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Bennink S, Pradel G. The Multiple Roles of LCCL Domain-Containing Proteins for Malaria Parasite Transmission. Microorganisms 2024; 12:279. [PMID: 38399683 PMCID: PMC10892792 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms12020279] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2023] [Revised: 01/18/2024] [Accepted: 01/25/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Multi-protein complexes are crucial for various essential biological processes of the malaria parasite Plasmodium, such as protein synthesis, host cell invasion and adhesion. Especially during the sexual phase of the parasite, which takes place in the midgut of the mosquito vector, protein complexes are required for fertilization, sporulation and ultimately for the successful transmission of the parasite. Among the most noticeable protein complexes of the transmission stages are the ones formed by the LCCL domain-containing protein family that play critical roles in the generation of infective sporozoites. The six members of this protein family are characterized by numerous adhesive modules and domains typically found in secreted proteins. This review summarizes the findings of expression and functional studies on the LCCL domain-containing proteins of the human pathogenic P. falciparum and the rodent-infecting P. berghei and discusses the common features and differences of the homologous proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Gabriele Pradel
- Division of Cellular and Applied Infection Biology, Institute of Zoology, RWTH Aachen University, Worringerweg 1, 52074 Aachen, Germany;
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2
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Roling L, Flammersfeld A, Pradel G, Bennink S. The WD40-Protein PfWLP1 Ensures Stability of the PfCCp-Based Adhesion Protein Complex in Plasmodium falciparum Gametocytes. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2022; 12:942364. [PMID: 35923798 PMCID: PMC9339629 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2022.942364] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2022] [Accepted: 06/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Members of the WD40-repeat protein family can be found in all eukaryotic proteomes where they usually serve as interaction platforms for the assembly of large protein complexes and are therefore essential for the integrity of these complexes. In the malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum, the WD40-repeat protein PfWLP1 has been shown to interact with members of distinct adhesion protein complexes in the asexual blood stages and gametocyte stages. In this study, we demonstrate that the presence of PfWLP1 is crucial for both the stability of these gametocyte-specific adhesion complexes as well as for gametocyte maturation and gametogenesis. Using reverse genetics, we generated a PfWLP1-knockdown parasite line for functional characterization of the protein. Knockdown of PfWLP1 resulted in a slight reduction of gametocyte numbers and significantly the impaired ability of the gametocytes to exflagellate. PfWLP1-knockdown further led to reduced protein levels of the Limulus coagulation factor C-like (LCCL)-domain proteins PfCCp1 and PfCCp2, which are key components of the adhesion complexes. These findings suggest that the interaction of PfWLP1 with members of the PfCCp-based adhesion complex ensures complex stability and thereby contributes to gametocyte viability and exflagellation.
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Musabyimana JP, Distler U, Sassmannshausen J, Berks C, Manti J, Bennink S, Blaschke L, Burda PC, Flammersfeld A, Tenzer S, Ngwa CJ, Pradel G. Plasmodium falciparum S-Adenosylmethionine Synthetase Is Essential for Parasite Survival through a Complex Interaction Network with Cytoplasmic and Nuclear Proteins. Microorganisms 2022; 10:1419. [PMID: 35889137 PMCID: PMC9320499 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms10071419] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2022] [Revised: 07/01/2022] [Accepted: 07/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
S-adenosylmethionine synthetase (SAMS) is a key enzyme for the synthesis of the lone methyl donor S-adenosyl methionine (SAM), which is involved in transmethylation reactions and hence required for cellular processes such as DNA, RNA, and histone methylation, but also polyamine biosynthesis and proteostasis. In the human malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum, PfSAMS is encoded by a single gene and has been suggested to be crucial for malaria pathogenesis and transmission; however, to date, PfSAMS has not been fully characterized. To gain deeper insight into the function of PfSAMS, we generated a conditional gene knockdown (KD) using the glmS ribozyme system. We show that PfSAMS localizes to the cytoplasm and the nucleus of blood-stage parasites. PfSAMS-KD results in reduced histone methylation and leads to impaired intraerythrocytic growth and gametocyte development. To further determine the interaction network of PfSAMS, we performed a proximity-dependent biotin identification analysis. We identified a complex network of 1114 proteins involved in biological processes such as cell cycle control and DNA replication, or transcription, but also in phosphatidylcholine and polyamine biosynthesis and proteasome regulation. Our findings highlight the diverse roles of PfSAMS during intraerythrocytic growth and sexual stage development and emphasize that PfSAMS is a potential drug target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jean Pierre Musabyimana
- Division of Cellular and Applied Infection Biology, Institute of Zoology, RWTH Aachen University, Worringerweg 1, 52074 Aachen, Germany; (J.P.M.); (J.S.); (C.B.); (J.M.); (S.B.); (L.B.); (A.F.); (C.J.N.)
