1
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Tolstenkov O, Chatzigeorgiou M, Gorbushin A. Neuronal gene expression in two generations of the marine parasitic worm, Cryptocotyle lingua. Commun Biol 2023; 6:1279. [PMID: 38110640 PMCID: PMC10728431 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-023-05675-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2023] [Accepted: 12/04/2023] [Indexed: 12/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Trematodes, or flukes, undergo intricate anatomical and behavioral transformations during their life cycle, yet the functional changes in their nervous system remain poorly understood. We investigated the molecular basis of nervous system function in Cryptocotyle lingua, a species of relevance for fisheries. Transcriptomic analysis revealed a streamlined molecular toolkit with the absence of key signaling pathways and ion channels. Notably, we observed the loss of nitric oxide synthase across the Platyhelminthes. Furthermore, we identified upregulated neuronal genes in dispersal larvae, including those involved in aminergic pathways, synaptic vesicle trafficking, TRPA channels, and surprisingly nitric oxide receptors. Using neuronal markers and in situ hybridization, we hypothesized their functional relevance to larval adaptations and host-finding strategies. Additionally, employing a behavior quantification toolkit, we assessed cercaria motility, facilitating further investigations into the behavior and physiology of parasitic flatworms. This study enhances our understanding of trematode neurobiology and provides insights for targeted antiparasitic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Alexander Gorbushin
- Sechenov Institute of Evolutionary Physiology and Biochemistry, St Petersburg, Russia
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2
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Martín-Zamora FM, Davies BE, Donnellan RD, Guynes K, Martín-Durán JM. Functional genomics in Spiralia. Brief Funct Genomics 2023; 22:487-497. [PMID: 37981859 PMCID: PMC10658182 DOI: 10.1093/bfgp/elad036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2023] [Revised: 07/12/2023] [Accepted: 07/25/2023] [Indexed: 11/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Our understanding of the mechanisms that modulate gene expression in animals is strongly biased by studying a handful of model species that mainly belong to three groups: Insecta, Nematoda and Vertebrata. However, over half of the animal phyla belong to Spiralia, a morphologically and ecologically diverse animal clade with many species of economic and biomedical importance. Therefore, investigating genome regulation in this group is central to uncovering ancestral and derived features in genome functioning in animals, which can also be of significant societal impact. Here, we focus on five aspects of gene expression regulation to review our current knowledge of functional genomics in Spiralia. Although some fields, such as single-cell transcriptomics, are becoming more common, the study of chromatin accessibility, DNA methylation, histone post-translational modifications and genome architecture are still in their infancy. Recent efforts to generate chromosome-scale reference genome assemblies for greater species diversity and optimise state-of-the-art approaches for emerging spiralian research systems will address the existing knowledge gaps in functional genomics in this animal group.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francisco M Martín-Zamora
- School of Biological and Behavioural Sciences, Queen Mary University of London, Mile End Road, London E1 4NS, UK
| | - Billie E Davies
- School of Biological and Behavioural Sciences, Queen Mary University of London, Mile End Road, London E1 4NS, UK
| | - Rory D Donnellan
- School of Biological and Behavioural Sciences, Queen Mary University of London, Mile End Road, London E1 4NS, UK
| | - Kero Guynes
- School of Biological and Behavioural Sciences, Queen Mary University of London, Mile End Road, London E1 4NS, UK
| | - José M Martín-Durán
- School of Biological and Behavioural Sciences, Queen Mary University of London, Mile End Road, London E1 4NS, UK
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3
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Gorbushin AM. Unveiling novel RNA viruses in trematodes parasitizing common periwinkle: Implications for host-parasite interactions. J Invertebr Pathol 2023; 201:108012. [PMID: 37898363 DOI: 10.1016/j.jip.2023.108012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2023] [Revised: 10/22/2023] [Accepted: 10/25/2023] [Indexed: 10/30/2023]
Abstract
This study characterized novel RNA viruses, parasites of parasites, or hyperparasites identified during transcriptomic analyses of two trematode species, Cryptocotyle lingua and Himasthla elongata, infecting a sea snail, Littorina littorea. According to the viral genome structures and phylogenetic analysis, Cryptolin alternavirus (ClRNAV1), Cryptolin calicivirus (ClRNAV2) and Himastelon rhabdovirus 1 (HeRNAV1) were respectively classified within the families Alternaviridae, Caliciviridae and Rhabdoviridae. They replicate species-specifically in two studied phases of trematode live cycle: intramolluscan parthenogenetic rediae and free-swimming cercariae. ClRNAV1 showed significantly higher expression in C. lingua cercariae relative to rediae. HeRNAV1's similarity to rabies viruses raises questions about its potential effects on the nervous system of H. elongata. This 'trematode rabies' could enable the use of genetically modified viruses for developing new methods to control the spread and intensity of diseases caused by trematodes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander M Gorbushin
- Sechenov Institute of Evolutionary Physiology and Biochemistry (IEPhB RAS), St Petersburg, Russia.
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4
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Padalino G, Celatka CA, Rienhoff Jr. HY, Kalin JH, Cole PA, Lassalle D, Forde-Thomas J, Chalmers IW, Brancale A, Grunau C, Hoffmann KF. Chemical modulation of Schistosoma mansoni lysine specific demethylase 1 (SmLSD1) induces wide-scale biological and epigenomic changes. Wellcome Open Res 2023; 8:146. [PMID: 37520936 PMCID: PMC10375057 DOI: 10.12688/wellcomeopenres.18826.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/10/2023] [Indexed: 08/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: Schistosoma mansoni, a parasitic worm species responsible for the neglected tropical disease schistosomiasis, undergoes strict developmental regulation of gene expression that is carefully controlled by both genetic and epigenetic processes. As inhibition of S. mansoni epigenetic machinery components impairs key transitions throughout the parasite's digenetic lifecycle, a greater understanding of how epi-drugs affect molecular processes in schistosomes could lead to the development of new anthelmintics. Methods: In vitro whole organism assays were used to assess the anti-schistosomal activity of 39 Homo sapiens Lysine Specific Demethylase 1 (HsLSD1) inhibitors on different parasite life cycle stages. Moreover, tissue-specific stains and genomic analysis shed light on the effect of these small molecules on the parasite biology. Results: Amongst this collection of small molecules, compound 33 was the most potent in reducing ex vivo viabilities of schistosomula, juveniles, miracidia and adults. At its sub-lethal concentration to adults (3.13 µM), compound 33 also significantly impacted oviposition, ovarian as well as vitellarian architecture and gonadal/neoblast stem cell proliferation. ATAC-seq analysis of adults demonstrated that compound 33 significantly affected chromatin structure (intragenic regions > intergenic regions), especially in genes differentially expressed in cell populations (e.g., germinal stem cells, hes2 + stem cell progeny, S1 cells and late female germinal cells) associated with these ex vivo phenotypes. KEGG analyses further highlighted that chromatin structure of genes associated with sugar metabolism as well as TGF-beta and Wnt signalling were also significantly perturbed by compound 33 treatment. Conclusions: This work confirms the importance of histone methylation in S. mansoni lifecycle transitions, suggesting that evaluation of LSD1 - targeting epi-drugs may facilitate the search for next-generation anti-schistosomal drugs. The ability of compound 33 to modulate chromatin structure as well as inhibit parasite survival, oviposition and stem cell proliferation warrants further investigations of this compound and its epigenetic target SmLSD1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gilda Padalino
- School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff, Wales, CF10 3NB, UK
| | | | | | - Jay H. Kalin
- Division of Genetics, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Philip A. Cole
- Division of Genetics, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | | | - Josephine Forde-Thomas
- Department of Life Sciences (DLS), Aberystwyth University, Aberystwyth, Wales, SY23 3DA, UK
| | - Iain W. Chalmers
- Department of Life Sciences (DLS), Aberystwyth University, Aberystwyth, Wales, SY23 3DA, UK
| | - Andrea Brancale
- School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff, Wales, CF10 3NB, UK
| | | | - Karl F. Hoffmann
- Department of Life Sciences (DLS), Aberystwyth University, Aberystwyth, Wales, SY23 3DA, UK
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5
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Barban do Patrocinio A. Schistosomiasis: Discovery of New Molecules for Disease Treatment and Vaccine Development. Infect Dis (Lond) 2022. [DOI: 10.5772/intechopen.104738] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
The parasite blood flukes belonging to the genus Schistosoma cause schistosomiasis. Among the Schistosoma species that infect humans, three stand out: Schistosoma japonicum (S. japonicum), which occurs in Asia, mainly in China and the Philippines; Schistosoma haematobium (S. haematobium), which occurs in Africa; and Schistosoma mansoni (S. mansoni), which occurs in Africa and South America and the center of Venezuela (Brazil). Research has shown that these species comprise strains that are resistant to Praziquantel (PZQ), the only drug of choice to fight the disease. Moreover, patients can be reinfected even after being treated with PZQ , and this drug does not act against young forms of the parasite. Therefore, several research groups have focused their studies on new molecules for disease treatment and vaccine development. This chapter will focus on (i) parasite resistance to PZQ , (ii) molecules that are currently being developed and tested as possible drugs against schistosomiasis, and (iii) candidates for vaccine development with a primary focus on clinical trials.
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Vondráček O, Mikeš L, Talacko P, Leontovyč R, Bulantová J, Horák P. Differential proteomic analysis of laser-microdissected penetration glands of avian schistosome cercariae with a focus on proteins involved in host invasion. Int J Parasitol 2022; 52:343-358. [PMID: 35218763 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpara.2021.12.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2021] [Revised: 11/30/2021] [Accepted: 12/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Schistosome invasive stages, cercariae, leave intermediate snail hosts, penetrate the skin of definitive hosts, and transform to schistosomula which migrate to the final location. During invasion, cercariae employ histolytic and other bioactive products of specialized holocrine secretory cells - postacetabular (PA) and circumacetabular (CA) penetration glands. Although several studies attempted to characterize protein composition of the in vitro-induced gland secretions in Schistosoma mansoni and Schistosoma japonicum, the results were somewhat inconsistent and dependent on the method of sample collection and processing. Products of both gland types mixed during their secretion did not allow localization of identified proteins to a particular gland. Here we compared proteomes of separately isolated cercarial gland cells of the avian schistosome Trichobilharzia szidati, employing laser-assisted microdissection and shotgun LC-MS/MS, thus obtaining the largest dataset so far of the representation and localization of cercarial penetration gland proteins. We optimized the methods of sample processing with cercarial bodies (heads) first. Alizarin-pre-stained, chemically non-fixed samples provided optimal results of MS analyses, and enabled us to distinguish PA and CA glands for microdissection. Using 7.5 x 106 μm3 sample volume per gland replicate, we identified 3347 peptides assigned to 792 proteins, from which 461 occurred in at least two of three replicates in either gland type (PA = 455, 40 exclusive; CA = 421, six exclusive; 60 proteins differed significantly in their abundance between the glands). Peptidases of five catalytic types accounted for ca. 8% and 6% of reliably identified proteins in PA and CA glands, respectively. Invadolysin, nardilysin, cathepsins B2 and L3, and elastase 2b orthologs were the major gland endopeptidases. Two cystatins and a serpin were highly abundant peptidase inhibitors in the glands. While PA glands generally had rich enzymatic equipment, CA glands were conspicuously abundant in venom allergen-like proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oldřich Vondráček
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Viničná 7, 128 44, Prague, Czechia
| | - Libor Mikeš
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Viničná 7, 128 44, Prague, Czechia.
| | - Pavel Talacko
- Proteomics Core Facility, Faculty of Science, Charles University, BIOCEV Průmyslová 595, Vestec, Czechia
| | - Roman Leontovyč
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Viničná 7, 128 44, Prague, Czechia
| | - Jana Bulantová
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Viničná 7, 128 44, Prague, Czechia
| | - Petr Horák
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Viničná 7, 128 44, Prague, Czechia
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How much epigenetics and quantitative trait loci (QTL) mapping tell us about parasitism maintenance and resistance/susceptibility to hosts. Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Basis Dis 2021; 1867:166214. [PMID: 34271118 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbadis.2021.166214] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2021] [Accepted: 07/07/2021] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
Interactions between the environment, parasites, vectors, and/or intermediate hosts are complex and involve several factors that define the success or failure of an infection. Among these interactions that can affect infections by a parasite, it is possible to highlight the genetic and epigenetic mechanisms in hosts and parasites. The interaction between genetics, epigenetics, infection, and the host's internal and external environment is decisive and dictates the outcome of a parasitic infection and the resistance, susceptibility, and transmission of this parasite. Epigenetic changes become important mediators in the regulation of gene expression, allowing the evasion of the parasite to immune host barriers, its transmission to new hosts, and the end of its development cycle. Epigenetics is a new frontier in the understanding of the interaction mechanisms between parasite and host that, along with information from the gene regions associated with complex phenotypic variations, the Quantitative Trait Loci, brings new possibilities to investigate more modern and efficient approaches to the treatment, control, and eradication of parasitic diseases. In this brief review, a general overview of the use of epigenetic information and mapping of Quantitative Trait Loci was summarized, both in genes of parasites and hosts, for understanding the mechanisms of resistance and/or susceptibility in parasitic relationships; also, the main search platforms were quantitatively compared, aiming to facilitate access data produced over a period of twenty years.
