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Bonacolta AM, Krause-Massaguer J, Smit NJ, Sikkel PC, Del Campo J. A new and widespread group of fish apicomplexan parasites. Curr Biol 2024; 34:2748-2755.e3. [PMID: 38821048 DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2024.04.084] [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: 01/10/2024] [Revised: 03/12/2024] [Accepted: 04/30/2024] [Indexed: 06/02/2024]
Abstract
Apicomplexans are obligate intracellular parasites that have evolved from a free-living, phototrophic ancestor. They have been reported from marine environmental samples in high numbers,1 with several clades of apicomplexan-related lineages (ARLs) having been described from environmental sequencing data (16S rRNA gene metabarcoding).2 The most notable of these are the corallicolids (previously ARL-V), which possess chlorophyll-biosynthesis genes in their relic chloroplast (apicoplast) and are geographically widespread and abundant symbionts of anthozoans.3 Corallicolids are related to the Eimeriorina, a suborder of apicomplexan coccidians that include other notable members such as Toxoplasma gondii.4Ophioblennius macclurei, the redlip blenny, along with other tropical reef fishes, is known to be infected by Haemogregarina-like and Haemohormidium-like parasites5 supposedly belonging to the Adeleorina; however, phylogenetics shows that these parasites are instead related to the Eimeriorina.6,7 Hybrid genomic sequencing of apicomplexan-infected O. macclurei blood recovered the entire rRNA operon of this apicomplexan parasite along with the complete mitochondrion and apicoplast genomes. Phylogenetic analyses using this new genomic information consistently place these fish-infecting apicomplexans, hereby informally named ichthyocolids, sister to the corallicolids within Coccidia. The apicoplast genome did not contain chlorophyll biosynthesis genes, providing evidence for another independent loss of this pathway within Apicomplexa. Based on the 16S rRNA gene found in the apicoplast, this group corresponds to the previously described ARL-VI. Screening of fish microbiome studies using the plastid 16S rRNA gene shows these parasites to be geographically and taxonomically widespread in fish species across the globe with implications for commercial fisheries and oceanic food webs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anthony M Bonacolta
- Department of Marine Biology and Ecology, Rosenstiel School of Marine, Atmospheric and Earth Science, University of Miami, Miami, FL 33149, USA; Institut de Biologia Evolutiva (CSIC-Universitat Pompeu Fabra), Pg. Marítim de la Barceloneta, 37-49, 08003 Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Joana Krause-Massaguer
- Institut de Biologia Evolutiva (CSIC-Universitat Pompeu Fabra), Pg. Marítim de la Barceloneta, 37-49, 08003 Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Nico J Smit
- Department of Marine Biology and Ecology, Rosenstiel School of Marine, Atmospheric and Earth Science, University of Miami, Miami, FL 33149, USA; Water Research Group, Unit for Environmental Sciences and Management, North-West University, Private Bag X6001, Potchefstroom 2520, South Africa
| | - Paul C Sikkel
- Department of Marine Biology and Ecology, Rosenstiel School of Marine, Atmospheric and Earth Science, University of Miami, Miami, FL 33149, USA; Water Research Group, Unit for Environmental Sciences and Management, North-West University, Private Bag X6001, Potchefstroom 2520, South Africa
| | - Javier Del Campo
- Department of Marine Biology and Ecology, Rosenstiel School of Marine, Atmospheric and Earth Science, University of Miami, Miami, FL 33149, USA; Institut de Biologia Evolutiva (CSIC-Universitat Pompeu Fabra), Pg. Marítim de la Barceloneta, 37-49, 08003 Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain.
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2
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De Hoest-Thompson C, Marugan-Hernandez V, Dessens JT. Plasmodium LCCL domain-containing modular proteins have their origins in the ancestral alveolate. Open Biol 2024; 14:230451. [PMID: 38862023 DOI: 10.1098/rsob.230451] [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: 12/13/2023] [Accepted: 04/27/2024] [Indexed: 06/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Plasmodium species encode a unique set of six modular proteins named LCCL lectin domain adhesive-like proteins (LAPs) that operate as a complex and that are essential for malaria parasite transmission from mosquito to vertebrate. LAPs possess complex architectures obtained through unique assemblies of conserved domains associated with lipid, protein and carbohydrate interactions, including the name-defining LCCL domain. Here, we assessed the prevalence of Plasmodium LAP orthologues across eukaryotic life. Our findings show orthologous conservation in all apicomplexans, with lineage-specific repertoires acquired through differential lap gene loss and duplication. Besides Apicomplexa, LAPs are found in their closest relatives: the photosynthetic chromerids, which encode the broadest repertoire including a novel membrane-bound LCCL protein. LAPs are notably absent from other alveolate lineages (dinoflagellates, perkinsids and ciliates), but are encoded by predatory colponemids, a sister group to the alveolates. These results reveal that the LAPs are much older than previously thought and pre-date not only the Apicomplexa but the Alveolata altogether.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Johannes T Dessens
- Department of Infection Biology, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine , London WC1E 7HT, UK
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3
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Na I, Campos C, Lax G, Kwong WK, Keeling PJ. Phylogenomics reveals Adeleorina are an ancient and distinct subgroup of Apicomplexa. Mol Phylogenet Evol 2024; 195:108060. [PMID: 38485105 DOI: 10.1016/j.ympev.2024.108060] [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: 10/25/2023] [Revised: 02/21/2024] [Accepted: 03/11/2024] [Indexed: 03/17/2024]
Abstract
Apicomplexans are a diverse phylum of unicellular eukaryotes that share obligate relationships with terrestrial and aquatic animal hosts. Many well-studied apicomplexans are responsible for several deadly zoonotic and human diseases, most notably malaria caused by Plasmodium. Interest in the evolutionary origin of apicomplexans has also spurred recent work on other more deeply-branching lineages, especially gregarines and sister groups like squirmids and chrompodellids. But a full picture of apicomplexan evolution is still lacking several lineages, and one major, diverse lineage that is notably absent is the adeleorinids. Adeleorina apicomplexans comprises hundreds of described species that infect invertebrate and vertebrate hosts across the globe. Although historically considered coccidians, phylogenetic trees based on limited data have shown conflicting branch positions for this subgroup, leaving this question unresolved. Phylogenomic trees and large-scale analyses comparing cellular functions and metabolism between major subgroups of apicomplexans have not incorporated Adeleorina because only a handful of molecular markers and a couple organellar genomes are available, ultimately excluding this group from contributing to our understanding of apicomplexan evolution and biology. To address this gap, we have generated complete genomes from mitochondria and plastids, as well as multiple deep-coverage single-cell transcriptomes of nuclear genes from two Adeleorina species, Klossia helicina and Legerella nova, and inferred a 206-protein phylogenomic tree of Apicomplexa. We observed distinct structures reported in species descriptions as remnant host structures surrounding adeleorinid oocysts. Klossia helicina and L. nova branched, as expected, with monoxenous adeleorinids within the Adeleorina and their mitochondrial and plastid genomes exhibited similarity to published organellar adeleorinid genomes. We show with a phylogeneomic tree and subsequent phylogenomic analyses that Adeleorina are not closely related to any of the currently sampled apicomplexan subgroups, and instead fall as a sister to a large clade encompassing Coccidia, Protococcidia, Hematozoa, and Nephromycida, collectively. This resolves Adeleorina as a key independently-branching group, separate from coccidians, on the tree of Apicomplexa, which now has all known major lineages sampled.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ina Na
- Department of Botany, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada.
| | - Claudia Campos
- Instituto Gulbenkian de Ciência, Rua da Quinta Grande, 6, 2780-156 Oeiras, Portugal
| | - Gordon Lax
- Department of Botany, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Waldan K Kwong
- Department of Botany, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada; Instituto Gulbenkian de Ciência, Rua da Quinta Grande, 6, 2780-156 Oeiras, Portugal
| | - Patrick J Keeling
- Department of Botany, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada.
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4
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Currie-Olsen D, Leander BS. Novel cytoskeletal traits in the intestinal parasites (Squirmida, Platyproteum vivax) of Pacific peanut worms (Sipuncula, Phascolosoma agassizii). J Eukaryot Microbiol 2024; 71:e13023. [PMID: 38402546 DOI: 10.1111/jeu.13023] [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: 11/27/2023] [Revised: 01/18/2024] [Accepted: 02/11/2024] [Indexed: 02/26/2024]
Abstract
The cytoskeletal organization of a squirmid, namely Platyproteum vivax, was investigated with confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) to refine inferences about convergent evolution among intestinal parasites of marine invertebrates. Platyproteum inhabits Pacific peanut worms (Phascolosoma agassizii) and has traits that are similar to other lineages of myzozoan parasites, namely gregarine apicomplexans within Selenidium, such as conspicuous feeding stages, called "trophozoites," capable of dynamic undulations. SEM and CLSM of P. vivax revealed an inconspicuous flagellar apparatus and a uniform array of longitudinal microtubules organized in bundles (LMBs). Extreme flattening of the trophozoites and a consistently oblique morphology of the anterior end provided a reliable way to distinguish dorsal and ventral surfaces. CLSM revealed a novel system of microtubules oriented in the flattened dorsoventral plane. Most of these dorsoventral microtubule bundles (DVMBs) had a punctate distribution and were evenly spaced along a curved line spanning the longitudinal axis of the trophozoites. This configuration of microtubules is inferred to function in maintaining the flattened shape of the trophozoites and facilitate dynamic undulations. The novel traits in Platyproteum are consistent with phylogenomic data showing that this lineage is only distantly related to Selenidium and other marine gregarine apicomplexans with dynamic intestinal trophozoites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danja Currie-Olsen
- Department of Zoology, Beaty Biodiversity Research Centre and Museum, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
- Hakai Institute, Heriot Bay, Quadra Island, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Brian S Leander
- Department of Zoology, Beaty Biodiversity Research Centre and Museum, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
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5
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Harada R, Hirakawa Y, Yabuki A, Kim E, Yazaki E, Kamikawa R, Nakano K, Eliáš M, Inagaki Y. Encyclopedia of Family A DNA Polymerases Localized in Organelles: Evolutionary Contribution of Bacteria Including the Proto-Mitochondrion. Mol Biol Evol 2024; 41:msae014. [PMID: 38271287 PMCID: PMC10877234 DOI: 10.1093/molbev/msae014] [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: 08/29/2023] [Revised: 01/12/2024] [Accepted: 01/19/2024] [Indexed: 01/27/2024] Open
Abstract
DNA polymerases synthesize DNA from deoxyribonucleotides in a semiconservative manner and serve as the core of DNA replication and repair machinery. In eukaryotic cells, there are 2 genome-containing organelles, mitochondria, and plastids, which were derived from an alphaproteobacterium and a cyanobacterium, respectively. Except for rare cases of genome-lacking mitochondria and plastids, both organelles must be served by nucleus-encoded DNA polymerases that localize and work in them to maintain their genomes. The evolution of organellar DNA polymerases has yet to be fully understood because of 2 unsettled issues. First, the diversity of organellar DNA polymerases has not been elucidated in the full spectrum of eukaryotes. Second, it is unclear when the DNA polymerases that were used originally in the endosymbiotic bacteria giving rise to mitochondria and plastids were discarded, as the organellar DNA polymerases known to date show no phylogenetic affinity to those of the extant alphaproteobacteria or cyanobacteria. In this study, we identified from diverse eukaryotes 134 family A DNA polymerase sequences, which were classified into 10 novel types, and explored their evolutionary origins. The subcellular localizations of selected DNA polymerases were further examined experimentally. The results presented here suggest that the diversity of organellar DNA polymerases has been shaped by multiple transfers of the PolI gene from phylogenetically broad bacteria, and their occurrence in eukaryotes was additionally impacted by secondary plastid endosymbioses. Finally, we propose that the last eukaryotic common ancestor may have possessed 2 mitochondrial DNA polymerases, POP, and a candidate of the direct descendant of the proto-mitochondrial DNA polymerase I, rdxPolA, identified in this study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryo Harada
- Graduate School of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Japan
| | - Yoshihisa Hirakawa
- Faculty of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Japan
| | - Akinori Yabuki
- Deep-Sea Biodiversity Research Group, Research Institute for Global Change (RIGC), Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology (JAMSTEC), Yokosuka, Japan
| | - Eunsoo Kim
- Division of EcoScience, Ewha Womans University, Seoul, South Korea
- Division of Invertebrate Zoology, American Museum of Natural History, New York, NY, USA
| | - Euki Yazaki
- Research Center for Advanced Analysis, National Agriculture and Food Research Organization, Tsukuba, Japan
- Interdisciplinary Theoretical and Mathematical Sciences program (iTHEMS), RIKEN, Wako, Saitama, Japan
| | - Ryoma Kamikawa
- Graduate School of Agriculture, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Kentaro Nakano
- Graduate School of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Japan
| | - Marek Eliáš
- Department of Biology and Ecology, Faculty of Science, University of Ostrava, Ostrava, Czech Republic
| | - Yuji Inagaki
- Graduate School of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Japan
- Center for Computational Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Japan
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6
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Jaramillo Ponce JR, Frugier M. Plasmodium, the Apicomplexa Outlier When It Comes to Protein Synthesis. Biomolecules 2023; 14:46. [PMID: 38254646 PMCID: PMC10813123 DOI: 10.3390/biom14010046] [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: 11/23/2023] [Revised: 12/19/2023] [Accepted: 12/22/2023] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Plasmodium is an obligate intracellular parasite that has numerous interactions with different hosts during its elaborate life cycle. This is also the case for the other parasites belonging to the same phylum Apicomplexa. In this study, we bioinformatically identified the components of the multi-synthetase complexes (MSCs) of several Apicomplexa parasites and modelled their assembly using AlphaFold2. It appears that none of these MSCs resemble the two MSCs that we have identified and characterized in Plasmodium. Indeed, tRip, the central protein involved in the association of the two Plasmodium MSCs is different from its homologues, suggesting also that the tRip-dependent import of exogenous tRNAs is not conserved in other apicomplexan parasites. Based on this observation, we searched for obvious differences that could explain the singularity of Plasmodium protein synthesis by comparing tRNA genes and amino acid usage in the different genomes. We noted a contradiction between the large number of asparagine residues used in Plasmodium proteomes and the single gene encoding the tRNA that inserts them into proteins. This observation remains true for all the Plasmodia strains studied, even those that do not contain long asparagine homorepeats.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Magali Frugier
- Université de Strasbourg, CNRS, Architecture et Réactivité de l’ARN, UPR 9002, F-67084 Strasbourg, France;
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7
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Groussman RD, Blaskowski S, Coesel SN, Armbrust EV. MarFERReT, an open-source, version-controlled reference library of marine microbial eukaryote functional genes. Sci Data 2023; 10:926. [PMID: 38129449 PMCID: PMC10739892 DOI: 10.1038/s41597-023-02842-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2023] [Accepted: 12/08/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Metatranscriptomics generates large volumes of sequence data about transcribed genes in natural environments. Taxonomic annotation of these datasets depends on availability of curated reference sequences. For marine microbial eukaryotes, current reference libraries are limited by gaps in sequenced organism diversity and barriers to updating libraries with new sequence data, resulting in taxonomic annotation of about half of eukaryotic environmental transcripts. Here, we introduce Marine Functional EukaRyotic Reference Taxa (MarFERReT), a marine microbial eukaryotic sequence library designed for use with taxonomic annotation of eukaryotic metatranscriptomes. We gathered 902 publicly accessible marine eukaryote genomes and transcriptomes and assessed their sequence quality and cross-contamination issues, selecting 800 validated entries for inclusion in MarFERReT. Version 1.1 of MarFERReT contains reference sequences from 800 marine eukaryotic genomes and transcriptomes, covering 453 species- and strain-level taxa, totaling nearly 28 million protein sequences with associated NCBI and PR2 Taxonomy identifiers and Pfam functional annotations. The MarFERReT project repository hosts containerized build scripts, documentation on installation and use case examples, and information on new versions of MarFERReT.
