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Gangwar U, Choudhury H, Shameem R, Singh Y, Bansal A. Recent development in CRISPR-Cas systems for human protozoan diseases. PROGRESS IN MOLECULAR BIOLOGY AND TRANSLATIONAL SCIENCE 2024; 208:109-160. [PMID: 39266180 DOI: 10.1016/bs.pmbts.2024.07.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/14/2024]
Abstract
Protozoan parasitic diseases pose a substantial global health burden. Understanding the pathogenesis of these diseases is crucial for developing intervention strategies in the form of vaccine and drugs. Manipulating the parasite's genome is essential for gaining insights into its fundamental biology. Traditional genomic manipulation methods rely on stochastic homologous recombination events, which necessitates months of maintaining the cultured parasites under drug pressure to generate desired transgenics. The introduction of mega-nucleases (MNs), zinc-finger nucleases (ZFNs), and transcription activator-like effector nucleases (TALENs) greatly reduced the time required for obtaining a desired modification. However, there is a complexity associated with the design of these nucleases. CRISPR (Clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats)/Cas (CRISPR associated proteins) is the latest gene editing tool that provides an efficient and convenient method for precise genomic manipulations in protozoan parasites. In this chapter, we have elaborated various strategies that have been adopted for the use of CRISPR-Cas9 system in Plasmodium, Leishmania and Trypanosoma. We have also discussed various applications of CRISPR-Cas9 pertaining to understanding of the parasite biology, development of drug resistance mechanism, gene drive and diagnosis of the infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Utkarsh Gangwar
- School of Life Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, India
| | | | - Risha Shameem
- School of Life Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, India
| | - Yashi Singh
- Department of Biosciences & Biomedical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology, Indore, India
| | - Abhisheka Bansal
- School of Life Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, India.
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Queffeulou M, Leprohon P, Fernandez-Prada C, Ouellette M, Mejía-Jaramillo AM. CRISPR-Cas9 high-throughput screening to study drug resistance in Leishmania infantum. mBio 2024; 15:e0047724. [PMID: 38864609 PMCID: PMC11253630 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.00477-24] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2024] [Accepted: 04/23/2024] [Indexed: 06/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Parasites of the genus Leishmania pose a global health threat with limited treatment options. New drugs are urgently needed, and genomic screens have the potential to accelerate target discovery, mode of action, and resistance mechanisms against these new drugs. We describe here our effort in developing a genome-wide CRISPR-Cas9 screen in Leishmania, an organism lacking a functional nonhomologous end joining system that must rely on microhomology-mediated end joining, single-strand annealing, or homologous recombination for repairing Cas9-induced double-stranded DNA breaks. A new vector for cloning and expressing single guide RNAs (sgRNAs) was designed and proven to be effective in a small pilot project while enriching specific sgRNAs during drug selection. We then developed a whole-genome library of 49,754 sgRNAs, targeting all the genes of Leishmania infantum. This library was transfected in L. infantum expressing Cas9, and these cells were selected for resistance to two antileishmanials, miltefosine and amphotericin B. The sgRNAs the most enriched in the miltefosine screen targeted the miltefosine transporter gene, but sgRNAs targeting genes coding for a RING-variant protein and a transmembrane protein were also enriched. The sgRNAs the most enriched by amphotericin B targeted the sterol 24 C methyltransferase genes and a hypothetical gene. Through gene disruption experiments, we proved that loss of function of these genes was associated with resistance. This study describes the feasibility of carrying out whole-genome CRISPR-Cas9 screens in Leishmania provided that a strong selective pressure is applied. Such a screen can be used for accelerating the development of urgently needed antileishmanial drugs.IMPORTANCELeishmaniasis, a global health threat, lacks adequate treatment options and drug resistance exacerbates the challenge. This study introduces a CRISPR-Cas9 screening approach in Leishmania infantum, unraveling mechanisms of drug resistance at a genome-wide scale. Our screen was applied against two main antileishmanial drugs, and guides were enriched upon drug selection. These guides targeted known and new targets, hence validating the use of this screen against Leishmania. This strategy provides a powerful tool to expedite drug discovery as well as potential therapeutic targets against this neglected tropical disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marine Queffeulou
- Centre de Recherche en Infectiologie du Centre de Recherche du CHU Québec, Université Laval, Québec, Canada
- Département de Microbiologie, Infectiologie et Immunologie, Faculté de Médecine, Université Laval, Québec, Canada
| | - Philippe Leprohon
- Centre de Recherche en Infectiologie du Centre de Recherche du CHU Québec, Université Laval, Québec, Canada
- Département de Microbiologie, Infectiologie et Immunologie, Faculté de Médecine, Université Laval, Québec, Canada
| | - Christopher Fernandez-Prada
- Centre de Recherche en Infectiologie du Centre de Recherche du CHU Québec, Université Laval, Québec, Canada
- Département de Microbiologie, Infectiologie et Immunologie, Faculté de Médecine, Université Laval, Québec, Canada
| | - Marc Ouellette
- Centre de Recherche en Infectiologie du Centre de Recherche du CHU Québec, Université Laval, Québec, Canada
- Département de Microbiologie, Infectiologie et Immunologie, Faculté de Médecine, Université Laval, Québec, Canada
| | - Ana María Mejía-Jaramillo
- Centre de Recherche en Infectiologie du Centre de Recherche du CHU Québec, Université Laval, Québec, Canada
- Département de Microbiologie, Infectiologie et Immunologie, Faculté de Médecine, Université Laval, Québec, Canada
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Asencio C, Hervé P, Morand P, Oliveres Q, Morel CA, Prouzet-Mauleon V, Biran M, Monic S, Bonhivers M, Robinson DR, Ouellette M, Rivière L, Bringaud F, Tetaud E. Streptococcus pyogenes Cas9 ribonucleoprotein delivery for efficient, rapid and marker-free gene editing in Trypanosoma and Leishmania. Mol Microbiol 2024; 121:1079-1094. [PMID: 38558208 DOI: 10.1111/mmi.15256] [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: 10/27/2023] [Revised: 02/13/2024] [Accepted: 03/14/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024]
Abstract
Kinetoplastids are unicellular eukaryotic flagellated parasites found in a wide range of hosts within the animal and plant kingdoms. They are known to be responsible in humans for African sleeping sickness (Trypanosoma brucei), Chagas disease (Trypanosoma cruzi), and various forms of leishmaniasis (Leishmania spp.), as well as several animal diseases with important economic impact (African trypanosomes, including Trypanosoma congolense). Understanding the biology of these parasites necessarily implies the ability to manipulate their genomes. In this study, we demonstrate that transfection of a ribonucleoprotein complex, composed of recombinant Streptococcus pyogenes Cas9 (SpCas9) and an in vitro-synthesized guide RNA, results in rapid and efficient genetic modifications of trypanosomatids, in marker-free conditions. This approach was successfully developed to inactivate, delete, and mutate candidate genes in various stages of the life cycle of T. brucei and T. congolense, and Leishmania promastigotes. The functionality of SpCas9 in these parasites now provides, to the research community working on these parasites, a rapid and efficient method of genome editing, without requiring plasmid construction and selection by antibiotics but requires only cloning and PCR screening of the clones. Importantly, this approach is adaptable to any wild-type parasite.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Perrine Hervé
- Univ. Bordeaux, CNRS, MFP, UMR 5234, Bordeaux, France
| | | | | | | | | | - Marc Biran
- Univ. Bordeaux, CNRS, CRMSB, UMR 5536, Bordeaux, France
| | - Sarah Monic
- Univ. Bordeaux, CNRS, MFP, UMR 5234, Bordeaux, France
| | | | | | - Marc Ouellette
- Centre de Recherche en Infectiologie du Centre de Recherche du CHU de Québec, Département de Microbiologie, Infectiologie et Immunologie, Faculté de Médecine, Université Laval, Québec, Québec, Canada
| | - Loïc Rivière
- Univ. Bordeaux, CNRS, MFP, UMR 5234, Bordeaux, France
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Seyed N, Taheri T, Rafati S. Live attenuated-nonpathogenic Leishmania and DNA structures as promising vaccine platforms against leishmaniasis: innovations can make waves. Front Microbiol 2024; 15:1326369. [PMID: 38633699 PMCID: PMC11021776 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2024.1326369] [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: 10/28/2023] [Accepted: 03/12/2024] [Indexed: 04/19/2024] Open
Abstract
Leishmaniasis is a vector-borne disease caused by the protozoan parasite of Leishmania genus and is a complex disease affecting mostly tropical regions of the world. Unfortunately, despite the extensive effort made, there is no vaccine available for human use. Undoubtedly, a comprehensive understanding of the host-vector-parasite interaction is substantial for developing an effective prophylactic vaccine. Recently the role of sandfly saliva on disease progression has been uncovered which can make a substantial contribution in vaccine design. In this review we try to focus on the strategies that most probably meet the prerequisites of vaccine development (based on the current understandings) including live attenuated/non-pathogenic and subunit DNA vaccines. Innovative approaches such as reverse genetics, CRISP/R-Cas9 and antibiotic-free selection are now available to promisingly compensate for intrinsic drawbacks associated with these platforms. Our main goal is to call more attention toward the prerequisites of effective vaccine development while controlling the disease outspread is a substantial need.
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Affiliation(s)
- Negar Seyed
- Department of Immunotherapy and Leishmania Vaccine Research, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
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Abdi Ghavidel A, Aghamiri S, Raee P, Mohammadi-Yeganeh S, Noori E, Bandehpour M, Kazemi B, Jajarmi V. Recent Advances in CRISPR/Cas9-Mediated Genome Editing in Leishmania Strains. Acta Parasitol 2024; 69:121-134. [PMID: 38127288 DOI: 10.1007/s11686-023-00756-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2023] [Accepted: 11/20/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Genome manipulation of Leishmania species and the creation of modified strains are widely employed strategies for various purposes, including gene function studies, the development of live attenuated vaccines, and the engineering of host cells for protein production. OBJECTIVE Despite the introduction of novel manipulation approaches like CRISPR/Cas9 technology with significant advancements in recent years, the development of a reliable protocol for efficiently and precisely altering the genes of Leishmania strains remains a challenging endeavor. Following the successful adaptation of the CRISPR/Cas9 system for higher eukaryotic cells, several research groups have endeavored to apply this system to manipulate the genome of Leishmania. RESULTS Despite the substantial differences between Leishmania and higher eukaryotes, the CRISPR/Cas9 system has been effectively tested and applied in Leishmania. CONCLUSION: This comprehensive review summarizes all the CRISPR/Cas9 systems that have been employed in Leishmania, providing details on their methods and the expression systems for Cas9 and gRNA. The review also explores the various applications of the CRISPR system in Leishmania, including the deletion of multicopy gene families, the development of the Leishmania vaccine, complete gene deletions, investigations into chromosomal translocations, protein tagging, gene replacement, large-scale gene knockout, genome editing through cytosine base replacement, and its innovative use in the detection of Leishmania. In addition, the review offers an up-to-date overview of all double-strand break repair mechanisms in Leishmania.
