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Comparative genomics and interactomics of polyadenylation factors for the prediction of new parasite targets: Entamoeba histolytica as a working model. Biosci Rep 2023; 43:232462. [PMID: 36651565 PMCID: PMC9912109 DOI: 10.1042/bsr20221911] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2022] [Revised: 01/05/2023] [Accepted: 01/13/2023] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Protein-protein interactions (PPI) play a key role in predicting the function of a target protein and drug ability to affect an entire biological system. Prediction of PPI networks greatly contributes to determine a target protein and signal pathways related to its function. Polyadenylation of mRNA 3'-end is essential for gene expression regulation and several polyadenylation factors have been shown as valuable targets for controlling protozoan parasites that affect human health. Here, by using a computational strategy based on sequence-based prediction approaches, phylogenetic analyses, and computational prediction of PPI networks, we compared interactomes of polyadenylation factors in relevant protozoan parasites and the human host, to identify key proteins and define potential targets for pathogen control. Then, we used Entamoeba histolytica as a working model to validate our computational results. RT-qPCR assays confirmed the coordinated modulation of connected proteins in the PPI network and evidenced that silencing of the bottleneck protein EhCFIm25 affects the expression of interacting proteins. In addition, molecular dynamics simulations and docking approaches allowed to characterize the relationships between EhCFIm25 and Ehnopp34, two connected bottleneck proteins. Interestingly, the experimental identification of EhCFIm25 interactome confirmed the close relationships among proteins involved in gene expression regulation and evidenced new links with moonlight proteins in E. histolytica, suggesting a connection between RNA biology and metabolism as described in other organisms. Altogether, our results strengthened the relevance of comparative genomics and interactomics of polyadenylation factors for the prediction of new targets for the control of these human pathogens.
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Promoter-Bound Full-Length Intronic Circular RNAs-RNA Polymerase II Complexes Regulate Gene Expression in the Human Parasite Entamoeba histolytica. Noncoding RNA 2022; 8:ncrna8010012. [PMID: 35202086 PMCID: PMC8876499 DOI: 10.3390/ncrna8010012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2021] [Revised: 01/20/2022] [Accepted: 01/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Ubiquitous eukaryotic non-coding circular RNAs are involved in numerous co- and post-transcriptional regulatory mechanisms. Recently, we reported full-length intronic circular RNAs (flicRNAs) in Entamoeba histolytica, with 3′ss–5′ss ligation points and 5′ss GU-rich elements essential for their biogenesis and their suggested role in transcription regulation. Here, we explored how flicRNAs impact gene expression regulation. Using CLIP assays, followed by qRT-PCR, we identified that the RabX13 control flicRNA and virulence-associated flicRNAs were bound to the HA-tagged RNA Pol II C-terminus domain in E. histolytica transformants. The U2 snRNA was also present in such complexes, indicating that they belonged to transcription initiation/elongation complexes. Correspondingly, inhibition of the second step of splicing using boric acid reduced flicRNA formation and modified the expression of their parental genes and non-related genes. flicRNAs were also recovered from chromatin immunoprecipitation eluates, indicating that the flicRNA-Pol II complex was formed in the promoter of their cognate genes. Finally, two flicRNAs were found to be cytosolic, whose functions remain to be uncovered. Here, we provide novel evidence of the role of flicRNAs in gene expression regulation in cis, apparently in a widespread fashion, as an element bound to the RNA polymerase II transcription initiation complex, in E. histolytica.
