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Huang G, Bertolini MS, Wiedeman J, Etheridge RD, Cruz-Bustos T, Docampo R. Lysosome and plasma membrane Piezo channels of Trypanosoma cruzi are essential for proliferation, differentiation and infectivity. PLoS Pathog 2025; 21:e1013105. [PMID: 40267157 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1013105] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2025] [Accepted: 04/05/2025] [Indexed: 04/25/2025] Open
Abstract
Trypanosoma cruzi, the causative agent of Chagas disease, is a parasitic protist that affects millions of people worldwide. Currently there are no fully effective drugs or vaccines available. Contact of T. cruzi infective forms with their host cells or with the extracellular matrix increases their intracellular Ca2+ concentration suggesting a mechano-transduction process. We report here that T. cruzi possesses two distinct mechanosensitive Piezo channels, named TcPiezo1 and TcPiezo2, with different subcellular localizations but similarly essential for normal proliferation, differentiation, and infectivity. While TcPiezo1 localizes to the plasma membrane, TcPiezo2 localizes to the lysosomes. Downregulation of TcPiezo1 expression by a novel ligand-regulated hammerhead ribozyme (HHR) significantly inhibited Ca2+ entry in cells expressing a genetically encoded Ca2+ indicator while downregulation of TcPiezo2 expression inhibited Ca2+ release from lysosomes, which are now identified as novel acidic Ca2+ stores in trypanosomes. The channels are activated by contact with extracellular matrix and by hypoosmotic stress. The results establish the essentiality of Piezo channels for the life cycle and Ca2+ homeostasis of T. cruzi and a novel lysosomal localization for a Piezo channel in eukaryotes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guozhong Huang
- Center for Tropical and Emerging Global Diseases, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Mayara S Bertolini
- Center for Tropical and Emerging Global Diseases, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Justin Wiedeman
- Center for Tropical and Emerging Global Diseases, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Ronald D Etheridge
- Center for Tropical and Emerging Global Diseases, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, United States of America
- Department of Cellular Biology, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Teresa Cruz-Bustos
- Center for Tropical and Emerging Global Diseases, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Roberto Docampo
- Center for Tropical and Emerging Global Diseases, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, United States of America
- Department of Cellular Biology, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, United States of America
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2
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Niemirowicz GT, Carlevaro G, Campetella O, Bouvier LA, Mucci J. A versatile 2A peptide-based strategy for ectopic expression and endogenous gene tagging in Trypanosoma cruzi. Heliyon 2024; 10:e24595. [PMID: 38304823 PMCID: PMC10830525 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e24595] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2023] [Revised: 01/03/2024] [Accepted: 01/10/2024] [Indexed: 02/03/2024] Open
Abstract
Nearly all expression vectors currently available for Trypanosoma cruzi were conceived to produce a single primary transcript containing the genes of interest along with those that confer antibiotic resistance. However, since each messenger RNA (mRNA) matures separately, drug selection will only guarantee the expression of those derived from the selectable marker. Therefore, commonly a considerable fraction of the cells recovered after selection with these expression vectors, although resistant do not express the protein of interest. Consequently, in order to counteract this disadvantage, we developed vectors with an alternative arrangement in which the gene of interest and antibiotic resistance are fused sharing the same mRNA. To test this configuration, we included the coding sequence for the green fluorescent protein (mEGFP) linked to the one conferring neomycin resistance (Neo). Additionally, to allow for the production of two independent proteins the sequence for a Thosea asigna virus self-cleaving 2A peptide (T2A) was inserted in-between. Cells obtained with these vectors displayed higher mEGFP expression levels with more homogeneous transgenic parasite populations than those transfected with more conventional independent mRNA-based alternatives. Moreover, as determined by Western blot, 2A mediated fusion protein dissociation occurred with high efficiency in all parasite stages. In addition, these vectors could easily be transformed into endogenous tagging constructs that allowed the insertion, by ends-in homologous recombination, of a hemagglutinin tag (HA) fused to the actin gene. The use of 2A self-cleaving peptides in the context of single mRNA vectors represents an interesting strategy capable of improving ectopic transgene expression in T. cruzi as well as providing a simple alternative to more sophisticated methods, such as the one based on CRISPR/Cas9, for the endogenous labeling of genes.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Oscar Campetella
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biotecnológicas, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET). Universidad Nacional de San Martín–Escuela de Bio y Nanotecnologías (EByN). Campus Miguelete, 25 de Mayo y Francia (B1650HMP), San Martín, Argentina
| | - León A. Bouvier
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biotecnológicas, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET). Universidad Nacional de San Martín–Escuela de Bio y Nanotecnologías (EByN). Campus Miguelete, 25 de Mayo y Francia (B1650HMP), San Martín, Argentina
| | - Juan Mucci
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biotecnológicas, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET). Universidad Nacional de San Martín–Escuela de Bio y Nanotecnologías (EByN). Campus Miguelete, 25 de Mayo y Francia (B1650HMP), San Martín, Argentina
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3
