologically comparable (i.e. the experiment was correctly designed and performed) and sufficiently low to conclude that important differences in transcript abundance have been found. Therefore, the implications of axenic culture should be evaluated case-by-case in each experimental design even when the stationary phase population in culture is enriched in metacyclic promastigotes by negative selection with PNA. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12864-016-2672-8) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pedro J Alcolea
- Laboratorio de Parasitología Molecular, Departamento de Microbiología Molecular y Biología de las Infecciones, Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas (Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas), calle Ramiro de Maeztu, 9, 28040, Madrid, Spain.
| | - Ana Alonso
- Laboratorio de Parasitología Molecular, Departamento de Microbiología Molecular y Biología de las Infecciones, Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas (Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas), calle Ramiro de Maeztu, 9, 28040, Madrid, Spain
| | - María A Degayón
- Laboratorio de Parasitología Molecular, Departamento de Microbiología Molecular y Biología de las Infecciones, Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas (Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas), calle Ramiro de Maeztu, 9, 28040, Madrid, Spain
| | - Mercedes Moreno-Paz
- Laboratorio de Ecología Molecular, Centro de Astrobiología, (Instituto Nacional de Técnica Aeroespacial "Esteban Terradas"-Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas), ctra. de Ajalvir Km 4, 28850, Torrejón de Ardoz, Madrid, Spain
| | - Maribel Jiménez
- Unidad de Entomología Médica, Servicio de Parasitología, Centro Nacional de Microbiología, Virología e Inmunología Sanitarias (Instituto de Salud Carlos III), ctra. Majadahonda-Pozuelo s/n, 28220, Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain
| | - Ricardo Molina
- Unidad de Entomología Médica, Servicio de Parasitología, Centro Nacional de Microbiología, Virología e Inmunología Sanitarias (Instituto de Salud Carlos III), ctra. Majadahonda-Pozuelo s/n, 28220, Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain
| | - Vicente Larraga
- Laboratorio de Parasitología Molecular, Departamento de Microbiología Molecular y Biología de las Infecciones, Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas (Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas), calle Ramiro de Maeztu, 9, 28040, Madrid, Spain
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Watanabe Costa R, da Silveira JF, Bahia D. Interactions between Trypanosoma cruzi Secreted Proteins and Host Cell Signaling Pathways. Front Microbiol 2016; 7:388. [PMID: 27065960 PMCID: PMC4814445 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2016.00388] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2016] [Accepted: 03/11/2016] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Chagas disease is one of the prevalent neglected tropical diseases, affecting at least 6-7 million individuals in Latin America. It is caused by the protozoan parasite Trypanosoma cruzi, which is transmitted to vertebrate hosts by blood-sucking insects. After infection, the parasite invades and multiplies in the myocardium, leading to acute myocarditis that kills around 5% of untreated individuals. T. cruzi secretes proteins that manipulate multiple host cell signaling pathways to promote host cell invasion. The primary secreted lysosomal peptidase in T. cruzi is cruzipain, which has been shown to modulate the host immune response. Cruzipain hinders macrophage activation during the early stages of infection by interrupting the NF-kB P65 mediated signaling pathway. This allows the parasite to survive and replicate, and may contribute to the spread of infection in acute Chagas disease. Another secreted protein P21, which is expressed in all of the developmental stages of T. cruzi, has been shown to modulate host phagocytosis signaling pathways. The parasite also secretes soluble factors that exert effects on host extracellular matrix, such as proteolytic degradation of collagens. Finally, secreted phospholipase A from T. cruzi contributes to lipid modifications on host cells and concomitantly activates the PKC signaling pathway. Here, we present a brief review of the interaction between secreted proteins from T. cruzi and the host cells, emphasizing the manipulation of host signaling pathways during invasion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Renata Watanabe Costa
- Departamento de Microbiologia, Imunologia e Parasitologia, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Universidade Federal de São Paulo São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Jose F da Silveira
- Departamento de Microbiologia, Imunologia e Parasitologia, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Universidade Federal de São Paulo São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Diana Bahia
- Departamento de Microbiologia, Imunologia e Parasitologia, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Universidade Federal de São PauloSão Paulo, Brazil; Departamento de Biologia Geral, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas GeraisMinas Gerais, Brazil
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Alcolea PJ, Alonso A, Moreno-Izquierdo MA, Degayón MA, Moreno I, Larraga V. Serum Removal from Culture Induces Growth Arrest, Ploidy Alteration, Decrease in Infectivity and Differential Expression of Crucial Genes in Leishmania infantum Promastigotes. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0150172. [PMID: 26959417 PMCID: PMC4784933 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0150172] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2015] [Accepted: 02/10/2016] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Leishmania infantum is one of the species responsible for visceral leishmaniasis. This species is distributed basically in the Mediterranean basin. A recent outbreak in humans has been reported in Spain. Axenic cultures are performed for most procedures with Leishmania spp. promastigotes. This model is stable and reproducible and mimics the conditions of the gut of the sand fly host, which is the natural environment of promastigote development. Culture media are undefined because they contain mammalian serum, which is a rich source of complex lipids and proteins. Serum deprivation slows down the growth kinetics and therefore, yield in biomass. In fact, we have confirmed that the growth rate decreases, as well as infectivity. Ploidy is also affected. Regarding the transcriptome, a high-throughput approach has revealed a low differential expression rate but important differentially regulated genes. The most remarkable profiles are: up-regulation of the GINS Psf3, the fatty acyl-CoA synthase (FAS1), the glyoxylase I (GLO1), the hydrophilic surface protein B (HASPB), the methylmalonyl-CoA epimerase (MMCE) and an amastin gene; and down-regulation of the gPEPCK and the arginase. Implications for metabolic adaptations, differentiation and infectivity are discussed herein.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pedro J. Alcolea
