1
|
Ricci AD, Bracco L, Salas-Sarduy E, Ramsey JM, Nolan MS, Lynn MK, Altcheh J, Ballering GE, Torrico F, Kesper N, Villar JC, Marcipar IS, Marco JD, Agüero F. The Trypanosoma cruzi Antigen and Epitope Atlas: antibody specificities in Chagas disease patients across the Americas. Nat Commun 2023; 14:1850. [PMID: 37012236 PMCID: PMC10070320 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-37522-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2022] [Accepted: 03/21/2023] [Indexed: 04/05/2023] Open
Abstract
During an infection the immune system produces pathogen-specific antibodies. These antibody repertoires become specific to the history of infections and represent a rich source of diagnostic markers. However, the specificities of these antibodies are mostly unknown. Here, using high-density peptide arrays we examined the human antibody repertoires of Chagas disease patients. Chagas disease is a neglected disease caused by Trypanosoma cruzi, a protozoan parasite that evades immune mediated elimination and mounts long-lasting chronic infections. We describe a proteome-wide search for antigens, characterised their linear epitopes, and show their reactivity on 71 individuals from diverse human populations. Using single-residue mutagenesis we revealed the core functional residues for 232 of these epitopes. Finally, we show the diagnostic performance of identified antigens on challenging samples. These datasets enable the study of the Chagas antibody repertoire at an unprecedented depth and granularity, while also providing a rich source of serological biomarkers.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alejandro D Ricci
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biotecnológicas (IIB) - Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), San Martín, Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Escuela de Bio y Nanotecnologías (EByN), Universidad de San Martín (UNSAM), San Martín, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Leonel Bracco
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biotecnológicas (IIB) - Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), San Martín, Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Escuela de Bio y Nanotecnologías (EByN), Universidad de San Martín (UNSAM), San Martín, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Emir Salas-Sarduy
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biotecnológicas (IIB) - Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), San Martín, Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Escuela de Bio y Nanotecnologías (EByN), Universidad de San Martín (UNSAM), San Martín, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Janine M Ramsey
- Centro Regional de Investigación en Salud Pública, Instituto Nacional de Salud Pública, Tapachula, México
| | - Melissa S Nolan
- Laboratory of Vector-borne and Zoonotic Diseases, Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, USA
| | - M Katie Lynn
- Laboratory of Vector-borne and Zoonotic Diseases, Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, USA
| | - Jaime Altcheh
- Hospital de Niños "Ricardo Gutierrez", Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Instituto Multidisciplinario de Investigaciones en Patologías Pediátricas (IMIPP) - GCBA-CONICET, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Griselda E Ballering
- Hospital de Niños "Ricardo Gutierrez", Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | | | - Norival Kesper
- LIM-49, Hospital das Clínicas HCFMUSP, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brasil
| | - Juan C Villar
- Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Autónoma de Bucaramanga y Fundación Cardioinfantil - Instituto de Cardiología, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Iván S Marcipar
- Facultad de Ciencias Médicas y Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Nacional del Litoral, Santa Fe, Argentina
| | - Jorge D Marco
- Instituto de Patología Experimental, Universidad Nacional de Salta - Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Salta, Argentina
| | - Fernán Agüero
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biotecnológicas (IIB) - Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), San Martín, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
- Escuela de Bio y Nanotecnologías (EByN), Universidad de San Martín (UNSAM), San Martín, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Accessing the Variability of Multicopy Genes in Complex Genomes using Unassembled Next-Generation Sequencing Reads: The Case of Trypanosoma cruzi Multigene Families. mBio 2022; 13:e0231922. [PMID: 36264102 PMCID: PMC9765020 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.02319-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Repetitive elements cause assembly fragmentation in complex eukaryotic genomes, limiting the study of their variability. The genome of Trypanosoma cruzi, the parasite that causes Chagas disease, has a high repetitive content, including multigene families. Although many T. cruzi multigene families encode surface proteins that play pivotal roles in host-parasite interactions, their variability is currently underestimated, as their high repetitive content results in collapsed gene variants. To estimate sequence variability and copy number variation of multigene families, we developed a read-based approach that is independent of gene-specific read mapping and de novo assembly. This methodology was used to estimate the copy number and variability of MASP, TcMUC, and Trans-Sialidase (TS), the three largest T. cruzi multigene families, in 36 strains, including members of all six parasite discrete typing units (DTUs). We found that these three families present a specific pattern of variability and copy number among the distinct parasite DTUs. Inter-DTU hybrid strains presented a higher variability of these families, suggesting that maintaining a larger content of their members could be advantageous. In addition, in a chronic murine model and chronic Chagasic human patients, the immune response was focused on TS antigens, suggesting that targeting TS conserved sequences could be a potential avenue to improve diagnosis and vaccine design against Chagas disease. Finally, the proposed approach can be applied to study multicopy genes in any organism, opening new avenues to access sequence variability in complex genomes. IMPORTANCE Sequences that have several copies in a genome, such as multicopy-gene families, mobile elements, and microsatellites, are among the most challenging genomic segments to study. They are frequently underestimated in genome assemblies, hampering the correct assessment of these important players in genome evolution and adaptation. Here, we developed a new methodology to estimate variability and copy numbers of repetitive genomic regions and employed it to characterize the T. cruzi multigene families MASP, TcMUC, and transsialidase (TS), which are important virulence factors in this parasite. We showed that multigene families vary in sequence and content among the parasite's lineages, whereas hybrid strains have a higher sequence variability that could be advantageous to the parasite's survivability. By identifying conserved sequences within multigene families, we showed that the mammalian host immune response toward these multigene families is usually focused on the TS multigene family. These TS conserved and immunogenic peptides can be explored in future works as diagnostic targets or vaccine candidates for Chagas disease. Finally, this methodology can be easily applied to any organism of interest, which will aid in our understanding of complex genomic regions.
Collapse
|
3
|
Jamabo M, Bentley SJ, Macucule-Tinga P, Tembo P, Edkins AL, Boshoff A. In silico analysis of the HSP90 chaperone system from the African trypanosome, Trypanosoma brucei. Front Mol Biosci 2022; 9:947078. [PMID: 36213128 PMCID: PMC9538636 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2022.947078] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2022] [Accepted: 08/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
African trypanosomiasis is a neglected tropical disease caused by Trypanosoma brucei (T. brucei) and spread by the tsetse fly in sub-Saharan Africa. The trypanosome relies on heat shock proteins for survival in the insect vector and mammalian host. Heat shock protein 90 (HSP90) plays a crucial role in the stress response at the cellular level. Inhibition of its interactions with chaperones and co-chaperones is being explored as a potential therapeutic target for numerous diseases. This study provides an in silico overview of HSP90 and its co-chaperones in both T. brucei brucei and T. brucei gambiense in relation to human and other trypanosomal species, including non-parasitic Bodo saltans and the insect infecting Crithidia fasciculata. A structural analysis of T. brucei HSP90 revealed differences in the orientation of the linker and C-terminal domain in comparison to human HSP90. Phylogenetic analysis displayed the T. brucei HSP90 proteins clustering into three distinct groups based on subcellular localizations, namely, cytosol, mitochondria, and endoplasmic reticulum. Syntenic analysis of cytosolic HSP90 genes revealed that T. b. brucei encoded for 10 tandem copies, while T. b. gambiense encoded for three tandem copies; Leishmania major (L. major) had the highest gene copy number with 17 tandem copies. The updated information on HSP90 from recently published proteomics on T. brucei was examined for different life cycle stages and subcellular localizations. The results show a difference between T. b. brucei and T. b. gambiense with T. b. brucei encoding a total of twelve putative HSP90 genes, while T. b. gambiense encodes five HSP90 genes. Eighteen putative co-chaperones were identified with one notable absence being cell division cycle 37 (Cdc37). These results provide an updated framework on approaching HSP90 and its interactions as drug targets in the African trypanosome.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Miebaka Jamabo
- Biotechnology Innovation Centre, Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa
| | | | | | - Praise Tembo
- Biotechnology Innovation Centre, Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa
| | - Adrienne Lesley Edkins
- Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Biomedical Biotechnology Research Unit (BioBRU), Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa
| | - Aileen Boshoff
- Biotechnology Innovation Centre, Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa
- *Correspondence: Aileen Boshoff,
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Oral and Intragastric: New Routes of Infection by Leishmania braziliensis and Leishmania infantum? Pathogens 2022; 11:pathogens11060688. [PMID: 35745542 PMCID: PMC9228391 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens11060688] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2022] [Revised: 06/06/2022] [Accepted: 06/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Although Leishmania transmission in nature is associated with the bite of an infected sandfly vector, other possible transmission routes are speculated to occur, such as the oral route. We evaluated the possibility of infection by this route in golden hamsters (Mesocricetus auratus) using Leishmania braziliensis (Lb) and Leishmania infantum (Li). Hamsters were exposed to experimental oral or intragastrical infection with axenic promastigotes, besides oral ingestion of a suspension of cultivated macrophages infected with amastigotes, lesion-fed Lutzomyia longipalpis, skin lesion or infective spleen fragment. The parasite's isolation, besides a positive PCR and IFAT, confirmed the intragastric infection by promastigote parasites. The oral ingestion of macrophages infected with L. braziliensis amastigotes was also infective. These results confirmed that Leishmania parasites could infect mammals by the intragastric route through the ingestion of promastigote forms (what can happen after a sandfly ingestion) and by the oral ingestion of infected macrophages (what can happen in nature in a predator-prey interaction). The better understanding of these alternative routes is essential to understand their transmission dynamics in nature. As far as we know, this is the first time that oral and intragastric Leishmania transmission has been experimentally demonstrated, constituting new infection routes, at least for L. infantum and L. braziliensis.
Collapse
|
5
|
Diaz-Hernandez A, Gonzalez-Vazquez MC, Arce-Fonseca M, Rodríguez-Morales O, Cedillo-Ramirez ML, Carabarin-Lima A. Consensus Enolase of Trypanosoma Cruzi: Evaluation of Their Immunogenic Properties Using a Bioinformatics Approach. Life (Basel) 2022; 12:life12050746. [PMID: 35629412 PMCID: PMC9148029 DOI: 10.3390/life12050746] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2022] [Revised: 05/10/2022] [Accepted: 05/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
There is currently no vaccine against American trypanosomiasis, caused by the parasite Trypanosoma cruzi. This is due to the genomic variation observed in the six DTUs of T. cruzi. This work aims to propose a consensus sequence of the enolase protein from different strains of T. cruzi and mainly evaluate its immunogenic properties at the bioinformatic level. From specialized databases, 15 sequences of the enolase gene were aligned to obtain a consensus sequence, where this sequence was modeled and then evaluated and validated through different bioinformatic programs to learn their immunogenic potential. Finally, chimeric peptides were designed with the most representative epitopes. The results showed high immunogenic potential with six epitopes for MHC-I, and seven epitopes for MHC-II, all of which were highly representative of the enolase present in strains from the American continent as well as five epitopes for B cells. Regarding the computational modeling, molecular docking with Toll-like receptors showed a high affinity and low constant of dissociation, which could lead to an innate-type immune response that helps to eliminate the parasite. In conclusion, the consensus sequence proposed for enolase is capable of providing an ideal immune response; however, the experimental evaluation of this enolase consensus and their chimeric peptides should be a high priority to develop a vaccine against Chagas disease.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alejandro Diaz-Hernandez
- Centro de Investigaciones en Ciencias Microbiológicas, Instituto de Ciencias, Benemérita Universidad Autónoma de Puebla, 14 Sury Avenida San Claudio, Ciudad Universitaria, Puebla 72570, Mexico; (A.D.-H.); (M.L.C.-R.)
| | - Maria Cristina Gonzalez-Vazquez
- Herbario y Jardín Botánico Universitario, Benemérita Universidad Autónoma de Puebla, Ciudad Universitaria, Puebla 72570, Mexico;
| | - Minerva Arce-Fonseca
- Departamento de Biología Molecular, Instituto Nacional de Cardiología “Ignacio Chávez”, Juan Badiano No. 1, Col. Sección XVI, Tlalpan, México City 14080, Mexico; (M.A.-F.); (O.R.-M.)
| | - Olivia Rodríguez-Morales
- Departamento de Biología Molecular, Instituto Nacional de Cardiología “Ignacio Chávez”, Juan Badiano No. 1, Col. Sección XVI, Tlalpan, México City 14080, Mexico; (M.A.-F.); (O.R.-M.)
| | - Maria Lilia Cedillo-Ramirez
- Centro de Investigaciones en Ciencias Microbiológicas, Instituto de Ciencias, Benemérita Universidad Autónoma de Puebla, 14 Sury Avenida San Claudio, Ciudad Universitaria, Puebla 72570, Mexico; (A.D.-H.); (M.L.C.-R.)