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Affiliation(s)
- Afshin Abdi Ghavidel
- Student Research Committee, Department of Medical Biotechnology, School of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Shahin Aghamiri
- Cellular and Molecular Biology Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Pourya Raee
- Department of Biology and Anatomical Sciences, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Samira Mohammadi-Yeganeh
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, School of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Effat Noori
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mojgan Bandehpour
- Cellular and Molecular Biology Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, School of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Bahram Kazemi
- Cellular and Molecular Biology Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, School of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Vahid Jajarmi
- Cellular and Molecular Biology Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, School of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
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Khandibharad S, Singh S. Synthetic biology for combating leishmaniasis. Front Microbiol 2024; 15:1338749. [PMID: 38362504 PMCID: PMC10867266 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2024.1338749] [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: 11/15/2023] [Accepted: 01/08/2024] [Indexed: 02/17/2024] Open
Abstract
Leishmaniasis is a neglected tropical disease caused by protozoan parasites of the Leishmania genus. Despite the efforts to control and treat the disease, it still remains a major public health problem in many countries. Synthetic biology is a rapidly evolving interdisciplinary field that combines biology, engineering, and computer science to design and construct novel biological systems. In recent years, synthetic biology approaches have shown great promise for developing new and effective strategies to combat leishmaniasis. In this perspective, we summarize the recent advances in the use of synthetic biology for the development of vaccines, diagnostic tools, and novel therapeutics for leishmaniasis.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Shailza Singh
- Systems Medicine Laboratory, National Centre for Cell Science, Pune, India
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Du X, McManus DP, French JD, Sivakumaran H, Johnston RL, Kondrashova O, Fogarty CE, Jones MK, You H. Lentiviral Transduction-based CRISPR/Cas9 Editing of Schistosoma mansoni Acetylcholinesterase. Curr Genomics 2023; 24:155-170. [PMID: 38178986 PMCID: PMC10761339 DOI: 10.2174/1389202924666230823094608] [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: 03/16/2023] [Revised: 06/02/2023] [Accepted: 07/17/2023] [Indexed: 01/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Recent studies on CRISPR/Cas9-mediated gene editing in Schistosoma mansoni have shed new light on the study and control of this parasitic helminth. However, the gene editing efficiency in this parasite is modest. Methods To improve the efficiency of CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing in schistosomes, we used lentivirus, which has been effectively used for gene editing in mammalian cells, to deliver plasmid DNA encoding Cas9 nuclease, a sgRNA targeting acetylcholinesterase (SmAChE) and a mCherry fluorescence marker into schistosomes. Results MCherry fluorescence was observed in transduced eggs, schistosomula, and adult worms, indicating that the CRISPR components had been delivered into these parasite stages by lentivirus. In addition, clearly changed phenotypes were observed in SmAChE-edited parasites, including decreased SmAChE activity, reduced hatching ability of edited eggs, and altered behavior of miracidia hatched from edited eggs. Next-generation sequencing analysis demonstrated that the lentiviral transduction-based CRISPR/Cas9 gene modifications in SmAChE-edited schistosomes were homology-directed repair predominant but with much lower efficiency than that obtained using electroporation (data previously published by our laboratory) for the delivery of CRISPR components. Conclusion Taken together, electroporation is more efficient than lentiviral transduction in the delivery of CRISPR/Cas9 into schistosomes for programmed genome editing. The exploration of tactics for enhancing CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing provides the basis for the future improvement of programmed genome editing in S. mansoni.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaofeng Du
- Infection and Inflammation Program, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
- Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Donald P. McManus
- Infection and Inflammation Program, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
- Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Juliet D. French
- Cancer Research Program, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Haran Sivakumaran
- Cancer Research Program, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Rebecca L. Johnston
- Cancer Research Program, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Olga Kondrashova
- Cancer Research Program, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Conor E. Fogarty
- Centre for Bioinnovation, University of the Sunshine Coast, Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia
| | - Malcolm K. Jones
- School of Veterinary Science, The University of Queensland, Gatton, Queensland, Australia
| | - Hong You
- Infection and Inflammation Program, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
- School of Veterinary Science, The University of Queensland, Gatton, Queensland, Australia
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Fernandez‐Becerra C, Xander P, Alfandari D, Dong G, Aparici‐Herraiz I, Rosenhek‐Goldian I, Shokouhy M, Gualdron‐Lopez M, Lozano N, Cortes‐Serra N, Karam PA, Meneghetti P, Madeira RP, Porat Z, Soares RP, Costa AO, Rafati S, da Silva A, Santarém N, Fernandez‐Prada C, Ramirez MI, Bernal D, Marcilla A, Pereira‐Chioccola VL, Alves LR, Portillo HD, Regev‐Rudzki N, de Almeida IC, Schenkman S, Olivier M, Torrecilhas AC. Guidelines for the purification and characterization of extracellular vesicles of parasites. JOURNAL OF EXTRACELLULAR BIOLOGY 2023; 2:e117. [PMID: 38939734 PMCID: PMC11080789 DOI: 10.1002/jex2.117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2023] [Revised: 08/21/2023] [Accepted: 09/14/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2024]
Abstract
Parasites are responsible for the most neglected tropical diseases, affecting over a billion people worldwide (WHO, 2015) and accounting for billions of cases a year and responsible for several millions of deaths. Research on extracellular vesicles (EVs) has increased in recent years and demonstrated that EVs shed by pathogenic parasites interact with host cells playing an important role in the parasite's survival, such as facilitation of infection, immunomodulation, parasite adaptation to the host environment and the transfer of drug resistance factors. Thus, EVs released by parasites mediate parasite-parasite and parasite-host intercellular communication. In addition, they are being explored as biomarkers of asymptomatic infections and disease prognosis after drug treatment. However, most current protocols used for the isolation, size determination, quantification and characterization of molecular cargo of EVs lack greater rigor, standardization, and adequate quality controls to certify the enrichment or purity of the ensuing bioproducts. We are now initiating major guidelines based on the evolution of collective knowledge in recent years. The main points covered in this position paper are methods for the isolation and molecular characterization of EVs obtained from parasite-infected cell cultures, experimental animals, and patients. The guideline also includes a discussion of suggested protocols and functional assays in host cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carmen Fernandez‐Becerra
- ISGlobal, Barcelona Institute for Global HealthHospital Clínic‐Universitatde BarcelonaBarcelonaSpain
- IGTP Institut d'Investigació Germans Trias i PujolBadalona (Barcelona)Spain
- CIBERINFECISCIII‐CIBER de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Instituto de Salud Carlos IIIMadridSpain
| | - Patrícia Xander
- Departamento de Ciências FarmacêuticasLaboratório de Imunologia Celular e Bioquímica de Fungos e ProtozoáriosDepartamento de Ciências FarmacêuticasInstituto de Ciências AmbientaisQuímicas e FarmacêuticasUniversidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP)São PauloBrazil
| | - Daniel Alfandari
- Department of Biomolecular SciencesWeizmann Institute of Science (WIS)RehovotIsrael
| | - George Dong
- The Research Institute of the McGill University Health CentreMcGill UniversityMontréalQuébecCanada
| | - Iris Aparici‐Herraiz
- ISGlobal, Barcelona Institute for Global HealthHospital Clínic‐Universitatde BarcelonaBarcelonaSpain
| | | | - Mehrdad Shokouhy
- Department of Immunotherapy and Leishmania Vaccine ResearchPasteur Institute of IranTehranIran
| | - Melisa Gualdron‐Lopez
- ISGlobal, Barcelona Institute for Global HealthHospital Clínic‐Universitatde BarcelonaBarcelonaSpain
| | - Nicholy Lozano
- Departamento de Ciências FarmacêuticasLaboratório de Imunologia Celular e Bioquímica de Fungos e ProtozoáriosDepartamento de Ciências FarmacêuticasInstituto de Ciências AmbientaisQuímicas e FarmacêuticasUniversidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP)São PauloBrazil
| | - Nuria Cortes‐Serra
- ISGlobal, Barcelona Institute for Global HealthHospital Clínic‐Universitatde BarcelonaBarcelonaSpain
| | - Paula Abou Karam
- Department of Biomolecular SciencesWeizmann Institute of Science (WIS)RehovotIsrael
| | - Paula Meneghetti
- Departamento de Ciências FarmacêuticasLaboratório de Imunologia Celular e Bioquímica de Fungos e ProtozoáriosDepartamento de Ciências FarmacêuticasInstituto de Ciências AmbientaisQuímicas e FarmacêuticasUniversidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP)São PauloBrazil
| | - Rafael Pedro Madeira
- Departamento de Ciências FarmacêuticasLaboratório de Imunologia Celular e Bioquímica de Fungos e ProtozoáriosDepartamento de Ciências FarmacêuticasInstituto de Ciências AmbientaisQuímicas e FarmacêuticasUniversidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP)São PauloBrazil
| | - Ziv Porat
- Flow Cytometry UnitLife Sciences Core Facilities, WISRehovotIsrael
| | | | - Adriana Oliveira Costa
- Departamento de Análises Clínicas e ToxicológicasFaculdade de Farmácia, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (UFMG)Belo HorizonteMinas GeraisBrasil
| | - Sima Rafati
- Department of Immunotherapy and Leishmania Vaccine ResearchPasteur Institute of IranTehranIran
| | - Anabela‐Cordeiro da Silva
- Host‐Parasite Interactions GroupInstitute of Research and Innovation in HealthUniversity of PortoPortoPortugal
- Department of Biological SciencesFaculty of PharmacyUniversity of PortoPortoPortugal
| | - Nuno Santarém
- Host‐Parasite Interactions GroupInstitute of Research and Innovation in HealthUniversity of PortoPortoPortugal
- Department of Biological SciencesFaculty of PharmacyUniversity of PortoPortoPortugal
| | | | - Marcel I. Ramirez
- EVAHPI ‐ Extracellular Vesicles and Host‐Parasite Interactions Research Group Laboratório de Biologia Molecular e Sistemática de TripanossomatideosInstituto Carlos Chagas‐FiocruzCuritibaParanáBrasil
| | - Dolores Bernal
- Departament de Bioquímica i Biologia Molecular, Facultat de Ciències BiològiquesUniversitat de ValènciaBurjassotValenciaSpain
| | - Antonio Marcilla
- Àrea de Parasitologia, Departament de Farmàcia i Tecnologia Farmacèutica i ParasitologiaUniversitat de ValènciaBurjassotValenciaSpain
| | - Vera Lucia Pereira‐Chioccola
- Laboratório de Biologia Molecular de Parasitas e Fungos, Centro de Parasitologia e MicologiaInstituto Adolfo Lutz (IAL)São PauloBrasil
| | - Lysangela Ronalte Alves
- Laboratório de Regulação da Expressão GênicaInstituto Carlos ChagasFiocruz ParanáCuritibaBrazil
- Research Center in Infectious DiseasesDivision of Infectious Disease and Immunity CHU de Quebec Research CenterDepartment of MicrobiologyInfectious Disease and ImmunologyFaculty of MedicineUniversity LavalQuebec CityQuebecCanada
| | - Hernando Del Portillo
- ISGlobal, Barcelona Institute for Global HealthHospital Clínic‐Universitatde BarcelonaBarcelonaSpain
- IGTP Institut d'Investigació Germans Trias i PujolBadalona (Barcelona)Spain
- ICREA Institució Catalana de Recerca i Estudis Avanc¸ats (ICREA)BarcelonaSpain
| | - Neta Regev‐Rudzki
- Department of Biomolecular SciencesWeizmann Institute of Science (WIS)RehovotIsrael
| | - Igor Correia de Almeida
- Department of Biological SciencesBorder Biomedical Research CenterThe University of Texas at El PasoEl PasoTexasUSA
| | - Sergio Schenkman
- Departamento de MicrobiologiaImunologia e Parasitologia, UNIFESPSão PauloBrazil
| | - Martin Olivier
- The Research Institute of the McGill University Health CentreMcGill UniversityMontréalQuébecCanada
| | - Ana Claudia Torrecilhas
- Departamento de Ciências FarmacêuticasLaboratório de Imunologia Celular e Bioquímica de Fungos e ProtozoáriosDepartamento de Ciências FarmacêuticasInstituto de Ciências AmbientaisQuímicas e FarmacêuticasUniversidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP)São PauloBrazil
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Minet C, Chantal I, Berthier D. Recent advances in genome editing of bloodstream forms of Trypanosoma congolense using CRISPR-Cas9 ribonucleoproteins: Proof of concept. Exp Parasitol 2023; 252:108589. [PMID: 37516291 DOI: 10.1016/j.exppara.2023.108589] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2023] [Revised: 06/26/2023] [Accepted: 07/24/2023] [Indexed: 07/31/2023]
Abstract
African Animal Trypanosomosis (AAT or Nagana) is a vector-borne disease caused by Trypanosomatidae, genus Trypanosoma. The disease is transmitted by the bite of infected hematophagous insects, mainly tsetse flies but also other blood-sucking insects including stomoxes and tabanids. Although many trypanosome species infect animals, the main agents responsible for this disease with a strong socio-economic and veterinary health impact are Trypanosoma congolense (T. congolense or Tc), Trypanosoma vivax (T.vivax), and to a lesser extent, Trypanosoma brucei brucei (T.brucei brucei or Tbb). These parasites mainly infect livestock, including cattle, in sub-Saharan Africa, with major repercussions in terms of animal productivity and poverty for populations which are often already very poor. As there is currently no vaccine, the fight against the disease is primarily based on diagnosis, treatment and vector control. To develop new tools (particularly therapeutic tools) to fight against the disease, we need to know both the biology and the genes involved in the pathogenicity and virulence of the parasites. To date, unlike for Trypanosoma brucei (T.brucei) or Trypanosoma cruzi (T.cruzi), genome editing tools has been relatively little used to study T. congolense. We present an efficient, reproducible and stable CRISPR-Cas9 genome editing system for use in Tc bloodstream forms (Tc-BSF). This plasmid-free system is based on transient expression of Cas9 protein and the use of a ribonucleoprotein formed by the Cas9 and sgRNA complex. This is the first proof of concept of genome editing using CRISPR-Cas9 ribonucleoproteins on Tc-BSF. This adapted protocol enriches the "toolbox" for the functional study of genes of interest in blood forms of the Trypanosoma congolense. This proof of concept is an important step for the scientific community working on the study of trypanosomes and opens up new perspectives for the control of and fight against animal trypanosomosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cécile Minet
- CIRAD, UMR INTERTRYP, F-34398, Montpellier, France; INTERTRYP, Univ Montpellier, CIRAD, IRD, Montpellier, France.
| | - Isabelle Chantal
- CIRAD, UMR INTERTRYP, F-34398, Montpellier, France; INTERTRYP, Univ Montpellier, CIRAD, IRD, Montpellier, France
| | - David Berthier
- CIRAD, UMR INTERTRYP, F-34398, Montpellier, France; INTERTRYP, Univ Montpellier, CIRAD, IRD, Montpellier, France
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10
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Goes WM, Brasil CRF, Reis-Cunha JL, Coqueiro-Dos-Santos A, Grazielle-Silva V, de Souza Reis J, Souto TC, Laranjeira-Silva MF, Bartholomeu DC, Fernandes AP, Teixeira SMR. Complete assembly, annotation of virulence genes and CRISPR editing of the genome of Leishmania amazonensis PH8 strain. Genomics 2023; 115:110661. [PMID: 37263313 DOI: 10.1016/j.ygeno.2023.110661] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2022] [Revised: 05/04/2023] [Accepted: 05/27/2023] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
We report the sequencing and assembly of the PH8 strain of Leishmania amazonensis one of the etiological agents of leishmaniasis. After combining data from long Pacbio reads, short Illumina reads and synteny with the Leishmania mexicana genome, the sequence of 34 chromosomes with 8317 annotated genes was generated. Multigene families encoding three virulence factors, A2, amastins and the GP63 metalloproteases, were identified and compared to their annotation in other Leishmania species. As they have been recently recognized as virulence factors essential for disease establishment and progression of the infection, we also identified 14 genes encoding proteins involved in parasite iron and heme metabolism and compared to genes from other Trypanosomatids. To follow these studies with a genetic approach to address the role of virulence factors, we tested two CRISPR-Cas9 protocols to generate L. amazonensis knockout cell lines, using the Miltefosine transporter gene as a proof of concept.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wanessa Moreira Goes
- Departamento de Bioquímica e Imunologia, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Avenida Antônio Carlos 6627, Belo Horizonte, MG CEP 31.270-901, Brazil
| | - Carlos Rodolpho Ferreira Brasil
- Departamento de Análises Clínicas e Toxicológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Avenida Antônio Carlos 6627, Belo Horizonte, MG CEP 31.270-901, Brazil
| | - João Luis Reis-Cunha
- Departamento de Veterinária Preventiva, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Avenida Antônio Carlos 6627, Belo Horizonte, MG CEP 31.270-901, Brazil; Departamento de Parasitologia, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Avenida Antônio Carlos 6627, Belo Horizonte, MG CEP 31.270-901, Brazil
| | - Anderson Coqueiro-Dos-Santos
- Departamento de Parasitologia, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Avenida Antônio Carlos 6627, Belo Horizonte, MG CEP 31.270-901, Brazil
| | - Viviane Grazielle-Silva
- Departamento de Bioquímica e Imunologia, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Avenida Antônio Carlos 6627, Belo Horizonte, MG CEP 31.270-901, Brazil
| | - Júlia de Souza Reis
- Departamento de Análises Clínicas e Toxicológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Avenida Antônio Carlos 6627, Belo Horizonte, MG CEP 31.270-901, Brazil
| | - Tatiane Cristina Souto
- Departamento de Análises Clínicas e Toxicológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Avenida Antônio Carlos 6627, Belo Horizonte, MG CEP 31.270-901, Brazil
| | - Maria Fernanda Laranjeira-Silva
- Departamento de Fisiologia, Universidade de São Paulo, Rua do Matão 101, Cidade Universitária, São Paulo, SP CEP 05508-900, Brazil
| | - Daniella Castanheira Bartholomeu
- Departamento de Parasitologia, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Avenida Antônio Carlos 6627, Belo Horizonte, MG CEP 31.270-901, Brazil
| | - Ana Paula Fernandes
- Departamento de Análises Clínicas e Toxicológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Avenida Antônio Carlos 6627, Belo Horizonte, MG CEP 31.270-901, Brazil; Centro de Tecnologia de Vacinas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Rua Professor José Vieira de Mendonça 770, Belo Horizonte, MG, CEP 31.210-360, Brazil
| | - Santuza Maria Ribeiro Teixeira
- Departamento de Bioquímica e Imunologia, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Avenida Antônio Carlos 6627, Belo Horizonte, MG CEP 31.270-901, Brazil; Centro de Tecnologia de Vacinas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Rua Professor José Vieira de Mendonça 770, Belo Horizonte, MG, CEP 31.210-360, Brazil.
