Elucidation of clathrin-mediated endocytosis in tetrahymena reveals an evolutionarily convergent recruitment of dynamin

Myosin-I's motor and actin assembly activation activities are modular and separable in budding yeast clathrin-mediated endocytosis

The myosin-Is, Myo3 and Myo5 in budding yeast, are implicated in force generation and actin assembly during clathrin-mediated endocytosis (CME). The myosin-Is have motor activity, bind the plasma membrane, and activate the Arp2/3 complex to promote branched actin assembly. We reveal that Myo5 's force-generating motor activity and nucleation-promoting factor (NPF) activity each must be coupled to membrane binding for successful CME. However, the motor and NPF activities are modular and separable, showing that these activities function independently rather than in an obligatorily integrated manner to provide myosin-I's essential functions in actin network assembly and force generation during budding yeast CME.

Contractile vacuoles: a rapidly expanding (and occasionally diminishing?) understanding

Osmoregulation is the homeostatic mechanism essential for the survival of organisms in hypoosmotic and hyperosmotic conditions. In freshwater or soil dwelling protists this is frequently achieved through the action of an osmoregulatory organelle, the contractile vacuole. This endomembrane organelle responds to the osmotic challenges and compensates by collecting and expelling the excess water to maintain the cellular osmolarity. As compared with other endomembrane organelles, this organelle is underappreciated and under-studied. Here we review the reported presence or absence of contractile vacuoles across eukaryotic diversity, as well as the observed variability in the structure, function, and molecular machinery of this organelle. Our findings highlight the challenges and opportunities for constructing cellular and evolutionary models for this intriguing organelle.

Redescription and molecular characterization of Loxocephalus luridus Eberhard, 1862 based on Czech populations: Implications for order Loxocephalida Jankowski, 1980

The phylogenetic and taxonomic affinities of lineages currently assigned to the non-monophyletic ciliate order Loxocephalida Jankowski (1980) within subclass Scuticociliatia Small (1967) remain unresolved. In the current study, we redescribe the morphology of the type species, Loxocephalus luridus Eberhard (1862) based on two Czech populations and include the first scanning and transmission electron microscopy images of the species. We provide the first 18S rRNA gene sequences for L. luridus and consider its phylogenetic position. Our results support the separation of Dexiotricha from Loxocephalus; however, the former genus is recovered as non-monophyletic. The monophyly of genus Dexiotricha and that of Loxocephalus + Dexiotricha is rejected. Loxocephalus luridus, together with Dexiotricha species, nests within a fully supported clade with Conchophthirus species, long presumed to belong to the Pleuronematida. Haptophrya is recovered as sister to this clade. The monophyly of the Astomatia Schewiakoff (1896) including Haptophrya is rejected. No clear morphologic synapomorphy is identified for the fully supported clade consisting of Haptophrya, Dexiotricha, Loxocephalus, and Conchophthirus.

Perspectives on Principles of Cellular Behavior from the Biophysics of Protists

Cells are the fundamental unit of biological organization. Although it may be easy to think of them as little more than the simple building blocks of complex organisms such as animals, single cells are capable of behaviors of remarkable apparent sophistication. This is abundantly clear when considering the diversity of form and function among the microbial eukaryotes, the protists. How might we navigate this diversity in the search for general principles of cellular behavior? Here, we review cases in which the intensive study of protists from the perspective of cellular biophysics has driven insight into broad biological questions of morphogenesis, navigation and motility, and decision making. We argue that applying such approaches to questions of evolutionary cell biology presents rich, emerging opportunities. Integrating and expanding biophysical studies across protist diversity, exploiting the unique characteristics of each organism, will enrich our understanding of general underlying principles.

Structure and dynamics of the contractile vacuole complex in Tetrahymena thermophila

The contractile vacuole complex (CVC) is a dynamic and morphologically complex membrane organelle, comprising a large vesicle (bladder) linked with a tubular reticulum (spongiome). CVCs provide key osmoregulatory roles across diverse eukaryotic lineages, but probing the mechanisms underlying their structure and function is hampered by the limited tools available for in vivo analysis. In the experimentally tractable ciliate Tetrahymena thermophila, we describe four proteins that, as endogenously tagged constructs, localize specifically to distinct CVC zones. The DOPEY homolog Dop1p and the CORVET subunit Vps8Dp localize both to the bladder and spongiome but with different local distributions that are sensitive to osmotic perturbation, whereas the lipid scramblase Scr7p colocalizes with Vps8Dp. The H+-ATPase subunit Vma4 is spongiome specific. The live imaging permitted by these probes revealed dynamics at multiple scales including rapid exchange of CVC-localized and soluble protein pools versus lateral diffusion in the spongiome, spongiome extension and branching, and CVC formation during mitosis. Although the association with DOP1 and VPS8D implicate the CVC in endosomal trafficking, both the bladder and spongiome might be isolated from bulk endocytic input.

The Tetrahymena bcd1 mutant implicates endosome trafficking in ciliate, cortical pattern formation

Ciliates, such as Tetrahymena thermophila, evolved complex mechanisms to determine both the location and dimensions of cortical organelles such as the oral apparatus (OA: involved in phagocytosis), cytoproct (Cyp: for eliminating wastes), and contractile vacuole pores (CVPs: involved in water expulsion). Mutations have been recovered in Tetrahymena that affect both the localization of such organelles along anterior-posterior and circumferential body axes and their dimensions. Here we describe BCD1, a ciliate pattern gene that encodes a conserved Beige-BEACH domain-containing protein a with possible protein kinase A (PKA)-anchoring activity. Similar proteins have been implicated in endosome trafficking and are linked to human Chediak-Higashi syndrome and autism. Mutations in the BCD1 gene broaden cortical organelle domains as they assemble during predivision development. The Bcd1 protein localizes to membrane pockets at the base of every cilium that are active in endocytosis. PKA activity has been shown to promote endocytosis in other organisms, so we blocked clathrin-mediated endocytosis (using "dynasore") and inhibited PKA (using H89). In both cases, treatment produced partial phenocopies of the bcd1 pattern mutant. This study supports a model in which the dimensions of diverse cortical organelle assembly-platforms may be determined by regulated balance between constitutive exocytic delivery and PKA-regulated endocytic retrieval of organelle materials and determinants.

Intracellular bioaccumulation of the rare earth element Gadolinium in ciliate cells resulting in biogenic particle formation and excretion

Ciliates are abundant unicellular organisms capable of resisting high concentrations of metal ions in the environment caused by various anthropogenic activities. Understanding the cellular pathways involved in resistance to and detoxification of elements is required to predict the impact of ciliates on environmental element cycles. Here, we investigated the so far unknown process of tolerance, cellular uptake and bioaccumulation of the emerging rare earth element gadolinium (Gd) in the common ciliate Tetrahymena pyriformis. Gd treatment results in the intracellular formation and excretion of biogenic Gd-containing particles. This cellular process effectively removes dissolved Gd from the organic growth medium by 53.37% within 72 h. Based on light and electron microscopic observations, we postulate a detoxification pathway: Cells take up toxic Gd³⁺ ions from the medium by endocytosis, process them into stable Gd-containing particles within food vacuoles, and exocytose them. Stable biogenic particles can be isolated, which are relatively homogeneous and have a diameter of about 3 µm. They consist of the elements Gd, C, O, P, Na, Mg, K, and Ca. These findings broaden the view of metal ion accumulation by protists and are of relevance to understand environmental elemental cycles and may inspire approaches for metal recovery or bioremediation.

