1
|
Simwela NV, Guiguemde WA, Straimer J, Regnault C, Stokes BH, Tavernelli LE, Yokokawa F, Taft B, Diagana TT, Barrett MP, Waters AP. A conserved metabolic signature associated with response to fast-acting anti-malarial agents. Microbiol Spectr 2023; 11:e0397622. [PMID: 37800971 PMCID: PMC10714989 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.03976-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2022] [Accepted: 01/27/2023] [Indexed: 10/07/2023] Open
Abstract
IMPORTANCE In malaria drug discovery, understanding the mode of action of lead compounds is important as it helps in predicting the potential emergence of drug resistance in the field when these drugs are eventually deployed. In this study, we have employed metabolomics technologies to characterize the potential targets of anti-malarial drug candidates in the developmental pipeline at NITD. We show that NITD fast-acting leads belonging to spiroindolone and imidazothiadiazole class induce a common biochemical theme in drug-exposed malaria parasites which is similar to another fast-acting, clinically available drug, DHA. These biochemical features which are absent in a slower acting NITD lead (GNF17) point to hemoglobin digestion and inhibition of the pyrimidine pathway as potential action points for these drugs. These biochemical themes can be used to identify and inform on the mode of action of fast drug candidates of similar profiles in future drug discovery programs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nelson V. Simwela
- Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, Wellcome Centre for Integrative Parasitology, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | | | - Judith Straimer
- Novartis Institute for Tropical Diseases, Emeryville, California, USA
| | - Clement Regnault
- Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, Wellcome Centre for Integrative Parasitology, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Barbara H. Stokes
- Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, Wellcome Centre for Integrative Parasitology, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Luis E. Tavernelli
- Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, Wellcome Centre for Integrative Parasitology, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Fumiaki Yokokawa
- Novartis Institute for Tropical Diseases, Emeryville, California, USA
| | - Benjamin Taft
- Novartis Institute for Tropical Diseases, Emeryville, California, USA
| | | | - Michael P. Barrett
- Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, Wellcome Centre for Integrative Parasitology, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Andrew P. Waters
- Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, Wellcome Centre for Integrative Parasitology, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Levashina E, Soldati‐Favre D, Waters AP, Frischknecht F, Rayner JC. Malaria: moving beyond the search for magic bullets. EMBO Mol Med 2023; 15:e18727. [PMID: 37789804 PMCID: PMC10630861 DOI: 10.15252/emmm.202318727] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2023] [Accepted: 09/20/2023] [Indexed: 10/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Round table discussion on challenges and opportunities in malaria research with Elena Levashina, Dominique Soldati-Favre, Andrew Waters, Friedrich Frischknecht, and Julian Rayner.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Elena Levashina
- Vector Biology UnitMax Planck Institute for Infection BiologyBerlinGermany
| | - Dominique Soldati‐Favre
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of MedicineUniversity of GenevaGenevaSwitzerland
| | - Andrew P Waters
- Wellcome Centre for Integrative Parasitology, Institute of Infection, Immunity, and InflammationUniversity of GlasgowGlasgowUK
| | - Friedrich Frischknecht
- Integrative Parasitology, Center for Infectious DiseasesHeidelberg University Medical SchoolHeidelbergGermany
- German Center for Infection Research, partner site HeidelbergHeidelbergGermany
| | - Julian C Rayner
- Cambridge Institute for Medical ResearchUniversity of CambridgeCambridgeUK
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Zhan W, Li D, Subramanyaswamy SB, Liu YJ, Yang C, Zhang H, Harris JC, Wang R, Zhu S, Rocha H, Sherman J, Qin J, Herring M, Simwela NV, Waters AP, Sukenick G, Cui L, Rodriguez A, Deng H, Nathan CF, Kirkman LA, Lin G. Dual-pharmacophore artezomibs hijack the Plasmodium ubiquitin-proteasome system to kill malaria parasites while overcoming drug resistance. Cell Chem Biol 2023; 30:457-469.e11. [PMID: 37148884 PMCID: PMC10240386 DOI: 10.1016/j.chembiol.2023.04.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2022] [Revised: 02/02/2023] [Accepted: 04/06/2023] [Indexed: 05/08/2023]
Abstract
Artemisinins (ART) are critical anti-malarials and despite their use in combination therapy, ART-resistant Plasmodium falciparum is spreading globally. To counter ART resistance, we designed artezomibs (ATZs), molecules that link an ART with a proteasome inhibitor (PI) via a non-labile amide bond and hijack parasite's own ubiquitin-proteasome system to create novel anti-malarials in situ. Upon activation of the ART moiety, ATZs covalently attach to and damage multiple parasite proteins, marking them for proteasomal degradation. When damaged proteins enter the proteasome, their attached PIs inhibit protease function, potentiating the parasiticidal action of ART and overcoming ART resistance. Binding of the PI moiety to the proteasome active site is enhanced by distal interactions of the extended attached peptides, providing a mechanism to overcome PI resistance. ATZs have an extra mode of action beyond that of each component, thereby overcoming resistance to both components, while avoiding transient monotherapy seen when individual agents have disparate pharmacokinetic profiles.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Wenhu Zhan
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Weill Cornell Medicine, 1300 York Avenue, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Daqiang Li
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Weill Cornell Medicine, 1300 York Avenue, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | | | - Yi Jing Liu
- Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, 1300 York Avenue, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Changmei Yang
- MOE Key Laboratory of Bioinformatics, Center for Synthetic and Systematic Biology, School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Hao Zhang
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Weill Cornell Medicine, 1300 York Avenue, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Jacob C Harris
- Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, 1300 York Avenue, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Rong Wang
- NMR Analytical Core Facility, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Songbiao Zhu
- MOE Key Laboratory of Bioinformatics, Center for Synthetic and Systematic Biology, School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Hedy Rocha
- Division of Parasitology, Department of Microbiology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Julian Sherman
- Division of Parasitology, Department of Microbiology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Junling Qin
- Department of Internal Medicine, Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, USA
| | - Mikayla Herring
- Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, 1300 York Avenue, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Nelson V Simwela
- School of Infection and Immunity, Wellcome Centre for Integrative Parasitology, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Andrew P Waters
- School of Infection and Immunity, Wellcome Centre for Integrative Parasitology, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - George Sukenick
- NMR Analytical Core Facility, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Liwang Cui
- Department of Internal Medicine, Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, USA
| | - Ana Rodriguez
- Division of Parasitology, Department of Microbiology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Haiteng Deng
- MOE Key Laboratory of Bioinformatics, Center for Synthetic and Systematic Biology, School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Carl F Nathan
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Weill Cornell Medicine, 1300 York Avenue, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Laura A Kirkman
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Weill Cornell Medicine, 1300 York Avenue, New York, NY 10065, USA; Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, 1300 York Avenue, New York, NY 10065, USA.
| | - Gang Lin
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Weill Cornell Medicine, 1300 York Avenue, New York, NY 10065, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Russell AJC, Sanderson T, Bushell E, Talman AM, Anar B, Girling G, Hunziker M, Kent RS, Martin JS, Metcalf T, Montandon R, Pandey V, Pardo M, Roberts AB, Sayers C, Schwach F, Choudhary JS, Rayner JC, Voet T, Modrzynska KK, Waters AP, Lawniczak MKN, Billker O. Regulators of male and female sexual development are critical for the transmission of a malaria parasite. Cell Host Microbe 2023; 31:305-319.e10. [PMID: 36634679 DOI: 10.1016/j.chom.2022.12.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2021] [Revised: 08/04/2022] [Accepted: 12/12/2022] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
Malaria transmission to mosquitoes requires a developmental switch in asexually dividing blood-stage parasites to sexual reproduction. In Plasmodium berghei, the transcription factor AP2-G is required and sufficient for this switch, but how a particular sex is determined in a haploid parasite remains unknown. Using a global screen of barcoded mutants, we here identify genes essential for the formation of either male or female sexual forms and validate their importance for transmission. High-resolution single-cell transcriptomics of ten mutant parasites portrays the developmental bifurcation and reveals a regulatory cascade of putative gene functions in the determination and subsequent differentiation of each sex. A male-determining gene with a LOTUS/OST-HTH domain as well as the protein interactors of a female-determining zinc-finger protein indicate that germ-granule-like ribonucleoprotein complexes complement transcriptional processes in the regulation of both male and female development of a malaria parasite.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Theo Sanderson
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Hinxton CB10 1SA, UK; Francis Crick Institute, 1 Midland Road, London NW1 1AT, UK
| | - Ellen Bushell
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Hinxton CB10 1SA, UK; Laboratory for Molecular Infection Medicine Sweden, Umeå University, Umeå 90187, Sweden; Department of Molecular Biology, Umeå University, Umeå 90187, Sweden
| | - Arthur M Talman
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Hinxton CB10 1SA, UK; MIVEGEC, University of Montpellier, IRD, CNRS, Montpellier, France
| | - Burcu Anar
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Hinxton CB10 1SA, UK
| | | | - Mirjam Hunziker
- Laboratory for Molecular Infection Medicine Sweden, Umeå University, Umeå 90187, Sweden; Department of Molecular Biology, Umeå University, Umeå 90187, Sweden
| | - Robyn S Kent
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of Vermont Larner College of Medicine, Burlington, VT 05405, USA
| | - Julie S Martin
- Wellcome Centre for Integrative Parasitology, Institute of Infection, Immunity, and Inflammation, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8TA, UK
| | - Tom Metcalf
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Hinxton CB10 1SA, UK
| | | | - Vikash Pandey
- Laboratory for Molecular Infection Medicine Sweden, Umeå University, Umeå 90187, Sweden; Department of Molecular Biology, Umeå University, Umeå 90187, Sweden
| | | | - A Brett Roberts
- Wellcome Centre for Integrative Parasitology, Institute of Infection, Immunity, and Inflammation, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8TA, UK
| | - Claire Sayers
- Laboratory for Molecular Infection Medicine Sweden, Umeå University, Umeå 90187, Sweden; Department of Molecular Biology, Umeå University, Umeå 90187, Sweden
| | | | | | - Julian C Rayner
- Cambridge Institute for Medical Research, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 0XY, UK
| | - Thierry Voet
- Department of Human Genetics, University of Leuven, KU Leuven, B-3000 Leuven, Belgium; KU Leuven Institute for Single Cell Omics, LISCO, KU Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Katarzyna K Modrzynska
- Wellcome Centre for Integrative Parasitology, Institute of Infection, Immunity, and Inflammation, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8TA, UK
| | - Andrew P Waters
- Wellcome Centre for Integrative Parasitology, Institute of Infection, Immunity, and Inflammation, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8TA, UK.