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11
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Porta EOJ, Ballari MS, Carlucci R, Wilkinson S, Ma G, Tekwani BL, Labadie GR. Systematic study of 1,2,3-triazolyl sterols for the development of new drugs against parasitic Neglected Tropical Diseases. Eur J Med Chem 2023; 254:115378. [PMID: 37084599 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2023.115378] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2022] [Revised: 04/11/2023] [Accepted: 04/12/2023] [Indexed: 04/23/2023]
Abstract
A series of thirty 1,2,3-triazolylsterols, inspired by azasterols with proven antiparasitic activity, were prepared by a stereocontrolled synthesis. Ten of these compounds constitute chimeras/hybrids of 22,26-azasterol (AZA) and 1,2,3-triazolyl azasterols. The entire library was assayed against the kinetoplastid parasites Leishmania donovani, Trypanosoma cruzi, and Trypanosoma brucei, the causatives agents for visceral leishmaniasis, Chagas disease, and sleeping sickness, respectively. Most of the compounds were active at submicromolar/nanomolar concentrations with high selectivity index, when compared to their cytotoxicity against mammalian cells. Analysis of in silico physicochemical properties were conducted to rationalize the activities against the neglected tropical disease pathogens. The analogs with selective activity against L. donovani (E4, IC50 0.78 μM), T brucei (E1, IC50 0.12 μM) and T. cruzi (B1- IC50 0.33 μM), and the analogs with broad-spectrum antiparasitic activities against the three kinetoplastid parasites (B1 and B3), may be promising leads for further development as selective or broad-spectrum antiparasitic drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Exequiel O J Porta
- Instituto de Química Rosario (IQUIR-CONICET), Facultad de Ciencias Bioquímicas y Farmacéuticas, Universidad Nacional de Rosario, Suipacha 531, S2002LRK, Rosario, Argentina
| | - María Sol Ballari
- Instituto de Química Rosario (IQUIR-CONICET), Facultad de Ciencias Bioquímicas y Farmacéuticas, Universidad Nacional de Rosario, Suipacha 531, S2002LRK, Rosario, Argentina
| | - Renzo Carlucci
- Instituto de Química Rosario (IQUIR-CONICET), Facultad de Ciencias Bioquímicas y Farmacéuticas, Universidad Nacional de Rosario, Suipacha 531, S2002LRK, Rosario, Argentina
| | - Shane Wilkinson
- Queen Mary University of London, Mile End Road, London, E1 4NS, UK
| | - Guoyi Ma
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Division of Scientific Platforms, Southern Research, Birmingham, AL, 35205, USA
| | - Babu L Tekwani
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Division of Scientific Platforms, Southern Research, Birmingham, AL, 35205, USA
| | - Guillermo R Labadie
- Instituto de Química Rosario (IQUIR-CONICET), Facultad de Ciencias Bioquímicas y Farmacéuticas, Universidad Nacional de Rosario, Suipacha 531, S2002LRK, Rosario, Argentina; Departamento de Química Orgánica, Facultad de Ciencias Bioquímicas y Farmacéuticas, Universidad Nacional de Rosario, Suipacha 531, S2002LRK, Rosario, Argentina.
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12
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Faria J, Briggs EM, Black JA, McCulloch R. Emergence and adaptation of the cellular machinery directing antigenic variation in the African trypanosome. Curr Opin Microbiol 2022; 70:102209. [PMID: 36215868 DOI: 10.1016/j.mib.2022.102209] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2022] [Revised: 08/30/2022] [Accepted: 09/04/2022] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
Survival of the African trypanosome within its mammalian hosts, and hence transmission between hosts, relies upon antigenic variation, where stochastic changes in the composition of their protective variant-surface glycoprotein (VSG) coat thwart effective removal of the pathogen by adaptive immunity. Antigenic variation has evolved remarkable mechanistic complexity in Trypanosoma brucei, with switching of the VSG coat executed by either transcriptional or recombination reactions. In the former, a single T. brucei cell selectively transcribes one telomeric VSG transcription site, termed the expression site (ES), from a pool of around 15. Silencing of the active ES and activation of one previously silent ES can lead to a co-ordinated VSG coat switch. Outside the ESs, the T. brucei genome contains an enormous archive of silent VSG genes and pseudogenes, which can be recombined into the ES to execute a coat switch. Most such recombination involves gene conversion, including copying of a complete VSG and more complex reactions where novel 'mosaic' VSGs are formed as patchworks of sequences from several silent (pseudo)genes. Understanding of the cellular machinery that directs transcriptional and recombination VSG switching is growing rapidly and the emerging picture is of the use of proteins, complexes and pathways that are not limited to trypanosomes, but are shared across the wider grouping of kinetoplastids and beyond, suggesting co-option of widely used, core cellular reactions. We will review what is known about the machinery of antigenic variation and discuss if there remains the possibility of trypanosome adaptations, or even trypanosome-specific machineries, that might offer opportunities to impair this crucial parasite-survival process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joana Faria
- York Biomedical Research Institute, Department of Biology, University of York, United Kingdom.
| | - Emma M Briggs
- Institute for Immunology and Infection Research, School of Biological Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom; Wellcome Centre for Integrative Parasitology, Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, University of Glasgow, Sir Graeme Davies Building, 120 University Place, Glasgow G12 8TA, United Kingdom
| | - Jennifer A Black
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil; Wellcome Centre for Integrative Parasitology, Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, University of Glasgow, Sir Graeme Davies Building, 120 University Place, Glasgow G12 8TA, United Kingdom
| | - Richard McCulloch
- Wellcome Centre for Integrative Parasitology, Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, University of Glasgow, Sir Graeme Davies Building, 120 University Place, Glasgow G12 8TA, United Kingdom.
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Paulini K, Lypaczewski P, Zhang WW, Perera DJ, Ndao M, Matlashewski G. Investigating the Leishmania donovani sacp Gene and Its Role in Macrophage Infection and Survival in Mice. Trop Med Infect Dis 2022; 7:384. [PMID: 36422936 PMCID: PMC9694005 DOI: 10.3390/tropicalmed7110384] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [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: 08/25/2022] [Revised: 10/31/2022] [Accepted: 11/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The protozoan parasite Leishmania donovani is a causative agent of the neglected tropical disease known as visceral leishmaniasis, which can be lethal when untreated. Studying Leishmania viru-lence factors is crucial in determining how the parasite causes disease and identifying new targets for treatment. One potential virulence factor is L. donovani's abundantly secreted protein: secreted acid phosphatase (SAcP). Whole-genome analysis revealed that the sacp gene was present in three copies in wild type L. donovani. Using CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing; we generated a sacp gene knockout termed LdΔSAcP, which demonstrated a loss of both the SAcP protein and an associated reduction in secreted acid phosphatase activity. Genome sequencing confirmed the precise dele-tion of the sacp gene in LdΔSAcP and identified several changes in the genome. LdΔSAcP demonstrated no significant changes in promastigote proliferation or its ability to infect and survive in macrophages compared to the wildtype strain. LdΔSAcP also demonstrated no change in murine liver infection; however, survival was impaired in the spleen. Taken together these results show that SAcP is not necessary for the survival of promastigotes in culture but may support long-term survival in the spleen. These observations also show that the use of CRISPR gene editing and WGS together are effective to investigate the function and phenotype of complex potential drug targets such as multicopy genes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kayla Paulini
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, McGill University, Montreal, QC H3A 2B4, Canada
| | - Patrick Lypaczewski
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, McGill University, Montreal, QC H3A 2B4, Canada
| | - Wen-Wei Zhang
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, McGill University, Montreal, QC H3A 2B4, Canada
| | - Dilhan J. Perera
- Division of Experimental Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, QC H4A 3J1, Canada
- Infectious Diseases and Immunity in Global Health Program, Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, QC H4A 3J1, Canada
| | - Momar Ndao
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, McGill University, Montreal, QC H3A 2B4, Canada
- Division of Experimental Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, QC H4A 3J1, Canada
- Infectious Diseases and Immunity in Global Health Program, Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, QC H4A 3J1, Canada
- National Reference Centre for Parasitology, Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, QC H4A 3J1, Canada
| | - Greg Matlashewski
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, McGill University, Montreal, QC H3A 2B4, Canada
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14
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Álvarez-Rodríguez A, Jin BK, Radwanska M, Magez S. Recent progress in diagnosis and treatment of Human African Trypanosomiasis has made the elimination of this disease a realistic target by 2030. Front Med (Lausanne) 2022; 9:1037094. [PMID: 36405602 PMCID: PMC9669443 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2022.1037094] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2022] [Accepted: 10/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Human African Trypanosomiasis (HAT) is caused by unicellular flagellated protozoan parasites of the genus Trypanosoma brucei. The subspecies T. b. gambiense is mainly responsible for mostly chronic anthroponotic infections in West- and Central Africa, accounting for roughly 95% of all HAT cases. Trypanosoma b. rhodesiense results in more acute zoonotic infections in East-Africa. Because HAT has a two-stage pathogenesis, treatment depends on clinical assessment of patients and the determination whether or not parasites have crossed the blood brain barrier. Today, ultimate confirmation of parasitemia is still done by microscopy analysis. However, the introduction of diagnostic lateral flow devices has been a major contributor to the recent dramatic drop in T. b. gambiense HAT. Other techniques such as loop mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) and recombinant polymerase amplification (RPA)-based tests have been published but are still not widely used in the field. Most recently, CRISPR-Cas technology has been proposed to improve the intrinsic diagnostic characteristics of molecular approaches. This will become crucial in the near future, as preventing the resurgence of HAT will be a priority and will require tools with extreme high positive and negative predicted values, as well as excellent sensitivity and specificity. As for treatment, pentamidine and suramin have historically been the drugs of choice for the treatment of blood-stage gambiense-HAT and rhodesiense-HAT, respectively. For treatment of second-stage infections, drugs that pass the blood brain barrier are needed, and melarsoprol has been effectively used for both forms of HAT in the past. However, due to the high occurrence of post-treatment encephalopathy, the drug is not recommended for use in T. b. gambiense HAT. Here, a combination therapy of eflornithine and nifurtimox (NECT) has been the choice of treatment since 2009. As this treatment requires IV perfusion of eflornithine, efforts were launched in 2003 by the drugs for neglected disease initiative (DNDi) to find an oral-only therapy solution, suitable for rural sub-Saharan Africa treatment conditions. In 2019 this resulted in the introduction of fexinidazole, with a treatment regimen suitable for both the blood-stage and non-severe second-stage T. b. gambiense infections. Experimental treatment of T. b. rhodesiense HAT has now been initiated as well.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrés Álvarez-Rodríguez
- Laboratory for Biomedical Research, Ghent University Global Campus, Incheon, South Korea
- Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Immunology, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Bo-Kyung Jin
- Laboratory for Biomedical Research, Ghent University Global Campus, Incheon, South Korea
| | - Magdalena Radwanska
- Laboratory for Biomedical Research, Ghent University Global Campus, Incheon, South Korea
- Department of Biomedical Molecular Biology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Stefan Magez
- Laboratory for Biomedical Research, Ghent University Global Campus, Incheon, South Korea
- Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Immunology, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
- Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- *Correspondence: Stefan Magez,
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15
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Abstract
In mammalian cells, DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) are mainly repaired by nonhomologous end joining (NHEJ) pathway. Ku (a heterodimer formed by Ku70 and Ku80 proteins) and DNA ligase IV are the core NHEJ factors. Ku could also be involved in other cellular processes, including telomere length regulation, DNA replication, transcription, and translation control. Leishmania, an early branching eukaryote and the causative agent of leishmaniasis, has no functional NHEJ pathway due to its lack of DNA ligase IV and other NHEJ factors but retains Ku70 and Ku80 proteins. In this study, we generated Leishmania donovani Ku70 disruption mutants and Ku70 and Ku80 double gene (Ku70/80) disruption mutants. We found that Leishmania Ku is still involved in DSB repair, possibly through its binding to DNA ends to block and slowdown 5′ end resections and Ku-Ku or other protein interactions. Depending on location of a DSB between the direct repeat genomic sequences, Leishmania Ku could have an inhibiting effect, no effect or a promoting effect on the DSB repair mediated by single strand annealing (SSA), the most frequently used DSB repair pathway in Leishmania. Ku70/80 proteins are also required for the healthy proliferation of Leishmania cells. Interestingly, unlike in Trypanosoma brucei and L. mexicana, Ku70/80 proteins are dispensable for maintaining the normal lengths of telomeres in L. donovani. We also show it is possible to reconstitute the two components (Ku and Ligase D) NHEJ pathway derived from Mycobacterium marinum in Leishmania. This improved DSB repair fidelity and efficiency in Leishmania and sets up an example that the bacterial NHEJ pathway can be successfully reconstructed in an NHEJ-deficient eukaryotic parasite. IMPORTANCE Nonhomologous end joining (NHEJ) is the most efficient double-stranded DNA break (DSB) repair pathway in mammalian cells. In contrast, the protozoan parasite Leishmania has no functional NHEJ pathway but retains the core NHEJ factors of Ku70 and Ku80 proteins. In this study, we found that Leishmania Ku heterodimers are still participating in DSB repair possibly through blocking 5′ end resections and Ku-Ku protein interactions. Depending on the DSB location, Ku could have an inhibiting or promoting effect on DSB repair mediated by the single-strand annealing repair pathway. Ku is also required for the normal growth of the parasite but surprisingly dispensable for maintaining the telomere lengths. Further, we show it is possible to introduce Mycobacterium marinum NHEJ pathway into Leishmania. Understanding DSB repair mechanisms of Leishmania may improve the CRISPR gene targeting specificity and efficiency and help identify new drug targets for this important human parasite.
