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Chhajer R, Bhattacharyya A, Ali N. Cell Death in Leishmania donovani promastigotes in response to Mammalian Aurora Kinase B Inhibitor- Hesperadin. Biomed Pharmacother 2024; 177:116960. [PMID: 38936193 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2024.116960] [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: 04/07/2024] [Revised: 06/13/2024] [Accepted: 06/15/2024] [Indexed: 06/29/2024] Open
Abstract
Deciphering how hesperadin, a repurposed mammalian aurora kinase B inhibitor, affects the cellular pathways in Leishmania donovani might be beneficial. This investigation sought to assess the physiological effects of hesperadin on promastigotes of L. donovani, by altering the duration of treatment following exposure to hesperadin. Groups pre-treated with inhibitors such as EGTA, NAC, and z-VAD-fmk before hesperadin exposure were also included. Morphological changes by microscopy, ATP and ROS changes by luminometry; DNA degradation using agarose gel electrophoresis and metacaspase levels through RT-PCR were assessed. Flow cytometry was used to study mitochondrial depolarization using JC-1 and MitoTracker Red; mitochondrial-superoxide accumulation using MitoSOX; plasma membrane modifications using Annexin-V and propidium iodide, and lastly, caspase activation using ApoStat. Significant alterations in promastigote morphology were noted. Caspase activity and mitochondrial-superoxide rose early after exposure whereas mitochondrial membrane potential demonstrated uncharacteristic variations, with significant functional disturbances such as leakage of superoxide radicals after prolonged treatments. ATP depletion and ROS accumulation demonstrated inverse patterns, genomic DNA showed fragmentation and plasma membrane showed Annexin-V binding, soon followed by propidium iodide uptake. Multilobed macronuclei and micronuclei accumulated in hesperadin exposed cells before they disintegrated into necrotic debris. The pathologic alterations were unlike the intrinsic or extrinsic pathways of classical apoptosis and suggest a caspase-mediated cell death most akin to mitotic-catastrophe. Most likely, a G2/M transition block caused accumulation of death signals, disorganized spindles and mechanical stresses, causing changes in morphology, organellar functions and ultimately promastigote death. Thus, death was a consequence of mitotic-arrest followed by ablation of kinetoplast functions, often implicated in L. donovani killing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rudra Chhajer
- Infectious Diseases and Immunology Division, Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR)-Indian Institute of Chemical Biology, 4 Raja S. C. Mullick Road, Jadavpur, Kolkata, West Bengal 700032, India
| | - Anirban Bhattacharyya
- Infectious Diseases and Immunology Division, Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR)-Indian Institute of Chemical Biology, 4 Raja S. C. Mullick Road, Jadavpur, Kolkata, West Bengal 700032, India
| | - Nahid Ali
- Infectious Diseases and Immunology Division, Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR)-Indian Institute of Chemical Biology, 4 Raja S. C. Mullick Road, Jadavpur, Kolkata, West Bengal 700032, India.
