1
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Charneau S, de Oliveira LS, Zenonos Z, Hopp CS, Bastos IMD, Loew D, Lombard B, Pandolfo Silveira A, de Carvalho Nardeli Basílio Lobo G, Bao SN, Grellier P, Rayner JC. APEX2-based proximity proteomic analysis identifies candidate interactors for Plasmodium falciparum knob-associated histidine-rich protein in infected erythrocytes. Sci Rep 2024; 14:11242. [PMID: 38755230 PMCID: PMC11099048 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-61295-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2023] [Accepted: 05/03/2024] [Indexed: 05/18/2024] Open
Abstract
The interaction of Plasmodium falciparum-infected red blood cells (iRBCs) with the vascular endothelium plays a crucial role in malaria pathology and disease. KAHRP is an exported P. falciparum protein involved in iRBC remodelling, which is essential for the formation of protrusions or "knobs" on the iRBC surface. These knobs and the proteins that are concentrated within them allow the parasites to escape the immune response and host spleen clearance by mediating cytoadherence of the iRBC to the endothelial wall, but this also slows down blood circulation, leading in some cases to severe cerebral and placental complications. In this work, we have applied genetic and biochemical tools to identify proteins that interact with P. falciparum KAHRP using enhanced ascorbate peroxidase 2 (APEX2) proximity-dependent biotinylation and label-free shotgun proteomics. A total of 30 potential KAHRP-interacting candidates were identified, based on the assigned fragmented biotinylated ions. Several identified proteins have been previously reported to be part of the Maurer's clefts and knobs, where KAHRP resides. This study may contribute to a broader understanding of P. falciparum protein trafficking and knob architecture and shows for the first time the feasibility of using APEX2-proximity labelling in iRBCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sébastien Charneau
- Laboratory of Biochemistry and Protein Chemistry, Department of Cell Biology, Institute of Biology, University of Brasília, Brasília, 70910-900, Brazil.
| | - Lucas Silva de Oliveira
- Laboratory of Biochemistry and Protein Chemistry, Department of Cell Biology, Institute of Biology, University of Brasília, Brasília, 70910-900, Brazil
- UMR 7245 MCAM Molecules of Communication and Adaptation of Microorganisms, Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle, CNRS, 75231, Paris Cedex 05, France
| | - Zenon Zenonos
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridgeshire, CB10 1SA, UK
- Biologics Engineering, Oncology R&D, AstraZenecaGranta Park, Cambridge, UK
| | - Christine S Hopp
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridgeshire, CB10 1SA, UK
- Protozoa Immunology, Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Izabela M D Bastos
- Laboratory of Host Pathogen Interaction, Department of Cell Biology, Institute of Biology, University of Brasília, Brasília, 70910-900, Brazil
| | - Damarys Loew
- Institut Curie, Centre de Recherche, PSL Research University, CurieCoreTech Mass Spectrometry Proteomics, 26 rue d'Ulm, 75248, Paris Cedex 05, France
| | - Bérangère Lombard
- Institut Curie, Centre de Recherche, PSL Research University, CurieCoreTech Mass Spectrometry Proteomics, 26 rue d'Ulm, 75248, Paris Cedex 05, France
| | - Ariane Pandolfo Silveira
- Laboratory of Microscopy and Microanalysis, Department of Cell Biology, Institute of Biology, University of Brasilia, Brasília, 70910-900, Brazil
| | | | - Sônia Nair Bao
- Laboratory of Microscopy and Microanalysis, Department of Cell Biology, Institute of Biology, University of Brasilia, Brasília, 70910-900, Brazil
| | - Philippe Grellier
- UMR 7245 MCAM Molecules of Communication and Adaptation of Microorganisms, Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle, CNRS, 75231, Paris Cedex 05, France
| | - Julian C Rayner
- Cambridge Institute for Medical Research, University of Cambridge, Hills Road, Cambridge, CB2 0XY, UK
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2
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Bekić V, Kilian N. Novel secretory organelles of parasite origin - at the center of host-parasite interaction. Bioessays 2023; 45:e2200241. [PMID: 37518819 DOI: 10.1002/bies.202200241] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2022] [Revised: 06/26/2023] [Accepted: 06/28/2023] [Indexed: 08/01/2023]
Abstract
Reorganization of cell organelle-deprived host red blood cells by the apicomplexan malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum enables their cytoadherence to endothelial cells that line the microvasculature. This increases the time red blood cells infected with mature developmental stages remain within selected organs such as the brain to avoid the spleen passage, which can lead to severe complications and cumulate in patient death. The Maurer's clefts are a novel secretory organelle of parasite origin established by the parasite in the cytoplasm of the host red blood cell in order to facilitate the establishment of cytoadherence by conducting the trafficking of immunovariant adhesins to the host cell surface. Another important function of the organelle is the sorting of other proteins the parasite traffics into its host cell. Although the organelle is of high importance for the pathology of malaria, additional putative functions, structure, and genesis remain shrouded in mystery more than a century after its discovery. In this review, we highlight our current knowledge about the Maurer's clefts and other novel secretory organelles established within the host cell cytoplasm by human-pathogenic malaria parasites and other parasites that reside within human red blood cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Viktor Bekić
- School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Nicole Kilian
- Centre for Infectious Diseases, Parasitology, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
- Department of Medical Biochemistry, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, Delta State University, Abraka, Nigeria
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3
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Shakya B, Kilili GK, Wang L, Nakayasu ES, LaCount DJ. Identification of Exported Plasmodium falciparum Proteins That Bind to the Erythrocyte Cytoskeleton. Microorganisms 2022; 10:1438. [PMID: 35889157 PMCID: PMC9320996 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms10071438] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2022] [Revised: 07/11/2022] [Accepted: 07/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Plasmodium proteins are exported to the erythrocyte cytoplasm to create an environment that supports parasite replication. Although hundreds of proteins are predicted to be exported through Plasmodium export element (PEXEL)-dependent and -independent mechanisms, the functions of exported proteins are largely uncharacterized. In this study, we used a biochemical screening approach to identify putative exported P. falciparum proteins that bound to inside-out vesicles prepared from erythrocytes. Out of 69 P. falciparum PEXEL-motif proteins tested, 18 bound to inside-out vesicles (IOVs) in two or more independent assays. Using co-affinity purifications followed by mass spectrometry, pairwise co-purification experiments, and the split-luciferase assay, we identified 31 putative protein-protein interactions between erythrocyte cytoskeletal proteins and predicted exported P. falciparum proteins. We further showed that PF3D7_1401600 binds to the spectrin-binding domain of erythrocyte ankyrin via its MESA erythrocyte cytoskeleton binding (MEC) motif and to the N-terminal domains of ankyrin and 4.1R through a fragment that required an intact Plasmodium helical interspersed sub-telomeric (PHIST) domain. Introduction of PF3D7_1401600 into erythrocyte ghosts increased retention in the microsphiltration assay, consistent with previous data that reported a reduction of rigidity in red blood cells infected with PF3D7_1401600-deficient parasites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bikash Shakya
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA; (B.S.); (G.K.K.); (L.W.)
| | - Geoffrey Kimiti Kilili
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA; (B.S.); (G.K.K.); (L.W.)
| | - Ling Wang
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA; (B.S.); (G.K.K.); (L.W.)
| | - Ernesto S. Nakayasu
- Bindley Bioscience Center, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA;
- Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Biological Sciences Division, Richland, WA 99352, USA
| | - Douglas J. LaCount
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA; (B.S.); (G.K.K.); (L.W.)
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4
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Levray YS, Berhe AD, Osborne AR. Use of split-dihydrofolate reductase for the detection of protein-protein interactions and simultaneous selection of multiple plasmids in Plasmodium falciparum. Mol Biochem Parasitol 2020; 238:111292. [PMID: 32505674 DOI: 10.1016/j.molbiopara.2020.111292] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2020] [Revised: 05/04/2020] [Accepted: 05/09/2020] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Defining protein-protein interactions is fundamental to the understanding of gene function. Protein-fragment complementation assays have been used for the analysis of protein-protein interactions in various organisms. The split-dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR) protein-fragment complementation assay utilises two complementary fragments of the enzyme fused to a pair of potentially interacting proteins. If these proteins interact, the DHFR fragments associate, fold into their native structure, reconstitute their function and confer resistance to antifolate drugs. We show that murine DHFR fragments fused to interacting proteins reconstitute a functional enzyme and confer resistance to the antifolate drug WR99210 in Plasmodium falciparum. These data demonstrate that the split-DHFR method can be used to detect in vivo protein-protein interactions in the parasite. Additionally, we show that split-DHFR fragments can be used as selection markers, permitting simultaneous selection of two plasmids in the presence of a single antifolate drug. Taken together, these experiments show that split-DHFR represents a valuable tool for the characterisation of Plasmodium protein function and genetic manipulation of the parasite.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yvette S Levray
- Institute of Structural and Molecular Biology, University College London, Gower Street, London, WC1E 6BT, United Kingdom
| | - Anne D Berhe
- Pomona College, 333 N. College Way, Claremont, CA 91711, United States
| | - Andrew R Osborne
- Institute of Structural and Molecular Biology, University College London, Gower Street, London, WC1E 6BT, United Kingdom; Institute of Structural and Molecular Biology, Department of Biological Sciences, Birkbeck, Malet Street, London, WC1E 7HX, United Kingdom.