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Verner Z, Žárský V, Le T, Narayanasamy RK, Rada P, Rozbeský D, Makki A, Belišová D, Hrdý I, Vancová M, Lender C, König C, Bruchhaus I, Tachezy J. Anaerobic peroxisomes in Entamoeba histolytica metabolize myo-inositol. PLoS Pathog 2021; 17:e1010041. [PMID: 34780573 PMCID: PMC8629394 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1010041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2021] [Revised: 11/29/2021] [Accepted: 10/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Entamoeba histolytica is believed to be devoid of peroxisomes, like most anaerobic protists. In this work, we provided the first evidence that peroxisomes are present in E. histolytica, although only seven proteins responsible for peroxisome biogenesis (peroxins) were identified (Pex1, Pex6, Pex5, Pex11, Pex14, Pex16, and Pex19). Targeting matrix proteins to peroxisomes is reduced to the PTS1-dependent pathway mediated via the soluble Pex5 receptor, while the PTS2 receptor Pex7 is absent. Immunofluorescence microscopy showed that peroxisomal markers (Pex5, Pex14, Pex16, Pex19) are present in vesicles distinct from mitosomes, the endoplasmic reticulum, and the endosome/phagosome system, except Pex11, which has dual localization in peroxisomes and mitosomes. Immunoelectron microscopy revealed that Pex14 localized to vesicles of approximately 90-100 nm in diameter. Proteomic analyses of affinity-purified peroxisomes and in silico PTS1 predictions provided datasets of 655 and 56 peroxisomal candidates, respectively; however, only six proteins were shared by both datasets, including myo-inositol dehydrogenase (myo-IDH). Peroxisomal NAD-dependent myo-IDH appeared to be a dimeric enzyme with high affinity to myo-inositol (Km 0.044 mM) and can utilize also scyllo-inositol, D-glucose and D-xylose as substrates. Phylogenetic analyses revealed that orthologs of myo-IDH with PTS1 are present in E. dispar, E. nutalli and E. moshkovskii but not in E. invadens, and form a monophyletic clade of mostly peroxisomal orthologs with free-living Mastigamoeba balamuthi and Pelomyxa schiedti. The presence of peroxisomes in E. histolytica and other archamoebae breaks the paradigm of peroxisome absence in anaerobes and provides a new potential target for the development of antiparasitic drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zdeněk Verner
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, BIOCEV, Vestec, Czech Republic
| | - Vojtěch Žárský
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, BIOCEV, Vestec, Czech Republic
| | - Tien Le
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, BIOCEV, Vestec, Czech Republic
| | - Ravi Kumar Narayanasamy
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, BIOCEV, Vestec, Czech Republic
| | - Petr Rada
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, BIOCEV, Vestec, Czech Republic
| | - Daniel Rozbeský
- Department of Cell Biology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, BIOCEV, Vestec, Czech Republic
| | - Abhijith Makki
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, BIOCEV, Vestec, Czech Republic
| | - Darja Belišová
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, BIOCEV, Vestec, Czech Republic
| | - Ivan Hrdý
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, BIOCEV, Vestec, Czech Republic
| | - Marie Vancová
- Biology Centre, Czech Academy of Sciences, Institute of Parasitology, Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic
| | - Corinna Lender
- Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Constantin König
- Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Iris Bruchhaus
- Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Jan Tachezy
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, BIOCEV, Vestec, Czech Republic
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Walters HA, Temesvari LA. Target acquired: transcriptional regulators as drug targets for protozoan parasites. Int J Parasitol 2021; 51:599-611. [PMID: 33722681 PMCID: PMC8169582 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpara.2020.12.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2020] [Revised: 12/09/2020] [Accepted: 12/17/2020] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Protozoan parasites are single-celled eukaryotic organisms that cause significant human disease and pose a substantial health and socioeconomic burden worldwide. They are responsible for at least 1 million deaths annually. The treatment of such diseases is hindered by the ability of parasites to form latent cysts, develop drug resistance, or be transmitted by insect vectors. Additionally, these pathogens have developed complex mechanisms to alter host gene expression. The prevalence of these diseases is predicted to increase as climate change leads to the augmentation of ambient temperatures, insect ranges, and warm water reservoirs. Therefore, the discovery of novel treatments is necessary. Transcription factors lie at the junction of multiple signalling pathways in eukaryotes and aberrant transcription factor function contributes to the progression of numerous human diseases including cancer, diabetes, inflammatory disorders and cardiovascular disease. Transcription factors were previously thought to be undruggable. However, due to recent advances, transcription factors now represent appealing drug targets. It is conceivable that transcription factors, and the pathways they regulate, may also serve as targets for anti-parasitic drug design. Here, we review transcription factors and transcriptional modulators of protozoan parasites, and discuss how they may be useful in drug discovery. We also provide information on transcription factors that play a role in stage conversion of parasites, TATA box-binding proteins, and transcription factors and cofactors that participate with RNA polymerases I, II and III. We also highlight a significant gap in knowledge in that the transcription factors of some of parasites have been under-investigated. Understanding parasite transcriptional pathways and how parasites alter host gene expression will be essential in discovering innovative drug targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- H A Walters
- Department of Biological Sciences, Clemson University, Clemson, SC 29634, United States; Eukaryotic Pathogens Innovation Center, Clemson University, Clemson, SC 29634, United States
| | - L A Temesvari
- Department of Biological Sciences, Clemson University, Clemson, SC 29634, United States; Eukaryotic Pathogens Innovation Center, Clemson University, Clemson, SC 29634, United States.
