1
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Black JA, Klinger CM, Lemgruber L, Dacks JB, Mottram JC, McCulloch R. AAK1-like: A putative pseudokinase with potential roles in cargo uptake in bloodstream form Trypanosoma brucei parasites. J Eukaryot Microbiol 2023; 70:e12994. [PMID: 37548427 PMCID: PMC10952953 DOI: 10.1111/jeu.12994] [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: 01/30/2023] [Revised: 07/21/2023] [Accepted: 07/21/2023] [Indexed: 08/08/2023]
Abstract
Selection and internalization of cargo via clathrin-mediated endocytosis requires adaptor protein complexes. One complex, AP-2, acts during cargo selection at the plasma membrane. African trypanosomes lack all components of the AP-2 complex, except for a recently identified orthologue of the AP-2-associated protein kinase 1, AAK1. In characterized eukaryotes, AAK1 phosphorylates the μ2 subunit of the AP-2 complex to enhance cargo recognition and uptake into clathrin-coated vesicles. Here, we show that kinetoplastids encode not one, but two AAK1 orthologues: one (AAK1L2) is absent from salivarian trypanosomes, while the other (AAK1L1) lacks important kinase-specific residues in a range of trypanosomes. These AAK1L1 and AAK1L2 novelties reinforce suggestions of functional divergence in endocytic uptake within salivarian trypanosomes. Despite this, we show that AAK1L1 null mutant Trypanosoma brucei, while viable, display slowed proliferation, morphological abnormalities including swelling of the flagellar pocket, and altered cargo uptake. In summary, our data suggest an unconventional role for a putative pseudokinase during endocytosis and/or vesicular trafficking in T. brucei, independent of AP-2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer A. Black
- The Wellcome Centre for Integrative Parasitology, School of Infection & ImmunityUniversity of GlasgowGlasgowUK
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Ribeirão Preto Medical SchoolUniversity of São PauloSão PauloBrazil
| | - Christen M. Klinger
- The Wellcome Centre for Integrative Parasitology, School of Infection & ImmunityUniversity of GlasgowGlasgowUK
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Li Ka Shing Centre for Health, Research InnovationUniversity of AlbertaEdmontonAlbertaCanada
| | - Leandro Lemgruber
- The Wellcome Centre for Integrative Parasitology, School of Infection & ImmunityUniversity of GlasgowGlasgowUK
- Glasgow Imaging Facility, School of Infection & ImmunityUniversity of GlasgowGlasgowUK
| | - Joel B. Dacks
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Ribeirão Preto Medical SchoolUniversity of São PauloSão PauloBrazil
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology CentreCzech Academy of SciencesCeske Budejovice (Budweis)Czech Republic
| | - Jeremy C. Mottram
- York Biomedical Research Institute and Department of BiologyUniversity of YorkYorkUK
| | - Richard McCulloch
- The Wellcome Centre for Integrative Parasitology, School of Infection & ImmunityUniversity of GlasgowGlasgowUK
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2
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Campbell PC, de Graffenried CL. Morphogenesis in Trypanosoma cruzi epimastigotes proceeds via a highly asymmetric cell division. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.05.24.542100. [PMID: 37293088 PMCID: PMC10245916 DOI: 10.1101/2023.05.24.542100] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Trypanosoma cruzi is a protist parasite that is the causative agent of Chagas' disease, a neglected tropical disease endemic to the Americas. T. cruzi cells are highly polarized and undergo morphological changes as they cycle within their insect and mammalian hosts. Work on related trypanosomatids has described cell division mechanisms in several life-cycle stages and identified a set of essential morphogenic proteins that serve as markers for key events during trypanosomatid division. Here, we use Cas9-based tagging of morphogenic genes, live-cell imaging, and expansion microscopy to study the cell division mechanism of the insect-resident epimastigote form of T. cruzi, which represents an understudied trypanosomatid morphotype. We find that T. cruzi epimastigote cell division is highly asymmetric, producing one daughter cell that is significantly smaller than the other. Daughter cell division rates differ by 4.9 h, which may be a consequence of this size disparity. Many of the morphogenic proteins identified in T. brucei have altered localization patterns in T. cruzi epimastigoes, which may reflect fundamental differences in the cell division mechanism of this life cycle stage, which widens and shortens the cell body to accommodate the duplicated organelles and cleavage furrow rather than elongating the cell body along the long axis of the cell, as is the case in life-cycle stages that have been studied in T. brucei. This work provides a foundation for further investigations of T. cruzi cell division and shows that subtle differences in trypansomatid cell morphology can alter how these parasites divide.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul C. Campbell
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, USA
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3
