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Liu J, Lin L, Zhang L, Ma H, Chen X, Pang K, Li L, Han H. Three-dimensional reconstruction of rat sperm using volume electron microscopy. Acta Biochim Biophys Sin (Shanghai) 2024. [PMID: 39243140 DOI: 10.3724/abbs.2024144] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Three-dimensional (3D) reconstruction serves as a crucial instrument for the analysis of biological structures. In particular, a comprehensive and accurate 3D ultrastructural examination of rat sperm is vital for understanding and diagnosing male fertility issues and the underlying causes of infertility. In this study, we utilize the automated tape-collecting ultramicrotome scanning electron microscopy (ATUM-SEM) imaging technique, which is a highly effective method for 3D cellular ultrastructural analysis. Our findings reveal that during spermiogenesis, the volume of the nucleus significantly decreases, shrinking to just 10% of its original size. The acrosomal vesicles derived from the Golgi apparatus converge and elongate along the spermatid nucleus. These vesicles then attach to the nucleus via a cap-like structure, thereby defining the head side of the spermatozoa. In the initial stages of spermiogenesis, the mitochondria in spermatids are distributed beneath the cell membrane. As the process progresses, these mitochondria gradually migrate to the sperm tail, where they form the mitochondrial sheath. This sheath plays a crucial role in providing the energy required for the movement of the sperm. In addition, we reconstruct the mRNA-stroring structure-chromatoid body in sperm cells, which are cloud-like or net-like structures in the cytoplasm. The precise and comprehensive nature of 3D ultrastructural examination allows for a deeper understanding of the morphological process of spermiogenesis, thereby contributing to our knowledge of male fertility and the causes of infertility. Our research has significantly advanced the understanding of the 3D ultrastructure of sperm more comprehensively than ever before.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiazheng Liu
- School of Future Technology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 101408, China
- State Key Laboratory of Multimodal Artificial Intelligence Systems, Institute of Automation, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China
- Transdisciplinary Platform of Functional Connectome and Brain-inspired Intelligence, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 101499, China
| | - Limei Lin
- State Key Laboratory of Multimodal Artificial Intelligence Systems, Institute of Automation, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China
- Transdisciplinary Platform of Functional Connectome and Brain-inspired Intelligence, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 101499, China
| | - Lina Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Multimodal Artificial Intelligence Systems, Institute of Automation, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China
- Transdisciplinary Platform of Functional Connectome and Brain-inspired Intelligence, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 101499, China
| | - Hongtu Ma
- State Key Laboratory of Multimodal Artificial Intelligence Systems, Institute of Automation, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China
- Transdisciplinary Platform of Functional Connectome and Brain-inspired Intelligence, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 101499, China
| | - Xi Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Multimodal Artificial Intelligence Systems, Institute of Automation, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China
- Transdisciplinary Platform of Functional Connectome and Brain-inspired Intelligence, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 101499, China
| | - Keliang Pang
- Aging and Longevity Institute & Institute of Biological Science, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Linlin Li
- State Key Laboratory of Multimodal Artificial Intelligence Systems, Institute of Automation, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China
- Transdisciplinary Platform of Functional Connectome and Brain-inspired Intelligence, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 101499, China
| | - Hua Han
- School of Future Technology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 101408, China
- State Key Laboratory of Multimodal Artificial Intelligence Systems, Institute of Automation, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China
- Transdisciplinary Platform of Functional Connectome and Brain-inspired Intelligence, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 101499, China
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2
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Narwal SK, Mishra A, Devi R, Ghosh A, Choudhary HH, Mishra S. Stearoyl-CoA desaturase regulates organelle biogenesis and hepatic merozoite formation in Plasmodium berghei. Mol Microbiol 2024; 121:940-953. [PMID: 38419272 DOI: 10.1111/mmi.15246] [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: 08/14/2023] [Revised: 02/13/2024] [Accepted: 02/16/2024] [Indexed: 03/02/2024]
