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Cubillos EFG, Snebergerova P, Borsodi S, Reichensdorferova D, Levytska V, Asada M, Sojka D, Jalovecka M. Establishment of a stable transfection and gene targeting system in Babesia divergens. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2023; 13:1278041. [PMID: 38156314 PMCID: PMC10753763 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2023.1278041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2023] [Accepted: 11/29/2023] [Indexed: 12/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Babesia divergens is an emerging tick-borne pathogen considered as the principal causative agent of bovine babesiosis in Europe with a notable zoonotic risk to human health. Despite its increasing impact, considerable gaps persist in our understanding of the molecular interactions between this parasite and its hosts. In this study, we address the current limitation of functional genomic tools in B. divergens and introduce a stable transfection system specific to this parasite. We define the parameters for a drug selection system hdhfr-WR99210 and evaluate different transfection protocols for highly efficient generation of transgenic parasites expressing GFP. We proved that plasmid delivery into bovine erythrocytes prior to their infection is the most optimal transfection approach for B. divergens, providing novel evidence of Babesia parasites' ability to spontaneously uptake external DNA from erythrocytes cytoplasm. Furthermore, we validated the bidirectional and symmetrical activity of ef-tgtp promoter, enabling simultaneous expression of external genes. Lastly, we generated a B. divergens knockout line by targeting a 6-cys-e gene locus. The observed dispensability of this gene in intraerythrocytic parasite development makes it a suitable recipient locus for further transgenic application. The platform for genetic manipulations presented herein serves as the initial step towards developing advanced functional genomic tools enabling the discovery of B. divergens molecules involved in host-vector-pathogen interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eliana F. G. Cubillos
- Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia in Ceske Budejovice, Ceske Budejovice, Czechia
| | - Pavla Snebergerova
- Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia in Ceske Budejovice, Ceske Budejovice, Czechia
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Ceske Budejovice, Czechia
| | - Sarka Borsodi
- Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia in Ceske Budejovice, Ceske Budejovice, Czechia
| | | | - Viktoriya Levytska
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Ceske Budejovice, Czechia
| | - Masahito Asada
- National Research Center for Protozoan Diseases, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido, Obihiro, Japan
| | - Daniel Sojka
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Ceske Budejovice, Czechia
| | - Marie Jalovecka
- Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia in Ceske Budejovice, Ceske Budejovice, Czechia
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Ceske Budejovice, Czechia
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2
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Johnson WC, Hussein HE, Capelli-Peixoto J, Laughery JM, Taus NS, Suarez CE, Ueti MW. A Transfected Babesia bovis Parasite Line Expressing eGFP Is Able to Complete the Full Life Cycle of the Parasite in Mammalian and Tick Hosts. Pathogens 2022; 11:pathogens11060623. [PMID: 35745477 PMCID: PMC9229605 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens11060623] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2022] [Revised: 05/23/2022] [Accepted: 05/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Bovine babesiosis is caused by apicomplexan pathogens of the genus Babesia, including B. bovis. This protozoan parasite has a complex life cycle involving dynamic changes to its transcriptome during the transition between the invertebrate and vertebrate hosts. Studying the role of genes upregulated by tick stage parasites has been hindered by the lack of appropriate tools to study parasite gene products in the invertebrate host. Herein, we present tfBbo5480, a transfected B. bovis cell line, constitutively expressing enhanced green fluorescent protein (eGFP) created by a whole gene replacement transfection strategy, that was capable of completing the parasite’s entire life cycle in both the vertebrate and invertebrate hosts. tfBbo5480 was demonstrated to respond to in vitro sexual stage induction and upon acquisition by the female tick vector, Rhipicephalus microplus, the tick specific kinete stage of tfBbo5480 was detected in tick hemolymph. Larvae from tfBbo5480 exposed R. microplus female ticks successfully transmitted the transfected parasite to a naïve calf. The development of the whole gene replacement strategy will permit a deeper understanding of the biology of parasite-host-vector triad interactions and facilitate the evaluation of upregulated genes during the parasite’s journey through the tick vector leading to new intervention strategies for the control of bovine babesiosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wendell C. Johnson
- Animal Diseases Research Unit, USDA-ARS, Pullman, WA 99164, USA; (W.C.J.); (N.S.T.); (C.E.S.)
| | - Hala E. Hussein
- Program in Vector-Borne Diseases, Department of Veterinary Microbiology and Pathology, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99164, USA; (H.E.H.); (J.C.-P.); (J.M.L.)
- Department of Entomology, Faculty of Science, Cairo University, Giza 12613, Egypt
| | - Janaina Capelli-Peixoto
- Program in Vector-Borne Diseases, Department of Veterinary Microbiology and Pathology, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99164, USA; (H.E.H.); (J.C.-P.); (J.M.L.)
| | - Jacob M. Laughery
- Program in Vector-Borne Diseases, Department of Veterinary Microbiology and Pathology, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99164, USA; (H.E.H.); (J.C.-P.); (J.M.L.)
| | - Naomi S. Taus
- Animal Diseases Research Unit, USDA-ARS, Pullman, WA 99164, USA; (W.C.J.); (N.S.T.); (C.E.S.)
| | - Carlos E. Suarez
- Animal Diseases Research Unit, USDA-ARS, Pullman, WA 99164, USA; (W.C.J.); (N.S.T.); (C.E.S.)
- Program in Vector-Borne Diseases, Department of Veterinary Microbiology and Pathology, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99164, USA; (H.E.H.); (J.C.-P.); (J.M.L.)
| | - Massaro W. Ueti
- Animal Diseases Research Unit, USDA-ARS, Pullman, WA 99164, USA; (W.C.J.); (N.S.T.); (C.E.S.)
- Program in Vector-Borne Diseases, Department of Veterinary Microbiology and Pathology, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99164, USA; (H.E.H.); (J.C.-P.); (J.M.L.)