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Soto-Gonzalez F, Tripathi A, Cooley A, Paromov V, Rana T, Chaudhuri M. A novel connection between Trypanosoma brucei mitochondrial proteins TbTim17 and TbTRAP1 is discovered using Biotinylation Identification (BioID). J Biol Chem 2022; 298:102647. [PMID: 36309084 PMCID: PMC9694106 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2022.102647] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2022] [Revised: 10/12/2022] [Accepted: 10/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
The protein translocase of the mitochondrial inner membrane in Trypanosoma brucei, TbTIM17, forms a modular complex in association with several other trypanosome-specific proteins. To identify transiently interacting proximal partner(s) of TbTim17, we used Biotinylation Identification (BioID) by expressing a modified biotin ligase-TbTim17 (BirA∗-TbTim17) fusion protein in T. brucei. BirA∗-TbTim17 was targeted to mitochondria and assembled in the TbTIM complex. In the presence of biotin, BirA∗-TbTim17 biotinylated several mitochondrial proteins. Interestingly, TbHsp84/TbTRAP1, a mitochondrial Hsp90 homolog, was identified as the highest enriched biotinylated proteins. We validated that interaction and colocalization of TbTim17 and TbHsp84 in T. brucei mitochondria by coimmunoprecipitation analysis and confocal microscopy, respectively. TbTim17 association with TbTRAP1 increased several folds during denaturation/renaturation of mitochondrial proteins in vitro, suggesting TbTRAP1 acts as a chaperone for TbTim17 refolding. We demonstrated that knockdown of TbTRAP1 reduced cell growth and decreased the levels of the TbTIM17, TbTim62, and mitochondrial (m)Hsp70 complexes. However, ATPase, VDAC, and Atom69 complexes were minimally affected. Additionally, the steady state levels of TbTim17, TbTim62, and mHsp70 were reduced significantly, but Atom69, ATPase β, and RBP16 were mostly unaltered due to TbTRAP1 knockdown. Quantitative proteomics analysis also showed significant reduction of TbTim62 along with a few other mitochondrial proteins due to TbTRAP1 knockdown. Finally, TbTRAP1 depletion did not hamper the import of the ectopically expressed TbTim17-2xMyc into mitochondria but reduced its assembly into the TbTIM17 complex, indicating TbTRAP1 is critical for assembly of TbTim17. This is the first report showing the role of TRAP1 in the TIM complex assembly in eukaryotes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fidel Soto-Gonzalez
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Physiology, School of Medicine, Meharry Medical College, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Anuj Tripathi
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Physiology, School of Medicine, Meharry Medical College, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Ayorinde Cooley
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Physiology, School of Medicine, Meharry Medical College, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Victor Paromov
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Physiology, School of Medicine, Meharry Medical College, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Tanu Rana
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Physiology, School of Medicine, Meharry Medical College, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Minu Chaudhuri
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Physiology, School of Medicine, Meharry Medical College, Nashville, Tennessee, USA.
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4
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Smithson L, Ihuoma Akazue P, Findlater L, Gwira TM, Vaughan S, Sunter JD. Diversity in new flagellum tip attachment in bloodstream form African trypanosomes. Mol Microbiol 2022; 118:510-525. [PMID: 36056717 PMCID: PMC9826329 DOI: 10.1111/mmi.14979] [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: 05/30/2022] [Revised: 08/29/2022] [Accepted: 08/30/2022] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
The closely related parasites Trypanosoma brucei, T. congolense, and T. vivax cause neglected tropical diseases collectively known as African Trypanosomiasis. A characteristic feature of bloodstream form T. brucei is the flagellum that is laterally attached to the side of the cell body. During the cell cycle, the new flagellum is formed alongside the old flagellum, with the new flagellum tip embedded within a mobile transmembrane junction called the groove. The molecular composition of the groove is currently unknown, which limits the analysis of this junction and assessment of its conservation in related trypanosomatids. Here, we identified 13 proteins that localize to the flagellar groove through a small-scale tagging screen. Functional analysis of a subset of these proteins by RNAi and gene deletion revealed three proteins, FCP4/TbKin15, FCP7, and FAZ45, that are involved in new flagellum tip attachment to the groove. Despite possessing orthologues of all 13 groove proteins, T. congolense and T. vivax did not assemble a canonical groove around the new flagellum tip according to 3D electron microscopy. This diversity in new flagellum tip attachment points to the rapid evolution of membrane-cytoskeleton structures that can occur without large changes in gene complement and likely reflects the niche specialization of each species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Smithson