Lithium-induced ciliary lengthening sparks Arp2/3 complex-dependent endocytosis

Ciliary length is highly regulated, but can be disrupted by lithium, which causes ciliary elongation across cell types and organisms. We used the algal system Chlamydomonas reinhardtii to investigate the mechanism behind lithium-induced ciliary elongation. Protein synthesis is not required for lengthening, and the target of lithium, GSK3, has substrates that can influence membrane dynamics. Further, ciliary assembly requires a supply of ciliary membrane as well as protein. Lithium-treated cilia elongate normally with brefeldin treatment, but dynasore treatment produced defective lengthening suggesting a source of membrane from the cell surface rather than the Golgi. Genetic or chemical perturbation of the Arp2/3 complex or dynamin, required for endocytosis, blocks lithium-induced ciliary lengthening. Finally, we found an increase in Arp2/3 complex- and endocytosis-dependent actin filaments near the ciliary base upon lithium treatment. Our results identify a mechanism for lithium-mediated cilium lengthening and demonstrate the endocytic pathway for cilium membrane supply in algae is likely a conserved mechanism given lithium's conserved effects across organisms.

Membrane Traffic and Ca2+ -Signals in Ciliates

A Paramecium cell has as many types of membrane interactions as mammalian cells, as established with monoclonal antibodies by R. Allen and A. Fok. Since then, we have identified key-players, such as SNARE-proteins, Ca²⁺ -regulating proteins, including Ca²⁺ -channels, Ca²⁺ -pumps, Ca²⁺ -binding proteins of different affinity etc. at the molecular level, probed their function and localized them at the light and electron microscopy level. SNARE-proteins, in conjunction with a synaptotagmin-like Ca²⁺ -sensor protein, mediate membrane fusion. This interaction is additionally regulated by monomeric GTPases whose spectrum in Tetrahymena and Paramecium has been established by A. Turkewitz. As known from mammalian cells, GTPases are activated on membranes in conjunction with lumenal acidification by an H⁺ -ATPase. For these complex molecules we found in Paramecium an unsurpassed number of 17 a-subunit paralogs which connect the polymeric head and basis part, V1 and V0. (This multitude may reflect different local functional requirements.) Together with plasmalemmal Ca²⁺ -influx-channels, locally enriched intracellular InsP₃ -type (InsP₃ R, mainly in osmoregulatory system) and ryanodine receptor-like Ca²⁺ -release channels (ryanodine receptor-like proteins, RyR-LP), this complexity mediates Ca²⁺ signals for most flexible local membrane-to-membrane interactions. As we found, the latter channel types miss a substantial portion of the N-terminal part. Caffeine and 4-chloro-meta-cresol (the agent used to probe mutations of RyRs in man during surgery in malignant insomnia patients) initiate trichocyst exocytosis by activating Ca²⁺ -release channels type CRC-IV in the peripheral part of alveolar sacs. This is superimposed by Ca²⁺ -influx, i.e. a mechanism called "store-operated Ca²⁺ -entry" (SOCE). For the majority of key players, we have mapped paralogs throughout the Paramecium cell, with features in common or at variance in the different organelles participating in vesicle trafficking. Local values of free Ca²⁺ -concentration, [Ca²⁺ ]_i , and their change, e.g. upon exocytosis stimulation, have been registered by flurochromes and chelator effects. In parallel we have registered release of Ca²⁺ from alveolar sacs by quenched-flow analysis combined with cryofixation and x-ray microanalysis.

Anterior-posterior pattern formation in ciliates

As single cells, ciliates build, duplicate, and even regenerate complex cortical patterns by largely unknown mechanisms that precisely position organelles along two cell‐wide axes: anterior–posterior and circumferential (left–right). We review our current understanding of intracellular patterning along the anterior–posterior axis in ciliates, with emphasis on how the new pattern emerges during cell division. We focus on the recent progress at the molecular level that has been driven by the discovery of genes whose mutations cause organelle positioning defects in the model ciliate Tetrahymena thermophila. These investigations have revealed a network of highly conserved kinases that are confined to either anterior or posterior domains in the cell cortex. These pattern‐regulating kinases create zones of cortical inhibition that by exclusion determine the precise placement of organelles. We discuss observations and models derived from classical microsurgical experiments in large ciliates (including Stentor) and interpret them in light of recent molecular findings in Tetrahymena. In particular, we address the involvement of intracellular gradients as vehicles for positioning organelles along the anterior‐posterior axis.

Molecular mechanisms underlying the calcium-mediated uptake of hematite nanoparticles by the ciliate Tetrahymena thermophila

In aquatic ecosystems, the calcium (Ca) concentration varies greatly. It is well known that Ca affects the aggregation of nanoparticles (NPs) and thus their bioaccumulation. Nevertheless, Ca also plays critical roles in various biological processes, whose effects on NP accumulation in aquatic organisms remain unclear. In this study, the effects of Ca on the uptake of polyacrylate-coated hematite NPs (HemNPs) by the aquatic ciliate Tetrahymena thermophila were investigated. At all of the tested Ca concentrations, HemNPs were well dispersed in the experimental medium, excluding the possibility of Ca to influence HemNP bioaccumulation by aggregating the NPs. Instead, Ca was shown to induce the clathrin-mediated endocytosis and phagocytosis of HemNPs. Manipulation of the Ca speciation in the experimental medium as well as the influx and intracellular availability of Ca in T. thermophila indicated that HemNP uptake was regulated by the intracellular Ca level. The results of the proteomics analyses further showed that the binding of intracellular Ca to calmodulin altered the activity of proteins involved in clathrin-mediated endocytosis (calcineurin and dynamin) and phagocytosis (actin). Overall, the biologically inductive effects of Ca on NP accumulation in aquatic organisms should be considered when evaluating the environmental risks of NPs.

Phagocytic and pinocytic uptake of cholesterol in Tetrahymena thermophila impact differently on gene regulation for sterol homeostasis

The ciliate Tetrahymena thermophila can either synthesize tetrahymanol or when available, assimilate and modify sterols from its diet. This metabolic shift is mainly driven by transcriptional regulation of genes for tetrahymanol synthesis (TS) and sterol bioconversion (SB). The mechanistic details of sterol uptake, intracellular trafficking and the associated gene expression changes are unknown. By following cholesterol incorporation over time in a conditional phagocytosis-deficient mutant, we found that although phagocytosis is the main sterol intake route, a secondary endocytic pathway exists. Different expression patterns for TS and SB genes were associated with these entry mechanisms. Squalene synthase was down-regulated by a massive cholesterol intake only attainable by phagocytosis-proficient cells, whereas C22-sterol desaturase required ten times less cholesterol and was up-regulated in both wild-type and mutant cells. These patterns are suggestive of at least two different signaling pathways. Sterol trafficking beyond phagosomes and esterification was impaired by the NPC1 inhibitor U18666A. NPC1 is a protein that mediates cholesterol export from late endosomes/lysosomes in mammalian cells. U18666A also produced a delay in the transcriptional response to cholesterol, suggesting that the regulatory signals are triggered between lysosomes and the endoplasmic reticulum. These findings could hint at partial conservation of sterol homeostasis between eukaryote lineages.