| | | | - Oliver Billker
- Laboratory for Molecular Infection Medicine Sweden, Umeå University, Umeå 90187, Sweden; Department of Molecular Biology, Umeå University, Umeå 90187, Sweden.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Abstract
Infection by malaria parasites (Plasmodium spp.) remains one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality, especially in tropical regions of the world. Despite the availability of malaria control tools such as integrated vector management and effective therapeutics, these measures have been continuously undermined by the emergence of vector resistance to insecticides or parasite resistance to frontline antimalarial drugs. Whilst the recent pilot implementation of the RTS,S malaria vaccine is indeed a remarkable feat, highly effective vaccines against malaria remain elusive. The barriers to effective vaccines result from the complexity of both the malaria parasite lifecycle and the parasite as an organism itself with consequent major gaps in our understanding of their biology. Historically and due to the practical and ethical difficulties of working with human malaria infections, research into malaria parasite biology has been extensively facilitated by animal models. Animals have been used to study disease pathogenesis, host immune responses and their (dys)regulation and further disease processes such as transmission. Moreover, animal models remain at the forefront of pre-clinical evaluations of antimalarial drugs (drug efficacy, mode of action, mode of resistance) and vaccines. In this review, we discuss commonly used animal models of malaria, the parasite species used and their advantages and limitations which hinder their extrapolation to actual human disease. We also place into this context the most recent developments such as organoid technologies and humanized mice.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nelson V. Simwela
- Institute of Infection, Immunity & Inflammation, Wellcome Centre for Integrative Parasitology, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Andrew P. Waters
- Institute of Infection, Immunity & Inflammation, Wellcome Centre for Integrative Parasitology, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Simwela NV, Hughes KR, Rennie MT, Barrett MP, Waters AP. Mammalian Deubiquitinating Enzyme Inhibitors Display in Vitro and in Vivo Activity against Malaria Parasites and Potentiate Artemisinin Action. ACS Infect Dis 2021; 7:333-346. [PMID: 33400499 DOI: 10.1021/acsinfecdis.0c00580] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
The ubiquitin proteasome system (UPS) is an emerging drug target in malaria due to its essential role in the parasite's life cycle stages as well its contribution to resistance to artemisinins. Polymorphisms in the Kelch13 gene of Plasmodium falciparum are primary markers of artemisinin resistance and among other things are phenotypically characterized by an overactive UPS. Inhibitors targeting the proteasome, critical components of the UPS, display activity in malaria parasites and synergize artemisinin action. Here we report the activity of small molecule inhibitors targeting mammalian deubiquitinating enzymes, DUBs (upstream UPS components), in malaria parasites. We show that generic DUB inhibitors can block intraerythrocytic development of malaria parasites in vitro and possess antiparasitic activity in vivo and can be used in combination with additive to synergistic effect. We also show that inhibition of these upstream components of the UPS can potentiate the activity of artemisinin in vitro as well as in vivo to the extent that artemisinin resistance can be overcome. Combinations of DUB inhibitors anticipated to target different DUB activities and downstream proteasome inhibitors are even more effective at improving the potency of artemisinins than either inhibitors alone, providing proof that targeting multiple UPS activities simultaneously could be an attractive approach to overcoming artemisinin resistance. These data further validate the parasite UPS as a target to both enhance artemisinin action and potentially overcome resistance. Lastly, we confirm that DUB inhibitors can be developed into in vivo antimalarial drugs with promise for activity against all of human malaria and could thus further exploit their current pursuit as anticancer agents in rapid drug repurposing programs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nelson V. Simwela
- Institute of Infection, Immunity & Inflammation, Wellcome Centre for Integrative Parasitology, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, Scotland G12 8TA, United Kingdom
| | - Katie R. Hughes
- Institute of Infection, Immunity & Inflammation, Wellcome Centre for Integrative Parasitology, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, Scotland G12 8TA, United Kingdom
| | - Michael T. Rennie
- Institute of Infection, Immunity & Inflammation, Wellcome Centre for Integrative Parasitology, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, Scotland G12 8TA, United Kingdom
| | - Michael P. Barrett
- Institute of Infection, Immunity & Inflammation, Wellcome Centre for Integrative Parasitology, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, Scotland G12 8TA, United Kingdom
| | - Andrew P. Waters
- Institute of Infection, Immunity & Inflammation, Wellcome Centre for Integrative Parasitology, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, Scotland G12 8TA, United Kingdom
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Alam MM, Sanchez-Azqueta A, Janha O, Flannery EL, Mahindra A, Mapesa K, Char AB, Sriranganadane D, Brancucci NMB, Antonova-Koch Y, Crouch K, Simwela NV, Millar SB, Akinwale J, Mitcheson D, Solyakov L, Dudek K, Jones C, Zapatero C, Doerig C, Nwakanma DC, Vázquez MJ, Colmenarejo G, Lafuente-Monasterio MJ, Leon ML, Godoi PHC, Elkins JM, Waters AP, Jamieson AG, Álvaro EF, Ranford-Cartwright LC, Marti M, Winzeler EA, Gamo FJ, Tobin AB. Validation of the protein kinase PfCLK3 as a multistage cross-species malarial drug target. Science 2019; 365:365/6456/eaau1682. [PMID: 31467193 DOI: 10.1126/science.aau1682] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2018] [Revised: 03/15/2019] [Accepted: 07/12/2019] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
The requirement for next-generation antimalarials to be both curative and transmission-blocking necessitates the identification of previously undiscovered druggable molecular pathways. We identified a selective inhibitor of the Plasmodium falciparum protein kinase PfCLK3, which we used in combination with chemogenetics to validate PfCLK3 as a drug target acting at multiple parasite life stages. Consistent with a role for PfCLK3 in RNA splicing, inhibition resulted in the down-regulation of more than 400 essential parasite genes. Inhibition of PfCLK3 mediated rapid killing of asexual liver- and blood-stage P. falciparum and blockade of gametocyte development, thereby preventing transmission, and also showed parasiticidal activity against P. berghei and P. knowlesi Hence, our data establish PfCLK3 as a target for drugs, with the potential to offer a cure-to be prophylactic and transmission blocking in malaria.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mahmood M Alam
- Wellcome Centre for Integrative Parasitology, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8QQ, UK
| | - Ana Sanchez-Azqueta
- Centre for Translational Pharmacology, Institute of Molecular Cell and Systems Biology, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8QQ, UK
| | - Omar Janha
- Centre for Translational Pharmacology, Institute of Molecular Cell and Systems Biology, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8QQ, UK
| | - Erika L Flannery
- Novartis Institute for Biomedical Research, Emeryville, CA 94608, USA
| | - Amit Mahindra
- School of Chemistry, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8QQ, UK
| | - Kopano Mapesa
- School of Chemistry, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8QQ, UK
| | - Aditya B Char
- Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health and Comparative Medicine, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Science, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8QQ, UK
| | - Dev Sriranganadane
- Structural Genomics Consortium, Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Campinas, São Paulo 13083-886, Brazil
| | - Nicolas M B Brancucci
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Infection Biology, Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, 4051 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Yevgeniya Antonova-Koch
- Skaggs School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, UC Health Sciences Center for Immunology, Infection and Inflammation, University of California, San Diego, School of Medicine, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Kathryn Crouch
- Wellcome Centre for Integrative Parasitology, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8QQ, UK
| | - Nelson Victor Simwela
- Wellcome Centre for Integrative Parasitology, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8QQ, UK
| | - Scott B Millar
- Wellcome Centre for Integrative Parasitology, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8QQ, UK
| | - Jude Akinwale
- Medical Research Council Toxicology Unit, University of Leicester, Leicester LE1 9HN, UK
| | - Deborah Mitcheson
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology, University of Leicester, Leicester LE1 9HN, UK
| | - Lev Solyakov
- Medical Research Council Toxicology Unit, University of Leicester, Leicester LE1 9HN, UK
| | - Kate Dudek
- Medical Research Council Toxicology Unit, University of Leicester, Leicester LE1 9HN, UK
| | - Carolyn Jones
- Medical Research Council Toxicology Unit, University of Leicester, Leicester LE1 9HN, UK
| | - Cleofé Zapatero
- Diseases of the Developing World, GlaxoSmithKline, 28760 Tres Cantos, Madrid, Spain
| | - Christian Doerig
- Biomedical Science Cluster, School of Health and Biomedical Sciences, Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology, Melbourne, VIC 3000, Australia
| | | | - Maria Jesús Vázquez
- Diseases of the Developing World, GlaxoSmithKline, 28760 Tres Cantos, Madrid, Spain
| | - Gonzalo Colmenarejo
- Biostatistics and Bioinformatics Unit, IMDEA Food Institute, 28049 Madrid, Spain
| | | | - Maria Luisa Leon
- Diseases of the Developing World, GlaxoSmithKline, 28760 Tres Cantos, Madrid, Spain
| | - Paulo H C Godoi
- Structural Genomics Consortium, Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Campinas, São Paulo 13083-886, Brazil
| | - Jon M Elkins
- Structural Genomics Consortium, Nuffield Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 7DQ, UK
| | - Andrew P Waters
- Wellcome Centre for Integrative Parasitology, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8QQ, UK
| | | | | | - Lisa C Ranford-Cartwright
- Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health and Comparative Medicine, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Science, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8QQ, UK
| | - Matthias Marti
- Wellcome Centre for Integrative Parasitology, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8QQ, UK
| | - Elizabeth A Winzeler
- Skaggs School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, UC Health Sciences Center for Immunology, Infection and Inflammation, University of California, San Diego, School of Medicine, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | | | - Andrew B Tobin
- Centre for Translational Pharmacology, Institute of Molecular Cell and Systems Biology, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8QQ, UK.
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Kirchner S, Waters AP. Coalition Politics: Linking Malaria Transmission to Mosquito Reproduction. Trends Parasitol 2019; 35:486-489. [PMID: 31138514 DOI: 10.1016/j.pt.2019.05.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2019] [Accepted: 05/08/2019] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
Female anopheline mosquito reproduction is intimately linked to the Plasmodium sporogonic cycle, whereby malaria parasites ostensibly compete for the same resources required for mosquito egg development. However, in a recent study, Werling and colleagues (Cell 2019;177:315-325) uncovered a parasitic strategy supporting coexistence, exploiting mosquito nutrients without affecting mosquito fitness and reproductivity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sebastian Kirchner
- Wellcome Centre for Integrative Parasitology, Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK.
| | - Andrew P Waters
- Wellcome Centre for Integrative Parasitology, Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK.
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
De Niz M, Meibalan E, Mejia P, Ma S, Brancucci NMB, Agop-Nersesian C, Mandt R, Ngotho P, Hughes KR, Waters AP, Huttenhower C, Mitchell JR, Martinelli R, Frischknecht F, Seydel KB, Taylor T, Milner D, Heussler VT, Marti M. Plasmodium gametocytes display homing and vascular transmigration in the host bone marrow. Sci Adv 2018; 4:eaat3775. [PMID: 29806032 PMCID: PMC5966192 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.aat3775] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2018] [Accepted: 04/12/2018] [Indexed: 05/13/2023]
Abstract
Transmission of Plasmodium parasites to the mosquito requires the formation and development of gametocytes. Studies in infected humans have shown that only the most mature forms of Plasmodium falciparum gametocytes are present in circulation, whereas immature forms accumulate in the hematopoietic environment of the bone marrow. We used the rodent model Plasmodium berghei to study gametocyte behavior through time under physiological conditions. Intravital microscopy demonstrated preferential homing of early gametocyte forms across the intact vascular barrier of the bone marrow and the spleen early during infection and subsequent development in the extravascular environment. During the acute phase of infection, we observed vascular leakage resulting in further parasite accumulation in this environment. Mature gametocytes showed high deformability and were found entering and exiting the intact vascular barrier. We suggest that extravascular gametocyte localization and mobility are essential for gametocytogenesis and transmission of Plasmodium to the mosquito.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mariana De Niz
- Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, 665 Huntington Avenue, Boston, MA 02115, USA
- Institute of Cell Biology, University of Bern, Baltzerstrasse 4, CH-3012 Bern, Switzerland
- Wellcome Trust Centre for Molecular Parasitology, Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, G12 8TA Scotland, UK
| | - Elamaran Meibalan
- Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, 665 Huntington Avenue, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Pedro Mejia
- Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, 665 Huntington Avenue, Boston, MA 02115, USA
- Department of Genetics and Complex Diseases, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Siyuan Ma
- Department of Biostatistics, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Nicolas M. B. Brancucci
- Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, 665 Huntington Avenue, Boston, MA 02115, USA
- Wellcome Trust Centre for Molecular Parasitology, Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, G12 8TA Scotland, UK
| | - Carolina Agop-Nersesian
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine, Boston University, Boston, MA 02118, USA
| | - Rebecca Mandt
- Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, 665 Huntington Avenue, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Priscilla Ngotho
- Wellcome Trust Centre for Molecular Parasitology, Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, G12 8TA Scotland, UK
| | - Katie R. Hughes
- Wellcome Trust Centre for Molecular Parasitology, Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, G12 8TA Scotland, UK
| | - Andrew P. Waters
- Wellcome Trust Centre for Molecular Parasitology, Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, G12 8TA Scotland, UK
| | - Curtis Huttenhower
- Department of Biostatistics, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA 02115, USA
- Broad Institute of Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harvard, 415 Main Street, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - James R. Mitchell
- Department of Genetics and Complex Diseases, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Roberta Martinelli
- Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Centre, Harvard Medical School, 330 Brookline Avenue, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Friedrich Frischknecht
- Parasitology Centre for Infectious Diseases, University of Heidelberg Medical School, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Karl B. Seydel
- Blantyre Malaria Project, University of Malawi College of Medicine, Blantyre 3, Malawi
- College of Osteopathic Medicine, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA
| | - Terrie Taylor
- Blantyre Malaria Project, University of Malawi College of Medicine, Blantyre 3, Malawi
- College of Osteopathic Medicine, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA
| | - Danny Milner
- Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, 665 Huntington Avenue, Boston, MA 02115, USA
- Department of Biostatistics, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA 02115, USA
- Department of Pathology, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, 75 Francis Street, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Volker T. Heussler
- Institute of Cell Biology, University of Bern, Baltzerstrasse 4, CH-3012 Bern, Switzerland
- Corresponding authors. (M.M.); (V.T.H.)
| | - Matthias Marti
- Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, 665 Huntington Avenue, Boston, MA 02115, USA
- Wellcome Trust Centre for Molecular Parasitology, Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, G12 8TA Scotland, UK
- Corresponding authors. (M.M.); (V.T.H.)
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Lee RS, Waters AP, Brewer JM. A cryptic cycle in haematopoietic niches promotes initiation of malaria transmission and evasion of chemotherapy. Nat Commun 2018; 9:1689. [PMID: 29703959 PMCID: PMC5924373 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-018-04108-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2017] [Accepted: 03/28/2018] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Blood stage human malaria parasites may exploit erythropoietic tissue niches and colonise erythroid progenitors; however, the precise influence of the erythropoietic environment on fundamental parasite biology remains unknown. Here we use quantitative approaches to enumerate Plasmodium infected erythropoietic precursor cells using an in vivo rodent model of Plasmodium berghei. We show that parasitised early reticulocytes (ER) in the major sites of haematopoiesis establish a cryptic asexual cycle. Moreover, this cycle is characterised by early preferential commitment to gametocytogenesis, which occurs in sufficient numbers to generate almost all of the initial population of circulating, mature gametocytes. In addition, we show that P. berghei is less sensitive to artemisinin in splenic ER than in blood, which suggests that haematopoietic tissues may enable origins of recrudescent infection and emerging resistance to antimalarials. Continuous propagation in these sites may also provide a mechanism for continuous transmission and infection in malaria endemic regions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca S Lee
- Wellcome Centre for Molecular Parasitology, Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, College of Medical Veterinary & Life Sciences, Sir Graham Davies Building, University of Glasgow, 120 University Place, Glasgow, G12 8TA, Scotland, UK
| | - Andrew P Waters
- Wellcome Centre for Molecular Parasitology, Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, College of Medical Veterinary & Life Sciences, Sir Graham Davies Building, University of Glasgow, 120 University Place, Glasgow, G12 8TA, Scotland, UK.
| | - James M Brewer
- Wellcome Centre for Molecular Parasitology, Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, College of Medical Veterinary & Life Sciences, Sir Graham Davies Building, University of Glasgow, 120 University Place, Glasgow, G12 8TA, Scotland, UK.