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16
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Volpedo G, Pacheco-Fernandez T, Holcomb EA, Zhang WW, Lypaczewski P, Cox B, Fultz R, Mishan C, Verma C, Huston RH, Wharton AR, Dey R, Karmakar S, Oghumu S, Hamano S, Gannavaram S, Nakhasi HL, Matlashewski G, Satoskar AR. Centrin-deficient Leishmania mexicana confers protection against New World cutaneous leishmaniasis. NPJ Vaccines 2022; 7:32. [PMID: 35236861 PMCID: PMC8891280 DOI: 10.1038/s41541-022-00449-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2021] [Accepted: 01/27/2022] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Leishmaniasis is a neglected protozoan disease affecting over 12 million people globally with no approved vaccines for human use. New World cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) caused by L. mexicana is characterized by the development of chronic non-healing skin lesions. Using the CRISPR/Cas9 technique, we have generated live attenuated centrin knockout L. mexicana (LmexCen-/-) parasites. Centrin is a cytoskeletal protein important for cellular division in eukaryotes and, in Leishmania, is required only for intracellular amastigote replication. We have investigated the safety and immunogenicity characteristics of LmexCen-/- parasites by evaluating their survival and the cytokine production in bone-marrow-derived macrophages (BMDMs) and dendritic cells (BMDCs) in vitro. Our data shows that LmexCen-/- amastigotes present a growth defect, which results in significantly lower parasitic burdens and increased protective cytokine production in infected BMDMs and BMDCs, compared to the wild type (WT) parasites. We have also determined the safety and efficacy of LmexCen-/- in vivo using experimental murine models of L. mexicana. We demonstrate that LmexCen-/- parasites are safe and do not cause lesions in susceptible mouse models. Immunization with LmexCen-/- is also efficacious against challenge with WT L. mexicana parasites in genetically different BALB/c and C57BL/6 mouse models. Vaccinated mice did not develop cutaneous lesions, displayed protective immunity, and showed significantly lower parasitic burdens at the infection site and draining lymph nodes compared to the control group. Overall, we demonstrate that LmexCen-/- parasites are safe and efficacious against New World cutaneous leishmaniasis in pre-clinical models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Greta Volpedo
- Department of Microbiology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA.,Department of Pathology, Wexner Medical Center, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA
| | - Thalia Pacheco-Fernandez
- Department of Pathology, Wexner Medical Center, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA
| | - Erin A Holcomb
- Department of Pathology, Wexner Medical Center, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA
| | - Wen-Wei Zhang
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Patrick Lypaczewski
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Blake Cox
- Department of Pathology, Wexner Medical Center, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA
| | - Rebecca Fultz
- Department of Pathology, Wexner Medical Center, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA
| | - Chelsea Mishan
- Department of Pathology, Wexner Medical Center, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA
| | - Chaitenya Verma
- Department of Pathology, Wexner Medical Center, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA
| | - Ryan H Huston
- Department of Pathology, Wexner Medical Center, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA
| | - Abigail R Wharton
- Department of Pathology, Wexner Medical Center, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA
| | - Ranadhir Dey
- Division of Emerging and Transfusion Transmitted Diseases, CBER, FDA, Silver Spring, MD, USA
| | - Subir Karmakar
- Division of Emerging and Transfusion Transmitted Diseases, CBER, FDA, Silver Spring, MD, USA
| | - Steve Oghumu
- Department of Pathology, Wexner Medical Center, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA
| | - Shinjiro Hamano
- Department of Parasitology, Institute of Tropical Medicine (NEKKEN), The Joint Usage/Research Center on Tropical Disease, Nagasaki University, Nagasaki University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences Doctoral Leadership Program, Nagasaki, Japan
| | - Sreenivas Gannavaram
- Division of Emerging and Transfusion Transmitted Diseases, CBER, FDA, Silver Spring, MD, USA
| | - Hira L Nakhasi
- Division of Emerging and Transfusion Transmitted Diseases, CBER, FDA, Silver Spring, MD, USA.
| | - Greg Matlashewski
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada.
| | - Abhay R Satoskar
- Department of Microbiology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA. .,Department of Pathology, Wexner Medical Center, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA.
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17
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Cohen A, Azas N. Challenges and Tools for In Vitro Leishmania Exploratory Screening in the Drug Development Process: An Updated Review. Pathogens 2021; 10:1608. [PMID: 34959563 PMCID: PMC8703296 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens10121608] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2021] [Revised: 12/03/2021] [Accepted: 12/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Leishmaniases are a group of vector-borne diseases caused by infection with the protozoan parasites Leishmania spp. Some of them, such as Mediterranean visceral leishmaniasis, are zoonotic diseases transmitted from vertebrate to vertebrate by a hematophagous insect, the sand fly. As there is an endemic in more than 90 countries worldwide, this complex and major health problem has different clinical forms depending on the parasite species involved, with the visceral form being the most worrying since it is fatal when left untreated. Nevertheless, currently available antileishmanial therapies are significantly limited (low efficacy, toxicity, adverse side effects, drug-resistance, length of treatment, and cost), so there is an urgent need to discover new compounds with antileishmanial activity, which are ideally inexpensive and orally administrable with few side effects and a novel mechanism of action. Therefore, various powerful approaches were recently applied in many interesting antileishmanial drug development programs. The objective of this review is to focus on the very first step in developing a potential drug and to identify the exploratory methods currently used to screen in vitro hit compounds and the challenges involved, particularly in terms of harmonizing the results of work carried out by different research teams. This review also aims to identify innovative screening tools and methods for more extensive use in the drug development process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anita Cohen
- IHU Méditerranée Infection, Aix Marseille University, IRD (Institut de Recherche pour le Développement), AP-HM (Assistance Publique—Hôpitaux de Marseille), SSA (Service de Santé des Armées), VITROME (Vecteurs—Infections Tropicales et Méditerranéennes), 13005 Marseille, France;
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18
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Espada CR, Quilles JC, Albuquerque-Wendt A, Cruz MC, Beneke T, Lorenzon LB, Gluenz E, Cruz AK, Uliana SRB. Effective Genome Editing in Leishmania ( Viannia) braziliensis Stably Expressing Cas9 and T7 RNA Polymerase. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2021; 11:772311. [PMID: 34858879 PMCID: PMC8631273 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2021.772311] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2021] [Accepted: 10/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Until 2015, loss-of-function studies to elucidate protein function in Leishmania relied on gene disruption through homologous recombination. Then, the CRISPR/Cas9 revolution reached these protozoan parasites allowing efficient genome editing with one round of transfection. In addition, the development of LeishGEdit, a PCR-based toolkit for generating knockouts and tagged lines using CRISPR/Cas9, allowed a more straightforward and effective genome editing. In this system, the plasmid pTB007 is delivered to Leishmania for episomal expression or integration in the β-tubulin locus and for the stable expression of T7 RNA polymerase and Cas9. In South America, and especially in Brazil, Leishmania (Viannia) braziliensis is the most frequent etiological agent of tegumentary leishmaniasis. The L. braziliensis β-tubulin locus presents significant sequence divergence in comparison with Leishmania major, which precludes the efficient integration of pTB007 and the stable expression of Cas9. To overcome this limitation, the L. major β-tubulin sequences, present in the pTB007, were replaced by a Leishmania (Viannia) β-tubulin conserved sequence generating the pTB007_Viannia plasmid. This modification allowed the successful integration of the pTB007_Viannia cassette in the L. braziliensis M2903 genome, and in silico predictions suggest that this can also be achieved in other Viannia species. The activity of Cas9 was evaluated by knocking out the flagellar protein PF16, which caused a phenotype of immobility in these transfectants. Endogenous PF16 was also successfully tagged with mNeonGreen, and an in-locus complementation strategy was employed to return a C-terminally tagged copy of the PF16 gene to the original locus, which resulted in the recovery of swimming capacity. The modified plasmid pTB007_Viannia allowed the integration and stable expression of both T7 RNA polymerase and Cas9 in L. braziliensis and provided an important tool for the study of the biology of this parasite.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caroline R Espada
- Departamento de Parasitologia, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.,Departamento de Biologia Celular e Molecular, Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo (FMRP-USP), Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
| | - José Carlos Quilles
- Departamento de Biologia Celular e Molecular, Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo (FMRP-USP), Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
| | - Andreia Albuquerque-Wendt
- Sir William Dunn School of Pathology, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom.,Wellcome Centre for Integrative Parasitology, Institute of Infection, Immunity & Inflammation, College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom.,Global Health and Tropical Medicine (GHTM), Instituto de Higiene e Medicina Tropical (IHTM), Universidade de Lisboa (UNL), Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Mario C Cruz
- Centro de Facilidades para Apoio à Pesquisa, Universidade de São Paulo (CEFAP-USP), São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Tom Beneke
- Sir William Dunn School of Pathology, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Lucas B Lorenzon
- Departamento de Biologia Celular e Molecular, Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo (FMRP-USP), Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
| | - Eva Gluenz
- Sir William Dunn School of Pathology, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom.,Wellcome Centre for Integrative Parasitology, Institute of Infection, Immunity & Inflammation, College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Angela K Cruz
- Departamento de Biologia Celular e Molecular, Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo (FMRP-USP), Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
| | - Silvia R B Uliana
- Departamento de Parasitologia, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
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Chantal I, Minet C, Berthier D. In vitro cultivation of Trypanosoma congolense bloodstream forms: State of the art and advances. Vet Parasitol 2021; 299:109567. [PMID: 34534912 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2021.109567] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2021] [Revised: 08/30/2021] [Accepted: 08/31/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Animal African Trypanosomosis (AAT or Nagana) is a severe vector-borne disease caused by protozoan parasites belonging to the Trypanosomatidae family and is usually cyclically transmitted by blood-sucking tsetse flies. AAT remains a major problem in sub-Saharan Africa. Among the main AAT causative agents, Trypanosoma congolense (T. congolense or Tc) is one of the most important trypanosome species, in terms of economic and animal health impacts, infecting cattle and a wide range of animal hosts as well. To advance in AAT prevention and control, it is essential to better understand trypanosome biology and pathogenesis using bloodstream form (BSF) in vitro culture. The in vitro cultivation of T. congolense IL3000 BSF strain is already well established and widely used in research studies and drug activity assays. However, it may probably no longer truly reflect the reality of field trypanosome strains, due to decades of use and subsequent modifications. Here, we propose a novel culture protocol that supports the long-term in vitro growth of the animal-infective BSFs of three Savannah and Forest types of T. congolense strains, including T. congolense clone IL1180, which is not only a field strain but also a commonly-used reference strain in experimental animal assays. We established a homemade culture medium which made it possible to sustain T. congolense IL1180 growth from infected mouse blood for 18 days in axenic conditions. Moreover, we developed an efficient freezing/thawing system that allowed, for the first time, T. congolense IL1180 BSF growth within 30 days after thawing. Our results on T. congolense adaptation to in vitro culture are encouraging for future gene studies using new molecular tools or for new therapeutic drug assays.
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Affiliation(s)
- I Chantal
- CIRAD, UMR INTERTRYP, F-34398, Montpellier, France; INTERTRYP, Univ Montpellier, CIRAD, IRD, Montpellier, France.
| | - C Minet
- CIRAD, UMR INTERTRYP, F-34398, Montpellier, France; INTERTRYP, Univ Montpellier, CIRAD, IRD, Montpellier, France
| | - D Berthier
- CIRAD, UMR INTERTRYP, F-34398, Montpellier, France; INTERTRYP, Univ Montpellier, CIRAD, IRD, Montpellier, France
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20
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Rawat A, Roy M, Jyoti A, Kaushik S, Verma K, Srivastava VK. Cysteine proteases: Battling pathogenic parasitic protozoans with omnipresent enzymes. Microbiol Res 2021; 249:126784. [PMID: 33989978 DOI: 10.1016/j.micres.2021.126784] [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] [Received: 02/20/2021] [Revised: 04/28/2021] [Accepted: 05/03/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Millions of people worldwide lie at the risk of parasitic protozoic infections that kill over a million people each year. The rising inefficacy of conventional therapeutics to combat these diseases, mainly due to the development of drug resistance to a handful of available licensed options contributes substantially to the rising burden of these ailments. Cysteine proteases are omnipresent enzymes that are critically implicated in the pathogenesis of protozoic infections. Despite their significance and druggability, cysteine proteases as therapeutic targets have not yet been translated into the clinic. The review presents the significance of cysteine proteases of members of the genera Plasmodium, Entamoeba, and Leishmania, known to cause Malaria, Amoebiasis, and Leishmaniasis, respectively, the protozoic diseases with the highest morbidity and mortality. Further, projecting them as targets for molecular tools like the CRISPR-Cas technology for favorable manipulation, exploration of obscure genomes, and achieving a better insight into protozoic functioning. Overcoming the hurdles that prevent us from gaining a better insight into the functioning of these enzymes in protozoic systems is a necessity. Managing the burden of parasitic protozoic infections pivotally depends upon the betterment of molecular tools and therapeutic concepts that will pave the path to an array of diagnostic and therapeutic applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aadish Rawat
- Amity Institute of Biotechnology, Amity University Rajasthan, Kant Kalwar, NH-11C, Jaipur-Delhi Highway, Jaipur, India
| | - Mrinalini Roy
- Amity Institute of Biotechnology, Amity University Rajasthan, Kant Kalwar, NH-11C, Jaipur-Delhi Highway, Jaipur, India
| | - Anupam Jyoti
- Amity Institute of Biotechnology, Amity University Rajasthan, Kant Kalwar, NH-11C, Jaipur-Delhi Highway, Jaipur, India
| | - Sanket Kaushik
- Amity Institute of Biotechnology, Amity University Rajasthan, Kant Kalwar, NH-11C, Jaipur-Delhi Highway, Jaipur, India
| | - Kuldeep Verma
- Institute of Science, Nirma University, Sarkhej-Gandhinagar Highway, Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India
| | - Vijay Kumar Srivastava
- Amity Institute of Biotechnology, Amity University Rajasthan, Kant Kalwar, NH-11C, Jaipur-Delhi Highway, Jaipur, India.
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21
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Kirti A, Sharma M, Rani K, Bansal A. CRISPRing protozoan parasites to better understand the biology of diseases. PROGRESS IN MOLECULAR BIOLOGY AND TRANSLATIONAL SCIENCE 2021; 180:21-68. [PMID: 33934837 DOI: 10.1016/bs.pmbts.2021.01.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Precise gene editing techniques are paramount to gain deeper insights into the biological processes such as host-parasite interactions, drug resistance mechanisms, and gene-function relationships. Discovery of CRISPR-Cas9 system has spearheaded mechanistic understanding of protozoan parasite biology as evident from the number of reports in the last decade. Here, we have described the use of CRISPR-Cas9 in understanding the biology of medically important protozoan parasites such as Plasmodium, Leishmania, Trypanosoma, Babesia and Trichomonas. In spite of intrinsic difficulties in genome editing in these protozoan parasites, CRISPR-Cas9 has acted as a catalyst for faster generation of desired transgenic parasites. Modifications in the CRISPR-Cas9 system for improving the efficiency have been useful in better understanding the molecular mechanisms associated with repair of double strand breaks in the parasites. Moreover, improvement in reagents used for CRISPR mediated gene editing have been instrumental in addressing the issue of non-specificity and toxicity for therapeutic use. These application-based modifications may help in further increasing the efficiency of gene editing in protozoan parasites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Apurva Kirti
- School of Life Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, India
| | - Manish Sharma
- School of Life Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, India
| | - Komal Rani
- School of Life Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, India
| | - Abhisheka Bansal
- School of Life Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, India.