| | - Alejandro Carabarin-Lima
- Centro de Investigaciones en Ciencias Microbiológicas, Instituto de Ciencias, Benemérita Universidad Autónoma de Puebla, 14 Sury Avenida San Claudio, Ciudad Universitaria, Puebla 72570, Mexico; (A.D.-H.); (M.L.C.-R.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +52-222-2295-500 (ext. 3965)
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Márvez ER, Segura CAR, Requena JM, Puerta CJ. A dataset of proteins associated with Trypanosoma cruzi LYT1 mRNAs. Data Brief 2022; 41:107953. [PMID: 35242934 PMCID: PMC8867043 DOI: 10.1016/j.dib.2022.107953] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2021] [Revised: 02/08/2022] [Accepted: 02/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Post-transcriptional gene regulation in Trypanosoma cruzi, the etiological agent of Chagas disease, plays a critical role in ensuring that the parasite successfully completes its life cycle in both of its obligate hosts: insect vector and mammals. This regulation is basically governed by RNA binding proteins (RBPs) through their interactions with cis-elements located in the UTRs of their mRNA targets. LYT1 gene, coding for a virulence factor of T. cruzi, is expressed into two isoforms: kLYT1 and mLYT1, which play different functions according to their cellular location and parasite life-cycle stages. Whereas kLYT1 exhibits a regulatory role during the epimastigote-to-metacyclic trypomastigote stage transition, mLYT1 acts as a pore-forming protein, relevant for host cell invasion and parasite intracellular survival. Considering the LYT1 biological relevance and the fact that this is a protein exclusive of T. cruzi, the protein and its mechanisms regulating the alternative gene expression products are promising targets for therapeutic intervention. In this work, an experimental approach consisting of pull-downs assays followed by proteomic analyzes was carried out to identify the proteins interacting with the different LYT1 mRNAs. The dataset presented here was obtained through three biological replicates using all the different UTRs characterized in the LYT1 mRNAs (i.e., 5´UTR kLYT1, 5´UTR mLYT1, and I and II-type 3´UTRs) as baits, and protein extracts from epimastigotes and trypomastigotes of the 058 PUJ (DTU I) strain. Bound proteins were analyzed by liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (LC/MS). As a control of non-specificity, the same protein extracts were incubated with Leishmania braziliensis rRNA and the bound proteins also identified by LC/MS. In all, 1,557 proteins were identified, 313 of them were found in at least two replicates and 18 proteins were exclusively associated with the LYT1 baits. Of these, six proteins have motifs related to RNA binding, and seven remain annotated as hypothetical proteins. Remarkably, three of these hypothetical proteins also contain nucleic acid binding motifs. This knowledge, beside expanding the known T. cruzi proteome, gains insight into putative regulatory proteins responsible for alternative LYT1 mRNAs processing. Raw mass spectrometry data are available via MassIVE proteome Xchange with identifier PXD027371.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth Ruiz Márvez
- Departamento de Microbiología, Facultad de Ciencias, Grupo de Investigación en Enfermedades Infecciosas, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Carrera 7 # 40- 62, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - César Augusto Ramírez Segura
- Departamento de Microbiología, Facultad de Ciencias, Grupo de Investigación en Enfermedades Infecciosas, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Carrera 7 # 40- 62, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - José María Requena
- Departamento de Biología Molecular, Grupo Regulación de la Expresión Génica en Leishmania del Centro de Biología Molecular Severo Ochoa (CSIC-UAM), Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid 28049, Spain
| | - Concepción J. Puerta
- Departamento de Microbiología, Facultad de Ciencias, Grupo de Investigación en Enfermedades Infecciosas, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Carrera 7 # 40- 62, Bogotá, Colombia
- Corresponding author.
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Cosentino RO, Brink BG, Siegel TN. Allele-specific assembly of a eukaryotic genome corrects apparent frameshifts and reveals a lack of nonsense-mediated mRNA decay. NAR Genom Bioinform 2021; 3:lqab082. [PMID: 34541528 PMCID: PMC8445201 DOI: 10.1093/nargab/lqab082] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2021] [Revised: 08/25/2021] [Accepted: 09/06/2021] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
To date, most reference genomes represent a mosaic consensus sequence in which the homologous chromosomes are collapsed into one sequence. This approach produces sequence artefacts and impedes analyses of allele-specific mechanisms. Here, we report an allele-specific genome assembly of the diploid parasite Trypanosoma brucei and reveal allelic variants affecting gene expression. Using long-read sequencing and chromosome conformation capture data, we could assign 99.5% of all heterozygote variants to a specific homologous chromosome and build a 66 Mb long allele-specific genome assembly. The phasing of haplotypes allowed us to resolve hundreds of artefacts present in the previous mosaic consensus assembly. In addition, it revealed allelic recombination events, visible as regions of low allelic heterozygosity, enabling the lineage tracing of T. brucei isolates. Interestingly, analyses of transcriptome and translatome data of genes with allele-specific premature termination codons point to the absence of a nonsense-mediated decay mechanism in trypanosomes. Taken together, this study delivers a reference quality allele-specific genome assembly of T. brucei and demonstrates the importance of such assemblies for the study of gene expression control. We expect the new genome assembly will increase the awareness of allele-specific phenomena and provide a platform to investigate them.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Raúl O Cosentino
- Division of Experimental Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität in Munich, Lena-Christ-Str. 48, Planegg-Martinsried 82152, Germany
| | - Benedikt G Brink
- Division of Experimental Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität in Munich, Lena-Christ-Str. 48, Planegg-Martinsried 82152, Germany
| | - T Nicolai Siegel
- Division of Experimental Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität in Munich, Lena-Christ-Str. 48, Planegg-Martinsried 82152, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Austen JM, Barbosa AD. Diversity and Epidemiology of Bat Trypanosomes: A One Health Perspective. Pathogens 2021; 10:pathogens10091148. [PMID: 34578180 PMCID: PMC8465530 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens10091148] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2021] [Revised: 08/30/2021] [Accepted: 09/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Bats (order Chiroptera) have been increasingly recognised as important reservoir hosts for human and animal pathogens worldwide. In this context, molecular and microscopy-based investigations to date have revealed remarkably high diversity of Trypanosoma spp. harboured by bats, including species of recognised medical and veterinary importance such as Trypanosoma cruzi and Trypanosoma evansi (aetiological agents of Chagas disease and Surra, respectively). This review synthesises current knowledge on the diversity, taxonomy, evolution and epidemiology of bat trypanosomes based on both molecular studies and morphological records. In addition, we use a One Health approach to discuss the significance of bats as reservoirs (and putative vectors) of T. cruzi, with a focus on the complex associations between intra-specific genetic diversity and eco-epidemiology of T. cruzi in sylvatic and domestic ecosystems. This article also highlights current knowledge gaps on the biological implications of trypanosome co-infections in a single host, as well as the prevalence, vectors, life-cycle, host-range and clinical impact of most bat trypanosomes recorded to date. Continuous research efforts involving molecular surveillance of bat trypanosomes are required for improved disease prevention and control, mitigation of biosecurity risks and potential spill-over events, ultimately ensuring the health of humans, domestic animals and wildlife globally.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jill M. Austen
- Centre for Biosecurity and One Health, Harry Butler Institute, Murdoch University, Murdoch, WA 6150, Australia
- Correspondence: (J.M.A.); (A.D.B.)
| | - Amanda D. Barbosa
- Centre for Biosecurity and One Health, Harry Butler Institute, Murdoch University, Murdoch, WA 6150, Australia
- CAPES Foundation, Ministry of Education of Brazil, Brasilia 70040-020, DF, Brazil
- Correspondence: (J.M.A.); (A.D.B.)
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Genomics of Trypanosomatidae: Where We Stand and What Needs to Be Done? Pathogens 2021; 10:pathogens10091124. [PMID: 34578156 PMCID: PMC8472099 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens10091124] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2021] [Revised: 08/26/2021] [Accepted: 08/31/2021] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Trypanosomatids are easy to cultivate and they are (in many cases) amenable to genetic manipulation. Genome sequencing has become a standard tool routinely used in the study of these flagellates. In this review, we summarize the current state of the field and our vision of what needs to be done in order to achieve a more comprehensive picture of trypanosomatid evolution. This will also help to illuminate the lineage-specific proteins and pathways, which can be used as potential targets in treating diseases caused by these parasites.
Collapse
|
10
|
Probst CM, Melo MDFAD, Pavoni DP, Toledo MJDO, Galdino TS, Brandão AA, Britto C, Krieger MA. A new Trypanosoma cruzi genotyping method enables high resolution evolutionary analyses. Mem Inst Oswaldo Cruz 2021; 116:e200538. [PMID: 34468503 PMCID: PMC8405150 DOI: 10.1590/0074-02760200538] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2020] [Accepted: 07/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Trypanosoma cruzi is an important human pathogen in Latin America with nearly seven million people infected. It has a large degree of genetic diversity, classified into six discrete typing units (DTUs), which probably influences its physiological behavior and clinical manifestations. Several genotyping methods are available, with distinct performance on easiness, cost, resolution and applicability; no method excels in all parameters. OBJECTIVES AND METHODS To devise a molecular method for T. cruzi genotyping, based on polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification of a single target with multiple copies in the nuclear genome by large scale sequencing. We have applied this method to 29 T. cruzi isolates, comprising all described DTUs. FINDINGS We were able to classify all samples into sub DTU level with high robustness. Evolutionary relationship between DTUs were ascertained, suggesting that TcIII and TcIV DTUs are non-hybrid, and DTU IV is more similar to the common ancestral. CONCLUSION As the TS-LSS method is based on a single PCR reaction, comprising several copies of the target, it is probably useful for clinical samples, when the amount of DNA is a limiting factor. As large scale sequencing systems become more common, the TS-LSS method can be increasingly applied for T. cruzi genotyping.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Christian Macagnan Probst
- Fundação Oswaldo Cruz-Fiocruz, Instituto Carlos Chagas, Laboratório de Genômica Funcional, Curitiba, PR, Brasil
| | | | - Daniela Parada Pavoni
- Fundação Oswaldo Cruz-Fiocruz, Instituto Carlos Chagas, Laboratório de Genômica Funcional, Curitiba, PR, Brasil
| | - Max Jean de Ornelas Toledo
- Universidade Estadual de Maringá, Departamento de Ciências da Saúde, Laboratório de Doença de Chagas, Maringá, PR, Brasil
| | - Tainah Silva Galdino
- Fundação Oswaldo Cruz-Fiocruz, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Laboratório Interdisciplinar de Pesquisas Médicas, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil
| | - Adeilton Alves Brandão
- Fundação Oswaldo Cruz-Fiocruz, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Laboratório Interdisciplinar de Pesquisas Médicas, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil
| | - Constança Britto
- Fundação Oswaldo Cruz-Fiocruz, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Laboratório de Biologia Molecular e Doenças Endêmicas, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil
| | - Marco Aurelio Krieger
- Fundação Oswaldo Cruz-Fiocruz, Instituto Carlos Chagas, Laboratório de Genômica Funcional, Curitiba, PR, Brasil
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Mule SN, Costa-Martins AG, Rosa-Fernandes L, de Oliveira GS, Rodrigues CMF, Quina D, Rosein GE, Teixeira MMG, Palmisano G. PhyloQuant approach provides insights into Trypanosoma cruzi evolution using a systems-wide mass spectrometry-based quantitative protein profile. Commun Biol 2021; 4:324. [PMID: 33707618 PMCID: PMC7952728 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-021-01762-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2020] [Accepted: 01/24/2021] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
The etiological agent of Chagas disease, Trypanosoma cruzi, is a complex of seven genetic subdivisions termed discrete typing units (DTUs), TcI-TcVI and Tcbat. The relevance of T. cruzi genetic diversity to the variable clinical course of the disease, virulence, pathogenicity, drug resistance, transmission cycles and ecological distribution requires understanding the parasite origin and population structure. In this study, we introduce the PhyloQuant approach to infer the evolutionary relationships between organisms based on differential mass spectrometry-based quantitative features. In particular, large scale quantitative bottom-up proteomics features (MS1, iBAQ and LFQ) were analyzed using maximum parsimony, showing a correlation between T. cruzi DTUs and closely related trypanosomes' protein expression and sequence-based clustering. Character mapping enabled the identification of synapomorphies, herein the proteins and their respective expression profiles that differentiate T. cruzi DTUs and trypanosome species. The distance matrices based on phylogenetics and PhyloQuant clustering showed statistically significant correlation highlighting the complementarity between the two strategies. Moreover, PhyloQuant allows the identification of differentially regulated and strain/DTU/species-specific proteins, and has potential application in the identification of specific biomarkers and candidate therapeutic targets.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Simon Ngao Mule
- Department of Parasitology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | - Livia Rosa-Fernandes
- Department of Parasitology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | - Carla Monadeli F Rodrigues
- Department of Parasitology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Daniel Quina
- Department of Parasitology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Graziella E Rosein
- Department of Biochemistry, Institute of Chemistry, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | - Giuseppe Palmisano
- Department of Parasitology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Talavera-López C, Messenger LA, Lewis MD, Yeo M, Reis-Cunha JL, Matos GM, Bartholomeu DC, Calzada JE, Saldaña A, Ramírez JD, Guhl F, Ocaña-Mayorga S, Costales JA, Gorchakov R, Jones K, Nolan MS, Teixeira SMR, Carrasco HJ, Bottazzi ME, Hotez PJ, Murray KO, Grijalva MJ, Burleigh B, Grisard EC, Miles MA, Andersson B. Repeat-Driven Generation of Antigenic Diversity in a Major Human Pathogen, Trypanosoma cruzi. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2021; 11:614665. [PMID: 33747978 PMCID: PMC7966520 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2021.614665] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2020] [Accepted: 01/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Trypanosoma cruzi, a zoonotic kinetoplastid protozoan parasite, is the causative agent of American trypanosomiasis (Chagas disease). Having a very plastic, repetitive and complex genome, the parasite displays a highly diverse repertoire of surface molecules, with pivotal roles in cell invasion, immune evasion and pathogenesis. Before 2016, the complexity of the genomic regions containing these genes impaired the assembly of a genome at chromosomal level, making it impossible to study the structure and function of the several thousand repetitive genes encoding the surface molecules of the parasite. We here describe the genome assembly of the Sylvio X10/1 genome sequence, which since 2016 has been used as a reference genome sequence for T. cruzi clade I (TcI), produced using high coverage PacBio single-molecule sequencing. It was used to analyze deep Illumina sequence data from 34 T. cruzi TcI isolates and clones from different geographic locations, sample sources and clinical outcomes. Resolution of the surface molecule gene distribution showed the unusual duality in the organization of the parasite genome, a synteny of the core genomic region with related protozoa flanked by unique and highly plastic multigene family clusters encoding surface antigens. The presence of abundant interspersed retrotransposons in these multigene family clusters suggests that these elements are involved in a recombination mechanism for the generation of antigenic variation and evasion of the host immune response on these TcI strains. The comparative genomic analysis of the cohort of TcI strains revealed multiple cases of such recombination events involving surface molecule genes and has provided new insights into T. cruzi population structure.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Carlos Talavera-López