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5
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Green JL, Wu Y, Encheva V, Lasonder E, Prommaban A, Kunzelmann S, Christodoulou E, Grainger M, Truongvan N, Bothe S, Sharma V, Song W, Pinzuti I, Uthaipibull C, Srichairatanakool S, Birault V, Langsley G, Schindelin H, Stieglitz B, Snijders AP, Holder AA. Ubiquitin activation is essential for schizont maturation in Plasmodium falciparum blood-stage development. PLoS Pathog 2020; 16:e1008640. [PMID: 32569299 PMCID: PMC7332102 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1008640] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2020] [Revised: 07/02/2020] [Accepted: 05/17/2020] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Ubiquitylation is a common post translational modification of eukaryotic proteins and in the human malaria parasite, Plasmodium falciparum (Pf) overall ubiquitylation increases in the transition from intracellular schizont to extracellular merozoite stages in the asexual blood stage cycle. Here, we identify specific ubiquitylation sites of protein substrates in three intraerythrocytic parasite stages and extracellular merozoites; a total of 1464 sites in 546 proteins were identified (data available via ProteomeXchange with identifier PXD014998). 469 ubiquitylated proteins were identified in merozoites compared with only 160 in the preceding intracellular schizont stage, suggesting a large increase in protein ubiquitylation associated with merozoite maturation. Following merozoite invasion of erythrocytes, few ubiquitylated proteins were detected in the first intracellular ring stage but as parasites matured through trophozoite to schizont stages the apparent extent of ubiquitylation increased. We identified commonly used ubiquitylation motifs and groups of ubiquitylated proteins in specific areas of cellular function, for example merozoite pellicle proteins involved in erythrocyte invasion, exported proteins, and histones. To investigate the importance of ubiquitylation we screened ubiquitin pathway inhibitors in a parasite growth assay and identified the ubiquitin activating enzyme (UBA1 or E1) inhibitor MLN7243 (TAK-243) to be particularly effective. This small molecule was shown to be a potent inhibitor of recombinant PfUBA1, and a structural homology model of MLN7243 bound to the parasite enzyme highlights avenues for the development of P. falciparum specific inhibitors. We created a genetically modified parasite with a rapamycin-inducible functional deletion of uba1; addition of either MLN7243 or rapamycin to the recombinant parasite line resulted in the same phenotype, with parasite development blocked at the schizont stage. Nuclear division and formation of intracellular structures was interrupted. These results indicate that the intracellular target of MLN7243 is UBA1, and this activity is essential for the final differentiation of schizonts to merozoites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Judith L. Green
- Malaria Parasitology Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London, United Kingdom
| | - Yang Wu
- Malaria Parasitology Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London, United Kingdom
| | - Vesela Encheva
- Mass Spectrometry Proteomics, The Francis Crick Institute, London, United Kingdom
| | - Edwin Lasonder
- School of Biomedical Science, University of Plymouth, Plymouth, United Kingdom
| | - Adchara Prommaban
- Malaria Parasitology Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London, United Kingdom
- Department of Biochemistry, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand
| | - Simone Kunzelmann
- Structural Biology Science Technology Platform, The Francis Crick Institute, London, United Kingdom
| | - Evangelos Christodoulou
- Structural Biology Science Technology Platform, The Francis Crick Institute, London, United Kingdom
| | - Munira Grainger
- Malaria Parasitology Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London, United Kingdom
| | - Ngoc Truongvan
- Rudolf Virchow Center for Experimental Biomedicine, Universität Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Sebastian Bothe
- Department of Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Vikram Sharma
- School of Biomedical Science, University of Plymouth, Plymouth, United Kingdom
| | - Wei Song
- School of Biological and Chemical Sciences, Queen Mary University of London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Irene Pinzuti
- School of Biological and Chemical Sciences, Queen Mary University of London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Chairat Uthaipibull
- National Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Khlong Luang, Thailand
| | | | | | - Gordon Langsley
- Laboratoire de Biologie Cellulaire Comparative des Apicomplexes, Institut Cochin, Université Paris Descartes, Paris, France
| | - Hermann Schindelin
- Rudolf Virchow Center for Experimental Biomedicine, Universität Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Benjamin Stieglitz
- School of Biological and Chemical Sciences, Queen Mary University of London, London, United Kingdom
| | | | - Anthony A. Holder
- Malaria Parasitology Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London, United Kingdom
- * E-mail:
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6
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Investigating a Plasmodium falciparum erythrocyte invasion phenotype switch at the whole transcriptome level. Sci Rep 2020; 10:245. [PMID: 31937828 PMCID: PMC6959351 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-56386-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2019] [Accepted: 12/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The central role that erythrocyte invasion plays in Plasmodium falciparum survival and reproduction makes this process an attractive target for therapeutic or vaccine development. However, multiple invasion-related genes with complementary and overlapping functions afford the parasite the plasticity to vary ligands used for invasion, leading to phenotypic variation and immune evasion. Overcoming the challenge posed by redundant ligands requires a deeper understanding of conditions that select for variant phenotypes and the molecular mediators. While host factors including receptor heterogeneity and acquired immune responses may drive parasite phenotypic variation, we have previously shown that host-independent changes in invasion phenotype can be achieved by continuous culturing of the W2mef and Dd2 P. falciparum strains in moving suspension as opposed to static conditions. Here, we have used a highly biologically replicated whole transcriptome sequencing approach to identify the molecular signatures of variation associated with the phenotype switch. The data show increased expression of particular invasion-related genes in switched parasites, as well as a large number of genes encoding proteins that are either exported or form part of the export machinery. The genes with most markedly increased expression included members of the erythrocyte binding antigens (EBA), reticulocyte binding homologues (RH), surface associated interspersed proteins (SURFIN), exported protein family 1 (EPF1) and Plasmodium Helical Interspersed Sub-Telomeric (PHIST) gene families. The data indicate changes in expression of a repertoire of genes not previously associated with erythrocyte invasion phenotypes, suggesting the possibility that moving suspension culture may also select for other traits.