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Affiliation(s)
- R D Groussman
- School of Oceanography, University of Washington, Benjamin Hall IRB, Room 306 616 NE Northlake Place, Seattle, WA, 98105, USA.
| | - S Blaskowski
- School of Oceanography, University of Washington, Benjamin Hall IRB, Room 306 616 NE Northlake Place, Seattle, WA, 98105, USA
- Molecular Engineering and Sciences Institute, University of Washington, Molecular Engineering & Sciences Building 3946 W Stevens Way NE, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
| | - S N Coesel
- School of Oceanography, University of Washington, Benjamin Hall IRB, Room 306 616 NE Northlake Place, Seattle, WA, 98105, USA
| | - E V Armbrust
- School of Oceanography, University of Washington, Benjamin Hall IRB, Room 306 616 NE Northlake Place, Seattle, WA, 98105, USA.
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8
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Van Steenkiste NWL, Wakeman KC, Söderström B, Leander BS. Patterns of host-parasite associations between marine meiofaunal flatworms (Platyhelminthes) and rhytidocystids (Apicomplexa). Sci Rep 2023; 13:21050. [PMID: 38030717 PMCID: PMC10687266 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-48233-y] [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: 08/24/2023] [Accepted: 11/23/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Microturbellarians are abundant and ubiquitous members of marine meiofaunal communities around the world. Because of their small body size, these microscopic animals are rarely considered as hosts for parasitic organisms. Indeed, many protists, both free-living and parasitic ones, equal or surpass meiofaunal animals in size. Despite several anecdotal records of "gregarines", "sporozoans", and "apicomplexans" parasitizing microturbellarians in the literature-some of them dating back to the nineteenth century-these single-celled parasites have never been identified and characterized. More recently, the sequencing of eukaryotic microbiomes in microscopic invertebrates have revealed a hidden diversity of protist parasites infecting microturbellarians and other meiofaunal animals. Here we show that apicomplexans isolated from twelve taxonomically diverse rhabdocoel taxa and one species of proseriate collected in four geographically distinct areas around the Pacific Ocean (Okinawa, Hokkaido, and British Columbia) and the Caribbean Sea (Curaçao) all belong to the apicomplexan genus Rhytidocystis. Based on comprehensive molecular phylogenies of Rhabdocoela and Proseriata inferred from both 18S and 28S rDNA sequences, as well as a molecular phylogeny of Marosporida inferred from 18S rDNA sequences, we determine the phylogenetic positions of the microturbellarian hosts and their parasites. Multiple lines of evidence, including morphological and molecular data, show that at least nine new species of Rhytidocystis infect the microturbellarian hosts collected in this study, more than doubling the number of previously recognized species of Rhytidocystis, all of which infect polychaete hosts. A cophylogenetic analysis examining patterns of phylosymbiosis between hosts and parasites suggests a complex picture of overall incongruence between host and parasite phylogenies, and varying degrees of geographic signals and taxon specificity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Niels W L Van Steenkiste
- Departments of Botany and Zoology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada.
- Hakai Institute, Heriot Bay, Quadra Island, BC, Canada.
| | - Kevin C Wakeman
- Institute for the Advancement of High Education, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan.
| | - Bill Söderström
- Australian Institute for Microbiology and Infection, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, Australia
| | - Brian S Leander
- Departments of Botany and Zoology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
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9
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Holt CC, Hehenberger E, Tikhonenkov DV, Jacko-Reynolds VKL, Okamoto N, Cooney EC, Irwin NAT, Keeling PJ. Multiple parallel origins of parasitic Marine Alveolates. Nat Commun 2023; 14:7049. [PMID: 37923716 PMCID: PMC10624901 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-42807-0] [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: 08/03/2023] [Accepted: 10/20/2023] [Indexed: 11/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Microbial eukaryotes are important components of marine ecosystems, and the Marine Alveolates (MALVs) are consistently both abundant and diverse in global environmental sequencing surveys. MALVs are dinoflagellates that are thought to be parasites of other protists and animals, but the lack of data beyond ribosomal RNA gene sequences from all but a few described species means much of their biology and evolution remain unknown. Using single-cell transcriptomes from several MALVs and their free-living relatives, we show that MALVs evolved independently from two distinct, free-living ancestors and that their parasitism evolved in parallel. Phylogenomics shows one subgroup (MALV-II and -IV, or Syndiniales) is related to a novel lineage of free-living, eukaryovorous predators, the eleftherids, while the other (MALV-I, or Ichthyodinida) is related to the free-living predator Oxyrrhis and retains proteins targeted to a non-photosynthetic plastid. Reconstructing the evolution of photosynthesis, plastids, and parasitism in early-diverging dinoflagellates shows a number of parallels with the evolution of their apicomplexan sisters. In both groups, similar forms of parasitism evolved multiple times and photosynthesis was lost many times. By contrast, complete loss of the plastid organelle is infrequent and, when this does happen, leaves no residual genes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Corey C Holt
- Department of Botany, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
- Hakai Institute, Heriot Bay, British Columbia, Canada.
| | - Elisabeth Hehenberger
- Department of Botany, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre Czech Academy of Sciences, České Budějovice, Czech Republic.
| | - Denis V Tikhonenkov
- Papanin Institute for Biology of Inland Waters, Russian Academy of Sciences, Borok, Russia
- AquaBioSafe Laboratory, University of Tyumen, Tyumen, Russia
| | | | - Noriko Okamoto
- Department of Botany, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
- Hakai Institute, Heriot Bay, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Elizabeth C Cooney
- Department of Botany, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
- Hakai Institute, Heriot Bay, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Nicholas A T Irwin
- Department of Botany, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
- Merton College, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Patrick J Keeling
- Department of Botany, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
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10
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Valigurová A, Diakin A, Seifertová M, Vaškovicová N, Kováčiková M, Paskerova GG. Dispersal and invasive stages of Urospora eugregarines (Apicomplexa) from brown bodies of a polychaete host. J Invertebr Pathol 2023; 201:107997. [PMID: 37774965 DOI: 10.1016/j.jip.2023.107997] [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: 07/18/2023] [Revised: 09/22/2023] [Accepted: 09/26/2023] [Indexed: 10/01/2023]
Abstract
Urosporid eugregarines (Apicomplexa: Urosporidae) are unicellular eukaryotic parasites inhabiting the coelom or the intestine of marine invertebrates such as annelids, molluscs, nemerteans, and echinoderms. Despite the availability of published morphological and phylogenetical analyses of coelomic gregarines, their long-term survival in the host body cavity and dispersal routes into the marine environment remain unclear. Here, we focus on Urospora gametocysts and oocysts with sporozoites, which were found viable inside the so-called brown bodies floating in the body cavity of the polychaete Travisia forbesii. Brown bodies form as a result of host defence where coelomocytes encapsulate dead host cells and foreign objects including potential pathogens. We hypothesise the long-term persistence of Urospora eugregarines in brown bodies through evasion of the host immunity and outline possible pathways for their egress into the marine environment, applicable as dispersal routes for other parasites as well. Unique features revealed by detailed ultrastructural analysis of detected eugregarine stages include asynchronous sporogony, a massive sporozoite secretion apparatus, as well as the presence of free (possibly autoinfective) sporozoites within the gametocyst. The assignment to the genus Urospora and the complete identity with U. ovalis and U. travisiae were confirmed by analysing 18S rDNA sequences obtained from isolated gametocysts. The 18S rDNA phylogeny confirmed the affiliation of Urosporidae to Lecudinoidea and the grouping of all Urospora sequences with Difficilina from nemerteans and environmental sequences from the Artic region. We also enriched the Apicomplexa set by partial 28S rDNA sequences of two Urospora species enabling more complex phylogenetic analyses prospectively.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Valigurová
- Department of Botany and Zoology, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Kotlářská 2, 611 37 Brno, Czech Republic.
| | - Andrei Diakin
- Department of Botany and Zoology, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Kotlářská 2, 611 37 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Mária Seifertová
- Department of Botany and Zoology, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Kotlářská 2, 611 37 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Naděžda Vaškovicová
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University, Kamenice 5, 625 00 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Magdaléna Kováčiková
- Department of Botany and Zoology, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Kotlářská 2, 611 37 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Gita G Paskerova
- Department of Invertebrate Zoology, Faculty of Biology, Saint Petersburg State University, Universitetskaya emb. 7/9, St Petersburg 199034, Russian Federation
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11
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Lamb IM, Okoye IC, Mather MW, Vaidya AB. Unique Properties of Apicomplexan Mitochondria. Annu Rev Microbiol 2023; 77:541-560. [PMID: 37406344 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-micro-032421-120540] [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] [Indexed: 07/07/2023]
Abstract
Apicomplexan parasites constitute more than 6,000 species infecting a wide range of hosts. These include important pathogens such as those causing malaria and toxoplasmosis. Their evolutionary emergence coincided with the dawn of animals. Mitochondrial genomes of apicomplexan parasites have undergone dramatic reduction in their coding capacity, with genes for only three proteins and ribosomal RNA genes present in scrambled fragments originating from both strands. Different branches of the apicomplexans have undergone rearrangements of these genes, with Toxoplasma having massive variations in gene arrangements spread over multiple copies. The vast evolutionary distance between the parasite and the host mitochondria has been exploited for the development of antiparasitic drugs, especially those used to treat malaria, wherein inhibition of the parasite mitochondrial respiratory chain is selectively targeted with little toxicity to the host mitochondria. We describe additional unique characteristics of the parasite mitochondria that are being investigated and provide greater insights into these deep-branching eukaryotic pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ian M Lamb
- Center for Molecular Parasitology, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA;
| | - Ijeoma C Okoye
- Center for Molecular Parasitology, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA;
| | - Michael W Mather
- Center for Molecular Parasitology, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA;
| | - Akhil B Vaidya
- Center for Molecular Parasitology, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA;
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12
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McCauley M, Goulet TL, Jackson CR, Loesgen S. Systematic review of cnidarian microbiomes reveals insights into the structure, specificity, and fidelity of marine associations. Nat Commun 2023; 14:4899. [PMID: 37580316 PMCID: PMC10425419 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-39876-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2022] [Accepted: 06/30/2023] [Indexed: 08/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Microorganisms play essential roles in the health and resilience of cnidarians. Understanding the factors influencing cnidarian microbiomes requires cross study comparisons, yet the plethora of protocols used hampers dataset integration. We unify 16S rRNA gene sequences from cnidarian microbiome studies under a single analysis pipeline. We reprocess 12,010 cnidarian microbiome samples from 186 studies, alongside 3,388 poriferan, 370 seawater samples, and 245 cultured Symbiodiniaceae, unifying ~6.5 billion sequence reads. Samples are partitioned by hypervariable region and sequencing platform to reduce sequencing variability. This systematic review uncovers an incredible diversity of 86 archaeal and bacterial phyla associated with Cnidaria, and highlights key bacteria hosted across host sub-phylum, depth, and microhabitat. Shallow (< 30 m) water Alcyonacea and Actinaria are characterized by highly shared and relatively abundant microbial communities, unlike Scleractinia and most deeper cnidarians. Utilizing the V4 region, we find that cnidarian microbial composition, richness, diversity, and structure are primarily influenced by host phylogeny, sampling depth, and ocean body, followed by microhabitat and sampling date. We identify host and geographical generalist and specific Endozoicomonas clades within Cnidaria and Porifera. This systematic review forms a framework for understanding factors governing cnidarian microbiomes and creates a baseline for assessing stress associated dysbiosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- M McCauley
- Department of Chemistry, Whitney Laboratory for Marine Bioscience, University of Florida, St. Augustine, FL, USA.