| | - Ute Distler
- Proteomics Core Facility, Institute of Immunology, University Medical Center of the Johannes-Gutenberg University Mainz, Langenbeckstraße 1, 55131 Mainz, Germany; (U.D.); (S.T.)
| | - Juliane Sassmannshausen
- Division of Cellular and Applied Infection Biology, Institute of Zoology, RWTH Aachen University, Worringerweg 1, 52074 Aachen, Germany; (J.P.M.); (J.S.); (C.B.); (J.M.); (S.B.); (L.B.); (A.F.); (C.J.N.)
| | - Christina Berks
- Division of Cellular and Applied Infection Biology, Institute of Zoology, RWTH Aachen University, Worringerweg 1, 52074 Aachen, Germany; (J.P.M.); (J.S.); (C.B.); (J.M.); (S.B.); (L.B.); (A.F.); (C.J.N.)
| | - Janice Manti
- Division of Cellular and Applied Infection Biology, Institute of Zoology, RWTH Aachen University, Worringerweg 1, 52074 Aachen, Germany; (J.P.M.); (J.S.); (C.B.); (J.M.); (S.B.); (L.B.); (A.F.); (C.J.N.)
| | - Sandra Bennink
- Division of Cellular and Applied Infection Biology, Institute of Zoology, RWTH Aachen University, Worringerweg 1, 52074 Aachen, Germany; (J.P.M.); (J.S.); (C.B.); (J.M.); (S.B.); (L.B.); (A.F.); (C.J.N.)
| | - Lea Blaschke
- Division of Cellular and Applied Infection Biology, Institute of Zoology, RWTH Aachen University, Worringerweg 1, 52074 Aachen, Germany; (J.P.M.); (J.S.); (C.B.); (J.M.); (S.B.); (L.B.); (A.F.); (C.J.N.)
| | - Paul-Christian Burda
- Centre for Structural Systems Biology (CSSB) c/o DESY, Bernhard Nocht Institute, University of Hamburg, Notkestraße 85, Building 15, 22607 Hamburg, Germany;
| | - Ansgar Flammersfeld
- Division of Cellular and Applied Infection Biology, Institute of Zoology, RWTH Aachen University, Worringerweg 1, 52074 Aachen, Germany; (J.P.M.); (J.S.); (C.B.); (J.M.); (S.B.); (L.B.); (A.F.); (C.J.N.)
| | - Stefan Tenzer
- Proteomics Core Facility, Institute of Immunology, University Medical Center of the Johannes-Gutenberg University Mainz, Langenbeckstraße 1, 55131 Mainz, Germany; (U.D.); (S.T.)
| | - Che Julius Ngwa
- Division of Cellular and Applied Infection Biology, Institute of Zoology, RWTH Aachen University, Worringerweg 1, 52074 Aachen, Germany; (J.P.M.); (J.S.); (C.B.); (J.M.); (S.B.); (L.B.); (A.F.); (C.J.N.)
| | - Gabriele Pradel
- Division of Cellular and Applied Infection Biology, Institute of Zoology, RWTH Aachen University, Worringerweg 1, 52074 Aachen, Germany; (J.P.M.); (J.S.); (C.B.); (J.M.); (S.B.); (L.B.); (A.F.); (C.J.N.)