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Biology of Infections, Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CIB-CSIC), Madrid. Spain
- * E-mail:
| | - Ana Alonso
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Biology of Infections, Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CIB-CSIC), Madrid. Spain
| | - Miguel A. Moreno-Izquierdo
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Biology of Infections, Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CIB-CSIC), Madrid. Spain
| | - María A. Degayón
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Biology of Infections, Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CIB-CSIC), Madrid. Spain
| | - Inmaculada Moreno
- Unit of Microbial Immunology, Centro Nacional de Microbiología, Virología e Inmunología Sanitarias, Instituto de Salud Carlos III (CNM-ISCIII), Majadahonda, Spain
| | - Vicente Larraga
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Biology of Infections, Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CIB-CSIC), Madrid. Spain
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Abstract
The World Health Organization lists a constellation of 17 tropical diseases that afflict approximately one in six individuals on the planet and, until recently, few resources have been devoted to the treatment and eradication of those diseases. They are often referred to as the diseases of the “bottom billion,” because they are most prevalent among the poorest individuals in impoverished tropical nations. However, the few studies that have been performed reveal an extraordinary world of molecular and cellular adaptations that facilitate the pathogens’ survival in hosts ranging from insects to humans. A compelling case can be made that even a modest investment toward understanding the basic molecular and cell biology of these neglected pathogens has a high probability of yielding exciting new cellular mechanisms and insights into novel ways of combating these diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- William Sullivan
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, CA 95064
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Bahl S, Parashar S, Malhotra H, Raje M, Mukhopadhyay A. Functional Characterization of Monomeric GTPase Rab1 in the Secretory Pathway of Leishmania. J Biol Chem 2015; 290:29993-30005. [PMID: 26499792 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m115.670018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2015] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Leishmania secretes a large number of its effectors to the extracellular milieu. However, regulation of the secretory pathway in Leishmania is not well characterized. Here, we report the cloning, expression, and characterization of the Rab1 homologue from Leishmania. We have found that LdRab1 localizes in Golgi in Leishmania. To understand the role of LdRab1 in the secretory pathway of Leishmania, we have generated transgenic parasites overexpressing GFP-LdRab1:WT, GFP-LdRab1:Q67L (a GTPase-deficient dominant positive mutant of Rab1), and GFP-LdRab1:S22N (a GDP-locked dominant negative mutant of Rab1). Surprisingly, our results have shown that overexpression of GFP-LdRab1:Q67L or GFP-LdRab1:S22N does not disrupt the trafficking and localization of hemoglobin receptor in Leishmania. To determine whether the Rab1-dependent secretory pathway is conserved in parasites, we have analyzed the role of LdRab1 in the secretion of secretory acid phosphatase and Ldgp63 in Leishmania. Our results have shown that overexpression of GFP-LdRab1:Q67L or GFP-LdRab1:S22N significantly inhibits the secretion of secretory acid phosphatase by Leishmania. We have also found that overexpression of GFP-LdRab1:Q67L or GFP-LdRab1:S22N retains RFP-Ldgp63 in Golgi and blocks the secretion of Ldgp63, whereas the trafficking of RFP-Ldgp63 in GFP-LdRab1:WT-expressing cells is unaltered in comparison with control cells. Taken together, our results have shown that the Rab1-regulated secretory pathway is well conserved, and hemoglobin receptor trafficking follows an Rab1-independent secretory pathway in Leishmania.
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Affiliation(s)
- Surbhi Bahl
- From the National Institute of Immunology, Aruna Asaf Ali Marg, New Delhi 110067, India and
| | - Smriti Parashar
- From the National Institute of Immunology, Aruna Asaf Ali Marg, New Delhi 110067, India and
| | | | - Manoj Raje
- the Institute of Microbial Technology, Chandigarh 160036, India
| | - Amitabha Mukhopadhyay
- From the National Institute of Immunology, Aruna Asaf Ali Marg, New Delhi 110067, India and
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Abstract
Leishmania amazonensis is an intracellular protozoan parasite responsible for chronic cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL). CL is a neglected tropical disease responsible for infecting millions of people worldwide. L. amazonensis promotes alteration of various signaling pathways that are essential for host cell survival. Specifically, through parasite-mediated phosphorylation of extracellular signal regulated kinase (ERK), L. amazonensis inhibits cell-mediated parasite killing and promotes its own survival by co-opting multiple host cell functions. In this review, we highlight Leishmania-host cell signaling alterations focusing on those specific to (1) motor proteins, (2) prevention of NADPH subunit phosphorylation impairing reactive oxygen species production, and (3) localized endosomal signaling to up-regulate ERK phosphorylation. This review will focus upon mechanisms and possible explanations as to how Leishmania spp. evades the various layers of defense employed by the host immune response.
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