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Smircich P, Pérez-Díaz L, Hernández F, Duhagon MA, Garat B. Transcriptomic analysis of the adaptation to prolonged starvation of the insect-dwelling Trypanosoma cruzi epimastigotes. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2023; 13:1138456. [PMID: 37091675 PMCID: PMC10117895 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2023.1138456] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2023] [Accepted: 03/20/2023] [Indexed: 04/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Trypanosoma cruzi is a digenetic unicellular parasite that alternates between a blood-sucking insect and a mammalian, host causing Chagas disease or American trypanosomiasis. In the insect gut, the parasite differentiates from the non-replicative trypomastigote forms that arrive upon blood ingestion to the non-infective replicative epimastigote forms. Epimastigotes develop into infective non-replicative metacyclic trypomastigotes in the rectum and are delivered via the feces. In addition to these parasite stages, transitional forms have been reported. The insect-feeding behavior, characterized by few meals of large blood amounts followed by long periods of starvation, impacts the parasite population density and differentiation, increasing the transitional forms while diminishing both epimastigotes and metacyclic trypomastigotes. To understand the molecular changes caused by nutritional restrictions in the insect host, mid-exponentially growing axenic epimastigotes were cultured for more than 30 days without nutrient supplementation (prolonged starvation). We found that the parasite population in the stationary phase maintains a long period characterized by a total RNA content three times smaller than that of exponentially growing epimastigotes and a distinctive transcriptomic profile. Among the transcriptomic changes induced by nutrient restriction, we found differentially expressed genes related to managing protein quality or content, the reported switch from glucose to amino acid consumption, redox challenge, and surface proteins. The contractile vacuole and reservosomes appeared as cellular components enriched when ontology term overrepresentation analysis was carried out, highlighting the roles of these organelles in starving conditions possibly related to their functions in regulating cell volume and osmoregulation as well as metabolic homeostasis. Consistent with the quiescent status derived from nutrient restriction, genes related to DNA metabolism are regulated during the stationary phase. In addition, we observed differentially expressed genes related to the unique parasite mitochondria. Finally, our study identifies gene expression changes that characterize transitional parasite forms enriched by nutrient restriction. The analysis of the here-disclosed regulated genes and metabolic pathways aims to contribute to the understanding of the molecular changes that this unicellular parasite undergoes in the insect vector.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pablo Smircich
- Sección Genómica Funcional, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay
- Laboratorio de Bioinformática, Departamento de Genómica, Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas Clemente Estable, Montevideo, Uruguay
- *Correspondence: Beatriz Garat, ; Pablo Smircich,
| | - Leticia Pérez-Díaz
- Sección Genómica Funcional, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Fabricio Hernández
- Sección Genómica Funcional, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - María Ana Duhagon
- Sección Genómica Funcional, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay
- Departamento de Genética, Facultad de Medicina Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Beatriz Garat
- Sección Genómica Funcional, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay
- *Correspondence: Beatriz Garat, ; Pablo Smircich,
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4
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Zuma AA, Dos Santos Barrias E, de Souza W. Basic Biology of Trypanosoma cruzi. Curr Pharm Des 2021; 27:1671-1732. [PMID: 33272165 DOI: 10.2174/1381612826999201203213527] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2020] [Revised: 10/01/2020] [Accepted: 10/08/2020] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
The present review addresses basic aspects of the biology of the pathogenic protozoa Trypanosoma cruzi and some comparative information of Trypanosoma brucei. Like eukaryotic cells, their cellular organization is similar to that of mammalian hosts. However, these parasites present structural particularities. That is why the following topics are emphasized in this paper: developmental stages of the life cycle in the vertebrate and invertebrate hosts; the cytoskeleton of the protozoa, especially the sub-pellicular microtubules; the flagellum and its attachment to the protozoan body through specialized junctions; the kinetoplast-mitochondrion complex, including its structural organization and DNA replication; glycosome and its role in the metabolism of the cell; acidocalcisome, describing its morphology, biochemistry, and functional role; cytostome and the endocytic pathway; the organization of the endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi complex; the nucleus, describing its structural organization during interphase and division; and the process of interaction of the parasite with host cells. The unique characteristics of these structures also make them interesting chemotherapeutic targets. Therefore, further understanding of cell biology aspects contributes to the development of drugs for chemotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aline A Zuma
- Laboratorio de Ultraestrutura Celular Hertha Meyer, Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho - Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Emile Dos Santos Barrias
- Laboratorio de Metrologia Aplicada a Ciencias da Vida, Diretoria de Metrologia Aplicada a Ciencias da Vida - Instituto Nacional de Metrologia, Qualidade e Tecnologia (Inmetro), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Wanderley de Souza
- Laboratorio de Ultraestrutura Celular Hertha Meyer, Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho - Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
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5