- Department of Biology, University of Mississippi, University, MS, USA.
- U.S. Geological Survey, Wetland and Aquatic Research Centre, Gainesville, FL, USA.
| | - T L Goulet
- Department of Biology, University of Mississippi, University, MS, USA
| | - C R Jackson
- Department of Biology, University of Mississippi, University, MS, USA
| | - S Loesgen
- Department of Chemistry, Whitney Laboratory for Marine Bioscience, University of Florida, St. Augustine, FL, USA
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13
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Tremp AZ, Saeed S, Dessens JT. NAD(P) transhydrogenase isoform distribution provides insight into apicomplexan evolution. Front Ecol Evol 2023; 11:fevo.2023.1216385. [PMID: 37581102 PMCID: PMC7614955 DOI: 10.3389/fevo.2023.1216385] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Membrane-located NAD(P) transhydrogenase (NTH) catalyses reversible hydride ion transfer between NAD(H) and NADP(H), simultaneously translocating a proton across the membrane. The enzyme is structurally conserved across prokaryotes and eukaryotes. In heterotrophic bacteria NTH proteins reside in the cytoplasmic membrane, whereas in animals they localise in the mitochondrial inner membrane. Eukaryotic NTH proteins exists in two distinct configurations (isoforms) and have non-mitochondrial functions in unicellular eukaryotes like Plasmodium, the causative agent of malaria. In this study, we carried out a systematic analysis of nth genes across eukaryotic life to determine its prevalence and distribution of isoforms. The results reveal that NTH is found across all major lineages, but that some organisms, notably plants, lack nth genes altogether. Isoform distribution and phylogenetic analysis reveals different nth gene loss scenarios in apicomplexan lineages, which sheds new light on the evolution of the Piroplasmida and Eimeriidae.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annie Z. Tremp
- Department of Infection Biology, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London WC1E 7HT, United Kingdom
| | - Sadia Saeed
- Department of Infection Biology, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London WC1E 7HT, United Kingdom
| | - Johannes T. Dessens
- Department of Infection Biology, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London WC1E 7HT, United Kingdom
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14
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Orosz F. p25alpha Domain-Containing Proteins of Apicomplexans and Related Taxa. Microorganisms 2023; 11:1528. [PMID: 37375031 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms11061528] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2023] [Revised: 05/31/2023] [Accepted: 06/05/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
TPPP (tubulin polymerization promoting protein)-like proteins contain one or more p25alpha (Pfam05517) domains. TPPP-like proteins occur in different types as determined by their length (e.g., long-, short-, truncated-, and fungal-type TPPP) and include the protein apicortin, which possesses another domain, doublecortin (DCX, Pfam 03607). These various TPPP-like proteins are found in various phylogenomic groups. In particular, short-type TPPPs and apicortin are well-represented in the Myzozoa, which include apicomplexans and related taxa, chrompodellids, dinoflagellates, and perkinsids. The long-, truncated-, and fungal-type TPPPs are not found in the myzozoans. Apicortins are found in all apicomplexans except one piroplasmid species, present in several other myzozoans, and seem to be correlated with the conoid and apical complex. Short-type TPPPs are predominantly found in myzozoans that have flagella, suggesting a role in flagellum assembly or structure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ferenc Orosz
- Institute of Enzymology, Research Centre for Natural Sciences, 1117 Budapest, Hungary
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15
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Bhambid M, Dey V, Walunj S, Patankar S. Toxoplasma Gondii Importin α Shows Weak Auto-Inhibition. Protein J 2023:10.1007/s10930-023-10128-2. [PMID: 37284905 DOI: 10.1007/s10930-023-10128-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/18/2023] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Importin α is a nuclear transporter that binds to nuclear localization signals (NLSs), consisting of 7-20 positively charged amino acids found within cargo proteins. In addition to cargo binding, intramolecular interactions also occur within the importin α protein due to binding between the importin β-binding (IBB) domain and the NLS-binding sites, a phenomenon called auto-inhibition. The interactions causing auto-inhibition are driven by a stretch of basic residues, similar to an NLS, in the IBB domain. Consistent with this, importin α proteins that do not have some of these basic residues lack auto-inhibition; a naturally occurring example of such a protein is found in the apicomplexan parasite Plasmodium falciparum. In this report, we show that importin α from another apicomplexan parasite, Toxoplasma gondii, harbors basic residues (KKR) in the IBB domain and exhibits auto-inhibition. This protein has a long, unstructured hinge motif (between the IBB domain and the NLS-binding sites) that does not contribute to auto-inhibition. However, the IBB domain may have a higher propensity to form an α-helical structure, positioning the wild-type KKR motif in an orientation that results in weaker interactions with the NLS-binding site than a KRR mutant. We conclude that the importin α protein from T. gondii shows auto-inhibition, exhibiting a different phenotype from that of P. falciparum importin α. However, our data indicate that T. gondii importin α may have a low strength of auto-inhibition. We hypothesize that low levels of auto-inhibition may confer an advantage to these important human pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manasi Bhambid
- Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, Mumbai, India
| | - Vishakha Dey
- Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, Mumbai, India
- Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, USA
| | - Sujata Walunj
- Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, Mumbai, India
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Monash University, Clayton, Australia
- IITB-Monash Research Academy, IIT Bombay, Mumbai, India
| | - Swati Patankar
- Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, Mumbai, India.
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16
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Guérin A, Strelau KM, Barylyuk K, Wallbank BA, Berry L, Crook OM, Lilley KS, Waller RF, Striepen B. Cryptosporidium uses multiple distinct secretory organelles to interact with and modify its host cell. Cell Host Microbe 2023; 31:650-664.e6. [PMID: 36958336 DOI: 10.1016/j.chom.2023.03.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2022] [Revised: 02/09/2023] [Accepted: 02/28/2023] [Indexed: 03/25/2023]
Abstract
Cryptosporidium is a leading cause of diarrheal disease in children and an important contributor to early childhood mortality. The parasite invades and extensively remodels intestinal epithelial cells, building an elaborate interface structure. How this occurs at the molecular level and the contributing parasite factors are largely unknown. Here, we generated a whole-cell spatial proteome of the Cryptosporidium sporozoite and used genetic and cell biological experimentation to discover the Cryptosporidium-secreted effector proteome. These findings reveal multiple organelles, including an original secretory organelle, and generate numerous compartment markers by tagging native gene loci. We show that secreted proteins are delivered to the parasite-host interface, where they assemble into different structures including a ring that anchors the parasite into its unique epicellular niche. Cryptosporidium thus uses a complex set of secretion systems during and following invasion that act in concert to subjugate its host cell.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amandine Guérin
- Department of Pathobiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Katherine M Strelau
- Department of Pathobiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | | | - Bethan A Wallbank
- Department of Pathobiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Laurence Berry
- LPHI, CNRS, Université de Montpellier, Montpellier 34095, France
| | - Oliver M Crook
- Department of Statistics, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3LB, UK
| | - Kathryn S Lilley
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 1QW, UK
| | - Ross F Waller
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 1QW, UK
| | - Boris Striepen
- Department of Pathobiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.
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17
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Morrissette N, Abbaali I, Ramakrishnan C, Hehl AB. The Tubulin Superfamily in Apicomplexan Parasites. Microorganisms 2023; 11:microorganisms11030706. [PMID: 36985278 PMCID: PMC10056924 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms11030706] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2023] [Revised: 03/03/2023] [Accepted: 03/06/2023] [Indexed: 03/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Microtubules and specialized microtubule-containing structures are assembled from tubulins, an ancient superfamily of essential eukaryotic proteins. Here, we use bioinformatic approaches to analyze features of tubulins in organisms from the phylum Apicomplexa. Apicomplexans are protozoan parasites that cause a variety of human and animal infectious diseases. Individual species harbor one to four genes each for α- and β-tubulin isotypes. These may specify highly similar proteins, suggesting functional redundancy, or exhibit key differences, consistent with specialized roles. Some, but not all apicomplexans harbor genes for δ- and ε-tubulins, which are found in organisms that construct appendage-containing basal bodies. Critical roles for apicomplexan δ- and ε-tubulin are likely to be limited to microgametes, consistent with a restricted requirement for flagella in a single developmental stage. Sequence divergence or the loss of δ- and ε-tubulin genes in other apicomplexans appears to be associated with diminished requirements for centrioles, basal bodies, and axonemes. Finally, because spindle microtubules and flagellar structures have been proposed as targets for anti-parasitic therapies and transmission-blocking strategies, we discuss these ideas in the context of tubulin-based structures and tubulin superfamily properties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naomi Morrissette
- Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA 92697, USA
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-949-824-9243
| | - Izra Abbaali
- Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA 92697, USA
| | - Chandra Ramakrishnan
- Institute for Parasitology, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 266a, 8057 Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Adrian B. Hehl
- Institute for Parasitology, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 266a, 8057 Zürich, Switzerland
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18
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Gigeroff AS, Eglit Y, Simpson AG. Characterisation and Cultivation of New Lineages of Colponemids, a Critical Assemblage for Inferring Alveolate Evolution. Protist 2023; 174:125949. [PMID: 37019068 DOI: 10.1016/j.protis.2023.125949] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2022] [Revised: 02/24/2023] [Accepted: 03/10/2023] [Indexed: 03/19/2023]
Abstract
There are several alveolate groups outside the well-studied trio - ciliates, dinoflagellates, and apicomplexans - that are crucial for understanding the evolution of this major taxon. One such assemblage is the "colponemids", which are eukaryotrophic biflagellates, usually with a ventral groove associated with the posterior flagellum. Previous phylogenetic studies show colponemids forming up to three distinct deep branches within alveolates (e.g. sister groups to Myzozoa or all other alveolates). We have developed dieukaryotic (predator-prey) cultures of four colponemid isolates. One represents the first stable culture of the halophile Palustrimonas (feeding on Pharyngomonas), while SSU rDNA phylogenies show the other isolates as two distinct new lineages. Neocolponema saponarium gen. et sp. nov. is a swimming alkaliphile with a large groove, which feeds on a kinetoplastid. Loeffela hirca gen. et sp. nov. is halophilic, has a subtle groove, usually moves along surfaces, and feeds on Pharyngomonas and Percolomonas. Prey capture in both new genera is raptorial, involves a specialized structure/region to the right of the proximal posterior flagellum, and presumed extrusomes. The relationships amongst Myzozoa, ciliates, and the (now) five described colponemid clades are unresolved, signaling that colponemid diversity represents both a challenge and important resource for tracing deep alveolate evolution.