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7
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Walzer KA, Fradin H, Emerson LY, Corcoran DL, Chi JT. Latent transcriptional variations of individual Plasmodium falciparum uncovered by single-cell RNA-seq and fluorescence imaging. PLoS Genet 2019; 15:e1008506. [PMID: 31856180 PMCID: PMC6952112 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1008506] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2018] [Revised: 01/09/2020] [Accepted: 11/03/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Malaria parasites follow a complex life cycle that consists of multiple stages that span from the human host to the mosquito vector. Among the species causing malaria, Plasmodium falciparum is the most lethal, with clinical symptoms manifesting during the intraerythrocytic developmental cycle (IDC). During the IDC, P. falciparum progresses through a synchronous and continuous cascade of transcriptional programming previously established using population analyses. While individual parasites are known to exhibit transcriptional variations to evade the host immune system or commit to a sexual fate, such rare expression heterogeneity is largely undetectable on a population level. Therefore, we combined single-cell RNA-sequencing (scRNA-seq) on a microfluidic platform and fluorescence imaging to delineate the transcriptional variations among individual parasites during late asexual and sexual stages. The comparison between asexual and sexual parasites uncovered a set of previously undefined sex-specific genes. Asexual parasites were segregated into three distinct clusters based on the differential expression of genes encoding SERAs, rhoptry proteins, and EXP2 plus transporters. Multiple pseudotime analyses revealed that these stage-specific transitions are distinct. RNA fluorescent in situ hybridization of cluster-specific genes validated distinct stage-specific expression and transitions during the IDC and defined the highly variable transcriptional pattern of EXP2. Additionally, these analyses indicated huge variations in the stage-specific transcript levels among parasites. Overall, scRNA-seq and RNA-FISH of P. falciparum revealed distinct stage transitions and unexpected degrees of heterogeneity with potential impact on transcriptional regulation during the IDC and adaptive responses to the host. Malaria poses a significant global health problem and is responsible for nearly 445,000 deaths. It is caused by a single-celled parasite that infects a human host and propagates asexually through red blood cells. The most deadly malaria parasite, P. falciparum, follows a tightly synchronous life cycle characterized by a continuous cascade of gene expression programming. Beyond these changes in the population, individual P. falciparum parasites are known to exhibit unique and rare expression, particularly to evade the host immune system and also to commit to a sexual fate. But such rare expression is often masked in bulk-cell studies. To understand expression variations among individual parasites, we combined single-cell RNA sequencing and fluorescence imaging to study the gene expression among individual asexual and sexual parasites. We discovered previously undefined sex-specific genes as well as three distinct clusters of late stage asexual parasites largely defined by stage-specific genes. We also showed that EXP2, a marker gene of one cluster, was expressed at multiple times throughout the life cycle. Furthermore, stage-specific gene expression was greatly variable among individual parasites. Our results have great implications for individual parasite survival and adaptation, particularly in response to environmental stresses like the host immune system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katelyn A. Walzer
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, United States of America
- Center for Genomic and Computational Biology, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Hélène Fradin
- Center for Genomic and Computational Biology, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Liane Y. Emerson
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, United States of America
- Center for Genomic and Computational Biology, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - David L. Corcoran
- Center for Genomic and Computational Biology, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Jen-Tsan Chi
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, United States of America
- Center for Genomic and Computational Biology, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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8
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Neveu G, Lavazec C. Erythrocyte Membrane Makeover by Plasmodium falciparum Gametocytes. Front Microbiol 2019; 10:2652. [PMID: 31787966 PMCID: PMC6856072 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2019.02652] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2019] [Accepted: 10/30/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Plasmodium falciparum sexual parasites, called gametocytes, are the only parasite stages responsible for transmission from humans to Anopheles mosquitoes. During their maturation, P. falciparum gametocytes remodel the structural and mechanical properties of the membrane of their erythrocyte host. This remodeling is induced by the export of several parasite proteins and a dynamic reorganization of the erythrocyte cytoskeleton. Some of these modifications are specific for sexual stages and play a key role for gametocyte maturation, sequestration in internal organs, subsequent release in the bloodstream and ability to persist in circulation. Here we discuss the mechanisms developed by gametocytes to remodel their host cell and the functional relevance of these modifications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gaëlle Neveu
- Inserm U1016, CNRS UMR 8104, Université de Paris, Institut Cochin, Paris, France.,Laboratoire d'Excellence GR-Ex, Paris, France
| | - Catherine Lavazec
- Inserm U1016, CNRS UMR 8104, Université de Paris, Institut Cochin, Paris, France.,Laboratoire d'Excellence GR-Ex, Paris, France
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9
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Kumar V, Behl A, Sharma R, Sharma A, Hora R. Plasmodium helical interspersed subtelomeric family-an enigmatic piece of the Plasmodium biology puzzle. Parasitol Res 2019; 118:2753-2766. [PMID: 31418110 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-019-06420-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2019] [Accepted: 08/02/2019] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Plasmodium falciparum (Pf) refurbishes the infected erythrocytes by exporting a myriad of parasite proteins to the host cell. A novel exported protein family 'Plasmodium Helical Interspersed Subtelomeric' (PHIST) has gained attention for its significant roles in parasite biology. Here, we have collected and analysed available information on PHIST members to enhance understanding of their functions, varied localization and structure-function correlation. Functional diversity of PHIST proteins is highlighted by their involvement in PfEMP1 (Pf erythrocyte membrane protein 1) expression, trafficking and switching. This family also contributes to cytoadherence, gametocytogenesis, host cell modification and generation of extracellular vesicles. While the PHIST domain forms the hallmark of this family, existence and functions of additional domains (LyMP, TIGR01639) and the MEC motif underscores its diversity further. Since specific PHIST proteins seem to form pairs with PfEMP1 members, we have used in silico tools to predict such potential partners in Pf. This information and our analysis of structural data on a PHIST member provide important insights into their functioning. This review overall enables readers to view the PHIST family comprehensively, while highlighting key knowledge gaps in the field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vikash Kumar
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar, Punjab, India
| | - Ankita Behl
- Department of Biotechnology, Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar, Punjab, India
| | - Rachana Sharma
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar, Punjab, India
| | - Aanchal Sharma
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar, Punjab, India
| | - Rachna Hora
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar, Punjab, India.
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10
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Kilili GK, Shakya B, Dolan PT, Wang L, Husby ML, Stahelin RV, Nakayasu ES, LaCount DJ. The Plasmodium falciparum MESA erythrocyte cytoskeleton-binding (MEC) motif binds to erythrocyte ankyrin. Mol Biochem Parasitol 2019; 231:111189. [PMID: 31125575 DOI: 10.1016/j.molbiopara.2019.111189] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2018] [Revised: 04/16/2019] [Accepted: 05/15/2019] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
The MESA erythrocyte cytoskeleton binding (MEC) motif is a 13-amino acid sequence found in 14 exported Plasmodium falciparum proteins. First identified in the P. falciparum Mature-parasite-infected Erythrocyte Surface Antigen (MESA), the MEC motif is sufficient to target proteins to the infected red blood cell cytoskeleton. To identify host cell targets, purified MESA MEC motif was incubated with a soluble extract from uninfected erythrocytes, precipitated and subjected to mass spectrometry. The most abundant co-purifying protein was erythrocyte ankyrin (ANK1). A direct interaction between the MEC motif and ANK1 was independently verified using co-purification experiments, the split-luciferase assay, and the yeast two-hybrid assay. A systematic mutational analysis of the core MEC motif demonstrated a critical role for the conserved aspartic acid residue at the C-terminus of the MEC motif for binding to both erythrocyte inside-out vesicles and to ANK1. Using a panel of ANK1 constructs, the MEC motif binding site was localized to the ZU5C domain, which has no known function. The MEC motif had no impact on erythrocyte deformability when introduced into uninfected erythrocyte ghosts, suggesting the MEC motif's primary function is to target exported proteins to the cytoskeleton. Finally, we show that PF3D7_0402100 (PFD0095c) binds to ANK1 and band 4.1, likely through its MEC and PHIST motifs, respectively. In conclusion, we have provided multiple lines of evidence that the MEC motif binds to erythrocyte ANK1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Geoffrey Kimiti Kilili
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA
| | - Bikash Shakya
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA
| | - Patrick T Dolan
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA
| | - Ling Wang
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA
| | - Monica L Husby
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA
| | - Robert V Stahelin
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA
| | - Ernesto S Nakayasu
- Bindley Bioscience Center - Discovery Park, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA; Biological Sciences Division, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, WA 99352, USA
| | - Douglas J LaCount
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA.