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4
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Erath J, Djuranovic S. Association of the receptor for activated C-kinase 1 with ribosomes in Plasmodium falciparum. J Biol Chem 2022; 298:101954. [PMID: 35452681 PMCID: PMC9120242 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2022.101954] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2021] [Revised: 03/31/2022] [Accepted: 04/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The receptor for activated C-kinase 1 (RACK1), a highly conserved eukaryotic protein, is known to have many varying biological roles and functions. Previous work has established RACK1 as a ribosomal protein, with defined regions important for ribosome binding in eukaryotic cells. In Plasmodium falciparum, RACK1 has been shown to be required for parasite growth, however, conflicting evidence has been presented about RACK1 ribosome binding and its role in mRNA translation. Given the importance of RACK1 as a regulatory component of mRNA translation and ribosome quality control, the case could be made in parasites that RACK1 either binds or does not bind the ribosome. Here, we used bioinformatics and transcription analyses to further characterize the P. falciparum RACK1 protein. Based on homology modeling and structural analyses, we generated a model of P. falciparum RACK1. We then explored mutant and chimeric human and P. falciparum RACK1 protein binding properties to the human and P. falciparum ribosome. We found that WT, chimeric, and mutant RACK1 exhibit distinct ribosome interactions suggesting different binding characteristics for P. falciparum and human RACK1 proteins. The ribosomal binding of RACK1 variants in human and parasite cells shown here demonstrates that although RACK1 proteins have highly conserved sequences and structures across species, ribosomal binding is affected by species-specific alterations to this protein. In conclusion, we show that in the case of P. falciparum, contrary to the structural data, RACK1 is found to bind ribosomes and actively translating polysomes in parasite cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessey Erath
- Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Sergej Djuranovic
- Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, Missouri, USA.
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Li DF, Cui ZH, Wang LY, Zhang KH, Cao LT, Zheng SJ, Zhang LX. Tandem mass tag (TMT)-based proteomic analysis of Cryptosporidium andersoni oocysts before and after excystation. Parasit Vectors 2021; 14:608. [PMID: 34922597 PMCID: PMC8683822 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-021-05113-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2021] [Accepted: 11/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Cryptosporidium andersoni initiates infection by releasing sporozoites from oocysts through excystation. However, the proteins involved in excystation are unknown. Determining the proteins that participate in the excystation of C. andersoni oocysts will increase our understanding of the excystation process. Methods Cryptosporidium andersoni oocysts were collected and purified from the feces of naturally infected adult cows. Tandem mass tags (TMT), coupled with liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS) proteomic analysis, were used to investigate the proteomic expression profiles of C. andersoni oocysts before and after excystation. Results Proteomic analysis identified a total of 1586 proteins, of which 17 were differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) upon excystation. These included 10 upregulated and seven downregulated proteins. The 17 proteins had multiple biological functions associated with control of gene expression at the level of transcription and biosynthetic and metabolic processes. Quantitative real-time RT-PCR of eight selected genes validated the proteomic data. Conclusions This study provides information on the protein composition of C. andersoni oocysts as well as possible excystation factors. The data may be useful in identifying genes for diagnosis, vaccine development, and immunotherapy for Cryptosporidium. Graphical Abstract ![]()
Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13071-021-05113-6.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dong-Fang Li
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, 450000, Henan Province, People's Republic of China.,International Joint Research Laboratory for Zoonotic Diseases of Henan, Zhengzhou, 450000, Henan Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhao-Hui Cui
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, 450000, Henan Province, People's Republic of China.,International Joint Research Laboratory for Zoonotic Diseases of Henan, Zhengzhou, 450000, Henan Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Lu-Yang Wang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, 450000, Henan Province, People's Republic of China.,International Joint Research Laboratory for Zoonotic Diseases of Henan, Zhengzhou, 450000, Henan Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Kai-Hui Zhang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, 450000, Henan Province, People's Republic of China.,International Joint Research Laboratory for Zoonotic Diseases of Henan, Zhengzhou, 450000, Henan Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Le-Tian Cao
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, 450000, Henan Province, People's Republic of China.,International Joint Research Laboratory for Zoonotic Diseases of Henan, Zhengzhou, 450000, Henan Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Shuang-Jian Zheng
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, 450000, Henan Province, People's Republic of China.,International Joint Research Laboratory for Zoonotic Diseases of Henan, Zhengzhou, 450000, Henan Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Long-Xian Zhang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, 450000, Henan Province, People's Republic of China. .,International Joint Research Laboratory for Zoonotic Diseases of Henan, Zhengzhou, 450000, Henan Province, People's Republic of China.