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19
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Mathur V, Salomaki ED, Wakeman KC, Na I, Kwong WK, Kolisko M, Keeling PJ. Reconstruction of Plastid Proteomes of Apicomplexans and Close Relatives Reveals the Major Evolutionary Outcomes of Cryptic Plastids. Mol Biol Evol 2023; 40:6969433. [PMID: 36610734 PMCID: PMC9847631 DOI: 10.1093/molbev/msad002] [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: 08/29/2022] [Revised: 11/18/2022] [Accepted: 12/13/2022] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Apicomplexans and related lineages comprise many obligate symbionts of animals; some of which cause notorious diseases such as malaria. They evolved from photosynthetic ancestors and transitioned into a symbiotic lifestyle several times, giving rise to species with diverse non-photosynthetic plastids. Here, we sought to reconstruct the evolution of the cryptic plastids in the apicomplexans, chrompodellids, and squirmids (ACS clade) by generating five new single-cell transcriptomes from understudied gregarine lineages, constructing a robust phylogenomic tree incorporating all ACS clade sequencing datasets available, and using these to examine in detail, the evolutionary distribution of all 162 proteins recently shown to be in the apicoplast by spatial proteomics in Toxoplasma. This expanded homology-based reconstruction of plastid proteins found in the ACS clade confirms earlier work showing convergence in the overall metabolic pathways retained once photosynthesis is lost, but also reveals differences in the degrees of plastid reduction in specific lineages. We show that the loss of the plastid genome is common and unexpectedly find many lineage- and species-specific plastid proteins, suggesting the presence of evolutionary innovations and neofunctionalizations that may confer new functional and metabolic capabilities that are yet to be discovered in these enigmatic organelles.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Eric D Salomaki
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre, Czech Academy of Sciences, České Budějovice, Czech Republic
| | - Kevin C Wakeman
- Institute for the Advancement of Higher Education, Hokkaido University, Sapporo 060-0810, Hokkaido, Japan
| | - Ina Na
- Department of Botany, University of British Columbia, 3156-6270 University Blvd., Vancouver V6T 1Z4, BC, Canada
| | - Waldan K Kwong
- Present address: Instituto Gulbenkian de Ciência (IGC) Rua da Quinta Grande, 6, 2780-156 Oeiras, Portugal
| | - Martin Kolisko
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre, Czech Academy of Sciences, České Budějovice, Czech Republic
| | - Patrick J Keeling
- Department of Botany, University of British Columbia, 3156-6270 University Blvd., Vancouver V6T 1Z4, BC, Canada
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20
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Mifsud JCO, Costa VA, Petrone ME, Marzinelli EM, Holmes EC, Harvey E. Transcriptome mining extends the host range of the Flaviviridae to non-bilaterians. Virus Evol 2022; 9:veac124. [PMID: 36694816 PMCID: PMC9854234 DOI: 10.1093/ve/veac124] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2022] [Revised: 12/20/2022] [Accepted: 12/26/2022] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
The flavivirids (family Flaviviridae) are a group of positive-sense RNA viruses that include well-documented agents of human disease. Despite their importance and ubiquity, the timescale of flavivirid evolution is uncertain. An ancient origin, spanning millions of years, is supported by their presence in both vertebrates and invertebrates and by the identification of a flavivirus-derived endogenous viral element in the peach blossom jellyfish genome (Craspedacusta sowerbii, phylum Cnidaria), implying that the flaviviruses arose early in the evolution of the Metazoa. To date, however, no exogenous flavivirid sequences have been identified in these hosts. To help resolve the antiquity of the Flaviviridae, we mined publicly available transcriptome data across the Metazoa. From this, we expanded the diversity within the family through the identification of 32 novel viral sequences and extended the host range of the pestiviruses to include amphibians, reptiles, and ray-finned fish. Through co-phylogenetic analysis we found cross-species transmission to be the predominate macroevolutionary event across the non-vectored flavivirid genera (median, 68 per cent), including a cross-species transmission event between bats and rodents, although long-term virus-host co-divergence was still a regular occurrence (median, 23 per cent). Notably, we discovered flavivirus-like sequences in basal metazoan species, including the first associated with Cnidaria. This sequence formed a basal lineage to the genus Flavivirus and was closer to arthropod and crustacean flaviviruses than those in the tamanavirus group, which includes a variety of invertebrate and vertebrate viruses. Combined, these data attest to an ancient origin of the flaviviruses, likely close to the emergence of the metazoans 750-800 million years ago.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Vincenzo A Costa
- Sydney Institute for Infectious Diseases, School of Medical Sciences, The University of Sydney, Sydney NSW 2006, Australia
| | - Mary E Petrone
- Sydney Institute for Infectious Diseases, School of Medical Sciences, The University of Sydney, Sydney NSW 2006, Australia
| | - Ezequiel M Marzinelli
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, The University of Sydney, Sydney NSW 2006, Australia,Sydney Institute of Marine Science, 19 Chowder Bay Rd, Mosman, NSW 2088, Australia,Singapore Centre for Environmental Life Sciences Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore 637551 Singapore
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21
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Development of a novel electroporation method for the oyster parasite Perkinsus marinus. Sci Rep 2022; 12:19996. [PMID: 36411330 PMCID: PMC9678886 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-24548-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2022] [Accepted: 11/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Gene manipulation techniques are fundamental to molecular biology and are continuously being improved. However, gene transfection methods are not established for many unicellular eukaryotes (protists), thereby hindering molecular biological investigations. The oyster parasite Perkinisus marinus is one of the few protists with established gene transfection and drug selection. Nevertheless, the present protocols are tedious, requiring a specific electroporator and pulse conditions which limits the accessibility of this technique across different research groups. Here, we present alternative buffer and electroporation conditions that make the protocol less restrictive. We revealed the pulse condition that enables the introduction of plasmids into P. marinus cell using Ingenio electroporation buffer and NEPA21 electroporator. We found that number of cells and plasmid concentration were critical parameters for the electroporation system. We also constructed a simpler expression plasmid that is removed needless regions for gene expression in the parasite. Our findings resolved the equipment restriction in electroporation of P. marinus and would be a good reference for electroporation in other protists, in particular other Perkinsozoa parasites and core dinoflagellates.
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22
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Akuh OA, Elahi R, Prigge ST, Seeber F. The ferredoxin redox system - an essential electron distributing hub in the apicoplast of Apicomplexa. Trends Parasitol 2022; 38:868-881. [PMID: 35999149 PMCID: PMC9481715 DOI: 10.1016/j.pt.2022.08.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2022] [Revised: 08/01/2022] [Accepted: 08/01/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
The apicoplast, a relict plastid found in most species of the phylum Apicomplexa, harbors the ferredoxin redox system which supplies electrons to enzymes of various metabolic pathways in this organelle. Recent reports in Toxoplasma gondii and Plasmodium falciparum have shown that the iron-sulfur cluster (FeS)-containing ferredoxin is essential in tachyzoite and blood-stage parasites, respectively. Here we review ferredoxin's crucial contribution to isoprenoid and lipoate biosynthesis as well as tRNA modification in the apicoplast, highlighting similarities and differences between the two species. We also discuss ferredoxin's potential role in the initial reductive steps required for FeS synthesis as well as recent evidence that offers an explanation for how NADPH required by the redox system might be generated in Plasmodium spp.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ojo-Ajogu Akuh
- FG16 Parasitology, Robert Koch-Institute, Berlin, Germany; Division of Biomedical Science and Biochemistry, Australian National University, Canberra, Australia
| | - Rubayet Elahi
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA; The Johns Hopkins Malaria Research Institute, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Sean T Prigge
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA; The Johns Hopkins Malaria Research Institute, Baltimore, MD, USA.
| | - Frank Seeber
- FG16 Parasitology, Robert Koch-Institute, Berlin, Germany.
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23
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Dos Santos Pacheco N, Brusini L, Haase R, Tosetti N, Maco B, Brochet M, Vadas O, Soldati-Favre D. Conoid extrusion regulates glideosome assembly to control motility and invasion in Apicomplexa. Nat Microbiol 2022; 7:1777-1790. [DOI: 10.1038/s41564-022-01212-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2022] [Accepted: 07/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
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24
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Brusini L, Dos Santos Pacheco N, Tromer EC, Soldati-Favre D, Brochet M. Composition and organization of kinetochores show plasticity in apicomplexan chromosome segregation. J Cell Biol 2022; 221:213421. [PMID: 36006241 PMCID: PMC9418836 DOI: 10.1083/jcb.202111084] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2021] [Revised: 05/31/2022] [Accepted: 07/15/2022] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Kinetochores are multiprotein assemblies directing mitotic spindle attachment and chromosome segregation. In apicomplexan parasites, most known kinetochore components and associated regulators are apparently missing, suggesting a minimal structure with limited control over chromosome segregation. In this study, we use interactomics combined with deep homology searches to identify 13 previously unknown components of kinetochores in Apicomplexa. Apicomplexan kinetochores are highly divergent in sequence and composition from animal and fungal models. The nanoscale organization includes at least four discrete compartments, each displaying different biochemical interactions, subkinetochore localizations and evolutionary rates across the phylum. We reveal alignment of kinetochores at the metaphase plate in both Plasmodium berghei and Toxoplasma gondii, suggestive of a conserved "hold signal" that prevents precocious entry into anaphase. Finally, we show unexpected plasticity in kinetochore composition and segregation between apicomplexan lifecycle stages, suggestive of diverse requirements to maintain fidelity of chromosome segregation across parasite modes of division.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lorenzo Brusini
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland,Correspondence to Lorenzo Brusini:
| | - Nicolas Dos Santos Pacheco
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Eelco C. Tromer
- Cell Biochemistry, Groningen Biomolecular Sciences and Biotechnology Institute, Faculty of Science and Engineering, University of Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands
| | - Dominique Soldati-Favre
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Mathieu Brochet
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland,Mathieu Brochet:
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25
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Sivakumar T, Tuvshintulga B, Otgonsuren D, Batmagnai E, Ahedor B, Kothalawala H, Vimalakumar SC, Silva SSP, Yamagishi J, Yokoyama N. Phylogenetic analyses of the mitochondrial, plastid, and nuclear genes of Babesia sp. Mymensingh and its naming as Babesia naoakii n. sp. Parasit Vectors 2022; 15:299. [PMID: 36002908 PMCID: PMC9404586 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-022-05374-9] [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: 03/08/2022] [Accepted: 06/26/2022] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The recently discovered Babesia sp. Mymensingh, which causes clinical bovine babesiosis, has a wide geographical distribution. We investigated the phylogenetic position of Babesia sp. Mymensingh using its mitochondrial, plastid, and nuclear genes. Based on morphological and molecular data, Babesia sp. Mymensingh is a unique species and we named it as Babesia naoakii n. sp. Methods A blood DNA sample from a Babesia sp. Mymensingh-infected cow was subjected to genome sequencing to obtain the sequences of mitochondrial, plastid, and nuclear genes. Six phylogenetic trees were then constructed with (1) concatenated amino acid sequences of cytochrome oxidase subunit I, cytochrome oxidase subunit III, and cytochrome b genes of the mitochondrial genome; (2) 16S rRNA of the plastid genome; (3) nucleotide sequences of the elongation factor Tu gene of the plastid genome; (4) ITS1-5.8S rRNA-ITS2; (5) concatenated nucleotide sequences of 89 nuclear genes; and (6) concatenated amino acid sequences translated from the 89 nuclear genes. Results In all six phylogenetic trees, B. naoakii n. sp. formed a sister clade to the common ancestor of Babesia bigemina and B. ovata. The concatenated nuclear genes of B. naoakii n. sp. and their translated amino acid sequences shared lower identity scores with the sequences from B. bigemina (82.7% and 84.7%, respectively) and B. ovata (83.5% and 85.5%, respectively) compared with the identity scores shared between the B. bigemina and B. ovata sequences (86.3% and 87.9%, respectively). Conclusions Our study showed that B. naoakii n. sp. occupies a unique phylogenetic position distinct from existing Babesia species. Our findings, together with morphological differences, identify B. naoakii n. sp. as a distinct parasite species. Graphical Abstract ![]()
Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13071-022-05374-9.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thillaiampalam Sivakumar
- National Research Center for Protozoan Diseases, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Inada-cho, Obihiro, Hokkaido, 080-8555, Japan
| | - Bumduuren Tuvshintulga
- National Research Center for Protozoan Diseases, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Inada-cho, Obihiro, Hokkaido, 080-8555, Japan
| | - Davaajav Otgonsuren
- National Research Center for Protozoan Diseases, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Inada-cho, Obihiro, Hokkaido, 080-8555, Japan
| | - Enkhbaatar Batmagnai
- National Research Center for Protozoan Diseases, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Inada-cho, Obihiro, Hokkaido, 080-8555, Japan
| | - Believe Ahedor
- National Research Center for Protozoan Diseases, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Inada-cho, Obihiro, Hokkaido, 080-8555, Japan
| | | | | | | | - Junya Yamagishi
- Division of Collaboration and Education, International Institute for Zoonosis Control, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan
| | - Naoaki Yokoyama
- National Research Center for Protozoan Diseases, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Inada-cho, Obihiro, Hokkaido, 080-8555, Japan. .,OIE Reference Laboratory for Bovine Babesiosis, National Research Center for Protozoan Diseases, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Obihiro, Hokkaido, Japan.
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26
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Cahoon AB, VanGundy RD. Alveolates (dinoflagellates, ciliates and apicomplexans) and Rhizarians are the most common microbial eukaryotes in temperate Appalachian karst caves. ENVIRONMENTAL MICROBIOLOGY REPORTS 2022; 14:538-548. [PMID: 35388620 PMCID: PMC9542216 DOI: 10.1111/1758-2229.13060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2021] [Revised: 03/02/2022] [Accepted: 03/10/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to survey the eukaryotic microbiome of two karst caves in the Valley and Ridge physiographic region of the Appalachian Mountains. Caves are known to harbour eukaryotic microbes but their very low densities and small cell size make them difficult to collect and identify. Microeukaryotes were surveyed using two methodologies, filtering water and submerging glass microscope slides mounted in periphytometers in cave pools. The periphyton sampling yielded 13.5 times more unique amplicon sequence variants (ASVs) than filtered water. The most abundant protist supergroup was Alveolata with large proportions of the ASVs belonging to dinoflagellate, ciliate and apicomplexan clades. The next most abundant were Rhizarians followed by Stramenopiles (diatoms and chrysophytes) and Ameobozoans. Very few of the ASVs, 1.5%, matched curated protist sequences with greater than 99% identity and only 2.5% could be identified from surface plankton samples collected in the same region. The overall composition of the eukaryotic microbiome appears to be a combination of bacterial grazers and parasitic species that could possibly survive underground as well as cells, cysts and spores probably transported from the surface.