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8
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Hagerty JR, Kim HC, Jolly ER. Multiomic analysis of Schistosoma mansoni reveals unique expression profiles in cercarial heads and tails. Commun Biol 2021; 4:860. [PMID: 34253841 PMCID: PMC8275615 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-021-02366-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2020] [Accepted: 06/15/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Schistosomes require both molluscan and mammalian hosts for development. The larval cercaria exits the snail host and swims to identify and invade the mammalian host. The cercaria has two macrostructures, the head and the tail. The head invades the host, where it matures into an adult worm. The tail is lost after host invasion. Translation in the cercaria differs in each macrostructure, with higher levels of translation in the cercarial tail and little to no translational activity in the cercarial head. We compared the transcriptome and proteome of the cercarial head and tail and observed stark differences between the two macrostructures. We identified unique and differentially expressed transcripts and proteins, including ribosomal components expressed in higher levels in tails than in heads, which may explain the differences in translation levels between heads and tails. We also characterized the weak correlation between transcription and translation in infectious cercarial heads and tails.
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Affiliation(s)
- James R Hagerty
- Case Western Reserve University, Department of Biology, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Hyung Chul Kim
- Case Western Reserve University, Department of Biology, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Emmitt R Jolly
- Case Western Reserve University, Department of Biology, Cleveland, OH, USA.
- Case Western Reserve University, Center for Global Health and Disease, Cleveland, OH, USA.
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Hazell L, Allan F, Emery AM, Templeton MR. Ultraviolet disinfection of Schistosoma mansoni cercariae in water. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2021; 15:e0009572. [PMID: 34228750 PMCID: PMC8284627 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0009572] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2021] [Revised: 07/16/2021] [Accepted: 06/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Schistosomiasis is a parasitic disease that is transmitted by skin contact with waterborne schistosome cercariae. Mass drug administration with praziquantel is an effective control method, but it cannot prevent reinfection if contact with cercariae infested water continues. Providing safe water for contact activities such as laundry and bathing can help to reduce transmission. In this study we examine the direct effect of UV light on Schistosoma mansoni cercariae using ultraviolet light-emitting diodes (UV LEDs) and a low-pressure (LP) mercury arc discharge lamp. METHODOLOGY S. mansoni cercariae were exposed to UV light at four peak wavelengths: 255 nm, 265 nm, 285 nm (UV LEDs), and 253.7 nm (LP lamp) using bench scale collimated beam apparatus. The UV fluence ranged from 0-300 mJ/cm2 at each wavelength. Cercariae were studied under a stereo-microscope at 0, 60, and 180 minutes post-exposure and the viability of cercariae was determined by assessing their motility and morphology. CONCLUSION Very high UV fluences were required to kill S. mansoni cercariae, when compared to most other waterborne pathogens. At 265 nm a fluence of 247 mJ/cm2 (95% confidence interval (CI): 234-261 mJ/cm2) was required to achieve a 1-log10 reduction at 0 minutes post-exposure. Cercariae were visibly damaged at lower fluences, and the log reduction increased with time post-exposure at all wavelengths. Fluences of 127 mJ/cm2 (95% CI: 111-146 mJ/cm2) and 99 mJ/cm2 (95% CI: 85-113 mJ/cm2) were required to achieve a 1-log10 reduction at 60 and 180 minutes post-exposure at 265 nm. At 0 minutes post-exposure 285 nm was slightly less effective, but there was no statistical difference between 265 nm and 285 nm after 60 minutes. The least effective wavelengths were 255 nm and 253.7 nm. Due to the high fluences required, UV disinfection is unlikely to be an energy- or cost-efficient water treatment method against schistosome cercariae when compared to other methods such as chlorination, unless it can be demonstrated that UV-damaged cercariae are non-infective using alternative assay methods or there are improvements in UV LED technology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucinda Hazell
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
- * E-mail:
| | - Fiona Allan
- Wolfson Wellcome Biomedical Laboratories, Department of Life Sciences, Natural History Museum, London, United Kingdom
| | - Aidan M. Emery
- Wolfson Wellcome Biomedical Laboratories, Department of Life Sciences, Natural History Museum, London, United Kingdom
| | - Michael R. Templeton
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
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Schistosoma mansoni Heterochromatin Protein 1 (HP1) nuclear interactome in cercariae. J Proteomics 2021; 239:104170. [PMID: 33662613 DOI: 10.1016/j.jprot.2021.104170] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2020] [Revised: 02/17/2021] [Accepted: 02/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Schistosoma mansoni causes schistosomiasis, which affects 240 million people, and 700 million people are living at risk of infection. Epigenetic mechanisms are important for transcriptional control and are well-known conserved transcriptional co-regulators in evolution, already described in mammal, yeast, protozoa and S. mansoni, responsible for heterochromatization and gene silence mechanisms through the formation of complexes of transcriptional repression in chromatin. Previous results from another group have shown that HP1 (SmCBX) proteins form chromatin complexes with SmMDB2/3 proteins and regulate stem cells and oviposition in parasite adult worms. In addition, results from other groups have shown that cercariae are transcriptionally silent and epigenetic mechanisms are involved in the regulation of gene expression in this stage. In this work, our aim was to give insights into SmHP1 and proteins involved in transcriptional regulation in the cercariae stage. Using monoclonal anti-HP1 antibody for Western blotting, immunoprecipitation, and mass spectrometry, we preliminarily determined nuclear proteins that putatively interact with HP1 to form complexes to regulate gene expression, heterochromatin formation, and translational complexes in the cercariae stage. So far, our data is to give some insights into nuclear interactors in S. mansoni cercariae. SIGNIFICANCE: The significance of this original paper is the evidence for Heterochromatin Protein (HP1), interaction with nuclear proteins in the cercariae stage. Schistosoma mansoni cercariae are the infective stage of the human beings in endemic areas of schistosomiasis, a neglected disease, most prevalent in Brazil and Africa. While cercariae are waiting for a host, it does not feed, gene expression is silent and protein synthesis is stopped. These biochemical mechanisms are recovered when cercariae find a human host, but all proteins and mechanisms are not still elucidated. Until now, literature shows that these phenomena are regulated by epigenetics mechanisms, dependent of histone posttranslational modifications. But we have few pieces of evidence about the other proteins that participates in these processes and which are the co-regulators of expression.
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Epigenetic Markers Associated with Schistosomiasis. Helminthologia 2021; 58:28-40. [PMID: 33664616 PMCID: PMC7912237 DOI: 10.2478/helm-2021-0009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2020] [Accepted: 12/01/2020] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
It is important to consider the use of the epigenome as source of complementary data for genome knowledge, which is suitable for the diagnosis of schistosomiasis. Usually, a laboratory diagnosis of schistosomiasis is performed by means of 1. Egg detection in the stool or urine by microscopy remains with limited sensitivity; 2. Immunological screening, in which positivity persists after treatment, and 3. Molecular appraisals prevail over the disadvantages of the currently used methods. In this sense, molecular methodologies are being developed based on epigenetic biomarkers, aiming to improve the diagnosis of the disease and clinical treatment as early as possible to prevent the occurrence of serious liver damage.
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12
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Padalino G, Chalmers IW, Brancale A, Hoffmann KF. Identification of 6-(piperazin-1-yl)-1,3,5-triazine as a chemical scaffold with broad anti-schistosomal activities. Wellcome Open Res 2020; 5:169. [PMID: 32904763 PMCID: PMC7459852 DOI: 10.12688/wellcomeopenres.16069.2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Schistosomiasis, caused by infection with blood fluke schistosomes, is a neglected tropical disease of considerable importance in resource-poor communities throughout the developing world. In the absence of an immunoprophylactic vaccine and due to over-reliance on a single chemotherapy (praziquantel), schistosomiasis control is at risk should drug insensitive schistosomes develop. In this context, application of in silico virtual screening on validated schistosome targets has proven successful in the identification of novel small molecules with anti-schistosomal activity. Methods: Focusing on the Schistosoma mansoni histone methylation machinery, we herein have used RNA interference (RNAi), ELISA-mediated detection of H3K4 methylation, homology modelling and in silico virtual screening to identify a small collection of small molecules for anti-schistosomal testing. A combination of low to high-throughput whole organism assays were subsequently used to assess these compounds' activities on miracidia to sporocyst transformation, schistosomula phenotype/motility metrics and adult worm motility/oviposition readouts. Results: RNAi-mediated knockdown of smp_138030/smmll-1 (encoding a histone methyltransferase, HMT) in adult worms (~60%) reduced parasite motility and egg production. Moreover, in silico docking of compounds into Smp_138030/SmMLL-1's homology model highlighted competitive substrate pocket inhibitors, some of which demonstrated significant activity on miracidia, schistosomula and adult worm lifecycle stages together with variable effects on HepG2 cells. Particularly, the effect of compounds containing a 6-(piperazin-1-yl)-1,3,5-triazine core on adult schistosomes recapitulated the results of the smp_138030/smmll-1 RNAi screens. Conclusions: The biological data and the structure-activity relationship presented in this study define the 6-(piperazin-1-yl)-1,3,5-triazine core as a promising starting point in ongoing efforts to develop new urgently needed schistosomicides.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gilda Padalino
- Institute of Biological, Environmental and Rural Sciences (IBERS), Aberystwyth University, Aberystwyth, Wales, SY23 3DA, UK
| | - Iain W. Chalmers
- Institute of Biological, Environmental and Rural Sciences (IBERS), Aberystwyth University, Aberystwyth, Wales, SY23 3DA, UK
| | - Andrea Brancale
- School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff, Wales, CF10 3NB, UK
| | - Karl F. Hoffmann
- Institute of Biological, Environmental and Rural Sciences (IBERS), Aberystwyth University, Aberystwyth, Wales, SY23 3DA, UK
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13
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Padalino G, Chalmers IW, Brancale A, Hoffmann KF. Identification of 6-(piperazin-1-yl)-1,3,5-triazine as a chemical scaffold with broad anti-schistosomal activities. Wellcome Open Res 2020; 5:169. [PMID: 32904763 PMCID: PMC7459852 DOI: 10.12688/wellcomeopenres.16069.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Schistosomiasis, caused by infection with blood fluke schistosomes, is a neglected tropical disease of considerable importance in resource-poor communities throughout the developing world. In the absence of an immunoprophylactic vaccine and due to over-reliance on a single chemotherapy (praziquantel), schistosomiasis control is at risk should drug insensitive schistosomes develop. In this context, application of in silico virtual screening on validated schistosome targets has proven successful in the identification of novel small molecules with anti-schistosomal activity. Methods: Focusing on the Schistosoma mansoni histone methylation machinery, we herein have used RNA interference (RNAi), ELISA-mediated detection of H3K4 methylation, homology modelling and in silico virtual screening to identify a small collection of small molecules for anti-schistosomal testing. A combination of low to high-throughput whole organism assays were subsequently used to assess these compounds' activities on miracidia to sporocyst transformation, schistosomula phenotype/motility metrics and adult worm motility/oviposition readouts. Results: RNAi-mediated knockdown of smp_138030/smmll-1 (encoding a histone methyltransferase, HMT) in adult worms (~60%) reduced parasite motility and egg production. Moreover, in silico docking of compounds into Smp_138030/SmMLL-1's homology model highlighted competitive substrate pocket inhibitors, some of which demonstrated significant activity on miracidia, schistosomula and adult worm lifecycle stages together with variable effects on HepG2 cells. Particularly, the effect of compounds containing a 6-(piperazin-1-yl)-1,3,5-triazine core on adult schistosomes recapitulated the results of the smp_138030/smmll-1 RNAi screens. Conclusions: The biological data and the structure-activity relationship presented in this study define the 6-(piperazin-1-yl)-1,3,5-triazine core as a promising starting point in ongoing efforts to develop new urgently needed schistosomicides.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gilda Padalino
- Institute of Biological, Environmental and Rural Sciences (IBERS), Aberystwyth University, Aberystwyth, Wales, SY23 3DA, UK
| | - Iain W. Chalmers
- Institute of Biological, Environmental and Rural Sciences (IBERS), Aberystwyth University, Aberystwyth, Wales, SY23 3DA, UK
| | - Andrea Brancale
- School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff, Wales, CF10 3NB, UK
| | - Karl F. Hoffmann
- Institute of Biological, Environmental and Rural Sciences (IBERS), Aberystwyth University, Aberystwyth, Wales, SY23 3DA, UK
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14