Abstract
Plasmodium is an obligate intracellular parasite that requires intense lipid synthesis for membrane biogenesis and survival. One of the principal membrane components is oleic acid, which is needed to maintain the membrane's biophysical properties and fluidity. The malaria parasite can modify fatty acids, and stearoyl-CoA Δ9-desaturase (Scd) is an enzyme that catalyzes the synthesis of oleic acid by desaturation of stearic acid. Scd is dispensable in P. falciparum blood stages; however, its role in mosquito and liver stages remains unknown. We show that P. berghei Scd localizes to the ER in the blood and liver stages. Disruption of Scd in the rodent malaria parasite P. berghei did not affect parasite blood stage propagation, mosquito stage development, or early liver-stage development. However, when Scd KO sporozoites were inoculated intravenously or by mosquito bite into mice, they failed to initiate blood-stage infection. Immunofluorescence analysis revealed that organelle biogenesis was impaired and merozoite formation was abolished, which initiates blood-stage infections. Genetic complementation of the KO parasites restored merozoite formation to a level similar to that of WT parasites. Mice immunized with Scd KO sporozoites confer long-lasting sterile protection against infectious sporozoite challenge. Thus, the Scd KO parasite is an appealing candidate for inducing protective pre-erythrocytic immunity and hence its utility as a GAP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sunil Kumar Narwal
- Division of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, CSIR-Central Drug Research Institute, Lucknow, India
| | - Akancha Mishra
- Division of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, CSIR-Central Drug Research Institute, Lucknow, India
- Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad, India
| | - Raksha Devi
- Division of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, CSIR-Central Drug Research Institute, Lucknow, India
- Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad, India
| | - Ankit Ghosh
- Division of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, CSIR-Central Drug Research Institute, Lucknow, India
| | - Hadi Hasan Choudhary
- Division of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, CSIR-Central Drug Research Institute, Lucknow, India
| | - Satish Mishra
- Division of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, CSIR-Central Drug Research Institute, Lucknow, India
- Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad, India
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Jain A, Sharma R, Gautam L, Shrivastava P, Singh KK, Vyas SP. Biomolecular interactions between Plasmodium and human host: A basis of targeted antimalarial therapy. ANNALES PHARMACEUTIQUES FRANÇAISES 2024; 82:401-419. [PMID: 38519002 DOI: 10.1016/j.pharma.2024.03.005] [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: 12/17/2023] [Revised: 03/12/2024] [Accepted: 03/18/2024] [Indexed: 03/24/2024]
Abstract
Malaria is one of the serious health concerns worldwide as it remains a clinical challenge due to the complex life cycle of the malaria parasite and the morphological changes it undergoes during infection. The malaria parasite multiplies rapidly and spreads in the population by changing its alternative hosts. These various morphological stages of the parasite in the human host cause clinical symptoms (anemia, fever, and coma). These symptoms arise due to the preprogrammed biology of the parasite in response to the human pathophysiological response. Thus, complete elimination becomes one of the major health challenges. Although malaria vaccine(s) are available in the market, they still contain to cause high morbidity and mortality. Therefore, an approach for eradication is needed through the exploration of novel molecular targets by tracking the epidemiological changes the parasite adopts. This review focuses on the various novel molecular targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anamika Jain
- Drug Delivery and Research Laboratory, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Dr. Harisingh Gour University, Sagar, M.P., 470003, India
| | - Rajeev Sharma
- Amity Institute of Pharmacy, Amity University Madhya Pradesh, Gwalior, M.P., 474005, India.
| | - Laxmikant Gautam
- Babulal Tarabai Institute of Pharmaceutical Science, Sagar, M.P., 470228, India
| | - Priya Shrivastava
- Drug Delivery and Research Laboratory, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Dr. Harisingh Gour University, Sagar, M.P., 470003, India
| | - Kamalinder K Singh
- School of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Clinical and Biomedical Sciences, University of Central Lancashire, Preston PR1 2HE, United Kingdom
| | - Suresh P Vyas
- Drug Delivery and Research Laboratory, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Dr. Harisingh Gour University, Sagar, M.P., 470003, India.