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Cortés GT, Beltran MMG, Gómez-Alegría CJ, Wiser MF. Identification of a protein unique to the genus Plasmodium that contains a WD40 repeat domain and extensive low-complexity sequence. Parasitol Res 2021; 120:2617-2629. [PMID: 34142223 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-021-07190-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2021] [Accepted: 05/11/2021] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Proteins containing WD40 domains play important roles in the formation of multiprotein complexes. Little is known about WD40 proteins in the malaria parasite. This report contains the initial description of a WD40 protein that is unique to the genus Plasmodium and possibly closely related genera. The N-terminal portion of this protein consists of seven WD40 repeats that are highly conserved in all Plasmodium species. Following the N-terminal region is a central region that is conserved within the major Plasmodium clades, such as parasites of great apes, monkeys, rodents, and birds, but partially conserved across all Plasmodium species. This central region contains extensive low-complexity sequence and is predicted to have a disordered structure. Proteins with disordered structure generally function in molecular interactions. The C-terminal region is semi-conserved across all Plasmodium species and has no notable features. This WD40 repeat protein likely functions in some aspect of parasite biology that is unique to Plasmodium and this uniqueness makes the protein a possible target for therapeutic intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gladys T Cortés
- Departamento de Salud Pública, Facultad de Medicina, Grupo Biologia Celular, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Martha Margarita Gonzalez Beltran
- Ex alumna de la Maestría en Ciencias-Bioquímica, Departamento de Química, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Grupo UNIMOL, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Claudio J Gómez-Alegría
- Departamento de Farmacia, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Grupo UNIMOL, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Mark F Wiser
- Department of Tropical Medicine, Tulane University School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, 1440 Canal Street, Suite 2301, New Orleans, LA, 70112-2824, USA.
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Njila Tchoufack EJ, Hahnfeld L, Pitschelatow G, Bennink S, Pradel G. The endoplasmic reticulum-resident serpentine receptor SR10 has important functions for asexual and sexual blood stage development of Plasmodium falciparum. Mol Biochem Parasitol 2020; 239:111315. [PMID: 32890576 DOI: 10.1016/j.molbiopara.2020.111315] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2020] [Revised: 07/13/2020] [Accepted: 07/28/2020] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Serpentine receptors (SRs) are transmembrane proteins generally acting as mediators to facilitate the communication between a cell and its environment. At least six putative SR-like proteins are encoded in the genome of the malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum. For two of them, roles in cell stress control were reported; however, for most of the SR-like proteins the functions are not yet known. In this study, we provide a first phenotypic analysis of the plasmodial SR10. The transmembrane protein is expressed in the asexual and sexual blood stages of P. falciparum. Co-localization and co-immunoprecipitation assays demonstrated an association of SR10 with the endoplasmic reticulum protein ERC. Gene disruption of SR10 leads to impaired intraerythrocytic replication and strongly reduces gametocyte numbers. We thus propose that SR10 is a protein associated with the endoplasmic reticulum that has important functions for asexual and sexual blood stage development.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Lena Hahnfeld
- Division of Cellular and Applied Infection Biology, Institute of Biology 2, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Georg Pitschelatow
- Division of Cellular and Applied Infection Biology, Institute of Biology 2, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Sandra Bennink
- Division of Cellular and Applied Infection Biology, Institute of Biology 2, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Gabriele Pradel
- Division of Cellular and Applied Infection Biology, Institute of Biology 2, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany.
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Abstract
The WD40 domain is one of the most abundant and interacting domains in the eukaryotic genome. In proteins the WD domain folds into a β-propeller structure, providing a platform for the interaction and assembly of several proteins into a signalosome. WD40 repeats containing proteins, in lower eukaryotes, are mainly involved in growth, cell cycle, development and virulence, while in higher organisms, they play an important role in diverse cellular functions like signal transduction, cell cycle control, intracellular transport, chromatin remodelling, cytoskeletal organization, apoptosis, development, transcriptional regulation, immune responses. To play the regulatory role in various processes, they act as a scaffold for protein-protein or protein-DNA interaction. So far, no WD40 domain has been identified with intrinsic enzymatic activity. Several WD40 domain-containing proteins have been recently characterized in prokaryotes as well. The review summarizes the vast array of functions performed by different WD40 domain containing proteins, their domain organization and functional conservation during the course of evolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Buddhi Prakash Jain
- Department of Zoology, School of Life Sciences, Mahatma Gandhi Central University, Motihari, Bihar, 845401, India.