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do Patrocinio AB, Cabral FJ, Bitencourt ALB, Brigato OM, Magalhães LG, de Lima Paula LA, Franco L, Guerra-Sá and R, Rodrigues V. Inhibition of 19S proteasome deubiquitinating activity in Schistosoma mansoni affects viability, oviposition, and structural changes. Parasitol Res 2020; 119:2159-2176. [DOI: 10.1007/s00436-020-06686-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2019] [Accepted: 04/07/2020] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
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15
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Lobo-Silva J, Cabral FJ, Amaral MS, Miyasato PA, de Freitas RP, Pereira ASA, Khouri MI, Barbosa MMF, Ramos PIP, Leite LCC, Asojo OA, Nakano E, Verjovski-Almeida S, Farias LP. The antischistosomal potential of GSK-J4, an H3K27 demethylase inhibitor: insights from molecular modeling, transcriptomics and in vitro assays. Parasit Vectors 2020; 13:140. [PMID: 32178714 PMCID: PMC7077139 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-020-4000-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2019] [Accepted: 02/26/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Schistosomiasis chemotherapy is largely based on praziquantel (PZQ). Although PZQ is very safe and tolerable, it does not prevent reinfection and emerging resistance is a primary concern. Recent studies have shown that the targeting of epigenetic machinery in Schistosoma mansoni may result in severe alterations in parasite development, leading to death. This new route for drug discovery in schistosomiasis has focused on classes of histone deacetylases (HDACs) and histone acetyltransferases (HATs) as epigenetic drug targets. Schistosoma histone demethylases also seem to be important in the transition of cercariae into schistosomula, as well as sexual differentiation in adult worms. Methods The Target-Pathogen database and molecular docking assays were used to prioritize the druggability of S. mansoni histone demethylases. The transcription profile of Smp_03400 was re-analyzed using available databases. The effect of GSK-J4 inhibitor in schistosomula and adult worms’ motility/viability/oviposition was assessed by in vitro assays. Ultrastructural analysis was performed on adult worms exposed to GSK-J4 by scanning electron microscopy, while internal structures and muscle fiber integrity was investigated by confocal microscopy after Langeronʼs carmine or phalloidin staining. Results The present evaluation of the potential druggability of 14 annotated S. mansoni demethylase enzymes identified the S. mansoni ortholog of human KDM6A/UTX (Smp_034000) as the most suitable druggable target. In silico analysis and molecular modeling indicated the potential for cofactor displacement by the chemical probe GSK-J4. Our re-analysis of transcriptomic data revealed that Smp_034000 expression peaks at 24 h in newly transformed schistosomula and 5-week-old adult worms. Moreover, this gene was highly expressed in the testes of mature male worms compared to the rest of the parasite body. In in vitro schistosome cultures, treatment with GSK-J4 produced striking effects on schistosomula mortality and adult worm motility and mortality, as well as egg oviposition, in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Unexpectedly, western blot assays did not demonstrate overall modulation of H3K27me3 levels in response to GSK-J4. Confocal and scanning electron microscopy revealed the loss of original features in muscle fibers and alterations in cell-cell contact following GSK-J4 treatment. Conclusions GSK-J4 presents promising potential for antischistosomal control; however, the underlying mechanisms warrant further investigation.![]()
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica Lobo-Silva
- Laboratório de Biomarcadores e Inflamação, Instituto Gonçalo Moniz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Salvador, Bahia, Brazil
| | - Fernanda J Cabral
- Departamento de Biologia Animal, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Campinas, SP, Brazil
| | - Murilo S Amaral
- Laboratório de Expressão Gênica em Eucariotos, Instituto Butantan, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | | | | | - Adriana S A Pereira
- Laboratório de Expressão Gênica em Eucariotos, Instituto Butantan, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.,Departamento de Bioquímica, Instituto de Química, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Mariana I Khouri
- Laboratório de Biomarcadores e Inflamação, Instituto Gonçalo Moniz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Salvador, Bahia, Brazil
| | - Mayra M F Barbosa
- Laboratório Especial de Desenvolvimento de Vacinas, Instituto Butantan, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Pablo I P Ramos
- Centro de Integração de Dados e Conhecimentos para Saúde (CIDACS), Instituto Gonçalo Moniz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Salvador, Bahia, Brazil
| | - Luciana C C Leite
- Laboratório Especial de Desenvolvimento de Vacinas, Instituto Butantan, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Oluwatoyin A Asojo
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Hampton University, Hampton, VA, USA
| | - Eliana Nakano
- Laboratório de Parasitologia, Instituto Butantan, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Sergio Verjovski-Almeida
- Laboratório de Expressão Gênica em Eucariotos, Instituto Butantan, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.,Departamento de Bioquímica, Instituto de Química, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Leonardo P Farias
- Laboratório de Biomarcadores e Inflamação, Instituto Gonçalo Moniz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Salvador, Bahia, Brazil.
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16
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Mota EA, do Patrocínio AB, Rodrigues V, da Silva JS, Pereira VC, Guerra-Sá R. Epigenetic and parasitological parameters are modulated in EBi3-/- mice infected with Schistosoma mansoni. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2020; 14:e0008080. [PMID: 32078636 PMCID: PMC7053770 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0008080] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2019] [Revised: 03/03/2020] [Accepted: 01/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Schistosoma mansoni adaptive success is related to regulation of replication, transcription and translation inside and outside the intermediate and definitive host. We hypothesize that S. mansoni alters its epigenetic state in response to the mammalian host immune system, reprogramming gene expression and altering the number of eggs. In response, a change in the DNA methylation profile of hepatocytes could occurs, modulating the extent of hepatic granuloma. To investigate this hypothesis, we used the EBi3-/- murine (Mus musculus) model of S. mansoni infection and evaluated changes in new and maintenance DNA methylation profiles in the liver after 55 days of infection. We evaluated expression of epigenetic genes and genes linked to histone deubiquitination in male and female S. mansoni worms. Comparing TET expression with DNMT expression indicated that DNA demethylation exceeds methylation in knockout infected and uninfected mice and in wild-type infected and uninfected mice. S. mansoni infection provokes activation of demethylation in EBi3-/-I mice (knockout infected). EBi3-/-C (knockout uninfected) mice present intrinsically higher DNA methylation than WTC (control uninfected) mice. EBi3-/-I mice show decreased hepatic damage considering volume and reduced number of granulomas compared to WTI mice; the absence of IL27 and IL35 pathways decreases the Th1 response resulting in minor liver damage. S. mansoni males and females recovered from EBi3-/-I mice have reduced expression of a deubiquitinating enzyme gene, orthologs of which target histones and affect chromatin state. SmMBD and SmHDAC1 expression levels are downregulated in male and female parasites recovered from EBi3-/-, leading to epigenetic gene downregulation in S. mansoni. Changes to the immunological background thus induce epigenetic changes in hepatic tissues and alterations in S. mansoni gene expression, which attenuate liver symptoms in the acute phase of schistosomiasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ester Alves Mota
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Laboratory, Department of Biological Sciences, Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto, Campus Morro do Cruzeiro, Ouro Preto, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Andressa Barban do Patrocínio
- Universidade de São Paulo, Medicine Faculty of Ribeirão Preto, Department of Biochemistry and Immunology; Vila Monte Alegre, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Vanderlei Rodrigues
- Universidade de São Paulo, Medicine Faculty of Ribeirão Preto, Department of Biochemistry and Immunology; Vila Monte Alegre, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - João Santana da Silva
- Universidade de São Paulo, Medicine Faculty of Ribeirão Preto, Department of Biochemistry and Immunology; Vila Monte Alegre, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Vanessa Carregaro Pereira
- Universidade de São Paulo, Medicine Faculty of Ribeirão Preto, Department of Biochemistry and Immunology; Vila Monte Alegre, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Renata Guerra-Sá
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Laboratory, Department of Biological Sciences, Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto, Campus Morro do Cruzeiro, Ouro Preto, Minas Gerais, Brazil
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17
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Marks ND, Winter AD, Gu HY, Maitland K, Gillan V, Ambroz M, Martinelli A, Laing R, MacLellan R, Towne J, Roberts B, Hanks E, Devaney E, Britton C. Profiling microRNAs through development of the parasitic nematode Haemonchus identifies nematode-specific miRNAs that suppress larval development. Sci Rep 2019; 9:17594. [PMID: 31772378 PMCID: PMC6879476 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-54154-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2019] [Accepted: 11/04/2019] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Parasitic nematodes transition between dramatically different free-living and parasitic stages, with correctly timed development and migration crucial to successful completion of their lifecycle. However little is known of the mechanisms controlling these transitions. microRNAs (miRNAs) negatively regulate gene expression post-transcriptionally and regulate development of diverse organisms. Here we used microarrays to determine the expression profile of miRNAs through development and in gut tissue of the pathogenic nematode Haemonchus contortus. Two miRNAs, mir-228 and mir-235, were enriched in infective L3 larvae, an arrested stage analogous to Caenorhabditis elegans dauer larvae. We hypothesized that these miRNAs may suppress development and maintain arrest. Consistent with this, inhibitors of these miRNAs promoted H. contortus development from L3 to L4 stage, while genetic deletion of C. elegans homologous miRNAs reduced dauer arrest. Epistasis studies with C. elegans daf-2 mutants showed that mir-228 and mir-235 synergise with FOXO transcription factor DAF-16 in the insulin signaling pathway. Target prediction suggests that these miRNAs suppress metabolic and transcription factor activity required for development. Our results provide novel insight into the expression and functions of specific miRNAs in regulating nematode development and identify miRNAs and their target genes as potential therapeutic targets to limit parasite survival within the host.
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Affiliation(s)
- Neil D Marks
- Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health and Comparative Medicine, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Bearsden Road, Glasgow, G61 1QH, UK
| | - Alan D Winter
- Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health and Comparative Medicine, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Bearsden Road, Glasgow, G61 1QH, UK
- West of Scotland Genetic Services, Level 2B, Laboratory Medicine, Queen Elizabeth University Hospital, Govan Road, Glasgow, G51 4TF, UK
| | - Henry Y Gu
- Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health and Comparative Medicine, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Bearsden Road, Glasgow, G61 1QH, UK
| | - Kirsty Maitland
- Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health and Comparative Medicine, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Bearsden Road, Glasgow, G61 1QH, UK
| | - Victoria Gillan
- Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health and Comparative Medicine, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Bearsden Road, Glasgow, G61 1QH, UK
| | - Martin Ambroz
- Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health and Comparative Medicine, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Bearsden Road, Glasgow, G61 1QH, UK
- Department of Biochemical Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, Charles University, Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic
| | - Axel Martinelli
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridgeshire, CB10 1SA, UK
- Global Station for Zoonosis Control, Global Institution for Collaborative Research and Education (GI-CoRE), Hokkaido University, N20 W10, Kita-ku, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Roz Laing
- Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health and Comparative Medicine, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Bearsden Road, Glasgow, G61 1QH, UK
| | - Rachel MacLellan
- Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health and Comparative Medicine, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Bearsden Road, Glasgow, G61 1QH, UK
| | - Jessica Towne
- Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health and Comparative Medicine, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Bearsden Road, Glasgow, G61 1QH, UK
| | - Brett Roberts
- Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health and Comparative Medicine, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Bearsden Road, Glasgow, G61 1QH, UK
- Wellcome Centre for Integrative Parasitology, Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University Avenue, Glasgow, G12 8QQ, UK
| | - Eve Hanks
- Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health and Comparative Medicine, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Bearsden Road, Glasgow, G61 1QH, UK
| | - Eileen Devaney
- Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health and Comparative Medicine, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Bearsden Road, Glasgow, G61 1QH, UK.
| | - Collette Britton
- Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health and Comparative Medicine, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Bearsden Road, Glasgow, G61 1QH, UK.