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Zeeshan M, Rea E, Abel S, Vukušić K, Markus R, Brady D, Eze A, Rashpa R, Balestra AC, Bottrill AR, Brochet M, Guttery DS, Tolić IM, Holder AA, Le Roch KG, Tromer EC, Tewari R. Plasmodium ARK2 and EB1 drive unconventional spindle dynamics, during chromosome segregation in sexual transmission stages. Nat Commun 2023; 14:5652. [PMID: 37704606 PMCID: PMC10499817 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-41395-3] [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: 02/01/2023] [Accepted: 08/30/2023] [Indexed: 09/15/2023] Open
Abstract
The Aurora family of kinases orchestrates chromosome segregation and cytokinesis during cell division, with precise spatiotemporal regulation of its catalytic activities by distinct protein scaffolds. Plasmodium spp., the causative agents of malaria, are unicellular eukaryotes with three unique and highly divergent aurora-related kinases (ARK1-3) that are essential for asexual cellular proliferation but lack most canonical scaffolds/activators. Here we investigate the role of ARK2 during sexual proliferation of the rodent malaria Plasmodium berghei, using a combination of super-resolution microscopy, mass spectrometry, and live-cell fluorescence imaging. We find that ARK2 is primarily located at spindle microtubules in the vicinity of kinetochores during both mitosis and meiosis. Interactomic and co-localisation studies reveal several putative ARK2-associated interactors including the microtubule-interacting protein EB1, together with MISFIT and Myosin-K, but no conserved eukaryotic scaffold proteins. Gene function studies indicate that ARK2 and EB1 are complementary in driving endomitotic division and thereby parasite transmission through the mosquito. This discovery underlines the flexibility of molecular networks to rewire and drive unconventional mechanisms of chromosome segregation in the malaria parasite.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad Zeeshan
- School of Life Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
| | - Edward Rea
- School of Life Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
| | - Steven Abel
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Systems Biology, University of California Riverside, 900 University Ave., Riverside, CA, USA
| | - Kruno Vukušić
- Division of Molecular Biology, Ruđer Bošković Institute, 10000, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Robert Markus
- School of Life Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
| | - Declan Brady
- School of Life Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
| | - Antonius Eze
- School of Life Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
- Department of Medical Biochemistry, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus, Enugu, Nigeria
| | - Ravish Rashpa
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | | | - Andrew R Bottrill
- School of Life Sciences, Gibbet Hill Campus, University of Warwick, Coventry, UK
| | - Mathieu Brochet
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - David S Guttery
- Department of Genetics and Genome Biology, College of Life Sciences, University of Leicester, Leicester, UK
| | - Iva M Tolić
- Division of Molecular Biology, Ruđer Bošković Institute, 10000, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Anthony A Holder
- Malaria Parasitology Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London, UK
| | - Karine G Le Roch
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Systems Biology, University of California Riverside, 900 University Ave., Riverside, CA, USA
| | - Eelco C Tromer
- Cell Biochemistry, Groningen Biomolecular Sciences and Biotechnology Institute, Faculty of Science and Engineering, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Rita Tewari
- School of Life Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK.
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3
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Zeeshan M, Rea E, Abel S, Vukušić K, Markus R, Brady D, Eze A, Rashpa R, Balestra AC, Bottrill AR, Brochet M, Guttery DS, Tolić IM, Holder AA, Le Roch KG, Tromer EC, Tewari R. Plasmodium ARK2-EB1 axis drives the unconventional spindle dynamics, scaffold formation and chromosome segregation of sexual transmission stages. RESEARCH SQUARE 2023:rs.3.rs-2539372. [PMID: 36798191 PMCID: PMC9934748 DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-2539372/v1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/10/2023]
Abstract
Mechanisms of cell division are remarkably diverse, suggesting the underlying molecular networks among eukaryotes differ extensively. The Aurora family of kinases orchestrates the process of chromosome segregation and cytokinesis during cell division through precise spatiotemporal regulation of their catalytic activities by distinct scaffolds. Plasmodium spp., the causative agents of malaria, are unicellular eukaryotes that have three divergent aurora-related kinases (ARKs) and lack most canonical scaffolds/activators. The parasite uses unconventional modes of chromosome segregation during endomitosis and meiosis in sexual transmission stages within mosquito host. This includes a rapid threefold genome replication from 1N to 8N with successive cycles of closed mitosis, spindle formation and chromosome segregation within eight minutes (termed male gametogony). Kinome studies had previously suggested likely essential functions for all three Plasmodium ARKs during asexual mitotic cycles; however, little