Cardiolipin targets a dynamin-related protein to the nuclear membrane

Dynamins are targeted to specific cellular membranes that they remodel via membrane fusion or fission. The molecular basis of conferring specificity to dynamins for their target membrane selection is not known. Here, we report a mechanism of nuclear membrane recruitment of Drp6, a dynamin member in Tetrahymena thermophila. Recruitment of Drp6 depends on a domain that binds to cardiolipin (CL)-rich bilayers. Consistent with this, nuclear localization of Drp6 was inhibited either by depleting cellular CL or by substituting a single amino acid residue that abolished Drp6 interactions with CL. Inhibition of CL synthesis, or perturbation in Drp6 recruitment to nuclear membrane, caused defects in the formation of new macronuclei post-conjugation. Taken together, our results elucidate a molecular basis of target membrane selection by a nuclear dynamin and establish the importance of a defined membrane-binding domain and its target lipid in facilitating nuclear expansion.

Transcriptomic responses to silver nanoparticles in the freshwater unicellular eukaryote Tetrahymena thermophila

Currently, silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) are being increasingly used as biocides in various consumer products and if released in the environment they can affect non-target organisms. Therefore, understanding the toxicity mechanism is crucial for both the design of more efficient nano-antimicrobials and for the design of nanomaterials that are biologically and environmentally benign throughout their life-cycle. Here, the ciliate Tetrahymena thermophila was used to elucidate the mechanisms of action of AgNPs by analysing the gene expression profile by RNA-seq and the transcriptomic effects of AgNPs were compared to those induced by soluble silver salt, AgNO₃. Exposure to AgNPs at sublethal concentrations for 24 h induced phagocytosis, transport pathways, response to oxidative stress, glutathione peroxidase activity, response to stimulus, oxidation-reduction, proteolysis, and nitrogen metabolism process. Based on gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA), some biological processes appeared targets of both toxicants. In addition to many similarities in affected genes, some effects were triggered only by NPs, like phagocytosis, glutathione peroxidase activity, response to stimulus, protein phosphorylation and nitrogen metabolism process. This research provides evidence that AgNPs compared to AgNO₃ at the same concentration of dissolved silver ions dysregulate a higher number of cellular pathways. These findings confirm that AgNPs can induce toxicity not only due to soluble silver ions released from the particles but also to particle intrinsic features.

Diversification of CORVET tethers facilitates transport complexity in Tetrahymena thermophila

In endolysosomal networks, two hetero-hexameric tethers called HOPS and CORVET are found widely throughout eukaryotes. The unicellular ciliate Tetrahymena thermophila possesses elaborate endolysosomal structures, but curiously both it and related protozoa lack the HOPS tether and several other trafficking proteins, while retaining the related CORVET complex. Here, we show that Tetrahymena encodes multiple paralogs of most CORVET subunits, which assemble into six distinct complexes. Each complex has a unique subunit composition and, significantly, shows unique localization, indicating participation in distinct pathways. One pair of complexes differ by a single subunit (Vps8), but have late endosomal versus recycling endosome locations. While Vps8 subunits are thus prime determinants for targeting and functional specificity, determinants exist on all subunits except Vps11. This unprecedented expansion and diversification of CORVET provides a potent example of tether flexibility, and illustrates how 'backfilling' following secondary losses of trafficking genes can provide a mechanism for evolution of new pathways.This article has an associated First Person interview with the first author of the paper.

The structural biology of the dynamin-related proteins: New insights into a diverse, multitalented family

Dynamin-related proteins are multidomain, mechanochemical GTPases that self-assemble and orchestrate a wide array of cellular processes. Over the past decade, structural insights from X-ray crystallography and cryo-electron microscopy have reshaped our mechanistic understanding of these proteins. Here, we provide a historical perspective on these advances that highlights the structural attributes of different dynamin family members and explores how these characteristics affect GTP hydrolysis, conformational coupling and oligomerization. We also discuss a number of lingering challenges remaining in the field that suggest future directions of study.

Regulation of Clathrin-Mediated Endocytosis

Clathrin-mediated endocytosis (CME) is the major endocytic pathway in mammalian cells. It is responsible for the uptake of transmembrane receptors and transporters, for remodeling plasma membrane composition in response to environmental changes, and for regulating cell surface signaling. CME occurs via the assembly and maturation of clathrin-coated pits that concentrate cargo as they invaginate and pinch off to form clathrin-coated vesicles. In addition to the major coat proteins, clathrin triskelia and adaptor protein complexes, CME requires a myriad of endocytic accessory proteins and phosphatidylinositol lipids. CME is regulated at multiple steps-initiation, cargo selection, maturation, and fission-and is monitored by an endocytic checkpoint that induces disassembly of defective pits. Regulation occurs via posttranslational modifications, allosteric conformational changes, and isoform and splice-variant differences among components of the CME machinery, including the GTPase dynamin. This review summarizes recent findings on the regulation of CME and the evolution of this complex process.

Resistance to 6-Methylpurine is Conferred by Defective Adenine Phosphoribosyltransferase in Tetrahymena

6-methylpurine (6mp) is a toxic analog of adenine that inhibits RNA and protein synthesis and interferes with adenine salvage mediated by adenine phosphoribosyltransferase (APRTase). Mutants of the ciliated protist Tetrahymena thermophila that are resistant to 6mp were isolated in 1974, but the mechanism of resistance has remained unknown. To investigate 6mp resistance in T. thermophila, we created 6mp-resistant strains and identified a mutation in the APRTase genomic locus (APRT1) that is responsible for 6mp resistance. While overexpression of the mutated APRT1 allele in 6mp-sensitive cells did not confer resistance to 6mp, reduced wild-type APRT1 expression resulted in a significant decrease in sensitivity to 6mp. Knocking out or reducing the expression of APRT1 by RNA interference (RNAi) did not affect robust cell growth, which indicates that adenine salvage is redundant or that de novo synthesis pathways provide sufficient adenosine monophosphate for viability. We also explored whether 6mp resistance could be used as a novel inducible selection marker by generating 6mp- and paromomycin-resistant double mutants. While 6mp- and paromomycin-resistant double mutants did express fluorescent proteins in an RNAi-based system, the system requires optimization before 6mp resistance can be used as an effective inducible selection marker.

