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Nakayama K, Haraguchi A, Hakozaki J, Nakamura S, Kusakisako K, Ikadai H. The C-terminal region of the Plasmodium berghei gamete surface 184-kDa protein Pb184 contributes to fertilization and male gamete binding to the residual body. Parasit Vectors 2024; 17:304. [PMID: 39003498 PMCID: PMC11246575 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-024-06374-7] [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: 03/07/2024] [Accepted: 06/24/2024] [Indexed: 07/15/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Malaria, a global health concern, is caused by parasites of the Plasmodium genus, which undergo gametogenesis in the midgut of mosquitoes after ingestion of an infected blood meal. The resulting male and female gametes fuse to form a zygote, which differentiates into a motile ookinete. After traversing the midgut epithelium, the ookinete differentiates into an oocyst on the basal side of the epithelium. METHODS Membrane proteins with increased gene expression levels from the gamete to oocyst stages in P. berghei were investigated utilizing PlasmoDB, the functional genomic database for Plasmodium spp. Based on this analysis, we selected the 184-kDa membrane protein, Pb184, for further study. The expression of Pb184 was further confirmed through immunofluorescence staining, following which we examined whether Pb184 is involved in fertilization using antibodies targeting the C-terminal region of Pb184 and biotin-labeled C-terminal region peptides of Pb184. RESULTS Pb184 is expressed on the surface of male and female gametes. The antibody inhibited zygote and ookinete formation in vitro. When mosquitoes were fed on parasite-infected blood containing the antibody, oocyst formation decreased on the second day after feeding. Synthesized biotin-labeled peptides matching the C-terminal region of Pb184 bound to the female gamete and the residual body of male gametes, and inhibited differentiation into ookinetes in the in vitro culture system. CONCLUSIONS These results may be useful for the further studying the fertilization mechanism of Plasmodium protozoa. There is also the potential for their application as future tools to prevent malaria transmission.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kazuhiko Nakayama
- Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology, School of Veterinary Medicine, Kitasato University, Aomori, Towada, 034-8628, Japan
| | - Asako Haraguchi
- Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology, School of Veterinary Medicine, Kitasato University, Aomori, Towada, 034-8628, Japan
| | - Jun Hakozaki
- Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology, School of Veterinary Medicine, Kitasato University, Aomori, Towada, 034-8628, Japan
| | - Sakure Nakamura
- Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology, School of Veterinary Medicine, Kitasato University, Aomori, Towada, 034-8628, Japan
| | - Kodai Kusakisako
- Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology, School of Veterinary Medicine, Kitasato University, Aomori, Towada, 034-8628, Japan
| | - Hiromi Ikadai
- Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology, School of Veterinary Medicine, Kitasato University, Aomori, Towada, 034-8628, Japan.
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Preira CMF, Pizzi E, Fratini F, Grasso F, Boccolini D, Mochi S, Favia G, Piselli E, Damiani C, Siden-Kiamos I, Ponzi M, Currà C. A Time Point Proteomic Analysis Reveals Protein Dynamics of Plasmodium Oocysts. Mol Cell Proteomics 2024; 23:100736. [PMID: 38342407 PMCID: PMC10924140 DOI: 10.1016/j.mcpro.2024.100736] [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: 08/11/2023] [Revised: 01/19/2024] [Accepted: 02/08/2024] [Indexed: 02/13/2024] Open
Abstract
The oocyst is a sporogonic stage of Plasmodium development that takes place in the mosquito midgut in about 2 weeks. The cyst is protected by a capsule of unknown composition, and little is known about oocyst biology. We carried out a proteomic analysis of oocyst samples isolated at early, mid, and late time points of development. Four biological replicates for each time point were analyzed, and almost 600 oocyst-specific candidates were identified. The analysis revealed that, in young oocysts, there is a strong activity of protein and DNA synthesis, whereas in mature oocysts, proteins involved in oocyst and sporozoite development, gliding motility, and invasion are mostly abundant. Among the proteins identified at early stages, 17 candidates are specific to young oocysts. Thirty-four candidates are common to oocyst and the merosome stages (sporozoite proteins excluded), sharing common features as replication and egress. Western blot and immunofluorescence analyses of selected candidates confirm the expression profile obtained by proteomic analysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claude Marie François Preira
- Foundation for Research and Technology Hellas, Institute of Molecular biology and Biotechnology, Heraklion, Greece; Department of Biology, Voutes University Campus, University of Crete, Heraklion, Crete, Greece
| | - Elisabetta Pizzi
- Core Facilities Technical-Scientific Service, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Federica Fratini
- Core Facilities Technical-Scientific Service, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Felicia Grasso
- Department of Infectious diseases, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Daniela Boccolini
- Department of Infectious diseases, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Stefania Mochi
- Department of Infectious diseases, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Guido Favia
- School of Biosciences & Veterinary Medicine, University of Camerino, Italy
| | - Elena Piselli
- School of Biosciences & Veterinary Medicine, University of Camerino, Italy
| | - Claudia Damiani
- School of Biosciences & Veterinary Medicine, University of Camerino, Italy
| | - Inga Siden-Kiamos
- Foundation for Research and Technology Hellas, Institute of Molecular biology and Biotechnology, Heraklion, Greece
| | - Marta Ponzi
- Department of Infectious diseases, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Chiara Currà
- Foundation for Research and Technology Hellas, Institute of Molecular biology and Biotechnology, Heraklion, Greece.