- Paul G. Allen School for Global Animal Health, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99164, USA
- Correspondence:
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Allred DR. Integration of DNA Repair, Antigenic Variation, Cytoadhesion, and Chance in Babesia Survival: A Perspective. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2022; 12:869696. [PMID: 35493746 PMCID: PMC9047050 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2022.869696] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2022] [Accepted: 03/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Apicomplexan parasites live in hostile environments in which they are challenged chemically and their hosts attempt in many ways to kill them. In response, the parasites have evolved multiple mechanisms that take advantage of these challenges to enhance their survival. Perhaps the most impressive example is the evolutionary co-option of DNA repair mechanisms by the parasites as a means to rapidly manipulate the structure, antigenicity, and expression of the products of specific multigene families. The purpose of variant proteins that mediate cytoadhesion has long been thought to be primarily the avoidance of splenic clearance. Based upon known biology, I present an alternative perspective in which it is survival of the oxidative environment within which Babesia spp. parasites live that has driven integration of DNA repair, antigenic variation, and cytoadhesion, and speculate on how genome organization affects that integration. This perspective has ramifications for the development of parasite control strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- David R. Allred
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
- Genetics Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
- Emerging Pathogens Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
- *Correspondence: David R. Allred,
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Wang S, Li D, Chen F, Jiang W, Luo W, Zhu G, Zhao J, He L. Establishment of a Transient and Stable Transfection System for Babesia duncani Using a Homologous Recombination Strategy. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2022; 12:844498. [PMID: 35463640 PMCID: PMC9019647 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2022.844498] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2021] [Accepted: 03/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Genetic modification provides an invaluable molecular tool to dissect the biology and pathogenesis of pathogens. However, no report is available about the genetic modification of Babesia duncani, a pathogen responsible for human babesiosis that is widespread in North America, suggesting the necessity to develop a genetic manipulation method to improve the strategies for studying and understanding the biology of protozoan pathogens. The establishment of a genetic modification method requires promoters, selectable markers, and reporter genes. Here, the double-copy gene elongation factor-1α (ef-1α) and its promoters were amplified by conventional PCR and confirmed by sequencing. We established a transient transfection system by using the ef-1αB promoter and the reporter gene mCherry and achieved stable transfection through homologous recombination to integrate the selection marker hDHFR-eGFP into the parasite genome. The potential of this genetic modification method was tested by knocking out the thioredoxin peroxidase-1 (TPX-1) gene, and under the drug pressure of 5 nM WR99210, 96.3% of the parasites were observed to express green fluorescence protein (eGFP) by flow cytometry at day 7 post-transfection. Additionally, the clone line of the TPX-1 knockout parasite was successfully obtained by the limiting dilution method. This study provided a transfection method for B. duncani, which may facilitate gene function research and vaccine development of B. duncani.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sen Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
- Key Laboratory of Preventive Veterinary Medicine in Hubei Province, College of Animal Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
| | - Dongfang Li
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
- Key Laboratory of Preventive Veterinary Medicine in Hubei Province, College of Animal Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
| | - Fangwei Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
- Key Laboratory of Preventive Veterinary Medicine in Hubei Province, College of Animal Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
| | - Weijun Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
- Key Laboratory of Preventive Veterinary Medicine in Hubei Province, College of Animal Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
| | - Wanxin Luo
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
- Key Laboratory of Preventive Veterinary Medicine in Hubei Province, College of Animal Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
| | - Guan Zhu
- Key Laboratory of Zoonosis Research of the Ministry of Education, the Institute of Zoonosis, and the College of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Junlong Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
- Key Laboratory of Preventive Veterinary Medicine in Hubei Province, College of Animal Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
- Key Laboratory of Animal Epidemical Disease and Infectious Zoonoses, Ministry of Agriculture, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
| | - Lan He
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
- Key Laboratory of Preventive Veterinary Medicine in Hubei Province, College of Animal Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
- Key Laboratory of Animal Epidemical Disease and Infectious Zoonoses, Ministry of Agriculture, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
- *Correspondence: Lan He,
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5
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Recent Advances in Molecular Genetic Tools for Babesia. Vet Sci 2021; 8:vetsci8100222. [PMID: 34679052 PMCID: PMC8541370 DOI: 10.3390/vetsci8100222] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2021] [Revised: 09/15/2021] [Accepted: 10/02/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Development of in vitro culture and completion of genome sequencing of several Babesia parasites promoted the efforts to establish transfection systems for these parasites to dissect the gene functions. It has been more than a decade since the establishment of first transfection for Babesia bovis, the causative agent of bovine babesiosis. However, the number of genes that were targeted by genetic tools in Babesia parasites is limited. This is partially due to the low efficiencies of these methods. The recent adaptation of CRISPR/Cas9 for genome editing of Babesia bovis can accelerate the efforts for dissecting this parasite’s genome and extend the knowledge on biological aspects of erythrocytic and tick stages of Babesia. Additionally, glmS ribozyme as a conditional knockdown system is available that could be used for the characterization of essential genes. The development of high throughput genetic tools is needed to dissect the function of multigene families, targeting several genes in a specific pathway, and finally genome-wide identification of essential genes to find novel drug targets. In this review, we summarized the current tools that are available for Babesia and the genes that are being targeted by these tools. This may draw a perspective for the future development of genetic tools and pave the way for the identification of novel drugs or vaccine targets.
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Mazuz ML, Laughery JM, Lebovitz B, Yasur-Landau D, Rot A, Bastos RG, Edery N, Fleiderovitz L, Levi MM, Suarez CE. Experimental Infection of Calves with Transfected Attenuated Babesia bovis Expressing the Rhipicephalus microplus Bm86 Antigen and eGFP Marker: Preliminary Studies towards a Dual Anti-Tick/Babesia Vaccine. Pathogens 2021; 10:pathogens10020135. [PMID: 33572875 PMCID: PMC7911397 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens10020135] [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: 12/09/2020] [Revised: 01/25/2021] [Accepted: 01/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Bovine babesiosis, caused by Babesia bovis and B. bigemina, is a major tick-borne disease of cattle with global economic impact. The disease can be prevented using integrated control measures including attenuated Babesia vaccines, babesicidal drugs, and tick control approaches. Vaccination of cattle with the Rhipicephalus microplus Bm86-based recombinant vaccine reduces the fitness of R. microplus and R. annulatus, but several booster inoculations are required to maintain protection. Herein, we generated a stable transfected strain of B. bovis expressing an enhanced GFP (eGFP) and a chimeric version of Bm86 (B. bovis/Bm86/eGFP). The eGFP was expressed in the parasite cytoplasm, whereas Bm86 was displayed on the surface of merozoites. Three splenectomized calves experimentally infected with B. bovis/Bm86/eGFP showed mild signs of acute disease and developed long-lasting antibody responses to B. bovis and native Bm86. No evidence of sequestration of parasites in the cerebral capillaries was found upon postmortem analysis, confirming attenuation of the strain. This is the first report of transfected B. bovis expressing the tick antigen Bm86 on the merozoite surface that elicits an antibody response to native Bm86. These results represent a proof of concept for a novel live, attenuated, tagged dual-vaccine approach to attempt simultaneous control of babesiosis and tick infestation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monica L. Mazuz
- Division of Parasitology, Kimron Veterinary Institute, P.O.B. 12, Bet Dagan 50250, Israel; (B.L.); (D.Y.-L.); (A.R.); (L.F.); (M.M.L.)