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22
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Reverte M, Eren RO, Jha B, Desponds C, Snäkä T, Prevel F, Isorce N, Lye LF, Owens KL, Gazos Lopes U, Beverley SM, Fasel N. The antioxidant response favors Leishmania parasites survival, limits inflammation and reprograms the host cell metabolism. PLoS Pathog 2021; 17:e1009422. [PMID: 33765083 PMCID: PMC7993605 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1009422] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2020] [Accepted: 02/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The oxidative burst generated by the host immune system can restrict intracellular parasite entry and growth. While this burst leads to the induction of antioxidative enzymes, the molecular mechanisms and the consequences of this counter-response on the life of intracellular human parasites are largely unknown. The transcription factor NF-E2-related factor (NRF2) could be a key mediator of antioxidant signaling during infection due to the entry of parasites. Here, we showed that NRF2 was strongly upregulated in infection with the human Leishmania protozoan parasites, its activation was dependent on a NADPH oxidase 2 (NOX2) and SRC family of protein tyrosine kinases (SFKs) signaling pathway and it reprogrammed host cell metabolism. In inflammatory leishmaniasis caused by a viral endosymbiont inducing TNF-α in chronic leishmaniasis, NRF2 activation promoted parasite persistence but limited TNF-α production and tissue destruction. These data provided evidence of the dual role of NRF2 in protecting both the invading pathogen from reactive oxygen species and the host from an excess of the TNF-α destructive pro-inflammatory cytokine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta Reverte
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Lausanne, Epalinges, Switzerland
| | - Remzi Onur Eren
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Lausanne, Epalinges, Switzerland
| | - Baijayanti Jha
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Lausanne, Epalinges, Switzerland
| | - Chantal Desponds
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Lausanne, Epalinges, Switzerland
| | - Tiia Snäkä
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Lausanne, Epalinges, Switzerland
| | - Florence Prevel
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Lausanne, Epalinges, Switzerland
| | - Nathalie Isorce
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Lausanne, Epalinges, Switzerland
| | - Lon-Fye Lye
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, School of Medicine, Washington University, St. Louis, Missouri, United States of America
| | - Katherine L. Owens
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, School of Medicine, Washington University, St. Louis, Missouri, United States of America
| | - Ulisses Gazos Lopes
- Carlos Chagas Filho Biophysics Institute, Center of Health Science, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Stephen M. Beverley
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, School of Medicine, Washington University, St. Louis, Missouri, United States of America
| | - Nicolas Fasel
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Lausanne, Epalinges, Switzerland
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Lypaczewski P, Zhang WW, Matlashewski G. Evidence that a naturally occurring single nucleotide polymorphism in the RagC gene of Leishmania donovani contributes to reduced virulence. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2021; 15:e0009079. [PMID: 33621241 PMCID: PMC7901767 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0009079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2020] [Accepted: 12/16/2020] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Leishmaniasis is a widespread neglected tropical disease transmitted by infected sand flies resulting in either benign cutaneous infection or fatal visceral disease. Leishmania donovani is the principal species responsible for visceral leishmaniasis, yet an atypical L. donovani has become attenuated in several countries including Sri Lanka and causes cutaneous leishmaniasis. Previous studies have identified 91 genes altered in the atypical cutaneous L. donovani compared to typical visceral disease associated L. donovani including mutations in the RagC and Raptor genes that are part of the eukaryotic conserved TOR pathway and its upstream sensing pathway. In the present study, we investigate whether the RagC R231C mutation present in atypical cutaneous L. donovani introduced into the virulent L. donovani 1S2D chromosome by CRISPR gene editing could affect virulence for survival in visceral organs. Through bioinformatic analysis, we further investigated the presence of sensing pathway components upstream of TOR in L. donovani including RagC complexing proteins, RagA and Raptor. L. donovani 1S2D edited to express mutant RagC R231C were viable in promastigote but had reduced visceral parasitemia in infected BALB/c mice. The RagC R231C mutant retained the ability to interact with RagA and gene knockout experiments revealed that although the RagA gene was essential, the RagC gene was not essential under promastigote culture conditions but was essential for survival in the liver of experimentally infected mice. These results provide evidence that the TOR associated sensing pathway plays a prominent role in L. donovani visceral disease and the RagC R231C mutation contributed to the atypical pathology of cutaneous L. donovani in Sri Lanka.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrick Lypaczewski
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, McGill University, Montreal, Canada
| | - Wen-Wei Zhang
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, McGill University, Montreal, Canada
| | - Greg Matlashewski
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, McGill University, Montreal, Canada
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24
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Kangussu-Marcolino MM, Morgado P, Manna D, Yee H, Singh U. Development of a CRISPR/Cas9 system in Entamoeba histolytica: proof of concept. Int J Parasitol 2021; 51:193-200. [PMID: 33264648 PMCID: PMC7880892 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpara.2020.09.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2020] [Revised: 09/05/2020] [Accepted: 09/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
The protozoan parasite Entamoeba histolytica is an important human pathogen and a leading parasitic cause of death on a global scale. The lack of molecular tools for genome editing hinders the study of important biological functions of this parasite. Due to its versatility, the CRISPR (clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeat)-Cas9 system has been successfully used to induce site-specific genomic alterations, including in protozoan parasites. In this study, we optimised CRISPR-Cas9 for use as a genetic tool in E. histolytica. We chose a single plasmid approach containing both guide RNA (gRNA) and Cas9 nuclease expression cassettes. The amebic U6 promoter was used to drive the expression of the gRNA and its expression was confirmed by Northern blot analysis. Stable transfectant cell lines were obtained using a destabilising domain of dihydrofolate reductase fused to myc-tagged Cas9 (ddCas9). With this system, we were able to induce ddCas9 expression 16 h following treatment with the small molecule ligand trimethoprim (TMP). Stable cell lines expressing ddCas9 and Luc-gRNA or non-specific (NS)-gRNA were transiently transfected with a plasmid containing a mutated luciferase gene (pDeadLuc) targeted by Luc-gRNA and another plasmid with a truncated luciferase gene (pDonorLuc) to restore luciferase expression and consequent activity. We observed that luminescence signal increased for the cell line expressing Luc-gRNA, suggesting that homologous recombination was facilitated by Cas9 activity. This evidence is supported by the presence of chimeric DNA detected by PCR and confirmed by sequencing of the resulting repaired DNA obtained by homologous recombination. We believe this represents the first report of a CRISPR/Cas9 system use in Entamoeba and provides evidence that this genome editing approach can be useful for genetic studies in this early branching eukaryote.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monica Mendes Kangussu-Marcolino
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, Stanford University, Grant Building, S-143, 300 Pasteur Drive, Stanford, CA 94305, United States
| | - Pedro Morgado
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, Stanford University, Grant Building, S-143, 300 Pasteur Drive, Stanford, CA 94305, United States
| | - Dipak Manna
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, Stanford University, Grant Building, S-143, 300 Pasteur Drive, Stanford, CA 94305, United States
| | - Heather Yee
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, Stanford University, Grant Building, S-143, 300 Pasteur Drive, Stanford, CA 94305, United States
| | - Upinder Singh
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, Stanford University, Grant Building, S-143, 300 Pasteur Drive, Stanford, CA 94305, United States; Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, United States.
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25
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Testing the CRISPR-Cas9 and glmS ribozyme systems in Leishmania tarentolae. Mol Biochem Parasitol 2020; 241:111336. [PMID: 33166572 DOI: 10.1016/j.molbiopara.2020.111336] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2020] [Revised: 09/25/2020] [Accepted: 10/28/2020] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
Leishmania parasites include important pathogens and model organisms and are even used for the production of recombinant proteins. However, functional genomics and the characterization of essential genes are often limited in Leishmania because of low-throughput technologies for gene disruption or tagging and the absence of components for RNA interference. Here, we tested the T7 RNA polymerase-dependent CRISPR-Cas9 system by Beneke et al. and the glmS ribozyme-based knock-down system in the model parasite Leishmania tarentolae. We successfully deleted two reference genes encoding the flagellar motility factor Pf16 and the salvage-pathway enzyme adenine phosphoribosyltransferase, resulting in immotile and drug-resistant parasites, respectively. In contrast, we were unable to disrupt the gene encoding the mitochondrial flavoprotein Erv. Cultivation of L. tarentolae in standard BHI medium resulted in a constitutive down-regulation of an episomal mCherry-glmS reporter by 40 to 60%. For inducible knock-downs, we evaluated the growth of L. tarentolae in alternative media and identified supplemented MEM, IMDM and McCoy's 5A medium as candidates. Cultivation in supplemented MEM allowed an inducible, glucosamine concentration-dependent down-regulation of the episomal mCherry-glmS reporter by more than 70%. However, chromosomal glmS-tagging of the genes encoding Pf16, adenine phosphoribosyltransferase or Erv did not reveal a knock-down phenotype. Our data demonstrate the suitability of the CRISPR-Cas9 system for the disruption and tagging of genes in L. tarentolae as well as the limitations of the glmS system, which was restricted to moderate efficiencies for episomal knock-downs and caused no detectable phenotype for chromosomal knock-downs.
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26
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Application of CRISPR/Cas9-Based Reverse Genetics in Leishmania braziliensis: Conserved Roles for HSP100 and HSP23. Genes (Basel) 2020; 11:genes11101159. [PMID: 33007987 PMCID: PMC7601497 DOI: 10.3390/genes11101159] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2020] [Revised: 09/23/2020] [Accepted: 09/25/2020] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
The protozoan parasite Leishmania (Viannia) braziliensis (L. braziliensis) is the main cause of human tegumentary leishmaniasis in the New World, a disease affecting the skin and/or mucosal tissues. Despite its importance, the study of the unique biology of L. braziliensis through reverse genetics analyses has so far lagged behind in comparison with Old World Leishmania spp. In this study, we successfully applied a cloning-free, PCR-based CRISPR–Cas9 technology in L. braziliensis that was previously developed for Old World Leishmania major and New World L. mexicana species. As proof of principle, we demonstrate the targeted replacement of a transgene (eGFP) and two L. braziliensis single-copy genes (HSP23 and HSP100). We obtained homozygous Cas9-free HSP23- and HSP100-null mutants in L. braziliensis that matched the phenotypes reported previously for the respective L. donovani null mutants. The function of HSP23 is indeed conserved throughout the Trypanosomatida as L. majorHSP23 null mutants could be complemented phenotypically with transgenes from a range of trypanosomatids. In summary, the feasibility of genetic manipulation of L. braziliensis by CRISPR–Cas9-mediated gene editing sets the stage for testing the role of specific genes in that parasite’s biology, including functional studies of virulence factors in relevant animal models to reveal novel therapeutic targets to combat American tegumentary leishmaniasis.
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Damasceno JD, Marques CA, Black J, Briggs E, McCulloch R. Read, Write, Adapt: Challenges and Opportunities during Kinetoplastid Genome Replication. Trends Genet 2020; 37:21-34. [PMID: 32993968 PMCID: PMC9213392 DOI: 10.1016/j.tig.2020.09.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2020] [Revised: 08/31/2020] [Accepted: 09/01/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
The genomes of all organisms are read throughout their growth and development, generating new copies during cell division and encoding the cellular activities dictated by the genome’s content. However, genomes are not invariant information stores but are purposefully altered in minor and major ways, adapting cellular behaviour and driving evolution. Kinetoplastids are eukaryotic microbes that display a wide range of such read–write genome activities, in many cases affecting critical aspects of their biology, such as host adaptation. Here we discuss the range of read–write genome changes found in two well-studied kinetoplastid parasites, Trypanosoma brucei and Leishmania, focusing on recent work that suggests such adaptive genome variation is linked to novel strategies the parasites use to replicate their unconventional genomes. Polycistronic transcription dominates and shapes kinetoplastid genomes, inevitably leading to clashes with DNA replication. By harnessing the resultant DNA damage for adaptation, kinetoplastids have huge potential for dynamic read–write genome variation. Major origins of DNA replication are confined to the boundaries of polycistronic transcription units in the Trypanosoma brucei and Leishmania genomes, putatively limiting DNA damage. Subtelomeres may lack this arrangement, generating read–write hotspots. In T. brucei, early replication of the highly transcribed subtelomeric variant surface glycoprotein (VSG) expression site may ensure replication-transcription clashes within this site to trigger DNA recombination, an event critical for antigenic variation. Leishmania genomes show extensive aneuploidy and copy number variation. Notably, DNA replication requires recombination factors and relies on post-S phase replication of subtelomeres. Evolution of compartmentalised DNA replication programmes underpin important aspects of genome biology in kinetoplastids, illustrating the consolidation of genome maintenance strategies to promote genome plasticity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeziel D Damasceno
- The Wellcome Centre for Integrative Parasitology, University of Glasgow, Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, Sir Graeme Davies Building, 120 University Place, Glasgow, G12 8TA, UK.
| | - Catarina A Marques
- The Wellcome Centre for Integrative Parasitology, University of Glasgow, Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, Sir Graeme Davies Building, 120 University Place, Glasgow, G12 8TA, UK
| | - Jennifer Black
- The Wellcome Centre for Integrative Parasitology, University of Glasgow, Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, Sir Graeme Davies Building, 120 University Place, Glasgow, G12 8TA, UK
| | - Emma Briggs
- The Wellcome Centre for Integrative Parasitology, University of Glasgow, Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, Sir Graeme Davies Building, 120 University Place, Glasgow, G12 8TA, UK; Institute for Immunology and Infection Research, School of Biological Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH9 3FL, UK
| | - Richard McCulloch
- The Wellcome Centre for Integrative Parasitology, University of Glasgow, Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, Sir Graeme Davies Building, 120 University Place, Glasgow, G12 8TA, UK.