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Manna D, Ehrenkaufer GM, Lozano-Amado D, Singh U. Entamoeba stage conversion: progress and new insights. Curr Opin Microbiol 2020; 58:62-68. [PMID: 33032142 DOI: 10.1016/j.mib.2020.09.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2020] [Accepted: 09/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Entamoeba histolytica, an anaerobic protozoan, is an important global health problem. This parasite has a biphasic life cycle consisting of a dormant cyst stage which is environmentally resistant and transmits the infection, and the proliferative trophozoite stage which is motile and causes invasive disease. The stage conversion process remains poorly understood despite being central to amoebic biology. In this review, we will highlight recent progress in our understanding of Entamoeba stage conversion including dissecting transcriptome analysis in development, characterization of transcriptional networks, demonstration of epigenetic regulation, and role of small molecules that regulate Entamoeba development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dipak Manna
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Stanford University School of Medicine, United States
| | | | - Daniela Lozano-Amado
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Stanford University School of Medicine, United States
| | - Upinder Singh
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Stanford University School of Medicine, United States; Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Stanford University School of Medicine, United States.
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Huerta M, Reyes L, García-Rivera G, Bañuelos C, Betanzos A, Díaz-Hernández M, Galindo A, Bolaños J, Cárdenas H, Azuara-Liceaga E, Chávez-Munguía B, Orozco E. A noncanonical GATA transcription factor of Entamoeba histolytica modulates genes involved in phagocytosis. Mol Microbiol 2020; 114:1019-1037. [PMID: 32808689 DOI: 10.1111/mmi.14592] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2019] [Revised: 08/12/2020] [Accepted: 08/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
In this paper, we explored the presence of GATA in Entamoeba histolytica and their function as regulators of phagocytosis-related genes. Bioinformatics analyses evidenced a single 579 bp sequence encoding for a protein (EhGATA), smaller than GATA factors of other organisms. EhGATA appeared phylogenetically close to Dictyostelium discoideum and Schistosoma mansoni GATA proteins. Its sequence predicts the presence of a zinc-finger DNA binding domain and an AT-Hook motif; it also has two nuclear localization signals. By transmission electron and confocal microscopy, anti-EhGATA antibodies revealed the protein in the cytoplasm and nucleus, and 65% of nuclear signal was in the heterochromatin. EhGATA recombinant protein and trophozoites nuclear extracts bound to GATA-DNA consensus sequence. By in silico scrutiny, 1,610 gene promoters containing GATA-binding sequences appeared, including Ehadh and Ehvps32 promoters, whose genes participate in phagocytosis. Chromatin immunoprecipitation assays showed that EhGATA interact with Ehadh and Ehvps32 promoters. In EhGATA-overexpressing trophozoites (NeoGATA), the Ehadh and Ehvps32 mRNAs amount was modified, strongly supporting that EhGATA could regulate their transcription. NeoGATA trophozoites exhibited rounded shapes, high proliferation rates, and diminished erythrophagocytosis. Our results provide new insights into the role of EhGATA as a noncanonical transcription factor, regulating genes associated with phagocytosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miriam Huerta
- Departamento de Infectómica y Patogénesis Molecular, Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Ciudad de México, México
| | - Luz Reyes
- Departamento de Infectómica y Patogénesis Molecular, Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Ciudad de México, México