- Department of Biological and Medical SciencesOxford Brookes UniversityOxfordUK
| | - Pearl Ihuoma Akazue
- West African Centre for Cell Biology of Infectious Pathogens, College of Basic and Applied SciencesUniversity of GhanaAccraGhana,Department of Biochemistry, Cell and Molecular Biology, College of Basic and Applied SciencesUniversity of GhanaAccraGhana,Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Life SciencesUniversity of BeninBenin CityNigeria
| | - Lucy Findlater
- Sir William Dunn School of PathologyUniversity of OxfordOxfordUK
| | - Theresa Manful Gwira
- West African Centre for Cell Biology of Infectious Pathogens, College of Basic and Applied SciencesUniversity of GhanaAccraGhana,Department of Biochemistry, Cell and Molecular Biology, College of Basic and Applied SciencesUniversity of GhanaAccraGhana
| | - Sue Vaughan
- Department of Biological and Medical SciencesOxford Brookes UniversityOxfordUK
| | - Jack D. Sunter
- Department of Biological and Medical SciencesOxford Brookes UniversityOxfordUK
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5
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Kurasawa Y, Lee KJ, Hu H, Pham KTM, Li Z. Polo-like kinase and Aurora B kinase phosphorylate and cooperate with the CIF1-CIF2 complex to promote cytokinesis initiation in Trypanosoma brucei. Open Biol 2022; 12:220197. [PMID: 36196534 PMCID: PMC9532997 DOI: 10.1098/rsob.220197] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Cytokinesis in eukaryotes is regulated by a Polo-like kinase-mediated and Aurora B kinase-mediated signalling pathway that promotes the assembly of the actomyosin contractile ring, a cytokinesis machinery conserved across evolution from yeast to humans. Trypanosoma brucei, an early divergent parasitic protozoan, employs an actomyosin-independent mechanism for its unusual cytokinesis that is controlled by a regulatory pathway comprising the Polo-like kinase TbPLK, the Aurora B kinase TbAUK1 and multiple trypanosomatid-specific regulators. However, whether any of these trypanosomatid-specific regulators function as substrates of TbPLK and/or TbAUK1 and how they cooperate with TbPLK and TbAUK1 to promote cytokinesis remain unknown. Here, we demonstrate that TbPLK and TbAUK1 phosphorylate the cytokinesis regulators CIF1 and CIF2 on multiple sites within their intrinsically disordered regions. We further show that TbPLK localization depends on its interaction with CIF1 from S/G2 phases, that TbPLK maintains CIF1 and CIF2 localization from G2 phase until early mitosis, and that TbAUK1 maintains CIF1 and CIF2 localization from late mitosis. Finally, we demonstrate that the cytokinesis regulators CIF4 and FPRC are not substrates of TbPLK and TbAUK1, and that they function upstream of TbPLK and TbAUK1 in the cytokinesis regulatory pathway. Together, these results provide insights into the functional interplay and the order of actions between the two protein kinases and the trypanosomatid-specific cytokinesis regulators in T. brucei.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yasuhiro Kurasawa
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Kyu Joon Lee
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Huiqing Hu
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Kieu T. M. Pham
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Ziyin Li
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX 77030, USA
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6
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Ramanantsalama MR, Landrein N, Casas E, Salin B, Blancard C, Bonhivers M, Robinson DR, Dacheux D. TFK1, a basal body transition fibre protein that is essential for cytokinesis in Trypanosoma brucei. J Cell Sci 2022; 135:275643. [PMID: 35588197 DOI: 10.1242/jcs.259893] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2022] [Accepted: 05/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
In Trypanosoma brucei, transition fibres (TF) form a nine-bladed pattern-like structure connecting the base of the flagellum to the flagellar pocket membrane. Despite the characterization of two TF proteins, CEP164C and TbRP2, little is known about the organization of these fibres. Here, we report the identification and characterization of the first kinetoplastid-specific TF protein named TFK1 (Tb927.6.1180). Bioinformatics and functional domain analysis identified three TFK1 distinct domains: an N-terminal domain of an unpredicted function, a coiled-coil domain involved in TFK1-TFK1 interaction and a C-terminal intrinsically disordered region potentially involved in protein interaction. Cellular immuno-localization showed that TFK1 is a newly identified basal body maturation marker. Further, using ultrastructure expansion and immuno-electron microscopies we localized CEP164C and TbRP2 at the TF and TFK1 on the distal appendage matrix of the TF. Importantly, RNAi knockdown of TFK1 in bloodstream form cells induced misplacement of basal bodies, a defect in the furrow or fold generation and eventually cell death. We hypothesize that TFK1 is a basal body positioning specific actor and a key regulator of cytokinesis in the bloodstream form Trypanosoma brucei.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Nicolas Landrein