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18
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Hagerty JR, Jolly ER. Heads or tails? Differential translational regulation in cercarial heads and tails of schistosome worms. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0224358. [PMID: 31658287 PMCID: PMC6816793 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0224358] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2019] [Accepted: 10/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Schistosomes are obligate helminths responsible for over 218 million cases of human schistosomiasis in 78 countries around the world. Infection occurs when free-swimming cercariae penetrate human skin and initiate developmental progression into parasitic obligate worms that consume red blood cells. Transcriptomic studies of infectious cercariae reveal abundant mRNAs associated with energy metabolism and host invasion. However, the cercaria is mostly transcriptionally quiescent, suggesting that most mRNAs are primed prior to cercarial escape from the snail host. The use of transcriptomics to understand protein expression presumes that transcription and translation are functionally coupled and the cercarial stage has categorically been treated as a single unit for -omic analysis. Per contra, the relationship between transcription and translation in infectious cercariae has not been described. To understand the correlation between transcription and translation in cercariae, we separately measured nascent translation levels in cercarial heads, cercarial tails and in the developing schistosomula, the next stage of its life cycle. The loss of the cercarial tail is essential for the transformation from a cercaria to a schistosomulum. We observed that translation was initially limited and the translation rate accelerated during the first 72-hours after tail loss. When we tested nascent translation in cercarial heads, cercarial tails, whole cercariae, and 4-hour schistosomula, we found that translation is significantly upregulated in the cercarial tail when compared to the cercarial head and that translation was undetectable in heads using immunofluorescent image quantification (p = .0005). These data represent a major shift in how we understand the cercarial stage. The cercarial head is mostly transcriptionally and translationally quiescent while being sufficient for progression into a schistosomulum. In addition, transcription and translation are not linked in Schistosoma mansoni cercaria. Thus, our current conceptual approach of treating the cercaria as a single functional unit for -omic studies may be insufficient to understand cercarial development.
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Affiliation(s)
- James R. Hagerty
- Case Western Reserve University, Department of Biology, Cleveland, OH, United States of America
| | - Emmitt R. Jolly
- Case Western Reserve University, Department of Biology, Cleveland, OH, United States of America
- Case Western Reserve University, Center for Global Health and Disease, Cleveland, OH, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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19
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Monaldi D, Rotili D, Lancelot J, Marek M, Wössner N, Lucidi A, Tomaselli D, Ramos-Morales E, Romier C, Pierce RJ, Mai A, Jung M. Structure–Reactivity Relationships on Substrates and Inhibitors of the Lysine Deacylase Sirtuin 2 from Schistosoma mansoni (SmSirt2). J Med Chem 2019; 62:8733-8759. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.9b00638] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Daria Monaldi
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Freiburg, Albertstr. 25, 79104 Freiburg, Germany
| | - Dante Rotili
- Dipartimento di Chimica e Tecnologie del Farmaco, “Sapienza” Università di Roma, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Julien Lancelot
- Université de Lille, CNRS, Inserm, CHU Lille, Institut Pasteur de Lille, U1019—UMR 8204—CIIL—Centre d’Infection et d’Immunité de Lille, 59000 Lille, France
| | - Martin Marek
- Département de Biologie Structurale Intégrative, Institut de Génétique et Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire (IGBMC), Université de Strasbourg (UDS), CNRS, INSERM, 67404 Illkirch Cedex, France
| | - Nathalie Wössner
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Freiburg, Albertstr. 25, 79104 Freiburg, Germany
| | - Alessia Lucidi
- Dipartimento di Chimica e Tecnologie del Farmaco, “Sapienza” Università di Roma, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Daniela Tomaselli
- Dipartimento di Chimica e Tecnologie del Farmaco, “Sapienza” Università di Roma, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Elizabeth Ramos-Morales
- Département de Biologie Structurale Intégrative, Institut de Génétique et Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire (IGBMC), Université de Strasbourg (UDS), CNRS, INSERM, 67404 Illkirch Cedex, France
| | - Christophe Romier
- Département de Biologie Structurale Intégrative, Institut de Génétique et Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire (IGBMC), Université de Strasbourg (UDS), CNRS, INSERM, 67404 Illkirch Cedex, France
| | - Raymond J. Pierce
- Université de Lille, CNRS, Inserm, CHU Lille, Institut Pasteur de Lille, U1019—UMR 8204—CIIL—Centre d’Infection et d’Immunité de Lille, 59000 Lille, France
| | - Antonello Mai
- Dipartimento di Chimica e Tecnologie del Farmaco, “Sapienza” Università di Roma, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Manfred Jung
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Freiburg, Albertstr. 25, 79104 Freiburg, Germany
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20
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Augusto RDC, Duval D, Grunau C. Effects of the Environment on Developmental Plasticity and Infection Success of Schistosoma Parasites - An Epigenetic Perspective. Front Microbiol 2019; 10:1475. [PMID: 31354641 PMCID: PMC6632547 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2019.01475] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2018] [Accepted: 06/13/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Evidence of how environmental cues affect the phenotypes of, and compatibility between Schistosoma mansoni and their hosts come from studies in environmental parasitology and research on host diet and chemotherapeutic treatment. Schistosomes deal with a multitude of signals from the water environment as well as cues that come from their hosts, particularly in response to molecules that serve to recognize and destroy them, i.e., those molecules that arise from their hosts' immune systems. These interactions shape, not only the parasite's morphology, metabolism and behavior in the short-term, but also their infection success and development into different stage-specific phenotypes later in their life cycle, through the modification of the parasite's inheritance system. Developmental phenotypic plasticity of S. mansoni is based on epigenetic mechanisms which are also sensitive to environmental cues, but are poorly understood. Here, we argue that specific cues from the environment could lead to changes in parasite development and infectivity, and consequently, environmental signals that come from environmental control measures could be used to influence S. mansoni dynamics and transmission. This approach poses a challenge since epigenetic modification can lead to unexpected and undesired outcomes. However, we suggest that a better understanding of how environmental cues are interpreted by epigenome during schistosome development and host interactions could potentially be applied to control parasite's virulence. We review evidence about the role of environmental cues on the phenotype of S. mansoni and the compatibility between this parasite and its intermediate and definitive hosts.
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21
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Picard MAL, Vicoso B, Roquis D, Bulla I, Augusto RC, Arancibia N, Grunau C, Boissier J, Cosseau C. Dosage Compensation throughout the Schistosoma mansoni Lifecycle: Specific Chromatin Landscape of the Z Chromosome. Genome Biol Evol 2019; 11:1909-1922. [PMID: 31273378 PMCID: PMC6628874 DOI: 10.1093/gbe/evz133] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/15/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Differentiated sex chromosomes are accompanied by a difference in gene dose between X/Z-specific and autosomal genes. At the transcriptomic level, these sex-linked genes can lead to expression imbalance, or gene dosage can be compensated by epigenetic mechanisms and results into expression level equalization. Schistosoma mansoni has been previously described as a ZW species (i.e., female heterogamety, in opposition to XY male heterogametic species) with a partial dosage compensation, but underlying mechanisms are still unexplored. Here, we combine transcriptomic (RNA-Seq) and epigenetic data (ChIP-Seq against H3K4me3, H3K27me3, and H4K20me1 histone marks) in free larval cercariae and intravertebrate parasitic stages. For the first time, we describe differences in dosage compensation status in ZW females, depending on the parasitic status: free cercariae display global dosage compensation, whereas intravertebrate stages show a partial dosage compensation. We also highlight regional differences of gene expression along the Z chromosome in cercariae, but not in the intravertebrate stages. Finally, we feature a consistent permissive chromatin landscape of the Z chromosome in both sexes and stages. We argue that dosage compensation in schistosomes is characterized by chromatin remodeling mechanisms in the Z-specific region.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marion A L Picard
- Université de Perpignan Via Domitia, IHPE UMR 5244, CNRS, IFREMER, Université de Montpellier, Perpignan, France
- Institute of Science and Technology Austria, Klosterneuburg, Austria
| | - Beatriz Vicoso
- Institute of Science and Technology Austria, Klosterneuburg, Austria
| | - David Roquis
- Université de Perpignan Via Domitia, IHPE UMR 5244, CNRS, IFREMER, Université de Montpellier, Perpignan, France
| | - Ingo Bulla
- Université de Perpignan Via Domitia, IHPE UMR 5244, CNRS, IFREMER, Université de Montpellier, Perpignan, France
| | - Ronaldo C Augusto
- Université de Perpignan Via Domitia, IHPE UMR 5244, CNRS, IFREMER, Université de Montpellier, Perpignan, France
| | - Nathalie Arancibia
- Université de Perpignan Via Domitia, IHPE UMR 5244, CNRS, IFREMER, Université de Montpellier, Perpignan, France
| | - Christoph Grunau
- Université de Perpignan Via Domitia, IHPE UMR 5244, CNRS, IFREMER, Université de Montpellier, Perpignan, France
| | - Jérôme Boissier
- Université de Perpignan Via Domitia, IHPE UMR 5244, CNRS, IFREMER, Université de Montpellier, Perpignan, France
| | - Céline Cosseau
- Université de Perpignan Via Domitia, IHPE UMR 5244, CNRS, IFREMER, Université de Montpellier, Perpignan, France
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Di Maggio LS, Tirloni L, Pinto AFM, Diedrich JK, Yates JR, Carmona C, Berasain P, da Silva Vaz I. A proteomic comparison of excretion/secretion products in Fasciola hepatica newly excysted juveniles (NEJ) derived from Lymnaea viatrix or Pseudosuccinea columella. Exp Parasitol 2019; 201:11-20. [PMID: 31022392 DOI: 10.1016/j.exppara.2019.04.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2018] [Revised: 03/19/2019] [Accepted: 04/12/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The characteristics of parasitic infections are often tied to host behavior. Although most studies have investigated definitive hosts, intermediate hosts can also play a role in shaping the distribution and accumulation of parasites. This is particularly relevant in larval stages, where intermediate host's behavior could potentially interfere in the molecules secreted by the parasite into the next host during infection. To investigate this hypothesis, we used a proteomic approach to analyze excretion/secretion products (ESP) from Fasciola hepatica newly excysted juveniles (NEJ) derived from two intermediate host species, Lymnaea viatrix and Pseudosuccinea columella. The two analyzed proteomes showed differences in identity, abundance, and functional classification of the proteins. This observation could be due to differences in the biological cycle of the parasite in the host, environmental aspects, and/or host-dependent factors. Categories such as protein modification machinery, protease inhibitors, signal transduction, and cysteine-rich proteins showed different abundance between samples. More specifically, differences in abundance of individual proteins such as peptidyl-prolyl cis-trans isomerase, thioredoxin, cathepsin B, cathepsin L, and Kunitz-type inhibitors were identified. Based on the differences identified between NEJ ESP samples, we can conclude that the intermediate host is a factor influencing the proteomic profile of ESP in F. hepatica.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucía Sánchez Di Maggio
- Centro de Biotecnologia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil; Unidad de Biología Parasitaria, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de la República Oriental del Uruguay, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Lucas Tirloni
- Centro de Biotecnologia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil; College of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
| | - Antônio F M Pinto
- Department of Molecular Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, CA, USA
| | - Jolene K Diedrich
- Department of Molecular Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, CA, USA
| | - John R Yates
- Department of Molecular Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, CA, USA
| | - Carlos Carmona
- Unidad de Biología Parasitaria, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de la República Oriental del Uruguay, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Patricia Berasain
- Unidad de Biología Parasitaria, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de la República Oriental del Uruguay, Montevideo, Uruguay.
| | - Itabajara da Silva Vaz
- Centro de Biotecnologia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil; Faculdade de Veterinária, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil.