is known about their location, function, or their scaffolding molecules during unconventional sexual proliferative stages. Using a combination of super-resolution microscopy, mass spectrometry, omics and live-cell fluorescence imaging, we set out to investigate the contribution of the atypical Aurora paralog ARK2 to proliferative sexual stages using rodent malaria model Plasmodium berghei. We find that ARK2 primarily localises to the spindle apparatus associated with kinetochores during both mitosis and meiosis. Interactomics and co-localisation studies reveal a unique ARK2 scaffold at the spindle including the microtubule plus end-binding protein EB1 and lacking some other conserved molecules. Gene function studies indicate complementary functions of ARK2 and EB1 in driving endomitotic divisions and thereby parasite transmission. Our discovery of a novel Aurora spindle scaffold underlines the emerging flexibility of molecular networks to rewire and drive unconventional mechanisms of chromosome segregation in the malaria parasite Plasmodium.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad Zeeshan
- School of Life Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
| | - Edward Rea
- School of Life Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
| | - Steven Abel
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Systems Biology, University of California Riverside, 900 University Ave., Riverside, USA
| | - Kruno Vukušić
- Division of Molecular Biology, Ruđer Bošković Institute, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Robert Markus
- School of Life Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
| | - Declan Brady
- School of Life Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
| | - Antonius Eze
- School of Life Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
| | - Ravish Rashpa
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | | | - Andrew R. Bottrill
- School of Life Sciences, Gibbet Hill Campus, University of Warwick, Coventry, UK
| | - Mathieu Brochet
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - David S. Guttery
- Department of Genetics and Genome Biology, College of Life Sciences, University of Leicester, Leicester, UK
| | - Iva M. Tolić
- Division of Molecular Biology, Ruđer Bošković Institute, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Anthony A. Holder
- Malaria Parasitology Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London, UK
| | - Karine G. Le Roch
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Systems Biology, University of California Riverside, 900 University Ave., Riverside, USA
| | - Eelco C. Tromer
- Faculty of Science and Engineering, University of Groningen, Groningen Biomolecular Sciences and Biotechnology Institute, Cell Biochemistry, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Rita Tewari
- School of Life Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
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Zeeshan M, Rea E, Abel S, Vukušić K, Markus R, Brady D, Eze A, Raspa R, Balestra A, Bottrill AR, Brochet M, Guttery DS, Tolić IM, Holder AA, Roch KGL, Tromer EC, Tewari R. Plasmodium ARK2-EB1 axis drives the unconventional spindle dynamics, scaffold formation and chromosome segregation of sexual transmission stages. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.01.29.526106. [PMID: 36778504 PMCID: PMC9915484 DOI: 10.1101/2023.01.29.526106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Mechanisms of cell division are remarkably diverse, suggesting the underlying molecular networks among eukaryotes differ extensively. The Aurora family of kinases orchestrates the process of chromosome segregation and cytokinesis during cell division through precise spatiotemporal regulation of their catalytic activities by distinct scaffolds. Plasmodium spp., the causative agents of malaria, are unicellular eukaryotes that have three divergent aurora-related kinases (ARKs) and lack most canonical scaffolds/activators. The parasite uses unconventional modes of chromosome segregation during endomitosis and meiosis in sexual transmission stages within mosquito host. This includes a rapid threefold genome replication from 1N to 8N with successive cycles of closed mitosis, spindle formation and chromosome segregation within eight minutes (termed male gametogony). Kinome studies had previously suggested likely essential functions for all three Plasmodium ARKs during asexual mitotic cycles; however, little is known about their location, function, or their scaffolding molecules during unconventional sexual proliferative stages. Using a combination of super-resolution microscopy, mass spectrometry, and live-cell fluorescence imaging, we set out to investigate the role of the atypical Aurora paralog ARK2 to proliferative sexual stages using rodent malaria model Plasmodium berghei . We find that ARK2 primarily localises to the spindle apparatus in the vicinity of kinetochores during both mitosis and meiosis. Interactomics and co-localisation studies reveal a unique ARK2 scaffold at the spindle including the microtubule plus end-binding protein EB1, lacking conserved Aurora scaffold proteins. Gene function studies indicate complementary functions of ARK2 and EB1 in driving endomitotic divisions and thereby parasite transmission. Our discovery of a novel Aurora kinase spindle scaffold underlines the emerging flexibility of molecular networks to rewire and drive unconventional mechanisms of chromosome segregation in the malaria parasite Plasmodium .