- Correspondence: (M.L.M.); (C.E.S.); Tel.: +972-3-968-1690 (M.L.M.); Tel.: +1-509-335-6341 (C.E.S.)
| | - Jacob M. Laughery
- Department of Veterinary Microbiology and Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99164-7040, USA; (J.M.L.); (R.G.B.)
| | - Benjamin Lebovitz
- Division of Parasitology, Kimron Veterinary Institute, P.O.B. 12, Bet Dagan 50250, Israel; (B.L.); (D.Y.-L.); (A.R.); (L.F.); (M.M.L.)
| | - Daniel Yasur-Landau
- Division of Parasitology, Kimron Veterinary Institute, P.O.B. 12, Bet Dagan 50250, Israel; (B.L.); (D.Y.-L.); (A.R.); (L.F.); (M.M.L.)
| | - Assael Rot
- Division of Parasitology, Kimron Veterinary Institute, P.O.B. 12, Bet Dagan 50250, Israel; (B.L.); (D.Y.-L.); (A.R.); (L.F.); (M.M.L.)
| | - Reginaldo G. Bastos
- Department of Veterinary Microbiology and Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99164-7040, USA; (J.M.L.); (R.G.B.)
| | - Nir Edery
- Division of Pathology, Kimron Veterinary Institute, P.O.B. 12, Bet Dagan 50250, Israel;
| | - Ludmila Fleiderovitz
- Division of Parasitology, Kimron Veterinary Institute, P.O.B. 12, Bet Dagan 50250, Israel; (B.L.); (D.Y.-L.); (A.R.); (L.F.); (M.M.L.)
| | - Maayan Margalit Levi
- Division of Parasitology, Kimron Veterinary Institute, P.O.B. 12, Bet Dagan 50250, Israel; (B.L.); (D.Y.-L.); (A.R.); (L.F.); (M.M.L.)
| | - Carlos E. Suarez
- Department of Veterinary Microbiology and Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99164-7040, USA; (J.M.L.); (R.G.B.)
- Animal Disease Research Unit, Agricultural Research Service, USDA, WSU, Pullman, WA 99164-6630, USA
- Correspondence: (M.L.M.); (C.E.S.); Tel.: +972-3-968-1690 (M.L.M.); Tel.: +1-509-335-6341 (C.E.S.)
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7
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Ueti MW, Johnson WC, Kappmeyer LS, Herndon DR, Mousel MR, Reif KE, Taus NS, Ifeonu OO, Silva JC, Suarez CE, Brayton KA. Comparative analysis of gene expression between Babesia bovis blood stages and kinetes allowed by improved genome annotation. Int J Parasitol 2020; 51:123-136. [PMID: 33069745 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpara.2020.08.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2020] [Revised: 07/29/2020] [Accepted: 08/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Throughout their life cycle, Babesia parasites alternate between a mammalian host, where they cause babesiosis, and the tick vector. Transition between hosts results in distinct environmental signals that influence patterns of gene expression, consistent with the morphological and functional changes operating in the parasites during their life stages. In addition, comparing differential patterns of gene expression among mammalian and tick parasite stages can provide clues for developing improved methods of control. Hereby, we upgraded the genome assembly of Babesia bovis, a bovine hemoparasite, closing a 139 kbp gap, and used RNA-Seq datasets derived from mammalian blood and tick kinete stages to update the genome annotation. Of the originally annotated genes, 1,254 required structural changes, and 326 new genes were identified, leading to a different predicted proteome compared to the original annotation. Next, the RNA-Seq data was used to identify B. bovis genes that were differentially expressed in the vertebrate and arthropod hosts. In blood stages, 28% of the genes were upregulated up to 300 fold, whereas 26% of the genes in kinetes, a tick stage, were upregulated up to >19,000 fold. We thus discovered differentially expressed genes that may play key biological roles and serve as suitable targets for the development of vaccines to control bovine babesiosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Massaro W Ueti
- Animal Diseases Research Unit, USDA-ARS, Pullman, Washington, USA; Program in Vector-borne Diseases, Department of Veterinary Microbiology and Pathology, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington, USA; Paul G. Allen School for Global Animal Health, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington, USA.
| | | | | | - David R Herndon
- Animal Diseases Research Unit, USDA-ARS, Pullman, Washington, USA
| | - Michelle R Mousel
- Animal Diseases Research Unit, USDA-ARS, Pullman, Washington, USA; Paul G. Allen School for Global Animal Health, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington, USA
| | - Kathryn E Reif
- Animal Diseases Research Unit, USDA-ARS, Pullman, Washington, USA; Program in Vector-borne Diseases, Department of Veterinary Microbiology and Pathology, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington, USA
| | - Naomi S Taus
- Animal Diseases Research Unit, USDA-ARS, Pullman, Washington, USA; Program in Vector-borne Diseases, Department of Veterinary Microbiology and Pathology, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington, USA
| | - Olukemi O Ifeonu
- Institute for Genome Sciences, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Joana C Silva
- Institute for Genome Sciences, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Carlos E Suarez
- Animal Diseases Research Unit, USDA-ARS, Pullman, Washington, USA; Program in Vector-borne Diseases, Department of Veterinary Microbiology and Pathology, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington, USA
| | - Kelly A Brayton
- Program in Vector-borne Diseases, Department of Veterinary Microbiology and Pathology, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington, USA; Paul G. Allen School for Global Animal Health, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington, USA.