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Yagoubat A, Corrales RM, Bastien P, Lévêque MF, Sterkers Y. Gene Editing in Trypanosomatids: Tips and Tricks in the CRISPR-Cas9 Era. Trends Parasitol 2020; 36:745-760. [DOI: 10.1016/j.pt.2020.06.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2020] [Revised: 06/19/2020] [Accepted: 06/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
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29
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Jesus-Santos FH, Lobo-Silva J, Ramos PIP, Descoteaux A, Lima JB, Borges VM, Farias LP. LPG2 Gene Duplication in Leishmania infantum: A Case for CRISPR-Cas9 Gene Editing. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2020; 10:408. [PMID: 32903718 PMCID: PMC7438834 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2020.00408] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2019] [Accepted: 07/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
On the surface of the Leishmania promastigote, phosphoglycans (PG) such as lipophosphoglycan (LPG), proteophosphoglycan (PPG), free phosphoglycan polymers (PGs), and acid phosphatases (sAP), are dominant and contribute to the invasion and survival of Leishmania within the host cell by modulating macrophage signaling and intracellular trafficking. Phosphoglycan synthesis depends on the Golgi GDP-mannose transporter encoded by the LPG2 gene. Aiming to investigate the role of PG-containing molecules in Leishmania infantum infection process, herein we describe the generation and characterization of L. infantum LPG2-deficient parasites. This gene was unexpectedly identified as duplicated in the L. infantum genome, which impaired gene targeting using the conventional homologous recombination approach. This limitation was circumvented by the use of CRISPR/Cas9 technology. Knockout parasites were selected by agglutination assays using CA7AE antibodies followed by a lectin (RCA 120). Five clones were isolated and molecularly characterized, all revealing the expected edited genome, as well as the complete absence of LPG and PG-containing molecule expression. Finally, the deletion of LPG2 was found to impair the outcome of infection in human neutrophils, as demonstrated by a pronounced reduction (~83%) in intracellular load compared to wild-type parasite infection. The results obtained herein reinforce the importance of LPG and other PGs as virulence factors in host-parasite interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Flávio Henrique Jesus-Santos
- Laboratory of Inflammation and Biomarkers, Instituto Gonçalo Moniz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (FIOCRUZ), Salvador, Brazil.,Faculdade de Medicina da Bahia, Federal University of Bahia (UFBA), Salvador, Brazil
| | - Jéssica Lobo-Silva
- Laboratory of Inflammation and Biomarkers, Instituto Gonçalo Moniz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (FIOCRUZ), Salvador, Brazil
| | - Pablo Ivan Pereira Ramos
- Center for Data and Knowledge Integration for Health (CIDACS), Instituto Gonçalo Moniz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Salvador, Brazil
| | - Albert Descoteaux
- Institut National de la Recherche Scientifique-Centre Armand-Frappier Santé Biotechnologie, Laval, QC, Canada
| | - Jonilson Berlink Lima
- Center of Biological Sciences and Health, Federal University of Western of Bahia (UFOB), Barreiras, Brazil
| | - Valéria Matos Borges
- Laboratory of Inflammation and Biomarkers, Instituto Gonçalo Moniz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (FIOCRUZ), Salvador, Brazil.,Faculdade de Medicina da Bahia, Federal University of Bahia (UFBA), Salvador, Brazil
| | - Leonardo Paiva Farias
- Laboratory of Inflammation and Biomarkers, Instituto Gonçalo Moniz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (FIOCRUZ), Salvador, Brazil.,Faculdade de Medicina da Bahia, Federal University of Bahia (UFBA), Salvador, Brazil
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30
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Zhang WW, Karmakar S, Gannavaram S, Dey R, Lypaczewski P, Ismail N, Siddiqui A, Simonyan V, Oliveira F, Coutinho-Abreu IV, DeSouza-Vieira T, Meneses C, Oristian J, Serafim TD, Musa A, Nakamura R, Saljoughian N, Volpedo G, Satoskar M, Satoskar S, Dagur PK, McCoy JP, Kamhawi S, Valenzuela JG, Hamano S, Satoskar AR, Matlashewski G, Nakhasi HL. A second generation leishmanization vaccine with a markerless attenuated Leishmania major strain using CRISPR gene editing. Nat Commun 2020; 11:3461. [PMID: 32651371 PMCID: PMC7351751 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-17154-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2019] [Accepted: 06/13/2020] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Leishmaniasis is a neglected tropical disease caused by Leishmania protozoa transmitted by infected sand flies. Vaccination through leishmanization with live Leishmania major has been used successfully but is no longer practiced because it resulted in occasional skin lesions. A second generation leishmanization is described here using a CRISPR genome edited L. major strain (LmCen-/-). Notably, LmCen-/- is a genetically engineered centrin gene knock-out mutant strain that is antibiotic resistant marker free and does not have detectable off-target mutations. Mice immunized with LmCen-/- have no visible lesions following challenge with L. major-infected sand flies, while non-immunized animals develop large and progressive lesions with a 2-log fold higher parasite burden. LmCen-/- immunization results in protection and an immune response comparable to leishmanization. LmCen-/- is safe since it is unable to cause disease in immunocompromised mice, induces robust host protection against vector sand fly challenge and because it is marker free, can be advanced to human vaccine trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wen-Wei Zhang
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, McGill University, Montreal, QC, H3A 2B4, Canada
| | - Subir Karmakar
- Division of Emerging and Transfusion Transmitted Diseases, CBER, FDA, Silver Spring, MD, 20993, USA
| | - Sreenivas Gannavaram
- Division of Emerging and Transfusion Transmitted Diseases, CBER, FDA, Silver Spring, MD, 20993, USA
| | - Ranadhir Dey
- Division of Emerging and Transfusion Transmitted Diseases, CBER, FDA, Silver Spring, MD, 20993, USA
| | - Patrick Lypaczewski
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, McGill University, Montreal, QC, H3A 2B4, Canada
| | - Nevien Ismail
- Division of Emerging and Transfusion Transmitted Diseases, CBER, FDA, Silver Spring, MD, 20993, USA
| | - Abid Siddiqui
- Division of Emerging and Transfusion Transmitted Diseases, CBER, FDA, Silver Spring, MD, 20993, USA
| | - Vahan Simonyan
- Division of Emerging and Transfusion Transmitted Diseases, CBER, FDA, Silver Spring, MD, 20993, USA
| | - Fabiano Oliveira
- Vector Molecular Biology Section, Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, MD, 20852, USA
| | - Iliano V Coutinho-Abreu
- Vector Molecular Biology Section, Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, MD, 20852, USA
| | - Thiago DeSouza-Vieira
- Vector Molecular Biology Section, Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, MD, 20852, USA
| | - Claudio Meneses
- Vector Molecular Biology Section, Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, MD, 20852, USA
| | - James Oristian
- Vector Molecular Biology Section, Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, MD, 20852, USA
| | - Tiago D Serafim
- Vector Molecular Biology Section, Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, MD, 20852, USA
| | - Abu Musa
- Department of Parasitology, Institute of Tropical Medicine (NEKKEN), The Joint Usage/Research Center on Tropical Disease, Nagasaki University, Nagasaki, Japan and Nagasaki University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences Doctoral Leadership Program, Nagasaki, Japan
| | - Risa Nakamura
- Department of Parasitology, Institute of Tropical Medicine (NEKKEN), The Joint Usage/Research Center on Tropical Disease, Nagasaki University, Nagasaki, Japan and Nagasaki University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences Doctoral Leadership Program, Nagasaki, Japan
| | - Noushin Saljoughian
- Department of Pathology and Microbiology, Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA
| | - Greta Volpedo
- Department of Pathology and Microbiology, Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA
| | - Monika Satoskar
- Division of Emerging and Transfusion Transmitted Diseases, CBER, FDA, Silver Spring, MD, 20993, USA
- Northeast Ohio Medical University, Rootstown, Ohio, 44272, USA
| | - Sanika Satoskar
- Division of Emerging and Transfusion Transmitted Diseases, CBER, FDA, Silver Spring, MD, 20993, USA
- Northeast Ohio Medical University, Rootstown, Ohio, 44272, USA
| | - Pradeep K Dagur
- National Institute of Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, NIH, Bethesda, MD, 20852, USA
| | - J Philip McCoy
- National Institute of Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, NIH, Bethesda, MD, 20852, USA
| | - Shaden Kamhawi
- Vector Molecular Biology Section, Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, MD, 20852, USA
| | - Jesus G Valenzuela
- Vector Molecular Biology Section, Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, MD, 20852, USA
| | - Shinjiro Hamano
- Department of Parasitology, Institute of Tropical Medicine (NEKKEN), The Joint Usage/Research Center on Tropical Disease, Nagasaki University, Nagasaki, Japan and Nagasaki University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences Doctoral Leadership Program, Nagasaki, Japan
| | - Abhay R Satoskar
- Department of Pathology and Microbiology, Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA.
| | - Greg Matlashewski
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, McGill University, Montreal, QC, H3A 2B4, Canada.
| | - Hira L Nakhasi
- Division of Emerging and Transfusion Transmitted Diseases, CBER, FDA, Silver Spring, MD, 20993, USA.
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31
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Damasceno JD, Reis-Cunha J, Crouch K, Beraldi D, Lapsley C, Tosi LRO, Bartholomeu D, McCulloch R. Conditional knockout of RAD51-related genes in Leishmania major reveals a critical role for homologous recombination during genome replication. PLoS Genet 2020; 16:e1008828. [PMID: 32609721 PMCID: PMC7360064 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1008828] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2019] [Revised: 07/14/2020] [Accepted: 05/05/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Homologous recombination (HR) has an intimate relationship with genome replication, both during repair of DNA lesions that might prevent DNA synthesis and in tackling stalls to the replication fork. Recent studies led us to ask if HR might have a more central role in replicating the genome of Leishmania, a eukaryotic parasite. Conflicting evidence has emerged regarding whether or not HR genes are essential, and genome-wide mapping has provided evidence for an unorthodox organisation of DNA replication initiation sites, termed origins. To answer this question, we have employed a combined CRISPR/Cas9 and DiCre approach to rapidly generate and assess the effect of conditional ablation of RAD51 and three RAD51-related proteins in Leishmania major. Using this approach, we demonstrate that loss of any of these HR factors is not immediately lethal but in each case growth slows with time and leads to DNA damage and accumulation of cells with aberrant DNA content. Despite these similarities, we show that only loss of RAD51 or RAD51-3 impairs DNA synthesis and causes elevated levels of genome-wide mutation. Furthermore, we show that these two HR factors act in distinct ways, since ablation of RAD51, but not RAD51-3, has a profound effect on DNA replication, causing loss of initiation at the major origins and increased DNA synthesis at subtelomeres. Our work clarifies questions regarding the importance of HR to survival of Leishmania and reveals an unanticipated, central role for RAD51 in the programme of genome replication in a microbial eukaryote.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeziel D. Damasceno
- The Wellcome Centre for Integrative Parasitology, University of Glasgow, Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, Sir Graeme Davies Building, 120 University Place, Glasgow, United Kingdom
- * E-mail: (JDD); (RM)
| | - João Reis-Cunha
- Laboratório de Imunologia e Genômica de Parasitos, Departamento de Parasitologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brasil
| | - Kathryn Crouch
- The Wellcome Centre for Integrative Parasitology, University of Glasgow, Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, Sir Graeme Davies Building, 120 University Place, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Dario Beraldi
- The Wellcome Centre for Integrative Parasitology, University of Glasgow, Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, Sir Graeme Davies Building, 120 University Place, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Craig Lapsley
- The Wellcome Centre for Integrative Parasitology, University of Glasgow, Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, Sir Graeme Davies Building, 120 University Place, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Luiz R. O. Tosi
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo; Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - Daniella Bartholomeu
- Laboratório de Imunologia e Genômica de Parasitos, Departamento de Parasitologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brasil
| | - Richard McCulloch
- The Wellcome Centre for Integrative Parasitology, University of Glasgow, Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, Sir Graeme Davies Building, 120 University Place, Glasgow, United Kingdom
- * E-mail: (JDD); (RM)
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Abstract
Parasitic diseases, such as sleeping sickness, Chagas disease and malaria, remain a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, but particularly in tropical, developing countries. Controlling these diseases requires a better understanding of host-parasite interactions, including a deep appreciation of parasite distribution in the host. The preferred accumulation of parasites in some tissues of the host has been known for many years, but recent technical advances have allowed a more systematic analysis and quantifications of such tissue tropisms. The functional consequences of tissue tropism remain poorly studied, although it has been associated with important aspects of disease, including transmission enhancement, treatment failure, relapse and clinical outcome. Here, we discuss current knowledge of tissue tropism in Trypanosoma infections in mammals, describe potential mechanisms of tissue entry, comparatively discuss relevant findings from other parasitology fields where tissue tropism has been extensively investigated, and reflect on new questions raised by recent discoveries and their potential impact on clinical treatment and disease control strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Silva Pereira
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular-João Lobo Antunes, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa , Lisbon , Portugal
| | - Sandra Trindade
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular-João Lobo Antunes, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa , Lisbon , Portugal
| | - Mariana De Niz
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular-João Lobo Antunes, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa , Lisbon , Portugal
| | - Luisa M Figueiredo
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular-João Lobo Antunes, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa , Lisbon , Portugal
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33
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Romagnoli BAA, Holetz FB, Alves LR, Goldenberg S. RNA Binding Proteins and Gene Expression Regulation in Trypanosoma cruzi. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2020; 10:56. [PMID: 32154189 PMCID: PMC7045066 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2020.00056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2019] [Accepted: 02/03/2020] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
The regulation of gene expression in trypanosomatids occurs mainly at the post-transcriptional level. In the case of Trypanosoma cruzi, the characterization of messenger ribonucleoprotein (mRNP) particles has allowed the identification of several classes of RNA binding proteins (RBPs), as well as non-canonical RBPs, associated with mRNA molecules. The protein composition of the mRNPs as well as the localization and functionality of the mRNAs depend on their associated proteins. mRNPs can also be organized into larger complexes forming RNA granules, which function as stress granules or P-bodies depending on the associated proteins. The fate of mRNAs in the cell, and consequently the genes expressed, depends on the set of proteins associated with the messenger molecule. These proteins allow the coordinated expression of mRNAs encoding proteins that are related in function, resulting in the formation of post-transcriptional operons. However, the puzzle posed by the combinatorial association of sets of RBPs with mRNAs and how this relates to the expressed genes remain to be elucidated. One important tool in this endeavor is the use of the CRISPR/CAS system to delete genes encoding RBPs, allowing the evaluation of their effect on the formation of mRNP complexes and associated mRNAs in the different compartments of the translation machinery. Accordingly, we recently established this methodology for T. cruzi and deleted the genes encoding RBPs containing zinc finger domains. In this manuscript, we will discuss the data obtained and the potential of the CRISPR/CAS methodology to unveil the role of RBPs in T. cruzi gene expression regulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bruno A A Romagnoli
- Gene Expression Regulation Laboratory, Institute Carlos Chagas, Curitiba, Brazil
| | - Fabiola B Holetz
- Gene Expression Regulation Laboratory, Institute Carlos Chagas, Curitiba, Brazil
| | - Lysangela R Alves
- Gene Expression Regulation Laboratory, Institute Carlos Chagas, Curitiba, Brazil
| | - Samuel Goldenberg
- Gene Expression Regulation Laboratory, Institute Carlos Chagas, Curitiba, Brazil
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34
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Yagoubat A, Crobu L, Berry L, Kuk N, Lefebvre M, Sarrazin A, Bastien P, Sterkers Y. Universal highly efficient conditional knockout system in
Leishmania
, with a focus on untranscribed region preservation. Cell Microbiol 2020; 22:e13159. [DOI: 10.1111/cmi.13159] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2019] [Revised: 12/24/2019] [Accepted: 12/27/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Akila Yagoubat
- MiVEGECUniversity of Montpellier, CNRS, IRD, CHU Montpellier France
| | - Lucien Crobu
- MiVEGECUniversity of Montpellier, CNRS, IRD, CHU Montpellier France
| | - Laurence Berry
- Laboratory of Pathogen Host Interactions, Microscopie Electronique et Analytique, CNRSUniversity of Montpellier Montpellier France
| | - Nada Kuk
- MiVEGECUniversity of Montpellier, CNRS, IRD, CHU Montpellier France
| | - Michèle Lefebvre
- MiVEGECUniversity of Montpellier, CNRS, IRD, CHU Montpellier France
| | - Amélie Sarrazin
- Montpellier RIO Imaging Facility, Montpellier BIOCAMPUSUniversity of Montpellier, Arnaud de Villeneuve Campus Imaging Facility‐Institut de Génétique Humaine‐CNRS Montpellier France
| | - Patrick Bastien
- MiVEGECUniversity of Montpellier, CNRS, IRD, CHU Montpellier France
| | - Yvon Sterkers
- MiVEGECUniversity of Montpellier, CNRS, IRD, CHU Montpellier France
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35
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Zhang WW, Lypaczewski P, Matlashewski G. Application of CRISPR/Cas9-Mediated Genome Editing in Leishmania. Methods Mol Biol 2020; 2116:199-224. [PMID: 32221923 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-0294-2_14] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
CRISPR-Cas9 is an RNA guided endonuclease derived from the bacterium Streptococcus pyogenes. Due to its simplicity, versatility, and high efficiency, it has been widely used for genome editing in a variety of organisms including the protozoan parasite Leishmania, the causative agent of human leishmaniasis. Compared to the traditional homologous recombination gene targeting method, CRISPR-Cas9 has been shown to be a more efficient method to delete or disrupt Leishmania genes, generate point mutations, and add tags to endogenous genes. Notably, the stable CRISPR expression systems were shown to delete multicopy family Leishmania genes and genes present in multiploid chromosomes, identify essential Leishmania genes, and create specific chromosome translocations. In this chapter, we describe detailed procedures on using the stable CRISPR expression system for genome editing in Leishmania. These procedures include CRISPR targeting site selection, gRNA design, cloning single and double gRNA coding sequences into the Leishmania CRISPR vector pLdCN, oligonucleotide donor and drug resistance selection donor design, Leishmania cell transfection, screening, and isolation of CRISPR-edited mutants. As the principles of gene editing are generally similar, many of these procedures could also apply to the transient Leishmania CRISPR systems described by other labs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wen-Wei Zhang
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Patrick Lypaczewski
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Greg Matlashewski
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada.