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Chiurillo MA, Jensen BC, Docampo R. Drug Target Validation of the Protein Kinase AEK1, Essential for Proliferation, Host Cell Invasion, and Intracellular Replication of the Human Pathogen Trypanosoma cruzi. Microbiol Spectr 2021; 9:e0073821. [PMID: 34585973 PMCID: PMC8557885 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.00738-21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2021] [Accepted: 08/31/2021] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Protein phosphorylation is involved in several key biological roles in the complex life cycle of Trypanosoma cruzi, the etiological agent of Chagas disease, and protein kinases are potential drug targets. Here, we report that the AGC essential kinase 1 (TcAEK1) exhibits a cytosolic localization and a higher level of expression in the replicative stages of the parasite. A CRISPR/Cas9 editing technique was used to generate ATP analog-sensitive TcAEK1 gatekeeper residue mutants that were selectively and acutely inhibited by bumped kinase inhibitors (BKIs). Analysis of a single allele deletion cell line (TcAEK1-SKO), and gatekeeper mutants upon treatment with inhibitor, showed that epimastigote forms exhibited a severe defect in cytokinesis. Moreover, we also demonstrated that TcAEK1 is essential for epimastigote proliferation, trypomastigote host cell invasion, and amastigote replication. We suggest that TcAEK1 is a pleiotropic player involved in cytokinesis regulation in T. cruzi and thus validate TcAEK1 as a drug target for further exploration. The gene editing strategy we applied to construct the ATP analog-sensitive enzyme could be appropriate for the study of other proteins of the T. cruzi kinome. IMPORTANCE Chagas disease affects 6 to 7 million people in the Americas, and its treatment has been limited to drugs with relatively high toxicity and low efficacy in the chronic phase of the infection. New validated targets are needed to combat this disease. In this work, we report the chemical and genetic validation of the protein kinase AEK1, which is essential for cytokinesis and infectivity, using a novel gene editing strategy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miguel A. Chiurillo
- Center for Tropical and Emerging Global Diseases, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, USA
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
| | - Bryan C. Jensen
- Seattle Children’s Research Institute, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Roberto Docampo
- Center for Tropical and Emerging Global Diseases, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, USA
- Department of Cellular Biology, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, USA
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Extensive Translational Regulation through the Proliferative Transition of Trypanosoma cruzi Revealed by Multi-Omics. mSphere 2021; 6:e0036621. [PMID: 34468164 PMCID: PMC8550152 DOI: 10.1128/msphere.00366-21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Trypanosoma cruzi is the etiological agent for Chagas disease, a neglected parasitic disease in Latin America. Gene transcription control governs the eukaryotic cell replication but is absent in trypanosomatids; thus, it must be replaced by posttranscriptional regulatory events. We investigated the entrance into the T. cruzi replicative cycle using ribosome profiling and proteomics on G1/S epimastigote cultures synchronized with hydroxyurea. We identified 1,784 translationally regulated genes (change > 2, false-discovery rate [FDR] < 0.05) and 653 differentially expressed proteins (change > 1.5, FDR < 0.05), respectively. A major translational remodeling accompanied by an extensive proteome change is found, while the transcriptome remains largely unperturbed at the replicative entrance of the cell cycle. The differentially expressed genes comprise specific cell cycle processes, confirming previous findings while revealing candidate cell cycle regulators that undergo previously unnoticed translational regulation. Clusters of genes showing a coordinated regulation at translation and protein abundance share related biological functions such as cytoskeleton organization and mitochondrial metabolism; thus, they may represent posttranscriptional regulons. The translatome and proteome of the coregulated clusters change in both coupled and uncoupled directions, suggesting that complex cross talk between the two processes is required to achieve adequate protein levels of different regulons. This is the first simultaneous assessment of the transcriptome, translatome, and proteome of trypanosomatids, which represent a paradigm for the absence of transcriptional control. The findings suggest that gene expression chronology along the T. cruzi cell cycle is controlled mainly by translatome and proteome changes coordinated using different mechanisms for specific gene groups. IMPORTANCE Trypanosoma cruzi is an ancient eukaryotic unicellular parasite causing Chagas disease, a potentially life-threatening illness that affects 6 to 7 million people, mostly in Latin America. The antiparasitic treatments for the disease have incomplete efficacy and adverse reactions; thus, improved drugs are needed. We study the mechanisms governing the replication of the parasite, aiming to find differences with the human host, valuable for the development of parasite-specific antiproliferative drugs. Transcriptional regulation is essential for replication in most eukaryotes, but in trypanosomatids, it must be replaced by subsequent gene regulation steps since they lack transcription initiation control. We identified the genome-wide remodeling of mRNA translation and protein abundance during the entrance to the replicative phase of the cell cycle. We found that translation is strongly regulated, causing variation in protein levels of specific cell cycle processes, representing the first simultaneous study of the translatome and proteome in trypanosomatids.