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Affiliation(s)
- A. Bruce Cahoon
- Department of Natural SciencesThe University of Virginia's College at WiseWiseVA24293USA
| | - Robert D. VanGundy
- Department of Natural SciencesThe University of Virginia's College at WiseWiseVA24293USA
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27
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Boisard J, Duvernois-Berthet E, Duval L, Schrével J, Guillou L, Labat A, Le Panse S, Prensier G, Ponger L, Florent I. Marine gregarine genomes reveal the breadth of apicomplexan diversity with a partially conserved glideosome machinery. BMC Genomics 2022; 23:485. [PMID: 35780080 PMCID: PMC9250747 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-022-08700-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2022] [Accepted: 06/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Our current view of the evolutionary history, coding and adaptive capacities of Apicomplexa, protozoan parasites of a wide range of metazoan, is currently strongly biased toward species infecting humans, as data on early diverging apicomplexan lineages infecting invertebrates is extremely limited. Here, we characterized the genome of the marine eugregarine Porospora gigantea, intestinal parasite of Lobsters, remarkable for the macroscopic size of its vegetative feeding forms (trophozoites) and its gliding speed, the fastest so far recorded for Apicomplexa. Two highly syntenic genomes named A and B were assembled. Similar in size (~ 9 Mb) and coding capacity (~ 5300 genes), A and B genomes are 10.8% divergent at the nucleotide level, corresponding to 16-38 My in divergent time. Orthogroup analysis across 25 (proto)Apicomplexa species, including Gregarina niphandrodes, showed that A and B are highly divergent from all other known apicomplexan species, revealing an unexpected breadth of diversity. Phylogenetically these two species branch sisters to Cephaloidophoroidea, and thus expand the known crustacean gregarine superfamily. The genomes were mined for genes encoding proteins necessary for gliding, a key feature of apicomplexans parasites, currently studied through the molecular model called glideosome. Sequence analysis shows that actin-related proteins and regulatory factors are strongly conserved within apicomplexans. In contrast, the predicted protein sequences of core glideosome proteins and adhesion proteins are highly variable among apicomplexan lineages, especially in gregarines. These results confirm the importance of studying gregarines to widen our biological and evolutionary view of apicomplexan species diversity, and to deepen our understanding of the molecular bases of key functions such as gliding, well known to allow access to the intracellular parasitic lifestyle in Apicomplexa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julie Boisard
- Département Adaptations du Vivant (AVIV), Molécules de Communication et Adaptation des Microorganismes (MCAM, UMR 7245 CNRS), Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle, CNRS, CP 52, 57 rue Cuvier, 75231 Cedex 05, Paris, France. .,Département Adaptations du Vivant (AVIV), Structure et instabilité des génomes (STRING UMR 7196 CNRS/INSERM U1154), Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle, CNRS, INSERM, CP 26, 57 rue Cuvier, 75231 Cedex 05, Paris, France. .,Department of Biology, Lund University, Sölvegatan 35, 223 62, Lund, Sweden.
| | - Evelyne Duvernois-Berthet
- Département Adaptations du Vivant (AVIV), Physiologie Moléculaire et Adaptation (PhyMA UMR 7221 CNRS), Muséum national d'Histoire naturelle, CNRS, CP 32, 7 rue Cuvier, 75005, Paris, France
| | - Linda Duval
- Département Adaptations du Vivant (AVIV), Molécules de Communication et Adaptation des Microorganismes (MCAM, UMR 7245 CNRS), Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle, CNRS, CP 52, 57 rue Cuvier, 75231 Cedex 05, Paris, France
| | - Joseph Schrével
- Département Adaptations du Vivant (AVIV), Molécules de Communication et Adaptation des Microorganismes (MCAM, UMR 7245 CNRS), Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle, CNRS, CP 52, 57 rue Cuvier, 75231 Cedex 05, Paris, France
| | - Laure Guillou
- CNRS, UMR7144 Adaptation et Diversité en Milieu Marin, Ecology of Marine Plankton (ECOMAP), Station Biologique de Roscoff SBR, Sorbonne Université, 29680, Roscoff, France
| | - Amandine Labat
- Département Adaptations du Vivant (AVIV), Molécules de Communication et Adaptation des Microorganismes (MCAM, UMR 7245 CNRS), Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle, CNRS, CP 52, 57 rue Cuvier, 75231 Cedex 05, Paris, France
| | - Sophie Le Panse
- Plateforme d'Imagerie Merimage, FR2424, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Station Biologique de Roscoff, 29680, Roscoff, France
| | - Gérard Prensier
- Cell biology and Electron Microscopy Laboratory, François Rabelais University, 10 Boulevard Tonnellé, 3223 Cedex, Tours, BP, France
| | - Loïc Ponger
- Département Adaptations du Vivant (AVIV), Structure et instabilité des génomes (STRING UMR 7196 CNRS/INSERM U1154), Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle, CNRS, INSERM, CP 26, 57 rue Cuvier, 75231 Cedex 05, Paris, France.
| | - Isabelle Florent
- Département Adaptations du Vivant (AVIV), Molécules de Communication et Adaptation des Microorganismes (MCAM, UMR 7245 CNRS), Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle, CNRS, CP 52, 57 rue Cuvier, 75231 Cedex 05, Paris, France.
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Mobilome of Apicomplexa Parasites. Genes (Basel) 2022; 13:genes13050887. [PMID: 35627271 PMCID: PMC9141347 DOI: 10.3390/genes13050887] [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: 04/06/2022] [Revised: 05/02/2022] [Accepted: 05/14/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Transposable elements (TEs) are mobile genetic elements found in the majority of eukaryotic genomes. Genomic studies of protozoan parasites from the phylum Apicomplexa have only reported a handful of TEs in some species and a complete absence in others. Here, we studied sixty-four Apicomplexa genomes available in public databases, using a ‘de novo’ approach to build candidate TE models and multiple strategies from known TE sequence databases, pattern recognition of TEs, and protein domain databases, to identify possible TEs. We offer an insight into the distribution and the type of TEs that are present in these genomes, aiming to shed some light on the process of gains and losses of TEs in this phylum. We found that TEs comprise a very small portion in these genomes compared to other organisms, and in many cases, there are no apparent traces of TEs. We were able to build and classify 151 models from the TE consensus sequences obtained with RepeatModeler, 96 LTR TEs with LTRpred, and 44 LINE TEs with MGEScan. We found LTR Gypsy-like TEs in Eimeria, Gregarines, Haemoproteus, and Plasmodium genera. Additionally, we described LINE-like TEs in some species from the genera Babesia and Theileria. Finally, we confirmed the absence of TEs in the genus Cryptosporidium. Interestingly, Apicomplexa seem to be devoid of Class II transposons.
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29
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Kamikawa R, Mochizuki T, Sakamoto M, Tanizawa Y, Nakayama T, Onuma R, Cenci U, Moog D, Speak S, Sarkozi K, Toseland A, van Oosterhout C, Oyama K, Kato M, Kume K, Kayama M, Azuma T, Ishii KI, Miyashita H, Henrissat B, Lombard V, Win J, Kamoun S, Kashiyama Y, Mayama S, Miyagishima SY, Tanifuji G, Mock T, Nakamura Y. Genome evolution of a nonparasitic secondary heterotroph, the diatom Nitzschia putrida. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2022; 8:eabi5075. [PMID: 35486731 PMCID: PMC9054022 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.abi5075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2021] [Accepted: 03/16/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Secondary loss of photosynthesis is observed across almost all plastid-bearing branches of the eukaryotic tree of life. However, genome-based insights into the transition from a phototroph into a secondary heterotroph have so far only been revealed for parasitic species. Free-living organisms can yield unique insights into the evolutionary consequence of the loss of photosynthesis, as the parasitic lifestyle requires specific adaptations to host environments. Here, we report on the diploid genome of the free-living diatom Nitzschia putrida (35 Mbp), a nonphotosynthetic osmotroph whose photosynthetic relatives contribute ca. 40% of net oceanic primary production. Comparative analyses with photosynthetic diatoms and heterotrophic algae with parasitic lifestyle revealed that a combination of gene loss, the accumulation of genes involved in organic carbon degradation, a unique secretome, and the rapid divergence of conserved gene families involved in cell wall and extracellular metabolism appear to have facilitated the lifestyle of a free-living secondary heterotroph.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryoma Kamikawa
- Graduate School of Agriculture, Kyoto University, Kyoto 606-8502, Japan
| | - Takako Mochizuki
- Department of Informatics, National Institute of Genetics, Research Organization of Information and Systems, Shizuoka 411-8540, Japan
| | - Mika Sakamoto
- Department of Informatics, National Institute of Genetics, Research Organization of Information and Systems, Shizuoka 411-8540, Japan
| | - Yasuhiro Tanizawa
- Department of Informatics, National Institute of Genetics, Research Organization of Information and Systems, Shizuoka 411-8540, Japan
| | - Takuro Nakayama
- Graduate School of Life Sciences, Tohoku University, Sendai 980-8578, Japan
| | - Ryo Onuma
- Department of Gene Function and Phenomics, National Institute of Genetics, Shizuoka 411-8540, Japan
| | - Ugo Cenci
- Université de Lille, CNRS, UMR 8576 – UGSF – Unité de Glycobiologie Structurale et Fonctionnelle, F-59000 Lille, France
| | - Daniel Moog
- Laboratory for Cell Biology, Philipps University Marburg, Karl-von-Frisch-Str. 8
- SYNMIKRO Research Center, Hans-Meerwein-Str. 6, 35032, Marburg, Germany
| | - Samuel Speak
- School of Environmental Sciences, University of East Anglia, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, UK
| | - Krisztina Sarkozi
- School of Environmental Sciences, University of East Anglia, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, UK
| | - Andrew Toseland
- School of Environmental Sciences, University of East Anglia, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, UK
| | - Cock van Oosterhout
- School of Environmental Sciences, University of East Anglia, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, UK
| | - Kaori Oyama
- Graduate School of Humanities and Sciences, Ochanomizu University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Misako Kato
- Graduate School of Humanities and Sciences, Ochanomizu University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Keitaro Kume
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8572, Japan
| | - Motoki Kayama
- Graduate School of Human and Environmental Studies, Kyoto University, Kyoto 606-8501, Japan
| | - Tomonori Azuma
- Graduate School of Human and Environmental Studies, Kyoto University, Kyoto 606-8501, Japan
| | - Ken-ichiro Ishii
- Graduate School of Human and Environmental Studies, Kyoto University, Kyoto 606-8501, Japan
| | - Hideaki Miyashita
- Graduate School of Human and Environmental Studies, Kyoto University, Kyoto 606-8501, Japan
| | - Bernard Henrissat
- Architecture et Fonction des Macromolécules Biologiques (AFMB), CNRS, Université Aix-Marseille, 163 Avenue de Luminy, 13288 Marseille, France
- INRA, USC 1408 AFMB, 13288 Marseille, France
- Department of Biological Sciences, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia
| | - Vincent Lombard
- Architecture et Fonction des Macromolécules Biologiques (AFMB), CNRS, Université Aix-Marseille, 163 Avenue de Luminy, 13288 Marseille, France
- INRA, USC 1408 AFMB, 13288 Marseille, France
| | - Joe Win
- The Sainsbury Laboratory, University of East Anglia, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, UK
| | - Sophien Kamoun
- The Sainsbury Laboratory, University of East Anglia, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, UK
| | - Yuichiro Kashiyama
- Graduate School of Engineering, Fukui University of Technology, Fukui, Japan
| | - Shigeki Mayama
- Advanced Support Center for Science Teachers, Tokyo Gakugei University, Koganei, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Shin-ya Miyagishima
- Department of Gene Function and Phenomics, National Institute of Genetics, Shizuoka 411-8540, Japan
| | - Goro Tanifuji
- Department of Zoology, National Museum of Nature and Science, Tsukuba 305-0005, Japan
| | - Thomas Mock
- School of Environmental Sciences, University of East Anglia, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, UK
| | - Yasukazu Nakamura
- Department of Informatics, National Institute of Genetics, Research Organization of Information and Systems, Shizuoka 411-8540, Japan
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30
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Azuma T, Pánek T, Tice AK, Kayama M, Kobayashi M, Miyashita H, Suzaki T, Yabuki A, Brown MW, Kamikawa R. An enigmatic stramenopile sheds light on early evolution in Ochrophyta plastid organellogenesis. Mol Biol Evol 2022; 39:6555011. [PMID: 35348760 PMCID: PMC9004409 DOI: 10.1093/molbev/msac065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Ochrophyta is an algal group belonging to the Stramenopiles and comprises diverse lineages of algae which contribute significantly to the oceanic ecosystems as primary producers. However, early evolution of the plastid organelle in Ochrophyta is not fully understood. In this study, we provide a well-supported tree of the Stramenopiles inferred by the large-scale phylogenomic analysis that unveils the eukaryvorous (nonphotosynthetic) protist Actinophrys sol (Actinophryidae) is closely related to Ochrophyta. We used genomic and transcriptomic data generated from A. sol to detect molecular traits of its plastid and we found no evidence of plastid genome and plastid-mediated biosynthesis, consistent with previous ultrastructural studies that did not identify any plastids in Actinophryidae. Moreover, our phylogenetic analyses of particular biosynthetic pathways provide no evidence of a current and past plastid in A. sol. However, we found more than a dozen organellar aminoacyl-tRNA synthases (aaRSs) that are of algal origin. Close relationships between aaRS from A. sol and their ochrophyte homologs document gene transfer of algal genes that happened before the divergence of Actinophryidae and Ochrophyta lineages. We further showed experimentally that organellar aaRSs of A. sol are targeted exclusively to mitochondria, although organellar aaRSs in Ochrophyta are dually targeted to mitochondria and plastids. Together, our findings suggested that the last common ancestor of Actinophryidae and Ochrophyta had not yet completed the establishment of host–plastid partnership as seen in the current Ochrophyta species, but acquired at least certain nuclear-encoded genes for the plastid functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomonori Azuma
- Graduate School of Human and Environmental Studies, Kyoto University, Yoshida nihonmatsu cho, Sakyo ku, Kyoto, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Tomáš Pánek
- Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic.,Department of Biological Sciences, Mississippi State University, Mississippi State, MS, USA
| | - Alexander K Tice
- Department of Biological Sciences, Mississippi State University, Mississippi State, MS, USA
| | - Motoki Kayama
- Graduate School of Human and Environmental Studies, Kyoto University, Yoshida nihonmatsu cho, Sakyo ku, Kyoto, Kyoto, Japan
| | | | - Hideaki Miyashita
- Graduate School of Human and Environmental Studies, Kyoto University, Yoshida nihonmatsu cho, Sakyo ku, Kyoto, Kyoto, Japan
| | | | - Akinori Yabuki
- Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology, Japan
| | - Matthew W Brown
- Department of Biological Sciences, Mississippi State University, Mississippi State, MS, USA
| | - Ryoma Kamikawa
- Graduate School of Agriculture, Kyoto University, Kitashirakawa oiwake cho, Sakyo ku, Kyoto, Kyoto, Japan
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31
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Organismal and cellular interactions in vertebrate-alga symbioses. Biochem Soc Trans 2022; 50:609-620. [PMID: 35225336 DOI: 10.1042/bst20210153] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2021] [Revised: 02/09/2022] [Accepted: 02/10/2022] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Photosymbioses, intimate interactions between photosynthetic algal symbionts and heterotrophic hosts, are well known in invertebrate and protist systems. Vertebrate animals are an exception where photosynthetic microorganisms are not often considered part of the normal vertebrate microbiome, with a few exceptions in amphibian eggs. Here, we review the breadth of vertebrate diversity and explore where algae have taken hold in vertebrate fur, on vertebrate surfaces, in vertebrate tissues, and within vertebrate cells. We find that algae have myriad partnerships with vertebrate animals, from fishes to mammals, and that those symbioses range from apparent mutualisms to commensalisms to parasitisms. The exception in vertebrates, compared with other groups of eukaryotes, is that intracellular mutualisms and commensalisms with algae or other microbes are notably rare. We currently have no clear cell-in-cell (endosymbiotic) examples of a trophic mutualism in any vertebrate, while there is a broad diversity of such interactions in invertebrate animals and protists. This functional divergence in vertebrate symbioses may be related to vertebrate physiology or a byproduct of our adaptive immune system. Overall, we see that diverse algae are part of the vertebrate microbiome, broadly, with numerous symbiotic interactions occurring across all vertebrate and many algal clades. These interactions are being studied for their ecological, organismal, and cellular implications. This synthesis of vertebrate-algal associations may prove useful for the development of novel therapeutics: pairing algae with medical devices, tissue cultures, and artificial ecto- and endosymbioses.