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Hakimi H, Templeton TJ, Sakaguchi M, Yamagishi J, Miyazaki S, Yahata K, Uchihashi T, Kawazu SI, Kaneko O, Asada M. Novel Babesia bovis exported proteins that modify properties of infected red blood cells. PLoS Pathog 2020; 16:e1008917. [PMID: 33017449 PMCID: PMC7561165 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1008917] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2020] [Revised: 10/15/2020] [Accepted: 08/20/2020] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Babesia bovis causes a pathogenic form of babesiosis in cattle. Following invasion of red blood cells (RBCs) the parasite extensively modifies host cell structural and mechanical properties via the export of numerous proteins. Despite their crucial role in virulence and pathogenesis, such proteins have not been comprehensively characterized in B. bovis. Here we describe the surface biotinylation of infected RBCs (iRBCs), followed by proteomic analysis. We describe a multigene family (mtm) that encodes predicted multi-transmembrane integral membrane proteins which are exported and expressed on the surface of iRBCs. One mtm gene was downregulated in blasticidin-S (BS) resistant parasites, suggesting an association with BS uptake. Induced knockdown of a novel exported protein encoded by BBOV_III004280, named VESA export-associated protein (BbVEAP), resulted in a decreased growth rate, reduced RBC surface ridge numbers, mis-localized VESA1, and abrogated cytoadhesion to endothelial cells, suggesting that BbVEAP is a novel virulence factor for B. bovis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hassan Hakimi
- Department of Protozoology, Institute of Tropical Medicine (NEKKEN), Nagasaki University, Nagasaki, Japan
- National Research Center for Protozoan Diseases, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Obihiro, Hokkaido, Japan
- * E-mail: (HH); (MA)
| | - Thomas J. Templeton
- Department of Protozoology, Institute of Tropical Medicine (NEKKEN), Nagasaki University, Nagasaki, Japan
| | - Miako Sakaguchi
- Central Laboratory, Institute of Tropical Medicine (NEKKEN), Nagasaki University, Nagasaki, Japan
| | - Junya Yamagishi
- Division of Collaboration and Education, Research Center for Zoonosis Control, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan
- International Collaboration Unit, Research Center for Zoonosis Control, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Shinya Miyazaki
- Department of Protozoology, Institute of Tropical Medicine (NEKKEN), Nagasaki University, Nagasaki, Japan
| | - Kazuhide Yahata
- Department of Protozoology, Institute of Tropical Medicine (NEKKEN), Nagasaki University, Nagasaki, Japan
| | | | - Shin-ichiro Kawazu
- National Research Center for Protozoan Diseases, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Obihiro, Hokkaido, Japan
| | - Osamu Kaneko
- Department of Protozoology, Institute of Tropical Medicine (NEKKEN), Nagasaki University, Nagasaki, Japan
| | - Masahito Asada
- Department of Protozoology, Institute of Tropical Medicine (NEKKEN), Nagasaki University, Nagasaki, Japan
- National Research Center for Protozoan Diseases, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Obihiro, Hokkaido, Japan
- * E-mail: (HH); (MA)
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Jaijyan DK, Govindasamy K, Singh J, Bhattacharya S, Singh AP. Establishment of a stable transfection method in Babesia microti and identification of a novel bidirectional promoter of Babesia microti. Sci Rep 2020; 10:15614. [PMID: 32973208 PMCID: PMC7515924 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-72489-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2020] [Accepted: 08/31/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Babesia microti, an emerging human pathogen, is primarily transmitted through a bite of an infected tick and blood transfusions in human. Stable transfection technique has been reported in many protozoan parasites over the past few years. However, in vivo transient and stable transfection method has not been established for Babesia microti. Here, for the first time, we present a method of transient as well as stable transfection of the Babesia microti (B. microti) in the in vivo conditions. We have identified a novel promoter of B. microti. We also demonstrated that Plasmodium berghei DHFR promoter is recognized and functional in B. microti. We show that BM-CTQ41297 promoter control the expression of two genes, which are present on either side and thus represents a bi-functional promoter in B. microti. The predicted promoter activity values using Promoter 2.0 program is higher for BM- CTQ41297 promoter than strong promoters such as β-actin, ef-1β, and many other promoters. Furthermore, we discovered a non-essential locus for the genetic manipulation of the parasite, allowing us to stably integrate foreign genes; GFP, mCherry, into the B. microti. The transfection using an electroporation method and genetic manipulation of B. microti is now achievable and it is possible to obtain transfected viable parasites under in vivo growing conditions. The growth curve analysis of transfected and WT B. microti are similar indicating no defects in the transgenic parasites. This study will enable other researchers in understanding the B. microti biology, host modulation and diverse parasite developmental stages using reverse genetics and holds great potential to identify novel drug targets and vaccine development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dabbu Kumar Jaijyan
- National Institute of Immunology, Aruna Asaf Ali Marg, New Delhi, 10067, India
| | | | - Jyoti Singh
- National Institute of Immunology, Aruna Asaf Ali Marg, New Delhi, 10067, India
| | - Shreya Bhattacharya
- National Institute of Immunology, Aruna Asaf Ali Marg, New Delhi, 10067, India
| | - Agam Prasad Singh
- National Institute of Immunology, Aruna Asaf Ali Marg, New Delhi, 10067, India.
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Transient Transfection of the Zoonotic Parasite Babesia microti. Pathogens 2020; 9:pathogens9020108. [PMID: 32050586 PMCID: PMC7169379 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens9020108] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2020] [Revised: 02/08/2020] [Accepted: 02/10/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The development of genetic manipulation techniques has been reported in many protozoan parasites over the past few years. However, these techniques have not been established for Babesia microti. Here, we report the first successful transient transfection of B. microti. The plasmids containing the firefly luciferase reporter gene were transfected into B. microti by an AMAXA 4D Nucleofection system. Twenty-four-hour synchronization, the 5'-actin promoter, program FA100, and 50 μg of plasmid DNA constituted the best conditions for the transient transfection of B. microti. This finding is the first step towards a stable transfection method for B. microti, which may contribute to a better understanding of the biology of the parasite.