- University of Bordeaux, CNRS, Microbiologie Fondamentale et Pathogénicité, UMR 5234, F-33000 Bordeaux, France
| | - Elina Casas
- University of Bordeaux, CNRS, Microbiologie Fondamentale et Pathogénicité, UMR 5234, F-33000 Bordeaux, France
| | - Bénédicte Salin
- University of Bordeaux, CNRS, Microscopy Department IBGC, UMR 5095, F-33000 Bordeaux, France
| | - Corinne Blancard
- University of Bordeaux, CNRS, Microscopy Department IBGC, UMR 5095, F-33000 Bordeaux, France
| | - Mélanie Bonhivers
- University of Bordeaux, CNRS, Microbiologie Fondamentale et Pathogénicité, UMR 5234, F-33000 Bordeaux, France
| | - Derrick R Robinson
- University of Bordeaux, CNRS, Microbiologie Fondamentale et Pathogénicité, UMR 5234, F-33000 Bordeaux, France
| | - Denis Dacheux
- University of Bordeaux, CNRS, Microbiologie Fondamentale et Pathogénicité, UMR 5234, F-33000 Bordeaux, France.,Bordeaux INP, Microbiologie Fondamentale et Pathogénicité, UMR 5234, F-33000 Bordeaux, France
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7
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Broster Reix CE, Florimond C, Cayrel A, Mailhé A, Agnero-Rigot C, Landrein N, Dacheux D, Havlicek K, Bonhivers M, Morriswood B, Robinson DR. Bhalin, an Essential Cytoskeleton-Associated Protein of Trypanosoma brucei Linking TbBILBO1 of the Flagellar Pocket Collar with the Hook Complex. Microorganisms 2021; 9:microorganisms9112334. [PMID: 34835460 PMCID: PMC8623173 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms9112334] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2021] [Revised: 10/26/2021] [Accepted: 11/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: In most trypanosomes, endo and exocytosis only occur at a unique organelle called the flagellar pocket (FP) and the flagellum exits the cell via the FP. Investigations of essential cytoskeleton-associated structures located at this site have revealed a number of essential proteins. The protein TbBILBO1 is located at the neck of the FP in a structure called the flagellar pocket collar (FPC) and is essential for biogenesis of the FPC and parasite survival. TbMORN1 is a protein that is present on a closely linked structure called the hook complex (HC) and is located anterior to and overlapping the collar. TbMORN1 is essential in the bloodstream form of T. brucei. We now describe the location and function of BHALIN, an essential, new FPC-HC protein. Methodology/Principal Findings: Here, we show that a newly characterised protein, BHALIN (BILBO1 Hook Associated LINker protein), is localised to both the FPC and HC and has a TbBILBO1 binding domain, which was confirmed in vitro. Knockdown of BHALIN by RNAi in the bloodstream form parasites led to cell death, indicating an essential role in cell viability. Conclusions/Significance: Our results demonstrate the essential role of a newly characterised hook complex protein, BHALIN, that influences flagellar pocket organisation and function in bloodstream form T. brucei parasites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christine E. Broster Reix
- Protist Parasite Cytoskeleton (ProParaCyto) Group, CNRS UMR 5234, Fundamental Microbiology and Pathogenicity, University of Bordeaux, 146 Rue Léo Saignat, 33076 Bordeaux, France; (C.E.B.R.); (C.F.); (A.C.); (A.M.); (C.A.-R.); (N.L.); (D.D.); (M.B.)
| | - Célia Florimond
- Protist Parasite Cytoskeleton (ProParaCyto) Group, CNRS UMR 5234, Fundamental Microbiology and Pathogenicity, University of Bordeaux, 146 Rue Léo Saignat, 33076 Bordeaux, France; (C.E.B.R.); (C.F.); (A.C.); (A.M.); (C.A.-R.); (N.L.); (D.D.); (M.B.)
- Laboratory of Parasitology, National Reference Center for Malaria, WHO Collaborative Center for Surveillance of Antimalarial Drug Resistance, Pasteur Institute of French Guiana, 97306 Cayenne, French Guiana
| | - Anne Cayrel
- Protist Parasite Cytoskeleton (ProParaCyto) Group, CNRS UMR 5234, Fundamental Microbiology and Pathogenicity, University of Bordeaux, 146 Rue Léo Saignat, 33076 Bordeaux, France; (C.E.B.R.); (C.F.); (A.C.); (A.M.); (C.A.-R.); (N.L.); (D.D.); (M.B.)
| | - Amélie Mailhé
- Protist Parasite Cytoskeleton (ProParaCyto) Group, CNRS UMR 5234, Fundamental Microbiology and Pathogenicity, University of Bordeaux, 146 Rue Léo Saignat, 33076 Bordeaux, France; (C.E.B.R.); (C.F.); (A.C.); (A.M.); (C.A.-R.); (N.L.); (D.D.); (M.B.)
- Société Fromagère de Saint Affrique, Camaras, 12400 Saint-Affrique, France
| | - Corentin Agnero-Rigot
- Protist Parasite Cytoskeleton (ProParaCyto) Group, CNRS UMR 5234, Fundamental Microbiology and Pathogenicity, University of Bordeaux, 146 Rue Léo Saignat, 33076 Bordeaux, France; (C.E.B.R.); (C.F.); (A.C.); (A.M.); (C.A.-R.); (N.L.); (D.D.); (M.B.)
| | - Nicolas Landrein
- Protist Parasite Cytoskeleton (ProParaCyto) Group, CNRS UMR 5234, Fundamental Microbiology and Pathogenicity, University of Bordeaux, 146 Rue Léo Saignat, 33076 Bordeaux, France; (C.E.B.R.); (C.F.); (A.C.); (A.M.); (C.A.-R.); (N.L.); (D.D.); (M.B.)
| | - Denis Dacheux
- Protist Parasite Cytoskeleton (ProParaCyto) Group, CNRS UMR 5234, Fundamental Microbiology and Pathogenicity, University of Bordeaux, 146 Rue Léo Saignat, 33076 Bordeaux, France; (C.E.B.R.); (C.F.); (A.C.); (A.M.); (C.A.-R.); (N.L.); (D.D.); (M.B.)