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Alcantara CL, de Souza W, Cunha E Silva NL. The cytostome-cytopharynx complex of intracellular and extracellular amastigotes of Trypanosoma cruzi exhibit structural and functional differences. Cell Microbiol 2021; 23:e13346. [PMID: 33900003 DOI: 10.1111/cmi.13346] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2020] [Revised: 04/13/2021] [Accepted: 04/22/2021] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Endocytosis in Trypanosoma cruzi is mainly performed through a specialised membrane domain called cytostome-cytopharynx complex. Its ultrastructure and dynamics in endocytosis are well characterized in epimastigotes, being absent in trypomastigotes, that lack endocytic activity. Intracellular amastigotes also possess a cytostome-cytopharynx but participation in endocytosis of these forms is not clear. Extracellular amastigotes can be obtained from the supernatant of infected cells or in vitro amastigogenesis. These amastigotes share biochemical and morphological features with intracellular amastigotes but retain trypomastigote's ability to establish infection. We analysed and compared the ultrastructure of the cytostome-cytopharynx complex of intracellular amastigotes and extracellular amastigotes using high-resolution tridimensional electron microscopy techniques. We compared the endocytic ability of intracellular amastigotes, obtained through host cell lysis, with that of extracellular amastigotes. Intracellular amastigotes showed a cytostome-cytopharynx complex similar to epimastigotes'. However, after isolation, the complex undergoes ultrastructural modifications that progressively took to an impairment of endocytosis. Extracellular amastigotes do not possess a cytostome-cytopharynx complex nor the ability to endocytose. Those observations highlight morpho functional differences between intra and extracellular amastigotes regarding an important structure related to cell metabolism. TAKE AWAYS: T. cruzi intracellular amastigotes endocytose through the cytostome-cytopharynx complex. The cytostome-cytopharynx complex of intracellular amastigotes is ultrastructurally similar to the epimastigote. Intracellular amastigotes, once outside the host cell, disassembles the cytostome-cytopharynx membrane domain. Extracellular amastigotes do not possess a cytostome-cytopharynx either the ability to endocytose.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carolina L Alcantara
- Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.,Núcleo de Biologia Estrutural e Bioimagens (CENABIO)-Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia em Biologia Estrutural e Biomagens (INBEB), Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Wanderley de Souza
- Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.,Núcleo de Biologia Estrutural e Bioimagens (CENABIO)-Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia em Biologia Estrutural e Biomagens (INBEB), Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Narcisa L Cunha E Silva
- Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.,Núcleo de Biologia Estrutural e Bioimagens (CENABIO)-Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia em Biologia Estrutural e Biomagens (INBEB), Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
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6
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Update on relevant trypanosome peptidases: Validated targets and future challenges. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-PROTEINS AND PROTEOMICS 2020; 1869:140577. [PMID: 33271348 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbapap.2020.140577] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2020] [Revised: 11/09/2020] [Accepted: 11/24/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Trypanosoma cruzi, the agent of the American Trypanosomiasis, Chagas disease, and Trypanosoma brucei gambiense and Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense, the agents of Sleeping sickness (Human African Trypanosomiasis, HAT), as well as Trypanosoma brucei brucei, the agent of the cattle disease nagana, contain cysteine, serine, threonine, aspartyl and metallo peptidases. The most abundant among these enzymes are the cysteine proteases from the Clan CA, the Cathepsin L-like cruzipain and rhodesain, and the Cathepsin B-like enzymes, which have essential roles in the parasites and thus are potential targets for chemotherapy. In addition, several other proteases, present in one or both parasites, have been characterized, and some of them are also promising candidates for the developing of new drugs. Recently, new inhibitors, with good selectivity for the parasite proteasomes, have been described and are very promising as lead compounds for the development of new therapies for these neglected diseases. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: "Play and interplay of proteases in health and disease".
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7
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Wang Z, Wheeler RJ, Sunter JD. Lysosome assembly and disassembly changes endocytosis rate through the Leishmania cell cycle. Microbiologyopen 2019; 9:e969. [PMID: 31743959 PMCID: PMC7002101 DOI: 10.1002/mbo3.969] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2019] [Revised: 10/29/2019] [Accepted: 10/30/2019] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
The Leishmania lysosome has an atypical structure, consisting of an elongated vesicle‐filled tubule running along the anterior–posterior axis of the cell, which is termed the multivesicular tubule (MVT) lysosome. Alongside, the MVT lysosome is one or more microtubules, the lysosomal microtubule(s). Previous work indicated there were cell cycle‐related changes in MVT lysosome organization; however, these only provided snapshots and did not connect the changes in the lysosomal microtubule(s) or lysosomal function. Using mNeonGreen tagged cysteine peptidase A and SPEF1 as markers of the MVT lysosome and lysosomal microtubule(s), we examined the dynamics of these structures through the cell cycle. Both the MVT lysosome and lysosomal microtubule(s) elongated at the beginning of the cell cycle before plateauing and then disassembling in late G2 before cytokinesis. Moreover, the endocytic rate in cells where the MVT lysosome and lysosomal microtubule(s) had disassembled was extremely low. The dynamic nature of the MVT lysosome and lysosomal microtubule(s) parallels that of the Trypanosoma cruzi cytostome/cytopharynx, which also has a similar membrane tubule structure with associated microtubules. As the cytostome/cytopharynx is an ancestral feature of the kinetoplastids, this suggests that the Leishmania MVT lysosome and lysosomal microtubule(s) are a reduced cytostome/cytopharynx‐like feature.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ziyin Wang
- Sir William Dunn School of Pathology, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Richard J Wheeler
- The Peter Medawar Building for Pathogen Research, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Jack D Sunter
- Department of Biological and Medical Sciences, Oxford Brookes University, Oxford, UK
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8