Evolutionary Cell Biology of Proteins from Protists to Humans and Plants

During evolution, the cell as a fine-tuned machine had to undergo permanent adjustments to match changes in its environment, while "closed for repair work" was not possible. Evolution from protists (protozoa and unicellular algae) to multicellular organisms may have occurred in basically two lineages, Unikonta and Bikonta, culminating in mammals and angiosperms (flowering plants), respectively. Unicellular models for unikont evolution are myxamoebae (Dictyostelium) and increasingly also choanoflagellates, whereas for bikonts, ciliates are preferred models. Information accumulating from combined molecular database search and experimental verification allows new insights into evolutionary diversification and maintenance of genes/proteins from protozoa on, eventually with orthologs in bacteria. However, proteins have rarely been followed up systematically for maintenance or change of function or intracellular localization, acquirement of new domains, partial deletion (e.g. of subunits), and refunctionalization, etc. These aspects are discussed in this review, envisaging "evolutionary cell biology." Protozoan heritage is found for most important cellular structures and functions up to humans and flowering plants. Examples discussed include refunctionalization of voltage-dependent Ca²⁺ channels in cilia and replacement by other types during evolution. Altogether components serving Ca²⁺ signaling are very flexible throughout evolution, calmodulin being a most conservative example, in contrast to calcineurin whose catalytic subunit is lost in plants, whereas both subunits are maintained up to mammals for complex functions (immune defense and learning). Domain structure of R-type SNAREs differs in mono- and bikonta, as do Ca²⁺ -dependent protein kinases. Unprecedented selective expansion of the subunit a which connects multimeric base piece and head parts (V0, V1) of H⁺ -ATPase/pump may well reflect the intriguing vesicle trafficking system in ciliates, specifically in Paramecium. One of the most flexible proteins is centrin when its intracellular localization and function throughout evolution is traced. There are many more examples documenting evolutionary flexibility of translation products depending on requirements and potential for implantation within the actual cellular context at different levels of evolution. From estimates of gene and protein numbers per organism, it appears that much of the basic inventory of protozoan precursors could be transmitted to highest eukaryotic levels, with some losses and also with important additional "inventions."

Non-peptide guided auto-secretion of recombinant proteins by super-folder green fluorescent protein in Escherichia coli

Protein secretion in Escherichia coli is usually led by a signal peptide that targets the protein to specific secretory pathways. In this study, we demonstrated that the superfolder green fluorescent protein (sfGFP) could be served as a non-signal peptide to guide protein auto-secretion in E. coli. This auto-secretion was characterized as a three-step process through the sub-cellular localization analysis: inner membrane trans-location followed by anchoring at outer membrane, and then being released into culture media. We further determined that the beta-barrel structure and net negative charges of sfGFP played important roles in its auto-extracellular secretion property. Using sfGFP as a carrier, heterologous proteins ranging from peptide to complex protein, including antibacterial peptide PG4, endo-beta-N-acethylglucosamindase H (Endo H), human arginase-1 (ARG1), and glutamate decarboxylase (GAD) were all successfully expressed and secreted extracellularly when fused to the carboxyl end of sfGFP. Besides facilitating the extracellular secretion, sfGFP fusion proteins can also be correctly folded and formed the active complex protein structure, including the trimetric human ARG1 and homo-hexametric GAD. This is the first report that sfGFP can guide the secretion of recombinant proteins out of the cells from cytoplasm in E. coli without affecting their conformation and function.

Constriction of the mitochondrial inner compartment is a priming event for mitochondrial division

Mitochondrial division is critical for the maintenance and regulation of mitochondrial function, quality and distribution. This process is controlled by cytosolic actin-based constriction machinery and dynamin-related protein 1 (Drp1) on mitochondrial outer membrane (OMM). Although mitochondrial physiology, including oxidative phosphorylation, is also important for efficient mitochondrial division, morphological alterations of the mitochondrial inner-membrane (IMM) have not been clearly elucidated. Here we report spontaneous and repetitive constriction of mitochondrial inner compartment (CoMIC) associated with subsequent division in neurons. Although CoMIC is potentiated by inhibition of Drp1 and occurs at the potential division spots contacting the endoplasmic reticulum, it appears on IMM independently of OMM. Intra-mitochondrial influx of Ca²⁺ induces and potentiates CoMIC, and leads to K⁺-mediated mitochondrial bulging and depolarization. Synergistically, optic atrophy 1 (Opa1) also regulates CoMIC via controlling Mic60-mediated OMM-IMM tethering. Therefore, we propose that CoMIC is a priming event for efficient mitochondrial division.

Tetrahymena as a Unicellular Model Eukaryote: Genetic and Genomic Tools

Tetrahymena thermophila is a ciliate model organism whose study has led to important discoveries and insights into both conserved and divergent biological processes. In this review, we describe the tools for the use of Tetrahymena as a model eukaryote, including an overview of its life cycle, orientation to its evolutionary roots, and methodological approaches to forward and reverse genetics. Recent genomic tools have expanded Tetrahymena's utility as a genetic model system. With the unique advantages that Tetrahymena provide, we argue that it will continue to be a model organism of choice.

Diversity and Universality of Endosymbiotic Rickettsia in the Fish Parasite Ichthyophthirius multifiliis

Although the presence of endosymbiotic rickettsial bacteria, specifically Candidatus Megaira, has been reported in diverse habitats and a wide range of eukaryotic hosts, it remains unclear how broadly Ca. Megaira are distributed in a single host species. In this study we seek to address whether Ca. Megaira are present in most, if not all isolates, of the parasitic ciliate Ichthyophthirius multifiliis. Conserved regions of bacterial 16S rRNA genes were either PCR amplified, or assembled from deep sequencing data, from 18 isolates/populations of I. multifiliis sampled worldwide (Brazil, Taiwan, and USA). We found that rickettsial rRNA sequences belonging to three out of four Ca. Megaira subclades could be consistently detected in all I. multifiliis samples. I. multifiliis collected from local fish farms tend to be inhabited by the same subclade of Ca. Megaira, whereas those derived from pet fish are often inhabited by more than one subclade of Ca. Megaira. Distributions of Ca. Megaira in I. multifiliis thus better reflect the travel history, but not the phylogeny, of I. multifiliis. In summary, our results suggest that I. multifiliis may be dependent on this endosymbiotic relationship, and the association between Ca. Megaira and I. multifiliis is more diverse than previously thought.

An evolutionary balance: conservation vs innovation in ciliate membrane trafficking

As most of eukaryotic diversity lies in single-celled protists, they represent unique opportunities to ask questions about the balance of conservation and innovation in cell biological features. Among free-living protists the ciliates offer ease of culturing, a rich array of experimental approaches, and versatile molecular tools, particularly in Tetrahymena thermophila and Paramecium tetraurelia. These attributes have been exploited by researchers to analyze a wealth of cellular structures in these large and complex cells. This mini-review focuses on 3 aspects of ciliate membrane dynamics, all linked with endolysosomal trafficking. First is nutrition based on phagocytosis and maturation of food vacuoles. Secondly, we discuss regulated exocytosis from vesicles that have features of both dense core secretory granules but also lysosome-related organelles. The third topic is the targeting, breakdown and resorption of parental nuclei in mating partners. For all 3 phenomena, it is clear that elements of the canonical membrane-trafficking system have been retained and in some cases repurposed. In addition, there is evidence that recently evolved, lineage-specific proteins provide determinants in these pathways.