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11
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Davies HM, Nofal SD, McLaughlin EJ, Osborne AR. Repetitive sequences in malaria parasite proteins. FEMS Microbiol Rev 2018; 41:923-940. [PMID: 29077880 DOI: 10.1093/femsre/fux046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2017] [Accepted: 09/13/2017] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Five species of parasite cause malaria in humans with the most severe disease caused by Plasmodium falciparum. Many of the proteins encoded in the P. falciparum genome are unusually enriched in repetitive low-complexity sequences containing a limited repertoire of amino acids. These repetitive sequences expand and contract dynamically and are among the most rapidly changing sequences in the genome. The simplest repetitive sequences consist of single amino acid repeats such as poly-asparagine tracts that are found in approximately 25% of P. falciparum proteins. More complex repeats of two or more amino acids are also common in diverse parasite protein families. There is no universal explanation for the occurrence of repetitive sequences and it is possible that many confer no function to the encoded protein and no selective advantage or disadvantage to the parasite. However, there are increasing numbers of examples where repetitive sequences are important for parasite protein function. We discuss the diverse roles of low-complexity repetitive sequences throughout the parasite life cycle, from mediating protein-protein interactions to enabling the parasite to evade the host immune system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heledd M Davies
- The Francis Crick Institute, London, NW1 1AT, United Kingdom
| | - Stephanie D Nofal
- London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London, WC1E 7HT, United Kingdom
| | - Emilia J McLaughlin
- Institute of Structural and Molecular Biology, University College London, Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT, United Kingdom
| | - Andrew R Osborne
- Institute of Structural and Molecular Biology, University College London, Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT, United Kingdom.,Institute of Structural and Molecular Biology, Department of Biological Sciences, Birkbeck, Malet Street, London, WC1E 7HX, United Kingdom
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12
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Kumar V, Kaur J, Singh AP, Singh V, Bisht A, Panda JJ, Mishra PC, Hora R. PHIST
c protein family members localize to different subcellular organelles and bind
Plasmodium falciparum
major virulence factor
Pf
EMP
‐1. FEBS J 2017; 285:294-312. [DOI: 10.1111/febs.14340] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2017] [Revised: 10/15/2017] [Accepted: 11/15/2017] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Vikash Kumar
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry Guru Nanak Dev University Amritsar India
| | - Jasweer Kaur
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry Guru Nanak Dev University Amritsar India
| | - Amrit P. Singh
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences Guru Nanak Dev University Amritsar India
| | - Vineeta Singh
- National Institute of Malaria Research New Delhi India
| | - Anjali Bisht
- Institute of Nano Science and Technology Mohali India
| | | | - Prakash C. Mishra
- Department of Biotechnology Guru Nanak Dev University Amritsar India
| | - Rachna Hora
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry Guru Nanak Dev University Amritsar India
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13
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Alampalli SV, Grover M, Chandran S, Tatu U, Acharya P. Proteome and Structural Organization of the Knob Complex on the Surface of the Plasmodium
Infected Red Blood Cell. Proteomics Clin Appl 2017; 12:e1600177. [DOI: 10.1002/prca.201600177] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2017] [Revised: 08/16/2017] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Manish Grover
- Department of Biochemistry; Indian Institute of Science; Bangalore India
| | - Syama Chandran
- Department of Biochemistry; Indian Institute of Science; Bangalore India
| | - Utpal Tatu
- Department of Biochemistry; Indian Institute of Science; Bangalore India
| | - Pragyan Acharya
- Department of Biochemistry; All India Institute of Medical Sciences; New Delhi India
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14
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Shakya B, Penn WD, Nakayasu ES, LaCount DJ. The Plasmodium falciparum exported protein PF3D7_0402000 binds to erythrocyte ankyrin and band 4.1. Mol Biochem Parasitol 2017; 216:5-13. [PMID: 28627360 PMCID: PMC5738903 DOI: 10.1016/j.molbiopara.2017.06.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2016] [Revised: 05/24/2017] [Accepted: 06/07/2017] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
Plasmodium falciparum extensively modifies the infected red blood cell (RBC), resulting in changes in deformability, shape and surface properties. These alterations suggest that the RBC cytoskeleton is a major target for modification during infection. However, the molecular mechanisms leading to these changes are largely unknown. To begin to address this question, we screened for exported P. falciparum proteins that bound to the erythrocyte cytoskeleton proteins ankyrin 1 (ANK1) and band 4.1 (4.1R), which form critical interactions with other cytoskeletal proteins that contribute to the deformability and stability of RBCs. Yeast two-hybrid screens with ANK1 and 4.1R identified eight interactions with P. falciparum exported proteins, including an interaction between 4.1R and PF3D7_0402000 (PFD0090c). This interaction was first identified in a large-scale screen (Vignali et al., Malaria J, 7:211, 2008), which also reported an interaction between PF3D7_0402000 and ANK1. We confirmed the interactions of PF3D7_0402000 with 4.1R and ANK1 in pair-wise yeast two-hybrid and co-precipitation assays. In both cases, an intact PHIST domain in PF3D7_0402000 was required for binding. Complex purification followed by mass spectrometry analysis provided additional support for the interaction of PF3D7_0402000 with ANK1 and 4.1R. RBC ghost cells loaded with maltose-binding protein (MBP)-PF3D7_0402000 passed through a metal microsphere column less efficiently than mock- or MBP-loaded controls, consistent with an effect of PF3D7_0402000 on RBC rigidity or membrane stability. This study confirmed the interaction of PF3D7_0402000 with 4.1R in multiple independent assays, provided the first evidence that PF3D7_0402000 also binds to ANK1, and suggested that PF3D7_0402000 affects deformability or membrane stability of uninfected RBC ghosts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bikash Shakya
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA
| | - Wesley D Penn
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA
| | - Ernesto S Nakayasu
- Bindley Bioscience Center, Discovery Park, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA; Biological Sciences Division, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, WA 99352, USA
| | - Douglas J LaCount
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA.
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15
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Proteomic analysis of exported chaperone/co-chaperone complexes of P. falciparum reveals an array of complex protein-protein interactions. Sci Rep 2017; 7:42188. [PMID: 28218284 PMCID: PMC5316994 DOI: 10.1038/srep42188] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2016] [Accepted: 01/06/2017] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Malaria parasites modify their human host cell, the mature erythrocyte. This modification is mediated by a large number of parasite proteins that are exported to the host cell, and is also the underlying cause for the pathology caused by malaria infection. Amongst these proteins are many Hsp40 co-chaperones, and a single Hsp70. These proteins have been implicated in several processes in the host cell, including a potential role in protein transport, however the further molecular players in this process remain obscure. To address this, we have utilized chemical cross-linking followed by mass spectrometry and immunoblotting to isolate and characterize proteins complexes containing an exported Hsp40 (PFE55), and the only known exported Hsp70 (PfHsp70x). Our data reveal that both of these proteins are contained in high molecular weight protein complexes. These complexes are found both in the infected erythrocyte, and within the parasite-derived compartment referred to as the parasitophorous vacuole. Surprisingly, our data also reveal an association of PfHsp70x with components of PTEX, a putative protein translocon within the membrane of the parasitophorous vacuole. Our results suggest that the P. falciparum- infected human erythrocyte contains numerous high molecular weight protein complexes, which may potentially be involved in host cell modification.
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16
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Davies HM, Thalassinos K, Osborne AR. Expansion of Lysine-rich Repeats in Plasmodium Proteins Generates Novel Localization Sequences That Target the Periphery of the Host Erythrocyte. J Biol Chem 2016; 291:26188-26207. [PMID: 27777305 PMCID: PMC5207086 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m116.761213] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2016] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Repetitive low complexity sequences, mostly assumed to have no function, are common in proteins that are exported by the malaria parasite into its host erythrocyte. We identify a group of exported proteins containing short lysine-rich tandemly repeated sequences that are sufficient to localize to the erythrocyte periphery, where key virulence-related modifications to the plasma membrane and the underlying cytoskeleton are known to occur. Efficiency of targeting is dependent on repeat number, indicating that novel targeting modules could evolve by expansion of short lysine-rich sequences. Indeed, analysis of fragments of GARP from different species shows that two novel targeting sequences have arisen via the process of repeat expansion in this protein. In the protein Hyp12, the targeting function of a lysine-rich sequence is masked by a neighboring repetitive acidic sequence, further highlighting the importance of repetitive low complexity sequences. We show that sequences capable of targeting the erythrocyte periphery are present in at least nine proteins from Plasmodium falciparum and one from Plasmodium knowlesi. We find these sequences in proteins known to be involved in erythrocyte rigidification and cytoadhesion as well as in previously uncharacterized exported proteins. Together, these data suggest that expansion and contraction of lysine-rich repeats could generate targeting sequences de novo as well as modulate protein targeting efficiency and function in response to selective pressure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heledd M Davies
- From the Institute of Structural and Molecular Biology, Department of Biological Sciences, Birkbeck and University College London, London WC1E 6BT, United Kingdom
| | - Konstantinos Thalassinos
- From the Institute of Structural and Molecular Biology, Department of Biological Sciences, Birkbeck and University College London, London WC1E 6BT, United Kingdom
| | - Andrew R Osborne
- From the Institute of Structural and Molecular Biology, Department of Biological Sciences, Birkbeck and University College London, London WC1E 6BT, United Kingdom
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17
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Plasmodium Helical Interspersed Subtelomeric (PHIST) Proteins, at the Center of Host Cell Remodeling. Microbiol Mol Biol Rev 2016; 80:905-27. [PMID: 27582258 DOI: 10.1128/mmbr.00014-16] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
During the asexual cycle, Plasmodium falciparum extensively remodels the human erythrocyte to make it a suitable host cell. A large number of exported proteins facilitate this remodeling process, which causes erythrocytes to become more rigid, cytoadherent, and permeable for nutrients and metabolic products. Among the exported proteins, a family of 89 proteins, called the Plasmodium helical interspersed subtelomeric (PHIST) protein family, has been identified. While also found in other Plasmodium species, the PHIST family is greatly expanded in P. falciparum. Although a decade has passed since their first description, to date, most PHIST proteins remain uncharacterized and are of unknown function and localization within the host cell, and there are few data on their interactions with other host or parasite proteins. However, over the past few years, PHIST proteins have been mentioned in the literature at an increasing rate owing to their presence at various localizations within the infected erythrocyte. Expression of PHIST proteins has been implicated in molecular and cellular processes such as the surface display of PfEMP1, gametocytogenesis, changes in cell rigidity, and also cerebral and pregnancy-associated malaria. Thus, we conclude that PHIST proteins are central to host cell remodeling, but despite their obvious importance in pathology, PHIST proteins seem to be understudied. Here we review current knowledge, shed light on the definition of PHIST proteins, and discuss these proteins with respect to their localization and probable function. We take into consideration interaction studies, microarray analyses, or data from blood samples from naturally infected patients to combine all available information on this protein family.