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4
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Gao P, Wang J, Qiu C, Zhang H, Wang C, Zhang Y, Sun P, Chen H, Wong YK, Chen J, Zhang J, Tang H, Shi Q, Zhu Y, Shen S, Han G, Xu C, Dai L, Wang J. Photoaffinity probe-based antimalarial target identification of artemisinin in the intraerythrocytic developmental cycle of Plasmodium falciparum. IMETA 2024; 3:e176. [PMID: 38882489 PMCID: PMC11170969 DOI: 10.1002/imt2.176] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2023] [Revised: 01/22/2024] [Accepted: 01/24/2024] [Indexed: 06/18/2024]
Abstract
Malaria continues to pose a serious global health threat, and artemisinin remains the core drug for global malaria control. However, the situation of malaria resistance has become increasingly severe due to the emergence and spread of artemisinin resistance. In recent years, significant progress has been made in understanding the mechanism of action (MoA) of artemisinin. Prior research on the MoA of artemisinin mainly focused on covalently bound targets that are alkylated by artemisinin-free radicals. However, less attention has been given to the reversible noncovalent binding targets, and there is a paucity of information regarding artemisinin targets at different life cycle stages of the parasite. In this study, we identified the protein targets of artemisinin at different stages of the parasite's intraerythrocytic developmental cycle using a photoaffinity probe. Our findings demonstrate that artemisinin interacts with parasite proteins in vivo through both covalent and noncovalent modes. Extensive mechanistic studies were then conducted by integrating target validation, phenotypic studies, and untargeted metabolomics. The results suggest that protein synthesis, glycolysis, and oxidative homeostasis are critically involved in the antimalarial activities of artemisinin. In summary, this study provides fresh insights into the mechanisms underlying artemisinin's antimalarial effects and its protein targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peng Gao
- State Key Laboratory for Quality Ensurance and Sustainable Use of Dao-di Herbs, Artemisinin Research Center, Institute of Chinese Materia Medical China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences Beijing China
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Shenzhen Institute of Respiratory Diseases, and Shenzhen Clinical Research Centre for Geriatrics Shenzhen People's Hospital; First Affiliated Hospital of Southern University of Science and Technology Shenzhen China
| | - Jianyou Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Antiviral Drugs, School of Pharmacy Henan University Kaifeng China
| | - Chong Qiu
- State Key Laboratory for Quality Ensurance and Sustainable Use of Dao-di Herbs, Artemisinin Research Center, Institute of Chinese Materia Medical China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences Beijing China
| | - Huimin Zhang
- Shandong Academy of Chinese Medicine Jinan China
| | - Chen Wang
- State Key Laboratory for Quality Ensurance and Sustainable Use of Dao-di Herbs, Artemisinin Research Center, Institute of Chinese Materia Medical China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences Beijing China
| | - Ying Zhang
- State Key Laboratory for Quality Ensurance and Sustainable Use of Dao-di Herbs, Artemisinin Research Center, Institute of Chinese Materia Medical China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences Beijing China
| | - Peng Sun
- State Key Laboratory for Quality Ensurance and Sustainable Use of Dao-di Herbs, Artemisinin Research Center, Institute of Chinese Materia Medical China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences Beijing China
| | - Honglin Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Antiviral Drugs, School of Pharmacy Henan University Kaifeng China
| | - Yin Kwan Wong
- State Key Laboratory for Quality Ensurance and Sustainable Use of Dao-di Herbs, Artemisinin Research Center, Institute of Chinese Materia Medical China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences Beijing China
| | - Jiayun Chen
- State Key Laboratory for Quality Ensurance and Sustainable Use of Dao-di Herbs, Artemisinin Research Center, Institute of Chinese Materia Medical China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences Beijing China
| | - Junzhe Zhang
- State Key Laboratory for Quality Ensurance and Sustainable Use of Dao-di Herbs, Artemisinin Research Center, Institute of Chinese Materia Medical China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences Beijing China