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- European Bioinformatics Institute, Wellcome Sanger Institute, Hinxton, United Kingdom
| | - Louisa A. Messenger
- Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Michael D. Lewis
- Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Matthew Yeo
- Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - João Luís Reis-Cunha
- Departamento de Parasitologia, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Gabriel Machado Matos
- Departamento de Biologia Celular, Embriologia e Genética, Universidade Federal Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, Brazil
| | | | - José E. Calzada
- Departamento de Parasitología, Instituto Conmemorativo Gorgas de Estudios de la Salud, Ciudad de Panamá, Panama
| | - Azael Saldaña
- Departamento de Parasitología, Instituto Conmemorativo Gorgas de Estudios de la Salud, Ciudad de Panamá, Panama
| | - Juan David Ramírez
- Grupo de Investigaciones Microbiológicas-UR (GIMUR), Departamento de Biología, Facultad de Ciencias Naturales, Universidad del Rosario, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Felipe Guhl
- Grupo de Investigaciones en Microbiología y Parasitología Tropical (CIMPAT), Tropical Parasitology Research Center, Universidad de Los Andes, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Sofía Ocaña-Mayorga
- Centro de Investigación para la Salud en América Latina (CISeAL), Escuela de Ciencias Biológicas, Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador, Quito, Ecuador
| | - Jaime A. Costales
- Centro de Investigación para la Salud en América Latina (CISeAL), Escuela de Ciencias Biológicas, Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador, Quito, Ecuador
| | - Rodion Gorchakov
- Sabin Vaccine Institute and Texas Children’s Hospital Center for Vaccine Development, National School of Tropical Medicine, Department of Pediatrics - Tropical Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Kathryn Jones
- Sabin Vaccine Institute and Texas Children’s Hospital Center for Vaccine Development, National School of Tropical Medicine, Department of Pediatrics - Tropical Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Melissa S. Nolan
- Sabin Vaccine Institute and Texas Children’s Hospital Center for Vaccine Development, National School of Tropical Medicine, Department of Pediatrics - Tropical Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Santuza M. R. Teixeira
- Departamento de Bioquímica e Imunologia, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Hernán José Carrasco
- Laboratorio de Biología Molecular de Protozoarios, Instituto de Medicina Tropical, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Central de Venezuela, Caracas, Venezuela
| | - Maria Elena Bottazzi
- Sabin Vaccine Institute and Texas Children’s Hospital Center for Vaccine Development, National School of Tropical Medicine, Department of Pediatrics - Tropical Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Peter J. Hotez
- Sabin Vaccine Institute and Texas Children’s Hospital Center for Vaccine Development, National School of Tropical Medicine, Department of Pediatrics - Tropical Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Kristy O. Murray
- Sabin Vaccine Institute and Texas Children’s Hospital Center for Vaccine Development, National School of Tropical Medicine, Department of Pediatrics - Tropical Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Mario J. Grijalva
- Centro de Investigación para la Salud en América Latina (CISeAL), Escuela de Ciencias Biológicas, Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador, Quito, Ecuador
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine, Infectious and Tropical Disease Institute, Ohio University, Athens, OH, United States
| | - Barbara Burleigh
- Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Harvard University, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Edmundo C. Grisard
- Departamento de Microbiologia, Imunologia e Parasitologia, Universidade Federal Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, Brazil
| | - Michael A. Miles
- Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Björn Andersson
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Schwabl P, Maiguashca Sánchez J, Costales JA, Ocaña-Mayorga S, Segovia M, Carrasco HJ, Hernández C, Ramírez JD, Lewis MD, Grijalva MJ, Llewellyn MS. Culture-free genome-wide locus sequence typing (GLST) provides new perspectives on Trypanosoma cruzi dispersal and infection complexity. PLoS Genet 2020; 16:e1009170. [PMID: 33326438 PMCID: PMC7743988 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1009170] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2020] [Accepted: 10/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Analysis of genetic polymorphism is a powerful tool for epidemiological surveillance and research. Powerful inference from pathogen genetic variation, however, is often restrained by limited access to representative target DNA, especially in the study of obligate parasitic species for which ex vivo culture is resource-intensive or bias-prone. Modern sequence capture methods enable pathogen genetic variation to be analyzed directly from host/vector material but are often too complex and expensive for resource-poor settings where infectious diseases prevail. This study proposes a simple, cost-effective 'genome-wide locus sequence typing' (GLST) tool based on massive parallel amplification of information hotspots throughout the target pathogen genome. The multiplexed polymerase chain reaction amplifies hundreds of different, user-defined genetic targets in a single reaction tube, and subsequent agarose gel-based clean-up and barcoding completes library preparation at under 4 USD per sample. Our study generates a flexible GLST primer panel design workflow for Trypanosoma cruzi, the parasitic agent of Chagas disease. We successfully apply our 203-target GLST panel to direct, culture-free metagenomic extracts from triatomine vectors containing a minimum of 3.69 pg/μl T. cruzi DNA and further elaborate on method performance by sequencing GLST libraries from T. cruzi reference clones representing discrete typing units (DTUs) TcI, TcIII, TcIV, TcV and TcVI. The 780 SNP sites we identify in the sample set repeatably distinguish parasites infecting sympatric vectors and detect correlations between genetic and geographic distances at regional (< 150 km) as well as continental scales. The markers also clearly separate TcI, TcIII, TcIV and TcV + TcVI and appear to distinguish multiclonal infections within TcI. We discuss the advantages, limitations and prospects of our method across a spectrum of epidemiological research.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Philipp Schwabl
- Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health & Comparative Medicine, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Jalil Maiguashca Sánchez
- Centro de Investigación para la Salud en América Latina, Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador, Quito, Ecuador
| | - Jaime A. Costales
- Centro de Investigación para la Salud en América Latina, Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador, Quito, Ecuador
| | - Sofía Ocaña-Mayorga
- Centro de Investigación para la Salud en América Latina, Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador, Quito, Ecuador
| | - Maikell Segovia
- Laboratorio de Biología Molecular de Protozoarios, Instituto de Medicina Tropical, Universidad Central de Venezuela, Caracas, Venezuela
| | - Hernán J. Carrasco
- Laboratorio de Biología Molecular de Protozoarios, Instituto de Medicina Tropical, Universidad Central de Venezuela, Caracas, Venezuela
| | - Carolina Hernández
- Grupo de Investigaciones Microbiológicas-UR (GIMUR), Departamento de Biología, Facultad de Ciencias Naturales, Universidad del Rosario, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Juan David Ramírez
- Grupo de Investigaciones Microbiológicas-UR (GIMUR), Departamento de Biología, Facultad de Ciencias Naturales, Universidad del Rosario, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Michael D. Lewis
- London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London, United Kingdom
| | - Mario J. Grijalva
- Centro de Investigación para la Salud en América Latina, Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador, Quito, Ecuador
- Infectious and Tropical Disease Institute, Biomedical Sciences Department, Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine, Ohio University, Athens, OH, United States of America
| | - Martin S. Llewellyn
- Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health & Comparative Medicine, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Herreros-Cabello A, Callejas-Hernández F, Gironès N, Fresno M. Trypanosoma Cruzi Genome: Organization, Multi-Gene Families, Transcription, and Biological Implications. Genes (Basel) 2020; 11:E1196. [PMID: 33066599 PMCID: PMC7602482 DOI: 10.3390/genes11101196] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2020] [Revised: 10/08/2020] [Accepted: 10/12/2020] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Chagas disease caused by the parasite Trypanosoma cruzi affects millions of people. Although its first genome dates from 2005, its complexity hindered a complete assembly and annotation. However, the new sequencing methods have improved genome annotation of some strains elucidating the broad genetic diversity and complexity of this parasite. Here, we reviewed the genomic structure and regulation, the genetic diversity, and the analysis of the principal multi-gene families of the recent genomes for several strains. The telomeric and sub-telomeric regions are sites with high recombination events, the genome displays two different compartments, the core and the disruptive, and the genome plasticity seems to play a key role in the survival and the infection process. Trypanosoma cruzi (T. cruzi) genome is composed mainly of multi-gene families as the trans-sialidases, mucins, and mucin-associated surface proteins. Trans-sialidases are the most abundant genes in the genome and show an important role in the effectiveness of the infection and the parasite survival. Mucins and MASPs are also important glycosylated proteins of the surface of the parasite that play a major biological role in both insect and mammal-dwelling stages. Altogether, these studies confirm the complexity of T. cruzi genome revealing relevant concepts to better understand Chagas disease.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alfonso Herreros-Cabello
- Centro de Biología Molecular Severo Ochoa, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Cantoblanco, 28049 Madrid, Spain; (A.H.-C.); (F.C.-H.)
| | - Francisco Callejas-Hernández
- Centro de Biología Molecular Severo Ochoa, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Cantoblanco, 28049 Madrid, Spain; (A.H.-C.); (F.C.-H.)
| | - Núria Gironès
- Centro de Biología Molecular Severo Ochoa, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Cantoblanco, 28049 Madrid, Spain; (A.H.-C.); (F.C.-H.)
- Instituto Sanitario de Investigación Princesa, 28006 Madrid, Spain
| | - Manuel Fresno
- Centro de Biología Molecular Severo Ochoa, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Cantoblanco, 28049 Madrid, Spain; (A.H.-C.); (F.C.-H.)
- Instituto Sanitario de Investigación Princesa, 28006 Madrid, Spain
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Ruiz-Márvez E, Ramírez CA, Rodríguez ER, Flórez MM, Delgado G, Guzmán F, Gómez-Puertas P, Requena JM, Puerta CJ. Molecular Characterization of Tc964, A Novel Antigenic Protein from Trypanosoma cruzi. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:E2432. [PMID: 32244527 PMCID: PMC7177413 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21072432] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2020] [Revised: 03/15/2020] [Accepted: 03/17/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The Tc964 protein was initially identified by its presence in the interactome associated with the LYT1 mRNAs, which code for a virulence factor of Trypanosoma cruzi. Tc964 is annotated in the T. cruzi genome as a hypothetical protein. According to phylogenetic analysis, the protein is conserved in the different genera of the Trypanosomatidae family; however, recognizable orthologues were not identified in other groups of organisms. Therefore, as a first step, an in-depth molecular characterization of the Tc946 protein was carried out. Based on structural predictions and molecular dynamics studies, the Tc964 protein would belong to a particular class of GTPases. Subcellular fractionation analysis indicated that Tc964 is a nucleocytoplasmic protein. Additionally, the protein was expressed as a recombinant protein in order to analyze its antigenicity with sera from Chagas disease (CD) patients. Tc964 was found to be antigenic, and B-cell epitopes were mapped by the use of synthetic peptides. In parallel, the Leishmania major homologue (Lm964) was also expressed as recombinant protein and used for a preliminary evaluation of antigen cross-reactivity in CD patients. Interestingly, Tc964 was recognized by sera from Chronic CD (CCD) patients at different stages of disease severity, but no reactivity against this protein was observed when sera from Colombian patients with cutaneous leishmaniasis were analyzed. Therefore, Tc964 would be adequate for CD diagnosis in areas where both infections (CD and leishmaniasis) coexist, even though additional assays using larger collections of sera are needed in order to confirm its usefulness for differential serodiagnosis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth Ruiz-Márvez
- Grupo de Investigación en Enfermedades Infecciosas, Departamento de Microbiología, Facultad de Ciencias, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Carrera 7 # 40- 62, Bogotá, Colombia; (E.R.-M.); (C.A.R.); (E.R.R.)
| | - César Augusto Ramírez
- Grupo de Investigación en Enfermedades Infecciosas, Departamento de Microbiología, Facultad de Ciencias, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Carrera 7 # 40- 62, Bogotá, Colombia; (E.R.-M.); (C.A.R.); (E.R.R.)
| | - Eliana Rocío Rodríguez
- Grupo de Investigación en Enfermedades Infecciosas, Departamento de Microbiología, Facultad de Ciencias, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Carrera 7 # 40- 62, Bogotá, Colombia; (E.R.-M.); (C.A.R.); (E.R.R.)
| | - Magda Mellisa Flórez
- Grupo de Investigación en Inmunotoxicología, Departamento de Farmacia, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Carrera 30 # 45-01, Bogota; Colombia; (M.M.F.); (G.D.)
| | - Gabriela Delgado
- Grupo de Investigación en Inmunotoxicología, Departamento de Farmacia, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Carrera 30 # 45-01, Bogota; Colombia; (M.M.F.); (G.D.)
| | - Fanny Guzmán
- Núcleo de Biotecnología Curauma (NBC), Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaiso, Avenida Universidad 2373223, Curauma, Valparaiso-Chile;
| | - Paulino Gómez-Puertas
- Grupo de Modelado Molecular del Centro de Biología Molecular Severo Ochoa, Microbes in Health and Welfare Department, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (CBMSO, CSIC-UAM), 28049 Madrid, Spain;
| | - José María Requena
- Grupo Regulación de la Expresión Génica en Leishmania del Centro de Biología Molecular Severo Ochoa, Molecular Biology Department, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (CBMSO, CSIC-UAM), 28049 Madrid, Spain;
| | - Concepción J. Puerta
- Grupo de Investigación en Enfermedades Infecciosas, Departamento de Microbiología, Facultad de Ciencias, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Carrera 7 # 40- 62, Bogotá, Colombia; (E.R.-M.); (C.A.R.); (E.R.R.)