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Brancucci NMB, Gerdt JP, Wang C, De Niz M, Philip N, Adapa SR, Zhang M, Hitz E, Niederwieser I, Boltryk SD, Laffitte MC, Clark MA, Grüring C, Ravel D, Blancke Soares A, Demas A, Bopp S, Rubio-Ruiz B, Conejo-Garcia A, Wirth DF, Gendaszewska-Darmach E, Duraisingh MT, Adams JH, Voss TS, Waters AP, Jiang RHY, Clardy J, Marti M. Lysophosphatidylcholine Regulates Sexual Stage Differentiation in the Human Malaria Parasite Plasmodium falciparum. Cell 2017; 171:1532-1544.e15. [PMID: 29129376 PMCID: PMC5733390 DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2017.10.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 185] [Impact Index Per Article: 26.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2017] [Revised: 07/17/2017] [Accepted: 10/12/2017] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
Transmission represents a population bottleneck in the Plasmodium life cycle and a key intervention target of ongoing efforts to eradicate malaria. Sexual differentiation is essential for this process, as only sexual parasites, called gametocytes, are infective to the mosquito vector. Gametocyte production rates vary depending on environmental conditions, but external stimuli remain obscure. Here, we show that the host-derived lipid lysophosphatidylcholine (LysoPC) controls P. falciparum cell fate by repressing parasite sexual differentiation. We demonstrate that exogenous LysoPC drives biosynthesis of the essential membrane component phosphatidylcholine. LysoPC restriction induces a compensatory response, linking parasite metabolism to the activation of sexual-stage-specific transcription and gametocyte formation. Our results reveal that malaria parasites can sense and process host-derived physiological signals to regulate differentiation. These data close a critical knowledge gap in parasite biology and introduce a major component of the sexual differentiation pathway in Plasmodium that may provide new approaches for blocking malaria transmission.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nicolas M B Brancucci
- Wellcome Centre for Molecular Parasitology, Institute of Infection, Immunity & Inflammation, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8QQ, UK; Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Boston, MA 02155, USA
| | - Joseph P Gerdt
- Harvard Medical School, Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Boston, MA 02155, USA
| | - ChengQi Wang
- Center for Global Health & Infectious Diseases Research, Department of Global Health, College of Public Health, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL 33620, USA
| | - Mariana De Niz
- Wellcome Centre for Molecular Parasitology, Institute of Infection, Immunity & Inflammation, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8QQ, UK; Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Boston, MA 02155, USA
| | - Nisha Philip
- Wellcome Centre for Molecular Parasitology, Institute of Infection, Immunity & Inflammation, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8QQ, UK; Centre for Immunity, Infection and Evolution, Institute for Immunology and Infection Research, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH9 3FL, UK
| | - Swamy R Adapa
- Center for Global Health & Infectious Diseases Research, Department of Global Health, College of Public Health, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL 33620, USA
| | - Min Zhang
- Center for Global Health & Infectious Diseases Research, Department of Global Health, College of Public Health, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL 33620, USA
| | - Eva Hitz
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, 4051 Basel, Switzerland; University of Basel, 4001 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Igor Niederwieser
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, 4051 Basel, Switzerland; University of Basel, 4001 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Sylwia D Boltryk
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, 4051 Basel, Switzerland; University of Basel, 4001 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Marie-Claude Laffitte
- Wellcome Centre for Molecular Parasitology, Institute of Infection, Immunity & Inflammation, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8QQ, UK
| | - Martha A Clark
- Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Boston, MA 02155, USA
| | - Christof Grüring
- Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Boston, MA 02155, USA
| | - Deepali Ravel
- Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Boston, MA 02155, USA
| | - Alexandra Blancke Soares
- Wellcome Centre for Molecular Parasitology, Institute of Infection, Immunity & Inflammation, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8QQ, UK
| | - Allison Demas
- Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Boston, MA 02155, USA
| | - Selina Bopp
- Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Boston, MA 02155, USA
| | - Belén Rubio-Ruiz
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Organic Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Granada, 18010 Granada, Spain
| | - Ana Conejo-Garcia
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Organic Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Granada, 18010 Granada, Spain
| | - Dyann F Wirth
- Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Boston, MA 02155, USA
| | - Edyta Gendaszewska-Darmach
- Institute of Technical Biochemistry, Faculty of Biotechnology and Food Sciences, Lodz University of Technology, 90-924 Lodz, Poland
| | - Manoj T Duraisingh
- Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Boston, MA 02155, USA
| | - John H Adams
- Center for Global Health & Infectious Diseases Research, Department of Global Health, College of Public Health, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL 33620, USA
| | - Till S Voss
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, 4051 Basel, Switzerland; University of Basel, 4001 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Andrew P Waters
- Wellcome Centre for Molecular Parasitology, Institute of Infection, Immunity & Inflammation, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8QQ, UK
| | - Rays H Y Jiang
- Center for Global Health & Infectious Diseases Research, Department of Global Health, College of Public Health, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL 33620, USA
| | - Jon Clardy
- Harvard Medical School, Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Boston, MA 02155, USA.
| | - Matthias Marti
- Wellcome Centre for Molecular Parasitology, Institute of Infection, Immunity & Inflammation, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8QQ, UK; Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Boston, MA 02155, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Abstract
Malaria continues to impose a significant disease burden on low- and middle-income countries in the tropics. However, revolutionary progress over the last 3 years in nucleic acid sequencing, reverse genetics, and post-genome analyses has generated step changes in our understanding of malaria parasite (Plasmodium spp.) biology and its interactions with its host and vector. Driven by the availability of vast amounts of genome sequence data from Plasmodium species strains, relevant human populations of different ethnicities, and mosquito vectors, researchers can consider any biological component of the malarial process in isolation or in the interactive setting that is infection. In particular, considerable progress has been made in the area of population genomics, with Plasmodium falciparum serving as a highly relevant model. Such studies have demonstrated that genome evolution under strong selective pressure can be detected. These data, combined with reverse genetics, have enabled the identification of the region of the P. falciparum genome that is under selective pressure and the confirmation of the functionality of the mutations in the kelch13 gene that accompany resistance to the major frontline antimalarial, artemisinin. Furthermore, the central role of epigenetic regulation of gene expression and antigenic variation and developmental fate in P. falciparum is becoming ever clearer. This review summarizes recent exciting discoveries that genome technologies have enabled in malaria research and highlights some of their applications to healthcare. The knowledge gained will help to develop surveillance approaches for the emergence or spread of drug resistance and to identify new targets for the development of antimalarial drugs and perhaps vaccines.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sebastian Kirchner
- Wellcome Trust Centre for Molecular Parasitology, Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, College of Medical Veterinary & Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, G12 8TA, UK
| | - B Joanne Power
- Wellcome Trust Centre for Molecular Parasitology, Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, College of Medical Veterinary & Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, G12 8TA, UK
| | - Andrew P Waters
- Wellcome Trust Centre for Molecular Parasitology, Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, College of Medical Veterinary & Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, G12 8TA, UK.
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Affiliation(s)
- Andrew P Waters
- Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, College of Medical Veterinary & Life Sciences and Wellcome Trust Centre for Molecular Parasitology, University of Glasgow, Scotland, United Kingdom
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Fairlamb AH, Gow NAR, Matthews KR, Waters AP. Erratum: Corrigendum: Drug resistance in eukaryotic microorganisms. Nat Microbiol 2016. [DOI: 10.1038/nmicrobiol.2016.153] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
|
15
|
Philip N, Waters AP. Conditional Degradation of Plasmodium Calcineurin Reveals Functions in Parasite Colonization of both Host and Vector. Cell Host Microbe 2015; 18:122-31. [PMID: 26118994 PMCID: PMC4509507 DOI: 10.1016/j.chom.2015.05.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2014] [Revised: 04/29/2015] [Accepted: 05/27/2015] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
Functional analysis of essential genes in the malarial parasite, Plasmodium, is hindered by lack of efficient strategies for conditional protein regulation. We report the development of a rapid, specific, and inducible chemical-genetic tool in the rodent malaria parasite, P. berghei, in which endogenous proteins engineered to contain the auxin-inducible degron (AID) are selectively degraded upon adding auxin. Application of AID to the calcium-regulated protein phosphatase, calcineurin, revealed functions in host and vector stages of parasite development. Whereas depletion of calcineurin in late-stage schizonts demonstrated its critical role in erythrocyte attachment and invasion in vivo, stage-specific depletion uncovered roles in gamete development, fertilization, and ookinete-to-oocyst and sporozoite-to-liver stage transitions. Furthermore, AID technology facilitated concurrent generation and phenotyping of transgenic lines, allowing multiple lines to be assessed simultaneously with significant reductions in animal use. This study highlights the broad applicability of AID for functional analysis of proteins across the Plasmodium life cycle. Calcineurin regulates colonization of host cells across the Plasmodium life cycle Calcineurin regulates male gametogenesis AID technology is broadly applicable to study protein function in Plasmodium Multiplexing of AID technology results in substantially reduced animal use
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nisha Philip
- Wellcome Trust Centre for Molecular Parasitology, Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, College of Medical Veterinary & Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, G12 8TA, UK.
| | - Andrew P Waters
- Wellcome Trust Centre for Molecular Parasitology, Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, College of Medical Veterinary & Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, G12 8TA, UK.
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Srivastava A, Creek DJ, Evans KJ, De Souza D, Schofield L, Müller S, Barrett MP, McConville MJ, Waters AP. Host reticulocytes provide metabolic reservoirs that can be exploited by malaria parasites. PLoS Pathog 2015; 11:e1004882. [PMID: 26042734 PMCID: PMC4456406 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1004882] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2015] [Accepted: 04/14/2015] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Human malaria parasites proliferate in different erythroid cell types during infection. Whilst Plasmodium vivax exhibits a strong preference for immature reticulocytes, the more pathogenic P. falciparum primarily infects mature erythrocytes. In order to assess if these two cell types offer different growth conditions and relate them to parasite preference, we compared the metabolomes of human and rodent reticulocytes with those of their mature erythrocyte counterparts. Reticulocytes were found to have a more complex, enriched metabolic profile than mature erythrocytes and a higher level of metabolic overlap between reticulocyte resident parasite stages and their host cell. This redundancy was assessed by generating a panel of mutants of the rodent malaria parasite P. berghei with defects in intermediary carbon metabolism (ICM) and pyrimidine biosynthesis known to be important for P. falciparum growth and survival in vitro in mature erythrocytes. P. berghei ICM mutants (pbpepc-, phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase and pbmdh-, malate dehydrogenase) multiplied in reticulocytes and committed to sexual development like wild type parasites. However, P. berghei pyrimidine biosynthesis mutants (pboprt-, orotate phosphoribosyltransferase and pbompdc-, orotidine 5'-monophosphate decarboxylase) were restricted to growth in the youngest forms of reticulocytes and had a severe slow growth phenotype in part resulting from reduced merozoite production. The pbpepc-, pboprt- and pbompdc- mutants retained virulence in mice implying that malaria parasites can partially salvage pyrimidines but failed to complete differentiation to various stages in mosquitoes. These findings suggest that species-specific differences in Plasmodium host cell tropism result in marked differences in the necessity for parasite intrinsic metabolism. These data have implications for drug design when targeting mature erythrocyte or reticulocyte resident parasites.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Anubhav Srivastava
- Wellcome Trust Centre for Molecular Parasitology, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Scotland, United Kingdom
- Institute of Infection, Immunity & Inflammation, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Scotland, United Kingdom
| | - Darren J. Creek
- Wellcome Trust Centre for Molecular Parasitology, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Scotland, United Kingdom
- Institute of Infection, Immunity & Inflammation, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Scotland, United Kingdom
- Drug Delivery, Disposition and Dynamics, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Parkville, Australia
| | - Krystal J. Evans
- Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Division of Infection and Immunity, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - David De Souza
- Metabolomics Australia, Bio21 Molecular Science and Biotechnology Institute, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Louis Schofield
- Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Division of Infection and Immunity, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
- Australian Institute of Tropical Health and Medicine, Centre for Biodiscovery and Molecular Development of Therapeutics, James Cook University, Townsville, Australia
| | - Sylke Müller
- Institute of Infection, Immunity & Inflammation, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Scotland, United Kingdom
| | - Michael P. Barrett
- Wellcome Trust Centre for Molecular Parasitology, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Scotland, United Kingdom
- Institute of Infection, Immunity & Inflammation, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Scotland, United Kingdom
| | - Malcolm J. McConville
- Metabolomics Australia, Bio21 Molecular Science and Biotechnology Institute, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Andrew P. Waters
- Wellcome Trust Centre for Molecular Parasitology, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Scotland, United Kingdom
- Institute of Infection, Immunity & Inflammation, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Scotland, United Kingdom
- * E-mail:
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Otto TD, Böhme U, Jackson AP, Hunt M, Franke-Fayard B, Hoeijmakers WAM, Religa AA, Robertson L, Sanders M, Ogun SA, Cunningham D, Erhart A, Billker O, Khan SM, Stunnenberg HG, Langhorne J, Holder AA, Waters AP, Newbold CI, Pain A, Berriman M, Janse CJ. A comprehensive evaluation of rodent malaria parasite genomes and gene expression. BMC Biol 2014; 12:86. [PMID: 25359557 PMCID: PMC4242472 DOI: 10.1186/s12915-014-0086-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 209] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2014] [Accepted: 10/10/2014] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Rodent malaria parasites (RMP) are used extensively as models of human malaria. Draft RMP genomes have been published for Plasmodium yoelii, P. berghei ANKA (PbA) and P. chabaudi AS (PcAS). Although availability of these genomes made a significant impact on recent malaria research, these genomes were highly fragmented and were annotated with little manual curation. The fragmented nature of the genomes has hampered genome wide analysis of Plasmodium gene regulation and function. RESULTS We have greatly improved the genome assemblies of PbA and PcAS, newly sequenced the virulent parasite P. yoelii YM genome, sequenced additional RMP isolates/lines and have characterized genotypic diversity within RMP species. We have produced RNA-seq data and utilised it to improve gene-model prediction and to provide quantitative, genome-wide, data on gene expression. Comparison of the RMP genomes with the genome of the human malaria parasite P. falciparum and RNA-seq mapping permitted gene annotation at base-pair resolution. Full-length chromosomal annotation permitted a comprehensive classification of all subtelomeric multigene families including the 'Plasmodium interspersed repeat genes' (pir). Phylogenetic classification of the pir family, combined with pir expression patterns, indicates functional diversification within this family. CONCLUSIONS Complete RMP genomes, RNA-seq and genotypic diversity data are excellent and important resources for gene-function and post-genomic analyses and to better interrogate Plasmodium biology. Genotypic diversity between P. chabaudi isolates makes this species an excellent parasite to study genotype-phenotype relationships. The improved classification of multigene families will enhance studies on the role of (variant) exported proteins in virulence and immune evasion/modulation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Thomas D Otto
- />Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Hinxton, Cambridge UK
| | - Ulrike Böhme
- />Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Hinxton, Cambridge UK
| | - Andrew P Jackson
- />Department of Infection Biology, Institute of Infection and Global Health, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - Martin Hunt
- />Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Hinxton, Cambridge UK
| | - Blandine Franke-Fayard
- />Leiden Malaria Research Group, Department of Parasitology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Wieteke A M Hoeijmakers
- />Department of Molecular Biology, Science faculty, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Agnieszka A Religa