Resolving the homology-function relationship through comparative genomics of membrane-trafficking machinery and parasite cell biology

With advances in DNA sequencing technology, it is increasingly common and tractable to informatically look for genes of interest in the genomic databases of parasitic organisms and infer cellular states. Assignment of a putative gene function based on homology to functionally characterized genes in other organisms, though powerful, relies on the implicit assumption of functional homology, i.e. that orthology indicates conserved function. Eukaryotes reveal a dazzling array of cellular features and structural organization, suggesting a concomitant diversity in their underlying molecular machinery. Significantly, examples of novel functions for pre-existing or new paralogues are not uncommon. Do these examples undermine the basic assumption of functional homology, especially in parasitic protists, which are often highly derived? Here we examine the extent to which functional homology exists between organisms spanning the eukaryotic lineage. By comparing membrane trafficking proteins between parasitic protists and traditional model organisms, where direct functional evidence is available, we find that function is indeed largely conserved between orthologues, albeit with significant adaptation arising from the unique biological features within each lineage.

Static Clathrin Assemblies at the Peripheral Vacuole-Plasma Membrane Interface of the Parasitic Protozoan Giardia lamblia

Giardia lamblia is a parasitic protozoan that infects a wide range of vertebrate hosts including humans. Trophozoites are non-invasive but associate tightly with the enterocyte surface of the small intestine. This narrow ecological specialization entailed extensive morphological and functional adaptations during host-parasite co-evolution, including a distinctly polarized array of endocytic organelles termed peripheral vacuoles (PVs), which are confined to the dorsal cortical region exposed to the gut lumen and are in close proximity to the plasma membrane (PM). Here, we investigated the molecular consequences of these adaptations on the Giardia endocytic machinery and membrane coat complexes. Despite the absence of canonical clathrin coated vesicles in electron microscopy, Giardia possesses conserved PV-associated clathrin heavy chain (GlCHC), dynamin-related protein (GlDRP), and assembly polypeptide complex 2 (AP2) subunits, suggesting a novel function for GlCHC and its adaptors. We found that, in contrast to GFP-tagged AP2 subunits and DRP, CHC::GFP reporters have no detectable turnover in living cells, indicating fundamental differences in recruitment to the membrane and disassembly compared to previously characterized clathrin coats. Histochemical localization in electron tomography showed that these long-lived GlCHC assemblies localized at distinctive approximations between the plasma and PV membrane. A detailed protein interactome of GlCHC revealed all of the conserved factors in addition to novel or highly diverged proteins, including a putative clathrin light chain and lipid-binding proteins. Taken together, our data provide strong evidence for giardial CHC as a component of highly stable assemblies at PV-PM junctions that likely have a central role in organizing continuities between the PM and PV membranes for controlled sampling of the fluid environment. This suggests a novel function for CHC in Giardia and the extent of molecular remodeling of endocytosis in this species.

In canonical clathrin mediated endocytosis (CME) models, the concerted action of ca. 50 proteins mediates the uptake of extracellular components. The key player in this process is clathrin which coats transport intermediates called clathrin coated vesicles (CCV). The intestinal parasite Giardia lamblia has undergone extensive remodeling during colonization of the mammalian duodenum. Here, we report on unique features of this parasite’s endocytic system, consisting of fixed peripheral vacuoles (PV) in close proximity to the exposed plasma membrane (PM), with no discernible CCVs. Using state-of-the-art imaging strategies, we show that the surface of Giardia trophozoites is pock-marked with PM invaginations reaching to the underlying PV membrane. Co-immunoprecipitation and analysis of protein dynamics reveal that, in line with the absence of CCVs, giardial clathrin assemblies have no dynamic behavior. CHC still remains associated to AP2 and dynamin, both conserved dynamic CME components, and to a newly identified putative clathrin light chain. The emerging model calls for giardial clathrin organized into static cores surrounded by dynamic interaction partners, and most likely involved in the regulation of fusion between the PM and the PVs in a “kiss-and-flush”-like mechanism. This suggests that Giardia harbors a conceptually novel function for clathrin in endocytosis, which might be a consequence of host-parasite co-evolution.

Signalling in ciliates: long- and short-range signals and molecular determinants for cellular dynamics

In ciliates, unicellular representatives of the bikont branch of evolution, inter- and intracellular signalling pathways have been analysed mainly in Paramecium tetraurelia, Paramecium multimicronucleatum and Tetrahymena thermophila and in part also in Euplotes raikovi. Electrophysiology of ciliary activity in Paramecium spp. is a most successful example. Established signalling mechanisms include plasmalemmal ion channels, recently established intracellular Ca²⁺ -release channels, as well as signalling by cyclic nucleotides and Ca²⁺ . Ca²⁺ -binding proteins (calmodulin, centrin) and Ca²⁺ -activated enzymes (kinases, phosphatases) are involved. Many organelles are endowed with specific molecules cooperating in signalling for intracellular transport and targeted delivery. Among them are recently specified soluble N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive factor attachment protein receptors (SNAREs), monomeric GTPases, H⁺ -ATPase/pump, actin, etc. Little specification is available for some key signal transducers including mechanosensitive Ca²⁺ -channels, exocyst complexes and Ca²⁺ -sensor proteins for vesicle-vesicle/membrane interactions. The existence of heterotrimeric G-proteins and of G-protein-coupled receptors is still under considerable debate. Serine/threonine kinases dominate by far over tyrosine kinases (some predicted by phosphoproteomic analyses). Besides short-range signalling, long-range signalling also exists, e.g. as firmly installed microtubular transport rails within epigenetically determined patterns, thus facilitating targeted vesicle delivery. By envisaging widely different phenomena of signalling and subcellular dynamics, it will be shown (i) that important pathways of signalling and cellular dynamics are established already in ciliates, (ii) that some mechanisms diverge from higher eukaryotes and (iii) that considerable uncertainties still exist about some essential aspects of signalling.

Secretion of Polypeptide Crystals from Tetrahymena thermophila Secretory Organelles (Mucocysts) Depends on Processing by a Cysteine Cathepsin, Cth4p

In many organisms, sophisticated mechanisms facilitate release of peptides in response to extracellular stimuli. In the ciliate Tetrahymena thermophila, efficient peptide secretion depends on specialized vesicles called mucocysts that contain dense crystalline cores that expand rapidly during exocytosis. Core assembly depends of endoproteolytic cleavage of mucocyst proproteins by an aspartyl protease, cathepsin 3 (CTH3). Here, we show that a second enzyme identified by expression profiling, Cth4p, is also required for processing of proGrl proteins and for assembly of functional mucocysts. Cth4p is a cysteine cathepsin that localizes partially to endolysosomal structures and appears to act downstream of, and may be activated by, Cth3p. Disruption of CTH4 results in cells (Δcth4) that show aberrant trimming of Grl proproteins, as well as grossly aberrant mucocyst exocytosis. Surprisingly, Δcth4 cells succeed in assembling crystalline mucocyst cores. However, those cores do not undergo normal directional expansion during exocytosis, and they thus fail to efficiently extrude from the cells. We could phenocopy the Δcth4 defects by mutating conserved catalytic residues, indicating that the in vivo function of Cth4p is enzymatic. Our results indicate that as for canonical proteins packaged in animal secretory granules, the maturation of mucocyst proproteins involves sequential processing steps. The Δcth4 defects uncouple, in an unanticipated way, the assembly of mucocyst cores and their subsequent expansion and thereby reveal a previously unsuspected aspect of polypeptide secretion in ciliates.