| | - Huan Tang
- State Key Laboratory for Quality Ensurance and Sustainable Use of Dao-di Herbs, Artemisinin Research Center, Institute of Chinese Materia Medical China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences Beijing China
| | - Qiaoli Shi
- State Key Laboratory for Quality Ensurance and Sustainable Use of Dao-di Herbs, Artemisinin Research Center, Institute of Chinese Materia Medical China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences Beijing China
| | - Yongping Zhu
- State Key Laboratory for Quality Ensurance and Sustainable Use of Dao-di Herbs, Artemisinin Research Center, Institute of Chinese Materia Medical China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences Beijing China
| | - Shengnan Shen
- State Key Laboratory for Quality Ensurance and Sustainable Use of Dao-di Herbs, Artemisinin Research Center, Institute of Chinese Materia Medical China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences Beijing China
| | - Guang Han
- State Key Laboratory of Antiviral Drugs, School of Pharmacy Henan University Kaifeng China
| | - Chengchao Xu
- State Key Laboratory for Quality Ensurance and Sustainable Use of Dao-di Herbs, Artemisinin Research Center, Institute of Chinese Materia Medical China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences Beijing China
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Shenzhen Institute of Respiratory Diseases, and Shenzhen Clinical Research Centre for Geriatrics Shenzhen People's Hospital; First Affiliated Hospital of Southern University of Science and Technology Shenzhen China
| | - Lingyun Dai
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Shenzhen Institute of Respiratory Diseases, and Shenzhen Clinical Research Centre for Geriatrics Shenzhen People's Hospital; First Affiliated Hospital of Southern University of Science and Technology Shenzhen China
| | - Jigang Wang
- State Key Laboratory for Quality Ensurance and Sustainable Use of Dao-di Herbs, Artemisinin Research Center, Institute of Chinese Materia Medical China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences Beijing China
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Shenzhen Institute of Respiratory Diseases, and Shenzhen Clinical Research Centre for Geriatrics Shenzhen People's Hospital; First Affiliated Hospital of Southern University of Science and Technology Shenzhen China
- State Key Laboratory of Antiviral Drugs, School of Pharmacy Henan University Kaifeng China
- Shandong Academy of Chinese Medicine Jinan China
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Liu J, Fike KR, Dapper C, Klemba M. Metabolism of host lysophosphatidylcholine in Plasmodium falciparum-infected erythrocytes. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2024; 121:e2320262121. [PMID: 38349879 PMCID: PMC10895272 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2320262121] [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: 11/28/2023] [Accepted: 01/09/2024] [Indexed: 02/15/2024] Open
Abstract
The human malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum requires exogenous fatty acids to support its growth during the pathogenic, asexual erythrocytic stage. Host serum lysophosphatidylcholine (LPC) is a significant fatty acid source, yet the metabolic processes responsible for the liberation of free fatty acids from exogenous LPC are unknown. Using an assay for LPC hydrolysis in P. falciparum-infected erythrocytes, we have identified small-molecule inhibitors of key in situ lysophospholipase activities. Competitive activity-based profiling and generation of a panel of single-to-quadruple knockout parasite lines revealed that two enzymes of the serine hydrolase superfamily, termed exported lipase (XL) 2 and exported lipase homolog (XLH) 4, constitute the dominant lysophospholipase activities in parasite-infected erythrocytes. The parasite ensures efficient exogenous LPC hydrolysis by directing these two enzymes to distinct locations: XL2 is exported to the erythrocyte, while XLH4 is retained within the parasite. While XL2 and XLH4 were individually dispensable with little effect on LPC hydrolysis in situ, loss of both enzymes resulted in a strong reduction in fatty acid scavenging from LPC, hyperproduction of phosphatidylcholine, and an enhanced sensitivity to LPC toxicity. Notably, growth of XL/XLH-deficient parasites was severely impaired when cultured in media containing LPC as the sole exogenous fatty acid source. Furthermore, when XL2 and XLH4 activities were ablated by genetic or pharmacologic means, parasites were unable to proliferate in human serum, a physiologically relevant fatty acid source, revealing the essentiality of LPC hydrolysis in the host environment and its potential as a target for anti-malarial therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiapeng Liu