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18
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Oberli A, Zurbrügg L, Rusch S, Brand F, Butler ME, Day JL, Cutts EE, Lavstsen T, Vakonakis I, Beck HP. Plasmodium falciparum Plasmodium helical interspersed subtelomeric proteins contribute to cytoadherence and anchor P. falciparum erythrocyte membrane protein 1 to the host cell cytoskeleton. Cell Microbiol 2016; 18:1415-28. [PMID: 26916885 PMCID: PMC5103180 DOI: 10.1111/cmi.12583] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2016] [Revised: 02/15/2016] [Accepted: 02/21/2016] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
Adherence of Plasmodium falciparum‐infected erythrocytes to host endothelium is conferred through the parasite‐derived virulence factor P. falciparum erythrocyte membrane protein 1 (PfEMP1), the major contributor to malaria severity. PfEMP1 located at knob structures on the erythrocyte surface is anchored to the cytoskeleton, and the Plasmodium helical interspersed subtelomeric (PHIST) gene family plays a role in many host cell modifications including binding the intracellular domain of PfEMP1. Here, we show that conditional reduction of the PHIST protein PFE1605w strongly reduces adhesion of infected erythrocytes to the endothelial receptor CD36. Adhesion to other endothelial receptors was less affected or even unaltered by PFE1605w depletion, suggesting that PHIST proteins might be optimized for subsets of PfEMP1 variants. PFE1605w does not play a role in PfEMP1 transport, but it directly interacts with both the intracellular segment of PfEMP1 and with cytoskeletal components. This is the first report of a PHIST protein interacting with key molecules of the cytoadherence complex and the host cytoskeleton, and this functional role seems to play an essential role in the pathology of P. falciparum.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander Oberli
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Switzerland.,University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Laura Zurbrügg
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Switzerland.,University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Sebastian Rusch
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Switzerland.,University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Françoise Brand
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Switzerland.,University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | | | - Jemma L Day
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Erin E Cutts
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Thomas Lavstsen
- Centre for Medical Parasitology, Department of International Health, Immunology, and Microbiology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.,Department of Infectious Diseases, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | | | - Hans-Peter Beck
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Switzerland. .,University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland.
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19
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Moreira CK, Naissant B, Coppi A, Bennett BL, Aime E, Franke-Fayard B, Janse CJ, Coppens I, Sinnis P, Templeton TJ. The Plasmodium PHIST and RESA-Like Protein Families of Human and Rodent Malaria Parasites. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0152510. [PMID: 27022937 PMCID: PMC4811531 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0152510] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2014] [Accepted: 03/15/2016] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The phist gene family has members identified across the Plasmodium genus, defined by the presence of a domain of roughly 150 amino acids having conserved aromatic residues and an all alpha-helical structure. The family is highly amplified in P. falciparum, with 65 predicted genes in the genome of the 3D7 isolate. In contrast, in the rodent malaria parasite P. berghei 3 genes are identified, one of which is an apparent pseudogene. Transcripts of the P. berghei phist genes are predominant in schizonts, whereas in P. falciparum transcript profiles span different asexual blood stages and gametocytes. We pursued targeted disruption of P. berghei phist genes in order to characterize a simplistic model for the expanded phist gene repertoire in P. falciparum. Unsuccessful attempts to disrupt P. berghei PBANKA_114540 suggest that this phist gene is essential, while knockout of phist PBANKA_122900 shows an apparent normal progression and non-essential function throughout the life cycle. Epitope-tagging of P. falciparum and P. berghei phist genes confirmed protein export to the erythrocyte cytoplasm and localization with a punctate pattern. Three P. berghei PEXEL/HT-positive exported proteins exhibit at least partial co-localization, in support of a common vesicular compartment in the cytoplasm of erythrocytes infected with rodent malaria parasites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristina K. Moreira
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY 10021, United States of America
| | - Bernina Naissant
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY 10021, United States of America
| | - Alida Coppi
- Department of Medical Parasitology, NYU School of Medicine, New York, NY, 10010, United States of America
| | - Brandy L. Bennett
- Department of Medical Parasitology, NYU School of Medicine, New York, NY, 10010, United States of America
| | - Elena Aime
- Leiden Malaria Research Group, Department of Parasitology, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Blandine Franke-Fayard
- Leiden Malaria Research Group, Department of Parasitology, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Chris J. Janse
- Leiden Malaria Research Group, Department of Parasitology, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Isabelle Coppens
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, 21205, United States of America
| | - Photini Sinnis
- Department of Medical Parasitology, NYU School of Medicine, New York, NY, 10010, United States of America
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, 21205, United States of America
| | - Thomas J. Templeton
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY 10021, United States of America
- Department of Protozoology, Institute of Tropical Medicine (NEKKEN), Nagasaki 852-8523, Japan
- * E-mail:
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20
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Soni R, Sharma D, Bhatt TK. Plasmodium falciparum Secretome in Erythrocyte and Beyond. Front Microbiol 2016; 7:194. [PMID: 26925057 PMCID: PMC4759260 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2016.00194] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2015] [Accepted: 02/05/2016] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Plasmodium falciparum is the causative agent of deadly malaria disease. It is an intracellular eukaryote and completes its multi-stage life cycle spanning the two hosts viz, mosquito and human. In order to habituate within host environment, parasite conform several strategies to evade host immune responses such as surface antigen polymorphism or modulation of host immune system and it is mediated by secretion of proteins from parasite to the host erythrocyte and beyond, collectively known as, malaria secretome. In this review, we will discuss about the deployment of parasitic secretory protein in mechanism implicated for immune evasion, protein trafficking, providing virulence, changing permeability and cyto-adherence of infected erythrocyte. We will be covering the possibilities of developing malaria secretome as a drug/vaccine target. This gathered information will be worthwhile in depicting a well-organized picture for host-pathogen interplay during the malaria infection and may also provide some clues for the development of novel anti-malarial therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rani Soni
- Department of Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Central University of Rajasthan Rajasthan, India
| | - Drista Sharma
- Department of Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Central University of Rajasthan Rajasthan, India
| | - Tarun K Bhatt
- Department of Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Central University of Rajasthan Rajasthan, India
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21
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Alam MS, Rathore S, Tyagi RK, Sharma YD. Host-parasite interaction: multiple sites in the Plasmodium vivax tryptophan-rich antigen PvTRAg38 interact with the erythrocyte receptor band 3. FEBS Lett 2016; 590:232-41. [PMID: 26823170 PMCID: PMC7163959 DOI: 10.1002/1873-3468.12053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2015] [Revised: 11/03/2015] [Accepted: 01/01/2016] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Tryptophan‐rich antigens of malarial parasites interact with host molecules and play an important role in parasite survival. Merozoite expressed Plasmodium vivax tryptophan‐rich antigen PvTRAg38 binds to human erythrocytes and facilitates parasite growth in a heterlologous Plasmodium falciparum culture system. Recently, we identified band 3 in human erythrocytes as one of its receptors, although the receptor‐ligand binding mechanisms remain unknown. In the present study, using synthetic mutated peptides of PvTRAg38, we show that multiple amino acid residues of its 12 amino acid domain (KWVQWKNDKIRS) at position 197–208 interact with three different ectodomains of band 3 receptor on human erythrocytes. Our findings may help in the design of new therapeutic approaches for malaria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohd S Alam
- Department of Biotechnology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Ansari Nagar, New Delhi, India
| | - Sumit Rathore
- Department of Biotechnology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Ansari Nagar, New Delhi, India
| | - Rupesh K Tyagi
- Department of Biotechnology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Ansari Nagar, New Delhi, India
| | - Yagya D Sharma
- Department of Biotechnology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Ansari Nagar, New Delhi, India
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22
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Malaria Parasite Proteins and Their Role in Alteration of the Structure and Function of Red Blood Cells. ADVANCES IN PARASITOLOGY 2015; 91:1-86. [PMID: 27015947 DOI: 10.1016/bs.apar.2015.09.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Malaria, caused by Plasmodium spp., continues to be a major threat to human health and a significant cause of socioeconomic hardship in many countries. Almost half of the world's population live in malaria-endemic regions and many of them suffer one or more, often life-threatening episodes of malaria every year, the symptoms of which are attributable to replication of the parasite within red blood cells (RBCs). In the case of Plasmodium falciparum, the species responsible for most malaria-related deaths, parasite replication within RBCs is accompanied by striking alterations to the morphological, biochemical and biophysical properties of the host cell that are essential for the parasites' survival. To achieve this, the parasite establishes a unique and extensive protein export network in the infected RBC, dedicating at least 6% of its genome to the process. Understanding the full gamut of proteins involved in this process and the mechanisms by which P. falciparum alters the structure and function of RBCs is important both for a more complete understanding of the pathogenesis of malaria and for development of new therapeutic strategies to prevent or treat this devastating disease. This review focuses on what is currently known about exported parasite proteins, their interactions with the RBC and their likely pathophysiological consequences.
