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Díaz-Pérez L, Salusso A, Patolsky R, Mayol G, Quassollo G, Feliziani C, Touz MC, Rópolo AS. Lysine methyltransferase 2 plays a key role in the encystation process in the parasite Giardia lamblia. Acta Trop 2024; 257:107295. [PMID: 38906362 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2024.107295] [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: 04/24/2024] [Revised: 06/11/2024] [Accepted: 06/18/2024] [Indexed: 06/23/2024]
Abstract
Histone post-translational modifications are extensively studied for their role in regulating gene transcription and cellular environmental adaptation. Research into these modifications has recently begun in the protozoan parasite Giardia lamblia, focusing on histone-modifying enzymes and specific post-translational changes. In the transformation from the trophozoite to the cyst form in the life cycle of this parasite, significant morphological and genetic alterations occur, culminating in the synthesis of cyst wall proteins responsible for forming the protective cyst wall. It has been previously demonstrated that histone deacetylation is required during encystation and that the enzyme lysine methyltransferase 1 is involved in the upregulation of encystation. Our study aims to extend the analysis to lysine methyltransferase 2 (GlKMT2) function. For this, two constructs were generated: one that downregulate the expression of GLKMT2 via antisense (glkmt2-as transgenic cells) and the other overexpressing GlKMT2 (glkmt2-ha transgenic cells). We found that the glktm2-as transgenic cells showed an arrest in progress at the late encystation stage. Consequently, the number of cysts produced was lower than that of the control cells. On the other hand, we found that the overexpression of GlKMT2 acts as a negative mutant of the enzyme. In this way, these glktm2-ha transgenic cells showed the same behavior during growth and encystation as glkmt2-as transgenic cells. This interplay between different enzymes acting during encystation reveals the complex process behind the differentiation of the parasite. Understanding how these enzymes play their role during the encystation of the parasite would allow the design of inhibitors to control the parasite.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luciano Díaz-Pérez
- Instituto de Investigación Médica Mercedes y Martín Ferreyra, INIMEC - Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Córdoba, Argentina
| | - Agostina Salusso
- Instituto de Investigación Médica Mercedes y Martín Ferreyra, INIMEC - Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Córdoba, Argentina
| | - Rocío Patolsky
- Instituto de Investigación Médica Mercedes y Martín Ferreyra, INIMEC - Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Córdoba, Argentina
| | - Gonzalo Mayol
- Departamento de Química Biológica, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Buenos Aires (FCEyN-UBA) - Instituto de Química Biológica de la Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales (IQUIBICEN) CONICET, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Gonzalo Quassollo
- Instituto de Investigación Médica Mercedes y Martín Ferreyra, INIMEC - Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Córdoba, Argentina
| | - Constanza Feliziani
- Instituto de Investigación Médica Mercedes y Martín Ferreyra, INIMEC - Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Córdoba, Argentina
| | - María Carolina Touz
- Instituto de Investigación Médica Mercedes y Martín Ferreyra, INIMEC - Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Córdoba, Argentina
| | - Andrea S Rópolo
- Instituto de Investigación Médica Mercedes y Martín Ferreyra, INIMEC - Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Córdoba, Argentina.
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Shih HW, Alas GCM, Paredez AR. Encystation stimuli sensing is mediated by adenylate cyclase AC2-dependent cAMP signaling in Giardia. Nat Commun 2023; 14:7245. [PMID: 37945557 PMCID: PMC10636121 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-43028-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2023] [Accepted: 10/26/2023] [Indexed: 11/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Protozoan parasites use cAMP signaling to precisely regulate the place and time of developmental differentiation, yet it is unclear how this signaling is initiated. Encystation of the intestinal parasite Giardia lamblia can be activated by multiple stimuli, which we hypothesize result in a common physiological change. We demonstrate that bile alters plasma membrane fluidity by reducing cholesterol-rich lipid microdomains, while alkaline pH enhances bile function. Through depletion of the cAMP producing enzyme Adenylate Cyclase 2 (AC2) and the use of a newly developed Giardia-specific cAMP sensor, we show that AC2 is necessary for encystation stimuli-induced cAMP upregulation and activation of downstream signaling. Conversely, over expression of AC2 or exogenous cAMP were sufficient to initiate encystation. Our findings indicate that encystation stimuli induce membrane reorganization, trigger AC2-dependent cAMP upregulation, and initiate encystation-specific gene expression, thereby advancing our understanding of a critical stage in the life cycle of a globally important parasite.
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Affiliation(s)
- Han-Wei Shih
- Department of Biology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
| | - Germain C M Alas
- Department of Biology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
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Shih HW, Alas GCM, Paredez AR. Encystation stimuli sensing mediated by adenylate cyclase AC2-dependent cAMP signaling in Giardia. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.04.10.536239. [PMID: 37090513 PMCID: PMC10120678 DOI: 10.1101/2023.04.10.536239] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/25/2023]
Abstract
Protozoan parasites use cAMP signaling to precisely regulate the place and time of developmental differentiation, yet it is unclear how this signaling is initiated. Encystation of the intestinal parasite Giardia lamblia can be activated by multiple stimuli, which we hypothesize result in a common physiological change. We demonstrate that bile alters plasma membrane fluidity by reducing cholesterol-rich lipid microdomains, while alkaline pH enhances bile function. Through depletion of the cAMP producing enzyme Adenylate Cyclase 2 (AC2) and the use of a newly developed Giardia-specific cAMP sensor, we show that AC2 is necessary for encystation stimuli-induced cAMP upregulation and activation of downstream signaling. Conversely, over expression of AC2 or exogenous cAMP were sufficient to initiate encystation. Our findings indicate that encystation stimuli induce membrane reorganization, trigger AC2-dependent cAMP upregulation, and initiate encystation-specific gene expression, thereby advancing our understanding of a critical stage in the life cycle of a globally important parasite.