| | - Shweta Pandey
- APSGMNS Govt P G College, Kawardha, Chhattisgarh, 491995, India
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Calarco L, Barratt J, Ellis J. Genome Wide Identification of Mutational Hotspots in the Apicomplexan Parasite Neospora caninum and the Implications for Virulence. Genome Biol Evol 2018; 10:2417-2431. [PMID: 30165699 PMCID: PMC6147731 DOI: 10.1093/gbe/evy188] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/23/2018] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Neospora caninum is an apicomplexan parasite responsible for neosporosis, a disease causing hind limb paralysis in dogs and abortion in cattle, resulting in substantial economic losses to beef and dairy industries. Marked differences in pathogenicity exist between N. caninum strains suggesting that intrinsic genetic differences exist between them. These differences likely exist in genes expressed during the tachyzoite lifecycle stage which is responsible for the pathogenesis of neosporosis. An improved understanding of these genetic differences is essential to understanding N. caninum virulence, though such knowledge is scarce. Using a variant detection workflow we compared the tachyzoite transcriptomes of two N. caninum strains with different virulence properties: NC-Liverpool (virulent) and NC-Nowra (avirulent). This workflow identified 3130 SNPs and 6123 indels between the strains, and nine markers capturing 30 variants were Sanger sequenced for both strains. Sequencing of these loci was extended to an additional eight strains and subsequent phylogenetic analysis supported a genetic population structure comprised of two major clades with no geographical segregation. Sequence polymorphisms within coding regions of tachyzoite-associated genes were concentrated on chromosomes XI and XII, with 19 distinct tachyzoite-associated SNP hotspot regions identified within coding regions of the N. caninum nuclear genome. The variants were predominantly located in loci associated with protein binding, protein-protein interactions, transcription, and translation. Furthermore, 468 nonsynonymous SNPs identified within protein-coding genes were associated with protein kinase activity, protein binding, protein phosphorylation, and proteolysis. This work may implicate these processes and the specific proteins involved as novel effectors of N. caninum tachyzoite virulence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Larissa Calarco
- School of Life Sciences, University of Technology Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Joel Barratt
- School of Life Sciences, University of Technology Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - John Ellis
- School of Life Sciences, University of Technology Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
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Shukla A, Chatterjee A, Kondabagil K. The number of genes encoding repeat domain-containing proteins positively correlates with genome size in amoebal giant viruses. Virus Evol 2018; 4:vex039. [PMID: 29308275 PMCID: PMC5753266 DOI: 10.1093/ve/vex039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Curiously, in viruses, the virion volume appears to be predominantly driven by genome length rather than the number of proteins it encodes or geometric constraints. With their large genome and giant particle size, amoebal viruses (AVs) are ideally suited to study the relationship between genome and virion size and explore the role of genome plasticity in their evolutionary success. Different genomic regions of AVs exhibit distinct genealogies. Although the vertically transferred core genes and their functions are universally conserved across the nucleocytoplasmic large DNA virus (NCLDV) families and are essential for their replication, the horizontally acquired genes are variable across families and are lineage-specific. When compared with other giant virus families, we observed a near–linear increase in the number of genes encoding repeat domain-containing proteins (RDCPs) with the increase in the genome size of AVs. From what is known about the functions of RDCPs in bacteria and eukaryotes and their prevalence in the AV genomes, we envisage important roles for RDCPs in the life cycle of AVs, their genome expansion, and plasticity. This observation also supports the evolution of AVs from a smaller viral ancestor by the acquisition of diverse gene families from the environment including RDCPs that might have helped in host adaption.