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Hunter KS, Davies SJ. Host Adaptive Immune Status Regulates Expression of the Schistosome AMP-Activated Protein Kinase. Front Immunol 2018; 9:2699. [PMID: 30519243 PMCID: PMC6260181 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2018.02699] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2018] [Accepted: 11/01/2018] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Schistosomes exhibit profound developmental adaptations in response to the immune status of their mammalian host, including significant attenuation of parasite growth, development and reproduction in response to deficits in host adaptive immunity. These observations led us to hypothesize that schistosomes regulate the utilization of energy resources in response to immunological conditions within the host. To test this hypothesis, we identified and characterized the Schistosoma mansoni AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), a heterotrimeric enzyme complex that is central to regulating energy metabolism at the cellular and organismal level in eukaryotes. We show that expression of the catalytic α subunit is developmentally regulated during the parasite life cycle, with peak expression occurring in adult worms. However, the protein is present and phosphorylated in all life cycle stages examined, suggesting a need for active regulation of energy resources throughout the life cycle. In contrast, transcription of the AMPK α gene is down-regulated in cercariae and schistosomula, suggesting that the protein in these life cycle stages is pre-synthesized in the sporocyst and that expression must be re-initiated once inside the mammalian host. We also show that schistosome AMPK α activity in adult worms is sensitive to changes in the parasite's environment, suggesting a mechanism by which schistosome metabolism may be responsive to host immune factors. Finally, we show that AMPK α expression is significantly down-regulated in parasites isolated from immunodeficient mice, suggesting that modulation of parasite energy metabolism may contribute to the attenuation of schistosome growth and reproduction in immunodeficient hosts. These findings provide insights into the molecular interactions between schistosomes and their vertebrate hosts and suggest that parasite energy metabolism may represent a novel target for anti-schistosome interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kasandra S Hunter
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, F. Edward Hébert School of Medicine, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Stephen J Davies
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, F. Edward Hébert School of Medicine, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD, United States
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Padalino G, Ferla S, Brancale A, Chalmers IW, Hoffmann KF. Combining bioinformatics, cheminformatics, functional genomics and whole organism approaches for identifying epigenetic drug targets in Schistosoma mansoni. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL FOR PARASITOLOGY-DRUGS AND DRUG RESISTANCE 2018; 8:559-570. [PMID: 30455056 PMCID: PMC6288008 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpddr.2018.10.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2018] [Revised: 10/22/2018] [Accepted: 10/22/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Schistosomiasis endangers the lives of greater than 200 million people every year and is predominantly controlled by a single class chemotherapy, praziquantel (PZQ). Development of PZQ replacement (to combat the threat of PZQ insensitivity/resistance arising) or combinatorial (to facilitate the killing of PZQ-insensitive juvenile schistosomes) chemotherapies would help sustain this control strategy into the future. Here, we re-categorise two families of druggable epigenetic targets in Schistosoma mansoni, the histone methyltransferases (HMTs) and the histone demethylases (HDMs). Amongst these, a S. mansoni Lysine Specific Demethylase 1 (SmLSD1, Smp_150560) homolog was selected for further analyses. Homology modelling of SmLSD1 and in silico docking of greater than four thousand putative inhibitors identified seven (L1 – L7) showing more favourable binding to the target pocket of SmLSD1 vs Homo sapiens HsLSD1; six of these seven (L1 – L6) plus three structural analogues of L7 (L8 – L10) were subsequently screened against schistosomula using the Roboworm anthelmintic discovery platform. The most active compounds (L10 - pirarubicin > L8 – danunorubicin hydrochloride) were subsequently tested against juvenile (3 wk old) and mature (7 wk old) schistosome stages and found to impede motility, suppress egg production and affect tegumental surfaces. When compared to a surrogate human cell line (HepG2), a moderate window of selectivity was observed for the most active compound L10 (selectivity indices - 11 for schistosomula, 9 for juveniles, 1.5 for adults). Finally, RNA interference of SmLSD1 recapitulated the egg-laying defect of schistosomes co-cultivated in the presence of L10 and L8. These preliminary results suggest that SmLSD1 represents an attractive new target for schistosomiasis; identification of more potent and selective SmLSD1 compounds, however, is essential. Nevertheless, the approaches described herein highlight an interdisciplinary strategy for selecting and screening novel/repositioned anti-schistosomals, which can be applied to any druggable (epigenetic) target encoded by the parasite's genome. Schistosoma mansoni contains 27 histone methyltransferases (HMTs) and 14 histone demethylases (HDMs). S. mansoni lysine specific demethylase 1 (SmLSD1) is a druggable target. Schistosomes treated with the putative SmLSD1 inhibitor pirarubicin or siRNAs targeting SmLSD1 are less fecund.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gilda Padalino
- The Institute of Biological, Environmental and Rural Sciences (IBERS), Aberystwyth University, SY23 3DA, Wales, UK.
| | - Salvatore Ferla
- School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff, CF10 3NB, United Kingdom.
| | - Andrea Brancale
- School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff, CF10 3NB, United Kingdom.
| | - Iain W Chalmers
- The Institute of Biological, Environmental and Rural Sciences (IBERS), Aberystwyth University, SY23 3DA, Wales, UK.
| | - Karl F Hoffmann
- The Institute of Biological, Environmental and Rural Sciences (IBERS), Aberystwyth University, SY23 3DA, Wales, UK.
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25
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Phytochemical Molluscicides and Schistosomiasis: What We Know and What We Still Need to Learn. Vet Sci 2018; 5:vetsci5040094. [PMID: 30404145 PMCID: PMC6313863 DOI: 10.3390/vetsci5040094] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2018] [Revised: 10/30/2018] [Accepted: 11/02/2018] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Worldwide schistosomiasis remains a serious public health problem with approximately 67 million people infected and 200 million at risk of infection from inhabiting or transiting endemically active regions. Africa, South America, the Caribbean, and the Middle East are the main transmission regions of Schistosoma mansoni. The fight against transmission through the use of molluscicides is not recent and has been advocated as the only activity with the possibility of interruption of transmission in small, epidemiologically active outbreaks. Euphorbia milii var. hislopii (syn. splendens) (Des Moulins, 1826) is the most promising for use in official schistosomiasis control programs according to the WHO. In this review, we show that an understanding of some how E. milii latex affects the snail vector and their parasites from a molecular level to field conditions is lacking. On the other hand, this type of treatment could also provide a rationale for the control of schistosomiasis and other parasitosis. Several publications contribute to enforcing the use of E. milii latex in endemic countries as a cheap alternative or complement to mass drug treatment with praziquantel, the only available drug to cure the patients (without preventing re-infection).
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26
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Kincaid-Smith J, Picard MAL, Cosseau C, Boissier J, Severac D, Grunau C, Toulza E. Parent-of-Origin-Dependent Gene Expression in Male and Female Schistosome Parasites. Genome Biol Evol 2018; 10:840-856. [PMID: 29447366 PMCID: PMC5861417 DOI: 10.1093/gbe/evy037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/12/2018] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Schistosomes are the causative agents of schistosomiasis, a neglected tropical disease affecting over 230 million people worldwide. Additionally to their major impact on human health, they are also models of choice in evolutionary biology. These parasitic flatworms are unique among the common hermaphroditic trematodes as they have separate sexes. This so-called “evolutionary scandal” displays a female heterogametic genetic sex-determination system (ZZ males and ZW females), as well as a pronounced adult sexual dimorphism. These phenotypic differences are determined by a shared set of genes in both sexes, potentially leading to intralocus sexual conflicts. To resolve these conflicts in sexually selected traits, molecular mechanisms such as sex-biased gene expression could occur, but parent-of-origin gene expression also provides an alternative. In this work we investigated the latter mechanism, that is, genes expressed preferentially from either the maternal or the paternal allele, in Schistosoma mansoni species. To this end, transcriptomes from male and female hybrid adults obtained by strain crosses were sequenced. Strain-specific single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers allowed us to discriminate the parental origin, while reciprocal crosses helped to differentiate parental expression from strain-specific expression. We identified genes containing SNPs expressed in a parent-of-origin manner consistent with paternal and maternal imprints. Although the majority of the SNPs was identified in mitochondrial and Z-specific loci, the remaining SNPs found in male and female transcriptomes were situated in genes that have the potential to explain sexual differences in schistosome parasites. Furthermore, we identified and validated four new Z-specific scaffolds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julien Kincaid-Smith
- IHPE, University of Montpellier, CNRS, IFREMER, University of Perpignan Via Domitia, Perpignan, France
| | - Marion A L Picard
- Institute of Science and Technology Austria, Klosterneuburg, Austria
| | - Céline Cosseau
- IHPE, University of Montpellier, CNRS, IFREMER, University of Perpignan Via Domitia, Perpignan, France
| | - Jérôme Boissier
- IHPE, University of Montpellier, CNRS, IFREMER, University of Perpignan Via Domitia, Perpignan, France
| | - Dany Severac
- MGX, BioCampus Montpellier, CNRS, INSERM, Université de Montpellier, France
| | - Christoph Grunau
- IHPE, University of Montpellier, CNRS, IFREMER, University of Perpignan Via Domitia, Perpignan, France
| | - Eve Toulza
- IHPE, University of Montpellier, CNRS, IFREMER, University of Perpignan Via Domitia, Perpignan, France
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27
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Geyer KK, Munshi SE, Whiteland HL, Fernandez-Fuentes N, Phillips DW, Hoffmann KF. Methyl-CpG-binding (SmMBD2/3) and chromobox (SmCBX) proteins are required for neoblast proliferation and oviposition in the parasitic blood fluke Schistosoma mansoni. PLoS Pathog 2018; 14:e1007107. [PMID: 29953544 PMCID: PMC6023120 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1007107] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2018] [Accepted: 05/17/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
While schistosomiasis remains a significant health problem in low to middle income countries, it also represents a recently recognised threat to more economically-developed regions. Until a vaccine is developed, this neglected infectious disease is primarily controlled by praziquantel, a drug with a currently unknown mechanism of action. By further elucidating how Schistosoma molecular components cooperate to regulate parasite developmental processes, next generation targets will be identified. Here, we continue our studies on schistosome epigenetic participants and characterise the function of a DNA methylation reader, the Schistosoma mansoni methyl-CpG-binding domain protein (SmMBD2/3). Firstly, we demonstrate that SmMBD2/3 contains amino acid features essential for 5-methyl cytosine (5mC) binding and illustrate that adult schistosome nuclear extracts (females > males) contain this activity. We subsequently show that SmMBD2/3 translocates into nuclear compartments of transfected murine NIH-3T3 fibroblasts and recombinant SmMBD2/3 exhibits 5mC binding activity. Secondly, using a yeast-two hybrid (Y2H) screen, we show that SmMBD2/3 interacts with the chromo shadow domain (CSD) of an epigenetic adaptor, S. mansoni chromobox protein (SmCBX). Moreover, fluorescent in situ hybridisation (FISH) mediated co-localisation of Smmbd2/3 and Smcbx to mesenchymal cells as well as somatic- and reproductive- stem cells confirms the Y2H results and demonstrates that these interacting partners are ubiquitously expressed and found within both differentiated as well as proliferating cells. Finally, using RNA interference, we reveal that depletion of Smmbd2/3 or Smcbx in adult females leads to significant reductions (46-58%) in the number of proliferating somatic stem cells (PSCs or neoblasts) as well as in the quantity of in vitro laid eggs. Collectively, these results further expand upon the schistosome components involved in epigenetic processes and suggest that pharmacological inhibition of SmMBD2/3 and/or SmCBX biology could prove useful in the development of future schistosomiasis control strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kathrin K. Geyer
- Institute of Biological, Environmental and Rural Sciences, Aberystwyth University, Aberystwyth, United Kingdom
| | - Sabrina E. Munshi
- Institute of Biological, Environmental and Rural Sciences, Aberystwyth University, Aberystwyth, United Kingdom
| | - Helen L. Whiteland
- Institute of Biological, Environmental and Rural Sciences, Aberystwyth University, Aberystwyth, United Kingdom
| | - Narcis Fernandez-Fuentes
- Institute of Biological, Environmental and Rural Sciences, Aberystwyth University, Aberystwyth, United Kingdom
| | - Dylan W. Phillips
- Institute of Biological, Environmental and Rural Sciences, Aberystwyth University, Aberystwyth, United Kingdom
| | - Karl F. Hoffmann
- Institute of Biological, Environmental and Rural Sciences, Aberystwyth University, Aberystwyth, United Kingdom
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28
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Histone methylation changes are required for life cycle progression in the human parasite Schistosoma mansoni. PLoS Pathog 2018; 14:e1007066. [PMID: 29782530 PMCID: PMC5983875 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1007066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2018] [Revised: 06/01/2018] [Accepted: 04/30/2018] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Epigenetic mechanisms and chromatin structure play an important role in development. Their impact is therefore expected to be strong in parasites with complex life cycles and multiple, strikingly different, developmental stages, i.e. developmental plasticity. Some studies have already described how the chromatin structure, through histone modifications, varies from a developmental stage to another in a few unicellular parasites. While H3K4me3 profiles remain relatively constant, H3K27 trimethylation and bivalent methylation show strong variation. Inhibitors (A366 and GSK343) of H3K27 histone methyltransferase activity in S. mansoni efficiently blocked miracidium to sporocyst transition indicating that H3K27 trimethylation is required for life cycle progression. As S. mansoni is a multicellular parasite that significantly affects both the health and economy of endemic areas, a better understanding of fluke developmental processes within the definitive host will likely highlight novel disease control strategies. Towards this goal, we also studied H4K20me1 in female cercariae and adults. In particular, we found that bivalent trimethylation of H3K4 and H3K27 at the transcription start site of genes is a landmark of the cercarial stage. In cercariae, H3K27me3 presence and strong enrichment in H4K20me1 over long regions (10–100 kb) is associated with development related genes. Here, we provide a broad overview of the chromatin structure of a metazoan parasite throughout its most important lifecycle stages. The five developmental stages studied here present distinct chromatin structures, indicating that histone methylation plays an important role during development. Hence, components of the histone methylation (and demethylation) machinery may provide suitable Schistosomiasis control targets. Schistosoma mansoni is a parasitic flatworm and causative agent of intestinal schistosomiasis, a neglected tropical disease affecting 67 million people worldwide. The parasite has a complex life cycle involving two consecutive obligate hosts (a poikilotherm snail and a homeotherm mammal) and two transitions between these hosts as free-swimming larvae. Here, we show that the chromatin structure of five different developmental stages is characterized by specific changes in chemical modifications of histones, basic proteins that are closely associated with DNA (trimethylation of lysines 4 and 27 and histone H3, and monomethylation of lysine 20 on histone H4). These modifications occur around protein coding genes as well as within repetitive genomic elements. A functional role for histone methylation during schistosome development was elucidated by the use of epi-drugs targeting G9a/GLP and EZH2 histone methyltransferase orthologs in S. mansoni. Our results indicate that histone methylation plays an important role during schistosome development and suggest that the enzymes responsible for maintaining these chromatin modifications are suitable targets for anti-schistosomal drugs.