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Rosa C, Asada M, Hakimi H, Domingos A, Pimentel M, Antunes S. Transient transfection of Babesia ovis using heterologous promoters. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2019; 10:101279. [PMID: 31481343 DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2019.101279] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2019] [Revised: 08/13/2019] [Accepted: 08/23/2019] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
Babesia species, etiological agents of babesiosis, a recognized emerging tick-borne disease, are a significant animal and human health concern with a worldwide socio-economic impact. The development of genetic manipulation techniques, such as transfection technology, is pivotal to improve knowledge regarding the biology of these poorly studied parasites towards better disease control strategies. For Babesia ovis, responsible for ovine babesiosis, a tick-borne disease of small ruminants, these tools are not yet available. The present study was based on the existence of interchangeable cross-species functional promoters between Babesia species. Herein, we describe for the first time B. ovis transient transfection using two heterologous promoters, the ef-1α-B intergenic regions from B. bovis and B. ovata. Their ability to drive expression of a reporter luciferase in B. ovis supports their cross-species functionality. Also, the ef-1α-B promoter region from B. ovata resulted in statistically significantly higher luminescence values in comparison to the control, thus a possibly suitable promoter for stable gene expression. Evaluation of transfection efficiency using qPCR demonstrated that higher luminescence levels were due to promoter strength rather than a higher transfection efficiency. These findings represent a step forward in the development of methods for B. ovis genetic manipulation, an undoubtedly necessary tool to study this parasite basic biology, including its life cycle, the parasite interactions with host cells and virulence factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catarina Rosa
- Research Institute for Medicines (iMed.ULisboa), Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade de Lisboa, 1649-003, Lisboa, Portugal; Instituto de Higiene e Medicina Tropical, Universidade Nova de Lisboa (IHMT-UNL), R. da Junqueira 100, 1349-008, Lisboa, Portugal.
| | - Masahito Asada
- Department of Protozoology, Institute of Tropical Medicine (NEKKEN), Nagasaki University, Sakamoto 1-12-4, Nagasaki, 852-8523, Japan
| | - Hassan Hakimi
- Department of Protozoology, Institute of Tropical Medicine (NEKKEN), Nagasaki University, Sakamoto 1-12-4, Nagasaki, 852-8523, Japan
| | - Ana Domingos
- Instituto de Higiene e Medicina Tropical, Universidade Nova de Lisboa (IHMT-UNL), R. da Junqueira 100, 1349-008, Lisboa, Portugal; Global Health and Tropical Medicine, Instituto de Higiene e Medicina Tropical, Universidade Nova de Lisboa (GHTM-IHMT-UNL), Rua da Junqueira, 100, 1349-008, Portugal
| | - Madalena Pimentel
- Research Institute for Medicines (iMed.ULisboa), Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade de Lisboa, 1649-003, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Sandra Antunes
- Instituto de Higiene e Medicina Tropical, Universidade Nova de Lisboa (IHMT-UNL), R. da Junqueira 100, 1349-008, Lisboa, Portugal; Global Health and Tropical Medicine, Instituto de Higiene e Medicina Tropical, Universidade Nova de Lisboa (GHTM-IHMT-UNL), Rua da Junqueira, 100, 1349-008, Portugal
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Mack EA, Xiao YP, Allred DR. Knockout of Babesia bovis rad51 ortholog and its complementation by expression from the BbACc3 artificial chromosome platform. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0215882. [PMID: 31386669 PMCID: PMC6684078 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0215882] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2019] [Accepted: 07/21/2019] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Babesia bovis establishes persistent infections of long duration in cattle, despite the development of effective anti-disease immunity. One mechanism used by the parasite to achieve persistence is rapid antigenic variation of the VESA1 cytoadhesion ligand through segmental gene conversion (SGC), a phenomenon thought to be a form of homologous recombination (HR). To begin investigation of the enzymatic basis for SGC we initially identified and knocked out the Bbrad51 gene encoding the B. bovis Rad51 ortholog. BbRad51 was found to be non-essential for in vitro growth of asexual-stage parasites. However, its loss resulted in hypersensitivity to methylmethane sulfonate (MMS) and an apparent defect in HR. This defect rendered attempts to complement the knockout phenotype by reinsertion of the Bbrad51 gene into the genome unsuccessful. To circumvent this difficulty, we constructed an artificial chromosome, BbACc3, into which the complete Bbrad51 locus was inserted, for expression of BbRad51 under regulation by autologous elements. Maintenance of BbACc3 makes use of centromeric sequences from chromosome 3 and telomeric ends from chromosome 1 of the B. bovis C9.1 line. A selection cassette employing human dihydrofolate reductase enables recovery of transformants by selection with pyrimethamine. We demonstrate that the BbACc3 platform is stably maintained once established, assembles nucleosomes to form native chromatin, and expands in telomere length over time. Significantly, the MMS-sensitivity phenotype observed in the absence of Bbrad51 was successfully complemented at essentially normal levels. We provide cautionary evidence, however, that in HR-competent parasites BbACc3 can recombine with native chromosomes, potentially resulting in crossover. We propose that, under certain circumstances this platform can provide a useful alternative for the genetic manipulation of this group of parasites, particularly when regulated gene expression under the control of autologous elements may be important.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erin A. Mack
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, United States of America
| | - Yu-Ping Xiao
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, United States of America
| | - David R. Allred
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, United States of America
- Genetics Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, United States of America
- Emerging Pathogens Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, United States of America
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13
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Abstract
Babesia bovis, the most virulent causative agent of bovine babesiosis, is prevalent in tropical and subtropical regions of the world. Although the whole-genome sequence was released more than a decade ago, functional analysis of the genomics of this parasite is hampered by the limited breadth of genetic engineering tools. In this study, we implemented the clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeat (CRISPR)/Cas9 system for B. bovis and demonstrated its potential for genome editing. Cas9 and human dihydrofolate reductase (hDHFR) were simultaneously expressed by the B. bovis elongation factor-1α bidirectional promoter, and a single guide RNA was expressed via the B. bovis U6 spliceosomal RNA promoter. Using a single plasmid construct, we were able to add an epitope tag to spherical body protein 3 (SBP3), introduce a point mutation into thioredoxin peroxidase 1 (tpx-1) to impair the function of the product, and replace the tpx-1 open reading frame with the other protein. Epitope tagging of SBP3 was efficient using this system, with a negligible number of remaining wild-type parasites and a pure transgenic population produced by allelic replacement of tpx-1 This advancement in genetic engineering tools for B. bovis will aid functional analysis of the genome and underpin characterization of candidate drug and vaccine targets.IMPORTANCE Babesia bovis is the most virulent cause of bovine babesiosis worldwide. The disease consequences are death, abortion, and economical loss due to reduced milk and meat production. Available vaccines are not effective, treatment options are limited, and emergence of drug and acaricide resistance has been reported from different regions. There is an urgent need to identify new drug and vaccine targets. Greater than half of the genes in B. bovis genome, including several expanded gene families which are unique for Babesia spp., have no predicted function. The available genetic engineering tools are based on conventional homologous recombination, which is time-consuming and inefficient. In this study, we adapted the CRISPR/Cas9 system as a robust genetic engineering tool for B. bovis This advancement will aid future functional studies of uncharacterized genes.