| | - Guillermina García-Rivera
- Departamento de Infectómica y Patogénesis Molecular, Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Ciudad de México, México
| | - Cecilia Bañuelos
- Programa de Doctorado Transdisciplinario en Desarrollo Científico y Tecnológico para la Sociedad, Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Ciudad de México, México
| | - Abigail Betanzos
- Departamento de Infectómica y Patogénesis Molecular, Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Ciudad de México, México.,Consejo Nacional de Ciencia y Tecnología, Ciudad de México, México
| | - Mitzi Díaz-Hernández
- Departamento de Infectómica y Patogénesis Molecular, Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Ciudad de México, México
| | - Ausencio Galindo
- Departamento de Infectómica y Patogénesis Molecular, Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Ciudad de México, México
| | - Jeni Bolaños
- Departamento de Infectómica y Patogénesis Molecular, Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Ciudad de México, México
| | - Helios Cárdenas
- Posgrado en Ciencias Genómicas, Universidad Autónoma de la Ciudad de México, Ciudad de México, México
| | - Elisa Azuara-Liceaga
- Posgrado en Ciencias Genómicas, Universidad Autónoma de la Ciudad de México, Ciudad de México, México
| | - Bibiana Chávez-Munguía
- Departamento de Infectómica y Patogénesis Molecular, Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Ciudad de México, México
| | - Esther Orozco
- Departamento de Infectómica y Patogénesis Molecular, Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Ciudad de México, México
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Parra-Marín O, López-Pacheco K, Hernández R, López-Villaseñor I. The highly diverse TATA box-binding proteins among protists: A review. Mol Biochem Parasitol 2020; 239:111312. [PMID: 32771681 DOI: 10.1016/j.molbiopara.2020.111312] [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: 02/20/2020] [Revised: 06/28/2020] [Accepted: 07/22/2020] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
Transcription is the first step of gene expression regulation and is a fundamental mechanism for establishing the viability and development of a cell. The TATA box-binding protein (TBP) interaction with a TATA box in a promoter is one of the best studied mechanisms in transcription initiation. TBP is a transcription factor that is highly conserved from archaea to humans and is essential for the transcription initiated by each of the three RNA polymerases. In addition, the discovery of TBP-related factor 1 (TRF1) and other factors related to TBP shed light on the variability among transcription initiation complexes, thus demonstrating that the compositions of these complexes are, in fact, more complicated than originally believed. Despite these facts, the majority of studies on transcription have been performed on animal, plant and fungal cells, which serve as canonical models, and information regarding protist cells is relatively scarce. The aim of this work is to review the diversity of the TBPs that have been documented in protists and describe some of the specific features that differentiate them from their counterparts in higher eukaryotes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olivia Parra-Marín
- Departamento de Biología Molecular y Biotecnología, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad Universitaria, 04510, Ciudad de México, Mexico
| | - Karla López-Pacheco
- Departamento de Biología Molecular y Biotecnología, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad Universitaria, 04510, Ciudad de México, Mexico
| | - Roberto Hernández
- Departamento de Biología Molecular y Biotecnología, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad Universitaria, 04510, Ciudad de México, Mexico
| | - Imelda López-Villaseñor
- Departamento de Biología Molecular y Biotecnología, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad Universitaria, 04510, Ciudad de México, Mexico.