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Affiliation(s)
- Han-Wei Shih
- Department of Biology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98195
| | - Germain C M Alas
- Department of Biology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98195
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Hardin WR, Alas GCM, Taparia N, Thomas EB, Steele-Ogus MC, Hvorecny KL, Halpern AR, Tůmová P, Kollman JM, Vaughan JC, Sniadecki NJ, Paredez AR. The Giardia ventrolateral flange is a lamellar membrane protrusion that supports attachment. PLoS Pathog 2022; 18:e1010496. [PMID: 35482847 PMCID: PMC9089883 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1010496] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2022] [Revised: 05/10/2022] [Accepted: 04/04/2022] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
Attachment to the intestinal epithelium is critical to the lifestyle of the ubiquitous parasite Giardia lamblia. The ventrolateral flange is a sheet-like membrane protrusion at the interface between parasites and attached surfaces. This structure has been implicated in attachment, but its role has been poorly defined. Here, we identified a novel actin associated protein with putative WH2-like actin binding domains we named Flangin. Flangin complexes with Giardia actin (GlActin) and is enriched in the ventrolateral flange making it a valuable marker for studying the flanges' role in Giardia biology. Live imaging revealed that the flange grows to around 1 μm in width after cytokinesis, then remains uniform in size during interphase, grows in mitosis, and is resorbed during cytokinesis. A flangin truncation mutant stabilizes the flange and blocks cytokinesis, indicating that flange disassembly is necessary for rapid myosin-independent cytokinesis in Giardia. Rho family GTPases are important regulators of membrane protrusions and GlRac, the sole Rho family GTPase in Giardia, was localized to the flange. Knockdown of Flangin, GlActin, and GlRac result in flange formation defects. This indicates a conserved role for GlRac and GlActin in forming membrane protrusions, despite the absence of canonical actin binding proteins that link Rho GTPase signaling to lamellipodia formation. Flangin-depleted parasites had reduced surface contact and when challenged with fluid shear force in flow chambers they had a reduced ability to remain attached, confirming a role for the flange in attachment. This secondary attachment mechanism complements the microtubule based adhesive ventral disc, a feature that may be particularly important during mitosis when the parental ventral disc disassembles in preparation for cytokinesis. This work supports the emerging view that Giardia's unconventional actin cytoskeleton has an important role in supporting parasite attachment.
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Affiliation(s)
- William R. Hardin
- Department of Biology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, United States of America
| | - Germain C. M. Alas
- Department of Biology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, United States of America
| | - Nikita Taparia
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, United States of America
| | - Elizabeth B. Thomas
- Department of Biology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, United States of America
| | - Melissa C. Steele-Ogus
- Department of Biology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, United States of America
| | - Kelli L. Hvorecny
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, United States of America
| | - Aaron R. Halpern
- Department of Chemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, United States of America
| | - Pavla Tůmová
- Institute of Immunology and Microbiology, 1 Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Justin M. Kollman
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, United States of America
| | - Joshua C. Vaughan
- Department of Chemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, United States of America
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, United States of America
| | - Nathan J. Sniadecki
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, United States of America
- Bioengineering, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, United States of America
- Lab Medicine & Pathology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, United States of America
- Center for Cardiovascular Biology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, United States of America
- Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, United States of America
| | - Alexander R. Paredez
- Department of Biology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, United States of America
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Feliziani C, Rivero MR, Quassollo G, Rópolo AS, Touz MC. Investigating how clathrin adaptor complex AP-2 participates in Giardia lamblia encystation. Int J Parasitol 2022; 52:399-406. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpara.2022.02.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2021] [Revised: 02/14/2022] [Accepted: 02/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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Benchimol M, de Souza W. Giardia intestinalis and its Endomembrane System. J Eukaryot Microbiol 2022; 69:e12893. [PMID: 35148450 DOI: 10.1111/jeu.12893] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2022] [Revised: 02/08/2022] [Accepted: 02/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Giardia intestinalis has unique characteristics, even in the absence of certain organelles. For instance, Golgi and mitochondria are not found. On the other hand, there is a network of peripheral vacuoles (PVs) and mitosomes. The endoplasmic reticulum (ER), nuclear membrane, peroxisomes, and lipid bodies are present. The peripheral vacuole system seems to play several simultaneous roles. It is involved in the endocytic activity of the trophozoite but also has characteristics of early and late endosomes and even lysosomes, establishing a connection with the ER. Some of the PVs contain small vesicles, acting as multivesicular bodies, including the release of exosomes. The mitosomes are surrounded by two membranes, divide during mitosis, and are distributed throughout the cell. They do not contain DNA, enzymes involved in the citric acid cycle, respiratory chain, or ATP synthesis. However, they contain the iron-sulfur complex and transporters as TOM and TIM. Some mitosomes are linked to flagellar axonemes through a fibrillar connection. During encystation, two types of larger cytoplasmic vesicles appear. One originating from the ER contains the cyst wall proteins. Another contains carbohydrates. Both migrate to the cell periphery and fuse with plasma membrane secreting their contents to give rise to the cell wall.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marlene Benchimol
- Universidade do Grande Rio (UNIGRANRIO), Rio de Janeiro Duque de Caxias, RJ, Brazil.,Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.,Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia em Biologia Estrutural e Bioimagens, Centro Nacional de Biologia Estrutural e Bioimagens, CENABIO-Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Wanderley de Souza
- Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.,Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia em Biologia Estrutural e Bioimagens, Centro Nacional de Biologia Estrutural e Bioimagens, CENABIO-Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
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