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36
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CRISPR-Cas9 system: A new-fangled dawn in gene editing. Life Sci 2019; 232:116636. [DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2019.116636] [Citation(s) in RCA: 86] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2019] [Revised: 06/30/2019] [Accepted: 07/05/2019] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
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37
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Single-Strand Annealing Plays a Major Role in Double-Strand DNA Break Repair following CRISPR-Cas9 Cleavage in Leishmania. mSphere 2019; 4:4/4/e00408-19. [PMID: 31434745 PMCID: PMC6706467 DOI: 10.1128/msphere.00408-19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
CRISPR-Cas9 genome editing relies on an efficient double-strand DNA break (DSB) and repair. Contrary to mammalian cells, the protozoan parasite Leishmania lacks the most efficient nonhomologous end-joining pathway and uses microhomology-mediated end joining (MMEJ) and, occasionally, homology-directed repair to repair DSBs. Here, we reveal that Leishmania predominantly uses single-strand annealing (SSA) (>90%) instead of MMEJ (<10%) for DSB repair (DSBR) following CRISPR targeting of the miltefosine transporter gene, resulting in 9-, 18-, 20-, and 29-kb sequence deletions and multiple gene codeletions. Strikingly, when targeting the Leishmania donovani LdBPK_241510 gene, SSA even occurred by using direct repeats 77 kb apart, resulting in the codeletion of 15 Leishmania genes, though with a reduced frequency. These data strongly indicate that DSBR is not efficient in Leishmania, which explains why more than half of DSBs led to cell death and why the CRISPR gene-targeting efficiency is low compared with that in other organisms. Since direct repeat sequences are widely distributed in the Leishmania genome, we predict that many DSBs created by CRISPR are repaired by SSA. It is also revealed that DNA polymerase theta is involved in both MMEJ and SSA in Leishmania Collectively, this study establishes that DSBR mechanisms and their competence in an organism play an important role in determining the outcome and efficacy of CRISPR gene targeting. These observations emphasize the use of donor DNA templates to improve gene editing specificity and efficiency in Leishmania In addition, we developed a novel Staphylococcus aureus Cas9 constitutive expression vector (pLdSaCN) for gene targeting in Leishmania IMPORTANCE Due to differences in double-strand DNA break (DSB) repair mechanisms, CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing efficiency can vary greatly in different organisms. In contrast to mammalian cells, the protozoan parasite Leishmania uses microhomology-mediated end joining (MMEJ) and, occasionally, homology-directed repair (HDR) to repair DSBs but lacks the nonhomologous end-joining pathway. Here, we show that Leishmania predominantly uses single-strand annealing (SSA) instead of MMEJ for DSB repairs (DSBR), resulting in large deletions that can include multiple genes. This strongly indicates that the overall DSBR in Leishmania is inefficient and therefore can influence the outcome of CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing, highlighting the importance of using a donor DNA to improve gene editing fidelity and efficiency in Leishmania.
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38
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Nenarokova A, Záhonová K, Krasilnikova M, Gahura O, McCulloch R, Zíková A, Yurchenko V, Lukeš J. Causes and Effects of Loss of Classical Nonhomologous End Joining Pathway in Parasitic Eukaryotes. mBio 2019; 10:e01541-19. [PMID: 31311886 PMCID: PMC6635534 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.01541-19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2019] [Accepted: 06/18/2019] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
We report frequent losses of components of the classical nonhomologous end joining pathway (C-NHEJ), one of the main eukaryotic tools for end joining repair of DNA double-strand breaks, in several lineages of parasitic protists. Moreover, we have identified a single lineage among trypanosomatid flagellates that has lost Ku70 and Ku80, the core C-NHEJ components, and accumulated numerous insertions in many protein-coding genes. We propose a correlation between these two phenomena and discuss the possible impact of the C-NHEJ loss on genome evolution and transition to the parasitic lifestyle.IMPORTANCE Parasites tend to evolve small and compact genomes, generally endowed with a high mutation rate, compared with those of their free-living relatives. However, the mechanisms by which they achieve these features, independently in unrelated lineages, remain largely unknown. We argue that the loss of the classical nonhomologous end joining pathway components may be one of the crucial steps responsible for characteristic features of parasite genomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Nenarokova
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre, Czech Academy of Sciences, České Budějovice, Czech Republic
- Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, České Budějovice, Czech Republic
| | - Kristína Záhonová
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre, Czech Academy of Sciences, České Budějovice, Czech Republic
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, BIOCEV, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Marija Krasilnikova
- Wellcome Centre for Molecular Parasitology, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, Scotland
| | - Ondřej Gahura
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre, Czech Academy of Sciences, České Budějovice, Czech Republic
| | - Richard McCulloch
- Wellcome Centre for Molecular Parasitology, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, Scotland
| | - Alena Zíková
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre, Czech Academy of Sciences, České Budějovice, Czech Republic
- Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, České Budějovice, Czech Republic
| | - Vyacheslav Yurchenko
- Martsinovsky Institute of Medical Parasitology, Sechenov University, Moscow, Russia
- Life Science Research Centre and Institute of Environmental Technologies, Faculty of Science, University of Ostrava, Ostrava, Czech Republic
| | - Julius Lukeš
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre, Czech Academy of Sciences, České Budějovice, Czech Republic
- Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, České Budějovice, Czech Republic
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39
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Lander N, Chiurillo MA. State-of-the-art CRISPR/Cas9 Technology for Genome Editing in Trypanosomatids. J Eukaryot Microbiol 2019; 66:981-991. [PMID: 31211904 DOI: 10.1111/jeu.12747] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2019] [Revised: 06/12/2019] [Accepted: 06/12/2019] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
CRISPR/Cas9 technology has revolutionized biology. This prokaryotic defense system against foreign DNA has been repurposed for genome editing in a broad range of cell tissues and organisms. Trypanosomatids are flagellated protozoa belonging to the order Kinetoplastida. Some of its most representative members cause important human diseases affecting millions of people worldwide, such as Chagas disease, sleeping sickness and different forms of leishmaniases. Trypanosomatid infections represent an enormous burden for public health and there are no effective treatments for most of the diseases they cause. Since the emergence of the CRISPR/Cas9 technology, the genetic manipulation of these parasites has notably improved. As a consequence, genome editing is now playing a key role in the functional study of proteins, in the characterization of metabolic pathways, in the validation of alternative targets for antiparasitic interventions, and in the study of parasite biology and pathogenesis. In this work we review the different strategies that have been used to adapt the CRISPR/Cas9 system to Trypanosoma cruzi, Trypanosoma brucei, and Leishmania spp., as well as the research progress achieved using these approaches. Thereby, we will present the state-of-the-art molecular tools available for genome editing in trypanosomatids to finally point out the future perspectives in the field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noelia Lander
- Center for Tropical and Emerging Global Diseases and Department of Cellular Biology, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, 30602
| | - Miguel A Chiurillo
- Center for Tropical and Emerging Global Diseases and Department of Cellular Biology, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, 30602
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Bryant JM, Baumgarten S, Glover L, Hutchinson S, Rachidi N. CRISPR in Parasitology: Not Exactly Cut and Dried! Trends Parasitol 2019; 35:409-422. [DOI: 10.1016/j.pt.2019.03.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2019] [Revised: 03/13/2019] [Accepted: 03/14/2019] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
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Liu Q, Lei J, Kadowaki T. Gene Disruption of Honey Bee Trypanosomatid Parasite, Lotmaria passim, by CRISPR/Cas9 System. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2019; 9:126. [PMID: 31080782 PMCID: PMC6497781 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2019.00126] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2018] [Accepted: 04/10/2019] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Two trypanosomatid species, Lotmaria passim and Crithidia mellificae, have been shown to parasitize honey bees to date. L. passim appears to be more prevalent than C. mellificae and specifically infects the honey bee hindgut. Although the genomic DNA has been sequenced, the effects of infection on honey bee health and colony are poorly understood. To identify the genes that are important for infecting honey bees and to understand their functions, we applied the CRISPR/Cas9 system to establish a method to manipulate L. passim genes. By electroporation of plasmid DNA and subsequent selection by drug, we first established an L. passim clone expressing tdTomato or Cas9. We also successfully disrupted the endogenous miltefosine transporter and tyrosine aminotransferase genes by replacement with drug (hygromycin) resistant gene using the CRISPR/Cas9-induced homology-directed repair pathway. The L. passim clone expressing fluorescent marker, as well as the simple method for editing specific genes, could become useful approaches to understand the underlying mechanisms of honey bee-trypanosomatid parasite interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Tatsuhiko Kadowaki
- Department of Biological Sciences, Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University, Suzhou, China
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Abstract
Postgenomic analyses of Leishmania biology benefit from rapid and precise methods for gene manipulation. Traditional methods of gene knockout or tagging by homologous recombination have limitations: they tend to be slow and require successive transfection and selection rounds to knock out multiple alleles of a gene. Clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)/Cas9 systems overcome these limitations. We describe here in detail a simple, rapid, and scalable method for CRISPR-Cas9-mediated gene knockout and tagging in Leishmania. This method details how to use simple PCR to generate (1) templates for single guide RNA (sgRNA) transcription in cells expressing Cas9 and T7 RNA polymerase and (2) drug-selectable editing cassettes, using a modular set of plasmids as templates. pT plasmids allow for amplification of drug resistance genes for knockouts and pPLOT plasmids provide a choice of different tags to generate N- or C-terminally tagged proteins. We describe how to use an online platform ( LeishGEdit.net ) for automated primer design and how to perform PCRs and transfections in small batches or on 96-well plates for large-scale knockout or tagging screens. This method allows generation of knockout mutants or tagged cell lines within 1 week.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tom Beneke
- Sir William Dunn School of Pathology, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Eva Gluenz
- Sir William Dunn School of Pathology, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.
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A complete Leishmania donovani reference genome identifies novel genetic variations associated with virulence. Sci Rep 2018; 8:16549. [PMID: 30409989 PMCID: PMC6224596 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-34812-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2018] [Accepted: 10/19/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Leishmania donovani is responsible for visceral leishmaniasis, a neglected and lethal parasitic disease with limited treatment options and no vaccine. The study of L. donovani has been hindered by the lack of a high-quality reference genome and this can impact experimental outcomes including the identification of virulence genes, drug targets and vaccine development. We therefore generated a complete genome assembly by deep sequencing using a combination of second generation (Illumina) and third generation (PacBio) sequencing technologies. Compared to the current L. donovani assembly, the genome assembly reported within resulted in the closure over 2,000 gaps, the extension of several chromosomes up to telomeric repeats and the re-annotation of close to 15% of protein coding genes and the annotation of hundreds of non-coding RNA genes. It was possible to correctly assemble the highly repetitive A2 and Amastin virulence gene clusters. A comparative sequence analysis using the improved reference genome confirmed 70 published and identified 15 novel genomic differences between closely related visceral and atypical cutaneous disease-causing L. donovani strains providing a more complete map of genes associated with virulence and visceral organ tropism. Bioinformatic tools including protein variation effect analyzer and basic local alignment search tool were used to prioritize a list of potential virulence genes based on mutation severity, gene conservation and function. This complete genome assembly and novel information on virulence factors will support the identification of new drug targets and the development of a vaccine for L. donovani.
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Minet C, Thévenon S, Chantal I, Solano P, Berthier D. Mini-review on CRISPR-Cas9 and its potential applications to help controlling neglected tropical diseases caused by Trypanosomatidae. INFECTION, GENETICS AND EVOLUTION : JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR EPIDEMIOLOGY AND EVOLUTIONARY GENETICS IN INFECTIOUS DISEASES 2018; 63:326-331. [PMID: 29486366 DOI: 10.1016/j.meegid.2018.02.030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2017] [Revised: 02/19/2018] [Accepted: 02/22/2018] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
The CRISPR-Cas system, which was originally identified as a prokaryotic defense mechanism, is increasingly being used for the functional study of genes. This technology, which is simple, inexpensive and efficient, has aroused a lot of enthusiasm in the scientific community since its discovery, and every month many publications emanate from very different communities reporting on the use of CRISPR-Cas9. Currently, there are no vaccines to control neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) caused by Trypanosomatidae, particularly Human African Trypanosomiasis (HAT) and Animal African Trypanosomoses (AAT), and treatments are cumbersome and sometimes not effective enough. CRISPR-Cas9 has the potential to functionally analyze new target molecules that could be used for therapeutic and vaccine purposes. In this review, after briefly describing CRIPSR-Cas9 history and how it works, different applications on diseases, especially on parasitic diseases, are reviewed. We then focus the review on the use of CRISPR-Cas9 editing on Trypanosomatidae parasites, the causative agents of NTDs, which are still a terrible burden for human populations in tropical regions, and their vectors.
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MESH Headings
- Animals
- Anopheles/genetics
- Anopheles/parasitology
- CRISPR-Associated Protein 9/genetics
- CRISPR-Associated Protein 9/metabolism
- CRISPR-Cas Systems
- Cattle
- Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats
- Disease Models, Animal
- Drosophila/genetics
- Drosophila/parasitology
- Gene Editing/methods
- Genome, Protozoan
- Leishmania/genetics
- Leishmania/pathogenicity
- Leishmaniasis/parasitology
- Leishmaniasis/prevention & control
- Leishmaniasis/transmission
- Neglected Diseases/parasitology
- Neglected Diseases/prevention & control
- RNA, Guide, CRISPR-Cas Systems/genetics
- RNA, Guide, CRISPR-Cas Systems/metabolism
- Trypanosoma/genetics
- Trypanosoma/pathogenicity
- Trypanosomiasis, African/parasitology
- Trypanosomiasis, African/prevention & control
- Trypanosomiasis, African/transmission
- Trypanosomiasis, Bovine/parasitology
- Trypanosomiasis, Bovine/prevention & control
- Trypanosomiasis, Bovine/transmission
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Affiliation(s)
- Cécile Minet
- CIRAD, UMR INTERTRYP, F-34398 Montpellier, France; INTERTRYP, Univ Montpellier, CIRAD, IRD, Montpellier, France.
| | - Sophie Thévenon
- CIRAD, UMR INTERTRYP, F-34398 Montpellier, France; INTERTRYP, Univ Montpellier, CIRAD, IRD, Montpellier, France.
| | - Isabelle Chantal
- CIRAD, UMR INTERTRYP, F-34398 Montpellier, France; INTERTRYP, Univ Montpellier, CIRAD, IRD, Montpellier, France.
| | - Philippe Solano
- IRD, UMR INTERTRYP IRD, CIRAD, University of Montpellier, F-34398 Montpellier, France.
| | - David Berthier
- CIRAD, UMR INTERTRYP, F-34398 Montpellier, France; INTERTRYP, Univ Montpellier, CIRAD, IRD, Montpellier, France.