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Gräf R, Grafe M, Meyer I, Mitic K, Pitzen V. The Dictyostelium Centrosome. Cells 2021; 10:cells10102657. [PMID: 34685637 PMCID: PMC8534566 DOI: 10.3390/cells10102657] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2021] [Revised: 10/01/2021] [Accepted: 10/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The centrosome of Dictyostelium amoebae contains no centrioles and consists of a cylindrical layered core structure surrounded by a corona harboring microtubule-nucleating γ-tubulin complexes. It is the major centrosomal model beyond animals and yeasts. Proteomics, protein interaction studies by BioID and superresolution microscopy methods led to considerable progress in our understanding of the composition, structure and function of this centrosome type. We discuss all currently known components of the Dictyostelium centrosome in comparison to other centrosomes of animals and yeasts.
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Silva GLA, Tosi LRO, McCulloch R, Black JA. Unpicking the Roles of DNA Damage Protein Kinases in Trypanosomatids. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:636615. [PMID: 34422791 PMCID: PMC8377203 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.636615] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2020] [Accepted: 07/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
To preserve genome integrity when faced with DNA lesions, cells activate and coordinate a multitude of DNA repair pathways to ensure timely error correction or tolerance, collectively called the DNA damage response (DDR). These interconnecting damage response pathways are molecular signal relays, with protein kinases (PKs) at the pinnacle. Focused efforts in model eukaryotes have revealed intricate aspects of DNA repair PK function, including how they direct DDR pathways and how repair reactions connect to wider cellular processes, including DNA replication and transcription. The Kinetoplastidae, including many parasites like Trypanosoma spp. and Leishmania spp. (causative agents of debilitating, neglected tropical infections), exhibit peculiarities in several core biological processes, including the predominance of multigenic transcription and the streamlining or repurposing of DNA repair pathways, such as the loss of non-homologous end joining and novel operation of nucleotide excision repair (NER). Very recent studies have implicated ATR and ATM kinases in the DDR of kinetoplastid parasites, whereas DNA-dependent protein kinase (DNA-PKcs) displays uncertain conservation, questioning what functions it fulfills. The wide range of genetic manipulation approaches in these organisms presents an opportunity to investigate DNA repair kinase roles in kinetoplastids and to ask if further kinases are involved. Furthermore, the availability of kinase inhibitory compounds, targeting numerous eukaryotic PKs, could allow us to test the suitability of DNA repair PKs as novel chemotherapeutic targets. Here, we will review recent advances in the study of trypanosomatid DNA repair kinases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriel L A Silva
- The Wellcome Centre for Integrative Parasitology, Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom.,Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
| | - Luiz R O Tosi
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
| | - Richard McCulloch
- The Wellcome Centre for Integrative Parasitology, Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Jennifer Ann Black
- The Wellcome Centre for Integrative Parasitology, Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom.,Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
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Maldonado E, Rojas DA, Urbina F, Solari A. T. cruzi DNA polymerase beta (Tcpolβ) is phosphorylated in vitro by CK1, CK2 and TcAUK1 leading to the potentiation of its DNA synthesis activity. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2021; 15:e0009588. [PMID: 34260580 PMCID: PMC8312956 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0009588] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2021] [Revised: 07/26/2021] [Accepted: 06/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The unicellular protozoan Trypanosoma cruzi is the causing agent of Chagas disease which affects several millions of people around the world. The components of the cell signaling pathways in this parasite have not been well studied yet, although its genome can encode several components able to transduce the signals, such as protein kinases and phosphatases. In a previous work we have found that DNA polymerase β (Tcpolβ) can be phosphorylated in vivo and this modification activates the synthesis activity of the enzyme. Tcpolβ is kinetoplast-located and is a key enzyme in the DNA base excision repair (BER) system. The polypeptide possesses several consensus phosphorylation sites for several protein kinases, however, a direct phosphorylation of those sites by specific