- Enstbb, École Nationale Supérieure de Technologie des Biomolécules de Bordeaux, 146 Rue Léo Saignat, 33076 Bordeaux, France
| | - Katharina Havlicek
- Max Perutz Labs, Vienna BioCenter, Dr. Bohr-Gasse 9, 1030 Vienna, Austria;
| | - Mélanie Bonhivers
- Protist Parasite Cytoskeleton (ProParaCyto) Group, CNRS UMR 5234, Fundamental Microbiology and Pathogenicity, University of Bordeaux, 146 Rue Léo Saignat, 33076 Bordeaux, France; (C.E.B.R.); (C.F.); (A.C.); (A.M.); (C.A.-R.); (N.L.); (D.D.); (M.B.)
| | - Brooke Morriswood
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Biocenter, University of Würzburg, Am Hubland, D-97074 Würzburg, Germany;
| | - Derrick R. Robinson
- Protist Parasite Cytoskeleton (ProParaCyto) Group, CNRS UMR 5234, Fundamental Microbiology and Pathogenicity, University of Bordeaux, 146 Rue Léo Saignat, 33076 Bordeaux, France; (C.E.B.R.); (C.F.); (A.C.); (A.M.); (C.A.-R.); (N.L.); (D.D.); (M.B.)
- Correspondence:
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8
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Corrales RM, Vaselek S, Neish R, Berry L, Brunet CD, Crobu L, Kuk N, Mateos-Langerak J, Robinson DR, Volf P, Mottram JC, Sterkers Y, Bastien P. The kinesin of the flagellum attachment zone in Leishmania is required for cell morphogenesis, cell division and virulence in the mammalian host. PLoS Pathog 2021; 17:e1009666. [PMID: 34143858 PMCID: PMC8244899 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1009666] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2021] [Revised: 06/30/2021] [Accepted: 05/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Leishmania parasites possess a unique and complex cytoskeletal structure termed flagellum attachment zone (FAZ) connecting the base of the flagellum to one side of the flagellar pocket (FP), an invagination of the cell body membrane and the sole site for endocytosis and exocytosis. This structure is involved in FP architecture and cell morphogenesis, but its precise role and molecular composition remain enigmatic. Here, we characterized Leishmania FAZ7, the only known FAZ protein containing a kinesin motor domain, and part of a clade of trypanosomatid-specific kinesins with unknown functions. The two paralogs of FAZ7, FAZ7A and FAZ7B, display different localizations and functions. FAZ7A localizes at the basal body, while FAZ7B localizes at the distal part of the FP, where the FAZ structure is present in Leishmania. While null mutants of FAZ7A displayed normal growth rates, the deletion of FAZ7B impaired cell growth in both promastigotes and amastigotes of Leishmania. The kinesin activity is crucial for its function. Deletion of FAZ7B resulted in altered cell division, cell morphogenesis (including flagellum length), and FP structure and function. Furthermore, knocking out FAZ7B induced a mis-localization of two of the FAZ proteins, and disrupted the molecular organization of the FP collar, affecting the localization of its components. Loss of the kinesin FAZ7B has important consequences in the insect vector and mammalian host by reducing proliferation in the sand fly and pathogenicity in mice. Our findings reveal the pivotal role of the only FAZ kinesin as part of the factors important for a successful life cycle of Leishmania. Leishmania are flagellated trypanosomatid parasites causing worldwide human and animal diseases. As ’divergent eukaryotes’, their biology presents unique features and structures, of which the specific functions constitute potential drug targets. Among others, they possess a unique cytoskeletal structure termed the flagellum attachment zone (FAZ) attaching the base of their flagellum to one side of the flagellar pocket (FP), which is the sole site for endocytosis and exocytosis. The FP together with other unique flagellum-associated structures are crucial for parasite survival, but the functioning of this whole remains largely enigmatic. Leishmania also possess an expanded repertoire of kinesins (>55), including two trypanosomatid-specific families. Here, we show that the deletion of the sole kinesin among FAZ proteins disrupts cell morphogenesis, FP organisation and cell division. Furthermore, the ability to proliferate in the insect vector and mammalian host is reduced in parasites lacking the kinesin FAZ7B. This study helps elucidate the factors contributing to the successful lifecycle and pathogenicity of the parasite. It also highlights the functional diversification of motor proteins during evolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rosa Milagros Corrales
- Research Unit “MiVEGEC”, University of Montpellier, CNRS, IRD, Academic Hospital (CHU) of Montpellier, Montpellier, France
- * E-mail: (RMC); (PB)
| | - Slavica Vaselek
- Department of Parasitology, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Rachel Neish
- York Biomedical Research Institute and Department of Biology, University of York, York, United Kingdom
| | - Laurence Berry
- Research Unit “LPHI” (Laboratory of Pathogen Host Interactions), University of Montpellier, CNRS, Montpellier, France
| | - Camille D. Brunet