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32
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Oborník M. Organellar Evolution: A Path from Benefit to Dependence. Microorganisms 2022; 10:microorganisms10010122. [PMID: 35056571 PMCID: PMC8781833 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms10010122] [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: 11/15/2021] [Revised: 01/04/2022] [Accepted: 01/05/2022] [Indexed: 12/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Eukaryotic organelles supposedly evolved from their bacterial ancestors because of their benefits to host cells. However, organelles are quite often retained, even when the beneficial metabolic pathway is lost, due to something other than the original beneficial function. The organellar function essential for cell survival is, in the end, the result of organellar evolution, particularly losses of redundant metabolic pathways present in both the host and endosymbiont, followed by a gradual distribution of metabolic functions between the organelle and host. Such biological division of metabolic labor leads to mutual dependence of the endosymbiont and host. Changing environmental conditions, such as the gradual shift of an organism from aerobic to anaerobic conditions or light to dark, can make the original benefit useless. Therefore, it can be challenging to deduce the original beneficial function, if there is any, underlying organellar acquisition. However, it is also possible that the organelle is retained because it simply resists being eliminated or digested untill it becomes indispensable.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miroslav Oborník
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre, Czech Academy of Sciences, 37005 České Budějovice, Czech Republic;
- Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, 37005 České Budějovice, Czech Republic
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33
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Rodino KG, Pritt BS. Novel Applications of Metagenomics for Detection of Tickborne Pathogens. Clin Chem 2021; 68:69-74. [DOI: 10.1093/clinchem/hvab228] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2021] [Accepted: 09/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
Background
Tick populations have expanded in many parts of the globe, bringing with them an enhanced appreciation and discovery of novel tickborne pathogens, as well an increased in reported human cases of tickborne disease. Targeted and unbiased (shotgun) clinical metagenomic sequencing tests are increasingly used for detection of known and emerging infectious agents and have recently been employed for detection of tickborne pathogens.
Content
This review describes the types of metagenomic sequencing assays used for detection of emerging tickborne pathogens and reviews the recent literature on this topic. Important diagnostic and interpretative challenges are also covered.
Summary
Metagenomic analysis has emerged as a powerful tool for detection, discovery, characterization, and classification of tickborne pathogens. Shotgun metagenomics is especially promising because it allows for detection of all tickborne bacteria, viruses, and parasites in a single specimen. Despite the potential advantages, there are several important challenges, including high cost, complexity of testing and interpretation, and slow turnaround time. No doubt, these challenges will diminish with increased use and advances in the field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kyle G Rodino
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
| | - Bobbi S Pritt
- Division of Clinical Microbiology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN
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34
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Yoshinaga M, Inagaki Y. Ubiquity and Origins of Structural Maintenance of Chromosomes (SMC) Proteins in Eukaryotes. Genome Biol Evol 2021; 13:evab256. [PMID: 34894224 PMCID: PMC8665677 DOI: 10.1093/gbe/evab256] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Structural maintenance of chromosomes (SMC) protein complexes are common in Bacteria, Archaea, and Eukaryota. SMC proteins, together with the proteins related to SMC (SMC-related proteins), constitute a superfamily of ATPases. Bacteria/Archaea and Eukaryotes are distinctive from one another in terms of the repertory of SMC proteins. A single type of SMC protein is dimerized in the bacterial and archaeal complexes, whereas eukaryotes possess six distinct SMC subfamilies (SMC1-6), constituting three heterodimeric complexes, namely cohesin, condensin, and SMC5/6 complex. Thus, to bridge the homodimeric SMC complexes in Bacteria and Archaea to the heterodimeric SMC complexes in Eukaryota, we need to invoke multiple duplications of an SMC gene followed by functional divergence. However, to our knowledge, the evolution of the SMC proteins in Eukaryota had not been examined for more than a decade. In this study, we reexamined the ubiquity of SMC1-6 in phylogenetically diverse eukaryotes that cover the major eukaryotic taxonomic groups recognized to date and provide two novel insights into the SMC evolution in eukaryotes. First, multiple secondary losses of SMC5 and SMC6 occurred in the eukaryotic evolution. Second, the SMC proteins constituting cohesin and condensin (i.e., SMC1-4), and SMC5 and SMC6 were derived from closely related but distinct ancestral proteins. Based on the above-mentioned findings, we discuss how SMC1-6 have diverged from the archaeal homologs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mari Yoshinaga
- Graduate School of Science and Technology, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Japan
| | - Yuji Inagaki
- Graduate School of Science and Technology, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Japan
- Center for Computational Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Japan
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35
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Hiillos A, Thonig A, Knott KE. Droplet digital PCR as a tool for investigating dynamics of cryptic symbionts. Ecol Evol 2021; 11:17381-17396. [PMID: 34938515 PMCID: PMC8668802 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.8372] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2021] [Revised: 10/28/2021] [Accepted: 10/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Interactions among symbiotic organisms and their hosts are major drivers of ecological and evolutionary processes. Monitoring the infection patterns among natural populations and identifying factors affecting these interactions are critical for understanding symbiont-host relationships. However, many of these interactions remain understudied since the knowledge about the symbiont species is lacking, which hinders the development of appropriate tools. In this study, we developed a digital droplet PCR (ddPCR) assay based on apicomplexan COX1 gene to detect an undescribed agamococcidian symbiont. We show that the method gives precise and reproducible results and enables detecting cryptic symbionts in low target concentration. We further exemplify the assay's use to survey seasonally sampled natural host (Pygospio elegans) populations for symbiont infection dynamics. We found that symbiont prevalence differs spatially but does not show seasonal changes. Infection load differed between populations and was low in spring and significantly increased towards fall in all populations. We also found that the symbiont prevalence is affected by host length and population density. Larger hosts were more likely to be infected, and high host densities were found to have a lower probability of infection. The observed variations could be due to characteristics of both symbiont and host biology, especially the seasonal variation in encounter rates. Our findings show that the developed ddPCR assay is a robust tool for detecting undescribed symbionts that are otherwise difficult to quantify, enabling further insight into the impact cryptic symbionts have on their hosts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna‐Lotta Hiillos
- Department of Biological and Environmental ScienceUniversity of JyväskyläJyväskyläFinland
| | - Anne Thonig
- Department of Biological and Environmental ScienceUniversity of JyväskyläJyväskyläFinland
- Department of Science and EnvironmentRoskilde UniversityRoskildeDenmark
| | - Karelyn Emily Knott
- Department of Biological and Environmental ScienceUniversity of JyväskyläJyväskyläFinland
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Kolářová I, Valigurová A. Hide-and-Seek: A Game Played between Parasitic Protists and Their Hosts. Microorganisms 2021; 9:2434. [PMID: 34946036 PMCID: PMC8707157 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms9122434] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2021] [Revised: 11/17/2021] [Accepted: 11/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
After invading the host organism, a battle occurs between the parasitic protists and the host's immune system, the result of which determines not only whether and how well the host survives and recovers, but also the fate of the parasite itself. The exact weaponry of this battle depends, among others, on the parasite localisation. While some parasitic protists do not invade the host cell at all (extracellular parasites), others have developed successful intracellular lifestyles (intracellular parasites) or attack only the surface of the host cell (epicellular parasites). Epicellular and intracellular protist parasites have developed various mechanisms to hijack host cell functions to escape cellular defences and immune responses, and, finally, to gain access to host nutrients. They use various evasion tactics to secure the tight contact with the host cell and the direct nutrient supply. This review focuses on the adaptations and evasion strategies of parasitic protists on the example of two very successful parasites of medical significance, Cryptosporidium and Leishmania, while discussing different localisation (epicellular vs. intracellular) with respect to the host cell.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iva Kolářová
- Laboratory of Vector Biology, Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Albertov 6, 128 44 Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Andrea Valigurová
- Department of Botany and Zoology, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Kotlářská 2, 611 37 Brno, Czech Republic
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Single cell genomics reveals plastid-lacking Picozoa are close relatives of red algae. Nat Commun 2021; 12:6651. [PMID: 34789758 PMCID: PMC8599508 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-26918-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2021] [Accepted: 10/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
The endosymbiotic origin of plastids from cyanobacteria gave eukaryotes photosynthetic capabilities and launched the diversification of countless forms of algae. These primary plastids are found in members of the eukaryotic supergroup Archaeplastida. All known archaeplastids still retain some form of primary plastids, which are widely assumed to have a single origin. Here, we use single-cell genomics from natural samples combined with phylogenomics to infer the evolutionary origin of the phylum Picozoa, a globally distributed but seemingly rare group of marine microbial heterotrophic eukaryotes. Strikingly, the analysis of 43 single-cell genomes shows that Picozoa belong to Archaeplastida, specifically related to red algae and the phagotrophic rhodelphids. These picozoan genomes support the hypothesis that Picozoa lack a plastid, and further reveal no evidence of an early cryptic endosymbiosis with cyanobacteria. These findings change our understanding of plastid evolution as they either represent the first complete plastid loss in a free-living taxon, or indicate that red algae and rhodelphids obtained their plastids independently of other archaeplastids.
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38
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Berná L, Rego N, Francia ME. The Elusive Mitochondrial Genomes of Apicomplexa: Where Are We Now? Front Microbiol 2021; 12:751775. [PMID: 34721355 PMCID: PMC8554336 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.751775] [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: 08/02/2021] [Accepted: 09/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Mitochondria are vital organelles of eukaryotic cells, participating in key metabolic pathways such as cellular respiration, thermogenesis, maintenance of cellular redox potential, calcium homeostasis, cell signaling, and cell death. The phylum Apicomplexa is entirely composed of obligate intracellular parasites, causing a plethora of severe diseases in humans, wild and domestic animals. These pathogens include the causative agents of malaria, cryptosporidiosis, neosporosis, East Coast fever and toxoplasmosis, among others. The mitochondria in Apicomplexa has been put forward as a promising source of undiscovered drug targets, and it has been validated as the target of atovaquone, a drug currently used in the clinic to counter malaria. Apicomplexans present a single tubular mitochondria that varies widely both in structure and in genomic content across the phylum. The organelle is characterized by massive gene migrations to the nucleus, sequence rearrangements and drastic functional reductions in some species. Recent third generation sequencing studies have reignited an interest for elucidating the extensive diversity displayed by the mitochondrial genomes of apicomplexans and their intriguing genomic features. The underlying mechanisms of gene transcription and translation are also ill-understood. In this review, we present the state of the art on mitochondrial genome structure, composition and organization in the apicomplexan phylum revisiting topological and biochemical information gathered through classical techniques. We contextualize this in light of the genomic insight gained by second and, more recently, third generation sequencing technologies. We discuss the mitochondrial genomic and mechanistic features found in evolutionarily related alveolates, and discuss the common and distinct origins of the apicomplexan mitochondria peculiarities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luisa Berná
- Laboratory of Apicomplexan Biology, Institut Pasteur de Montevideo, Montevideo, Uruguay.,Molecular Biology Unit, Institut Pasteur de Montevideo, Montevideo, Uruguay.,Bioinformatics Unit, Institut Pasteur de Montevideo, Montevideo, Uruguay.,Sección Biomatemática-Laboratorio de Genómica Evolutiva, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Natalia Rego
- Bioinformatics Unit, Institut Pasteur de Montevideo, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - María E Francia
- Laboratory of Apicomplexan Biology, Institut Pasteur de Montevideo, Montevideo, Uruguay.,Departamento de Parasitología y Micología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay
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Ryan UM, Feng Y, Fayer R, Xiao L. Taxonomy and molecular epidemiology of Cryptosporidium and Giardia - a 50 year perspective (1971-2021). Int J Parasitol 2021; 51:1099-1119. [PMID: 34715087 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpara.2021.08.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 114] [Impact Index Per Article: 38.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2021] [Revised: 08/25/2021] [Accepted: 08/31/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
The protozoan parasites Cryptosporidium and Giardia are significant causes of diarrhoea worldwide and are responsible for numerous waterborne and foodborne outbreaks of diseases. Over the last 50 years, the development of improved detection and typing tools has facilitated the expanding range of named species. Currently at least 44 Cryptosporidium spp. and >120 genotypes, and nine Giardia spp., are recognised. Many of these Cryptosporidium genotypes will likely be described as species in the future. The phylogenetic placement of Cryptosporidium at the genus level is still unclear and further research is required to better understand its evolutionary origins. Zoonotic transmission has long been known to play an important role in the epidemiology of cryptosporidiosis and giardiasis, and the development and application of next generation sequencing tools is providing evidence for this. Comparative whole genome sequencing is also providing key information on the genetic mechanisms for host specificity and human infectivity, and will enable One Health management of these zoonotic parasites in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Una M Ryan
- Harry Butler Institute, Murdoch University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia.