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Calarco L, Barratt J, Ellis J. Detecting sequence variants in clinically important protozoan parasites. Int J Parasitol 2019; 50:1-18. [PMID: 31857072 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpara.2019.10.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2019] [Revised: 09/29/2019] [Accepted: 10/01/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Second and third generation sequencing methods are crucial for population genetic studies, and variant detection is a popular approach for exploiting this sequence data. While mini- and microsatellites are historically useful markers for studying important Protozoa such as Toxoplasma and Plasmodium spp., detecting non-repetitive variants such as those found in genes can be fundamental to investigating a pathogen's biology. These variants, namely single nucleotide polymorphisms and insertions and deletions, can help elucidate the genetic basis of an organism's pathogenicity, identify selective pressures, and resolve phylogenetic relationships. They also have the added benefit of possessing a comparatively low mutation rate, which contributes to their stability. However, there is a plethora of variant analysis tools with nuanced pipelines and conflicting recommendations for best practise, which can be confounding. This lack of standardisation means that variant analysis requires careful parameter optimisation, an understanding of its limitations, and the availability of high quality data. This review explores the value of variant detection when applied to non-model organisms such as clinically important protozoan pathogens. The limitations of current methods are discussed, including special considerations that require the end-users' attention to ensure that the results generated are reproducible, and the biological conclusions drawn are valid.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Larissa Calarco
- School of Life Sciences, University of Technology Sydney, PO Box 123, Broadway, NSW 2007, Australia.
| | - Joel Barratt
- School of Life Sciences, University of Technology Sydney, PO Box 123, Broadway, NSW 2007, Australia
| | - John Ellis
- School of Life Sciences, University of Technology Sydney, PO Box 123, Broadway, NSW 2007, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Out of Africa: The origins of the protozoan blood parasites of the Trypanosoma cruzi clade found in bats from Africa. Mol Phylogenet Evol 2019; 145:106705. [PMID: 31821880 DOI: 10.1016/j.ympev.2019.106705] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2019] [Revised: 11/26/2019] [Accepted: 12/06/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Understanding geographic patterns of interaction between hosts and parasites can provide useful insight into the evolutionary history of the organisms involved. However, poor taxon sampling often hinders meaningful phylogenetic descriptions of groups of parasites. Trypanosome parasites that constitute the Trypanosoma cruzi clade are worldwide distributed infecting several mammalian species, especially bats. Diversity in this clade has been recently expanded by newly discovered species, but the common ancestor and geographical origins of this group of blood parasites are still debated. We present here results based on the molecular characterization of trypanosome isolates obtained from 1493 bats representing 74 species and sampled over 16 countries across four continents. After estimating the appropriate number of hypothetical species in our data set using GMYC models in combination with Poisson Tree Processes (mPTP) and ABGD, the 18S rRNA and gGAPDH genes were used for phylogenetic analyses to infer the major evolutionary relationships in the T. cruzi clade. Then, biogeographical processes influencing the distribution of this cosmopolitan group of parasites was inferred using BioGeoBEARS. Results revealed a large lineages diversity and the presence of trypanosomes in all sampled regions which infected 344 individuals from 31 bat species. We found eight Trypanosoma species, including: five previously known; one subspecies of Trypanosoma livingstonei (Trypanosoma cf. livingstonei); and two undescribed taxa (Trypanosoma sp. 1, Trypanosoma sp. 2), which were found exclusively in bats of the genus Miniopterus from Europe and Africa. The new taxa discovered have both an unexpected position in the global phylogeny of the T. cruzi clade. Trypanosoma sp. 1 is a sister lineage of T. livingstonei which is located at the base of the tree, whereas Trypanosoma sp. 2 is a sister lineage of the Shizotrypanum subclade that contains T. c. cruzi and T. dionisii. Ancestral areas reconstruction provided evidence that trypanosomes of the T. cruzi clade have radiated from Africa through several dispersion events across the world. We discuss the impact of these findings on the biogeography and taxonomy of this important clade of parasites and question the role played by bats, especially those from the genus Miniopterus, on the dispersal of these protozoan parasites between continents.
Collapse
|
18
|
Motta FN, Azevedo CDS, Neves BP, Araújo CND, Grellier P, Santana JMD, Bastos IMD. Oligopeptidase B, a missing enzyme in mammals and a potential drug target for trypanosomatid diseases. Biochimie 2019; 167:207-216. [DOI: 10.1016/j.biochi.2019.10.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2019] [Accepted: 10/15/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
|
19
|
Michel-Todó L, Reche PA, Bigey P, Pinazo MJ, Gascón J, Alonso-Padilla J. In silico Design of an Epitope-Based Vaccine Ensemble for Chagas Disease. Front Immunol 2019; 10:2698. [PMID: 31824493 PMCID: PMC6882931 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2019.02698] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2019] [Accepted: 11/01/2019] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Trypanosoma cruzi infection causes Chagas disease, which affects 7 million people worldwide. Two drugs are available to treat it: benznidazole and nifurtimox. Although both are efficacious against the acute stage of the disease, this is usually asymptomatic and goes undiagnosed and untreated. Diagnosis is achieved at the chronic stage, when life-threatening heart and/or gut tissue disruptions occur in ~30% of those chronically infected. By then, the drugs' efficacy is reduced, but not their associated high toxicity. Given current deficiencies in diagnosis and treatment, a vaccine to prevent infection and/or the development of symptoms would be a breakthrough in the management of the disease. Current vaccine candidates are mostly based on the delivery of single antigens or a few different antigens. Nevertheless, due to the high biological complexity of the parasite, targeting as many antigens as possible would be desirable. In this regard, an epitope-based vaccine design could be a well-suited approach. With this aim, we have gone through publicly available databases to identify T. cruzi epitopes from several antigens. By means of a computer-aided strategy, we have prioritized a set of epitopes based on sequence conservation criteria, projected population coverage of Latin American population, and biological features of their antigens of origin. Fruit of this analysis, we provide a selection of CD8+ T cell, CD4+ T cell, and B cell epitopes that have <70% identity to human or human microbiome protein sequences and represent the basis toward the development of an epitope-based vaccine against T. cruzi.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lucas Michel-Todó
- Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal), Hospital Clínic, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Pedro Antonio Reche
- Laboratory of Immunomedicine, Faculty of Medicine, University Complutense of Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Pascal Bigey
- Université de Paris, UTCBS, CNRS, INSERM, Paris, France.,PSL University, ChimieParisTech, Paris, France
| | - Maria-Jesus Pinazo
- Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal), Hospital Clínic, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Joaquim Gascón
- Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal), Hospital Clínic, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Julio Alonso-Padilla
- Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal), Hospital Clínic, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Messias Sandes J, Nascimento Moura DM, Divina da Silva Santiago M, Barbosa de Lima G, Cabral Filho PE, da Cunha Gonçalves de Albuquerque S, de Paiva Cavalcanti M, Fontes A, Bressan Queiroz Figueiredo RC. The effects of endoplasmic reticulum stressors, tunicamycin and dithiothreitol on Trypanosoma cruzi. Exp Cell Res 2019; 383:111560. [PMID: 31437457 DOI: 10.1016/j.yexcr.2019.111560] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2019] [Revised: 08/14/2019] [Accepted: 08/17/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
In higher eukaryotic cells, pertubations in ER environment, called ER stress, usually activate unfolded protein response (UPR) pathway in an attempt to re-stablish the ER homeostasis and prevent cell death. Because trypanosomatids appear to lack the classical UPR, it is not clear how these parasites respond to ER stress. Thus, the aim of this work was to evaluate the effects of ER stressors tunicamycin (TM) or dithiothreitol (DTT) on Trypanosoma cruzi. The TM treatment showed strong trypanostatic effect. At 2.5 μg/mL of TM, the mRNA levels of both binding protein (BiP) and calreticulin (CRT) increased significantly, whereas the protein levels of BiP remained stable. TM treatment induced ultrastructural changes compatible with an autophagic process. The DTT treatment inhibited the cell growth, induced drastic morphological changes, mitochondrial membrane depolarization and increased ROS production. The expression of BiP apparently was not affected by DTT, whereas the mRNA levels of BiP and CRT were significantly reduced. Our results suggest that TM induces autophagy/ER-phagy without causing substantial injury to the parasite. Conversely, the DTT treatment seems to rupture the mitochondrion homeostasis leading to parasite death. The comprehension of the mechanisms behind the susceptibility of T. cruzi to ER stress open perspectives for the development of chemotherapeutic agents addressed to these pathways.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jana Messias Sandes
- Departamento de Microbiologia, Instituto Aggeu Magalhães/FIOCRUZ, Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil; Laboratório de Imunopatologia Keizo Asami - LIKA, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil.
| | | | | | - Gustavo Barbosa de Lima
- Departamento de Microbiologia, Instituto Aggeu Magalhães/FIOCRUZ, Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil.
| | - Paulo Euzébio Cabral Filho
- Departamento de Biofísica e Radiobiologia, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil.
| | | | | | - Adriana Fontes
- Departamento de Biofísica e Radiobiologia, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil.