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Rico E, Jeacock L, Kovářová J, Horn D. Inducible high-efficiency CRISPR-Cas9-targeted gene editing and precision base editing in African trypanosomes. Sci Rep 2018; 8:7960. [PMID: 29785042 PMCID: PMC5962531 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-26303-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2018] [Accepted: 05/09/2018] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The Cas9 endonuclease can be programmed by guide RNA to introduce sequence-specific breaks in genomic DNA. Thus, Cas9-based approaches present a range of novel options for genome manipulation and precision editing. African trypanosomes are parasites that cause lethal human and animal diseases. They also serve as models for studies on eukaryotic biology, including 'divergent' biology. Genome modification, exploiting the native homologous recombination machinery, has been important for studies on trypanosomes but often requires multiple rounds of transfection using selectable markers that integrate at low efficiency. We report a system for delivering tetracycline inducible Cas9 and guide RNA to Trypanosoma brucei. In these cells, targeted DNA cleavage and gene disruption can be achieved at close to 100% efficiency without further selection. Disruption of aquaglyceroporin (AQP2) or amino acid transporter genes confers resistance to the clinical drugs pentamidine or eflornithine, respectively, providing simple and robust assays for editing efficiency. We also use the new system for homology-directed, precision base editing; a single-stranded oligodeoxyribonucleotide repair template was delivered to introduce a single AQP2 - T791G/L264R mutation in this case. The technology we describe now enables a range of novel programmed genome-editing approaches in T. brucei that would benefit from temporal control, high-efficiency and precision.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eva Rico
- Wellcome Trust Centre for Anti-Infectives Research, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dow Street, Dundee, DD1 5EH, UK
| | - Laura Jeacock
- Wellcome Trust Centre for Anti-Infectives Research, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dow Street, Dundee, DD1 5EH, UK
| | - Julie Kovářová
- Wellcome Trust Centre for Anti-Infectives Research, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dow Street, Dundee, DD1 5EH, UK
| | - David Horn
- Wellcome Trust Centre for Anti-Infectives Research, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dow Street, Dundee, DD1 5EH, UK.
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Jones NG, Catta-Preta CMC, Lima APCA, Mottram JC. Genetically Validated Drug Targets in Leishmania: Current Knowledge and Future Prospects. ACS Infect Dis 2018; 4:467-477. [PMID: 29384366 PMCID: PMC5902788 DOI: 10.1021/acsinfecdis.7b00244] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
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There has been a very limited number
of high-throughput screening campaigns carried out with Leishmania drug targets. In part, this is due to the small number of suitable
target genes that have been shown by genetic or chemical methods to
be essential for the parasite. In this perspective, we discuss the
state of genetic target validation in the field of Leishmania research and review the 200 Leishmania genes and
36 Trypanosoma cruzi genes for which gene deletion
attempts have been made since the first published case in 1990. We
define a quality score for the different genetic deletion techniques
that can be used to identify potential drug targets. We also discuss
how the advances in genome-scale gene disruption techniques have been
used to assist target-based and phenotypic-based drug development
in other parasitic protozoa and why Leishmania has
lacked a similar approach so far. The prospects for this scale of
work are considered in the context of the application of CRISPR/Cas9
gene editing as a useful tool in Leishmania.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nathaniel G. Jones
- Centre for Immunology and Infection, Department of Biology, University of York, Wentworth Way, Heslington, York YO10 5DD, U.K
| | - Carolina M. C. Catta-Preta
- Centre for Immunology and Infection, Department of Biology, University of York, Wentworth Way, Heslington, York YO10 5DD, U.K
| | - Ana Paula C. A. Lima
- Instituto de Biofisica Carlos Chagas Filho, Centro de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Cidade Universitária, Rio de Janeiro, RJ 21941-902, Brazil
| | - Jeremy C. Mottram
- Centre for Immunology and Infection, Department of Biology, University of York, Wentworth Way, Heslington, York YO10 5DD, U.K
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Expanding the toolbox for Trypanosoma cruzi: A parasite line incorporating a bioluminescence-fluorescence dual reporter and streamlined CRISPR/Cas9 functionality for rapid in vivo localisation and phenotyping. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2018; 12:e0006388. [PMID: 29608569 PMCID: PMC5897030 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0006388] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2018] [Revised: 04/12/2018] [Accepted: 03/14/2018] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Infection with Trypanosoma cruzi causes Chagas disease, a major public health problem throughout Latin America. There is no vaccine and the only drugs have severe side effects. Efforts to generate new therapies are hampered by limitations in our understanding of parasite biology and disease pathogenesis. Studies are compromised by the complexity of the disease, the long-term nature of the infection, and the fact that parasites are barely detectable during the chronic stage. In addition, functional dissection of T. cruzi biology has been restricted by the limited flexibility of the genetic manipulation technology applicable to this parasite. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS Here, we describe two technical innovations, which will allow the role of the parasite in disease progression to be better assessed. First, we generated a T. cruzi reporter strain that expresses a fusion protein comprising red-shifted luciferase and green fluorescent protein domains. Bioluminescence allows the kinetics of infection to be followed within a single animal, and specific foci of infection to be pinpointed in excised tissues. Fluorescence can then be used to visualise individual parasites in tissue sections to study host-parasite interactions at a cellular level. Using this strategy, we have been routinely able to find individual parasites within chronically infected murine tissues for the first time. The second advance is the incorporation of a streamlined CRISPR/Cas9 functionality into this reporter strain that can facilitate genome editing using a PCR-based approach that does not require DNA cloning. This system allows the rapid generation of null mutants and fluorescently tagged parasites in a background where the in vivo phenotype can be rapidly assessed. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE The techniques described here will have multiple applications for studying aspects of T. cruzi biology and Chagas disease pathogenesis previously inaccessible to conventional approaches. The reagents and cell lines have been generated as a community resource and are freely available on request.
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Ishemgulova A, Hlaváčová J, Majerová K, Butenko A, Lukeš J, Votýpka J, Volf P, Yurchenko V. CRISPR/Cas9 in Leishmania mexicana: A case study of LmxBTN1. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0192723. [PMID: 29438445 PMCID: PMC5811015 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0192723] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2017] [Accepted: 01/29/2018] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Leishmania parasites cause human cutaneous, mucocutaneous and visceral leishmaniasis. Several studies proposed involvement of certain genes in infectivity of these parasites based on differential mRNA expression data. Due to unusual gene expression mechanism, functions of such genes must be further validated experimentally. Here, we investigated a role of one of the putative virulence factors, LmxM.22.0010-encoded BTN1 (a protein involved in Batten disease in humans), in L. mexicana infectivity. Due to the incredible plasticity of the L. mexicana genome, we failed to obtain a complete knock-out of LmxM.22.0010 using conventional recombination-based approach even after ablating four alleles of this gene. To overcome this, we established a modified CRISPR-Cas9 system with genomic expression of Cas9 nuclease and gRNA. Application of this system allowed us to establish a complete BTN1 KO strain of L. mexicana. The mutant strain did not show any difference in growth kinetics and differentiation in vitro, as well as in the infectivity for insect vectors and mice hosts. Based on the whole-transcriptome profiling, LmxM.22.0010-encoded BTN1 was considered a putative factor of virulence in Leishmania. Our study suggests that ablation of LmxM.22.0010 does not influence L. mexicana infectivity and further illustrates importance of experimental validation of in silico-predicted virulence factors. Here we also describe the whole genome sequencing of the widely used model isolate L. mexicana M379 and report a modified CRISPR/Cas9 system suitable for complete KO of multi-copy genes in organisms with flexible genomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aygul Ishemgulova
- Life Science Research Centre, Faculty of Science, University of Ostrava, Ostrava, Czech Republic
- Biology Centre, Institute of Parasitology, Czech Academy of Sciences, České Budejovice (Budweis), Czech Republic
| | - Jana Hlaváčová
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Karolina Majerová
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Anzhelika Butenko
- Life Science Research Centre, Faculty of Science, University of Ostrava, Ostrava, Czech Republic
- Biology Centre, Institute of Parasitology, Czech Academy of Sciences, České Budejovice (Budweis), Czech Republic
| | - Julius Lukeš
- Biology Centre, Institute of Parasitology, Czech Academy of Sciences, České Budejovice (Budweis), Czech Republic
- University of South Bohemia, Faculty of Sciences, České Budejovice (Budweis), Czech Republic
| | - Jan Votýpka
- Biology Centre, Institute of Parasitology, Czech Academy of Sciences, České Budejovice (Budweis), Czech Republic
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Petr Volf
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Vyacheslav Yurchenko
- Life Science Research Centre, Faculty of Science, University of Ostrava, Ostrava, Czech Republic
- Biology Centre, Institute of Parasitology, Czech Academy of Sciences, České Budejovice (Budweis), Czech Republic
- Institute of Environmental Technologies, Faculty of Science, University of Ostrava, Ostrava, Czech Republic
- * E-mail:
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Harigua-Souiai E, Abdelkrim YZ, Bassoumi-Jamoussi I, Zakraoui O, Bouvier G, Essafi-Benkhadir K, Banroques J, Desdouits N, Munier-Lehmann H, Barhoumi M, Tanner NK, Nilges M, Blondel A, Guizani I. Identification of novel leishmanicidal molecules by virtual and biochemical screenings targeting Leishmania eukaryotic translation initiation factor 4A. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2018; 12:e0006160. [PMID: 29346371 PMCID: PMC5790279 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0006160] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2016] [Revised: 01/30/2018] [Accepted: 12/11/2017] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Leishmaniases are neglected parasitic diseases in spite of the major burden they inflict on public health. The identification of novel drugs and targets constitutes a research priority. For that purpose we used Leishmania infantum initiation factor 4A (LieIF), an essential translation initiation factor that belongs to the DEAD-box proteins family, as a potential drug target. We modeled its structure and identified two potential binding sites. A virtual screening of a diverse chemical library was performed for both sites. The results were analyzed with an in-house version of the Self-Organizing Maps algorithm combined with multiple filters, which led to the selection of 305 molecules. Effects of these molecules on the ATPase activity of LieIF permitted the identification of a promising hit (208) having a half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) of 150 ± 15 μM for 1 μM of protein. Ten chemical analogues of compound 208 were identified and two additional inhibitors were selected (20 and 48). These compounds inhibited the mammalian eIF4I with IC50 values within the same range. All three hits affected the viability of the extra-cellular form of L. infantum parasites with IC50 values at low micromolar concentrations. These molecules showed non-significant toxicity toward THP-1 macrophages. Furthermore, their anti-leishmanial activity was validated with experimental assays on L. infantum intramacrophage amastigotes showing IC50 values lower than 4.2 μM. Selected compounds exhibited selectivity indexes between 19 to 38, which reflects their potential as promising anti-Leishmania molecules.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emna Harigua-Souiai
- Laboratory of Molecular Epidemiology and Experimental Pathology – LR11IPT04, Institut Pasteur de Tunis, Université de Tunis el Manar, Tunis, Tunisia
- Institut Pasteur, Unité de Bioinformatique Structurale, CNRS UMR 3528, Département de Biologie Structurale et Chimie, Paris, France
| | - Yosser Zina Abdelkrim
- Laboratory of Molecular Epidemiology and Experimental Pathology – LR11IPT04, Institut Pasteur de Tunis, Université de Tunis el Manar, Tunis, Tunisia
- Laboratory of Microbial Gene Expression (EGM), CNRS UMR8261/Université Paris Diderot P7, Sorbonne Paris Cité & PSL, Institut de Biologie Physico-Chimique, Paris, France
- Faculté des Sciences de Bizerte, Université de Carthage, Tunis, Tunisia
| | - Imen Bassoumi-Jamoussi
- Laboratory of Molecular Epidemiology and Experimental Pathology – LR11IPT04, Institut Pasteur de Tunis, Université de Tunis el Manar, Tunis, Tunisia
| | - Ons Zakraoui
- Laboratory of Molecular Epidemiology and Experimental Pathology – LR11IPT04, Institut Pasteur de Tunis, Université de Tunis el Manar, Tunis, Tunisia
| | - Guillaume Bouvier
- Institut Pasteur, Unité de Bioinformatique Structurale, CNRS UMR 3528, Département de Biologie Structurale et Chimie, Paris, France
| | - Khadija Essafi-Benkhadir
- Laboratory of Molecular Epidemiology and Experimental Pathology – LR11IPT04, Institut Pasteur de Tunis, Université de Tunis el Manar, Tunis, Tunisia
| | - Josette Banroques
- Laboratory of Microbial Gene Expression (EGM), CNRS UMR8261/Université Paris Diderot P7, Sorbonne Paris Cité & PSL, Institut de Biologie Physico-Chimique, Paris, France
| | - Nathan Desdouits
- Institut Pasteur, Unité de Bioinformatique Structurale, CNRS UMR 3528, Département de Biologie Structurale et Chimie, Paris, France
| | - Hélène Munier-Lehmann
- Institut Pasteur, Unité de Chimie et Biocatalyse, Département de Biologie Structurale et Chimie, Paris, France
- Unité Mixte de Recherche 3523, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Paris, France
| | - Mourad Barhoumi
- Laboratory of Molecular Epidemiology and Experimental Pathology – LR11IPT04, Institut Pasteur de Tunis, Université de Tunis el Manar, Tunis, Tunisia
| | - N. Kyle Tanner
- Laboratory of Microbial Gene Expression (EGM), CNRS UMR8261/Université Paris Diderot P7, Sorbonne Paris Cité & PSL, Institut de Biologie Physico-Chimique, Paris, France
| | - Michael Nilges
- Institut Pasteur, Unité de Bioinformatique Structurale, CNRS UMR 3528, Département de Biologie Structurale et Chimie, Paris, France
| | - Arnaud Blondel
- Institut Pasteur, Unité de Bioinformatique Structurale, CNRS UMR 3528, Département de Biologie Structurale et Chimie, Paris, France
| | - Ikram Guizani
- Laboratory of Molecular Epidemiology and Experimental Pathology – LR11IPT04, Institut Pasteur de Tunis, Université de Tunis el Manar, Tunis, Tunisia
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50
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Brunet E, Jasin M. Induction of Chromosomal Translocations with CRISPR-Cas9 and Other Nucleases: Understanding the Repair Mechanisms That Give Rise to Translocations. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2018; 1044:15-25. [PMID: 29956288 DOI: 10.1007/978-981-13-0593-1_2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/02/2022]
Abstract
Chromosomal translocations are associated with several tumor types, including hematopoietic malignancies, sarcomas, and solid tumors of epithelial origin, due to their activation of a proto-oncogene or generation of a novel fusion protein with oncogenic potential. In many cases, the availability of suitable human models has been lacking because of the difficulty in recapitulating precise expression of the fusion protein or other reasons. Further, understanding how translocations form mechanistically has been a goal, as it may suggest ways to prevent their occurrence. Chromosomal translocations arise when DNA ends from double-strand breaks (DSBs) on two heterologous chromosomes are improperly joined. This review provides a summary of DSB repair mechanisms and their contribution to translocation formation, the various programmable nuclease platforms that have been used to generate translocations, and the successes that have been achieved in this area.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erika Brunet
- Genome Dynamics in the Immune System Laboratory, Institut Imagine, INSERM UMR 1163, Université Paris Descartes, Sorbonne Paris Cité, Paris, France.
| | - Maria Jasin
- Developmental Biology Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA.
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