| | - Yaoyu Feng
- Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China; Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Ronald Fayer
- Environmental Microbial and Food Safety Laboratory, Agricultural Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture, 10300 Baltimore Avenue, BARC-East, Building 173, Beltsville, MD 20705, USA
| | - Lihua Xiao
- Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China; Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
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Paskerova GG, Miroliubova TS, Valigurová A, Janouškovec J, Kováčiková M, Diakin A, Sokolova YY, Mikhailov KV, Aleoshin VV, Simdyanov TG. Evidence from the resurrected family Polyrhabdinidae Kamm, 1922 (Apicomplexa: Gregarinomorpha) supports the epimerite, an attachment organelle, as a major eugregarine innovation. PeerJ 2021; 9:e11912. [PMID: 34616591 PMCID: PMC8450007 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.11912] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2020] [Accepted: 07/14/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Gregarines are a major group of apicomplexan parasites of invertebrates. The gregarine classification is largely incomplete because it relies primarily on light microscopy, while electron microscopy and molecular data in the group are fragmentary and often do not overlap. A key characteristic in gregarine taxonomy is the structure and function of their attachment organelles (AOs). AOs have been commonly classified as “mucrons” or “epimerites” based on their association with other cellular traits such as septation. An alternative proposal focused on the AOs structure, functional role, and developmental fate has recently restricted the terms “mucron” to archigregarines and “epimerite” to eugregarines. Methods Light microscopy and scanning and transmission electron microscopy, molecular phylogenetic analyses of ribosomal RNA genes. Results We obtained the first data on fine morphology of aseptate eugregarines Polyrhabdina pygospionis and Polyrhabdina cf. spionis, the type species. We demonstrate that their AOs differ from the mucron in archigregarines and represent an epimerite structurally resembling that in other eugregarines examined using electron microscopy. We then used the concatenated ribosomal operon DNA sequences (SSU, 5.8S, and LSU rDNA) of P. pygospionis to explore the phylogeny of eugregarines with a resolution superior to SSU rDNA alone. The obtained phylogenies show that the Polyrhabdina clade represents an independent, deep-branching family in the Ancoroidea clade within eugregarines. Combined, these results lend strong support to the hypothesis that the epimerite is a synapomorphic innovation of eugregarines. Based on these findings, we resurrect the family Polyrhabdinidae Kamm, 1922 and erect and diagnose the family Trollidiidae fam. n. within the superfamily Ancoroidea Simdyanov et al., 2017. Additionally, we re-describe the characteristics of P. pygospionis, emend the diagnoses of the genus Polyrhabdina, the family Polyrhabdinidae, and the superfamily Ancoroidea.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gita G Paskerova
- Department of Invertebrate Zoology, Faculty of Biology, St Petersburg State University, St Petersburg, Russia
| | - Tatiana S Miroliubova
- Laboratory for Fauna and Systematics of Parasites, Center for Parasitology, Severtsov Institute of Ecology and Evolution, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russian Federation
| | - Andrea Valigurová
- Department of Botany and Zoology, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Jan Janouškovec
- Centre Algatech, Institute of Microbiology of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Třeboň, Czech Republic
| | - Magdaléna Kováčiková
- Department of Botany and Zoology, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Andrei Diakin
- Department of Botany and Zoology, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Yuliya Ya Sokolova
- Institute of Cytology, Russian Academy of Sciences, St Petersburg, Russian Federation
| | - Kirill V Mikhailov
- Belozersky Institute for Physico-Chemical Biology, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, Russian Federation.,Kharkevich Institute for Information Transmission Problems, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russian Federation
| | - Vladimir V Aleoshin
- Belozersky Institute for Physico-Chemical Biology, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, Russian Federation.,Kharkevich Institute for Information Transmission Problems, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russian Federation
| | - Timur G Simdyanov
- Department of Invertebrate Zoology, Faculty of Biology, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, Russian Federation
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Kořený L, Oborník M, Horáková E, Waller RF, Lukeš J. The convoluted history of haem biosynthesis. Biol Rev Camb Philos Soc 2021; 97:141-162. [PMID: 34472688 DOI: 10.1111/brv.12794] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2020] [Revised: 08/12/2021] [Accepted: 08/19/2021] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
The capacity of haem to transfer electrons, bind diatomic gases, and catalyse various biochemical reactions makes it one of the essential biomolecules on Earth and one that was likely used by the earliest forms of cellular life. Since the description of haem biosynthesis, our understanding of this multi-step pathway has been almost exclusively derived from a handful of model organisms from narrow taxonomic contexts. Recent advances in genome sequencing and functional studies of diverse and previously neglected groups have led to discoveries of alternative routes of haem biosynthesis that deviate from the 'classical' pathway. In this review, we take an evolutionarily broad approach to illuminate the remarkable diversity and adaptability of haem synthesis, from prokaryotes to eukaryotes, showing the range of strategies that organisms employ to obtain and utilise haem. In particular, the complex evolutionary histories of eukaryotes that involve multiple endosymbioses and horizontal gene transfers are reflected in the mosaic origin of numerous metabolic pathways with haem biosynthesis being a striking case. We show how different evolutionary trajectories and distinct life strategies resulted in pronounced tensions and differences in the spatial organisation of the haem biosynthesis pathway, in some cases leading to a complete loss of a haem-synthesis capacity and, rarely, even loss of a requirement for haem altogether.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luděk Kořený
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Hopkins Building, Tennis Court Road, Cambridge, CB2 1QW, U.K
| | - Miroslav Oborník
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Branišovská 31, České Budějovice (Budweis), 370 05, Czech Republic.,Faculty of Sciences, University of South Bohemia, Branišovská, České Budějovice (Budweis), 31, Czech Republic
| | - Eva Horáková
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Branišovská 31, České Budějovice (Budweis), 370 05, Czech Republic
| | - Ross F Waller
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Hopkins Building, Tennis Court Road, Cambridge, CB2 1QW, U.K
| | - Julius Lukeš
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Branišovská 31, České Budějovice (Budweis), 370 05, Czech Republic.,Faculty of Sciences, University of South Bohemia, Branišovská, České Budějovice (Budweis), 31, Czech Republic
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Cao S, Yang J, Fu J, Chen H, Jia H. The Dissection of SNAREs Reveals Key Factors for Vesicular Trafficking to the Endosome-like Compartment and Apicoplast via the Secretory System in Toxoplasma gondii. mBio 2021; 12:e0138021. [PMID: 34340555 PMCID: PMC8406237 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.01380-21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2021] [Accepted: 07/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Vesicular trafficking is a fundamental cellular process involved in material transport in eukaryotes, but the diversity of the intracellular compartments has prevented researchers from obtaining a clear understanding of the specific functions of vesicular trafficking factors, including SNAREs, tethers, and Rab GTPases, in Apicomplexa. In this study, we analyzed the localization of SNAREs and investigated their roles in vesicular trafficking in Toxoplasma gondii. Our results revealed the specific localizations of SNAREs in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) (T. gondii Stx18 [TgStx18] and TgStx19), Golgi stacks (TgGS27), and endosome-like compartment (TgStx10 and TgStx12). The conditional ablation of ER- and Golgi-residing SNAREs caused severe defects in the secretory system. Most importantly, we found an R-SNARE (TgVAMP4-2) that is targeted to the apicoplast; to our knowledge, this work provides the first information showing a SNARE protein on endosymbiotic organelles and functioning in vesicular trafficking in eukaryotes. Conditional knockout of TgVAMP4-2 blocked the entrance of TgCPN60, TgACP, TgATrx2, and TgATrx1 into the apicoplast and interfered with the targeting of TgAPT1 and TgFtsH1 to the outermost membrane of the apicoplast. Together, our findings revealed the functions of SNAREs in the secretory system and the transport of nucleus-encoded proteins to an endosymbiotic organelle in a model organism of Apicomplexa. IMPORTANCE SNAREs are essential for the fusion of the transport vesicles and target membranes and, thus, provide perfect targets for obtaining a global view of the vesicle transport system. In this study, we report that a novel Qc-SNARE (TgStx19) instead of Use1 is located at the ER and acts as a partner of TgStx18 in T. gondii. TgGS27 and the tethering complex TRAPP III are conserved and critical for the biogenesis of the Golgi complex in T. gondii. A novel R-SNARE, TgVAMP4-2, is found on the outermost membrane of the apicoplast. The transport of NEAT proteins into the secondary endosymbiotic organelle depends on its function. To our knowledge, this work provides the first mention of a SNARE located on endosymbiotic organelles that functions in vesicular trafficking in eukaryotes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shinuo Cao
- State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Biotechnology, Harbin Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Harbin, People’s Republic of China
| | - Juan Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Biotechnology, Harbin Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Harbin, People’s Republic of China
| | - Jiawen Fu
- State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Biotechnology, Harbin Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Harbin, People’s Republic of China
| | - Heming Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Biotechnology, Harbin Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Harbin, People’s Republic of China
| | - Honglin Jia
- State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Biotechnology, Harbin Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Harbin, People’s Republic of China
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Abstract
The origin of plastids (chloroplasts) by endosymbiosis stands as one of the most important events in the history of eukaryotic life. The genetic, biochemical, and cell biological integration of a cyanobacterial endosymbiont into a heterotrophic host eukaryote approximately a billion years ago paved the way for the evolution of diverse algal groups in a wide range of aquatic and, eventually, terrestrial environments. Plastids have on multiple occasions also moved horizontally from eukaryote to eukaryote by secondary and tertiary endosymbiotic events. The overall picture of extant photosynthetic diversity can best be described as “patchy”: Plastid-bearing lineages are spread far and wide across the eukaryotic tree of life, nested within heterotrophic groups. The algae do not constitute a monophyletic entity, and understanding how, and how often, plastids have moved from branch to branch on the eukaryotic tree remains one of the most fundamental unsolved problems in the field of cell evolution. In this review, we provide an overview of recent advances in our understanding of the origin and spread of plastids from the perspective of comparative genomics. Recent years have seen significant improvements in genomic sampling from photosynthetic and nonphotosynthetic lineages, both of which have added important pieces to the puzzle of plastid evolution. Comparative genomics has also allowed us to better understand how endosymbionts become organelles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shannon J Sibbald
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.,Centre for Comparative Genomics and Evolutionary Bioinformatics, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
| | - John M Archibald
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.,Centre for Comparative Genomics and Evolutionary Bioinformatics, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
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Nutrient Acquisition and Attachment Strategies in Basal Lineages: A Tough Nut to Crack in the Evolutionary Puzzle of Apicomplexa. Microorganisms 2021; 9:microorganisms9071430. [PMID: 34361866 PMCID: PMC8303630 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms9071430] [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: 06/02/2021] [Revised: 06/28/2021] [Accepted: 06/28/2021] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Apicomplexa are unicellular eukaryotes that parasitise a wide spectrum of invertebrates and vertebrates, including humans. In their hosts, they occupy a variety of niches, from extracellular cavities (intestine, coelom) to epicellular and intracellular locations, depending on the species and/or developmental stages. During their evolution, Apicomplexa thus developed an exceptionally wide range of unique features to reach these diversified parasitic niches and to survive there, at least long enough to ensure their own transmission or that of their progeny. This review summarises the current state of knowledge on the attachment/invasive and nutrient uptake strategies displayed by apicomplexan parasites, focusing on trophozoite stages of their so far poorly studied basal representatives, which mostly parasitise invertebrate hosts. We describe their most important morphofunctional features, and where applicable, discuss existing major similarities and/or differences in the corresponding mechanisms, incomparably better described at the molecular level in the more advanced Apicomplexa species, of medical and veterinary significance, which mainly occupy intracellular niches in vertebrate hosts.