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23
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Çelik H, Hong SH, Colón-López DD, Han J, Kont YS, Minas TZ, Swift M, Paige M, Glasgow E, Toretsky JA, Bosch J, Üren A. Identification of Novel Ezrin Inhibitors Targeting Metastatic Osteosarcoma by Screening Open Access Malaria Box. Mol Cancer Ther 2015; 14:2497-507. [PMID: 26358752 DOI: 10.1158/1535-7163.mct-15-0511] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2015] [Accepted: 08/31/2015] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Ezrin is a member of the ERM (ezrin, radixin, moesin) family of proteins and functions as a linker between the plasma membrane and the actin cytoskeleton. Ezrin is a key driver of tumor progression and metastatic spread of osteosarcoma. We discovered a quinoline-based small molecule, NSC305787, that directly binds to ezrin and inhibits its functions in promoting invasive phenotype. NSC305787 possesses a very close structural similarity to commonly used quinoline-containing antimalarial drugs. On the basis of this similarity and of recent findings that ezrin has a likely role in the pathogenesis of malaria infection, we screened antimalarial compounds in an attempt to identify novel ezrin inhibitors with better efficacy and drug properties. Screening of Medicines for Malaria Venture (MMV) Malaria Box compounds for their ability to bind to recombinant ezrin protein yielded 12 primary hits with high selective binding activity. The specificity of the hits on ezrin function was confirmed by inhibition of the ezrin-mediated cell motility of osteosarcoma cells. Compounds were further tested for phenocopying the morphologic defects associated with ezrin suppression in zebrafish embryos as well as for inhibiting the lung metastasis of high ezrin-expressing osteosarcoma cells. The compound MMV667492 exhibited potent anti-ezrin activity in all biologic assays and had better physicochemical properties for drug-likeness than NSC305787. The drug-like compounds MMV020549 and MMV666069 also showed promising activities in functional assays. Thus, our study suggests further evaluation of antimalarial compounds as a novel class of antimetastatic agents for the treatment of metastatic osteosarcoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haydar Çelik
- Department of Oncology, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, District of Columbia
| | - Sung-Hyeok Hong
- Department of Oncology, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, District of Columbia
| | - Daisy D Colón-López
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland. Johns Hopkins Malaria Research Institute, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Jenny Han
- Department of Oncology, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, District of Columbia
| | - Yasemin Saygideger Kont
- Department of Oncology, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, District of Columbia
| | - Tsion Z Minas
- Department of Oncology, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, District of Columbia
| | - Matthew Swift
- Department of Oncology, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, District of Columbia
| | - Mikell Paige
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, George Mason University, Manassas, Virginia
| | - Eric Glasgow
- Department of Oncology, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, District of Columbia
| | - Jeffrey A Toretsky
- Department of Oncology, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, District of Columbia
| | - Jürgen Bosch
- Johns Hopkins Malaria Research Institute, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Aykut Üren
- Department of Oncology, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, District of Columbia.
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24
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Tibúrcio M, Dixon MWA, Looker O, Younis SY, Tilley L, Alano P. Specific expression and export of the Plasmodium falciparum Gametocyte EXported Protein-5 marks the gametocyte ring stage. Malar J 2015; 14:334. [PMID: 26315106 PMCID: PMC4552133 DOI: 10.1186/s12936-015-0853-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2015] [Accepted: 08/16/2015] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Plasmodium falciparum sexual development plays a fundamental role in the transmission and spread of malaria. The ability to generate gametocytes can be lost during culture in vitro, often associated with the loss of a subtelomeric region of chromosome 9. Gametocytogenesis starts with erythrocyte invasion by a sexually committed merozoite, but the first available specific marker of sexual differentiation appears only from 24 h post invasion. METHODS Specific antibodies and gene fusions were produced to study the timing of expression and the sub-cellular localization of the P. falciparum Gametocyte EXported Protein-5 (PfGEXP5), encoded in the subtelomeric region of chromosome 9. Expression patterns were examined in wild-type parasites and in parasite lines mutated in the Apetala2-G (AP2-G) transcription factor, governing a cascade of early sexual stage specific genes. RESULTS PfGEXP5 is highly expressed in early sexual stages and it is actively exported to the infected erythrocyte cytoplasm from as early as 14 h post-invasion in haemozoin-free, ring stage-like parasites. The pattern of PfGEXP5 expression and export is similar in wild-type parasites and in independent AP2-G defective parasite lines unable to produce gametocytes. CONCLUSIONS PfGEXP5 represents the earliest post-invasion sexual stage marker described to date. This provides a tool that can be used to identify sexually committed ring stage parasites in natural infections. This early gametocyte marker would enable the identification and mapping of malaria transmission reservoirs in human populations and the study of gametocyte sequestration dynamics in infected individuals. The fact that regulation of PfGEXP5 does not depend on the AP2-G master regulator of parasite sexual development suggests that, after sexual commitment, differentiation progresses through multiple checkpoints in the early phase of gametocytogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta Tibúrcio
- Dipartimento di Malattie Infettive, Parassitarie e Immunomediate, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Viale Regina Elena 299, 00161, Rome, Italy. .,The Francis Crick Institute, Mill Hill Laboratory, The Ridgeway, Mill Hill, London, NW7 1AA, UK.
| | - Matthew W A Dixon
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Bio21 Molecular Science and Biotechnology Institute, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.
| | - Oliver Looker
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Bio21 Molecular Science and Biotechnology Institute, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.
| | - Sumera Younis Younis
- Dipartimento di Malattie Infettive, Parassitarie e Immunomediate, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Viale Regina Elena 299, 00161, Rome, Italy. .,Department of Parasitology, Biomedical Primate Research Centre, PO Box 306, 2280 GH, Rijswijk, The Netherlands.
| | - Leann Tilley
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Bio21 Molecular Science and Biotechnology Institute, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.
| | - Pietro Alano
- Dipartimento di Malattie Infettive, Parassitarie e Immunomediate, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Viale Regina Elena 299, 00161, Rome, Italy.
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25
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Spillman NJ, Beck JR, Goldberg DE. Protein export into malaria parasite-infected erythrocytes: mechanisms and functional consequences. Annu Rev Biochem 2015; 84:813-41. [PMID: 25621510 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-biochem-060614-034157] [Citation(s) in RCA: 74] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Phylum Apicomplexa comprises a large group of obligate intracellular parasites of high medical and veterinary importance. These organisms succeed intracellularly by effecting remarkable changes in a broad range of diverse host cells. The transformation of the host erythrocyte is particularly striking in the case of the malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum. P. falciparum exports hundreds of proteins that mediate a complex cellular renovation marked by changes in the permeability, rigidity, and cytoadherence properties of the host erythrocyte. The past decade has seen enormous progress in understanding the identity and function of these exported effectors, as well as the mechanisms by which they are trafficked into the host cell. Here we review these advances, place them in the context of host manipulation by related apicomplexans, and propose key directions for future research.