- />Institute of Infection, Immunity & Inflammation, School of Medical, Veterinary & Life Sciences, & Wellcome Centre for Molecular Parasitology, Glasgow Biomedical Research Centre, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, Scotland UK
| | | | - Mandy Sanders
- />Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Hinxton, Cambridge UK
| | - Solabomi A Ogun
- />Division of Parasitology, MRC National Institute for Medical Research, Mill Hill, London UK
| | - Deirdre Cunningham
- />Division of Parasitology, MRC National Institute for Medical Research, Mill Hill, London UK
| | - Annette Erhart
- />Unit of Malariology, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Oliver Billker
- />Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Hinxton, Cambridge UK
| | - Shahid M Khan
- />Leiden Malaria Research Group, Department of Parasitology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Hendrik G Stunnenberg
- />Department of Molecular Biology, Science faculty, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Jean Langhorne
- />Division of Parasitology, MRC National Institute for Medical Research, Mill Hill, London UK
| | - Anthony A Holder
- />Division of Parasitology, MRC National Institute for Medical Research, Mill Hill, London UK
| | - Andrew P Waters
- />Institute of Infection, Immunity & Inflammation, School of Medical, Veterinary & Life Sciences, & Wellcome Centre for Molecular Parasitology, Glasgow Biomedical Research Centre, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, Scotland UK
| | - Chris I Newbold
- />Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Oxford, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, UK
- />Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, John Radcliffe Hospital, Headington, Oxford UK
| | - Arnab Pain
- />Biological and Environmental Sciences and Engineering (BESE) Division, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
| | | | - Chris J Janse
- />Leiden Malaria Research Group, Department of Parasitology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Religa AA, Ramesar J, Janse CJ, Scherf A, Waters AP. P. berghei telomerase subunit TERT is essential for parasite survival. PLoS One 2014; 9:e108930. [PMID: 25275500 PMCID: PMC4183507 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0108930] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2014] [Accepted: 09/04/2014] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Telomeres define the ends of chromosomes protecting eukaryotic cells from chromosome instability and eventual cell death. The complex regulation of telomeres involves various proteins including telomerase, which is a specialized ribonucleoprotein responsible for telomere maintenance. Telomeres of chromosomes of malaria parasites are kept at a constant length during blood stage proliferation. The 7-bp telomere repeat sequence is universal across different Plasmodium species (GGGTTT/CA), though the average telomere length varies. The catalytic subunit of telomerase, telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT), is present in all sequenced Plasmodium species and is approximately three times larger than other eukaryotic TERTs. The Plasmodium RNA component of TERT has recently been identified in silico. A strategy to delete the gene encoding TERT via double cross-over (DXO) homologous recombination was undertaken to study the telomerase function in P. berghei. Expression of both TERT and the RNA component (TR) in P. berghei blood stages was analysed by Western blotting and Northern analysis. Average telomere length was measured in several Plasmodium species using Telomere Restriction Fragment (TRF) analysis. TERT and TR were detected in blood stages and an average telomere length of ∼950 bp established. Deletion of the tert gene was performed using standard transfection methodologies and we show the presence of tert− mutants in the transfected parasite populations. Cloning of tert- mutants has been attempted multiple times without success. Thorough analysis of the transfected parasite populations and the parasite obtained from extensive parasite cloning from these populations provide evidence for a so called delayed death phenotype as observed in different organisms lacking TERT. The findings indicate that TERT is essential for P. berghei cell survival. The study extends our current knowledge on telomere biology in malaria parasites and validates further investigations to identify telomerase inhibitors to induce parasite cell death.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Agnieszka A. Religa
- Wellcome Trust Centre for Molecular Parasitology, Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Jai Ramesar
- Leiden Malaria Research Group, Parasitology, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Chris J. Janse
- Leiden Malaria Research Group, Parasitology, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Artur Scherf
- Biology of Host-Parasite Interactions Unit, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France
| | - Andrew P. Waters
- Wellcome Trust Centre for Molecular Parasitology, Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
- * E-mail:
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Sinha A, Hughes KR, Modrzynska KK, Otto TD, Pfander C, Dickens NJ, Religa AA, Bushell E, Graham AL, Cameron R, Kafsack BFC, Williams AE, Llinas M, Berriman M, Billker O, Waters AP. A cascade of DNA-binding proteins for sexual commitment and development in Plasmodium. Nature 2014; 507:253-257. [PMID: 24572359 PMCID: PMC4105895 DOI: 10.1038/nature12970] [Citation(s) in RCA: 294] [Impact Index Per Article: 29.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2013] [Accepted: 12/19/2013] [Indexed: 12/04/2022]
Abstract
Commitment to and completion of sexual development are essential for malaria parasites (protists of the genus Plasmodium) to be transmitted through mosquitoes1. The molecular mechanism(s) responsible for commitment have been hitherto unknown. Here we show that PBAP2-G, a conserved member of the ApiAP2 family of transcription factors, is essential for the commitment of asexually replicating forms to sexual development in P. berghei, a malaria parasite of rodents. PBAP2-G was identified from mutations in its encoding gene, PBANKA_143750, which account for the loss of sexual development frequently observed in parasites transmitted artificially by blood passage. Systematic gene deletion of conserved ApiAP2 genes in Plasmodium confirmed the role of PBAP2-G and revealed a second ApiAP2 member (PBANKA_103430, termed PBAP2-G2) that significantly modulates but does not abolish gametocytogenesis indicating that a cascade of ApiAP2 proteins are involved in commitment to the production and maturation of gametocytes. The data suggest a mechanism of commitment to gametocytogenesis in Plasmodium consistent with a positive feedback loop involving PBAP2G which might be exploited to prevent the transmission of this pernicious parasite.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Abhinav Sinha
- Wellcome Trust Centre for Molecular Parasitology, University of Glasgow
| | - Katie R Hughes
- Wellcome Trust Centre for Molecular Parasitology, University of Glasgow
| | | | - Thomas D Otto
- Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Hinxton, Cambridge, UK
| | | | | | | | - Ellen Bushell
- Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Hinxton, Cambridge, UK
| | - Anne L Graham
- Wellcome Trust Centre for Molecular Parasitology, University of Glasgow
| | - Rachael Cameron
- Wellcome Trust Centre for Molecular Parasitology, University of Glasgow
| | - Bjorn F C Kafsack
- Department of Molecular Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey, USA
| | - April E Williams
- Department of Molecular Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey, USA.,Lewis-Sigler Institute for Integrative Genomics, Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey, USA
| | - Manuel Llinas
- Department of Molecular Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey, USA.,Lewis-Sigler Institute for Integrative Genomics, Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey, USA
| | | | | | - Andrew P Waters
- Wellcome Trust Centre for Molecular Parasitology, University of Glasgow
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Kenthirapalan S, Waters AP, Matuschewski K, Kooij TWA. Copper-transporting ATPase is important for malaria parasite fertility. Mol Microbiol 2013; 91:315-25. [PMID: 24237419 PMCID: PMC4016742 DOI: 10.1111/mmi.12461] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/13/2013] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
Homeostasis of the trace element copper is essential to all eukaryotic life. Copper serves as a cofactor in metalloenzymes and catalyses electron transfer reactions as well as the generation of potentially toxic reactive oxygen species. Here, we describe the functional characterization of an evolutionarily highly conserved, predicted copper-transporting P-type ATPase (CuTP) in the murine malaria model parasite Plasmodium berghei. Live imaging of a parasite line expressing a fluorescently tagged CuTP demonstrated that CuTP is predominantly located in vesicular bodies of the parasite. A P. berghei loss-of-function mutant line was readily obtained and showed no apparent defect in in vivo blood stage growth. Parasite transmission through the mosquito vector was severely affected, but not entirely abolished. We show that male and female gametocytes are abundant in cutp− parasites, but activation of male microgametes and exflagellation were strongly impaired. This specific defect could be mimicked by addition of the copper chelator neocuproine to wild-type gametocytes. A cross-fertilization assay demonstrated that female fertility was also severely abrogated. In conclusion, we provide experimental genetic and pharmacological evidence that a healthy copper homeostasis is critical to malaria parasite fertility of both genders of gametocyte and, hence, to transmission to the mosquito vector.
Collapse
|
21
|
Affiliation(s)
- Nisha Philip
- Wellcome Trust Centre for Molecular Parasitology, Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, University of Glasgow, College of Medical, Veterinary, and Life Sciences, 120 University Place, Glasgow, UK
| | | |
Collapse
|
22
|
Lin JW, Meireles P, Prudêncio M, Engelmann S, Annoura T, Sajid M, Chevalley-Maurel S, Ramesar J, Nahar C, Avramut CMC, Koster AJ, Matuschewski K, Waters AP, Janse CJ, Mair GR, Khan SM. Loss-of-function analyses defines vital and redundant functions of the Plasmodium rhomboid protease family. Mol Microbiol 2013; 88:318-38. [PMID: 23490234 DOI: 10.1111/mmi.12187] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/13/2013] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Rhomboid-like proteases cleave membrane-anchored proteins within their transmembrane domains. In apicomplexan parasites substrates include molecules that function in parasite motility and host cell invasion. While two Plasmodium rhomboids, ROM1 and ROM4, have been examined, the roles of the remaining six rhomboids during the malaria parasite's life cycle are unknown. We present systematic gene deletion analyses of all eight Plasmodium rhomboid-like proteins as a means to discover stage-specific phenotypes and potential functions in the rodent malaria model, P. berghei. Four rhomboids (ROM4, 6, 7 and 8) are refractory to gene deletion, suggesting an essential role during asexual blood stage development. In contrast ROM1, 3, 9 and 10 were dispensable for blood stage development and exhibited no, subtle or severe defects in mosquito or liver development. Parasites lacking ROM9 and ROM10 showed no major phenotypic defects. Parasites lacking ROM1 presented a delay in blood stage patency following liver infection, but in contrast to a previous study blood stage parasites had similar growth and virulence characteristics as wild type parasites. Parasites lacking ROM3 in mosquitoes readily established oocysts but failed to produce sporozoites. ROM3 is the first apicomplexan rhomboid identified to play a vital role in sporogony.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jing-Wen Lin
- Leiden Malaria Research Group (Parasitology), Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
23
|
Abstract
Host immunity selects for the rapid, adaptive, evolution of genes expressed exclusively in male malaria parasites. Analyses of genomic and proteomic data across multiple malaria species reveals rapid adaptive evolution of genes with sex-biased expression in unicellular parasites. Accelerated evolution enables parasites to cope with host immune responses that reduce fertility. Background: Disease-causing organisms are notorious for fast rates of molecular evolution and the ability to adapt rapidly to changes in their ecology. Sex plays a key role in evolution, and recent studies, in humans and other multicellular organisms, document that genes expressed principally or exclusively in males exhibit the fastest rates of adaptive evolution. However, despite the importance of sexual reproduction for many unicellular taxa, sex-biased gene expression and its evolutionary implications have been overlooked. Methods: We analyse genomic data from multiple malaria parasite (Plasmodium) species and proteomic data sets from different parasite life cycle stages. Results: The accelerated evolution of male-biased genes has only been examined in multicellular taxa, but our analyses reveal that accelerated evolution in genes with male-specific expression is also a feature of unicellular organisms. This ‘fast-male’ evolution is adaptive and likely facilitated by the male-biased sex ratio of gametes in the mating pool. Furthermore, we propose that the exceptional rates of evolution we observe are driven by interactions between males and host immune responses. Conclusions: We reveal a novel form of host–parasite coevolution that enables parasites to evade host immune responses that negatively impact upon fertility. The identification of parasite genes with accelerated evolution has important implications for the identification of drug and vaccine targets. Specifically, vaccines targeting males will be more vulnerable to parasite evolution than those targeting females or both sexes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shahid M. Khan
- Leiden Malaria Research Group, Department of Parasitology, LUMC, Albinusdreef 2, 2333 ZA Leiden, The Netherlands; Centre for Immunity, Infection and Evolution, Institutes of Evolution, Infection and Immunity, School of Biological Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH9 3JT, UK; Division of Infection and Immunity, Institute of Biomedical Life Sciences & Wellcome Centre for Molecular Parasitology, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8TA, UK; Department of Bioinformatics, Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Polish Academy of Sciences, Pawinskiego 5a, 02-106 Warszawa, Poland
| | - Sarah E. Reece
- Leiden Malaria Research Group, Department of Parasitology, LUMC, Albinusdreef 2, 2333 ZA Leiden, The Netherlands; Centre for Immunity, Infection and Evolution, Institutes of Evolution, Infection and Immunity, School of Biological Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH9 3JT, UK; Division of Infection and Immunity, Institute of Biomedical Life Sciences & Wellcome Centre for Molecular Parasitology, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8TA, UK; Department of Bioinformatics, Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Polish Academy of Sciences, Pawinskiego 5a, 02-106 Warszawa, Poland
- *Corresponding author. E-mail: ; tel: +44-131-650-5547; fax: +44-131-650-6564
| | - Andrew P. Waters
- Leiden Malaria Research Group, Department of Parasitology, LUMC, Albinusdreef 2, 2333 ZA Leiden, The Netherlands; Centre for Immunity, Infection and Evolution, Institutes of Evolution, Infection and Immunity, School of Biological Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH9 3JT, UK; Division of Infection and Immunity, Institute of Biomedical Life Sciences & Wellcome Centre for Molecular Parasitology, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8TA, UK; Department of Bioinformatics, Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Polish Academy of Sciences, Pawinskiego 5a, 02-106 Warszawa, Poland
| | - Chris J. Janse
- Leiden Malaria Research Group, Department of Parasitology, LUMC, Albinusdreef 2, 2333 ZA Leiden, The Netherlands; Centre for Immunity, Infection and Evolution, Institutes of Evolution, Infection and Immunity, School of Biological Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH9 3JT, UK; Division of Infection and Immunity, Institute of Biomedical Life Sciences & Wellcome Centre for Molecular Parasitology, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8TA, UK; Department of Bioinformatics, Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Polish Academy of Sciences, Pawinskiego 5a, 02-106 Warszawa, Poland
| | - Szymon Kaczanowski
- Leiden Malaria Research Group, Department of Parasitology, LUMC, Albinusdreef 2, 2333 ZA Leiden, The Netherlands; Centre for Immunity, Infection and Evolution, Institutes of Evolution, Infection and Immunity, School of Biological Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH9 3JT, UK; Division of Infection and Immunity, Institute of Biomedical Life Sciences & Wellcome Centre for Molecular Parasitology, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8TA, UK; Department of Bioinformatics, Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Polish Academy of Sciences, Pawinskiego 5a, 02-106 Warszawa, Poland
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
Kenthirapalan S, Waters AP, Matuschewski K, Kooij TW. Flow cytometry-assisted rapid isolation of recombinant Plasmodium berghei parasites exemplified by functional analysis of aquaglyceroporin. Int J Parasitol 2012; 42:1185-92. [PMID: 23137753 PMCID: PMC3521960 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpara.2012.10.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2012] [Revised: 10/12/2012] [Accepted: 10/13/2012] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
The most critical bottleneck in the generation of recombinant Plasmodium berghei parasites is the mandatory in vivo cloning step following successful genetic manipulation. This study describes a new technique for rapid selection of recombinant P. berghei parasites. The method is based on flow cytometry to isolate isogenic parasite lines and represents a major advance for the field, in that it will speed the generation of recombinant parasites as well as cut down on animal use significantly. High expression of GFP during blood infection, a prerequisite for robust separation of transgenic lines by flow cytometry, was achieved. Isogenic recombinant parasite populations were isolated even in the presence of a 100-fold excess of wild-type (WT) parasites. Aquaglyceroporin (AQP) loss-of-function mutants and parasites expressing a tagged AQP were generated to validate this approach. aqp(-) parasites grow normally within the WT phenotypic range during blood infection of NMRI mice. Similarly, colonization of the insect vector and establishment of an infection after mosquito transmission were unaffected, indicating that AQP is dispensable for life cycle progression in vivo under physiological conditions, refuting its use as a suitable drug target. Tagged AQP localized to perinuclear structures and not the parasite plasma membrane. We suggest that flow-cytometric isolation of isogenic parasites overcomes the major roadblock towards a genome-scale repository of mutant and transgenic malaria parasite lines.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Andrew P. Waters
- Wellcome Trust Centre for Molecular Parasitology, Glasgow Biomedical Research Centre, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, Scotland, UK
| | - Kai Matuschewski
- Max Planck Institute for Infection Biology, Parasitology Unit, Berlin, Germany
- Institute of Biology, Humboldt University, Berlin, Germany
| | - Taco W.A. Kooij
- Max Planck Institute for Infection Biology, Parasitology Unit, Berlin, Germany
- Corresponding author. Tel.: +49 30 28460325; fax: +49 30 28460225.