ENTH and ANTH domain proteins participate in AP2-independent clathrin-mediated endocytosis

Clathrin-mediated endocytosis (CME) is a major route of entry into eukaryotic cells. A core of evolutionarily ancient genes encodes many components of this system but much of our mechanistic understanding of CME is derived from a phylogenetically narrow sampling of a few model organisms. In the parasite Trypanosoma brucei, which is distantly related to the better characterised animals and fungi, exceptionally fast endocytic turnover aids its evasion of the host immune system. Although clathrin is absolutely essential for this process, the adaptor protein complex 2 (AP2) has been secondarily lost, suggesting mechanistic divergence. Here, we characterise two phosphoinositide-binding monomeric clathrin adaptors, T. brucei (Tb)EpsinR and TbCALM, which in trypanosomes are represented by single genes, unlike the expansions present in animals and fungi. Depletion of these gene products reveals essential, but partially redundant, activities in CME. Ultrastructural analysis of TbCALM and TbEpsinR double-knockdown cells demonstrated severe defects to clathrin-coated pit formation and morphology associated with a dramatic inhibition of endocytosis. Depletion of TbCALM alone, however, produced a distinct lysosomal segregation phenotype, indicating an additional non-redundant role for this protein. Therefore, TbEpsinR and TbCALM represent ancient phosphoinositide-binding proteins with distinct and vital roles in AP2-independent endocytosis.

Structural and functional studies of membrane remodeling machines

Building cells from their component parts will hinge upon our ability to reconstitute biochemical compartmentalization and exchange between membrane-delimited organelles. By contrast with our understanding of other cellular events, the mechanisms that govern membrane trafficking has lagged because the presence of phospholipid bilayers complicates the use of standard methods. This chapter describes in vitro methods for purifying, reconstituting, and visualizing membrane remodeling activities directly by electron cryomicroscopy.

Efficient expression of codon-adapted affinity tagged super folder green fluorescent protein for synchronous protein localization and affinity purification studies in Tetrahymena thermophila

Background

A superior Green Fluorescent Protein (GFP) mutant, known as superfolder GFP (sfGFP), is more soluble, faster folding, and is the brightest of the known GFP mutants. This study aimed to create a codon-adapted sfGFP tag (TtsfGFP) for simultaneous protein localization and affinity purification in Tetrahymena thermophila.

Results

In vivo fluorescence spectroscopic analyses of clones carrying a codon-adapted and 6 × His tagged TtsfGFP cassette showed approximately 2–4-fold increased fluorescence emission compared with the control groups at 3 h. Fluorescence microscopy also revealed that TtsfGFP reached its emission maxima at 100 min, which was much earlier than controls expressing EGFP and sfGFP (240 min). A T. thermophila ATP-dependent DNA ligase domain containing hypothetical gene (H) was cloned into the 3' end of 6 × His-TtsfGFP to assess the affinity/localization dual tag feature. Fluorescence microscopy of the 6 × His-TtsfGFP-H clone confirmed its localization in the macro- and micronucleus of vegetative T. thermophila. Simultaneous affinity purification of TtsfGFP and TtsfGFP-H with Ni-NTA beads was feasible, as shown by Ni-NTA purified proteins analysis by SDS-PAGE and western blotting.

Conclusions

We successfully codon adapted the N-terminal 6 × His-TtsfGFP tag and showed that it could be used for protein localization and affinity purification simultaneously in T. thermophila. We believe that this dual tag will advance T. thermophila studies by providing strong visual traceability of the target protein in vivo and in vitro during recombinant production of heterologous and homologous proteins.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12896-015-0137-9) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

DisAp-dependent striated fiber elongation is required to organize ciliary arrays

DisAp is a novel kinetodesmal fiber component that is essential for force-dependent fiber elongation and the alignment of basal body orientation in multiciliary arrays.

Cilia-organizing basal bodies (BBs) are microtubule scaffolds that are visibly asymmetrical because they have attached auxiliary structures, such as striated fibers. In multiciliated cells, BB orientation aligns to ensure coherent ciliary beating, but the mechanisms that maintain BB orientation are unclear. For the first time in Tetrahymena thermophila, we use comparative whole-genome sequencing to identify the mutation in the BB disorientation mutant disA-1. disA-1 abolishes the localization of the novel protein DisAp to T.thermophila striated fibers (kinetodesmal fibers; KFs), which is consistent with DisAp’s similarity to the striated fiber protein SF-assemblin. We demonstrate that DisAp is required for KFs to elongate and to resist BB disorientation in response to ciliary forces. Newly formed BBs move along KFs as they approach their cortical attachment sites. However, because they contain short KFs that are rotated, BBs in disA-1 cells display aberrant spacing and disorientation. Therefore, DisAp is a novel KF component that is essential for force-dependent KF elongation and BB orientation in multiciliary arrays.

Ancient dynamin segments capture early stages of host-mitochondrial integration

Eukaryotic cells use dynamins-mechano-chemical GTPases--to drive the division of endosymbiotic organelles. Here we probe early steps of mitochondrial and chloroplast endosymbiosis by tracing the evolution of dynamins. We develop a parsimony-based phylogenetic method for protein sequence reconstruction, with deep time resolution. Using this, we demonstrate that dynamins diversify through the punctuated transformation of sequence segments on the scale of secondary-structural elements. We find examples of segments that have remained essentially unchanged from the 1.8-billion-y-old last eukaryotic common ancestor to the present day. Stitching these together, we reconstruct three ancestral dynamins: The first is nearly identical to the ubiquitous mitochondrial division dynamins of extant eukaryotes, the second is partially preserved in the myxovirus-resistance--like dynamins of metazoans, and the third gives rise to the cytokinetic dynamins of amoebozoans and plants and to chloroplast division dynamins. The reconstructed sequences, combined with evolutionary models and published functional data, suggest that the ancestral mitochondrial division dynamin also mediated vesicle scission. This bifunctional protein duplicated into specialized mitochondrial and vesicle variants at least three independent times--in alveolates, green algae, and the ancestor of fungi and metazoans-accompanied by the loss of the ancient prokaryotic mitochondrial division protein FtsZ. Remarkably, many extant species that retain FtsZ also retain the predicted ancestral bifunctional dynamin. The mitochondrial division apparatus of such organisms, including amoebozoans, red algae, and stramenopiles, seems preserved in a near-primordial form.

Interaction with the effector dynamin-related protein 1 (Drp1) is an ancient function of Rab32 subfamily proteins

The mitochondria-associated membrane (MAM) is an endoplasmic reticulum (ER) domain that forms contacts with mitochondria and accommodates Ca²⁺ transfer between the two organelles. The GTPase Rab32 regulates this function of the MAM via determining the localization of the Ca²⁺ regulatory transmembrane protein calnexin to the MAM. Another function of the MAM is the regulation of mitochondrial dynamics mediated by GTPases such as dynamin-related protein 1 (Drp1). Consistent with the importance of the MAM for mitochondrial dynamics and the role of Rab32 in MAM enrichment, the inactivation of Rab32 leads to mitochondrial collapse around the nucleus. However, Rab32 and related Rabs also perform intracellular functions at locations other than the MAM including melanosomal trafficking, autophagosome formation and maturation, and retrograde trafficking to the trans-Golgi network (TGN). This plethora of functions raises questions concerning the original cellular role of Rab32 in the last common ancestor of animals and its possible role in the last eukaryotic common ancestor (LECA). Our results now shed light on this conundrum and identify a role in Drp1-mediated mitochondrial dynamics as one common denominator of this group of Rabs, which includes the paralogues Rab32A and Rab32B, as well as the more recently derived Rab29 and Rab38 proteins. Moreover, we provide evidence that this mitochondrial function is dictated by the extent of ER-association of Rab32 family proteins.