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Barletta ABF, Smith JC, Burkart E, Bondarenko S, Sharakhov IV, Criscione F, O'Brochta D, Barillas-Mury C. Mosquito midgut stem cell cellular defense response limits Plasmodium parasite infection. Nat Commun 2024; 15:1422. [PMID: 38365823 PMCID: PMC10873411 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-45550-2] [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: 07/27/2023] [Accepted: 01/25/2024] [Indexed: 02/18/2024] Open
Abstract
A novel cellular response of midgut progenitors (stem cells and enteroblasts) to Plasmodium berghei infection was investigated in Anopheles stephensi. The presence of developing oocysts triggers proliferation of midgut progenitors that is modulated by the Jak/STAT pathway and is proportional to the number of oocysts on individual midguts. The percentage of parasites in direct contact with enteroblasts increases over time, as progenitors proliferate. Silencing components of key signaling pathways through RNA interference (RNAi) that enhance proliferation of progenitor cells significantly decreased oocyst numbers, while limiting proliferation of progenitors increased oocyst survival. Live imaging revealed that enteroblasts interact directly with oocysts and eliminate them. Midgut progenitors sense the presence of Plasmodium oocysts and mount a cellular defense response that involves extensive proliferation and tissue remodeling, followed by oocysts lysis and phagocytosis of parasite remnants by enteroblasts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana-Beatriz F Barletta
- Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research, National Institutes of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, MD, 20852, USA.
| | - Jamie C Smith
- Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research, National Institutes of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, MD, 20852, USA
| | - Emily Burkart
- Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research, National Institutes of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, MD, 20852, USA
| | - Simon Bondarenko
- Department of Entomology, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA, 24060, USA
| | - Igor V Sharakhov
- Department of Entomology, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA, 24060, USA
| | - Frank Criscione
- Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research, National Institutes of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, MD, 20852, USA
| | - David O'Brochta
- Institute for Bioscience and Biotechnology Research and Department of Entomology University of Maryland-College Park, Rockville, MD, 20850, USA
| | - Carolina Barillas-Mury
- Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research, National Institutes of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, MD, 20852, USA.
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Saeed S, Tremp AZ, Dessens JT. Plasmodium sporozoite excystation involves local breakdown of the oocyst capsule. Sci Rep 2023; 13:22222. [PMID: 38097730 PMCID: PMC10721906 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-49442-1] [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: 08/03/2023] [Accepted: 12/08/2023] [Indexed: 12/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Plasmodium oocysts develop on the abluminal side of the mosquito midgut in relatively small numbers. Oocysts possess an extracellular cell wall-the capsule-to protect them from the insect's haemolymph environment. To further maximise transmission, each oocyst generates hundreds of sporozoites through an asexual multiplication step called sporogony. Completion of transmission requires sporozoite egress from the capsule (excystation), but this process remains poorly understood. In this study, we fused the parasite-encoded capsule protein Cap380 with green fluorescent protein in a transgenic P. berghei line, allowing live fluorescence imaging of capsules throughout sporogony and sporozoite excystation. The results show that capsules progressively weaken during sporulation ultimately resulting in sporozoite exit through small holes. Prior to formation of the holes, local thinning of the capsule was observed. Our findings support an excystation model based on local, rather than global, weakening of the capsule likely facilitated by local re-orientation of sporozoites and apical secretion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sadia Saeed
- Department of Infection Biology, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London, WC1E 7HT, UK
| | - Annie Z Tremp
- Department of Infection Biology, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London, WC1E 7HT, UK
| | - Johannes T Dessens
- Department of Infection Biology, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London, WC1E 7HT, UK.