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
Philip N, Vaikkinen HJ, Tetley L, Waters AP. A unique Kelch domain phosphatase in Plasmodium regulates ookinete morphology, motility and invasion. PLoS One 2012; 7:e44617. [PMID: 22957089 PMCID: PMC3434153 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0044617] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2012] [Accepted: 08/06/2012] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Signalling through post-translational modification (PTM) of proteins is a process central to cell homeostasis, development and responses to external stimuli. The best characterised PTM is protein phosphorylation which is reversibly catalysed at specific residues through the action of protein kinases (addition) and phosphatases (removal). Here, we report characterisation of an orphan protein phosphatase that possesses a domain architecture previously only described in Plantae. Through gene disruption and the production of active site mutants, the enzymatically active Protein Phosphatase containing Kelch-Like domains (PPKL, PBANKA_132950) is shown to play an essential role in the development of an infectious ookinete. PPKL is produced in schizonts and female gametocytes, is maternally inherited where its absence leads to the development of a malformed, immotile, non-infectious ookinete with an extended apical protrusion. The distribution of PPKL includes focussed localization at the ookinete apical tip implying a link between its activity and the correct deployment of the apical complex and microtubule cytoskeleton. Unlike wild type parasites, ppkl– ookinetes do not have a pronounced apical distribution of their micronemes yet secretion of microneme cargo is unaffected in the mutant implying that release of microneme cargo is either highly efficient at the malformed apical prominence or secretion may also occur from other points of the parasite, possibly the pellicular pores.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nisha Philip
- Wellcome Trust Centre for Molecular Parasitology, Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, Sir Graeme Davies Building, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
- * E-mail: (NP); (APW)
| | - Heli J. Vaikkinen
- Wellcome Trust Centre for Molecular Parasitology, Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, Sir Graeme Davies Building, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Laurence Tetley
- Wellcome Trust Centre for Molecular Parasitology, Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, Sir Graeme Davies Building, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Andrew P. Waters
- Wellcome Trust Centre for Molecular Parasitology, Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, Sir Graeme Davies Building, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
- * E-mail: (NP); (APW)
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
Abstract
The SIR2 family of NAD+-dependent protein deacetylases, collectively called sirtuins, has been of central interest due to their proposed roles in life-span regulation and ageing. Sirtuins are one group of environment sensors of a cell interpreting external information and orchestrating internal responses at the sub-cellular level, through participation in gene regulation mechanisms. Remarkably conserved across all kingdoms of life SIR2 proteins in several protozoan parasites appear to have both conserved and intriguing unique functions. This review summarises our current knowledge of the members of the sirtuin families in Apicomplexa, including Plasmodium, and other protozoan parasites such as Trypanosoma and Leishmania. The wide diversity of processes regulated by SIR2 proteins makes them targets worthy of exploitation in anti-parasitic therapies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Agnieszka A Religa
- Wellcome Trust Centre for Molecular Parasitology, Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8TA, UK.
| | | |
Collapse
|
27
|
Ramakrishnan C, Rademacher A, Soichot J, Costa G, Waters AP, Janse CJ, Ramesar J, Franke-Fayard BM, Levashina EA. Salivary gland-specific P. berghei reporter lines enable rapid evaluation of tissue-specific sporozoite loads in mosquitoes. PLoS One 2012; 7:e36376. [PMID: 22574152 PMCID: PMC3344870 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0036376] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2011] [Accepted: 04/04/2012] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Malaria is a life-threatening human infectious disease transmitted by mosquitoes. Levels of the salivary gland sporozoites (sgs), the only mosquito stage infectious to a mammalian host, represent an important cumulative index of Plasmodium development within a mosquito. However, current techniques of sgs quantification are laborious and imprecise. Here, transgenic P. berghei reporter lines that produce the green fluorescent protein fused to luciferase (GFP-LUC) specifically in sgs were generated, verified and characterised. Fluorescence microscopy confirmed the sgs stage specificity of expression of the reporter gene. The luciferase activity of the reporter lines was then exploited to establish a simple and fast biochemical assay to evaluate sgs loads in whole mosquitoes. Using this assay we successfully identified differences in sgs loads in mosquitoes silenced for genes that display opposing effects on P. berghei ookinete/oocyst development. It offers a new powerful tool to study infectivity of P. berghei to the mosquito, including analysis of vector-parasite interactions and evaluation of transmission-blocking vaccines.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chandra Ramakrishnan
- CNRS UPR9022, INSERM U963, Institut de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire, Université de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
| | - Annika Rademacher
- CNRS UPR9022, INSERM U963, Institut de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire, Université de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
| | - Julien Soichot
- CNRS UPR9022, INSERM U963, Institut de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire, Université de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
| | - Giulia Costa
- CNRS UPR9022, INSERM U963, Institut de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire, Université de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
| | - Andrew P. Waters
- Division of Infection and Immunity, Faculty of Biomedical Life Sciences, and Wellcome Centre for Molecular Parasitology, Glasgow Biomedical Research Centre, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, Scotland, United Kingdom
| | - Chris J. Janse
- Leiden Malaria Research Group, Department of Parasitology, Center for Infectious Diseases, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Jai Ramesar
- Leiden Malaria Research Group, Department of Parasitology, Center for Infectious Diseases, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Blandine M. Franke-Fayard
- Leiden Malaria Research Group, Department of Parasitology, Center for Infectious Diseases, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Elena A. Levashina
- CNRS UPR9022, INSERM U963, Institut de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire, Université de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
- * E-mail:
| |
Collapse
|
28
|
Orr RY, Philip N, Waters AP. Improved negative selection protocol for Plasmodium berghei in the rodent malarial model. Malar J 2012; 11:103. [PMID: 22463060 PMCID: PMC3364864 DOI: 10.1186/1475-2875-11-103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2012] [Accepted: 03/31/2012] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
An improved methodology is presented here for transgenic Plasmodium berghei lines that express the negative selectable marker yFCU (a bifunctional protein that combines yeast cytosine deaminase and uridyl phosphoribosyl transferase (UPRT)) and substitutes delivery of selection drug 5-fluorocytosine (5FC) by intraperitoneal injection for administration via the drinking water of the mice. The improved methodology is shown to be as effective, less labour-intensive, reduces animal handling and animal numbers required for successful selection thereby contributing to two of the "three Rs" of animal experimentation, namely refinement and reduction.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rachael Y Orr
- Wellcome Trust Centre for Molecular Parasitology, Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, University of Glasgow, UK
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
29
|
Laurentino EC, Taylor S, Mair GR, Lasonder E, Bartfai R, Stunnenberg HG, Kroeze H, Ramesar J, Franke-Fayard B, Khan SM, Janse CJ, Waters AP. Experimentally controlled downregulation of the histone chaperone FACT in Plasmodium berghei reveals that it is critical to male gamete fertility. Cell Microbiol 2011; 13:1956-74. [PMID: 21899698 PMCID: PMC3429858 DOI: 10.1111/j.1462-5822.2011.01683.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Human FACT (facilitates chromatin transcription) consists of the proteins SPT16 and SSRP1 and acts as a histone chaperone in the (dis)assembly of nucleosome (and thereby chromatin) structure during transcription and DNA replication. We identified a Plasmodium berghei protein, termed FACT-L, with homology to the SPT16 subunit of FACT. Epitope tagging of FACT-L showed nuclear localization with high expression in the nuclei of (activated) male gametocytes. The gene encoding FACT-L could not be deleted indicating an essential role during blood-stage development. Using a ‘promoter-swap’ approach whereby the fact-l promoter was replaced by an ‘asexual blood stage-specific’ promoter that is silent in gametocytes, transcription of fact-l in promoter-swap mutant gametocytes was downregulated compared with wild-type gametocytes. These mutant male gametocytes showed delayed DNA replication and gamete formation. Male gamete fertility was strongly reduced while female gamete fertility was unaffected; residual ookinetes generated oocysts that arrested early in development and failed to enter sporogony. Therefore FACT is critically involved in the formation of fertile male gametes and parasite transmission. ‘Promoter swapping’ is a powerful approach for the functional analysis of proteins in gametocytes (and beyond) that are essential during asexual blood-stage development.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Eliane C Laurentino
- Leiden Malaria Research Group, Department of Parasitology, Leiden University Medical, Albinusdreef 2, 2333 ZA Leiden, the Netherlands
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
30
|
Douradinha B, Augustijn KD, Moore SG, Ramesar J, Mota MM, Waters AP, Janse CJ, Thompson J. Plasmodium Cysteine Repeat Modular Proteins 3 and 4 are essential for malaria parasite transmission from the mosquito to the host. Malar J 2011; 10:71. [PMID: 21453484 PMCID: PMC3083381 DOI: 10.1186/1475-2875-10-71] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2010] [Accepted: 03/31/2011] [Indexed: 02/23/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The Plasmodium Cysteine Repeat Modular Proteins (PCRMP) are a family of four conserved proteins of malaria parasites, that contain a number of motifs implicated in host-parasite interactions. Analysis of mutants of the rodent parasite Plasmodium berghei lacking expression of PCRMP1 or 2 showed that these proteins are essential for targeting of P. berghei sporozoites to the mosquito salivary gland and, hence, for transmission from the mosquito to the mouse. METHODS In this work, the role of the remaining PCRMP family members, PCRMP3 and 4, has been investigated throughout the Plasmodium life cycle by generation and analysis of P. berghei gene deletion mutants, Δpcrmp3 and Δpcrmp4. The role of PCRMP members during the transmission and hepatic stages of the Plasmodium lifecycle has been evaluated by light- and electron microscopy and by analysis of liver stage development in HEPG2 cells in vitro and by infecting mice with mutant sporozoites. In addition, mice were immunized with live Δpcrmp3 and Δpcrmp4 sporozoites to evaluate their immunization potential as a genetically-attenuated parasite-based vaccine. RESULTS Disruption of pcrmp3 and pcrmp4 in P. berghei revealed that they are also essential for transmission of the parasite through the mosquito vector, although acting in a distinct way to pbcrmp1 and 2. Mutants lacking expression of PCRMP3 or PCRMP4 show normal blood stage development and oocyst formation in the mosquito and develop into morphologically normal sporozoites, but these have a defect in egress from oocysts and do not enter the salivary glands. Sporozoites extracted from oocysts perform gliding motility and invade and infect hepatocytes but do not undergo further development and proliferation. Furthermore, the study shows that immunization with Δcrmp3 and Δcrmp4 sporozoites does not confer protective immunity upon subsequent challenge. CONCLUSIONS PCRMP3 and 4 play multiple roles during the Plasmodium life cycle; they are essential for the establishment of sporozoite infection in the mosquito salivary gland, and subsequently for development in hepatocytes. However, although Δpcrmp3 and Δpcrmp4 parasites are completely growth-impaired in the liver, immunization with live sporozoites does not induce the protective immune responses that have been shown for other genetically-attenuated parasites.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Bruno Douradinha