kinases has not been reported yet. Tcpolβ has consensus phosphorylation sites for casein kinase 1 (CK1), casein kinase 2 (CK2) and aurora kinase (AUK). Genes encoding orthologues of those kinases exist in T. cruzi and we were able to identify the genes and to express them to investigate whether or no Tcpolβ could be a substrate for in vitro phosphorylation by those kinases. Both CK1 and TcAUK1 have auto-phosphorylation activities and they are able to phosphorylate Tcpolβ. CK2 cannot perform auto-phosphorylation of its subunits, however, it was able to phosphorylate Tcpolβ. Pharmacological inhibitors used to inhibit the homologous mammalian kinases can also inhibit the activity of T. cruzi kinases, although, at higher concentrations. The phosphorylation events carried out by those kinases can potentiate the DNA polymerase activity of Tcpolβ and it is discussed the role of the phosphorylation on the DNA polymerase and lyase activities of Tcpolβ. Taken altogether, indicates that CK1, CK2 and TcAUK1 can play an in vivo role regulating the function of Tcpolβ.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edio Maldonado
- Programa de Biología Celular y Molecular, ICBM, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
- * E-mail: (EM); (AS)
| | - Diego A. Rojas
- Instituto de Ciencias Biomédicas (ICB), Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Autónoma de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Fabiola Urbina
- Programa de Biología Celular y Molecular, ICBM, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Aldo Solari
- Programa de Biología Celular y Molecular, ICBM, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
- * E-mail: (EM); (AS)
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Alonso VL, Carloni ME, Gonçalves CS, Martinez Peralta G, Chesta ME, Pezza A, Tavernelli LE, Motta MCM, Serra E. Alpha-Tubulin Acetylation in Trypanosoma cruzi: A Dynamic Instability of Microtubules Is Required for Replication and Cell Cycle Progression. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2021; 11:642271. [PMID: 33777851 PMCID: PMC7991793 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2021.642271] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2020] [Accepted: 02/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Trypanosomatids have a cytoskeleton arrangement that is simpler than what is found in most eukaryotic cells. However, it is precisely organized and constituted by stable microtubules. Such microtubules compose the mitotic spindle during mitosis, the basal body, the flagellar axoneme and the subpellicular microtubules, which are connected to each other and also to the plasma membrane forming a helical arrangement along the central axis of the parasite cell body. Subpellicular, mitotic and axonemal microtubules are extensively acetylated in Trypanosoma cruzi. Acetylation on lysine (K) 40 of α-tubulin is conserved from lower eukaryotes to mammals and is associated with microtubule stability. It is also known that K40 acetylation occurs significantly on flagella, centrioles, cilia, basal body and the mitotic spindle in eukaryotes. Several tubulin posttranslational modifications, including acetylation of K40, have been cataloged in trypanosomatids, but the functional importance of these modifications for microtubule dynamics and parasite biology remains largely undefined. The primary tubulin acetyltransferase was recently identified in several eukaryotes as Mec-17/ATAT, a Gcn5-related N-acetyltransferase. Here, we report that T. cruzi ATAT acetylates α-tubulin in vivo and is capable of auto-acetylation. TcATAT is located in the cytoskeleton and flagella of epimastigotes and colocalizes with acetylated α-tubulin in these structures. We have expressed TcATAT with an HA tag using the inducible vector pTcINDEX-GW in T. cruzi. Over-expression of TcATAT causes increased levels of the alpha tubulin acetylated species, induces morphological and ultrastructural defects, especially in the mitochondrion, and causes a halt in the cell cycle progression of epimastigotes, which is related to an impairment of the kinetoplast division. Finally, as a result of TcATAT over-expression we observed that parasites became more resistant to microtubule depolymerizing drugs. These results support the idea that α-tubulin acetylation levels are finely regulated for the normal progression of T. cruzi cell cycle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victoria Lucia Alonso
- Laboratorio de Biología y Bioquímica de Trypanosoma cruzi, Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular de Rosario (IBR), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Rosario, Argentina
- Facultad de Ciencias Bioquimicas y Farmacéuticas, Universidad Nacional de Rosario (UNR), Rosario, Argentina
| | - Mara Emilia Carloni
- Facultad de Ciencias Bioquimicas y Farmacéuticas, Universidad Nacional de Rosario (UNR), Rosario, Argentina
| | - Camila Silva Gonçalves