Uptake, localization and clearance of quantum dots in ciliated protozoa Tetrahymena thermophila

Protozoa as phagocytizing cells have been shown to integrate engineered nanoparticles (NPs), while the mechanism, dynamics and extent of such uptake are unclear. Here our fluorescence microscopy data showed that CdSe/ZnS quantum dots (QDs) with primary size of 12 nm were readily phagocytized into the food vacuoles of Tetrahymena thermophila in a time- and dose-dependent manner. Twenty hours after the exposure to QDs in sublethal concentration the clearance of the QDs from the cells was incomplete suggesting that phagocytosis of QDs into food vacuoles was not the only pathway of uptake by T. thermophila. This was further proven by the results that the inhibition of phagocytosis did not block the internalization of QDs into protozoans. This study provides a new insight into uptake and cellular trafficking of subtoxic concentrations of nanoparticles that may, due to prolonged retention times in the cells, pose risks by potentially becoming available to higher trophic levels.

An aspartyl cathepsin, CTH3, is essential for proprotein processing during secretory granule maturation in Tetrahymena thermophila

In animal cells, the assembly of dense cores in secretory granules is controlled by proteolytic processing of proproteins. The same phenomenon occurs in the ciliate Tetrahymena thermophila, but the proteases involved appear to be highly unrelated, suggesting that similar regulatory mechanisms have different molecular origins.

In Tetrahymena thermophila, peptides secreted via dense-core granules, called mucocysts, are generated by proprotein processing. We used expression profiling to identify candidate processing enzymes, which localized as cyan fluorescent protein fusions to mucocysts. Of note, the aspartyl cathepsin Cth3p plays a key role in mucocyst-based secretion, since knockdown of this gene blocked proteolytic maturation of the entire set of mucocyst proproteins and dramatically reduced mucocyst accumulation. The activity of Cth3p was eliminated by mutation of two predicted active-site mutations, and overexpression of the wild-type gene, but not the catalytic-site mutant, partially rescued a Mendelian mutant defective in mucocyst proprotein processing. Our results provide the first direct evidence for the role of proprotein processing in this system. Of interest, both localization and the CTH3 disruption phenotype suggest that the enzyme provides non–mucocyst-related functions. Phylogenetic analysis of the T. thermophila cathepsins, combined with prior work on the role of sortilin receptors in mucocyst biogenesis, suggests that repurposing of lysosomal enzymes was an important step in the evolution of secretory granules in ciliates.

The cell biology of the endocytic system from an evolutionary perspective

Evolutionary cell biology can afford an interdisciplinary comparative view that gives insights into both the functioning of modern cells and the origins of cellular systems, including the endocytic organelles. Here, we explore several recent evolutionary cell biology studies, highlighting investigations into the origin and diversity of endocytic systems in eukaryotes. Beginning with a brief overview of the eukaryote tree of life, we show how understanding the endocytic machinery in a select, but diverse, array of organisms provides insights into endocytic system origins and predicts the likely configuration in the last eukaryotic common ancestor (LECA). Next, we consider three examples in which a comparative approach yielded insight into the function of modern cellular systems. First, using ESCRT-0 as an example, we show how comparative cell biology can discover both lineage-specific novelties (ESCRT-0) as well as previously ignored ancient proteins (Tom1), likely of both evolutionary and functional importance. Second, we highlight the power of comparative cell biology for discovery of previously ignored but potentially ancient complexes (AP5). Finally, using examples from ciliates and trypanosomes, we show that not all organisms possess canonical endocytic pathways, but instead likely evolved lineage-specific mechanisms. Drawing from these case studies, we conclude that a comparative approach is a powerful strategy for advancing knowledge about the general mechanisms and functions of endocytic systems.

Tetrahymena thermophila: a divergent perspective on membrane traffic

Tetrahymena thermophila, a member of the Ciliates, represents a class of organisms distantly related from commonly used model organisms in cell biology, and thus offers an opportunity to explore potentially novel mechanisms and their evolution. Ciliates, like all eukaryotes, possess a complex network of organelles that facilitate both macromolecular uptake and secretion. The underlying endocytic and exocytic pathways are key mediators of a cell's interaction with its environment, and may therefore show niche-specific adaptations. Our laboratory has taken a variety of approaches to identify key molecular determinants for membrane trafficking pathways in Tetrahymena. Studies of Rab GTPases, dynamins, and sortilin-family receptors substantiate the widespread conservation of some features but also uncover surprising roles for lineage-restricted innovation.

New genes as drivers of phenotypic evolution

During the course of evolution, genomes acquire novel genetic elements as sources of functional and phenotypic diversity, including new genes that originated in recent evolution. In the past few years, substantial progress has been made in understanding the evolution and phenotypic effects of new genes. In particular, an emerging picture is that new genes, despite being present in the genomes of only a subset of species, can rapidly evolve indispensable roles in fundamental biological processes, including development, reproduction, brain function and behaviour. The molecular underpinnings of how new genes can develop these roles are starting to be characterized. These recent discoveries yield fresh insights into our broad understanding of biological diversity at refined resolution.

Lysosomal sorting receptors are essential for secretory granule biogenesis in Tetrahymena

The delivery of nonaggregated cargo proteins to Tetrahymena secretory granules requires receptors of the sortilin/VPS10 family, proteins classically associated with lysosome biogenesis.

Secretory granules, such as neuronal dense core vesicles, are specialized for storing cargo at high concentration and releasing it via regulated exocytosis in response to extracellular stimuli. Here, we used expression profiling to identify new components of the machinery for sorting proteins into mucocysts, secretory granule-like vesicles in the ciliate Tetrahymena thermophila. We show that assembly of mucocysts depends on proteins classically associated with lysosome biogenesis. In particular, the delivery of nonaggregated, but not aggregated, cargo proteins requires classical receptors of the sortilin/VPS10 family, which indicates that dual mechanisms are involved in sorting to this secretory compartment. In addition, sortilins are required for delivery of a key protease involved in T. thermophila mucocyst maturation. Our results suggest potential similarities in the formation of regulated secretory organelles between even very distantly related eukaryotes.