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29
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Stroehlein AJ, Young ND, Gasser RB. Advances in kinome research of parasitic worms - implications for fundamental research and applied biotechnological outcomes. Biotechnol Adv 2018; 36:915-934. [PMID: 29477756 DOI: 10.1016/j.biotechadv.2018.02.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2017] [Revised: 02/15/2018] [Accepted: 02/21/2018] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Protein kinases are enzymes that play essential roles in the regulation of many cellular processes. Despite expansions in the fields of genomics, transcriptomics and bioinformatics, there is limited information on the kinase complements (kinomes) of most eukaryotic organisms, including parasitic worms that cause serious diseases of humans and animals. The biological uniqueness of these worms and the draft status of their genomes pose challenges for the identification and classification of protein kinases using established tools. In this article, we provide an account of kinase biology, the roles of kinases in diseases and their importance as drug targets, and drug discovery efforts in key socioeconomically important parasitic worms. In this context, we summarise methods and resources commonly used for the curation, identification, classification and functional annotation of protein kinase sequences from draft genomes; review recent advances made in the characterisation of the worm kinomes; and discuss the implications of these advances for investigating kinase signalling and developing small-molecule inhibitors as new anti-parasitic drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andreas J Stroehlein
- Melbourne Veterinary School, Department of Veterinary Biosciences, Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia.
| | - Neil D Young
- Melbourne Veterinary School, Department of Veterinary Biosciences, Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia
| | - Robin B Gasser
- Melbourne Veterinary School, Department of Veterinary Biosciences, Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia.
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30
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Marinov GK, Kundaje A. ChIP-ping the branches of the tree: functional genomics and the evolution of eukaryotic gene regulation. Brief Funct Genomics 2018; 17:116-137. [PMID: 29529131 PMCID: PMC5889016 DOI: 10.1093/bfgp/ely004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Advances in the methods for detecting protein-DNA interactions have played a key role in determining the directions of research into the mechanisms of transcriptional regulation. The most recent major technological transformation happened a decade ago, with the move from using tiling arrays [chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP)-on-Chip] to high-throughput sequencing (ChIP-seq) as a readout for ChIP assays. In addition to the numerous other ways in which it is superior to arrays, by eliminating the need to design and manufacture them, sequencing also opened the door to carrying out comparative analyses of genome-wide transcription factor occupancy across species and studying chromatin biology in previously less accessible model and nonmodel organisms, thus allowing us to understand the evolution and diversity of regulatory mechanisms in unprecedented detail. Here, we review the biological insights obtained from such studies in recent years and discuss anticipated future developments in the field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Georgi K Marinov
- Corresponding author: Georgi K. Marinov, Department of Genetics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA. E-mail:
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31
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Cwiklinski K, Dalton JP. Advances in Fasciola hepatica research using 'omics' technologies. Int J Parasitol 2018; 48:321-331. [PMID: 29476869 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpara.2017.12.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2017] [Revised: 12/05/2017] [Accepted: 12/19/2017] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The liver fluke Fasciola hepatica is an economically important pathogen of livestock worldwide, as well as being an important neglected zoonosis. Parasite control is reliant on the use of drugs, particularly triclabendazole, which is effective against multiple parasite stages. However, the spread of parasites resistant to triclabendazole has intensified the pursuit for novel control strategies. Emerging 'omics' technologies are helping advance our understanding of liver fluke biology, specifically the molecules that act at the host-parasite interface and are central to infection, virulence and long-term survival within the definitive host. This review discusses the technological sequencing advances that have facilitated the unbiased analysis of liver fluke biology, resulting in an extensive range of 'omics' datasets. In addition, we highlight the 'omics' studies of host responses to F. hepatica infection that, when combined with the parasite datasets, provide the opportunity for integrated analyses of host-parasite interactions. These extensive datasets will form the foundation for future in-depth analysis of F. hepatica biology and development, and the search for new drug or vaccine interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Krystyna Cwiklinski
- School of Biological Sciences, Medical Biology Centre, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, Northern Ireland, UK.
| | - John P Dalton
- School of Biological Sciences, Medical Biology Centre, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, Northern Ireland, UK; Institute for Global Food Security (IGFS), Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, Northern Ireland, UK
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32
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Portet A, Pinaud S, Tetreau G, Galinier R, Cosseau C, Duval D, Grunau C, Mitta G, Gourbal B. Integrated multi-omic analyses in Biomphalaria-Schistosoma dialogue reveal the immunobiological significance of FREP-SmPoMuc interaction. DEVELOPMENTAL AND COMPARATIVE IMMUNOLOGY 2017; 75:16-27. [PMID: 28257854 DOI: 10.1016/j.dci.2017.02.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2016] [Revised: 02/23/2017] [Accepted: 02/26/2017] [Indexed: 05/16/2023]
Abstract
The fresh water snail Biomphalaria glabrata is one of the vectors of the trematode pathogen Schistosoma mansoni, which is one of the agents responsible of human schistosomiasis. In this host-parasite interaction, co-evolutionary dynamic results into an infectivity mosaic known as compatibility polymorphism. Integrative approaches including large scale molecular approaches have been conducted in recent years to improve our understanding of the mechanisms underlying compatibility. This review presents the combination of integrated Multi-Omic approaches leading to the discovery of two repertoires of polymorphic and/or diversified interacting molecules: the parasite antigens S. mansoni polymorphic mucins (SmPoMucs) and the B. glabrata immune receptors fibrinogen-related proteins (FREPs). We argue that their interactions may be major components for defining the compatible/incompatible status of a specific snail/schistosome combination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anaïs Portet
- Univ. Perpignan Via Domitia, IHPE UMR 5244, IFREMER, Univ. Montpellier, F-66860 Perpignan, France
| | - Silvain Pinaud
- Univ. Perpignan Via Domitia, IHPE UMR 5244, IFREMER, Univ. Montpellier, F-66860 Perpignan, France
| | - Guillaume Tetreau
- Univ. Perpignan Via Domitia, IHPE UMR 5244, IFREMER, Univ. Montpellier, F-66860 Perpignan, France
| | - Richard Galinier
- Univ. Perpignan Via Domitia, IHPE UMR 5244, IFREMER, Univ. Montpellier, F-66860 Perpignan, France
| | - Céline Cosseau
- Univ. Perpignan Via Domitia, IHPE UMR 5244, IFREMER, Univ. Montpellier, F-66860 Perpignan, France
| | - David Duval
- Univ. Perpignan Via Domitia, IHPE UMR 5244, IFREMER, Univ. Montpellier, F-66860 Perpignan, France
| | - Christoph Grunau
- Univ. Perpignan Via Domitia, IHPE UMR 5244, IFREMER, Univ. Montpellier, F-66860 Perpignan, France
| | - Guillaume Mitta
- Univ. Perpignan Via Domitia, IHPE UMR 5244, IFREMER, Univ. Montpellier, F-66860 Perpignan, France
| | - Benjamin Gourbal
- Univ. Perpignan Via Domitia, IHPE UMR 5244, IFREMER, Univ. Montpellier, F-66860 Perpignan, France.
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The Schistosoma mansoni genome encodes thousands of long non-coding RNAs predicted to be functional at different parasite life-cycle stages. Sci Rep 2017; 7:10508. [PMID: 28874839 PMCID: PMC5585378 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-10853-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2017] [Accepted: 08/15/2017] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) strategies, like RNA-Seq, have revealed the transcription of a wide variety of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) in the genomes of several organisms. In the present work we assessed the lncRNAs complement of Schistosoma mansoni, the blood fluke that causes schistosomiasis, ranked among the most prevalent parasitic diseases worldwide. We focused on the long intergenic/intervening ncRNAs (lincRNAs), hidden within the large amount of information obtained through RNA-Seq in S. mansoni (88 libraries). Our computational pipeline identified 7029 canonically-spliced putative lincRNA genes on 2596 genomic loci (at an average 2.7 isoforms per lincRNA locus), as well as 402 spliced lncRNAs that are antisense to protein-coding (PC) genes. Hundreds of lincRNAs showed traits for being functional, such as the presence of epigenetic marks at their transcription start sites, evolutionary conservation among other schistosome species and differential expression across five different life-cycle stages of the parasite. Real-time qPCR has confirmed the differential life-cycle stage expression of a set of selected lincRNAs. We have built PC gene and lincRNA co-expression networks, unraveling key biological processes where lincRNAs might be involved during parasite development. This is the first report of a large-scale identification and structural annotation of lncRNAs in the S. mansoni genome.