- Laboratório de Ultraestrutura Celular Hertha Meyer, Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia em Biologia Estrutural e Bioimagens, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Gonzalo Martinez Peralta
- Laboratorio de Biología y Bioquímica de Trypanosoma cruzi, Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular de Rosario (IBR), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Rosario, Argentina
- Facultad de Ciencias Bioquimicas y Farmacéuticas, Universidad Nacional de Rosario (UNR), Rosario, Argentina
| | - Maria Eugenia Chesta
- Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Universidad Nacional de Rosario (UNR), Rosario, Argentina
| | - Alejandro Pezza
- Laboratorio de Biología y Bioquímica de Trypanosoma cruzi, Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular de Rosario (IBR), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Rosario, Argentina
| | - Luis Emilio Tavernelli
- Laboratorio de Biología y Bioquímica de Trypanosoma cruzi, Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular de Rosario (IBR), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Rosario, Argentina
| | - Maria Cristina M. Motta
- Laboratório de Ultraestrutura Celular Hertha Meyer, Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia em Biologia Estrutural e Bioimagens, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Esteban Serra
- Laboratorio de Biología y Bioquímica de Trypanosoma cruzi, Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular de Rosario (IBR), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Rosario, Argentina
- Facultad de Ciencias Bioquimicas y Farmacéuticas, Universidad Nacional de Rosario (UNR), Rosario, Argentina
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11
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Saha A, Bhattacharjee A, Vij A, Das PK, Bhattacharya A, Biswas A. Evaluation of Modulators of cAMP-Response in Terms of Their Impact on Cell Cycle and Mitochondrial Activity of Leishmania donovani. Front Pharmacol 2020; 11:782. [PMID: 32670055 PMCID: PMC7326082 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2020.00782] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2020] [Accepted: 05/12/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
With the identification of novel cAMP binding effector molecules in Trypanosoma, the role of cAMP in kinetoplastida parasites gained an intriguing breakthrough. Despite earlier demonstrations of the role of cAMP in the survival of Leishmania during macrophage infection, there is essential need to specifically clarify the involvement of cAMP in various cellular processes in the parasite. In this context, we sought to gain a comprehensive understanding of the effect of cAMP analogs and cAMP-cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase (PDE) inhibitors on proliferation of log phase parasites. Administration of both hydrolyzable (8-pCPT-cAMP) and nonhydrolyzable analogs (Sp-8-pCPT-cAMPS) of cAMP resulted in a significant decrease of Leishmania proliferation. Among the various PDE inhibitors, etazolate was found to be potently antiproliferative. BrdU cell proliferation and K/N/F-enumeration microscopic study revealed that both cAMP analogs and selective PDE inhibitors resulted in significant cell cycle arrest at G1 phase with reduced S-phase population. Furthermore, careful examination of the flagellar motility patterns revealed significantly reduced coordinated forward flagellar movement of the promastigotes with a concomitant decrease in cellular ATP levels. Alongside, 8-pCPT-cAMP and PDE inhibitors etazolate and trequinsin showed marked reduction in mitochondrial membrane potential. Treatment of etazolate at subcytotoxic concentration to infected macrophages significantly reduced parasite burden, and administration of etazolate to Leishmania-infected BALB/c mice showed reduced liver and spleen parasite burden. Collectively, these results imply involvement of cAMP in various crucial processes paving the avenue for developing potent antileishmanial agent.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amrita Saha
- Infectious Diseases and Immunology, CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Biology, Kolkata, India
| | - Anindita Bhattacharjee
- Department of Zoology, Cell and Molecular Biology Laboratory, University of Kalyani, Kalyani, India
| | - Amit Vij
- Infectious Diseases and Immunology, CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Biology, Kolkata, India
| | - Pijush K. Das
- Infectious Diseases and Immunology, CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Biology, Kolkata, India
| | - Arijit Bhattacharya
- Department of Microbiology, School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Adamas University, Kolkata, India
| | - Arunima Biswas
- Infectious Diseases and Immunology, CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Biology, Kolkata, India
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12