| | | |
Collapse
|
21
|
Urrea DA, Triana-Chavez O, Alzate JF. Mitochondrial genomics of human pathogenic parasite Leishmania ( Viannia) panamensis. PeerJ 2019; 7:e7235. [PMID: 31304069 PMCID: PMC6611448 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.7235] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2019] [Accepted: 06/01/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The human parasite Leishmania (V.) panamensis is one of the pathogenic species responsible for cutaneous leishmaniasis in Central and South America. Despite its importance in molecular parasitology, its mitochondrial genome, divided into minicircles and maxicircles, haven’t been described so far. Methods Using NGS-based sequencing (454 and ILLUMINA), and combining de novo genome assembly and mapping strategies, we report the maxicircle kDNA annotated genome of L. (V.) panamensis, the first reference of this molecule for the subgenus Viannia. A comparative genomics approach is performed against other Leishmania and Trypanosoma species. Results The results show synteny of mitochondrial genes of L. (V.) panamensis with other kinetoplastids. It was also possible to identify nucleotide variants within the coding regions of the maxicircle, shared among some of them and others specific to each strain. Furthermore, we compared the minicircles kDNA sequences of two strains and the results show that the conserved and divergent regions of the minicircles exhibit strain-specific associations.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Alfonso Urrea
- Laboratorio de Investigaciones en Parasitología Tropical (LIPT), Departamento de Biología, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad del Tolima, Ibague, Tolima, Colombia.,Grupo Biología y Control de Enfermedades Infecciosas (BCEI), Universidad de Antioquia, Medellín, Antioquia, Colombia
| | - Omar Triana-Chavez
- Grupo Biología y Control de Enfermedades Infecciosas (BCEI), Universidad de Antioquia, Medellín, Antioquia, Colombia
| | - Juan F Alzate
- Centro Nacional de Secuenciación Genómica -CNSG, Sede de Investigación Universitaria -SIU. Grupo de Parasitología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Antioquia, Medellin, Antioquia, Colombia
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Lobo M, Balouz V, Melli L, Carlevaro G, Cortina ME, Cámara MDLM, Cánepa GE, Carmona SJ, Altcheh J, Campetella O, Ciocchini AE, Agüero F, Mucci J, Buscaglia CA. Molecular and antigenic characterization of Trypanosoma cruzi TolT proteins. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2019; 13:e0007245. [PMID: 30870417 PMCID: PMC6435186 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0007245] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2018] [Revised: 03/26/2019] [Accepted: 02/14/2019] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Background TolT was originally described as a Trypanosoma cruzi molecule that accumulated on the trypomastigote flagellum bearing similarity to bacterial TolA colicins receptors. Preliminary biochemical studies indicated that TolT resolved in SDS-PAGE as ~3–5 different bands with sizes between 34 and 45 kDa, and that this heterogeneity could be ascribed to differences in polypeptide glycosylation. However, the recurrent identification of TolT-deduced peptides, and variations thereof, in trypomastigote proteomic surveys suggested an intrinsic TolT complexity, and prompted us to undertake a thorough reassessment of this antigen. Methods/Principle findings Genome mining exercises showed that TolT constitutes a larger-than-expected family of genes, with at least 12 polymorphic members in the T. cruzi CL Brener reference strain and homologs in different trypanosomes. According to structural features, TolT deduced proteins could be split into three robust groups, termed TolT-A, TolT-B, and TolT-C, all of them showing marginal sequence similarity to bacterial TolA proteins and canonical signatures of surface localization/membrane association, most of which were herein experimentally validated. Further biochemical and microscopy-based characterizations indicated that this grouping may have a functional correlate, as TolT-A, TolT-B and TolT-C molecules showed differences in their expression profile, sub-cellular distribution, post-translational modification(s) and antigenic structure. We finally used a recently developed fluorescence magnetic beads immunoassay to validate a recombinant protein spanning the central and mature region of a TolT-B deduced molecule for Chagas disease serodiagnosis. Conclusion/Significance This study unveiled an unexpected genetic and biochemical complexity within the TolT family, which could be exploited for the development of novel T. cruzi biomarkers with diagnostic/therapeutic applications. Chagas disease, caused by the protozoan Trypanosoma cruzi, is a lifelong and debilitating neglected illness of major significance in Latin America, for which no vaccine or adequate drugs are yet available. Identification of novel biomarkers able to transcend the current limits of diagnostic and/or therapeutic assessment methods hence surfaces as a main priority in Chagas disease applied research. In this framework, we herein undertook a thorough biochemical and antigenic characterization of T. cruzi TolT surface antigens. Our results unveil an unexpected complexity within this family, with at least 12 polymorphic TolT genes in the T. cruzi CL Brener reference strain genome. According to structural features, TolT deduced molecules could be split into three robust groups that show differences in their structural features, expression profile, sub-cellular distribution, post-translational modification(s) and antigenic structure. Overall, we show that TolT molecules are conspicuously expressed by both major mammal-dwelling stages of the parasite, and that they are differentially recognized by the immune system in Chagasic patients and in T. cruzi-infected mammals. Our findings are discussed in terms of the evolution and possible structural/functional roles of TolT molecules, as well as in terms of their applicability in Chagas disease serodiagnosis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Maite Lobo
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biotecnológicas “Dr Rodolfo Ugalde” (IIB-INTECh, Universidad Nacional de San Martín and CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Virginia Balouz
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biotecnológicas “Dr Rodolfo Ugalde” (IIB-INTECh, Universidad Nacional de San Martín and CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Luciano Melli
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biotecnológicas “Dr Rodolfo Ugalde” (IIB-INTECh, Universidad Nacional de San Martín and CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Giannina Carlevaro
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biotecnológicas “Dr Rodolfo Ugalde” (IIB-INTECh, Universidad Nacional de San Martín and CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - María E. Cortina
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biotecnológicas “Dr Rodolfo Ugalde” (IIB-INTECh, Universidad Nacional de San Martín and CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - María de los Milagros Cámara
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biotecnológicas “Dr Rodolfo Ugalde” (IIB-INTECh, Universidad Nacional de San Martín and CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Gaspar E. Cánepa
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biotecnológicas “Dr Rodolfo Ugalde” (IIB-INTECh, Universidad Nacional de San Martín and CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Santiago J. Carmona
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biotecnológicas “Dr Rodolfo Ugalde” (IIB-INTECh, Universidad Nacional de San Martín and CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Jaime Altcheh
- Servicio de Parasitología-Chagas, Hospital de Niños Ricardo Gutiérrez, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Oscar Campetella
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biotecnológicas “Dr Rodolfo Ugalde” (IIB-INTECh, Universidad Nacional de San Martín and CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Andrés E. Ciocchini
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biotecnológicas “Dr Rodolfo Ugalde” (IIB-INTECh, Universidad Nacional de San Martín and CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Fernán Agüero
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biotecnológicas “Dr Rodolfo Ugalde” (IIB-INTECh, Universidad Nacional de San Martín and CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Juan Mucci
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biotecnológicas “Dr Rodolfo Ugalde” (IIB-INTECh, Universidad Nacional de San Martín and CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
- * E-mail: (JM); (CAB)
| | - Carlos A. Buscaglia
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biotecnológicas “Dr Rodolfo Ugalde” (IIB-INTECh, Universidad Nacional de San Martín and CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
- * E-mail: (JM); (CAB)
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
Reis-Cunha JL, Bartholomeu DC. Trypanosoma cruzi Genome Assemblies: Challenges and Milestones of Assembling a Highly Repetitive and Complex Genome. Methods Mol Biol 2019; 1955:1-22. [PMID: 30868515 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4939-9148-8_1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Trypanosoma cruzi present one of the most complex parasite genomes sequenced to date. Among its features are 600-kb-long repetitive multigene families' clusters, hybrid strains, and aneuploidies, which hampered genome assembly completeness and contiguity. Several approaches, such as Sanger sequencing in 2005, next-generation sequencing in 2011 and third-generation sequencing in 2018, were used to improve draft assemblies of different strains of this parasite. Hence, the study of T. cruzi genome assemblies' history is an excellent way to describe the evolution of genome sequencing methodologies and compare their efficiency and limitations to assembly complex genomes. In this book chapter, we summarize the principal findings and methodologies of T. cruzi genome assembly projects to date, highlighting the improvements and limitations of each approach.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- João Luís Reis-Cunha
- Departamento de Parasitologia, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Daniella C Bartholomeu
- Departamento de Parasitologia, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil.
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
Bradwell KR, Koparde VN, Matveyev AV, Serrano MG, Alves JMP, Parikh H, Huang B, Lee V, Espinosa-Alvarez O, Ortiz PA, Costa-Martins AG, Teixeira MMG, Buck GA. Genomic comparison of Trypanosoma conorhini and Trypanosoma rangeli to Trypanosoma cruzi strains of high and low virulence. BMC Genomics 2018; 19:770. [PMID: 30355302 PMCID: PMC6201504 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-018-5112-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2018] [Accepted: 09/25/2018] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Trypanosoma conorhini and Trypanosoma rangeli, like Trypanosoma cruzi, are kinetoplastid protist parasites of mammals displaying divergent hosts, geographic ranges and lifestyles. Largely nonpathogenic T. rangeli and T. conorhini represent clades that are phylogenetically closely related to the T. cruzi and T. cruzi-like taxa and provide insights into the evolution of pathogenicity in those parasites. T. rangeli, like T. cruzi is endemic in many Latin American countries, whereas T. conorhini is tropicopolitan. T. rangeli and T. conorhini are exclusively extracellular, while T. cruzi has an intracellular stage in the mammalian host. Results Here we provide the first comprehensive sequence analysis of T. rangeli AM80 and T. conorhini 025E, and provide a comparison of their genomes to those of T. cruzi G and T. cruzi CL, respectively members of T. cruzi lineages TcI and TcVI. We report de novo assembled genome sequences of the low-virulent T. cruzi G, T. rangeli AM80, and T. conorhini 025E ranging from ~ 21–25 Mbp, with ~ 10,000 to 13,000 genes, and for the highly virulent and hybrid T. cruzi CL we present a ~ 65 Mbp in-house assembled haplotyped genome with ~ 12,500 genes per haplotype. Single copy orthologs of the two T. cruzi strains exhibited ~ 97% amino acid identity, and ~ 78% identity to proteins of T. rangeli or T. conorhini. Proteins of the latter two organisms exhibited ~ 84% identity. T. cruzi CL exhibited the highest heterozygosity. T. rangeli and T. conorhini displayed greater metabolic capabilities for utilization of complex carbohydrates, and contained fewer retrotransposons and multigene family copies, i.e. trans-sialidases, mucins, DGF-1, and MASP, compared to T. cruzi. Conclusions Our analyses of the T. rangeli and T. conorhini genomes closely reflected their phylogenetic proximity to the T. cruzi clade, and were largely consistent with their divergent life cycles. Our results provide a greater context for understanding the life cycles, host range expansion, immunity evasion, and pathogenesis of these trypanosomatids. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s12864-018-5112-0) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Katie R Bradwell
- Center for the Study of Biological Complexity, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA.,Present address: Institute for Genome Sciences, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Vishal N Koparde
- Center for the Study of Biological Complexity, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA
| | - Andrey V Matveyev
- Center for the Study of Biological Complexity, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA.,Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA
| | - Myrna G Serrano
- Center for the Study of Biological Complexity, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA.,Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA
| | - João M P Alves
- Department of Parasitology, ICB, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Hardik Parikh
- Center for the Study of Biological Complexity, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA.,Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA
| | - Bernice Huang
- Center for the Study of Biological Complexity, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA.,Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA
| | - Vladimir Lee
- Center for the Study of Biological Complexity, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA
| | | | - Paola A Ortiz
- Department of Parasitology, ICB, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | | | - Marta M G Teixeira
- Department of Parasitology, ICB, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Gregory A Buck
- Center for the Study of Biological Complexity, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA. .,Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
Berná L, Rodriguez M, Chiribao ML, Parodi-Talice A, Pita S, Rijo G, Alvarez-Valin F, Robello C. Expanding an expanded genome: long-read sequencing of Trypanosoma cruzi. Microb Genom 2018; 4. [PMID: 29708484 PMCID: PMC5994713 DOI: 10.1099/mgen.0.000177] [Citation(s) in RCA: 73] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Although the genome of Trypanosoma cruzi, the causative agent of Chagas disease, was first made available in 2005, with additional strains reported later, the intrinsic genome complexity of this parasite (the abundance of repetitive sequences and genes organized in tandem) has traditionally hindered high-quality genome assembly and annotation. This also limits diverse types of analyses that require high degrees of precision. Long reads generated by third-generation sequencing technologies are particularly suitable to address the challenges associated with T. cruzi’s genome since they permit direct determination of the full sequence of large clusters of repetitive sequences without collapsing them. This, in turn, not only allows accurate estimation of gene copy numbers but also circumvents assembly fragmentation. Here, we present the analysis of the genome sequences of two T. cruzi clones: the hybrid TCC (TcVI) and the non-hybrid Dm28c (TcI), determined by PacBio Single Molecular Real-Time (SMRT) technology. The improved assemblies herein obtained permitted us to accurately estimate gene copy numbers, abundance and distribution of repetitive sequences (including satellites and retroelements). We found that the genome of T. cruzi is composed of a ‘core compartment’ and a ‘disruptive compartment’ which exhibit opposite GC content and gene composition. Novel tandem and dispersed repetitive sequences were identified, including some located inside coding sequences. Additionally, homologous chromosomes were separately assembled, allowing us to retrieve haplotypes as separate contigs instead of a unique mosaic sequence. Finally, manual annotation of surface multigene families, mucins and trans-sialidases allows now a better overview of these complex groups of genes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Luisa Berná
- 1Laboratory of Host Pathogen Interactions-UBM, Institut Pasteur de Montevideo, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Matias Rodriguez
- 2Sección Biomatemática - Unidad de Genómica Evolutiva, Facultad de Ciencias-UDELAR, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - María Laura Chiribao
- 1Laboratory of Host Pathogen Interactions-UBM, Institut Pasteur de Montevideo, Montevideo, Uruguay.,3Departamento de Bioquímica, Facultad de Medicina-UDELAR, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Adriana Parodi-Talice
- 1Laboratory of Host Pathogen Interactions-UBM, Institut Pasteur de Montevideo, Montevideo, Uruguay.,4Sección Genética, Facultad de Ciencias-UDELAR, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Sebastián Pita
- 1Laboratory of Host Pathogen Interactions-UBM, Institut Pasteur de Montevideo, Montevideo, Uruguay.,4Sección Genética, Facultad de Ciencias-UDELAR, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Gastón Rijo