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To kill a piroplasm: genetic technologies to advance drug discovery and target identification in Babesia. Int J Parasitol 2019; 49:153-163. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpara.2018.09.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2018] [Revised: 09/07/2018] [Accepted: 09/19/2018] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
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15
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Stable transformation of Babesia bigemina and Babesia bovis using a single transfection plasmid. Sci Rep 2018; 8:6096. [PMID: 29666434 PMCID: PMC5904164 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-23010-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2017] [Accepted: 02/26/2018] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Babesia bigemina and Babesia bovis, are the two major causes of bovine babesiosis, a global neglected disease in need of improved methods of control. Here, we describe a shared method for the stable transfection of these two parasites using electroporation and blasticidin/blasticidin deaminase as a selectable marker. Stably transfected B. bigemina and B. bovis were obtained using a common transfection plasmid targeting the enhanced green fluorescent protein-BSD (egfp-bsd) fusion gene into the elongation factor-1α (ef-1α) locus of B. bigemina and B. bovis under the control of the B. bigemina ef-1α promoter. Sequencing, Southern blotting, immunoblotting and immunofluorescence analysis of parasite-infected red blood cells, demonstrated that the egfp-bsd gene was expressed and stably integrated solely into the ef-1α locus of both, B. bigemina and B. bovis. Interestingly, heterologous B. bigemina ef-1α sequences were able to drive integration into the B. bovis genome by homologous recombination, and the stably integrated B. bigemina ef-1α-A promoter is fully functional in B. bovis. Collectively, the data provides a new tool for genetic analysis of these parasites, and suggests that the development of vaccine platform delivery systems based on transfected B. bovis and B. bigemina parasites using homologous and heterologous promoters is feasible.
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16
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Asada M, Hakimi H, Kawazu SI. The application of the HyPer fluorescent sensor in the real-time detection of H 2O 2 in Babesia bovis merozoites in vitro. Vet Parasitol 2018; 255:78-82. [PMID: 29773141 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2018.03.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2017] [Revised: 03/14/2018] [Accepted: 03/18/2018] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
In recent years, genetically encoded fluorescent probes have allowed a dramatic advancement in time-lapse imaging, enabling this imaging modality to be used to investigate intracellular events in several apicomplexan parasite species. In this study, we constructed a plasmid vector to stably express a genetically encoded H2O2 sensor probe called HyPer in Babesia bovis. The HyPer-transfected parasite population was successfully developed and subjected to a time-lapse imaging analysis under in vitro culture conditions. HyPer was capable of sensing an increasing H2O2 concentration in the parasite cells which was induced by the administration of paraquat as a superoxide donor. HyPer fluorescence co-staining with MitoTracker Red indicated the mitochondria as the major source of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in parasite cells. The fluctuating ROS dynamics in the parasite gliding toward, attaching to, and invading the target red blood cell was visualized and monitored in real time with the HyPer expressing parasite population. This is the first report to describe the application of the HyPer probe in an imaging analysis involving Babesia parasites. Hyper-expressing parasites can be widely utilized in studies to investigate the mechanisms of emergence and the reduction of oxidative stress, as well as the signal transduction in the parasite cells during host invasion and intercellular development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masahito Asada
- Department of Protozoology, Institute of Tropical Medicine (NEKKEN), Nagasaki University, Sakamoto 1-12-4, Nagasaki, 852-8523, Japan; National Research Center for Protozoan Diseases, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Obihiro, Hokkaido, 080-8555, Japan.
| | - Hassan Hakimi
- Department of Protozoology, Institute of Tropical Medicine (NEKKEN), Nagasaki University, Sakamoto 1-12-4, Nagasaki, 852-8523, Japan; National Research Center for Protozoan Diseases, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Obihiro, Hokkaido, 080-8555, Japan.
| | - Shin-Ichiro Kawazu
- National Research Center for Protozoan Diseases, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Obihiro, Hokkaido, 080-8555, Japan.