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Alcantara CDL, de Souza W, da Cunha E Silva NL. Tridimensional Electron Microscopy Analysis of the Early Endosomes and Endocytic Traffic in Trypanosoma cruzi Epimastigotes. Protist 2018; 169:887-910. [PMID: 30447618 DOI: 10.1016/j.protis.2018.09.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2018] [Revised: 08/25/2018] [Accepted: 09/24/2018] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Trypanosoma cruzi epimastigotes internalize macromolecules avidly by endocytosis. Previously, we identified a tubule-vesicular network likely to correspond to the early-endosomes. However, a detailed ultrastructural characterization of these endosomes was missing. Here, we combined endocytosis assays with ultrastructural data from high-resolution electron microscopy to produce a 3D analysis of epimastigote endosomes and their interactions with endocytic organelles. We showed that endocytic cargo was found in carrier vesicles budding from the cytopharynx. These vesicles appeared to fuse with a tubule-vesicular network of early endosomes identified by ultrastructural features including the presence of intermembrane invaginations and coated membrane sections. Within the posterior region of the cell, endosomes localized preferentially on the side nearest to the cytopharynx microtubules. At 4°C, cargo accumulated at a shortened cytopharynx, and subsequent temperature shift to 12°C led to slow cargo delivery to endosomes and, later, to reservosomes. Bridges between reservosomes and endosomes resemble heterotypic fusion. Reservosomes are excluded from the posterior end of the cell, with no preferential cargo delivery to reservosomes closer to the nucleus. Our 3D analysis indicates that epimastigotes accomplish high-speed endocytic traffic by cargo transfer to a bona fide early-endosome and then directly from endosomes to reservosomes, via multiple and simultaneous heterotypic fusion events.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carolina de Lima Alcantara
- Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 21941-902, RJ, Brazil; Núcleo de Biologia Estrutural e Bioimagens (CENABIO) - Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia em Biologia Estrutural e Biomagens (INBEB), Rio de Janeiro 21941-902, RJ, Brazil.
| | - Wanderley de Souza
- Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 21941-902, RJ, Brazil; Núcleo de Biologia Estrutural e Bioimagens (CENABIO) - Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia em Biologia Estrutural e Biomagens (INBEB), Rio de Janeiro 21941-902, RJ, Brazil
| | - Narcisa L da Cunha E Silva
- Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 21941-902, RJ, Brazil; Núcleo de Biologia Estrutural e Bioimagens (CENABIO) - Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia em Biologia Estrutural e Biomagens (INBEB), Rio de Janeiro 21941-902, RJ, Brazil
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9
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Cruz-Bustos T, Moreno SNJ, Docampo R. Detection of Weakly Expressed Trypanosoma cruzi Membrane Proteins Using High-Performance Probes. J Eukaryot Microbiol 2018. [PMID: 29542839 DOI: 10.1111/jeu.12517] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Membrane proteins in trypanosomatids are, in general, weakly expressed and confirmation of their subcellular localization frequently requires their overexpression with epitope tags. However, overexpression can lead to mislocalization of the probes. Viswanathan et al. (Nat. Methods, 2015, 12:568) described high performance tags for localization of weakly expressed proteins. We report here the use of these protein tags, named "spaghetti monster," for CRISPR/Cas9-mediated C-terminal endogenous tagging of Trypanosoma cruzi to localize two weakly expressed transient receptor potential channels to acidic compartments. The results indicate that this method will improve the detection of membrane proteins in T. cruzi.
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Affiliation(s)
- Teresa Cruz-Bustos
- Center for Tropical and Emerging Global Diseases, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, 30602
| | - Silvia N J Moreno
- Center for Tropical and Emerging Global Diseases, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, 30602.,Department of Cellular Biology, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, 30602
| | - Roberto Docampo
- Center for Tropical and Emerging Global Diseases, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, 30602.,Department of Cellular Biology, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, 30602
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10
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Soprano LL, Parente JE, Landoni M, Couto AS, Duschak VG. Trypanosoma cruzi serinecarboxipeptidase is a sulfated glycoprotein and a minor antigen in human Chagas disease infection. Med Microbiol Immunol 2017; 207:117-128. [DOI: 10.1007/s00430-017-0529-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2016] [Accepted: 12/05/2017] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
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11
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Salas-Sarduy E, Landaburu LU, Karpiak J, Madauss KP, Cazzulo JJ, Agüero F, Alvarez VE. Novel scaffolds for inhibition of Cruzipain identified from high-throughput screening of anti-kinetoplastid chemical boxes. Sci Rep 2017; 7:12073. [PMID: 28935948 PMCID: PMC5608908 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-12170-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2017] [Accepted: 09/04/2017] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
American Trypanosomiasis or Chagas disease is a prevalent, neglected and serious debilitating illness caused by the kinetoplastid protozoan parasite Trypanosoma cruzi. The current chemotherapy is limited only to nifurtimox and benznidazole, two drugs that have poor efficacy in the chronic phase and are rather toxic. In this scenario, more efficacious and safer drugs, preferentially acting through a different mechanism of action and directed against novel targets, are particularly welcome. Cruzipain, the main papain-like cysteine peptidase of T. cruzi, is an important virulence factor and a chemotherapeutic target with excellent pre-clinical validation evidence. Here, we present the identification of new Cruzipain inhibitory scaffolds within the GlaxoSmithKline HAT (Human African Trypanosomiasis) and Chagas chemical boxes, two collections grouping 404 non-cytotoxic compounds with high antiparasitic potency, drug-likeness, structural diversity and scientific novelty. We have adapted a continuous enzymatic assay to a medium-throughput format and carried out a primary screening of both collections, followed by construction and analysis of dose-response curves of the most promising hits. Using the identified compounds as a starting point a substructure directed search against CHEMBL Database revealed plausible common scaffolds while docking experiments predicted binding poses and specific interactions between Cruzipain and the novel inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emir Salas-Sarduy