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HARAGUCHI A, TAKANO M, HAKOZAKI J, NAKAYAMA K, NAKAMURA S, YOSHIKAWA Y, FUKUMOTO S, KUSAKISAKO K, IKADAI H. Formation of free oocysts in Anopheles mosquitoes injected with Plasmodium ookinetes. J Vet Med Sci 2023; 85:921-928. [PMID: 37407494 PMCID: PMC10539829 DOI: 10.1292/jvms.23-0099] [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: 03/01/2023] [Accepted: 06/25/2023] [Indexed: 07/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Malaria needs new strategies for its control. Plasmodium spp., the causative agent of malaria, is transmitted by mosquitoes. These parasites develop into oocysts and sporozoites in the body of the mosquitoes. A deeper understanding of oocysts that produce the infectious form of the parasite, sporozoites, can facilitate the development of novel countermeasures. However, the isolation of Plasmodium oocysts is challenging as these are formed between midgut epithelial cells and basal lamina after gametocytes enter the mosquito's body through blood feeding. Further research on oocysts has been impeded by issues related to oocyst isolation. Therefore, in this study, we injected Plasmodium into mosquitoes-an artificial and unique method-and aimed to clarify how oocysts were formed in mosquitoes after Plasmodium injection and whether free oocysts were formed from the mosquito tissue. Plasmodium berghei (ANKA strain) ookinetes cultured in vitro were injected into the thoracic body cavity (hemocoel) of female and male Anopheles stephensi mosquitoes. Oocysts were formed in the body of female and male mosquitoes at 14 days post injection. In addition, oocysts formed as a result of injection developed into sporozoites, which were infectious to mice. These findings suggest that P. berghei can complete its developmental stage in mosquitoes by injection. Some of the oocysts formed were free from mosquito tissue, and it was possible to collect oocysts with minimal contamination of mosquito tissue. These free oocysts can be used for investigating oocyst proteins and metabolism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Asako HARAGUCHI
- Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology, School of Veterinary Medicine, Kitasato University, Aomori, Japan
| | - Makoto TAKANO
- Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology, School of Veterinary Medicine, Kitasato University, Aomori, Japan
| | - Jun HAKOZAKI
- Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology, School of Veterinary Medicine, Kitasato University, Aomori, Japan
| | - Kazuhiko NAKAYAMA
- Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology, School of Veterinary Medicine, Kitasato University, Aomori, Japan
| | - Sakure NAKAMURA
- Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology, School of Veterinary Medicine, Kitasato University, Aomori, Japan
| | - Yasunaga YOSHIKAWA
- Laboratory of Veterinary Biochemistry, School of Veterinary Medicine, Kitasato University, Aomori, Japan
| | - Shinya FUKUMOTO
- National Research Center for Protozoan Diseases, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido, Japan
| | - Kodai KUSAKISAKO
- Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology, School of Veterinary Medicine, Kitasato University, Aomori, Japan
| | - Hiromi IKADAI
- Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology, School of Veterinary Medicine, Kitasato University, Aomori, Japan
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Yoshikawa Y, Kimura S, Soga A, Sugiyama M, Ueno A, Kondo H, Zhu Z, Ochiai K, Nakayama K, Hakozaki J, Kusakisako K, Haraguchi A, Kitano T, Orino K, Fukumoto S, Ikadai H. Plasmodium berghei Brca2 is required for normal development and differentiation in mice and mosquitoes. Parasit Vectors 2022; 15:244. [PMID: 35804459 PMCID: PMC9270840 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-022-05357-w] [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: 01/28/2022] [Accepted: 06/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Malaria is a major global parasitic disease caused by species of the genus Plasmodium. Zygotes of Plasmodium spp. undergo meiosis and develop into tetraploid ookinetes, which differentiate into oocysts that undergo sporogony. Homologous recombination (HR) occurs during meiosis and introduces genetic variation. However, the