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34
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Augusto RDC, Tetreau G, Chan P, Walet-Balieu ML, Mello-Silva CC, Santos CP, Grunau C. Double impact: natural molluscicide for schistosomiasis vector control also impedes development of Schistosoma mansoni cercariae into adult parasites. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2017; 11:e0005789. [PMID: 28753630 PMCID: PMC5550001 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0005789] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2017] [Revised: 08/09/2017] [Accepted: 07/08/2017] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Schistosomiasis has been reported in 78 endemic countries and affects 240 million people worldwide. The digenetic parasite Schistosoma mansoni needs fresh water to compete its life cycle. There, it is susceptible to soluble compounds that can affect directly and/or indirectly the parasite’s biology. The cercariae stage is one of the key points in which the parasite is vulnerable to different soluble compounds that can significantly alter the parasite’s life cycle. Molluscicides are recommended by the World Health Organization for the control of schistosomiasis transmission and Euphorbia milii latex is effective against snails intermediate hosts. Methodology/Principal findings We used parasitological tools and electron microscopy to verify the effects of cercariae exposure to natural molluscicide (Euphorbia milii latex) on morphology, physiology and fitness of adult parasite worms. In order to generate insights into key metabolic pathways that lead to the observed phenotypes we used comparative transcriptomics and proteomics. Conclusions/Significance We describe here that the effect of latex on the adult is not due to direct toxicity but it triggers an early change in developmental trajectory and perturbs cell memory, mobility, energy metabolism and other key pathways. We conclude that latex has not only an effect on the vector but applies also long lasting schistosomastatic action. We believe that these results are of interest not only to parasitologists since it shows that natural compounds, presumably without side effects, can have an impact that occurred unexpectedly on developmental processes. Such collateral damage is in this case positive, since it impacts the true target of the treatment campaign. This type of treatment could also provide a rational for the control of other pests. Our results will contribute to enforce the use of E. milii latex in Brazil and other endemic countries as cheap alternative or complement to mass drug treatment with Praziquantel, the only available drug to cure the patients (without preventing re-infection). Intestinal schistosomiasis is among the most important parasitic disease caused by helminthes, affecting 67 million people worldwide. Vector and intermediate host of the parasitic worm are fresh water snails. WHO recommends use of molluscicides for control of local transmission. Among those, natural plant extracts such as Euphorbia milii latex have attracted particular attention since they are sustainable and cheap. We had anecdotic evidence that E. milii latex also impacts infection outcome if treated snails were infected with S. mansoni. We show here that transient exposure of the human dwelling larvae (cercariae) to the latex at doses that do not affect its infectivity has effects 60 days later on the morphology, physiology and fitness of the adult parasite worms. In order to generate insights into key metabolic pathways that lead to the observed phenotypes we used comparative transcriptomics and proteomics. We show that the effect of latex on the adult is not due to direct toxicity but it triggers an early change in developmental trajectory and perturbs cell memory, mobility, energy metabolism and other key pathways. We conclude that latex has not only an effect on the vector but applies also long lasting schistosomastatic action. The present work might also provide insights on targets with implications for developing new interventions for schistosomiasis control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ronaldo de Carvalho Augusto
- Laboratório de Avaliação e Promoção da Saúde Ambiental, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Brasil
- Univ. Perpignan Via Domitia, IHPE UMR 5244, CNRS, IFREMER, Univ. Montpellier, Perpignan, France
- * E-mail:
| | - Guillaume Tetreau
- Univ. Perpignan Via Domitia, IHPE UMR 5244, CNRS, IFREMER, Univ. Montpellier, Perpignan, France
| | - Philippe Chan
- PISSARO Proteomic Platform, Institute for Research and Innovation in Biomedicine, University of Rouen, Rouen, France
| | - Marie-Laure Walet-Balieu
- PISSARO Proteomic Platform, Institute for Research and Innovation in Biomedicine, University of Rouen, Rouen, France
| | | | - Claudia Portes Santos
- Laboratório de Avaliação e Promoção da Saúde Ambiental, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Brasil
| | - Christoph Grunau
- Univ. Perpignan Via Domitia, IHPE UMR 5244, CNRS, IFREMER, Univ. Montpellier, Perpignan, France
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Anderson L, Gomes MR, daSilva LF, Pereira ADSA, Mourão MM, Romier C, Pierce R, Verjovski-Almeida S. Histone deacetylase inhibition modulates histone acetylation at gene promoter regions and affects genome-wide gene transcription in Schistosoma mansoni. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2017; 11:e0005539. [PMID: 28406899 PMCID: PMC5404884 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0005539] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2016] [Revised: 04/25/2017] [Accepted: 03/30/2017] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Schistosomiasis is a parasitic disease infecting hundreds of millions of people worldwide. Treatment depends on a single drug, praziquantel, which kills the Schistosoma spp. parasite only at the adult stage. HDAC inhibitors (HDACi) such as Trichostatin A (TSA) induce parasite mortality in vitro (schistosomula and adult worms), however the downstream effects of histone hyperacetylation on the parasite are not known. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS TSA treatment of adult worms in vitro increased histone acetylation at H3K9ac and H3K14ac, which are transcription activation marks, not affecting the unrelated transcription repression mark H3K27me3. We investigated the effect of TSA HDACi on schistosomula gene expression at three different time points, finding a marked genome-wide change in the transcriptome profile. Gene transcription activity was correlated with changes on the chromatin acetylation mark at gene promoter regions. Moreover, combining expression data with ChIP-Seq public data for schistosomula, we found that differentially expressed genes having the H3K4me3 mark at their promoter region in general showed transcription activation upon HDACi treatment, compared with those without the mark, which showed transcription down-regulation. Affected genes are enriched for DNA replication processes, most of them being up-regulated. Twenty out of 22 genes encoding proteins involved in reducing reactive oxygen species accumulation were down-regulated. Dozens of genes encoding proteins with histone reader motifs were changed, including SmEED from the PRC2 complex. We targeted SmEZH2 methyltransferase PRC2 component with a new EZH2 inhibitor (GSK343) and showed a synergistic effect with TSA, significantly increasing schistosomula mortality. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE Genome-wide gene expression analyses have identified important pathways and cellular functions that were affected and may explain the schistosomicidal effect of TSA HDACi. The change in expression of dozens of histone reader genes involved in regulation of the epigenetic program in S. mansoni can be used as a starting point to look for possible novel schistosomicidal targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Letícia Anderson
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Instituto de Química, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
- Laboratório de Parasitologia, Instituto Butantan, São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | - Lucas Ferreira daSilva
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Instituto de Química, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
- Laboratório de Parasitologia, Instituto Butantan, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Adriana da Silva Andrade Pereira
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Instituto de Química, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
- Laboratório de Parasitologia, Instituto Butantan, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Marina M. Mourão
- Grupo de Helmintologia e Malacologia Médica, Centro de Pesquisas René Rachou, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Christophe Romier
- Département de Biologie Structurale Intégrative, Institut de Génétique et Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire (IGBMC), Université de Strasbourg, CNRS, INSERM, Illkirch, France
| | - Raymond Pierce
- Université de Lille, CNRS, Inserm, CHU Lille, Institut Pasteur de Lille, Centre d'Infection et d'Immunité de Lille, Lille, France
| | - Sergio Verjovski-Almeida
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Instituto de Química, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
- Laboratório de Parasitologia, Instituto Butantan, São Paulo, Brazil
- * E-mail:
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Cosseau C, Wolkenhauer O, Padalino G, Geyer KK, Hoffmann KF, Grunau C. (Epi)genetic Inheritance in Schistosoma mansoni: A Systems Approach. Trends Parasitol 2017; 33:285-294. [PMID: 28040375 PMCID: PMC6125318 DOI: 10.1016/j.pt.2016.12.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2016] [Revised: 11/25/2016] [Accepted: 12/02/2016] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
The G×E concept, in which genotype × environment interactions bring about the phenotype, is widely used to describe biological phenomena. We propose to extend the initial notion of the concept, replacing G by 'inheritance system'. This system, comprised of both genome and epigenome components, collectively interacts with the environment to shape the development of a phenotype. In the case of the human blood fluke Schistosoma mansoni, responsible for intestinal bilharzia, the phenotypic trait that is most relevant to global health is infection success. Taking a systems biology view we show how genetic and epigenetic interactions result in ephemeral, but also heritable, phenotypic variations that are important for infection success.
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Affiliation(s)
- Céline Cosseau
- University Perpignan Via Domitia, IHPE UMR 5244, CNRS, IFREMER, University Montpellier, F-66860 Perpignan, France
| | - Olaf Wolkenhauer
- Dept of Systems Biology & Bioinformatics, University of Rostock, D-18051 Rostock, Germany; Stellenbosch Institute for Advanced Study (STIAS), Wallenberg Research Centre, Stellenbosch, South Africa
| | - Gilda Padalino
- Institute of Biological, Environmental and Rural Sciences (IBERS), Edward Llwyd Building, Room 3-31, Aberystwyth University, Ceredigion, SY23 3DA, UK
| | - Kathrin K Geyer
- Institute of Biological, Environmental and Rural Sciences (IBERS), Edward Llwyd Building, Room 3-31, Aberystwyth University, Ceredigion, SY23 3DA, UK
| | - Karl F Hoffmann
- Institute of Biological, Environmental and Rural Sciences (IBERS), Edward Llwyd Building, Room 3-31, Aberystwyth University, Ceredigion, SY23 3DA, UK
| | - Christoph Grunau
- University Perpignan Via Domitia, IHPE UMR 5244, CNRS, IFREMER, University Montpellier, F-66860 Perpignan, France.
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Cai P, Liu S, Piao X, Hou N, You H, McManus DP, Chen Q. A next-generation microarray further reveals stage-enriched gene expression pattern in the blood fluke Schistosoma japonicum. Parasit Vectors 2017; 10:19. [PMID: 28069074 PMCID: PMC5223471 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-016-1947-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2016] [Accepted: 12/21/2016] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Schistosomiasis is caused by infection with blood flukes of the genus Schistosoma, and ranks, in terms of disability-adjusted life years (DALYs), as the third most important neglected tropical disease. Schistosomes have several discrete life stages involving dramatic morphological changes during their development, which require subtle gene expression modulations to complete the complex life-cycle. RESULTS In the current study, we employed a second generation schistosome DNA chip printed with the most comprehensive probe array for studying the Schistosoma japonicum transcriptome, to explore stage-associated gene expression in different developmental phases of S. japonicum. A total of 328, 95, 268 and 532 mRNA transcripts were enriched in cercariae, hepatic schistosomula, adult worms and eggs, respectively. In general, genes associated with transcriptional regulation, cell signalling and motor activity were readily expressed in cercariae; the expression of genes involved in neuronal activities, apoptosis and renewal was modestly upregulated in hepatic schistosomula; transcripts involved in egg production, nutrition metabolism and glycosylation were enriched in adult worms; while genes involved in cell division, microtubule-associated mobility, and host-parasite interplay were relatively highly expressed in eggs. CONCLUSIONS The study further highlights the expressional features of stage-associated genes in schistosomes with high accuracy. The results provide a better perspective of the biological characteristics among different developmental stages, which may open new avenues for identification of novel vaccine candidates and the development of novel control interventions against schistosomiasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pengfei Cai
- MOH Key Laboratory of Systems Biology of Pathogens, Institute of Pathogen Biology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, People's Republic of China. .,Molecular Parasitology Laboratory, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Queensland, Australia.
| | - Shuai Liu
- MOH Key Laboratory of Systems Biology of Pathogens, Institute of Pathogen Biology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Xianyu Piao
- MOH Key Laboratory of Systems Biology of Pathogens, Institute of Pathogen Biology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Nan Hou
- MOH Key Laboratory of Systems Biology of Pathogens, Institute of Pathogen Biology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Hong You
- Molecular Parasitology Laboratory, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Queensland, Australia
| | - Donald P McManus
- Molecular Parasitology Laboratory, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Queensland, Australia.
| | - Qijun Chen
- MOH Key Laboratory of Systems Biology of Pathogens, Institute of Pathogen Biology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, People's Republic of China. .,Key Laboratory of Zoonosis, Shenyang Agriculture University, Shenyang, People's Republic of China.
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Mitta G, Gourbal B, Grunau C, Knight M, Bridger J, Théron A. The Compatibility Between Biomphalaria glabrata Snails and Schistosoma mansoni: An Increasingly Complex Puzzle. ADVANCES IN PARASITOLOGY 2017; 97:111-145. [PMID: 28325369 DOI: 10.1016/bs.apar.2016.08.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
This review reexamines the results obtained in recent decades regarding the compatibility polymorphism between the snail, Biomphalaria glabrata, and the pathogen, Schistosoma mansoni, which is one of the agents responsible for human schistosomiasis. Some results point to the snail's resistance as explaining the incompatibility, while others support a "matching hypothesis" between the snail's immune receptors and the schistosome's antigens. We propose here that the two hypotheses are not exclusive, and that the compatible/incompatible status of a particular host/parasite couple probably reflects the balance of multiple molecular determinants that support one hypothesis or the other. Because these genes are involved in a coevolutionary arms race, we also propose that the underlying mechanisms can vary. Finally, some recent results show that environmental factors could influence compatibility. Together, these results make the compatibility between B. glabrata and S. mansoni an increasingly complex puzzle. We need to develop more integrative approaches in order to find targets that could potentially be manipulated to control the transmission of schistosomiasis.