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biotecnológicas - Instituto Tecnológico de Chascomús, Universidad Nacional de San Martín - CONICET, San Martin, B1650HMP, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Lionel Urán Landaburu
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biotecnológicas - Instituto Tecnológico de Chascomús, Universidad Nacional de San Martín - CONICET, San Martin, B1650HMP, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Joel Karpiak
- GlaxoSmithKline R&D, Molecular Design US, Pennsylvania, Upper Providence PA, USA
| | - Kevin P Madauss
- GlaxoSmithKline R&D, Trust in Science, Pennsylvania, Upper Providence PA, USA
| | - Juan José Cazzulo
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biotecnológicas - Instituto Tecnológico de Chascomús, Universidad Nacional de San Martín - CONICET, San Martin, B1650HMP, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Fernán Agüero
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biotecnológicas - Instituto Tecnológico de Chascomús, Universidad Nacional de San Martín - CONICET, San Martin, B1650HMP, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
| | - Vanina Eder Alvarez
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biotecnológicas - Instituto Tecnológico de Chascomús, Universidad Nacional de San Martín - CONICET, San Martin, B1650HMP, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
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12
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Moreira CMDN, Batista CM, Fernandes JC, Kessler RL, Soares MJ, Fragoso SP. Knockout of the gamma subunit of the AP-1 adaptor complex in the human parasite Trypanosoma cruzi impairs infectivity and differentiation and prevents the maturation and targeting of the major protease cruzipain. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0179615. [PMID: 28759609 PMCID: PMC5536268 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0179615] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2017] [Accepted: 05/31/2017] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The AP-1 Adaptor Complex assists clathrin-coated vesicle assembly in the trans-Golgi network (TGN) of eukaryotic cells. However, the role of AP-1 in the protozoan Trypanosoma cruzi-the Chagas disease parasite-has not been addressed. Here, we studied the function and localization of AP-1 in different T. cruzi life cycle forms, by generating a gene knockout of the large AP-1 subunit gamma adaptin (TcAP1-γ), and raising a monoclonal antibody against TcAP1-γ. Co-localization with a Golgi marker and with the clathrin light chain showed that TcAP1-γ is located in the Golgi, and it may interact with clathrin in vivo, at the TGN. Epimastigote (insect form) parasites lacking TcAP1-γ (TcγKO) have reduced proliferation and differentiation into infective metacyclic trypomastigotes (compared with wild-type parasites). TcγKO parasites have also displayed significantly reduced infectivity towards mammalian cells. Importantly, TcAP1-γ knockout impaired maturation and transport to lysosome-related organelles (reservosomes) of a key cargo-the major cysteine protease cruzipain, which is important for parasite nutrition, differentiation and infection. In conclusion, the defective processing and transport of cruzipain upon AP-1 ablation may underlie the phenotype of TcγKO parasites.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Rafael Luis Kessler
- Laboratory of Functional Genomics. Instituto Carlos Chagas/Fiocruz, Curitiba - PR, Brazil
| | - Maurilio José Soares
- Laboratory of Cell Biology, Instituto Carlos Chagas/Fiocruz, Curitiba - PR, Brazil
| | - Stenio Perdigão Fragoso
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology of Trypanosomatids, Instituto Carlos Chagas/Fiocruz, Curitiba - PR, Brazil
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Huang X, Xu CL, Chen WZ, Chen C, Xie H. Cloning and characterization of the first serine carboxypeptidase from a plant parasitic nematode, Radopholus similis. Sci Rep 2017; 7:4815. [PMID: 28684768 PMCID: PMC5500496 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-05093-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2016] [Accepted: 05/24/2017] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Radopholus similis is an important parasitic nematode of plants. Serine carboxypeptidases (SCPs) are peptidases that hydrolyse peptides and proteins and play critical roles in the development, invasion, and pathogenesis of certain parasitic nematodes and other animal pathogens. In this study, we obtained the full-length sequence of the SCP gene from R. similis (Rs-scp-1), which is 1665 bp long and includes a 1461-bp open reading frames encoding 486 amino acids with an 18-aa signal peptide. This gene is a double-copy gene in R. similis. Rs-scp-1 was expressed in the procorpus, esophageal glands and intestines of females and in the esophageal glands and intestines of juveniles. Rs-scp-1 expression levels were highest in females, followed by juveniles and males, and lowest in eggs. Rs-scp-1 expression levels were significantly suppressed after R. similis was soaked in Rs-scp-1 dsRNA for 12 h. Nematodes were then inoculated into Anthurium andraeanum after RNAi treatment. Compared with water treatment, R. similis treated with RNAi were reduced in number and pathogenicity. In summary, we obtained the first SCP gene from a plant parasitic nematode and confirmed its role in the parasitic process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin Huang
- Laboratory of Plant Nematology and Research Center of Nematodes of Plant Quarantine, Department of Plant Pathology, College of Agriculture, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Chun-Ling Xu
- Laboratory of Plant Nematology and Research Center of Nematodes of Plant Quarantine, Department of Plant Pathology, College of Agriculture, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Wan-Zhu Chen
- Laboratory of Plant Nematology and Research Center of Nematodes of Plant Quarantine, Department of Plant Pathology, College of Agriculture, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Chun Chen
- Laboratory of Plant Nematology and Research Center of Nematodes of Plant Quarantine, Department of Plant Pathology, College of Agriculture, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Hui Xie
- Laboratory of Plant Nematology and Research Center of Nematodes of Plant Quarantine, Department of Plant Pathology, College of Agriculture, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China.