- Department of Biochemistry, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA24061
| | | | - Christie Dapper
- Department of Biochemistry, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA24061
| | - Michael Klemba
- Department of Biochemistry, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA24061
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6
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Alves-Rosa MF, Tayler NM, Dorta D, Coronado LM, Spadafora C. P. falciparum Invasion and Erythrocyte Aging. Cells 2024; 13:334. [PMID: 38391947 PMCID: PMC10887143 DOI: 10.3390/cells13040334] [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: 01/16/2024] [Revised: 02/01/2024] [Accepted: 02/06/2024] [Indexed: 02/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Plasmodium parasites need to find red blood cells (RBCs) that, on the one hand, expose receptors for the pathogen ligands and, on the other hand, maintain the right geometry to facilitate merozoite attachment and entry into the red blood cell. Both characteristics change with the maturation of erythrocytes. Some Plasmodia prefer younger vs. older erythrocytes. How does the life evolution of the RBC affect the invasion of the parasite? What happens when the RBC ages? In this review, we present what is known up until now.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Carmenza Spadafora
- Center of Cellular and Molecular Biology of Diseases, Instituto de Investigaciones Científicas y Servicio de Alta Tecnología (INDICASAT AIP), City of Knowledge, Panama City 0843-01103, Panama; (M.F.A.-R.); (N.M.T.); (D.D.); (L.M.C.)
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Liu J, Dapper C, Klemba M. Metabolism of host lysophosphatidylcholine in Plasmodium falciparum-infected erythrocytes. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.04.17.537066. [PMID: 37131712 PMCID: PMC10153170 DOI: 10.1101/2023.04.17.537066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
The human malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum requires exogenous fatty acids to support its growth during the pathogenic, asexual erythrocytic stage. Host serum lysophosphatidylcholine (LPC) is a significant fatty acid source, yet the metabolic processes responsible for the liberation of free fatty acids from exogenous LPC are unknown. Using a novel assay for LPC hydrolysis in P. falciparum-infected erythrocytes, we have identified small-molecule inhibitors of key in situ lysophospholipase activities. Competitive activity-based profiling and generation of a panel of single-to-quadruple knockout parasite lines revealed that two enzymes of the serine hydrolase superfamily, termed exported lipase (XL) 2 and exported lipase homolog (XLH) 4, are the dominant lysophospholipase activities in parasite-infected erythrocytes. The parasite ensures efficient exogenous LPC hydrolysis by directing these two enzymes to distinct locations: XL2 is exported to the erythrocyte, while XLH4 is retained within the parasite. While XL2 and XLH4 were individually dispensable with little effect on LPC hydrolysis in situ, loss of both enzymes resulted in a strong reduction in fatty acid scavenging from LPC, hyperproduction of phosphatidylcholine, and an enhanced sensitivity to LPC toxicity. Notably, growth of XL/XLH-deficient parasites was severely impaired when cultured in media containing LPC as the sole exogenous fatty acid source. Furthermore, when XL2 and XLH4 activities were ablated by genetic or pharmacologic means, parasites were unable to proliferate in human serum, a physiologically-relevant fatty acid source, revealing the essentiality of LPC hydrolysis in the host environment and its potential as a target for anti-malarial therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiapeng Liu
- Department of Biochemistry, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, 24061
| | - Christie Dapper
- Department of Biochemistry, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, 24061
| | - Michael Klemba
- Department of Biochemistry, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, 24061
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