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Liu W. Epigenetics in Schistosomes: What We Know and What We Need Know. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2016; 6:149. [PMID: 27891322 PMCID: PMC5104962 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2016.00149] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2016] [Accepted: 10/28/2016] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Schistosomes are metazoan parasites and can cause schistosomiasis. Epigenetic modifications include DNA methylation, histone modifications and non-coding RNAs. Some enzymes involved in epigenetic modification and microRNA processes have been developed as drugs to treat the disease. Compared with humans and vertebrates, an in-depth understanding of epigenetic modifications in schistosomes is starting to be realized. DNA methylation, histone modifications and non-coding RNAs play important roles in the development and reproduction of schistosomes and in interactions between the host and schistosomes. Therefore, exploring and investigating the epigenetic modifications in schistosomes will facilitate drug development and therapy for schistosomiasis. Here, we review the role of epigenetic modifications in the development, growth and reproduction of schistosomes, and the interactions between the host and schistosome. We further discuss potential epigenetic targets for drug discovery for the treatment of schistosomiasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weiwei Liu
- Department of Avian Diseases, Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Science Shanghai, China
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Picard MAL, Boissier J, Roquis D, Grunau C, Allienne JF, Duval D, Toulza E, Arancibia N, Caffrey CR, Long T, Nidelet S, Rohmer M, Cosseau C. Sex-Biased Transcriptome of Schistosoma mansoni: Host-Parasite Interaction, Genetic Determinants and Epigenetic Regulators Are Associated with Sexual Differentiation. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2016; 10:e0004930. [PMID: 27677173 PMCID: PMC5038963 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0004930] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2016] [Accepted: 07/27/2016] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Among more than 20,000 species of hermaphroditic trematodes, Schistosomatidae are unusual since they have evolved gonochorism. In schistosomes, sex is determined by a female heterogametic system, but phenotypic sexual dimorphism appears only after infection of the vertebrate definitive host. The completion of gonad maturation occurs even later, after pairing. To date, the molecular mechanisms that trigger the sexual differentiation in these species remain unknown, and in vivo studies on the developing schistosomulum stages are lacking. To study the molecular basis of sex determination and sexual differentiation in schistosomes, we investigated the whole transcriptome of the human parasite Schistosoma mansoni in a stage- and sex-comparative manner. Methodology/ Principal Findings We performed a RNA-seq on males and females for five developmental stages: cercariae larvae, three in vivo schistosomulum stages and adults. We detected 7,168 genes differentially expressed between sexes in at least one of the developmental stages, and 4,065 of them were functionally annotated. Transcriptome data were completed with H3K27me3 histone modification analysis using ChIP-Seq before (in cercariae) and after (in adults) the phenotypic sexual dimorphism appearance. In this paper we present (i) candidate determinants of the sexual differentiation, (ii) sex-biased players of the interaction with the vertebrate host, and (iii) different dynamic of the H3K27me3 histone mark between sexes as an illustration of sex-biased epigenetic landscapes. Conclusions/ Significance Our work presents evidence that sexual differentiation in S. mansoni is accompanied by distinct male and female transcriptional landscapes of known players of the host-parasite crosstalk, genetic determinants and epigenetic regulators. Our results suggest that such combination could lead to the optimized sexual dimorphism of this parasitic species. As S. mansoni is pathogenic for humans, this study represents a promising source of therapeutic targets, providing not only data on the parasite development in interaction with its vertebrate host, but also new insights on its reproductive function. Parasitic flatworms include more than 20,000 species that are classically hermaphrodites. Among them, the roughly hundred species of Schistosomatidae are intriguing because they are gonochoric. Schistosomes are responsible of the second most important parasitic disease worldwide, and eggs are the main cause of the inflammatory symptoms. Thus, studying the sexual reproduction mechanisms of schistosomes is of particular interest for drug development. Schistosome’s sex is genetically determined by the presence of sex chromosomes: ZZ in males or ZW in females. There is, however, no phenotypic dimorphism in the larval stages: sexual dimorphism appears only in the vertebrate host. In order to understand the molecular mechanisms underlying phenotypic sexual dimorphism, we performed a transcriptome analysis (RNA-Seq) in five different stages of the parasite lifecycle as well as a chromatin status analysis (ChIP-Seq) in the non-differentiated stage cercariae and in the adult differentiated stage, for males and females separately. Our work presents evidence that sexual differentiation in S. mansoni is accompanied by distinct male and female transcriptional landscapes of known players of the host-parasite crosstalk, developmental pathways and epigenetic regulators. Our sex-comparative approach provides therefore new potential therapeutic targets to affect development and sexual reproduction of parasite.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marion A. L. Picard
- Univ. Perpignan Via Domitia, IHPE UMR 5244, CNRS, IFREMER, Univ. Montpellier, Perpignan, France
| | - Jérôme Boissier
- Univ. Perpignan Via Domitia, IHPE UMR 5244, CNRS, IFREMER, Univ. Montpellier, Perpignan, France
| | - David Roquis
- Univ. Perpignan Via Domitia, IHPE UMR 5244, CNRS, IFREMER, Univ. Montpellier, Perpignan, France
| | - Christoph Grunau
- Univ. Perpignan Via Domitia, IHPE UMR 5244, CNRS, IFREMER, Univ. Montpellier, Perpignan, France
| | - Jean-François Allienne
- Univ. Perpignan Via Domitia, IHPE UMR 5244, CNRS, IFREMER, Univ. Montpellier, Perpignan, France
| | - David Duval
- Univ. Perpignan Via Domitia, IHPE UMR 5244, CNRS, IFREMER, Univ. Montpellier, Perpignan, France
| | - Eve Toulza
- Univ. Perpignan Via Domitia, IHPE UMR 5244, CNRS, IFREMER, Univ. Montpellier, Perpignan, France
| | - Nathalie Arancibia
- Univ. Perpignan Via Domitia, IHPE UMR 5244, CNRS, IFREMER, Univ. Montpellier, Perpignan, France
| | - Conor R. Caffrey
- Center for Discovery and Innovation in Parasitic Diseases, Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California, United States of America
| | - Thavy Long
- Center for Discovery and Innovation in Parasitic Diseases, Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California, United States of America
| | | | | | - Céline Cosseau
- Univ. Perpignan Via Domitia, IHPE UMR 5244, CNRS, IFREMER, Univ. Montpellier, Perpignan, France
- * E-mail:
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Knight M, Ittiprasert W, Arican-Goktas HD, Bridger JM. Epigenetic modulation, stress and plasticity in susceptibility of the snail host, Biomphalaria glabrata, to Schistosoma mansoni infection. Int J Parasitol 2016; 46:389-94. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpara.2016.03.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2016] [Revised: 03/14/2016] [Accepted: 03/15/2016] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
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Roquis D, Rognon A, Chaparro C, Boissier J, Arancibia N, Cosseau C, Parrinello H, Grunau C. Frequency and mitotic heritability of epimutations inSchistosoma mansoni. Mol Ecol 2016; 25:1741-58. [DOI: 10.1111/mec.13555] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2015] [Revised: 01/22/2016] [Accepted: 01/23/2016] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- David Roquis
- Université de Perpignan Via Domitia; Perpignan F-66860 France
- CNRS; UMR 5244; Interactions Hôtes-Pathogènes-Environnements (IHPE); Perpignan F-66860 France
| | - Anne Rognon
- Université de Perpignan Via Domitia; Perpignan F-66860 France
- CNRS; UMR 5244; Interactions Hôtes-Pathogènes-Environnements (IHPE); Perpignan F-66860 France
| | - Cristian Chaparro
- Université de Perpignan Via Domitia; Perpignan F-66860 France
- CNRS; UMR 5244; Interactions Hôtes-Pathogènes-Environnements (IHPE); Perpignan F-66860 France
| | - Jerome Boissier
- Université de Perpignan Via Domitia; Perpignan F-66860 France
- CNRS; UMR 5244; Interactions Hôtes-Pathogènes-Environnements (IHPE); Perpignan F-66860 France
| | - Nathalie Arancibia
- Université de Perpignan Via Domitia; Perpignan F-66860 France
- CNRS; UMR 5244; Interactions Hôtes-Pathogènes-Environnements (IHPE); Perpignan F-66860 France
| | - Celine Cosseau
- Université de Perpignan Via Domitia; Perpignan F-66860 France
- CNRS; UMR 5244; Interactions Hôtes-Pathogènes-Environnements (IHPE); Perpignan F-66860 France
| | - Hugues Parrinello
- MGX - Montpellier GenomiX IBiSA, Institut de Génomique Fonctionnelle; 141, rue de la Cardonille F-34094 Montpellier Cedex 05 France
| | - Christoph Grunau
- Université de Perpignan Via Domitia; Perpignan F-66860 France
- CNRS; UMR 5244; Interactions Hôtes-Pathogènes-Environnements (IHPE); Perpignan F-66860 France
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Cai P, Gobert GN, You H, McManus DP. The Tao survivorship of schistosomes: implications for schistosomiasis control. Int J Parasitol 2016; 46:453-63. [PMID: 26873753 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpara.2016.01.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2015] [Revised: 01/06/2016] [Accepted: 01/06/2016] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Schistosomiasis, caused by blood flukes of the genus Schistosoma, is a major public health problem which contributes substantially to the economic and financial burdens of many nations in the developing world. An array of survival strategies, such as the unique structure of the tegument which acts as a major host-parasite interface, immune modulation mechanisms, gene regulation, and apoptosis and self-renewal have been adopted by schistosome parasites over the course of long-term evolution with their mammalian definitive hosts. Recent generation of complete schistosome genomes together with numerous biological, immunological, high-throughput "-omics" and gene function studies have revealed the Tao or strategies that schistosomes employ not only to promote long-term survival, but also to ensure effective life cycle transmission. New scenarios for the future control of this important neglected tropical disease will present themselves as our understanding of these Tao increases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pengfei Cai
- Molecular Parasitology Laboratory, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Queensland, Australia.
| | - Geoffrey N Gobert
- Molecular Parasitology Laboratory, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Queensland, Australia
| | - Hong You
- Molecular Parasitology Laboratory, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Queensland, Australia
| | - Donald P McManus
- Molecular Parasitology Laboratory, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Queensland, Australia.
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Anderson L, Amaral MS, Beckedorff F, Silva LF, Dazzani B, Oliveira KC, Almeida GT, Gomes MR, Pires DS, Setubal JC, DeMarco R, Verjovski-Almeida S. Schistosoma mansoni Egg, Adult Male and Female Comparative Gene Expression Analysis and Identification of Novel Genes by RNA-Seq. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2015; 9:e0004334. [PMID: 26719891 PMCID: PMC4699917 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0004334] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2015] [Accepted: 12/06/2015] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Schistosomiasis is one of the most prevalent parasitic diseases worldwide and is a public health problem. Schistosoma mansoni is the most widespread species responsible for schistosomiasis in the Americas, Middle East and Africa. Adult female worms (mated to males) release eggs in the hepatic portal vasculature and are the principal cause of morbidity. Comparative separate transcriptomes of female and male adult worms were previously assessed with using microarrays and Serial Analysis of Gene Expression (SAGE), thus limiting the possibility of finding novel genes. Moreover, the egg transcriptome was analyzed only once with limited bacterially cloned cDNA libraries. Methodology/Principal findings To compare the gene expression of S. mansoni eggs, females, and males, we performed RNA-Seq on these three parasite forms using 454/Roche technology and reconstructed the transcriptome using Trinity de novo assembly. The resulting contigs were mapped to the genome and were cross-referenced with predicted Smp genes and H3K4me3 ChIP-Seq public data. For the first time, we obtained separate, unbiased gene expression profiles for S. mansoni eggs and female and male adult worms, identifying enriched biological processes and specific enriched functions for each of the three parasite forms. Transcripts with no match to predicted genes were analyzed for their protein-coding potential and the presence of an encoded conserved protein domain. A set of 232 novel protein-coding genes with putative functions related to reproduction, metabolism, and cell biogenesis was detected, which contributes to the understanding of parasite biology. Conclusions/Significance Large-scale RNA-Seq analysis using de novo assembly associated with genome-wide information for histone marks in the vicinity of gene models constitutes a new approach to transcriptome analysis that has not yet been explored in schistosomes. Importantly, all data have been consolidated into a UCSC Genome Browser search- and download-tool (http://schistosoma.usp.br/). This database provides new ways to explore the schistosome genome and transcriptome and will facilitate molecular research on this important parasite. Schistosomiasis is a public health problem caused by parasites of the genus Schistosoma, of which S. mansoni is the primary causative agent. The parasite has a complex life cycle; their sexual reproductive stage is dependent on female and male adult worms mating inside the mesenteric circulation of the human host, with the female releasing hundreds of eggs daily. This phase of the life cycle is responsible for the development of pathology, which is proportional to the number of eggs accumulating in the liver and intestine of the human host. Genome and transcriptome sequencing of this parasite represent important advances in schistosome research, but there is still a need for integrated analyses to better understand the biology of this parasite. In this study, we describe the first large-scale transcriptomes of eggs, and female and male adult worms, the parasite forms that are mainly responsible for the pathology of schistosomiasis. We were able to cross-reference the gene transcription regions with promoter regions, thus improving the gene annotations. Moreover, we identified the expression of novel protein-coding genes not yet described in the current genome annotation, advancing the biological knowledge regarding this parasite.
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Affiliation(s)
- Letícia Anderson
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Instituto de Química, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Murilo S. Amaral
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Instituto de Química, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
- Instituto Butantan, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Felipe Beckedorff
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Instituto de Química, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Lucas F. Silva
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Instituto de Química, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Bianca Dazzani
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Instituto de Química, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Katia C. Oliveira
- Núcleo de Enteroparasitas, Centro de Parasitologia e Micologia, Instituto Adolfo Lutz, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Giulliana T. Almeida
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Instituto de Química, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Monete R. Gomes
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Instituto de Química, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - David S. Pires
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Instituto de Química, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
- Instituto Butantan, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - João C. Setubal
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Instituto de Química, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
- Virginia Bioinformatics Institute, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, Virginia, United States of America
| | - Ricardo DeMarco
- Instituto de Física de São Carlos, Universidade de São Paulo, São Carlos, SP, Brazil
| | - Sergio Verjovski-Almeida
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Instituto de Química, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
- Instituto Butantan, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
- * E-mail:
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