- 1Laboratory of Host Pathogen Interactions-UBM, Institut Pasteur de Montevideo, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Fernando Alvarez-Valin
- 2Sección Biomatemática - Unidad de Genómica Evolutiva, Facultad de Ciencias-UDELAR, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Carlos Robello
- 1Laboratory of Host Pathogen Interactions-UBM, Institut Pasteur de Montevideo, Montevideo, Uruguay.,3Departamento de Bioquímica, Facultad de Medicina-UDELAR, Montevideo, Uruguay
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
Baptista RP, Reis-Cunha JL, DeBarry JD, Chiari E, Kissinger JC, Bartholomeu DC, Macedo AM. Assembly of highly repetitive genomes using short reads: the genome of discrete typing unit III Trypanosoma cruzi strain 231. Microb Genom 2018; 4. [PMID: 29442617 PMCID: PMC5989580 DOI: 10.1099/mgen.0.000156] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Next-generation sequencing (NGS) methods are low-cost high-throughput technologies that produce thousands to millions of sequence reads. Despite the high number of raw sequence reads, their short length, relative to Sanger, PacBio or Nanopore reads, complicates the assembly of genomic repeats. Many genome tools are available, but the assembly of highly repetitive genome sequences using only NGS short reads remains challenging. Genome assembly of organisms responsible for important neglected diseases such as Trypanosoma cruzi, the aetiological agent of Chagas disease, is known to be challenging because of their repetitive nature. Only three of six recognized discrete typing units (DTUs) of the parasite have their draft genomes published and therefore genome evolution analyses in the taxon are limited. In this study, we developed a computational workflow to assemble highly repetitive genomes via a combination of de novo and reference-based assembly strategies to better overcome the intrinsic limitations of each, based on Illumina reads. The highly repetitive genome of the human-infecting parasite T. cruzi 231 strain was used as a test subject. The combined-assembly approach shown in this study benefits from the reference-based assembly ability to resolve highly repetitive sequences and from the de novo capacity to assemble genome-specific regions, improving the quality of the assembly. The acceptable confidence obtained by analyzing our results showed that our combined approach is an attractive option to assemble highly repetitive genomes with NGS short reads. Phylogenomic analysis including the 231 strain, the first representative of DTU III whose genome was sequenced, was also performed and provides new insights into T. cruzi genome evolution.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rodrigo P Baptista
- 1Center for Tropical and Emerging Global Diseases, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
- 2Institute of Bioinformatics, University of Georgia, Athens, USA
| | - Joao Luis Reis-Cunha
- 3Departamento de Parasitologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Jeremy D DeBarry
- 1Center for Tropical and Emerging Global Diseases, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
| | - Egler Chiari
- 3Departamento de Parasitologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Jessica C Kissinger
- 1Center for Tropical and Emerging Global Diseases, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
- 2Institute of Bioinformatics, University of Georgia, Athens, USA
- 4Department of Genetics, University of Georgia, Athens, USA
| | - Daniella C Bartholomeu
- 3Departamento de Parasitologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Andrea M Macedo
- 5Departamento de Bioquímica e Imunologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| |
Collapse
|
27
|
Reis-Cunha JL, Valdivia HO, Bartholomeu DC. Gene and Chromosomal Copy Number Variations as an Adaptive Mechanism Towards a Parasitic Lifestyle in Trypanosomatids. Curr Genomics 2018; 19:87-97. [PMID: 29491737 PMCID: PMC5814966 DOI: 10.2174/1389202918666170911161311] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2017] [Revised: 03/14/2017] [Accepted: 04/18/2017] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Trypanosomatids are a group of kinetoplastid parasites including some of great public health importance, causing debilitating and life-long lasting diseases that affect more than 24 million people worldwide. Among the trypanosomatids, Trypanosoma cruzi, Trypanosoma brucei and species from the Leishmania genus are the most well studied parasites, due to their high prevalence in human infections. These parasites have an extreme genomic and phenotypic variability, with a massive expansion in the copy number of species-specific multigene families enrolled in host-parasite interactions that mediate cellular invasion and immune evasion processes. As most trypanosomatids are heteroxenous, and therefore their lifecycles involve the transition between different hosts, these parasites have developed several strategies to ensure a rapid adaptation to changing environments. Among these strategies, a rapid shift in the repertoire of expressed genes, genetic variability and genome plasticity are key mechanisms. Trypanosomatid genomes are organized into large directional gene clusters that are transcribed polycistronically, where genes derived from the same polycistron may have very distinct mRNA levels. This particular mode of transcription implies that the control of gene expression operates mainly at post-transcriptional level. In this sense, gene duplications/losses were already associated with changes in mRNA levels in these parasites. Gene duplications also allow the generation of sequence variability, as the newly formed copy can diverge without loss of function of the original copy. Recently, aneuploidies have been shown to occur in several Leishmania species and T. cruzi strains. Although aneuploidies are usually associated with debilitating phenotypes in superior eukaryotes, recent data shows that it could also provide increased fitness in stress conditions and generate drug resistance in unicellular eukaryotes. In this review, we will focus on gene and chromosomal copy number variations and their relevance to the evolution of trypanosomatid parasites.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- João Luís Reis-Cunha
- Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Laboratório de Imunologia e Genômica de Parasitos, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Hugo O. Valdivia
- Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Laboratório de Imunologia e Genômica de Parasitos, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
- Centro de Investigaciones Tecnológicas, Biomédicas y Medioambientales, Callao, Peru
| | - Daniella Castanheira Bartholomeu
- Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Laboratório de Imunologia e Genômica de Parasitos, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
- Centro de Investigaciones Tecnológicas, Biomédicas y Medioambientales, Callao, Peru
| |
Collapse
|
28
|
Berná L, Chiribao ML, Greif G, Rodriguez M, Alvarez-Valin F, Robello C. Transcriptomic analysis reveals metabolic switches and surface remodeling as key processes for stage transition in Trypanosoma cruzi. PeerJ 2017; 5:e3017. [PMID: 28286708 PMCID: PMC5345387 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.3017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2016] [Accepted: 01/23/2017] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
American trypanosomiasis is a chronic and endemic disease which affects millions of people. Trypanosoma cruzi, its causative agent, has a life cycle that involves complex morphological and functional transitions, as well as a variety of environmental conditions. This requires a tight regulation of gene expression, which is achieved mainly by post-transcriptional regulation. In this work we conducted an RNAseq analysis of the three major life cycle stages of T. cruzi: amastigotes, epimastigotes and trypomastigotes. This analysis allowed us to delineate specific transcriptomic profiling for each stage, and also to identify those biological processes of major relevance in each state. Stage specific expression profiling evidenced the plasticity of T. cruzi to adapt quickly to different conditions, with particular focus on membrane remodeling and metabolic shifts along the life cycle. Epimastigotes, which replicate in the gut of insect vectors, showed higher expression of genes related to energy metabolism, mainly Krebs cycle, respiratory chain and oxidative phosphorylation related genes, and anabolism related genes associated to nucleotide and steroid biosynthesis; also, a general down-regulation of surface glycoprotein coding genes was seen at this stage. Trypomastigotes, living extracellularly in the bloodstream of mammals, express a plethora of surface proteins and signaling genes involved in invasion and evasion of immune response. Amastigotes mostly express membrane transporters and genes involved in regulation of cell cycle, and also express a specific subset of surface glycoprotein coding genes. In addition, these results allowed us to improve the annotation of the Dm28c genome, identifying new ORFs and set the stage for construction of networks of co-expression, which can give clues about coded proteins of unknown functions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Luisa Berná
- Unidad de Biología Molecular, Institut Pasteur de Montevideo, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Maria Laura Chiribao
- Unidad de Biología Molecular, Institut Pasteur de Montevideo, Montevideo, Uruguay.,Departamento de Bioquímica, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Gonzalo Greif
- Unidad de Biología Molecular, Institut Pasteur de Montevideo, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Matias Rodriguez
- Sección Biomatemática, Unidad de Genómica Evolutiva, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Fernando Alvarez-Valin
- Sección Biomatemática, Unidad de Genómica Evolutiva, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Carlos Robello
- Unidad de Biología Molecular, Institut Pasteur de Montevideo, Montevideo, Uruguay.,Departamento de Bioquímica, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay
| |
Collapse
|
29
|
Gonzalez SN, Valsecchi WM, Maugeri D, Delfino JM, Cazzulo JJ. Structure, kinetic characterization and subcellular localization of the two ribulose 5-phosphate epimerase isoenzymes from Trypanosoma cruzi. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0172405. [PMID: 28207833 PMCID: PMC5312968 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0172405] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2016] [Accepted: 02/03/2017] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
The enzyme of the pentose phosphate pathway (PPP) ribulose-5-phosphate-epimerase (RPE) is encoded by two genes present in the genome of Trypanosoma cruzi CL Brener clone: TcRPE1 and TcRPE2. Despite high sequence similarity at the amino acid residue level, the recombinant isoenzymes show a strikingly different kinetics. Whereas TcRPE2 follows a typical michaelian behavior, TcRPE1 shows a complex kinetic pattern, displaying a biphasic curve, suggesting the coexistence of -at least- two kinetically different molecular forms. Regarding the subcellular localization in epimastigotes, whereas TcRPE1 is a cytosolic enzyme, TcRPE2 is localized in glycosomes. To our knowledge, TcRPE2 is the first PPP isoenzyme that is exclusively localized in glycosomes. Over-expression of TcRPE1, but not of TcRPE2, significantly reduces the parasite doubling time in vitro, as compared with wild type epimastigotes. Both TcRPEs represent single domain proteins exhibiting the classical α/β TIM-barrel fold, as expected for enzymes with this activity. With regard to the architecture of the active site, all the important amino acid residues for catalysis -with the exception of M58- are also present in both TcRPEs models. The superimposition of the binding pocket of both isoenzyme models shows that they adopt essentially identical positions in the active site with a residue specific RMSD < 2Å, with the sole exception of S12, which displays a large deviation (residue specific RMSD: 11.07 Å). Studies on the quaternary arrangement of these isoenzymes reveal that both are present in a mixture of various oligomeric species made up of an even number of molecules, probably pointing to the dimer as their minimal functional unit. This multiplicity of oligomeric species has not been reported for any of the other RPEs studied so far and it might bear implications for the regulation of TcRPEs activity, although further investigation will be necessary to unravel the physiological significance of these structural findings.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Soledad Natalia Gonzalez
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biotecnológicas Dr. Rodolfo A. Ugalde-Instituto Tecnológico de Chascomús Dr. Raúl Alfonsín (IIB-INTECH), Universidad Nacional de San Martín (UNSAM)-Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Campus Miguelete, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Wanda Mariela Valsecchi
- Instituto de Química y Fisicoquímica Biológicas, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Junín, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Dante Maugeri
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biotecnológicas Dr. Rodolfo A. Ugalde-Instituto Tecnológico de Chascomús Dr. Raúl Alfonsín (IIB-INTECH), Universidad Nacional de San Martín (UNSAM)-Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Campus Miguelete, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - José María Delfino
- Instituto de Química y Fisicoquímica Biológicas, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Junín, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Juan José Cazzulo
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biotecnológicas Dr. Rodolfo A. Ugalde-Instituto Tecnológico de Chascomús Dr. Raúl Alfonsín (IIB-INTECH), Universidad Nacional de San Martín (UNSAM)-Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Campus Miguelete, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| |
Collapse
|
30
|
Tomasini N, Diosque P. Phylogenomics of Trypanosoma cruzi: Few evidence of TcI/TcII mosaicism in TcIII challenges the hypothesis of an ancient TcI/TcII hybridization. INFECTION GENETICS AND EVOLUTION 2017; 50:25-27. [PMID: 28192210 DOI: 10.1016/j.meegid.2017.02.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2016] [Revised: 02/08/2017] [Accepted: 02/09/2017] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Phylogenetic relationships among major lineages of Trypanosoma cruzi are still debatable. Particularly, it is controversial the origin of two main lineages: TcIII and TcIV. Some authors proposed that these lineages have been the result of an ancient hybridization between TcI and TcII, and this was one of the most accepted evolutionary models in the scientific community for several years. In the present paper we analyse several genomes of T. cruzi in order to examine if there is evidence supporting that TcIII is an ancient TcI/TcII hybrid. Our results show that TcIII is mainly related to TcI and not to TcII and there is few evidence of mosaicism for TcIII. Our results challenge the hypothesis of the ancient TcI/TcII hybridization.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nicolás Tomasini
- Instituto de Patología Experimental, Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Nacional de Salta - CONICET, Av. Bolivia 5150, 4400, Salta, Salta, Argentina.
| | - Patricio Diosque
- Instituto de Patología Experimental, Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Nacional de Salta - CONICET, Av. Bolivia 5150, 4400, Salta, Salta, Argentina
| |
Collapse
|
31
|
Akhoundi M, Downing T, Votýpka J, Kuhls K, Lukeš J, Cannet A, Ravel C, Marty P, Delaunay P, Kasbari M, Granouillac B, Gradoni L, Sereno D. Leishmania infections: Molecular targets and diagnosis. Mol Aspects Med 2017; 57:1-29. [PMID: 28159546 DOI: 10.1016/j.mam.2016.11.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 186] [Impact Index Per Article: 26.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2016] [Revised: 11/08/2016] [Accepted: 11/28/2016] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Progress in the diagnosis of leishmaniases depends on the development of effective methods and the discovery of suitable biomarkers. We propose firstly an update classification of Leishmania species and their synonymies. We demonstrate a global map highlighting the geography of known endemic Leishmania species pathogenic to humans. We summarize a complete list of techniques currently in use and discuss their advantages and limitations. The available data highlights the benefits of molecular markers in terms of their sensitivity and specificity to quantify variation from the subgeneric level to species complexes, (sub) species within complexes, and individual populations and infection foci. Each DNA-based detection method is supplied with a comprehensive description of markers and primers and proposal for a classification based on the role of each target and primer in the detection, identification and quantification of leishmaniasis infection. We outline a genome-wide map of genes informative for diagnosis that have been used for Leishmania genotyping. Furthermore, we propose a classification method based on the suitability of well-studied molecular markers for typing the 21 known Leishmania species pathogenic to humans. This can be applied to newly discovered species and to hybrid strains originating from inter-species crosses. Developing more effective and sensitive diagnostic methods and biomarkers is vital for enhancing Leishmania infection control programs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad Akhoundi
- Service de Parasitologie-Mycologie, Hôpital de l'Archet, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Nice, Nice, France; MIVEGEC, UMR CNRS5290-IRD224-Université de Montpellier Centre IRD, Montpellier, France.