- Research Unit “MiVEGEC”, University of Montpellier, CNRS, IRD, Academic Hospital (CHU) of Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - Lucien Crobu
- Research Unit “MiVEGEC”, University of Montpellier, CNRS, IRD, Academic Hospital (CHU) of Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - Nada Kuk
- Research Unit “MiVEGEC”, University of Montpellier, CNRS, IRD, Academic Hospital (CHU) of Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | | | - Derrick R. Robinson
- Research Unit “Fundamental Microbiology and Pathogenicity”, “Protist Parasite Cytoskeleton (ProParaCyto)”, University of Bordeaux, UMR 5234, CNRS, Bordeaux, France
| | - Petr Volf
- Department of Parasitology, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Jeremy C. Mottram
- York Biomedical Research Institute and Department of Biology, University of York, York, United Kingdom
| | - Yvon Sterkers
- Research Unit “MiVEGEC”, University of Montpellier, CNRS, IRD, Academic Hospital (CHU) of Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - Patrick Bastien
- Research Unit “MiVEGEC”, University of Montpellier, CNRS, IRD, Academic Hospital (CHU) of Montpellier, Montpellier, France
- * E-mail: (RMC); (PB)
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9
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Kurasawa Y, An T, Li Z. Polo-like kinase in trypanosomes: an odd member out of the Polo family. Open Biol 2020; 10:200189. [PMID: 33050792 PMCID: PMC7653357 DOI: 10.1098/rsob.200189] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2020] [Accepted: 09/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Polo-like kinases (Plks) are evolutionarily conserved serine/threonine protein kinases playing crucial roles during multiple stages of mitosis and cytokinesis in yeast and animals. Plks are characterized by a unique Polo-box domain, which plays regulatory roles in controlling Plk activation, interacting with substrates and targeting Plk to specific subcellular locations. Plk activity and protein abundance are subject to temporal and spatial control through transcription, phosphorylation and proteolysis. In the early branching protists, Plk orthologues are present in some taxa, such as kinetoplastids and Giardia, but are lost in apicomplexans, such as Plasmodium. Works from characterizing a Plk orthologue in Trypanosoma brucei, a kinetoplastid protozoan, discover its essential roles in regulating the inheritance of flagellum-associated cytoskeleton and the initiation of cytokinesis, but not any stage of mitosis. These studies reveal evolutionarily conserved and species-specific features in the control of Plk activation, substrate recognition and protein abundance, and suggest the divergence of Plk function and regulation for specialized needs in this flagellated unicellular eukaryote.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Ziyin Li
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, McGovern Medical School, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX 77030, USA
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10
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Kelly FD, Tran KD, Hatfield J, Schmidt K, Sanchez MA, Landfear SM. A cytoskeletal protein complex is essential for division of intracellular amastigotes of Leishmania mexicana. J Biol Chem 2020; 295:13106-13122. [PMID: 32719012 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.ra120.014065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2020] [Revised: 07/09/2020] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Previous studies in Leishmania mexicana have identified the cytoskeletal protein KHARON as being important for both flagellar trafficking of the glucose transporter GT1 and for successful cytokinesis and survival of infectious amastigote forms inside mammalian macrophages. KHARON is located in three distinct regions of the cytoskeleton: the base of the flagellum, the subpellicular microtubules, and the mitotic spindle. To deconvolve the different functions for KHARON, we have identified two partner proteins, KHAP1 and KHAP2, which associate with KHARON. KHAP1 is located only in the subpellicular microtubules, whereas KHAP2 is located at the subpellicular microtubules and the base of the flagellum. Both KHAP1 and KHAP2 null mutants are unable to execute cytokinesis but are able to traffic GT1 to the flagellum. These results confirm that KHARON assembles into distinct functional complexes and that the subpellicular complex is essential for cytokinesis and viability of disease-causing amastigotes but not for flagellar membrane trafficking.
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Affiliation(s)
- Felice D Kelly
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon, USA
| | - Khoa D Tran
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon, USA
| | - Jess Hatfield
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon, USA
| | - Kat Schmidt
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon, USA
| | - Marco A Sanchez
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon, USA
| | - Scott M Landfear
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon, USA.