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Jacobovitz MR, Rupp S, Voss PA, Maegele I, Gornik SG, Guse A. Dinoflagellate symbionts escape vomocytosis by host cell immune suppression. Nat Microbiol 2021; 6:769-782. [PMID: 33927382 PMCID: PMC7611106 DOI: 10.1038/s41564-021-00897-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2019] [Accepted: 03/25/2021] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
Alveolata comprises diverse taxa of single-celled eukaryotes, many of which are renowned for their ability to live inside animal cells. Notable examples are apicomplexan parasites and dinoflagellate symbionts, the latter of which power coral reef ecosystems. Although functionally distinct, they evolved from a common, free-living ancestor and must evade their host's immune response for persistence. Both the initial cellular events that gave rise to this intracellular lifestyle and the role of host immune modulation in coral-dinoflagellate endosymbiosis are poorly understood. Here, we use a comparative approach in the cnidarian endosymbiosis model Aiptasia, which re-establishes endosymbiosis with free-living dinoflagellates every generation. We find that uptake of microalgae is largely indiscriminate, but non-symbiotic microalgae are expelled by vomocytosis, while symbionts induce host cell innate immune suppression and form a lysosomal-associated membrane protein 1-positive niche. We demonstrate that exogenous immune stimulation results in symbiont expulsion and, conversely, inhibition of canonical Toll-like receptor signalling enhances infection of host animals. Our findings indicate that symbiosis establishment is dictated by local innate immune suppression, to circumvent expulsion and promote niche formation. This work provides insight into the evolution of the cellular immune response and key steps involved in mediating endosymbiotic interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marie R Jacobovitz
- Centre for Organismal Studies (COS), Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Sebastian Rupp
- Centre for Organismal Studies (COS), Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Philipp A Voss
- Centre for Organismal Studies (COS), Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Ira Maegele
- Centre for Organismal Studies (COS), Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Sebastian G Gornik
- Centre for Organismal Studies (COS), Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Annika Guse
- Centre for Organismal Studies (COS), Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany.
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Tokiwa T, Chou S, Tochigi Y, Katayama K, Duszynski DW. Hyaloklossia Labbé, 1896 (Alveolata: Apicomplexa) in frogs: Description of a new species and proposing a new subfamily to accommodate these enigmatic parasites. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL FOR PARASITOLOGY-PARASITES AND WILDLIFE 2021; 15:199-207. [PMID: 34141567 PMCID: PMC8187853 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijppaw.2021.05.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2021] [Revised: 05/17/2021] [Accepted: 05/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Hyaloklossia Labbé ,1896 (Alveolata: Apicomplexa) is a monotypic genus of renal coccidia found in anurans, particularly in the edible frog Pelophylax kl. esculentus (Amphibia: Anura: Ranidae), distributed in different parts of Europe. Here we propose a new Hyaloklossia species from the Tokyo daruma pond frog, Pelophylax porosus porosus. The coccidium detected in the renal tissue of P. p. porosus shared some morphological characteristics with the type species, Hyaloklossia lieberkuehni (Labbé, 1894), reported from P. kl. esculentus. However, in addition to size differences in several oocyst and sporocyst features between these parasites, phylogenetic analysis of gene fragments from two nuclear ribosomal loci and the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1, exposed distinct genetic differences between H. lieberkuehni and our new species. Although our analysis validated the monophyly of Hyaloklossia with some members of the Toxoplasmatinae Biocca, 1957, Cystoisosporinae Frenkel et al., 1987, and Eumonosporinae Chou et al., 2021 (Sarcocystidae Poche, 1913), comparison of genetic differences between Hyaloklossia species from P. p. porosus and H. lieberkuehni revealed the presence of a greater number of polymorphisms than that observed when comparing inter-species (Heydornia spp., Besnoisita spp.) or inter-genus (Toxoplasma vs. Neospora, Neospora vs. Hammondia, and Neospora vs. Heydornia) variabilities among members of the Sarcocystidae. This indicates that Hyaloklossia, as re-erected and defined by Modrý et al. (2001, Int. J. Syst. Evol. Microbiol. 51, 767–772), with its homoxenous life cycle, requires placement in its own subfamily. Thus, we propose a new subfamily, Hyaloklossiinae n. subfam., to accommodate two species, H. lieberkuehni from Europe and Hyaloklossia kasumienesis n. sp. which we describe here from P. p. porosus in Japan. Hyaloklossia was detected from the kidney of Pelophylax porosus porosus (Amphibia: Anura). The species was described as Hyaloklossia kasumiensis n. sp. This is a new host record for Hyaloklossia and also the first report in Asia. Hyaloklossiinae, was proposed as a new subfamily in the Sarcocystidae.
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Affiliation(s)
- Toshihiro Tokiwa
- Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology, School of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Nippon Veterinary and Life Science University, 1-7-1 Kyonancho, Musashino, Tokyo, 180-0023, Japan
| | - Shyun Chou
- Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology, School of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Nippon Veterinary and Life Science University, 1-7-1 Kyonancho, Musashino, Tokyo, 180-0023, Japan
| | - Yuki Tochigi
- Laboratory of Veterinary Physiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Nippon Veterinary and Life Science University, 1-7-1 Kyonancho, Musashino, Tokyo, 180-0023, Japan
| | - Kentaro Katayama
- Laboratory of Veterinary Physiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Nippon Veterinary and Life Science University, 1-7-1 Kyonancho, Musashino, Tokyo, 180-0023, Japan
| | - Donald W Duszynski
- Emeritus Professor of Biology, 76 Homesteads Road, Placitas, New Mexico, 87043, USA
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Irisarri I, Strassert JFH, Burki F. Phylogenomic Insights into the Origin of Primary Plastids. Syst Biol 2021; 71:105-120. [PMID: 33988690 DOI: 10.1093/sysbio/syab036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2020] [Revised: 05/07/2021] [Accepted: 05/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The origin of plastids was a major evolutionary event that paved the way for an astonishing diversification of photosynthetic eukaryotes. Plastids originated by endosymbiosis between a heterotrophic eukaryotic host and cyanobacteria, presumably in a common ancestor of the primary photosynthetic eukaryotes (Archaeplastida). A single origin of primary plastids is well supported by plastid evidence but not by nuclear phylogenomic analyses, which have consistently failed to recover the monophyly of Archaeplastida hosts. Importantly, plastid monophyly and non-monophyletic hosts could be explained under scenarios of independent or serial eukaryote-to-eukaryote endosymbioses. Here, we assessed the strength of the signal for the monophyly of Archaeplastida hosts in four available phylogenomic datasets. The effect of phylogenetic methodology, data quality, alignment trimming strategy, gene and taxon sampling, and the presence of outlier genes were investigated. Our analyses revealed a lack of support for host monophyly in the shorter individual datasets. However, when analyzed together under rigorous data curation and complex mixture models, the combined nuclear datasets supported the monophyly of primary photosynthetic eukaryotes (Archaeplastida) and revealed a putative association with plastid-lacking Picozoa. This study represents an important step towards better understanding deep eukaryotic evolution and the origin of plastids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iker Irisarri
- Department of Organismal Biology (Systematic Biology), Uppsala University, Norbyv. 18D, 75236 Uppsala, Sweden.,Department of Biodiversity and Evolutionary Biology, Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales, José Gutiérrez Abascal 2, 28006 Madrid, Spain
| | - Jürgen F H Strassert
- Department of Organismal Biology (Systematic Biology), Uppsala University, Norbyv. 18D, 75236 Uppsala, Sweden.,Department of Ecosystem Research, Leibniz Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries, Müggelseedamm 301, 12587 Berlin, Germany
| | - Fabien Burki
- Department of Organismal Biology (Systematic Biology), Uppsala University, Norbyv. 18D, 75236 Uppsala, Sweden.,Science For Life Laboratory, Uppsala University, 75236 Sweden
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Mathur V, Wakeman KC, Keeling PJ. Parallel functional reduction in the mitochondria of apicomplexan parasites. Curr Biol 2021; 31:2920-2928.e4. [PMID: 33974849 DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2021.04.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2020] [Revised: 02/18/2021] [Accepted: 04/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Gregarines are an early-diverging lineage of apicomplexan parasites that hold many clues into the origin and evolution of the group, a remarkable transition from free-living phototrophic algae into obligate parasites of animals.1 Using single-cell transcriptomics targeting understudied lineages to complement available sequencing data, we characterized the mitochondrial metabolic repertoire across the tree of apicomplexans. In contrast to the large suite of proteins involved in aerobic respiration in well-studied parasites like Toxoplasma or Plasmodium,2 we find that gregarine trophozoites have significantly reduced energy metabolism: most lack respiratory complexes III and IV, and some lack the electron transport chains (ETCs) and tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle entirely. Phylogenomic analyses show that these reductions took place several times in parallel, resulting in a functional range from fully aerobic organelles to extremely reduced "mitosomes" restricted to Fe-S cluster biosynthesis. The mitochondrial genome has also been lost repeatedly: in species with severe functional reduction simply by gene loss but in one species with a complete ETC by relocating cox1 to the nuclear genome. Severe functional reduction of mitochondria is generally associated with structural reduction, resulting in small, nondescript mitochondrial-related organelles (MROs).3 By contrast, gregarines retain distinctive mitochondria with tubular cristae, even the most functionally reduced cases that also lack genes associated with cristae formation. Overall, the parallel, severe reduction of gregarine mitochondria expands the diversity of organisms that contain MROs and further emphasizes the role of parallel transitions in apicomplexan evolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Varsha Mathur
- Department of Botany, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4, Canada.
| | - Kevin C Wakeman
- Institute for the Advancement of Higher Education, Hokkaido University, Sapporo 060-0810, Hokkaido, Japan
| | - Patrick J Keeling
- Department of Botany, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4, Canada.
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Cepeda AS, Andreína Pacheco M, Escalante AA, Alzate JF, Matta NE. The apicoplast of Haemoproteus columbae: A comparative study of this organelle genome in Haemosporida. Mol Phylogenet Evol 2021; 161:107185. [PMID: 33932614 DOI: 10.1016/j.ympev.2021.107185] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2020] [Revised: 04/01/2021] [Accepted: 04/26/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Apicomplexa is a phylum of parasitic protozoa; among them are the order Haemosporida, vector-borne parasites that include those that cause malaria (genus Plasmodium). Most Apicomplexa species have a non-photosynthetic plastid or apicoplast. Given its unique metabolic pathways, this organelle is considered a target for malaria therapeutics. Regardless of its importance, there is a paucity of complete apicoplast genome data hindering comparative studies. Here, the Haemoproteus (Haemoproteus) columbae apicoplast genome (lineage HAECOL1) was obtained using next-generation sequencing. This genome was included in a comparative analysis with other plastids. This 29.8 kb circular genome shares the same structure found in Plasmodium parasites. It is A + T rich (87.7%), comparable but at the higher end of A + T content observed in Plasmodium species (85.5-87.2%). As expected, considering its high A + T content, the synonymous codon usage (RSCU) and the effective number of codons (ENc) showed a moderate codon bias. Several apicoplast genes have a phylogenetic signal. However, unlike mitochondrial genes, single-gene phylogenies have low support in haemosporidian clades that diverged recently. The H. columbae apicoplast genome suggests that the apicoplast function may be conserved across Haemosporida. This parasite could be a model to study this organelle in a non-mammalian system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Axl S Cepeda
- Departamento de Biología, Grupo de Investigación Caracterización Genética e Inmunología, Sede Bogotá-Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Bogotá, Colombia; Department of Biology, Institute for Genomics and Evolutionary Medicine (iGEM), Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, United States.
| | - M Andreína Pacheco
- Department of Biology, Institute for Genomics and Evolutionary Medicine (iGEM), Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Ananías A Escalante
- Department of Biology, Institute for Genomics and Evolutionary Medicine (iGEM), Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Juan F Alzate
- Centro Nacional de Secuenciación Genómica - CNSG, SIU, Departamento de Microbiología y Parasitología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Antioquia, Medellín, Colombia
| | - Nubia E Matta
- Departamento de Biología, Grupo de Investigación Caracterización Genética e Inmunología, Sede Bogotá-Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Bogotá, Colombia.
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Signs of the plastid: Enzymes involved in plastid-localized metabolic pathways in a eugregarine species. Parasitol Int 2021; 83:102364. [PMID: 33915268 DOI: 10.1016/j.parint.2021.102364] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2020] [Revised: 03/02/2021] [Accepted: 04/07/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Apicomplexa mainly comprises parasitic species and some of them, which infect and cause severe diseases to humans and livestock, have been extensively studied due to the clinical and industrial importance. Besides, apicomplexans are a popular subject of the studies focusing on the evolution initiated by a secondary loss of photosynthesis. By interpreting the position in the tree of eukaryotes and lifestyles of the phylogenetic relatives parsimoniously, the extant apicomplexans are predicted to be the descendants of a parasite bearing a non-photosynthetic (cryptic) plastid. The plastid-bearing characteristic for the ancestral apicomplexan is further strengthened by non-photosynthetic plastids found in the extant apicomplexans. The research on apicomplexan members infecting invertebrates is much less advanced than that on the pathogens to humans and livestock. Gregarines are apicomplexans that infect diverse invertebrates and recent studies based on transcriptome data revealed the presence of cryptic plastids in a subset of the species investigated. In this study, we isolated gregarine-like organisms (GLOs) from three arthropod species and conducted transcriptome analyses on the isolated cells. A transcriptome-based, multi-gene phylogenetic analysis clearly indicated that all of the three GLOs are eugregarines. Significantly, the transcriptome data from the GLO in a centipede appeared to contain the transcripts encoding enzymes involved in the non-mevalonate pathway for isopentenyl diphosphate biosynthesis and C5 pathway for heme biosynthesis. The enzymes involved in the two plastid-localized metabolic pathways circumstantially but strongly suggest that the particular GLO possesses a cryptic plastid. The evolution of cryptic plastids in eugregarines is revised by incorporating the new data obtained from the three GLOs in this study.
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