| | - Tim Downing
- School of Biotechnology, Dublin City University, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Jan Votýpka
- Biology Centre, Institute of Parasitology, Czech Academy of Sciences, České Budějovice, Czech Republic; Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Science, Charles University in Prague, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Katrin Kuhls
- Division of Molecular Biotechnology and Functional Genomics, Technical University of Applied Sciences Wildau, Wildau, Germany
| | - Julius Lukeš
- Biology Centre, Institute of Parasitology, Czech Academy of Sciences, České Budějovice, Czech Republic; Faculty of Sciences, University of South Bohemia, České Budějovice, Czech Republic; Canadian Institute for Advanced Research, Toronto, Canada
| | - Arnaud Cannet
- Inserm U1065, Centre Méditerranéen de Médecine Moléculaire, Université de Nice-Sophia Antipolis, Nice, France
| | - Christophe Ravel
- French National Reference Centre on Leishmaniasis, Montpellier University, Montpellier, France
| | - Pierre Marty
- Service de Parasitologie-Mycologie, Hôpital de l'Archet, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Nice, Nice, France; Inserm U1065, Centre Méditerranéen de Médecine Moléculaire, Université de Nice-Sophia Antipolis, Nice, France
| | - Pascal Delaunay
- Service de Parasitologie-Mycologie, Hôpital de l'Archet, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Nice, Nice, France; Inserm U1065, Centre Méditerranéen de Médecine Moléculaire, Université de Nice-Sophia Antipolis, Nice, France; MIVEGEC, UMR CNRS5290-IRD224-Université de Montpellier Centre IRD, Montpellier, France
| | - Mohamed Kasbari
- Agence Nationale de Sécurité Sanitaire de l'Alimentation, de l'Environnement et du Travail, ANSES, Laboratoire de Santé Animale, Maisons-Alfort, Cedex, France
| | - Bruno Granouillac
- IRD/UMI 233, INSERM U1175, Montpellier University, Montpellier, France; MIVEGEC, UMR CNRS5290-IRD224-Université de Montpellier Centre IRD, Montpellier, France
| | - Luigi Gradoni
- Unit of Vector-borne Diseases and International Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Denis Sereno
- MIVEGEC, UMR CNRS5290-IRD224-Université de Montpellier Centre IRD, Montpellier, France; Intertryp UMR IRD177, Centre IRD de Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| |
Collapse
|
32
|
Beltrame-Botelho IT, Talavera-López C, Andersson B, Grisard EC, Stoco PH. A Comparative In Silico Study of the Antioxidant Defense Gene Repertoire of Distinct Lifestyle Trypanosomatid Species. Evol Bioinform Online 2016; 12:263-275. [PMID: 27840574 PMCID: PMC5100842 DOI: 10.4137/ebo.s40648] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2016] [Revised: 10/05/2016] [Accepted: 10/11/2016] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Kinetoplastids are an ancestral group of protists that contains free-living species and parasites with distinct mechanisms in response to stress. Here, we compared genes involved in antioxidant defense (AD), proposing an evolution model among trypanosomatids. All genes were identified in Bodo saltans, suggesting that AD mechanisms have evolved prior to adaptation for parasitic lifestyles. While most of the monoxenous and dixenous parasites revealed minor differences from B. saltans, the endosymbiont-bearing species have an increased number of genes. The absence of these genes was mainly observed in the extracellular parasites of the genera Phytomonas and Trypanosoma. In trypanosomes, a distinction was observed between stercorarian and salivarian parasites, except for Trypanosoma rangeli. Our analyses indicate that the variability of AD among trypanosomatids at the genomic level is not solely due to the geographical isolation, being mainly related to specific adaptations of their distinct biological cycles within insect vectors and to a parasitism of a wide range of hosts.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ingrid Thaís Beltrame-Botelho
- Departamento de Microbiologia, Imunologia e Parasitologia, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, SC, Brazil
- Universidade do Sul de Santa Catarina, Palhoça, SC, Brazil
| | | | - Björn Andersson
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Edmundo Carlos Grisard
- Departamento de Microbiologia, Imunologia e Parasitologia, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, SC, Brazil
| | - Patricia Hermes Stoco
- Departamento de Microbiologia, Imunologia e Parasitologia, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, SC, Brazil
| |
Collapse
|
33
|
Seco-Hidalgo V, De Pablos LM, Osuna A. Transcriptional and phenotypical heterogeneity of Trypanosoma cruzi cell populations. Open Biol 2016; 5:150190. [PMID: 26674416 PMCID: PMC4703061 DOI: 10.1098/rsob.150190] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Trypanosoma cruzi has a complex life cycle comprising pools of cell populations which circulate among humans, vectors, sylvatic reservoirs and domestic animals. Recent experimental evidence has demonstrated the importance of clonal variations for parasite population dynamics, survival and evolution. By limiting dilution assays, we have isolated seven isogenic clonal cell lines derived from the Pan4 strain of T. cruzi. Applying different molecular techniques, we have been able to provide a comprehensive characterization of the expression heterogeneity in the mucin-associated surface protein (MASP) gene family, where all the clonal isogenic populations were transcriptionally different. Hierarchical cluster analysis and sequence comparison among different MASP cDNA libraries showed that, despite the great variability in MASP expression, some members of the transcriptome (including MASP pseudogenes) are conserved, not only in the life-cycle stages but also among different strains of T. cruzi. Finally, other important aspects for the parasite, such as growth, spontaneous metacyclogenesis or excretion of different catabolites, were also compared among the clones, demonstrating that T. cruzi populations of cells are also phenotypically heterogeneous. Although the evolutionary strategy that sustains the MASP expression polymorphism remains unknown, we suggest that MASP clonal variability and phenotypic heterogeneities found in this study might provide an advantage, allowing a rapid response to environmental pressure or changes during the life cycle of T. cruzi.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Víctor Seco-Hidalgo
- Biochemistry and Molecular Parasitology Research Group, Department of Parasitology, University of Granada, Campus de Fuentenueva, Granada, Spain
| | - Luis Miguel De Pablos
- Biochemistry and Molecular Parasitology Research Group, Department of Parasitology, University of Granada, Campus de Fuentenueva, Granada, Spain Centre for Immunology and Infection (CII), Biology Department, University of York, York, UK
| | - Antonio Osuna
- Biochemistry and Molecular Parasitology Research Group, Department of Parasitology, University of Granada, Campus de Fuentenueva, Granada, Spain
| |
Collapse
|
34
|
The diversity and expansion of the trans-sialidase gene family is a common feature in Trypanosoma cruzi clade members. INFECTION GENETICS AND EVOLUTION 2015; 37:266-74. [PMID: 26640033 DOI: 10.1016/j.meegid.2015.11.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2015] [Revised: 11/21/2015] [Accepted: 11/23/2015] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Trans-sialidase (TS) is a polymorphic protein superfamily described in members of the protozoan genus Trypanosoma. Of the eight TS groups recently described, TS group I proteins (some of which have catalytic activity) are present in the distantly related Trypanosoma brucei and Trypanosoma cruzi phylogenetic clades, whereas other TS groups have only been described in some species belonging to the T. cruzi clade. In the present study we analyzed the repertoire, distribution and phylogenetic relationships of TS genes among species of the T. cruzi clade based on sequence similarity, multiple sequence alignment and tree-reconstruction approaches using TS sequences obtained with the aid of PCR-based strategies or retrieved from genome databases. We included the following representative isolates of the T. cruzi clade from South America: T. cruzi, T. cruzi Tcbat, Trypanosoma cruzi marinkellei, Trypanosoma dionisii, Trypanosoma rangeli and Trypanosoma conorhini. The cloned sequences encoded conserved TS protein motifs Asp-box and VTVxNVxLYNR but lacked the FRIP motif (conserved in TS group I). The T. conorhini sequences were the most divergent. The hybridization patterns of TS probes with chromosomal bands confirmed the abundance of these sequences in species in the T. cruzi clade. Divergence and relationship analysis placed most of the TS sequences in the groups defined in T. cruzi. Further examination of members of TS group II, which includes T. cruzi surface glycoproteins implicated in host cell attachment and invasion, showed that sequences of T. cruzi Tcbat grouped with those of T. cruzi genotype TcI. Our analysis indicates that different members of the T. cruzi clade, with different vertebrate hosts, vectors and pathogenicity, share the extensive expansion and sequence diversification of the TS gene family. Altogether, our results are congruent with the evolutionary history of the T. cruzi clade and represent a contribution to the understanding of the molecular evolution and role of TS proteins in trypanosomes.
Collapse
|
35
|
Lima L, Espinosa-Álvarez O, Ortiz PA, Trejo-Varón JA, Carranza JC, Pinto CM, Serrano MG, Buck GA, Camargo EP, Teixeira MM. Genetic diversity of Trypanosoma cruzi in bats, and multilocus phylogenetic and phylogeographical analyses supporting Tcbat as an independent DTU (discrete typing unit). Acta Trop 2015. [PMID: 26200788 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2015.07.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 97] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
Trypanosoma cruzi is a complex of phenotypically and genetically diverse isolates distributed in six discrete typing units (DTUs) designated as TcI-TcVI. Five years ago, T. cruzi isolates from Brazilian bats showing unique patterns of traditional ribosomal and spliced leader PCRs not clustering into any of the six DTUs were designated as the Tcbat genotype. In the present study, phylogenies inferred using SSU rRNA (small subunit of ribosomal rRNA), gGAPDH (glycosomal glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase) and Cytb (cytochrome b) genes strongly supported Tcbat as a monophyletic lineage prevalent in Brazil, Panama and Colombia. Providing strong support for Tcbat, sequences from 37 of 47 nuclear and 12 mitochondrial genes (retrieved from a draft genome of Tcbat) and reference strains of all DTUs available in databanks corroborated Tcbat as an independent DTU. Consistent with previous studies, multilocus analysis of most nuclear genes corroborated the evolution of T. cruzi from bat trypanosomes its divergence into two main phylogenetic lineages: the basal TcII; and the lineage clustering TcIV, the clade comprising TcIII and the sister groups TcI-Tcbat. Most likely, the common ancestor of Tcbat and TcI was a bat trypanosome. However, the results of the present analysis did not support Tcbat as the ancestor of all DTUs. Despite the insights provided by reports of TcIII, TcIV and TcII in bats, including Amazonian bats harbouring TcII, further studies are necessary to understand the roles played by bats in the diversification of all DTUs. We also demonstrated that in addition to value as molecular markers for DTU assignment, Cytb, ITS rDNA and the spliced leader (SL) polymorphic sequences suggest spatially structured populations of Tcbat. Phylogenetic and phylogeographical analyses, multiple molecular markers specific to Tcbat, and the degrees of sequence divergence between Tcbat and the accepted DTUs strongly support the definitive classification of Tcbat as a new DTU.
Collapse
|
36
|
Hamedi A, Botelho L, Britto C, Fragoso SP, Umaki ACS, Goldenberg S, Bottu G, Salmon D. In vitro metacyclogenesis of Trypanosoma cruzi induced by starvation correlates with a transient adenylyl cyclase stimulation as well as with a constitutive upregulation of adenylyl cyclase expression. Mol Biochem Parasitol 2015; 200:9-18. [PMID: 25912925 DOI: 10.1016/j.molbiopara.2015.04.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2014] [Revised: 04/10/2015] [Accepted: 04/15/2015] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
The Trypanosoma cruzi adenylyl cyclase (AC) multigene family encodes different isoforms (around 15) sharing a variable large N-terminal domain, which is extracellular and receptor-like, followed by a transmembrane helix and a conserved C-terminal catalytic domain. It was proposed that these key enzymes in the cAMP signalling pathway allow the parasite to sense its changing extracellular milieu in order to rapidly adapt to its new environment, which is generally achieved through a differentiation process. One of the critical differentiation events the parasitic protozoan T. cruzi undergoes during its life cycle, known as metacyclogenesis, occurs in the digestive tract of the insect and corresponds to the differentiation from noninfective epimastigotes to infective metacyclic trypomastigote forms. By in vitro monitoring the activity of AC during metacyclogenesis, we showed that both the activity of AC and the intracellular cAMP content follow a similar pattern of transient stimulation in a two-step process, with a first activation peak occurring during the first hours of nutritional stress and a second peak between 6 and 48 h, corresponding to the cellular adhesion. During this differentiation process, a general mechanism of upregulation of AC expression of both mRNA and protein is triggered and in particular for a major subclass of these enzymes that are present in various gene copies commonly associated to the THT gene clusters. Although the scattered genome distribution of these gene copies is rather unusual in trypanosomatids and seems to be a recent acquisition in the evolution of the T. cruzi clade, their encoded product redistributed on the flagellum of the parasite upon differentiation could be important to sense the extracellular milieu.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Afsaneh Hamedi
- Fiocruz, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Av. Brasil 4365, 21040-900 Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Larisse Botelho
- Laboratório de Biologia Molecular e Doenças Endêmicas, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fiocruz, Av. Brasil 4365, 21040-900 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Constança Britto
- Laboratório de Biologia Molecular e Doenças Endêmicas, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fiocruz, Av. Brasil 4365, 21040-900 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Stenio Perdigão Fragoso
- Instituto de Biologia Molecular do Paraná, Rua Professor Algacyr Munhoz Mader 3775, Curitiba 81350-010, PR, Brazil
| | | | - Samuel Goldenberg
- Instituto de Biologia Molecular do Paraná, Rua Professor Algacyr Munhoz Mader 3775, Curitiba 81350-010, PR, Brazil
| | - Guy Bottu
- Université Libre de Bruxelles, Campus de la Plaine, Boulevard du Triomphe, 1050 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Didier Salmon
- Institute of Medical Biochemistry Leopoldo de Meis, Centro de Ciências e da Saúde, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Av. Brigadeiro Trompowsky, Rio de Janeiro 21941-590, Brazil.