- Malaria Unit, Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Faculdade de Medicina de Lisboa, Av. Prof. Egas Moniz, 1649-028 Lisbon, Portugal
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
31
|
Fonager J, Franke-Fayard BMD, Adams JH, Ramesar J, Klop O, Khan SM, Janse CJ, Waters AP. Development of the piggyBac transposable system for Plasmodium berghei and its application for random mutagenesis in malaria parasites. BMC Genomics 2011; 12:155. [PMID: 21418605 PMCID: PMC3073922 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2164-12-155] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2010] [Accepted: 03/20/2011] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The genome of a number of species of malaria parasites (Plasmodium spp.) has been sequenced in the hope of identifying new drug and vaccine targets. However, almost one-half of predicted Plasmodium genes are annotated as hypothetical and are difficult to analyse in bulk due to the inefficiency of current reverse genetic methodologies for Plasmodium. Recently, it has been shown that the transposase piggyBac integrates at random into the genome of the human malaria parasite P. falciparum offering the possibility to develop forward genetic screens to analyse Plasmodium gene function. This study reports the development and application of the piggyBac transposition system for the rodent malaria parasite P. berghei and the evaluation of its potential as a tool in forward genetic studies. P. berghei is the most frequently used malaria parasite model in gene function analysis since phenotype screens throughout the complete Plasmodium life cycle are possible both in vitro and in vivo. RESULTS We demonstrate that piggyBac based gene inactivation and promoter-trapping is both easier and more efficient in P. berghei than in the human malaria parasite, P. falciparum. Random piggyBac-mediated insertion into genes was achieved after parasites were transfected with the piggyBac donor plasmid either when transposase was expressed either from a helper plasmid or a stably integrated gene in the genome. Characterization of more than 120 insertion sites demonstrated that more than 70 most likely affect gene expression classifying their protein products as non-essential for asexual blood stage development. The non-essential nature of two of these genes was confirmed by targeted gene deletion one of which encodes P41, an ortholog of a human malaria vaccine candidate. Importantly for future development of whole genome phenotypic screens the remobilization of the piggyBac element in parasites that stably express transposase was demonstrated. CONCLUSION These data demonstrate that piggyBac behaved as an efficient and random transposon in P. berghei. Remobilization of piggyBac element shows that with further development the piggyBac system can be an effective tool to generate random genome-wide mutation parasite libraries, for use in large-scale phenotype screens in vitro and in vivo.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jannik Fonager
- Leiden Malaria Research Group, Department of Parasitology, Leiden University Medical Center, Albinusdreef 2, 2333 ZA Leiden. The Netherlands
| | - Blandine MD Franke-Fayard
- Leiden Malaria Research Group, Department of Parasitology, Leiden University Medical Center, Albinusdreef 2, 2333 ZA Leiden. The Netherlands
| | - John H Adams
- Department of Global Health, College of Public Health, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida USA
| | - Jai Ramesar
- Leiden Malaria Research Group, Department of Parasitology, Leiden University Medical Center, Albinusdreef 2, 2333 ZA Leiden. The Netherlands
| | - Onny Klop
- Leiden Malaria Research Group, Department of Parasitology, Leiden University Medical Center, Albinusdreef 2, 2333 ZA Leiden. The Netherlands
| | - Shahid M Khan
- Leiden Malaria Research Group, Department of Parasitology, Leiden University Medical Center, Albinusdreef 2, 2333 ZA Leiden. The Netherlands
| | - Chris J Janse
- Leiden Malaria Research Group, Department of Parasitology, Leiden University Medical Center, Albinusdreef 2, 2333 ZA Leiden. The Netherlands
| | - Andrew P Waters
- Institute of, Infection, Immunity & Inflammation, School of Medical, Veterinary & Life Sciences, & Wellcome Centre for Molecular Parasitology, Glasgow Biomedical Research Centre, University of Glasgow, Scotland, UK
| |
Collapse
|
32
|
Sicard A, Semblat JP, Doerig C, Hamelin R, Moniatte M, Dorin-Semblat D, Spicer JA, Srivastava A, Retzlaff S, Heussler V, Waters AP, Doerig C. Activation of a PAK-MEK signalling pathway in malaria parasite-infected erythrocytes. Cell Microbiol 2011; 13:836-45. [PMID: 21371233 PMCID: PMC3123749 DOI: 10.1111/j.1462-5822.2011.01582.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
Merozoites of malaria parasites invade red blood cells (RBCs), where they multiply by schizogony, undergoing development through ring, trophozoite and schizont stages that are responsible for malaria pathogenesis. Here, we report that a protein kinase-mediated signalling pathway involving host RBC PAK1 and MEK1, which do not have orthologues in the Plasmodium kinome, is selectively stimulated in Plasmodium falciparum-infected (versus uninfected) RBCs, as determined by the use of phospho-specific antibodies directed against the activated forms of these enzymes. Pharmacological interference with host MEK and PAK function using highly specific allosteric inhibitors in their known cellular IC50 ranges results in parasite death. Furthermore, MEK inhibitors have parasiticidal effects in vitro on hepatocyte and erythrocyte stages of the rodent malaria parasite Plasmodium berghei, indicating conservation of this subversive strategy in malaria parasites. These findings have profound implications for the development of novel strategies for antimalarial chemotherapy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Audrey Sicard
- INSERM U609/Inserm-EPFL Joint Laboratory,Global Health Institute, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
33
|
Gomes-Santos CSS, Braks JAM, Prudêncio M, Carret CK, Gomes AR, Pain A, Feltwell T, Khan SM, Waters AP, Janse CJ, Mair GR, Mota MM. Developmental transition of Plasmodium sporozoites into liver-stage forms is regulated by the RNA binding protein Pumilio 2. Malar J 2010. [PMCID: PMC2963252 DOI: 10.1186/1475-2875-9-s2-p13] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
|
34
|
Hughes KR, Philip N, Lucas Starnes G, Taylor S, Waters AP. From cradle to grave: RNA biology in malaria parasites. WIREs RNA 2010; 1:287-303. [DOI: 10.1002/wrna.30] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Katie R. Hughes
- Division of Infection and Immunity, Faculty of Biomedical Life Sciences, Glasgow Biomedical Research Centre, University of Glasgow, 120 University Place, Glasgow G12 8TA, Scotland, UK
- Wellcome Centre for Molecular Parasitology, Glasgow Biomedical Research Centre, University of Glasgow, 120 University Place, Glasgow G12 8TA, Scotland, UK
| | - Nisha Philip
- Division of Infection and Immunity, Faculty of Biomedical Life Sciences, Glasgow Biomedical Research Centre, University of Glasgow, 120 University Place, Glasgow G12 8TA, Scotland, UK
- Wellcome Centre for Molecular Parasitology, Glasgow Biomedical Research Centre, University of Glasgow, 120 University Place, Glasgow G12 8TA, Scotland, UK
| | - G. Lucas Starnes
- Division of Infection and Immunity, Faculty of Biomedical Life Sciences, Glasgow Biomedical Research Centre, University of Glasgow, 120 University Place, Glasgow G12 8TA, Scotland, UK
- Wellcome Centre for Molecular Parasitology, Glasgow Biomedical Research Centre, University of Glasgow, 120 University Place, Glasgow G12 8TA, Scotland, UK
| | - Sonya Taylor
- Division of Infection and Immunity, Faculty of Biomedical Life Sciences, Glasgow Biomedical Research Centre, University of Glasgow, 120 University Place, Glasgow G12 8TA, Scotland, UK
- Wellcome Centre for Molecular Parasitology, Glasgow Biomedical Research Centre, University of Glasgow, 120 University Place, Glasgow G12 8TA, Scotland, UK
| | - Andrew P. Waters
- Division of Infection and Immunity, Faculty of Biomedical Life Sciences, Glasgow Biomedical Research Centre, University of Glasgow, 120 University Place, Glasgow G12 8TA, Scotland, UK
- Wellcome Centre for Molecular Parasitology, Glasgow Biomedical Research Centre, University of Glasgow, 120 University Place, Glasgow G12 8TA, Scotland, UK
| |
Collapse
|
35
|
Goldberg DE, Janse CJ, Cowman AF, Waters AP. Has the time come for us to complement our malaria parasites? Trends Parasitol 2010; 27:1-2. [PMID: 20667784 DOI: 10.1016/j.pt.2010.06.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2010] [Revised: 06/24/2010] [Accepted: 06/30/2010] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
|
36
|
Bopp SER, Ramachandran V, Henson K, Luzader A, Lindstrom M, Spooner M, Steffy BM, Suzuki O, Janse C, Waters AP, Zhou Y, Wiltshire T, Winzeler EA. Genome wide analysis of inbred mouse lines identifies a locus containing Ppar-gamma as contributing to enhanced malaria survival. PLoS One 2010; 5:e10903. [PMID: 20531941 PMCID: PMC2878346 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0010903] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2010] [Accepted: 05/05/2010] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The genetic background of a patient determines in part if a person develops a mild form of malaria and recovers, or develops a severe form and dies. We have used a mouse model to detect genes involved in the resistance or susceptibility to Plasmodium berghei malaria infection. To this end we first characterized 32 different mouse strains infected with P. berghei and identified survival as the best trait to discriminate between the strains. We found a locus on chromosome 6 by linking the survival phenotypes of the mouse strains to their genetic variations using genome wide analyses such as haplotype associated mapping and the efficient mixed-model for association. This new locus involved in malaria resistance contains only two genes and confirms the importance of Ppar-gamma in malaria infection.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Selina E R Bopp
- Department of Cell Biology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California, United States of America.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
37
|
Iwanaga S, Khan SM, Kaneko I, Christodoulou Z, Newbold C, Yuda M, Janse CJ, Waters AP. Functional identification of the Plasmodium centromere and generation of a Plasmodium artificial chromosome. Cell Host Microbe 2010; 7:245-55. [PMID: 20227667 PMCID: PMC2996609 DOI: 10.1016/j.chom.2010.02.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2009] [Revised: 01/12/2010] [Accepted: 02/24/2010] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
The artificial chromosome represents a useful tool for gene transfer, both as cloning vectors and in chromosome biology research. To generate a Plasmodium artificial chromosome (PAC), we had to first functionally identify and characterize the parasite's centromere. A putative centromere (pbcen5) was cloned from chromosome 5 of the rodent parasite P. berghei based on a Plasmodium gene-synteny map. Plasmids containing pbcen5 were stably maintained in parasites during a blood-stage infection with high segregation efficiency, without drug pressure. pbcen5-containing plasmids were also stably maintained during parasite meiosis and mitosis in the mosquito. A linear PAC (L-PAC) was generated by integrating pbcen5 and telomere into a plasmid. The L-PAC segregated with a high efficiency and was stably maintained throughout the parasite's life cycle, as either one or two copies. These results suggest that L-PAC behaves like a Plasmodium chromosome, which can be exploited as an experimental research tool.