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26
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Pesce ER, Blatch GL, Edkins AL. Hsp40 Co-chaperones as Drug Targets: Towards the Development of Specific Inhibitors. TOPICS IN MEDICINAL CHEMISTRY 2015. [DOI: 10.1007/7355_2015_92] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
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27
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Almelli T, Nuel G, Bischoff E, Aubouy A, Elati M, Wang CW, Dillies MA, Coppée JY, Ayissi GN, Basco LK, Rogier C, Ndam NT, Deloron P, Tahar R. Differences in gene transcriptomic pattern of Plasmodium falciparum in children with cerebral malaria and asymptomatic carriers. PLoS One 2014; 9:e114401. [PMID: 25479608 PMCID: PMC4257676 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0114401] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2014] [Accepted: 11/10/2014] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The mechanisms underlying the heterogeneity of clinical malaria remain largely unknown. We hypothesized that differential gene expression contributes to phenotypic variation of parasites which results in a specific interaction with the host, leading to different clinical features of malaria. In this study, we analyzed the transcriptomes of isolates obtained from asymptomatic carriers and patients with uncomplicated or cerebral malaria. We also investigated the transcriptomes of 3D7 clone and 3D7-Lib that expresses severe malaria associated-variant surface antigen. Our findings revealed a specific up-regulation of genes involved in pathogenesis, adhesion to host cell, and erythrocyte aggregation in parasites from patients with cerebral malaria and 3D7-Lib, compared to parasites from asymptomatic carriers and 3D7, respectively. However, we did not find any significant difference between the transcriptomes of parasites from cerebral malaria and uncomplicated malaria, suggesting similar transcriptomic pattern in these two parasite populations. The difference between isolates from asymptomatic children and cerebral malaria concerned genes coding for exported proteins, Maurer's cleft proteins, transcriptional factor proteins, proteins implicated in protein transport, as well as Plasmodium conserved and hypothetical proteins. Interestingly, UPs A1, A2, A3 and UPs B1 of var genes were predominantly found in cerebral malaria-associated isolates and those containing architectural domains of DC4, DC5, DC13 and their neighboring rif genes in 3D7-lib. Therefore, more investigations are needed to analyze the effective role of these genes during malaria infection to provide with new knowledge on malaria pathology. In addition, concomitant regulation of genes within the chromosomal neighborhood suggests a common mechanism of gene regulation in P. falciparum.
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Affiliation(s)
- Talleh Almelli
- Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD), UMR 216 Mère et Enfant Face aux Infections Tropicales, Université Paris-Descartes, Près Sorbonne Paris-Cité, Paris, France
- PRES Sorbone Paris Cité, Université Paris Descartes, Faculté de Pharmacie, Paris, France
| | - Grégory Nuel
- PRES Sorbone Paris Cité, Université Paris Descartes, Faculté de Pharmacie, Paris, France
| | - Emmanuel Bischoff
- Institut Pasteur, Unit of Molecular Immunology of Parasites, Unit of Insect Vector Genetics and Genomics, Department of Parasitology and Mycology, Paris, France
- Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), URA 3012, Paris, France
| | - Agnès Aubouy
- Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD), UMR 152 Pharmacochimie et pharmacologie pour le développement - (PHARMA-DEV), Université Paul Sabatier, Toulouse, France
| | - Mohamed Elati
- Institute of Systems and Synthetic Biology, CNRS, University of Evry, Genopole, Evry, France
| | - Christian William Wang
- Centre for Medical Parasitology at Department of International Health, Immunology, and Microbiology, University of Copenhagen and at Department of Infectious Diseases, Copenhagen University Hospital (Rigshospitalet), Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Marie-Agnès Dillies
- Plate-forme Transcriptome et Epigénome, Departement Génomes et Génétique, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France
| | - Jean-Yves Coppée
- Plate-forme Transcriptome et Epigénome, Departement Génomes et Génétique, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France
| | | | - Leonardo Kishi Basco
- Organisation de Coordination pour la lutte contre les Endémies en Afrique Centrale (OCEAC), Laboratoire de Recherche sur le Paludisme, B. P. 288, Yaoundé, Cameroon
- Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD), UMR 198 Unité de Recherche des Maladies Infectieuses et Tropicales Emergentes, Faculté de Médecine La Timone, Aix-Marseille Université, Marseille, France
| | - Christophe Rogier
- Institut Pasteur de Madagascar, B.P. 1274, Ambatofotsikely, Antananarivo, Madagascar
| | - Nicaise Tuikue Ndam
- Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD), UMR 216 Mère et Enfant Face aux Infections Tropicales, Université Paris-Descartes, Près Sorbonne Paris-Cité, Paris, France
- PRES Sorbone Paris Cité, Université Paris Descartes, Faculté de Pharmacie, Paris, France
| | - Philippe Deloron
- Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD), UMR 216 Mère et Enfant Face aux Infections Tropicales, Université Paris-Descartes, Près Sorbonne Paris-Cité, Paris, France
- PRES Sorbone Paris Cité, Université Paris Descartes, Faculté de Pharmacie, Paris, France
| | - Rachida Tahar
- Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD), UMR 216 Mère et Enfant Face aux Infections Tropicales, Université Paris-Descartes, Près Sorbonne Paris-Cité, Paris, France
- PRES Sorbone Paris Cité, Université Paris Descartes, Faculté de Pharmacie, Paris, France
- Organisation de Coordination pour la lutte contre les Endémies en Afrique Centrale (OCEAC), Laboratoire de Recherche sur le Paludisme, B. P. 288, Yaoundé, Cameroon
- * E-mail:
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28
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Goel S, Muthusamy A, Miao J, Cui L, Salanti A, Winzeler EA, Gowda DC. Targeted disruption of a ring-infected erythrocyte surface antigen (RESA)-like export protein gene in Plasmodium falciparum confers stable chondroitin 4-sulfate cytoadherence capacity. J Biol Chem 2014; 289:34408-21. [PMID: 25342752 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m114.615393] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
The Plasmodium falciparum erythrocyte membrane protein 1 (PfEMP1) family proteins mediate the adherence of infected erythrocytes to microvascular endothelia of various organs, including the placenta, thereby contributing to cerebral, placental, and other severe malaria pathogenesis. Several parasite proteins, including KAHRP and PfEMP3, play important roles in the cytoadherence by mediating the clustering of PfEMP1 in rigid knoblike structures on the infected erythrocyte surface. The lack of a subtelomeric region of chromosome 2 that contains kahrp and pfemp3 causes reduced cytoadherence. In this study, microarray transcriptome analysis showed that the absence of a gene cluster, comprising kahrp, pfemp3, and four other genes, results in the loss of parasitized erythrocytes adhering to chondroitin 4-sulfate (C4S). The role of one of these genes, PF3D7_0201600/PFB0080c, which encodes PHISTb (Plasmodium helical interspersed subtelomeric b) domain-containing RESA-like protein 1 expressed on the infected erythrocyte surface, was investigated. Disruption of PFB0080c resulted in increased var2csa transcription and VAR2CSA surface expression, leading to higher C4S-binding capacity of infected erythrocytes. Further, PFB0080c-knock-out parasites stably maintained the C4S adherence through many generations of growth. Although the majority of PFB0080c-knock-out parasites bound to C4S even after culturing for 6 months, a minor population bound to both C4S and CD36. These results strongly suggest that the loss of PFB0080c markedly compromises the var gene switching process, leading to a marked reduction in the switching rate and additional PfEMP1 expression by a minor population of parasites. PFB0080c interacts with VAR2CSA and modulates knob-associated Hsp40 expression. Thus, PFB0080c may regulate VAR2CSA expression through these processes. Overall, we conclude that PFB0080c regulates PfEMP1 expression and the parasite's cytoadherence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suchi Goel
- From the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, Pennsylvania 17033,
| | - Arivalagan Muthusamy
- From the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, Pennsylvania 17033
| | - Jun Miao
- the Department of Entomology, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania 16802
| | - Liwang Cui
- the Department of Entomology, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania 16802
| | - Ali Salanti
- the Centre for Medical Parasitology at the Department of International Health, Immunology, and Microbiology, Copenhagen University Hospital, DK 2014 Copenhagen, Denmark, and
| | - Elizabeth A Winzeler
- the Department of Pediatrics, University of California San Diego School of Medicine, La Jolla, California 92093
| | - D Channe Gowda
- From the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, Pennsylvania 17033,
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29
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Tarr SJ, Moon RW, Hardege I, Osborne AR. A conserved domain targets exported PHISTb family proteins to the periphery of Plasmodium infected erythrocytes. Mol Biochem Parasitol 2014; 196:29-40. [PMID: 25106850 PMCID: PMC4165601 DOI: 10.1016/j.molbiopara.2014.07.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2014] [Revised: 07/24/2014] [Accepted: 07/28/2014] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Multiple P. falciparum PHISTb proteins localise to the erythrocyte periphery. Solubility profiling indicates that these proteins associate with the red cell cytoskeleton. The PRESAN domain and a preceding N-terminal sequence is a novel targeting domain. A protein targeted to the red cell periphery is essential for parasite survival. P. knowlesi and P. vivax homologous domains also confer similar localisation.