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Avendaño-Borromeo B, Narayanasamy RK, García-Rivera G, Labra-Barrios ML, Lagunes-Guillén AE, Munguía-Chávez B, Castañón-Sánchez CA, Orozco E, Luna-Arias JP. Identification of the gene encoding the TATA box-binding protein-associated factor 1 (TAF1) and its putative role in the heat shock response in the protozoan parasite Entamoeba histolytica. Parasitol Res 2018; 118:517-538. [PMID: 30552577 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-018-6170-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2018] [Accepted: 11/29/2018] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Transcription factor IID (TFIID) is a cornerstone in the transcription initiation in eukaryotes. It is composed of TBP and approximately 14 different subunits named TBP-associated factors (TAFs). TFIID has a key role in transcription of many genes involved in cell proliferation, cell growth, cell cycle, cell cycle checkpoint, and various other processes as well. Entamoeba histolytica, the protozoan parasite responsible for human amoebiasis, represents a major global health concern. Our research group has previously reported the genes coding the TATA box-binding protein (EhTBP) and TBP-related factor 1 (EhTRF1), which displayed different mRNA levels in trophozoites under different stress conditions. In this work, we identified the TBP-associated factor 1 (Ehtaf1) gene in the E. histolytica genome, which possess a well-conserved DUF domain and a Bromo domain located in the middle and C-terminus of the protein, respectively. The EhTAF1-DUF domain tertiary structure is similar to the corresponding HsTAF1 DUF domain. RT-qPCR experiments with RNA isolated from trophozoites harvested at different time points of the growth curve and under different stress conditions revealed that the Ehtaf1 gene was found slightly upregulated in the death phase of growth curve, but under heat shock stress, it was found upregulated 10 times, suggesting that Ehtaf1 might have an important role in the heat shock stress response. We also found that EhTAF1 is expressed in the nucleus and cytoplasm at 37 °C, but under heat shock stress, it is overexpressed in both the nucleus and cytoplasm, and partially colocalized with EhHSP70 in cytoplasm.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bartolo Avendaño-Borromeo
- Departamento de Biología Celular, Cinvestav-IPN, Av. IPN 2508, Col. San Pedro Zacatenco, 07360, Ciudad de México, Mexico
| | - Ravi Kumar Narayanasamy
- Departamento de Biología Celular, Cinvestav-IPN, Av. IPN 2508, Col. San Pedro Zacatenco, 07360, Ciudad de México, Mexico
| | - Guillermina García-Rivera
- Departamento de Infectómica y Patogénesis Molecular, Cinvestav-IPN, Av. IPN 2508, Col. San Pedro Zacatenco, 07360, Ciudad de México, Mexico
| | - María Luisa Labra-Barrios
- Departamento de Biología Celular, Cinvestav-IPN, Av. IPN 2508, Col. San Pedro Zacatenco, 07360, Ciudad de México, Mexico
| | - Anel E Lagunes-Guillén
- Departamento de Infectómica y Patogénesis Molecular, Cinvestav-IPN, Av. IPN 2508, Col. San Pedro Zacatenco, 07360, Ciudad de México, Mexico
| | - Bibiana Munguía-Chávez
- Departamento de Infectómica y Patogénesis Molecular, Cinvestav-IPN, Av. IPN 2508, Col. San Pedro Zacatenco, 07360, Ciudad de México, Mexico
| | - Carlos Alberto Castañón-Sánchez
- Laboratorio de Investigación Biomédica, Subdirección de Enseñanza e Investigación, Hospital Regional de Alta Especialidad de Oaxaca, Aldama S/N, San Bartolo Coyotepec, 71256, Oaxaca, Mexico
| | - Esther Orozco
- Departamento de Infectómica y Patogénesis Molecular, Cinvestav-IPN, Av. IPN 2508, Col. San Pedro Zacatenco, 07360, Ciudad de México, Mexico
| | - Juan Pedro Luna-Arias
- Departamento de Biología Celular, Cinvestav-IPN, Av. IPN 2508, Col. San Pedro Zacatenco, 07360, Ciudad de México, Mexico.
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