The role of clathrin in post-Golgi trafficking in Toxoplasma gondii

Apicomplexan parasites are single eukaryotic cells with a highly polarised secretory system that contains unique secretory organelles (micronemes and rhoptries) that are required for host cell invasion. In contrast, the role of the endosomal system is poorly understood in these parasites. With many typical endocytic factors missing, we speculated that endocytosis depends exclusively on a clathrin-mediated mechanism. Intriguingly, in Toxoplasma gondii we were only able to observe the endogenous clathrin heavy chain 1 (CHC1) at the Golgi, but not at the parasite surface. For the functional characterisation of Toxoplasma gondii CHC1 we generated parasite mutants conditionally expressing the dominant negative clathrin Hub fragment and demonstrate that CHC1 is essential for vesicle formation at the trans-Golgi network. Consequently, the functional ablation of CHC1 results in Golgi aberrations, a block in the biogenesis of the unique secretory microneme and rhoptry organelles, and of the pellicle. However, we found no morphological evidence for clathrin mediating endocytosis in these parasites and speculate that they remodelled their vesicular trafficking system to adapt to an intracellular lifestyle.

Toxoplasma gondii Syntaxin 6 is required for vesicular transport between endosomal-like compartments and the Golgi complex

Apicomplexans are obligate intracellular parasites that invade the host cell in an active process that relies on unique secretory organelles (micronemes, rhoptries and dense granules) localized at the apical tip of these highly polarized eukaryotes. In order for the contents of these specialized organelles to reach their final destination, these proteins are sorted post-Golgi and it has been speculated that they pass through endosomal-like compartments (ELCs), where they undergo maturation. Here, we characterize a Toxoplasma gondii homologue of Syntaxin 6 (TgStx6), a well-established marker for the early endosomes and trans Golgi network (TGN) in diverse eukaryotes. Indeed, TgStx6 appears to have a role in the retrograde transport between ELCs, the TGN and the Golgi, because overexpression of TgStx6 results in the development of abnormally shaped parasites with expanded ELCs, a fragmented Golgi and a defect in inner membrane complex maturation. Interestingly, other organelles such as the micronemes, rhoptries and the apicoplast are not affected, establishing the TGN as a major sorting compartment where several transport pathways intersect. It therefore appears that Toxoplasma has retained a plant-like secretory pathway.

Calcium regulation in the protozoan model, Paramecium tetraurelia

Early in eukaryotic evolution, the cell has evolved a considerable inventory of proteins engaged in the regulation of intracellular Ca(2+) concentrations, not only to avoid toxic effects but beyond that to exploit the signaling capacity of Ca(2+) by small changes in local concentration. Among protozoa, the ciliate Paramecium may now be one of the best analyzed models. Ciliary activity and exo-/endocytosis are governed by Ca(2+) , the latter by Ca(2+) mobilization from alveolar sacs and a superimposed store-operated Ca(2+) -influx. Paramecium cells possess plasma membrane- and endoplasmic reticulum-resident Ca(2+) -ATPases/pumps (PMCA, SERCA), a variety of Ca(2+) influx channels, including mechanosensitive and voltage-dependent channels in the plasma membrane, furthermore a plethora of Ca(2+) -release channels (CRC) of the inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate and ryanodine receptor type in different compartments, notably the contractile vacuole complex and the alveolar sacs, as well as in vesicles participating in vesicular trafficking. Additional types of CRC probably also occur but they have not been identified at a molecular level as yet, as is the equivalent of synaptotagmin as a Ca(2+) sensor for exocytosis. Among established targets and sensors of Ca(2+) in Paramecium are calmodulin, calcineurin, as well as Ca(2+) /calmodulin-dependent protein kinases, all with multiple functions. Thus, basic elements of Ca(2+) signaling are available for Paramecium.

The contractile vacuole complex of protists--new cues to function and biogenesis

The contractile vacuole complex (CVC) of freshwater protists sequesters the excess of water and ions (Ca(2+)) for exocytosis cycles at the pore. Sequestration is based on a chemiosmotic proton gradient produced by a V-type H(+)-ATPase. So far, many pieces of information available have not been combined to a comprehensive view on CVC biogenesis and function. One main function now appears as follows. Ca(2+)-release channels, type inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptors (InsP3R), may serve for fine-tuning of local cytosolic Ca(2+) concentration and mediate numerous membrane-to-membrane interactions within the tubular spongiome meshwork. Such activity is suggested by the occurrence of organelle-specific soluble N-ethylmaleimide sensitive factor attachment protein receptor (SNARE) and Ras-related in brain (Rab) proteins, which may regulate functional requirements. For tubulation, F-Bin-amphiphysin-Rvs (F-BAR) proteins are available. In addition, there is indirect evidence for the occurrence of H(+)/Ca(2+) exchangers (to sequester Ca(2+)) and mechanosensitive Ca(2+)-channels (for signaling the filling sate). The periodic activity of the CVC may be regulated by the mechanosensitive Ca(2+)-channels. Such channels are known to colocalize with and to be functionally supported by stomatins, which were recently detected in the CVC. A Kif18-related kinesin motor protein might control the length of radial arms. Two additional InsP3-related channels and several SNAREs are associated with the pore. De novo organelle biogenesis occurs under epigenetic control during mitotic activity and may involve the assembly of γ-tubulin, centrin, calmodulin and a never in mitosis A-type (NIMA) kinase - components also engaged in mitotic processes.

ADF/cofilin is not essential but is critically important for actin activities during phagocytosis in Tetrahymena thermophila

ADF/cofilin is a highly conserved actin-modulating protein. Reorganization of the actin cytoskeleton in vivo through severing and depolymerizing of F-actin by this protein is essential for various cellular events, such as endocytosis, phagocytosis, cytokinesis, and cell migration. We show that in the ciliate Tetrahymena thermophila, the ADF/cofilin homologue Adf73p associates with actin on nascent food vacuoles. Overexpression of Adf73p disrupted the proper localization of actin and inhibited the formation of food vacuoles. In vitro, recombinant Adf73p promoted the depolymerization of filaments made of T. thermophila actin (Act1p). Knockout cells lacking the ADF73 gene are viable but grow extremely slowly and have a severely decreased rate of food vacuole formation. Knockout cells have abnormal aggregates of actin in the cytoplasm. Surprisingly, unlike the case in animals and yeasts, in Tetrahymena, ADF/cofilin is not required for cytokinesis. Thus, the Tetrahymena model shows promise for future studies of the role of ADF/cofilin in vivo.

Shiga toxins decrease enterohaemorrhagic Escherichia coli survival within Acanthamoeba castellanii

Enterohaemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC) are zoonotic pathogens transmitted to humans through contaminated water or bovine products. One of the strategies used by pathogenic bacteria to survive in aquatic environments is using free-living amoebae as hosts. Acanthamoeba castellanii is an amoeba known to host several waterborne pathogens. This study investigates the survival of EHEC with A. castellanii, which could contribute to its spread and transmission to humans. We used a gentamicin protection assay as well as fluorescence and electron microscopy to monitor the intra-amoebae survival of EHEC O157:H7 over 24 h. The results showed that EHEC were able to survive within A. castellanii and that this survival was reduced by Shiga toxins (Stx) produced by EHEC. A toxic effect mediated by Stx was demonstrated by amoebae mortality and LDH release during co-culture of EHEC and amoeba. This work describes the ability of EHEC to survive within A. castellanii, and this host-pathogen interaction is partially controlled by the Stx. Thus, this ubiquitous amoeba could represent an environmental niche for EHEC survival and transmission.