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11
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Douglas RL, Haltiwanger BM, Albisetti A, Wu H, Jeng RL, Mancuso J, Cande WZ, Welch MD. Trypanosomes have divergent kinesin-2 proteins that function differentially in flagellum biosynthesis and cell viability. J Cell Sci 2020; 133:jcs129213. [PMID: 32503938 DOI: 10.1242/jcs.129213] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2013] [Accepted: 05/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Trypanosoma brucei, the causative agent of African sleeping sickness, has a flagellum that is crucial for motility, pathogenicity, and viability. In most eukaryotes, the intraflagellar transport (IFT) machinery drives flagellum biogenesis, and anterograde IFT requires kinesin-2 motor proteins. In this study, we investigated the function of the two T. brucei kinesin-2 proteins, TbKin2a and TbKin2b, in bloodstream form trypanosomes. We found that, compared to kinesin-2 proteins across other phyla, TbKin2a and TbKin2b show greater variation in neck, stalk and tail domain sequences. Both kinesins contributed additively to flagellar lengthening. Silencing TbKin2a inhibited cell proliferation, cytokinesis and motility, whereas silencing TbKin2b did not. TbKin2a was localized on the flagellum and colocalized with IFT components near the basal body, consistent with it performing a role in IFT. TbKin2a was also detected on the flagellar attachment zone, a specialized structure that connects the flagellum to the cell body. Our results indicate that kinesin-2 proteins in trypanosomes play conserved roles in flagellar biosynthesis and exhibit a specialized localization, emphasizing the evolutionary flexibility of motor protein function in an organism with a large complement of kinesins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert L Douglas
- Department of Molecular & Cell Biology, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | - Brett M Haltiwanger
- Department of Molecular & Cell Biology, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | - Anna Albisetti
- Department of Molecular & Cell Biology, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | - Haiming Wu
- Department of Molecular & Cell Biology, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | - Robert L Jeng
- Department of Molecular & Cell Biology, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | - Joel Mancuso
- Department of Molecular & Cell Biology, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | - W Zacheus Cande
- Department of Molecular & Cell Biology, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | - Matthew D Welch
- Department of Molecular & Cell Biology, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
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12
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Hammarton TC. Who Needs a Contractile Actomyosin Ring? The Plethora of Alternative Ways to Divide a Protozoan Parasite. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2019; 9:397. [PMID: 31824870 PMCID: PMC6881465 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2019.00397] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2019] [Accepted: 11/06/2019] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Cytokinesis, or the division of the cytoplasm, following the end of mitosis or meiosis, is accomplished in animal cells, fungi, and amoebae, by the constriction of an actomyosin contractile ring, comprising filamentous actin, myosin II, and associated proteins. However, despite this being the best-studied mode of cytokinesis, it is restricted to the Opisthokonta and Amoebozoa, since members of other evolutionary supergroups lack myosin II and must, therefore, employ different mechanisms. In particular, parasitic protozoa, many of which cause significant morbidity and mortality in humans and animals as well as considerable economic losses, employ a wide diversity of mechanisms to divide, few, if any, of which involve myosin II. In some cases, cell division is not only myosin II-independent, but actin-independent too. Mechanisms employed range from primitive mechanical cell rupture (cytofission), to motility- and/or microtubule remodeling-dependent mechanisms, to budding involving the constriction of divergent contractile rings, to hijacking host cell division machinery, with some species able to utilize multiple mechanisms. Here, I review current knowledge of cytokinesis mechanisms and their molecular control in mammalian-infective parasitic protozoa from the Excavata, Alveolata, and Amoebozoa supergroups, highlighting their often-underappreciated diversity and complexity. Billions of people and animals across the world are at risk from these pathogens, for which vaccines and/or optimal treatments are often not available. Exploiting the divergent cell division machinery in these parasites may provide new avenues for the treatment of protozoal disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tansy C Hammarton
- Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
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13
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Abstract
Trypanosomes have complex life cycles within which there are both proliferative and differentiation cell divisions. The coordination of the cell cycle to achieve these different divisions is critical for the parasite to infect both host and vector. From studying the regulation of the proliferative cell cycle of the Trypanosoma brucei procyclic life cycle stage, three subcycles emerge that control the duplication and segregation of ( a) the nucleus, ( b) the kinetoplast, and ( c) a set of cytoskeletal structures. We discuss how the clear dependency relationships within these subcycles, and the potential for cross talk between them, are likely required for overall cell cycle coordination. Finally, we look at the implications this interdependence has for proliferative and differentiation divisions through the T. brucei life cycle and in related parasitic trypanosomatid species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard J. Wheeler
- Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3SY, United Kingdom
| | - Keith Gull
- Sir William Dunn School of Pathology, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3RE, United Kingdom
| | - Jack D. Sunter
- Department of Biological and Medical Sciences, Oxford Brookes University, Oxford OX3 0BP, United Kingdom
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14
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Hilton NA, Sladewski TE, Perry JA, Pataki Z, Sinclair-Davis AN, Muniz RS, Tran HL, Wurster JI, Seo J, de Graffenried CL. Identification of TOEFAZ1-interacting proteins reveals key regulators of Trypanosoma brucei cytokinesis. Mol Microbiol 2018; 109:306-326. [PMID: 29781112 PMCID: PMC6359937 DOI: 10.1111/mmi.13986] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/13/2018] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