| |
Collapse
|
37
|
Bartholomeu DC, de Paiva RMC, Mendes TAO, DaRocha WD, Teixeira SMR. Unveiling the intracellular survival gene kit of trypanosomatid parasites. PLoS Pathog 2014; 10:e1004399. [PMID: 25474314 PMCID: PMC4256449 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1004399] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Trypanosomatids are unicellular protozoans of medical and economical relevance since they are the etiologic agents of infectious diseases in humans as well as livestock. Whereas Trypanosoma cruzi and different species of Leishmania are obligate intracellular parasites, Trypanosoma brucei and other trypanosomatids develop extracellularly throughout their entire life cycle. After their genomes have been sequenced, various comparative genomic studies aimed at identifying sequences involved with host cell invasion and intracellular survival have been described. However, for only a handful of genes, most of them present exclusively in the T. cruzi or Leishmania genomes, has there been any experimental evidence associating them with intracellular parasitism. With the increasing number of published complete genome sequences of members of the trypanosomatid family, including not only different Trypanosoma and Leishmania strains and subspecies but also trypanosomatids that do not infect humans or other mammals, we may now be able to contemplate a slightly better picture regarding the specific set of parasite factors that defines each organism's mode of living and the associated disease phenotypes. Here, we review the studies concerning T. cruzi and Leishmania genes that have been implicated with cell invasion and intracellular parasitism and also summarize the wealth of new information regarding the mode of living of intracellular parasites that is resulting from comparative genome studies that are based on increasingly larger trypanosomatid genome datasets.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Rita Marcia Cardoso de Paiva
- Departamento de Bioquímica e Imunologia, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Tiago A. O. Mendes
- Departamento de Parasitologia, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Wanderson D. DaRocha
- Departamento de Bioquímica e Biologia Molecular, Universidade Federal do Paraná, Curitiba, Parana, Brazil
| | - Santuza M. R. Teixeira
- Departamento de Bioquímica e Imunologia, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
- * E-mail:
| |
Collapse
|
38
|
Stoco PH, Wagner G, Talavera-Lopez C, Gerber A, Zaha A, Thompson CE, Bartholomeu DC, Lückemeyer DD, Bahia D, Loreto E, Prestes EB, Lima FM, Rodrigues-Luiz G, Vallejo GA, Filho JFDS, Schenkman S, Monteiro KM, Tyler KM, de Almeida LGP, Ortiz MF, Chiurillo MA, de Moraes MH, Cunha ODL, Mendonça-Neto R, Silva R, Teixeira SMR, Murta SMF, Sincero TCM, Mendes TADO, Urmenyi TP, Silva VG, DaRocha WD, Andersson B, Romanha ÁJ, Steindel M, de Vasconcelos ATR, Grisard EC. Genome of the avirulent human-infective trypanosome--Trypanosoma rangeli. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2014; 8:e3176. [PMID: 25233456 PMCID: PMC4169256 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0003176] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2013] [Accepted: 08/08/2014] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Trypanosoma rangeli is a hemoflagellate protozoan parasite infecting humans and other wild and domestic mammals across Central and South America. It does not cause human disease, but it can be mistaken for the etiologic agent of Chagas disease, Trypanosoma cruzi. We have sequenced the T. rangeli genome to provide new tools for elucidating the distinct and intriguing biology of this species and the key pathways related to interaction with its arthropod and mammalian hosts. Methodology/Principal Findings The T. rangeli haploid genome is ∼24 Mb in length, and is the smallest and least repetitive trypanosomatid genome sequenced thus far. This parasite genome has shorter subtelomeric sequences compared to those of T. cruzi and T. brucei; displays intraspecific karyotype variability and lacks minichromosomes. Of the predicted 7,613 protein coding sequences, functional annotations could be determined for 2,415, while 5,043 are hypothetical proteins, some with evidence of protein expression. 7,101 genes (93%) are shared with other trypanosomatids that infect humans. An ortholog of the dcl2 gene involved in the T. brucei RNAi pathway was found in T. rangeli, but the RNAi machinery is non-functional since the other genes in this pathway are pseudogenized. T. rangeli is highly susceptible to oxidative stress, a phenotype that may be explained by a smaller number of anti-oxidant defense enzymes and heat-shock proteins. Conclusions/Significance Phylogenetic comparison of nuclear and mitochondrial genes indicates that T. rangeli and T. cruzi are equidistant from T. brucei. In addition to revealing new aspects of trypanosome co-evolution within the vertebrate and invertebrate hosts, comparative genomic analysis with pathogenic trypanosomatids provides valuable new information that can be further explored with the aim of developing better diagnostic tools and/or therapeutic targets. Comparative genomics is a powerful tool that affords detailed study of the genetic and evolutionary basis for aspects of lifecycles and pathologies caused by phylogenetically related pathogens. The reference genome sequences of three trypanosomatids, T. brucei, T. cruzi and L. major, and subsequent addition of multiple Leishmania and Trypanosoma genomes has provided data upon which large-scale investigations delineating the complex systems biology of these human parasites has been built. Here, we compare the annotated genome sequence of T. rangeli strain SC-58 to available genomic sequence and annotation data from related species. We provide analysis of gene content, genome architecture and key characteristics associated with the biology of this non-pathogenic trypanosome. Moreover, we report striking new genomic features of T. rangeli compared with its closest relative, T. cruzi, such as (1) considerably less amplification on the gene copy number within multigene virulence factor families such as MASPs, trans-sialidases and mucins; (2) a reduced repertoire of genes encoding anti-oxidant defense enzymes; and (3) the presence of vestigial orthologs of the RNAi machinery, which are insufficient to constitute a functional pathway. Overall, the genome of T. rangeli provides for a much better understanding of the identity, evolution, regulation and function of trypanosome virulence determinants for both mammalian host and insect vector.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Patrícia Hermes Stoco
- Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, Santa Catarina, Brazil
- * E-mail: (PHS); (ECG)
| | - Glauber Wagner
- Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, Santa Catarina, Brazil
- Universidade do Oeste de Santa Catarina, Joaçaba, Santa Catarina, Brazil
| | - Carlos Talavera-Lopez
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Science for Life Laboratory, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Alexandra Gerber
- Laboratório Nacional de Computação Científica, Petrópolis, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Arnaldo Zaha
- Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | | | | | | | - Diana Bahia
- Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
- Universidade Federal de São Paulo - Escola Paulista de Medicina, São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Elgion Loreto
- Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, Santa Maria, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | | | - Fábio Mitsuo Lima
- Universidade Federal de São Paulo - Escola Paulista de Medicina, São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | | | | | - Sérgio Schenkman
- Universidade Federal de São Paulo - Escola Paulista de Medicina, São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | - Kevin Morris Tyler
- Biomedical Research Centre, School of Medicine, Health Policy and Practice, University of East Anglia, Norwich, United Kingdom
| | | | - Mauro Freitas Ortiz
- Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - Miguel Angel Chiurillo
- Universidade Federal de São Paulo - Escola Paulista de Medicina, São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
- Universidad Centroccidental Lisandro Alvarado, Barquisimeto, Venezuela
| | | | | | | | - Rosane Silva
- Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | | | | | | | | | - Turán Peter Urmenyi
- Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | | | | | - Björn Andersson
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Science for Life Laboratory, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Álvaro José Romanha
- Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, Santa Catarina, Brazil
| | - Mário Steindel
- Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, Santa Catarina, Brazil
| | | | - Edmundo Carlos Grisard
- Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, Santa Catarina, Brazil
- * E-mail: (PHS); (ECG)
| |
Collapse
|
39
|
Reis-Cunha JL, Mendes TADO, de Almeida Lourdes R, Ribeiro DRDS, Machado-de-Avila RA, de Oliveira Tavares M, Lemos DS, Câmara ACJ, Olórtegui CC, de Lana M, da Cunha Galvão LM, Fujiwara RT, Bartholomeu DC. Genome-wide screening and identification of new Trypanosoma cruzi antigens with potential application for chronic Chagas disease diagnosis. PLoS One 2014; 9:e106304. [PMID: 25225853 PMCID: PMC4165580 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0106304] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2014] [Accepted: 08/05/2014] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The protozoan Trypanosoma cruzi is the etiologic agent of Chagas disease, an infection that afflicts approximately 8 million people in Latin America. Diagnosis of chronic Chagas disease is currently based on serological tests because this condition is usually characterized by high anti-T. cruzi IgG titers and low parasitemia. The antigens used in these assays may have low specificity due to cross reactivity with antigens from related parasite infections, such as leishmaniasis, and low sensitivity caused by the high polymorphism among T. cruzi strains. Therefore, the identification of new T. cruzi-specific antigens that are conserved among the various parasite discrete typing units (DTUs) is still required. In the present study, we have explored the hybrid nature of the T. cruzi CL Brener strain using a broad genome screening approach to select new T. cruzi antigens that are conserved among the different parasite DTUs and that are absent in other trypanosomatid species. Peptide arrays containing the conserved antigens with the highest epitope prediction scores were synthesized, and the reactivity of the peptides were tested by immunoblot using sera from C57BL/6 mice chronically infected with T. cruzi strains from the TcI, TcII or TcVI DTU. The two T. cruzi proteins that contained the most promising peptides were expressed as recombinant proteins and tested in ELISA experiments with sera from chagasic patients with distinct clinical manifestations: those infected with T. cruzi from different DTUs and those with cutaneous or visceral leishmaniasis. These proteins, named rTc_11623.20 and rTc_N_10421.310, exhibited 94.83 and 89.66% sensitivity, 98.2 and 94.6% specificity, respectively, and a pool of these 2 proteins exhibited 96.55% sensitivity and 98.18% specificity. This work led to the identification of two new antigens with great potential application in the diagnosis of chronic Chagas disease.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- João Luís Reis-Cunha
- Departamento de Parasitologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | | | - Rodrigo de Almeida Lourdes
- Departamento de Parasitologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | | | - Ricardo Andrez Machado-de-Avila
- Departamento de Bioquímica e Imunologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Maykon de Oliveira Tavares
- Departamento de Análises Clínicas, Escola de Farmácia, Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto, Ouro Preto, Brazil
| | - Denise Silveira Lemos
- Departamento de Parasitologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | | | - Carlos Chavez Olórtegui
- Departamento de Bioquímica e Imunologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Marta de Lana
- Departamento de Bioquímica e Imunologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | | | - Ricardo Toshio Fujiwara
- Departamento de Parasitologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | | |
Collapse
|
40
|
Lima L, Espinosa-Álvarez O, Hamilton PB, Neves L, Takata CSA, Campaner M, Attias M, de Souza W, Camargo EP, Teixeira MMG. Trypanosoma livingstonei: a new species from African bats supports the bat seeding hypothesis for the Trypanosoma cruzi clade. Parasit Vectors 2013; 6:221. [PMID: 23915781 PMCID: PMC3737117 DOI: 10.1186/1756-3305-6-221] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2013] [Accepted: 08/01/2013] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Bat trypanosomes have been implicated in the evolutionary history of the T. cruzi clade, which comprises species from a wide geographic and host range in South America, Africa and Europe, including bat-restricted species and the generalist agents of human American trypanosomosis T. cruzi and T. rangeli. METHODS Trypanosomes from bats (Rhinolophus landeri and Hipposideros caffer) captured in Mozambique, southeast Africa, were isolated by hemoculture. Barcoding was carried out through the V7V8 region of Small Subunit (SSU) rRNA and Fluorescent Fragment Length barcoding (FFLB). Phylogenetic inferences were based on SSU rRNA, glyceraldehyde phosphate dehydrogenase (gGAPDH) and Spliced Leader (SL) genes. Morphological characterization included light, scanning and transmission electron microscopy. RESULTS New trypanosomes from bats clustered together forming a clade basal to a larger assemblage called the T. cruzi clade. Barcoding, phylogenetic analyses and genetic distances based on SSU rRNA and gGAPDH supported these trypanosomes as a new species, which we named Trypanosoma livingstonei n. sp. The large and highly polymorphic SL gene repeats of this species showed a copy of the 5S ribosomal RNA into the intergenic region. Unique morphological (large and broad blood trypomastigotes compatible to species of the subgenus Megatrypanum and cultures showing highly pleomorphic epimastigotes and long and slender trypomastigotes) and ultrastructural (cytostome and reservosomes) features and growth behaviour (when co-cultivated with HeLa cells at 37°C differentiated into trypomastigotes resembling the blood forms and do not invaded the cells) complemented the description of this species. CONCLUSION Phylogenetic inferences supported the hypothesis that Trypanosoma livingstonei n. sp. diverged from a common ancestral bat trypanosome that evolved exclusively in Chiroptera or switched at independent opportunities to mammals of several orders forming the clade T. cruzi, hence, providing further support for the bat seeding hypothesis to explain the origin of T. cruzi and T. rangeli.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Luciana Lima
- Departamento de Parasitologia, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|