Collapse
|
38
|
Iwanaga S, Khan SM, Kaneko I, Christodoulou Z, Newbold C, Yuda M, Janse CJ, Waters AP. Functional Identification of the Plasmodium Centromere and Generation of a Plasmodium Artificial Chromosome. Cell Host Microbe 2010. [PMCID: PMC3125640 DOI: 10.1016/j.chom.2010.04.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
|
39
|
van Dijk MR, van Schaijk BCL, Khan SM, van Dooren MW, Ramesar J, Kaczanowski S, van Gemert GJ, Kroeze H, Stunnenberg HG, Eling WM, Sauerwein RW, Waters AP, Janse CJ. Three members of the 6-cys protein family of Plasmodium play a role in gamete fertility. PLoS Pathog 2010; 6:e1000853. [PMID: 20386715 PMCID: PMC2851734 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1000853] [Citation(s) in RCA: 163] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2009] [Accepted: 03/09/2010] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
The process of fertilization is critically dependent on the mutual recognition of gametes and in Plasmodium, the male gamete surface protein P48/45 is vital to this process. This protein belongs to a family of 10 structurally related proteins, the so called 6-cys family. To identify the role of additional members of this family in Plasmodium fertilisation, we performed genetic and functional analysis on the five members of the 6-cys family that are transcribed during the gametocyte stage of P. berghei. This analysis revealed that in addition to P48/45, two members (P230 and P47) also play an essential role in the process of parasite fertilization. Mating studies between parasites lacking P230, P48/45 or P47 demonstrate that P230, like P48/45, is a male fertility factor, consistent with the previous demonstration of a protein complex containing both P48/45 and P230. In contrast, disruption of P47 results in a strong reduction of female fertility, while males remain unaffected. Further analysis revealed that gametes of mutants lacking expression of p48/45 or p230 or p47 are unable to either recognise or attach to each other. Disruption of the paralog of p230, p230p, also specifically expressed in gametocytes, had no observable effect on fertilization. These results indicate that the P. berghei 6-cys family contains a number of proteins that are either male or female specific ligands that play an important role in gamete recognition and/or attachment. The implications of low levels of fertilisation that exist even in the absence of these proteins, indicating alternative pathways of fertilisation, as well as positive selection acting on these proteins, are discussed in the context of targeting these proteins as transmission blocking vaccine candidates. Sexual reproduction for malaria parasites is an essential process and is necessary for parasite transmission between hosts. Fertilisation between female and male gametes occurs in the midgut of the mosquito and proteins on the surface of gametes are principle targets in transmission blocking strategies. Despite their importance, relatively little is known about the malaria proteins involved in fertilisation. In this study we show that two gamete proteins, one expressed on the surface of males, the other on the surface of females, have important roles in the mutual recognition and attachment of gametes. Mutant parasites that lack the presence of these surface proteins show a strong reduction in fertility. Comparison of these gamete surface proteins in different malaria parasites showed that these proteins are evolving rapidly either across their length or at discreet regions/domains. We found, that despite the drastic reduction in zygote formation, low levels of fertilisation can still occur in the absence of these surface proteins, indicating that gametes can use alternative proteins to recognize each other. Both genetic variation of gamete surface proteins and the presence of different fertilisation pathways have important implications for transmission blocking vaccines targeting gamete surface proteins.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Melissa R. van Dijk
- Laboratory for Parasitology, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Ben C. L. van Schaijk
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Shahid M. Khan
- Laboratory for Parasitology, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Maaike W. van Dooren
- Laboratory for Parasitology, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Jai Ramesar
- Laboratory for Parasitology, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Szymon Kaczanowski
- Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Polish Academy of Sciences, Warszawa, Poland
| | - Geert-Jan van Gemert
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Hans Kroeze
- Laboratory for Parasitology, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Hendrik G. Stunnenberg
- Department of Molecular Biology, NCMLS, University of Nijmegen, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Wijnand M. Eling
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Robert W. Sauerwein
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Andrew P. Waters
- Division of Infection and Immunity, Institute of Biomedical Life Sciences & Wellcome Centre for Molecular Parasitology, Glasgow Biomedical Research Centre, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, Scotland
| | - Chris J. Janse
- Laboratory for Parasitology, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, The Netherlands
- * E-mail:
| |
Collapse
|
40
|
Dobson SE, Augustijn KD, Brannigan JA, Schnick C, Janse CJ, Dodson EJ, Waters AP, Wilkinson AJ. The crystal structures of macrophage migration inhibitory factor from Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium berghei. Protein Sci 2010; 18:2578-91. [PMID: 19827093 PMCID: PMC2798171 DOI: 10.1002/pro.263] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Malaria, caused by Plasmodium falciparum and related parasites, is responsible for millions of deaths each year, mainly from complications arising from the blood stages of its life cycle. Macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF), a protein expressed by the parasite during these stages, has been characterized in mammals as a cytokine involved in a broad spectrum of immune responses. It also possesses two catalytic activities, a tautomerase and an oxidoreductase, though the physiological significance of neither reaction is known. Here, we have determined the crystal structure of MIF from two malaria parasites, Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium berghei at 2.2 Å and 1.8 Å, respectively. The structures have an α/β fold and each reveals a trimer, in agreement with the results of analytical ultracentrifugation. We observed open and closed active sites, these being distinguished by movements of proline-1, the catalytic base in the tautomerase reaction. These states correlate with the covalent modification of cysteine 2 to form a mercaptoethanol adduct, an observation confirmed by mass spectrometry. The Plasmodium MIFs have a different pattern of conserved cysteine residues to the mammalian MIFs and the side chain of Cys58, which is implicated in the oxidoreductase activity, is buried. This observation and the evident redox reactivity of Cys2 suggest quite different oxidoreductase characteristics. Finally, we show in pull-down assays that Plasmodium MIF binds to the cell surface receptor CD74, a known mammalian MIF receptor implying that parasite MIF has the ability to interfere with, or modulate, host MIF activity through a competitive binding mechanism.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sarah E Dobson
- Structural Biology Laboratory, Department of Chemistry, University of York, York YO10 5YW, United Kingdom
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
41
|
Mair GR, Lasonder E, Garver LS, Franke-Fayard BMD, Carret CK, Wiegant JCAG, Dirks RW, Dimopoulos G, Janse CJ, Waters AP. Universal features of post-transcriptional gene regulation are critical for Plasmodium zygote development. PLoS Pathog 2010; 6:e1000767. [PMID: 20169188 PMCID: PMC2820534 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1000767] [Citation(s) in RCA: 195] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2009] [Accepted: 01/13/2010] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
A universal feature of metazoan sexual development is the generation of oocyte P granules that withhold certain mRNA species from translation to provide coding potential for proteins during early post-fertilization development. Stabilisation of translationally quiescent mRNA pools in female Plasmodium gametocytes depends on the RNA helicase DOZI, but the molecular machinery involved in the silencing of transcripts in these protozoans is unknown. Using affinity purification coupled with mass-spectrometric analysis we identify a messenger ribonucleoprotein (mRNP) from Plasmodium berghei gametocytes defined by DOZI and the Sm-like factor CITH (homolog of worm CAR-I and fly Trailer Hitch). This mRNP includes 16 major factors, including proteins with homologies to components of metazoan P granules and archaeal proteins. Containing translationally silent transcripts, this mRNP integrates eIF4E and poly(A)-binding protein but excludes P body RNA degradation factors and translation-initiation promoting eIF4G. Gene deletion mutants of 2 core components of this mRNP (DOZI and CITH) are fertilization-competent, but zygotes fail to develop into ookinetes in a female gametocyte-mutant fashion. Through RNA-immunoprecipitation and global expression profiling of CITH-KO mutants we highlight CITH as a crucial repressor of maternally supplied mRNAs. Our data define Plasmodium P granules as an ancient mRNP whose protein core has remained evolutionarily conserved from single-cell organisms to germ cells of multi-cellular animals and stores translationally silent mRNAs that are critical for early post-fertilization development during the initial stages of mosquito infection. Therefore, translational repression may offer avenues as a target for the generation of transmission blocking strategies and contribute to limiting the spread of malaria. Transmission of malaria relies on ingestion of male and female sexual precursor cells (gametocytes) from the human host by the mosquito vector. Fertilization results in the formation of a diploid zygote that transforms into the ookinete, the motile form of the parasite that is capable of escaping the hostile mosquito midgut environment and truly infecting the mosquito vector. The developmental program of the Plasmodium zygote depends on the availability of mRNA pools transcribed and stored, but not translated, in the female gametocyte. Here we identify the core protein factors that co-operate in the assembly of mRNAs into a translationally silent ribonucleoprotein complex. In the absence of either DOZI or CITH—two key molecules within this complex—gametocytes suffer large scale mRNA de-stabilization that does not affect fertilization but culminates in the abortion of ookinete development soon after zygote formation. We characterize large scale, evolutionarily ancient translational silencing as a principal regulatory element during Plasmodium sexual development.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Gunnar R. Mair
- Leiden Malaria Research Group, Department of Parasitology, Centre for Infectious Diseases, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Unidade de Parasitologia Molecular, Lisboa, Portugal
- * E-mail: (GRM); (APW)
| | - Edwin Lasonder
- Centre for Molecular and Biomolecular Informatics, NCMLS, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Lindsey S. Garver
- W. Harry Feinstone Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Blandine M. D. Franke-Fayard
- Leiden Malaria Research Group, Department of Parasitology, Centre for Infectious Diseases, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Céline K. Carret
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Unidade de Parasitologia Molecular, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Joop C. A. G. Wiegant
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Roeland W. Dirks
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - George Dimopoulos
- W. Harry Feinstone Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Chris J. Janse
- Leiden Malaria Research Group, Department of Parasitology, Centre for Infectious Diseases, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Andrew P. Waters
- Leiden Malaria Research Group, Department of Parasitology, Centre for Infectious Diseases, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
- Division of Infection and Immunity, Faculty of Biomedical Life Sciences, and Wellcome Centre for Molecular Parasitology, Glasgow Biomedical Research Centre, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, Scotland, United Kingdom
- * E-mail: (GRM); (APW)
| |
Collapse
|
42
|
Spaccapelo R, Janse CJ, Caterbi S, Franke-Fayard B, Bonilla JA, Syphard LM, Di Cristina M, Dottorini T, Savarino A, Cassone A, Bistoni F, Waters AP, Dame JB, Crisanti A. Plasmepsin 4-deficient Plasmodium berghei are virulence attenuated and induce protective immunity against experimental malaria. Am J Pathol 2009; 176:205-17. [PMID: 20019192 DOI: 10.2353/ajpath.2010.090504] [Citation(s) in RCA: 86] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Plasmodium parasites lacking plasmepsin 4 (PM4), an aspartic protease that functions in the lysosomal compartment and contributes to hemoglobin digestion, have only a modest decrease in the asexual blood-stage growth rate; however, PM4 deficiency in the rodent malaria parasite Plasmodium berghei results in significantly less virulence than that for the parental parasite. P. berghei Deltapm4 parasites failed to induce experimental cerebral malaria (ECM) in ECM-susceptible mice, and ECM-resistant mice were able to clear infections. Furthermore, after a single infection, all convalescent mice were protected against subsequent parasite challenge for at least 1 year. Real-time in vivo parasite imaging and splenectomy experiments demonstrated that protective immunity acted through antibody-mediated parasite clearance in the spleen. This work demonstrates, for the first time, that a single Plasmodium gene disruption can generate virulence-attenuated parasites that do not induce cerebral complications and, moreover, are able to stimulate strong protective immunity against subsequent challenge with wild-type parasites. Parasite blood-stage attenuation should help identify protective immune responses against malaria, unravel parasite-derived factors involved in malarial pathologies, such as cerebral malaria, and potentially pave the way for blood-stage whole organism vaccines.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Roberta Spaccapelo
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Perugia, Via Del Giochetto, 06122 Perugia, Italy.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
43
|
Ploemen IHJ, Prudêncio M, Douradinha BG, Ramesar J, Fonager J, van Gemert GJ, Luty AJF, Hermsen CC, Sauerwein RW, Baptista FG, Mota MM, Waters AP, Que I, Lowik CWGM, Khan SM, Janse CJ, Franke-Fayard BMD. Visualisation and quantitative analysis of the rodent malaria liver stage by real time imaging. PLoS One 2009; 4:e7881. [PMID: 19924309 PMCID: PMC2775639 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0007881] [Citation(s) in RCA: 188] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2009] [Accepted: 10/26/2009] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The quantitative analysis of Plasmodium development in the liver in laboratory animals in cultured cells is hampered by low parasite infection rates and the complicated methods required to monitor intracellular development. As a consequence, this important phase of the parasite's life cycle has been poorly studied compared to blood stages, for example in screening anti-malarial drugs. Here we report the use of a transgenic P. berghei parasite, PbGFP-Luccon, expressing the bioluminescent reporter protein luciferase to visualize and quantify parasite development in liver cells both in culture and in live mice using real-time luminescence imaging. The reporter-parasite based quantification in cultured hepatocytes by real-time imaging or using a microplate reader correlates very well with established quantitative RT-PCR methods. For the first time the liver stage of Plasmodium is visualized in whole bodies of live mice and we were able to discriminate as few as 1–5 infected hepatocytes per liver in mice using 2D-imaging and to identify individual infected hepatocytes by 3D-imaging. The analysis of liver infections by whole body imaging shows a good correlation with quantitative RT-PCR analysis of extracted livers. The luminescence-based analysis of the effects of various drugs on in vitro hepatocyte infection shows that this method can effectively be used for in vitro screening of compounds targeting Plasmodium liver stages. Furthermore, by analysing the effect of primaquine and tafenoquine in vivo we demonstrate the applicability of real time imaging to assess parasite drug sensitivity in the liver. The simplicity and speed of quantitative analysis of liver-stage development by real-time imaging compared to the PCR methodologies, as well as the possibility to analyse liver development in live mice without surgery, opens up new possibilities for research on Plasmodium liver infections and for validating the effect of drugs and vaccines on the liver stage of Plasmodium.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ivo H J Ploemen
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre (RUNMC), Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
44
|
Moon RW, Taylor CJ, Bex C, Schepers R, Goulding D, Janse CJ, Waters AP, Baker DA, Billker O. A cyclic GMP signalling module that regulates gliding motility in a malaria parasite. PLoS Pathog 2009; 5:e1000599. [PMID: 19779564 PMCID: PMC2742896 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1000599] [Citation(s) in RCA: 144] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2009] [Accepted: 08/31/2009] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The ookinete is a motile stage in the malaria life cycle which forms in the mosquito blood meal from the zygote. Ookinetes use an acto-myosin motor to glide towards and penetrate the midgut wall to establish infection in the vector. The regulation of gliding motility is poorly understood. Through genetic interaction studies we here describe a signalling module that identifies guanosine 3′, 5′-cyclic monophosphate (cGMP) as an important second messenger regulating ookinete differentiation and motility. In ookinetes lacking the cyclic nucleotide degrading phosphodiesterase δ (PDEδ), unregulated signalling through cGMP results in rounding up of the normally banana-shaped cells. This phenotype is suppressed in a double mutant additionally lacking guanylyl cyclase β (GCβ), showing that in ookinetes GCβ is an important source for cGMP, and that PDEδ is the relevant cGMP degrading enzyme. Inhibition of the cGMP-dependent protein kinase, PKG, blocks gliding, whereas enhanced signalling through cGMP restores normal gliding speed in a mutant lacking calcium dependent protein kinase 3, suggesting at least a partial overlap between calcium and cGMP dependent pathways. These data demonstrate an important function for signalling through cGMP, and most likely PKG, in dynamically regulating ookinete gliding during the transmission of malaria to the mosquito. Malaria parasites are single celled organisms, which must alternate between vertebrate and mosquito hosts to survive and spread. In both hosts, certain parasite stages can glide through tissues and invade cells. Many components of the molecular motor that powers gliding and invasion are known and we have a good idea how these may interact to generate force. It is less well understood how the motor is assembled and how its component parts are regulated to switch it on and off. We have begun to address these questions in the ookinete, a parasite stage, which forms in the blood meal of a mosquito and relies on gliding to penetrate the gut wall. Using a malaria parasite of rodents, we have examined the effect of deleting candidate genes involved in controlling levels of the intracellular signalling molecule cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP). We show that the right balance between cGMP production and degradation is important for ookinetes to glide, while also maintaining their typical cell shape. Overall levels of cGMP are not much affected in the mutants, though, and we therefore believe the messenger exerts its effect either locally within the cell or only while the parasite is gliding.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Robert W. Moon
- Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Cambridge Hinxton, United Kingdom
- Imperial College London, Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, London, United Kingdom
| | - Cathy J. Taylor
- Department of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Claudia Bex
- Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Cambridge Hinxton, United Kingdom
| | - Rebecca Schepers
- Imperial College London, Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, London, United Kingdom
| | - David Goulding
- Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Cambridge Hinxton, United Kingdom
| | - Chris J. Janse
- Department of Parasitology, Centre of Infectious Diseases, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Andrew P. Waters
- Wellcome Trust Centre of Molecular Parasitology and Division of Infection and Immunity, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - David A. Baker
- Department of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Oliver Billker
- Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Cambridge Hinxton, United Kingdom
- Imperial College London, Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, London, United Kingdom
- * E-mail:
| |
Collapse
|
45
|
Ponzi M, Sidén-Kiamos I, Bertuccini L, Currà C, Kroeze H, Camarda G, Pace T, Franke-Fayard B, Laurentino EC, Louis C, Waters AP, Janse CJ, Alano P. Egress ofPlasmodium bergheigametes from their host erythrocyte is mediated by the MDV-1/PEG3 protein. Cell Microbiol 2009; 11:1272-88. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1462-5822.2009.01331.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 90] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
|
46
|
Tufet-Bayona M, Janse CJ, Khan SM, Waters AP, Sinden RE, Franke-Fayard B. Localisation and timing of expression of putative Plasmodium berghei rhoptry proteins in merozoites and sporozoites. Mol Biochem Parasitol 2009; 166:22-31. [DOI: 10.1016/j.molbiopara.2009.02.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2008] [Revised: 01/22/2009] [Accepted: 02/17/2009] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
|
47
|
Baum J, Papenfuss AT, Mair GR, Janse CJ, Vlachou D, Waters AP, Cowman AF, Crabb BS, de Koning-Ward TF. Molecular genetics and comparative genomics reveal RNAi is not functional in malaria parasites. Nucleic Acids Res 2009; 37:3788-98. [PMID: 19380379 PMCID: PMC2699523 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkp239] [Citation(s) in RCA: 154] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2009] [Revised: 03/30/2009] [Accepted: 03/30/2009] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Techniques for targeted genetic disruption in Plasmodium, the causative agent of malaria, are currently intractable for those genes that are essential for blood stage development. The ability to use RNA interference (RNAi) to silence gene expression would provide a powerful means to gain valuable insight into the pathogenic blood stages but its functionality in Plasmodium remains controversial. Here we have used various RNA-based gene silencing approaches to test the utility of RNAi in malaria parasites and have undertaken an extensive comparative genomics search using profile hidden Markov models to clarify whether RNAi machinery exists in malaria. These investigative approaches revealed that Plasmodium lacks the enzymology required for RNAi-based ablation of gene expression and indeed no experimental evidence for RNAi was observed. In its absence, the most likely explanations for previously reported RNAi-mediated knockdown are either the general toxicity of introduced RNA (with global down-regulation of gene expression) or a specific antisense effect mechanistically distinct from RNAi, which will need systematic analysis if it is to be of use as a molecular genetic tool for malaria parasites.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jake Baum
- The Walter & Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia, Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Av. Prof. Egas Moniz, 1649-028 Lisboa, Portugal, Department of Parasitology, Centre of Infectious Diseases, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, The Netherlands, Division of Infection and Immunity, Institute of Biomedical Life Sciences & Wellcome Centre for Molecular Parasitology, Glasgow Biomedical Research Centre, University of Glasgow, G12 8TA, Scotland, UK, Macfarlane Burnet Institute for Medical Research and Public Health, Melbourne 3004 and Deakin University, Waurn Ponds, Victoria 3217, Australia
| | - Anthony T. Papenfuss
- The Walter & Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia, Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Av. Prof. Egas Moniz, 1649-028 Lisboa, Portugal, Department of Parasitology, Centre of Infectious Diseases, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, The Netherlands, Division of Infection and Immunity, Institute of Biomedical Life Sciences & Wellcome Centre for Molecular Parasitology, Glasgow Biomedical Research Centre, University of Glasgow, G12 8TA, Scotland, UK, Macfarlane Burnet Institute for Medical Research and Public Health, Melbourne 3004 and Deakin University, Waurn Ponds, Victoria 3217, Australia
| | - Gunnar R. Mair
- The Walter & Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia, Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Av. Prof. Egas Moniz, 1649-028 Lisboa, Portugal, Department of Parasitology, Centre of Infectious Diseases, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, The Netherlands, Division of Infection and Immunity, Institute of Biomedical Life Sciences & Wellcome Centre for Molecular Parasitology, Glasgow Biomedical Research Centre, University of Glasgow, G12 8TA, Scotland, UK, Macfarlane Burnet Institute for Medical Research and Public Health, Melbourne 3004 and Deakin University, Waurn Ponds, Victoria 3217, Australia
| | - Chris J. Janse
- The Walter & Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia, Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Av. Prof. Egas Moniz, 1649-028 Lisboa, Portugal, Department of Parasitology, Centre of Infectious Diseases, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, The Netherlands, Division of Infection and Immunity, Institute of Biomedical Life Sciences & Wellcome Centre for Molecular Parasitology, Glasgow Biomedical Research Centre, University of Glasgow, G12 8TA, Scotland, UK, Macfarlane Burnet Institute for Medical Research and Public Health, Melbourne 3004 and Deakin University, Waurn Ponds, Victoria 3217, Australia
| | - Dina Vlachou
- The Walter & Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia, Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Av. Prof. Egas Moniz, 1649-028 Lisboa, Portugal, Department of Parasitology, Centre of Infectious Diseases, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, The Netherlands, Division of Infection and Immunity, Institute of Biomedical Life Sciences & Wellcome Centre for Molecular Parasitology, Glasgow Biomedical Research Centre, University of Glasgow, G12 8TA, Scotland, UK, Macfarlane Burnet Institute for Medical Research and Public Health, Melbourne 3004 and Deakin University, Waurn Ponds, Victoria 3217, Australia
| | - Andrew P. Waters
- The Walter & Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia, Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Av. Prof. Egas Moniz, 1649-028 Lisboa, Portugal, Department of Parasitology, Centre of Infectious Diseases, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, The Netherlands, Division of Infection and Immunity, Institute of Biomedical Life Sciences & Wellcome Centre for Molecular Parasitology, Glasgow Biomedical Research Centre, University of Glasgow, G12 8TA, Scotland, UK, Macfarlane Burnet Institute for Medical Research and Public Health, Melbourne 3004 and Deakin University, Waurn Ponds, Victoria 3217, Australia
| | - Alan F. Cowman
- The Walter & Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia, Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Av. Prof. Egas Moniz, 1649-028 Lisboa, Portugal, Department of Parasitology, Centre of Infectious Diseases, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, The Netherlands, Division of Infection and Immunity, Institute of Biomedical Life Sciences & Wellcome Centre for Molecular Parasitology, Glasgow Biomedical Research Centre, University of Glasgow, G12 8TA, Scotland, UK, Macfarlane Burnet Institute for Medical Research and Public Health, Melbourne 3004 and Deakin University, Waurn Ponds, Victoria 3217, Australia
| | - Brendan S. Crabb
- The Walter & Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia, Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Av. Prof. Egas Moniz, 1649-028 Lisboa, Portugal, Department of Parasitology, Centre of Infectious Diseases, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, The Netherlands, Division of Infection and Immunity, Institute of Biomedical Life Sciences & Wellcome Centre for Molecular Parasitology, Glasgow Biomedical Research Centre, University of Glasgow, G12 8TA, Scotland, UK, Macfarlane Burnet Institute for Medical Research and Public Health, Melbourne 3004 and Deakin University, Waurn Ponds, Victoria 3217, Australia
| | - Tania F. de Koning-Ward
- The Walter & Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia, Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Av. Prof. Egas Moniz, 1649-028 Lisboa, Portugal, Department of Parasitology, Centre of Infectious Diseases, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, The Netherlands, Division of Infection and Immunity, Institute of Biomedical Life Sciences & Wellcome Centre for Molecular Parasitology, Glasgow Biomedical Research Centre, University of Glasgow, G12 8TA, Scotland, UK, Macfarlane Burnet Institute for Medical Research and Public Health, Melbourne 3004 and Deakin University, Waurn Ponds, Victoria 3217, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
48
|
Yuda M, Iwanaga S, Shigenobu S, Mair GR, Janse CJ, Waters AP, Kato T, Kaneko I. Identification of a transcription factor in the mosquito-invasive stage of malaria parasites. Mol Microbiol 2009; 71:1402-14. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2958.2009.06609.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 165] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
|
49
|
Vega-Rodríguez J, Franke-Fayard B, Dinglasan RR, Janse CJ, Pastrana-Mena R, Waters AP, Coppens I, Rodríguez-Orengo JF, Jacobs-Lorena M, Serrano AE. The glutathione biosynthetic pathway of Plasmodium is essential for mosquito transmission. PLoS Pathog 2009; 5:e1000302. [PMID: 19229315 PMCID: PMC2636896 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1000302] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2008] [Accepted: 01/18/2009] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Infection of red blood cells (RBC) subjects the malaria parasite to oxidative stress. Therefore, efficient antioxidant and redox systems are required to prevent damage by reactive oxygen species. Plasmodium spp. have thioredoxin and glutathione (GSH) systems that are thought to play a major role as antioxidants during blood stage infection. In this report, we analyzed a critical component of the GSH biosynthesis pathway using reverse genetics. Plasmodium berghei parasites lacking expression of gamma-glutamylcysteine synthetase (γ-GCS), the rate limiting enzyme in de novo synthesis of GSH, were generated through targeted gene disruption thus demonstrating, quite unexpectedly, that γ-GCS is not essential for blood stage development. Despite a significant reduction in GSH levels, blood stage forms of pbggcs− parasites showed only a defect in growth as compared to wild type. In contrast, a dramatic effect on development of the parasites in the mosquito was observed. Infection of mosquitoes with pbggcs− parasites resulted in reduced numbers of stunted oocysts that did not produce sporozoites. These results have important implications for the design of drugs aiming at interfering with the GSH redox-system in blood stages and demonstrate that de novo synthesis of GSH is pivotal for development of Plasmodium in the mosquito. The antioxidant systems of malaria parasites (Plasmodium spp.) are potential targets for the development of antimalarials. The glutathione (GSH) redox system constitutes one of the Plasmodium primary lines of defense against damage caused by reactive oxygen species and other forms of chemical stress. GSH is synthesized de novo by the sequential action of gamma-glutamylcysteine synthase (γ-GCS) and GSH synthase (GS). Biochemical studies have suggested that parasite survival depends on functional de novo GSH synthesis. Using reverse genetics we interrupted the GSH biosynthetic pathway in the rodent malaria Plasmodium berghei by disrupting the pbggcs gene. The mutation caused minor changes in parasite growth in the mammalian host but development in the mosquito was completely arrested at the oocyst stage. These results suggest that the GSH biosynthetic pathway, while essential for mosquito stage development, is not an appropriate target for antimalarials against blood stages of the parasite.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Joel Vega-Rodríguez
- Department of Microbiology and Medical Zoology, University of Puerto Rico, School of Medicine, San Juan, Puerto Rico
| | | | - Rhoel R. Dinglasan
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, United States of America
| | - Chris J. Janse
- Department of Parasitology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Rebecca Pastrana-Mena
- Department of Microbiology and Medical Zoology, University of Puerto Rico, School of Medicine, San Juan, Puerto Rico
| | - Andrew P. Waters
- Department of Parasitology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
- Wellcome Trust Centre of Molecular Parasitology and Division of Infection and Immunity, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Isabelle Coppens
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, United States of America
| | - José F. Rodríguez-Orengo
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Puerto Rico, School of Medicine, San Juan, Puerto Rico
| | - Marcelo Jacobs-Lorena
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, United States of America
| | - Adelfa E. Serrano
- Department of Microbiology and Medical Zoology, University of Puerto Rico, School of Medicine, San Juan, Puerto Rico
- * E-mail:
| |
Collapse
|
50
|
van Schaijk BCL, Janse CJ, van Gemert GJ, van Dijk MR, Gego A, Franetich JF, van de Vegte-Bolmer M, Yalaoui S, Silvie O, Hoffman SL, Waters AP, Mazier D, Sauerwein RW, Khan SM. Gene disruption of Plasmodium falciparum p52 results in attenuation of malaria liver stage development in cultured primary human hepatocytes. PLoS One 2008; 3:e3549. [PMID: 18958160 PMCID: PMC2568858 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0003549] [Citation(s) in RCA: 78] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2008] [Accepted: 10/07/2008] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Difficulties with inducing sterile and long lasting protective immunity against malaria with subunit vaccines has renewed interest in vaccinations with attenuated Plasmodium parasites. Immunizations with sporozoites that are attenuated by radiation (RAS) can induce strong protective immunity both in humans and rodent models of malaria. Recently, in rodent parasites it has been shown that through the deletion of a single gene, sporozoites can also become attenuated in liver stage development and, importantly, immunization with these sporozoites results in immune responses identical to RAS. The promise of vaccination using these genetically attenuated sporozoites (GAS) depends on translating the results in rodent malaria models to human malaria. In this study, we perform the first essential step in this transition by disrupting, p52, in P. falciparum an ortholog of the rodent parasite gene, p36p, which we had previously shown can confer long lasting protective immunity in mice. These P. falciparum P52 deficient sporozoites demonstrate gliding motility, cell traversal and an invasion rate into primary human hepatocytes in vitro that is comparable to wild type sporozoites. However, inside the host hepatocyte development is arrested very soon after invasion. This study reveals, for the first time, that disrupting the equivalent gene in both P. falciparum and rodent malaria Plasmodium species generates parasites that become similarly arrested during liver stage development and these results pave the way for further development of GAS for human use.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ben C. L. van Schaijk
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Chris J. Janse
- Department of Parasitology, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Geert-Jan van Gemert
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Melissa R. van Dijk
- Department of Parasitology, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Audrey Gego
- INSERM, U511, Paris, France
- Université Pierre et Marie Curie-Paris6, UMR S511 Paris, France
| | | | - Marga van de Vegte-Bolmer
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Samir Yalaoui
- INSERM, U511, Paris, France
- Université Pierre et Marie Curie-Paris6, UMR S511 Paris, France
| | - Olivier Silvie
- INSERM, U511, Paris, France
- Université Pierre et Marie Curie-Paris6, UMR S511 Paris, France
| | | | - Andrew P. Waters
- Department of Parasitology, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Dominique Mazier
- INSERM, U511, Paris, France
- Université Pierre et Marie Curie-Paris6, UMR S511 Paris, France
- AP-HP, Groupe hospitalier Pitié-Salpêtrière, Service Parasitologie-Mycologie, Paris, France
| | - Robert W. Sauerwein
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Shahid M. Khan
- Department of Parasitology, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, The Netherlands
- * E-mail:
| |
Collapse
|