The protist parasite Trypanosoma brucei is an obligate extracellular pathogen that retains its highly polarized morphology during cell division and has evolved a novel cytokinetic process independent of non-muscle myosin II. The polo-like kinase homolog TbPLK is essential for transmission of cell polarity during division and for cytokinesis. We previously identified a putative TbPLK substrate named Tip of the Extending FAZ 1 (TOEFAZ1) as an essential kinetoplastid-specific component of the T. brucei cytokinetic machinery. We performed a proximity-dependent biotinylation identification (BioID) screen using TOEFAZ1 as a means to identify additional proteins that are involved in cytokinesis. Using quantitative proteomic methods, we identified nearly 500 TOEFAZ1-proximal proteins and characterized 59 in further detail. Among the candidates, we identified an essential putative phosphatase that regulates the expression level and localization of both TOEFAZ1 and TbPLK, a previously uncharacterized protein that is necessary for the assembly of a new cell posterior, and a microtubule plus-end directed orphan kinesin that is required for completing cleavage furrow ingression. The identification of these proteins provides new insight into T. brucei cytokinesis and establishes TOEFAZ1 as a key component of this essential and uniquely configured process in kinetoplastids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas A. Hilton
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Brown University, Providence, RI, 02912
| | - Thomas E. Sladewski
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Brown University, Providence, RI, 02912
| | - Jenna A. Perry
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Brown University, Providence, RI, 02912
| | - Zemplen Pataki
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Brown University, Providence, RI, 02912
| | - Amy N. Sinclair-Davis
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Brown University, Providence, RI, 02912
| | - Richard S. Muniz
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Brown University, Providence, RI, 02912
| | - Holly L. Tran
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Brown University, Providence, RI, 02912
| | - Jenna I. Wurster
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Brown University, Providence, RI, 02912
| | - Jiwon Seo
- Department of Molecular Biology, Cell Biology, and Biochemistry, Brown University, Providence, RI, 02912
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15
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Crozier TWM, Tinti M, Wheeler RJ, Ly T, Ferguson MAJ, Lamond AI. Proteomic Analysis of the Cell Cycle of Procylic Form Trypanosoma brucei. Mol Cell Proteomics 2018; 17:1184-1195. [PMID: 29555687 PMCID: PMC5986242 DOI: 10.1074/mcp.ra118.000650] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2018] [Revised: 03/01/2018] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
We describe a single-step centrifugal elutriation method to produce synchronous Gap1 (G1)-phase procyclic trypanosomes at a scale amenable for proteomic analysis of the cell cycle. Using ten-plex tandem mass tag (TMT) labeling and mass spectrometry (MS)-based proteomics technology, the expression levels of 5325 proteins were quantified across the cell cycle in this parasite. Of these, 384 proteins were classified as cell-cycle regulated and subdivided into nine clusters with distinct temporal regulation. These groups included many known cell cycle regulators in trypanosomes, which validates the approach. In addition, we identify 40 novel cell cycle regulated proteins that are essential for trypanosome survival and thus represent potential future drug targets for the prevention of trypanosomiasis. Through cross-comparison to the TrypTag endogenous tagging microscopy database, we were able to validate the cell-cycle regulated patterns of expression for many of the proteins of unknown function detected in our proteomic analysis. A convenient interface to access and interrogate these data is also presented, providing a useful resource for the scientific community. Data are available via ProteomeXchange with identifier PXD008741 (https://www.ebi.ac.uk/pride/archive/).
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas W M Crozier
- From the ‡Wellcome Centre for Anti-Infectives Research, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee, DD1 5EH, UK.,§Centre for Gene Regulation and Expression, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee, DD1 5EH, UK
| | - Michele Tinti
- From the ‡Wellcome Centre for Anti-Infectives Research, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee, DD1 5EH, UK
| | - Richard J Wheeler
- ‖Sir William Dunn School of Pathology, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX1 3RE, UK
| | - Tony Ly
- §Centre for Gene Regulation and Expression, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee, DD1 5EH, UK
| | - Michael A J Ferguson
- From the ‡Wellcome Centre for Anti-Infectives Research, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee, DD1 5EH, UK;
| | - Angus I Lamond
- §Centre for Gene Regulation and Expression, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee, DD1 5EH, UK;
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16
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Perry JA, Sinclair-Davis AN, McAllaster MR, de Graffenried CL. TbSmee1 regulates hook complex morphology and the rate of flagellar pocket uptake in Trypanosoma brucei. Mol Microbiol 2018; 107:344-362. [PMID: 29178204 PMCID: PMC5777864 DOI: 10.1111/mmi.13885] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2017] [Revised: 11/20/2017] [Accepted: 11/22/2017] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
Trypanosoma brucei uses multiple mechanisms to evade detection by its insect and mammalian hosts. The flagellar pocket (FP) is the exclusive site of uptake from the environment in trypanosomes and shields receptors from exposure to the host. The FP neck is tightly associated with the flagellum via a series of cytoskeletal structures that include the hook complex (HC) and the centrin arm. These structures are implicated in facilitating macromolecule entry into the FP and nucleating the flagellum attachment zone (FAZ), which adheres the flagellum to the cell surface. TbSmee1 (Tb927.10.8820) is a component of the HC and a putative substrate of polo-like kinase (TbPLK), which is essential for centrin arm and FAZ duplication. We show that depletion of TbSmee1 in the insect-resident (procyclic) form of the parasite causes a 40% growth decrease and the appearance of multinucleated cells that result from defective cytokinesis. Cells lacking TbSmee1 contain HCs with aberrant morphology and show delayed uptake of both fluid-phase and membrane markers. TbPLK localization to the tip of the new FAZ is also blocked. These results argue that TbSmee1 is necessary for maintaining HC morphology, which is important for the parasite's ability to take up molecules from its environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jenna A. Perry
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Brown University, Providence, RI, USA
| | - Amy N. Sinclair-Davis
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Brown University, Providence, RI, USA
| | - Michael R. McAllaster
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Brown University, Providence, RI, USA
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