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Lysosome-like compartments of Trypanosoma cruzi trypomastigotes may originate directly from epimastigote reservosomes. Parasitology 2017; 144:841-850. [DOI: 10.1017/s0031182016002602] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
SUMMARYTrypanosoma cruzi epimastigote reservosomes store nutrients taken up during the intense endocytic activity exhibited by this developmental form. Reservosomes were classified as pre-lysosomal compartments. In contrast, trypomastigote forms are not able to take up nutrients from the medium. Interestingly, trypomastigotes also have acidic organelles with the same proteases contained in epimastigote reservosomes. Nevertheless, the origin and function of these organelles have not been disclosed so far. Given the similarities between the compartments of epimastigotes and trypomastigotes, the present study aimed to investigate the origin of metacyclic trypomastigote protease-containing organelles by tracking fluorospheres or colloidal gold particles previously stored in epimastigotes’ reservosomes throughout metacyclogenesis. Using three-dimensional reconstruction of serial electron microscopy images, it was possible to find trypomastigote compartments containing the tracer. Our observations demonstrate that the protease-containing compartments from metacyclic trypomastigotes may originate directly from the reservosomes of epimastigotes.
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Lechuga GC, Borges JC, Calvet CM, de Araújo HP, Zuma AA, do Nascimento SB, Motta MCM, Bernardino AMR, Pereira MCDS, Bourguignon SC. Interactions between 4-aminoquinoline and heme: Promising mechanism against Trypanosoma cruzi. Int J Parasitol Drugs Drug Resist 2016; 6:154-164. [PMID: 27490082 PMCID: PMC4971285 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpddr.2016.07.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2015] [Revised: 06/25/2016] [Accepted: 07/12/2016] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Chagas disease is a neglected tropical disease caused by the flagellated protozoan Trypanosoma cruzi. The current drugs used to treat this disease have limited efficacy and produce severe side effects. Quinolines, nitrogen heterocycle compounds that form complexes with heme, have a broad spectrum of antiprotozoal activity and are a promising class of new compounds for Chagas disease chemotherapy. In this study, we evaluated the activity of a series of 4-arylaminoquinoline-3-carbonitrile derivatives against all forms of Trypanosoma cruzi in vitro. Compound 1g showed promising activity against epimastigote forms when combined with hemin (IC50<1 μM), with better performance than benznidazole, the reference drug. This compound also inhibited the viability of trypomastigotes and intracellular amastigotes. The potency of 1g in combination with heme was enhanced against epimastigotes and trypomastigotes, suggesting a similar mechanism of action that occurs in Plasmodium spp. The addition of hemin to the culture medium increased trypanocidal activity of analog 1g without changing the cytotoxicity of the host cell, reaching an IC50 of 11.7 μM for trypomastigotes. The mechanism of action was demonstrated by the interaction of compound 1g with hemin in solution and prevention of heme peroxidation. Compound 1g and heme treatment induced alterations of the mitochondrion-kinetoplast complex in epimastigotes and trypomastigotes and also, accumulation of electron-dense deposits in amastigotes as visualized by transmission electron microscopy. The trypanocidal activity of 4-aminoquinolines and the elucidation of the mechanism involving interaction with heme is a neglected field of research, given the parasite's lack of heme biosynthetic pathway and the importance of this cofactor for parasite survival and growth. The results of this study can improve and guide rational drug development and combination treatment strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guilherme Curty Lechuga
- Laboratório de Interação celular e molecular, Departamento de Biologia Celular e Molecular, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Rua Outeiro São João Batista, 24020-141, Niterói, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Júlio Cesar Borges
- Departamento de Química Orgânica, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Rua Outeiro São João Batista, 24020-141, Niterói, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; Instituto Federal de Educação, Ciência e Tecnologia do Rio de Janeiro, Campus Nilópolis, 26530-060, RJ, Brazil
| | - Claudia Magalhães Calvet
- Laboratório de Ultraestrutura Celular, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Avenida Brasil 4365, 21040-360, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Humberto Pinheiro de Araújo
- Departamento de Imunologia, Instituto Nacional de Controle de Qualidade em Saúde, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Avenida Brasil 4365, 21040-360, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Aline Araujo Zuma
- Laboratório de Ultraestrutura Celular Hertha Meyer, Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Avenida Carlos Chagas Filho, 373-bloco G. Cidade Universitária, Ilha do Fundão, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Samara Braga do Nascimento
- Laboratório de Interação celular e molecular, Departamento de Biologia Celular e Molecular, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Rua Outeiro São João Batista, 24020-141, Niterói, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Maria Cristina Machado Motta
- Laboratório de Ultraestrutura Celular Hertha Meyer, Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Avenida Carlos Chagas Filho, 373-bloco G. Cidade Universitária, Ilha do Fundão, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | | | - Mirian Claudia de Souza Pereira
- Laboratório de Ultraestrutura Celular, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Avenida Brasil 4365, 21040-360, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.