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Nunes VS, Moretti NS, da Silva MS, Elias MC, Janzen CJ, Schenkman S. Trimethylation of histone H3K76 by Dot1B enhances cell cycle progression after mitosis in Trypanosoma cruzi. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-MOLECULAR CELL RESEARCH 2020; 1867:118694. [PMID: 32151656 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamcr.2020.118694] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2019] [Revised: 03/03/2020] [Accepted: 03/05/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Dot1 enzymes are histone methyltransferases that mono-, di- and trimethylate lysine 79 of histone H3 to affect several nuclear processes. The functions of these different methylation states are still largely unknown. Trypanosomes, which are flagellated protozoa that cause several parasitic diseases, have two Dot1 homologues. Dot1A catalyzes the mono- and dimethylation of lysine 76 during late G2 and mitosis, and Dot1B catalyzes trimethylation, which is a modification found in all stages of the cell cycle. Here, we generated Trypanosoma cruzi lines lacking Dot1B. Deletion of one allele resulted in parasites with increased levels of mono- and dimethylation and a reduction in H3K76me3. In the full knockout (DKO), no trimethylation was observed. Both the DKO and the single knockout (SKO) showed aberrant morphology and decreased growth due to cell cycle arrest after G2. This phenotype could be rescued by caffeine in the DKO, as caffeine is a checkpoint inhibitor of the cell cycle. The knockouts also phosphorylated γH2A without producing extensive DNA breaks, and Dot1B-depleted cells were more susceptible to general checkpoint kinase inhibitors, suggesting that a lack of H3K76 trimethylation prevents the initiation and/or completion of cytokinesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vinicius Santana Nunes
- Departamento de Microbiologia, Imunologia e Parasitologia, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, 04032-039 São Paulo, SP, Brazil; Centro de Ensino, Pesquisa e Inovação, Hospital Evangélico de Vila Velha, 29118-060 Vila Velha, ES, Brazil
| | - Nilmar Silvio Moretti
- Departamento de Microbiologia, Imunologia e Parasitologia, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, 04032-039 São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | | | - Maria Carolina Elias
- Laboratório Especial de Ciclo Celular, Instituto Butantan, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Christian J Janzen
- Department of Cell & Developmental Biology, Biocenter, University of Würzburg, 97074 Würzburg, Germany
| | - Sergio Schenkman
- Departamento de Microbiologia, Imunologia e Parasitologia, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, 04032-039 São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
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13
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Hammarton TC. Who Needs a Contractile Actomyosin Ring? The Plethora of Alternative Ways to Divide a Protozoan Parasite. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2019; 9:397. [PMID: 31824870 PMCID: PMC6881465 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2019.00397] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2019] [Accepted: 11/06/2019] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Cytokinesis, or the division of the cytoplasm, following the end of mitosis or meiosis, is accomplished in animal cells, fungi, and amoebae, by the constriction of an actomyosin contractile ring, comprising filamentous actin, myosin II, and associated proteins. However, despite this being the best-studied mode of cytokinesis, it is restricted to the Opisthokonta and Amoebozoa, since members of other evolutionary supergroups lack myosin II and must, therefore, employ different mechanisms. In particular, parasitic protozoa, many of which cause significant morbidity and mortality in humans and animals as well as considerable economic losses, employ a wide diversity of mechanisms to divide, few, if any, of which involve myosin II. In some cases, cell division is not only myosin II-independent, but actin-independent too. Mechanisms employed range from primitive mechanical cell rupture (cytofission), to motility- and/or microtubule remodeling-dependent mechanisms, to budding involving the constriction of divergent contractile rings, to hijacking host cell division machinery, with some species able to utilize multiple mechanisms. Here, I review current knowledge of cytokinesis mechanisms and their molecular control in mammalian-infective parasitic protozoa from the Excavata, Alveolata, and Amoebozoa supergroups, highlighting their often-underappreciated diversity and complexity. Billions of people and animals across the world are at risk from these pathogens, for which vaccines and/or optimal treatments are often not available. Exploiting the divergent cell division machinery in these parasites may provide new avenues for the treatment of protozoal disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tansy C Hammarton
- Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
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