mechanisms of HR in Plasmodium are unclear. In humans, the recombinases DNA repair protein Rad51 homolog 1 (Rad51) and DNA meiotic recombinase 1 (Dmc1) are required for HR and are regulated by breast cancer susceptibility protein 2 (BRCA2). Most eukaryotes harbor BRCA2 homologs. Nevertheless, these have not been reported for Plasmodium. METHODS A Brca2 candidate was salvaged from a database to identify Brca2 homologs in Plasmodium. To confirm that the candidate protein was Brca2, interaction activity between Plasmodium berghei (Pb) Brca2 (PbBrca2) and Rad51 (PbRad51) was investigated using a mammalian two-hybrid assay. To elucidate the functions of PbBrca2, PbBrca2 was knocked out and parasite proliferation and differentiation were assessed in mice and mosquitoes. Transmission electron microscopy was used to identify sporogony. RESULTS The candidate protein was conserved among Plasmodium species, and it was indicated that it harbors critical BRCA2 domains including BRC repeats, tower, and oligonucleotide/oligosaccharide-binding-fold domains. The P. berghei BRC repeats interacted with PbRad51. Hence, the candidate was considered a Brca2 homolog. PbBrca2 knockout parasites were associated with reduced parasitemia with increased ring stage and decreased trophozoite stage counts, gametocytemia, female gametocyte ratio, oocyst number, and ookinete development in both mice and mosquitoes. Nevertheless, the morphology of the blood stages in mice and the ookinete stage was comparable to those of the wild type parasites. Transmission electron microscopy results showed that sporogony never progressed in Brca2-knockout parasites. CONCLUSIONS Brca2 is implicated in nearly all Plasmodium life cycle stages, and especially in sporogony. PbBrca2 contributes to HR during meiosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yasunaga Yoshikawa
- Laboratory of Veterinary Biochemistry, School of Veterinary Medicine, Kitasato University, Towada, Aomori, 034-8628, Japan.
| | - Shunta Kimura
- Laboratory of Veterinary Biochemistry, School of Veterinary Medicine, Kitasato University, Towada, Aomori, 034-8628, Japan
| | - Akira Soga
- National Research Center for Protozoan Diseases, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Inada, Obihiro, 080-8555, Japan
| | - Makoto Sugiyama
- Laboratory of Veterinary Anatomy, School of Veterinary Medicine, Kitasato University, Towada, Aomori, 034-8628, Japan
| | - Aki Ueno
- Laboratory of Veterinary Biochemistry, School of Veterinary Medicine, Kitasato University, Towada, Aomori, 034-8628, Japan
| | - Hiroki Kondo
- Laboratory of Veterinary Biochemistry, School of Veterinary Medicine, Kitasato University, Towada, Aomori, 034-8628, Japan
| | - Zida Zhu
- Laboratory of Veterinary Biochemistry, School of Veterinary Medicine, Kitasato University, Towada, Aomori, 034-8628, Japan
| | - Kazuhiko Ochiai
- Laboratory of Veterinary Hygiene, School of Veterinary Medicine, Nippon Veterinary and Life Science University, Musashino, Tokyo, 180-8602, Japan
| | - Kazuhiko Nakayama
- Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology, School of Veterinary Medicine, Kitasato University, Towada, Aomori, 034-8628, Japan
| | - Jun Hakozaki
- Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology, School of Veterinary Medicine, Kitasato University, Towada, Aomori, 034-8628, Japan
| | - Kodai Kusakisako
- Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology, School of Veterinary Medicine, Kitasato University, Towada, Aomori, 034-8628, Japan
| | - Asako Haraguchi
- Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology, School of Veterinary Medicine, Kitasato University, Towada, Aomori, 034-8628, Japan
| | - Taisuke Kitano
- Laboratory of Veterinary Biochemistry, School of Veterinary Medicine, Kitasato University, Towada, Aomori, 034-8628, Japan
| | - Koichi Orino
- Laboratory of Veterinary Biochemistry, School of Veterinary Medicine, Kitasato University, Towada, Aomori, 034-8628, Japan
| | - Shinya Fukumoto
- National Research Center for Protozoan Diseases, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Inada, Obihiro, 080-8555, Japan
| | - Hiromi Ikadai
- Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology, School of Veterinary Medicine, Kitasato University, Towada, Aomori, 034-8628, Japan
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