| | - Saulo Cabral Bourguignon
- Laboratório de Interação celular e molecular, Departamento de Biologia Celular e Molecular, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Rua Outeiro São João Batista, 24020-141, Niterói, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
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16
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Brosson S, Fontaine F, Vermeersch M, Perez-Morga D, Pays E, Bousbata S, Salmon D. Specific Endocytosis Blockade of Trypanosoma cruzi Exposed to a Poly-LAcNAc Binding Lectin Suggests that Lectin-Sugar Interactions Participate to Receptor-Mediated Endocytosis. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0163302. [PMID: 27685262 PMCID: PMC5042520 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0163302] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2016] [Accepted: 09/07/2016] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Trypanosoma cruzi is a protozoan parasite transmitted by a triatomine insect, and causing human Chagas disease in South America. This parasite undergoes a complex life cycle alternating between non-proliferative and dividing forms. Owing to their high energy requirement, replicative epimastigotes of the insect midgut display high endocytic activity. This activity is mainly restricted to the cytostome, by which the cargo is taken up and sorted through the endosomal vesicular network to be delivered to reservosomes, the final lysosomal-like compartments. In African trypanosomes tomato lectin (TL) and ricin, respectively specific to poly-N-acetyllactosamine (poly-LacNAc) and β-D-galactose, allowed the identification of giant chains of poly-LacNAc in N-glycoproteins of the endocytic pathway. We show that in T. cruzi epimastigote forms also, glycoproteins of the endocytic pathway are characterized by the presence of N-linked glycans binding to both ricin and TL. Affinity chromatography using both TL and Griffonia simplicifolia lectin II (GSLII), specific to non-reducing terminal residue of N-acetylglucosamine (GlcNAc), led to an enrichment of glycoproteins of the trypanosomal endocytic pathway. Incubation of live parasites with TL, which selectively bound to the cytostome/cytopharynx, specifically inhibited endocytosis of transferrin (Tf) but not dextran, a marker of fluid endocytosis. Taken together, our data suggest that N-glycan modification of endocytic components plays a crucial role in receptor-mediated endocytosis of T. cruzi.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sébastien Brosson
- Laboratory of Molecular Parasitology, Institute of Molecular Biology and Medicine, Université Libre de Bruxelles, 12 rue des Professeurs Jeener et Brachet, B-6041 Gosselies, Belgium
| | - Frédéric Fontaine
- Laboratory of Molecular Parasitology, Institute of Molecular Biology and Medicine, Université Libre de Bruxelles, 12 rue des Professeurs Jeener et Brachet, B-6041 Gosselies, Belgium
| | - Marjorie Vermeersch
- Center for Microscopy and Molecular Imaging-CMMI, Université Libre de Bruxelles, 8 rue Adrienne Bolland, B-6041 Gosselies, Belgium
| | - David Perez-Morga
- Laboratory of Molecular Parasitology, Institute of Molecular Biology and Medicine, Université Libre de Bruxelles, 12 rue des Professeurs Jeener et Brachet, B-6041 Gosselies, Belgium
- Center for Microscopy and Molecular Imaging-CMMI, Université Libre de Bruxelles, 8 rue Adrienne Bolland, B-6041 Gosselies, Belgium
| | - Etienne Pays
- Laboratory of Molecular Parasitology, Institute of Molecular Biology and Medicine, Université Libre de Bruxelles, 12 rue des Professeurs Jeener et Brachet, B-6041 Gosselies, Belgium
| | - Sabrina Bousbata
- Laboratory of Molecular Parasitology, Institute of Molecular Biology and Medicine, Université Libre de Bruxelles, 12 rue des Professeurs Jeener et Brachet, B-6041 Gosselies, Belgium
- * E-mail: (DS); (SB)
| | - Didier Salmon
- Laboratory of Molecular Parasitology, Institute of Molecular Biology and Medicine, Université Libre de Bruxelles, 12 rue des Professeurs Jeener et Brachet, B-6041 Gosselies, Belgium
- Institute of Medical Biochemistry Leopoldo de Meis, Centro de Ciências e da Saúde, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Av. Brigadeiro Trompowsky, Rio de Janeiro, 21941-590, Brazil
- * E-mail: (DS); (SB)
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Cooper C, Clode PL, Peacock C, Thompson RCA. Host-Parasite Relationships and Life Histories of Trypanosomes in Australia. ADVANCES IN PARASITOLOGY 2016; 97:47-109. [PMID: 28325373 DOI: 10.1016/bs.apar.2016.06.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Trypanosomes constitute a group of flagellate protozoan parasites responsible for a number of important, yet neglected, diseases in both humans and livestock. The most significantly studied include the causative agents of African sleeping sickness (Trypanosoma brucei) and Chagas disease (Trypanosoma cruzi) in humans. Much of our knowledge about trypanosome host-parasite relationships and life histories has come from these two human pathogens. Recent investigations into the diversity and life histories of wildlife trypanosomes in Australia highlight that there exists a great degree of biological and behavioural variation within and between trypanosomes. In addition, the genetic relationships between some Australian trypanosomes show that they are unexpectedly more closely related to species outside Australia than within it. These findings have led to a growing focus on the importance of understanding parasites occurring naturally in wildlife to (1) better document parasite biodiversity, (2) determine evolutionary relationships and degree of host specificity, (3) understand host-parasite interactions and the role of parasites in the natural ecosystem and (4) identify biosecurity issues of emerging disease in both wildlife and human populations. Here we review what is known about the diversity, life histories, host-parasite interactions and evolutionary relationships of trypanosomes in Australian wildlife. In this context, we focus upon the genetic proximity of key Australian species to the pathogenic T. cruzi and discuss similarities in their biology and behaviour that present a potential risk of human disease transmission by Australian vectors and wildlife.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Cooper