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17
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Liu M, Adjou Moumouni PF, Cao S, Asada M, Wang G, Gao Y, Guo H, Li J, Vudriko P, Efstratiou A, Ringo AE, Lee SH, Hakimi H, Masatani T, Sunaga F, Kawazu SI, Yamagishi J, Jia L, Inoue N, Xuan X. Identification and characterization of interchangeable cross-species functional promoters between Babesia gibsoni and Babesia bovis. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2017; 9:330-333. [PMID: 29174364 DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2017.11.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2017] [Revised: 11/13/2017] [Accepted: 11/15/2017] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
The development of transgenic techniques has been reported in many protozoan parasites over the past few years. We recently established a successful transient transfection system for Babesia gibsoni based on Bg 5'-ef-1α promoter. This study investigated 6 homologous and 6 heterologous promoters for B. gibsoni and B. bovis and identified novel interchangeable cross-species functional promoters between B. gibsoni and B. bovis. Ten out of twelve promoters had heterologous promoter function. In particular, Bg 5'-ef-1α and Bg 5'-actin heterologous promoters resulted in a significantly higher luciferase activity than Bb 5'-ef-1α homologous promoter in B. bovis. The present study showed that Bg 5'-actin promoted the highest luciferase activity in both B. gibsoni and B. bovis. The study further indicates that heterologous promoter function widely exists between B. gibsoni and B. bovis. This finding is an important step for future stable transfection construct design and for the production of vaccines based on transfected B. gibsoni and B. bovis parasites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mingming Liu
- National Research Center for Protozoan Diseases, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Inada-cho, Obihiro, Hokkaido, 080-8555, Japan
| | - Paul Franck Adjou Moumouni
- National Research Center for Protozoan Diseases, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Inada-cho, Obihiro, Hokkaido, 080-8555, Japan
| | - Shinuo Cao
- National Research Center for Protozoan Diseases, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Inada-cho, Obihiro, Hokkaido, 080-8555, Japan
| | - Masahito Asada
- Department of Protozoology, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Nagasaki University, Sakamoto 1-12-4, Nagasaki, 852-8523, Japan
| | - Guanbo Wang
- National Research Center for Protozoan Diseases, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Inada-cho, Obihiro, Hokkaido, 080-8555, Japan
| | - Yang Gao
- National Research Center for Protozoan Diseases, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Inada-cho, Obihiro, Hokkaido, 080-8555, Japan
| | - Huanping Guo
- National Research Center for Protozoan Diseases, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Inada-cho, Obihiro, Hokkaido, 080-8555, Japan
| | - Jixu Li
- National Research Center for Protozoan Diseases, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Inada-cho, Obihiro, Hokkaido, 080-8555, Japan
| | - Patrick Vudriko
- National Research Center for Protozoan Diseases, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Inada-cho, Obihiro, Hokkaido, 080-8555, Japan
| | - Artemis Efstratiou
- National Research Center for Protozoan Diseases, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Inada-cho, Obihiro, Hokkaido, 080-8555, Japan
| | - Aaron Edmond Ringo
- National Research Center for Protozoan Diseases, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Inada-cho, Obihiro, Hokkaido, 080-8555, Japan
| | - Seung-Hun Lee
- National Research Center for Protozoan Diseases, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Inada-cho, Obihiro, Hokkaido, 080-8555, Japan
| | - Hassan Hakimi
- Department of Protozoology, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Nagasaki University, Sakamoto 1-12-4, Nagasaki, 852-8523, Japan
| | - Tatsunori Masatani
- Transboundary Animal Diseases Research Center, Joint Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kagoshima University, 1-21-24 Korimoto, Kagoshima, 890-0065, Japan
| | - Fujiko Sunaga
- School of Veterinary Medicine, Azabu University, Chuo-ku, Sagamihara, Kanagawa, 252-5201, Japan
| | - Shin-Ichiro Kawazu
- National Research Center for Protozoan Diseases, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Inada-cho, Obihiro, Hokkaido, 080-8555, Japan
| | - Junya Yamagishi
- Research Center for Zoonosis Control, Hokkaido University, North 20, West 10 Kita-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido, 001-0020, Japan; Global Station for Zoonosis Control, GI-CoRE, Hokkaido University, North 20, West 10 Kita-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido, 001-0020, Japan
| | - Lijun Jia
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Agricultural College of Yanbian University, Yanji, Jilin, 133000, China
| | - Noboru Inoue
- Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Inada-cho, Obihiro, Hokkaido, 080-8555, Japan
| | - Xuenan Xuan
- National Research Center for Protozoan Diseases, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Inada-cho, Obihiro, Hokkaido, 080-8555, Japan.
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Suarez CE, Bishop RP, Alzan HF, Poole WA, Cooke BM. Advances in the application of genetic manipulation methods to apicomplexan parasites. Int J Parasitol 2017; 47:701-710. [PMID: 28893636 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpara.2017.08.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2017] [Revised: 08/24/2017] [Accepted: 08/24/2017] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Apicomplexan parasites such as Babesia, Theileria, Eimeria, Cryptosporidium and Toxoplasma greatly impact animal health globally, and improved, cost-effective measures to control them are urgently required. These parasites have complex multi-stage life cycles including obligate intracellular stages. Major gaps in our understanding of the biology of these relatively poorly characterised parasites and the diseases they cause severely limit options for designing novel control methods. Here we review potentially important shared aspects of the biology of these parasites, such as cell invasion, host cell modification, and asexual and sexual reproduction, and explore the potential of the application of relatively well-established or newly emerging genetic manipulation methods, such as classical transfection or gene editing, respectively, for closing important gaps in our knowledge of the function of specific genes and proteins, and the biology of these parasites. In addition, genetic manipulation methods impact the development of novel methods of control of the diseases caused by these economically important parasites. Transient and stable transfection methods, in conjunction with whole and deep genome sequencing, were initially instrumental in improving our understanding of the molecular biology of apicomplexan parasites and paved the way for the application of the more recently developed gene editing methods. The increasingly efficient and more recently developed gene editing methods, in particular those based on the CRISPR/Cas9 system and previous conceptually similar techniques, are already contributing to additional gene function discovery using reverse genetics and related approaches. However, gene editing methods are only possible due to the increasing availability of in vitro culture, transfection, and genome sequencing and analysis techniques. We envisage that rapid progress in the development of novel gene editing techniques applied to apicomplexan parasites of veterinary interest will ultimately lead to the development of novel and more efficient methods for disease control.
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Affiliation(s)
- C E Suarez
- Animal Disease Research Unit, USDA-ARS, Washington State University, 3003 ADBF, P.O. Box 646630, Pullman, WA 99164, USA; Department of Veterinary Microbiology and Pathology, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99164, USA.
| | - R P Bishop
- Department of Veterinary Microbiology and Pathology, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99164, USA; The Paul G. Allen School for Global Animal Health, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, USA
| | - H F Alzan
- Department of Veterinary Microbiology and Pathology, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99164, USA; Parasitology and Animal Diseases Department, National Research Center, Dokki, Giza, Egypt
| | - W A Poole
- Biomedicine Discovery Institute and Department of Microbiology, Monash University, Victoria 3800, Australia
| | - B M Cooke
- Biomedicine Discovery Institute and Department of Microbiology, Monash University, Victoria 3800, Australia.