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Affiliation(s)
- Avi Shukla
- Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, Powai, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400076, India
| | - Anirvan Chatterjee
- Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, Powai, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400076, India
| | - Kiran Kondabagil
- Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, Powai, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400076, India
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A novel Pfs38 protein complex on the surface of Plasmodium falciparum blood-stage merozoites. Malar J 2017; 16:79. [PMID: 28202027 PMCID: PMC5312596 DOI: 10.1186/s12936-017-1716-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2016] [Accepted: 01/28/2017] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The Plasmodium genome encodes for a number of 6-Cys proteins that contain a module of six cysteine residues forming three intramolecular disulphide bonds. These proteins have been well characterized at transmission as well as hepatic stages of the parasite life cycle. In the present study, a large complex of 6-Cys proteins: Pfs41, Pfs38 and Pfs12 and three other merozoite surface proteins: Glutamate-rich protein (GLURP), SERA5 and MSP-1 were identified on the Plasmodium falciparum merozoite surface. Methods Recombinant 6-cys proteins i.e. Pfs38, Pfs12, Pfs41 as well as PfMSP-165 were expressed and purified using Escherichia coli expression system and antibodies were raised against each of these proteins. These antibodies were used to immunoprecipitate the native proteins and their associated partners from parasite lysate. ELISA, Far western, surface plasmon resonance and glycerol density gradient fractionation were carried out to confirm the respective interactions. Furthermore, erythrocyte binding assay with 6-cys proteins were undertaken to find out their possible role in host-parasite infection and seropositivity was assessed using Indian and Liberian sera. Results Immunoprecipitation of parasite-derived polypeptides, followed by LC–MS/MS analysis, identified a large Pfs38 complex comprising of 6-cys proteins: Pfs41, Pfs38, Pfs12 and other merozoite surface proteins: GLURP, SERA5 and MSP-1. The existence of such a complex was further corroborated by several protein–protein interaction tools, co-localization and co-sedimentation analysis. Pfs38 protein of Pfs38 complex binds to host red blood cells (RBCs) directly via glycophorin A as a receptor. Seroprevalence analysis showed that of the six antigens, prevalence varied from 40 to 99%, being generally highest for MSP-165 and GLURP proteins. Conclusions Together the data show the presence of a large Pfs38 protein-associated complex on the parasite surface which is involved in RBC binding. These results highlight the complex molecular interactions among the P. falciparum merozoite surface proteins and advocate the development of a multi-sub-unit malaria vaccine based on some of these protein complexes on merozoite surface. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12936-017-1716-0) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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The s48/45 six-cysteine proteins: mediators of interaction throughout the Plasmodium life cycle. Int J Parasitol 2016; 47:409-423. [PMID: 27899328 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpara.2016.10.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2016] [Revised: 10/01/2016] [Accepted: 10/05/2016] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
During their life cycle Plasmodium parasites rely upon an arsenal of proteins that establish key interactions with the host and vector, and between the parasite sexual stages, with the purpose of ensuring infection, reproduction and proliferation. Among these is a group of secreted or membrane-anchored proteins known as the six-cysteine (6-cys) family. This is a small but important family with only 14 members thus far identified, each stage-specifically expressed during the parasite life cycle. 6-cys proteins often localise at the parasite surface or interface with the host and vector, and are conserved in different Plasmodium species. The unifying feature of the family is the s48/45 domain, presumably involved in adhesion and structurally related to Ephrins, the ligands of Eph receptors. The most prominent s48/45 members are currently under functional investigation and are being pursued as vaccine candidates. In this review, we examine what is known about the 6-cys family, their structure and function, and discuss future research directions.
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13
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Santosh Kumar HS, Kumar V, Pattar S, Telkar S. Towards the construction of an interactome for Human WD40 protein family. Bioinformation 2016; 12:54-61. [PMID: 28104961 PMCID: PMC5237648 DOI: 10.6026/97320630012054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2016] [Revised: 02/25/2016] [Accepted: 02/25/2016] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
WD40 proteins are involved in a variety of protein-protein interactions as part of a multi-protein assembly modulating diverse and critical cellular process. It is known that several proteins of this family have been implicated in different disorders such as developmental abnormalities and cancer. However, molecular functions of many proteins in this family are yet unknown and it is of clinical interest. Therefore, it is of interest to define, construct, understand, analyze, evaluate, redefine and refine an interactome for WD40 protein family. We used data from literature mining using Cytoscape followed by linear regression analysis between Betweenness centrality and stress scores to define a model to filter the nodes in a representative WD40 interactome construction. We identified 10 ranked nodes in this analysis and subsequent microarray data selected three of them in insulin resistance that is further demonstrated in HepG2 cell culture models. We also observed the expression of GRWD1, RBBP5 and WDR5 genes during perturbation. Thus, we report hub nodes of WD40 interactome in insulin resistance. It should be noted that the pipeline using protein interaction network help find new proteins of clinical importance.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Vadlapudi Kumar
- Department of Biochemistry, Davanagere University, Shivagangothri, Davanagere - 577002, Karnataka, India
| | - Sharath Pattar
- National Bureau of Agriculturally Important Insects, Hebbal, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India
| | - Sandeep Telkar
- Department of Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Kuvempu University,Shankaraghatta - 577451, Karnataka, India
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