During blood-stage infection, malaria parasites export numerous proteins to the host erythrocyte. The Poly-Helical Interspersed Sub-Telomeric (PHIST) proteins are an exported family that share a common ‘PRESAN’ domain, and include numerous members in Plasmodium falciparum, Plasmodium vivax and Plasmodium knowlesi. In P. falciparum, PHIST proteins have been implicated in protein trafficking and intercellular communication. A number of PHIST proteins are essential for parasite survival. Here, we identify nine members of the PHISTb sub-class of PHIST proteins, including one protein known to be essential for parasite survival, that localise to the erythrocyte periphery. These proteins have solubility characteristics consistent with their association with the erythrocyte cytoskeleton. Together, an extended PRESAN domain, comprising the PRESAN domain and preceding sequence, form a novel targeting-domain that is sufficient to localise a protein to the erythrocyte periphery. We validate the role of this domain in RESA, thus identifying a cytoskeleton-binding domain in RESA that functions independently of its known spectrin-binding domain. Our data suggest that some PHISTb proteins may act as cross-linkers of the erythrocyte cytoskeleton. We also show for the first time that peripherally-localised PHISTb proteins are encoded in genomes of P. knowlesi and vivax indicating a conserved role for the extended PRESAN domain of these proteins in targeting to the erythrocyte periphery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah J Tarr
- Institute of Structural and Molecular Biology, Division of Biosciences, Birkbeck and University College London, London, UK
| | - Robert W Moon
- Division of Parasitology, MRC National Institute for Medical Research, London, UK
| | - Iris Hardege
- Institute of Structural and Molecular Biology, Division of Biosciences, Birkbeck and University College London, London, UK
| | - Andrew R Osborne
- Institute of Structural and Molecular Biology, Division of Biosciences, Birkbeck and University College London, London, UK.
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30
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Oberli A, Slater LM, Cutts E, Brand F, Mundwiler-Pachlatko E, Rusch S, Masik MFG, Erat MC, Beck HP, Vakonakis I. A Plasmodium falciparum PHIST protein binds the virulence factor PfEMP1 and comigrates to knobs on the host cell surface. FASEB J 2014; 28:4420-33. [PMID: 24983468 PMCID: PMC4202109 DOI: 10.1096/fj.14-256057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
Uniquely among malaria parasites, Plasmodium falciparum-infected erythrocytes (iRBCs) develop membrane protrusions, known as knobs, where the parasite adhesion receptor P. falciparum erythrocyte membrane protein 1 (PfEMP1) clusters. Knob formation and the associated iRBC adherence to host endothelium are directly linked to the severity of malaria and are functional manifestations of protein export from the parasite to the iRBC. A family of exported proteins featuring Plasmodium helical interspersed subtelomeric (PHIST) domains has attracted attention, with members being implicated in host-parasite protein interactions and differentially regulated in severe disease and among parasite isolates. Here, we show that PHIST member PFE1605w binds the PfEMP1 intracellular segment directly with Kd = 5 ± 0.6 μM, comigrates with PfEMP1 during export, and locates in knobs. PHIST variants that do not locate in knobs (MAL8P1.4) or bind PfEMP1 30 times more weakly (PFI1780w) used as controls did not display the same pattern. We resolved the first crystallographic structure of a PHIST protein and derived a partial model of the PHIST-PfEMP1 interaction from nuclear magnetic resonance. We propose that PFE1605w reinforces the PfEMP1-cytoskeletal connection in knobs and discuss the possible role of PHIST proteins as interaction hubs in the parasite exportome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander Oberli
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Switzerland; University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland; and
| | - Leanne M Slater
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Erin Cutts
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Françoise Brand
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Switzerland; University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland; and
| | - Esther Mundwiler-Pachlatko
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Switzerland; University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland; and
| | - Sebastian Rusch
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Switzerland; University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland; and
| | | | - Michèle C Erat
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Hans-Peter Beck
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Switzerland; University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland; and
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31
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Proellocks NI, Herrmann S, Buckingham DW, Hanssen E, Hodges EK, Elsworth B, Morahan BJ, Coppel RL, Cooke BM. A lysine-rich membrane-associated PHISTb protein involved in alteration of the cytoadhesive properties of Plasmodium falciparum-infected red blood cells. FASEB J 2014; 28:3103-13. [PMID: 24706359 DOI: 10.1096/fj.14-250399] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
The genomes of malaria parasites (Plasmodium spp.) contain a family of genes encoding proteins with a Plasmodium helical interspersed subtelomeric (PHIST) domain, most of which are predicted to be exported into the parasite-infected human red blood cell (iRBC). Here, using transgenic parasites and a combination of cellular, biochemical, and biophysical assays, we have characterized and determined the function of a novel member of the PHIST protein family in Plasmodium falciparum, termed lysine-rich membrane-associated PHISTb (LyMP). LyMP was shown to associate directly with the cytoskeleton of iRBCs where it plays a role in their abnormal ability to adhere to a protein expressed on vascular endothelial cells, resulting in sequestration. Deletion of LyMP dramatically reduced adhesion of iRBCs to CD36 by 55%, which was completely restored to wild-type levels on complementation. Intriguingly, in the absence of LyMP, formation of RBC membrane knobs and the level of surface exposure of the parasites' major cytoadhesive ligand, PfEMP1, were identical to those for the parental parasite line, demonstrating for the first time an additional mechanism that enhances cytoadherence of iRBCs beyond those already recognized. Our findings identify LyMP as a previously unknown RBC cytoskeletal-binding protein that is likely to be of major significance in the complex pathophysiology of falciparum malaria.-Proellocks, N. I., Herrmann, S., Buckingham, D. W., Hanssen, E., Hodges, E. K., Elsworth, B., Morahan, B. J., Coppel, R. L., Cooke, B. M. A lysine-rich membrane-associated PHISTb protein involved in alteration of the cytoadhesive properties of Plasmodium falciparum infected red blood cells.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Susann Herrmann
- Department of Microbiology, Monash University, Victoria, Australia; and Bio21 Molecular Science and Biotechnology Institute, The University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | | | - Eric Hanssen
- Bio21 Molecular Science and Biotechnology Institute, The University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Emma K Hodges
- Department of Microbiology, Monash University, Victoria, Australia; and
| | - Brendan Elsworth
- Department of Microbiology, Monash University, Victoria, Australia; and
| | - Belinda J Morahan
- Department of Microbiology, Monash University, Victoria, Australia; and
| | - Ross L Coppel
- Department of Microbiology, Monash University, Victoria, Australia; and
| | - Brian M Cooke
- Department of Microbiology, Monash University, Victoria, Australia; and
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32
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Remodeling of human red cells infected with Plasmodium falciparum and the impact of PHIST proteins. Blood Cells Mol Dis 2013; 51:195-202. [PMID: 23880461 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcmd.2013.06.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2013] [Revised: 06/08/2013] [Accepted: 06/10/2013] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
In an infected erythrocyte (iRBC), renovation and decoration are crucial for malarial parasite survival, pathogenesis and reproduction. Host cell remodeling is mediated by an array of diverse parasite-encoded export proteins that traffic within iRBC. These remodeling proteins extensively modify the membrane and cytoskeleton of iRBC and help in formation of parasite-induced novel organelles such as 'Maurer's Cleft (MC), tubulovesicular network (TVN) and parasitophorous vacuole membrane (PVM) inside the iRBC. The genome sequence of Plasmodium falciparum shows expansion of export proteins, which suggests a complex requirement of these export proteins for specific pathogenesis and erythrocyte remodeling. Plasmodium helical intersperse sub-telomeric (PHIST) is a family of seventy-two small export proteins and many of its recently discovered functional characteristics suggest an intriguing putative role in modification of an iRBC. This review highlights the recent advances in parasite genomics, proteomics, and cell biology studies unraveling the host cell modification; providing a speculation on the impact of PHIST proteins in modification of the iRBC.
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