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Masatani T, Asada M, Hakimi H, Hayashi K, Yamagishi J, Kawazu SI, Xuan X. Identification and functional analysis of a novel mitochondria-localized 2-Cys peroxiredoxin, BbTPx-2, from Babesia bovis. Parasitol Res 2016; 115:3139-45. [PMID: 27095567 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-016-5071-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2016] [Accepted: 04/14/2016] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Cysteine-based peroxidases, known as peroxiredoxins (Prx) or thioredoxin peroxidases (TPx), are important antioxidant enzymes that prevent oxidative damage caused by reactive oxygen species (ROS). In this study, we identified a novel mitochondrial 2-Cys Prx, BbTPx-2, from a bovine Babesia parasite, B. bovis. BbTPx-2 complementary DNA (cDNA) encodes a polypeptide of 254 amino acid residues. This protein has a mitochondrial targeting peptide at the N-terminus and two conserved cysteine residues of the typical 2-Cys Prx. By using a thiol mixed-function oxidation assay, the antioxidant activity of recombinant BbTPx-2 was revealed, and its antioxidant activity was comparable to that of a cytosolic 2-Cys Prx from B. bovis, BbTPx-1. Notably, we confirmed that BbTPx-2 was expressed in the mitochondrion of B. bovis merozoites. Taken together, the results suggest that the mitochondrial BbTPx-2 is an antioxidative enzyme for scavenging ROS in B. bovis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tatsunori Masatani
- Transboundary Animal Diseases Research Center, Joint Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kagoshima University, 1-21-24 Korimoto, Kagoshima, 890-0065, Japan.
| | - Masahito Asada
- Department of Protozoology, Institute of Tropical Medicine (NEKKEN), Nagasaki University, 1-12-4 Sakamoto, Nagasaki, 852-8523, Japan
| | - Hassan Hakimi
- Department of Protozoology, Institute of Tropical Medicine (NEKKEN), Nagasaki University, 1-12-4 Sakamoto, Nagasaki, 852-8523, Japan
| | - Kei Hayashi
- Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology, Faculty of Agriculture, Iwate University, 3-18-8 Ueda, Morioka, 020-8550, Japan.,Department of Pathogenetic Veterinary Science, United Graduate School of Veterinary Sciences, Gifu University, 1-1 Yanagido, Gifu, 501-1193, Japan
| | - Junya Yamagishi
- Research Center for Zoonosis Control, Hokkaido University, North 20, West 10 Kita-ku, Sapporo, 001-0020, Japan
| | - Shin-Ichiro Kawazu
- National Research Center for Protozoan Diseases, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Inada-cho, Obihiro, Hokkaido, 080-8555, Japan
| | - Xuenan Xuan
- National Research Center for Protozoan Diseases, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Inada-cho, Obihiro, Hokkaido, 080-8555, Japan.
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20
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Hakimi H, Yamagishi J, Kegawa Y, Kaneko O, Kawazu SI, Asada M. Establishment of transient and stable transfection systems for Babesia ovata. Parasit Vectors 2016; 9:171. [PMID: 27008652 PMCID: PMC4806448 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-016-1439-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2015] [Accepted: 03/09/2016] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Bovine babesiosis is a tick-borne disease caused by several species of Babesia which produce acute and fatal disease in cattle and affect livestock industry worldwide. Babesia ovata is a benign species widespread in east Asian countries and causes anemia, particularly in cattle which are co-infected with Theileria orientalis. The development of genetic manipulation methods is necessary to improve our understanding of the basic biology of protozoan pathogens toward a better control of disease. Such tools have not been developed for B. ovata, and are the aim of this study. Methods In this study we transfected constructs that were designed to evaluate the ability of several B. ovata promoter candidates to drive expression of a reporter luciferase. We found that the elongation factor-1 alpha intergenic region (ef-1α IG) and the actin 5’ non-coding region (NR) had highest promoter activities. To establish a stable transfection system, we generated a plasmid construct in which the ef-1α IG promoter drives gfp expression, and the actin 5’ NR mediates expression of the selectable marker hdhfr. The plasmid was designed for episomal transfection, as well as to integrate by double cross-over homologous recombination into the ef-1α locus. Circular or linearized plasmid was transfected by electroporation into in vitro cultured B. ovata and retention of the plasmid was facilitated by drug selection with 5 nM WR99210 initiated 48 h after transfection. Results After one-week cultivation with WR99210, GFP-expressing parasites were observed by fluorescence microscopy. Integration of the plasmid construct into the ef-1α locus was confirmed by PCR, Southern blot analysis, and sequencing of recombination sites. These results confirm successful development of a stable transfection system for B. ovata. Conclusion The current study provides a fundamental molecular tool to aid in molecular and cellular studies of B. ovata. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13071-016-1439-z) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hassan Hakimi
- Department of Protozoology, Institute of Tropical Medicine (NEKKEN), Nagasaki University, Sakamoto 1-12-4, Nagasaki, 852-8523, Japan
| | - Junya Yamagishi
- Research Center for Zoonosis Control, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, 001-0020, Japan.,Global Station for Zoonosis Control, GI-CoRE, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, 001-0020, Japan
| | - Yuto Kegawa
- Department of Protozoology, Institute of Tropical Medicine (NEKKEN), Nagasaki University, Sakamoto 1-12-4, Nagasaki, 852-8523, Japan.,Leading Program, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Nagasaki University, Nagasaki, 852-8523, Japan
| | - Osamu Kaneko
- Department of Protozoology, Institute of Tropical Medicine (NEKKEN), Nagasaki University, Sakamoto 1-12-4, Nagasaki, 852-8523, Japan
| | - Shin-Ichiro Kawazu
- National Research Center for Protozoan Diseases, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Obihiro, Hokkaido, 080-8555, Japan.
| | - Masahito Asada
- Department of Protozoology, Institute of Tropical Medicine (NEKKEN), Nagasaki University, Sakamoto 1-12-4, Nagasaki, 852-8523, Japan.
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