- The University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA, Australia
| | - P L Clode
- The University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA, Australia
| | - C Peacock
- The University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA, Australia; Telethon Kids Institute, Subiaco, WA, Australia
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18
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Alves LR, Goldenberg S. RNA-binding proteins related to stress response and differentiation in protozoa. World J Biol Chem 2016; 7:78-87. [PMID: 26981197 PMCID: PMC4768126 DOI: 10.4331/wjbc.v7.i1.78] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2015] [Revised: 09/23/2015] [Accepted: 11/17/2015] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) are key regulators of gene expression. There are several distinct families of RBPs and they are involved in the cellular response to environmental changes, cell differentiation and cell death. The RBPs can differentially combine with RNA molecules and form ribonucleoprotein (RNP) complexes, defining the function and fate of RNA molecules in the cell. RBPs display diverse domains that allow them to be categorized into distinct families. They play important roles in the cellular response to physiological stress, in cell differentiation, and, it is believed, in the cellular localization of certain mRNAs. In several protozoa, a physiological stress (nutritional, temperature or pH) triggers differentiation to a distinct developmental stage. Most of the RBPs characterized in protozoa arise from trypanosomatids. In these protozoa gene expression regulation is mostly post-transcriptional, which suggests that some RBPs might display regulatory functions distinct from those described for other eukaryotes. mRNA stability can be altered as a response to stress. Transcripts are sequestered to RNA granules that ultimately modulate their availability to the translation machinery, storage or degradation, depending on the associated proteins. These aggregates of mRNPs containing mRNAs that are not being translated colocalize in cytoplasmic foci, and their numbers and size vary according to cell conditions such as oxidative stress, nutritional status and treatment with drugs that inhibit translation.
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19
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Lemos M, Fermino BR, Simas-Rodrigues C, Hoffmann L, Silva R, Camargo EP, Teixeira MMG, Souto-Padrón T. Phylogenetic and morphological characterization of trypanosomes from Brazilian armoured catfishes and leeches reveal high species diversity, mixed infections and a new fish trypanosome species. Parasit Vectors 2015; 8:573. [PMID: 26546294 PMCID: PMC4636803 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-015-1193-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2015] [Accepted: 10/31/2015] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Several Trypanosoma species transmitted by leeches infect marine and freshwater fish worldwide. To date, all South American fish trypanosome species identified have been based on unreliable morphological parameters. We recently isolated and cultured trypanosomes from the Brazilian armoured catfishes Hypostomus luetkeni and H. affinis. Here, we report the first phylogenetic analyses of South American (Brazilian) trypanosomes isolated from fish, and from leeches removed from these fish. We also analysed morphologically and morphometrically the different forms of fish, leech and cultured trypanosomes. Methods V7V8 SSU rRNA and gGAPDH sequences were used for phylogenetic analysis of Brazilian fish and leech trypanosomes. Trypanosomes from cultures, fish blood and leech samples were also characterized morphologically and morphometrically by light and electron microscopy. Results In blood smears from fish high trypanosome prevalence (90–100 %) and parasitemia (0.9-1.0x102) were observed. Phylogenetic relationships using SSU rRNA and gGAPDH showed that, despite relevant sequence divergence, all Brazilian fish (and derived cultures) and leech trypanosomes clustered together into a single clade. The Brazilian clade clustered with European, North American and African fish trypanosomes. Based on sequence analysis, we uncovered a new species of Brazilian fish trypanosome, Trypanosoma abeli n. sp. Trypanosoma abeli cultures contained pleomorphic epimastigotes, small trypomastigotes and rare sphaeromastigotes. Ultrastructural features of T. abeli included a cytostome-cytopharynx complex in epi- and trypomastigotes, a compact rod-like kinetoplast, lysosome-related organelles (LROs) and multivesicular bodies. Trypanosomes found in fish blood smears and leech samples were highly pleomorphic, in agreement with sequence data suggesting that catfishes and leeches often have mixed trypanosome infections. Conclusions Trypanosoma abeli n. sp. is the first trypanosome from South American fishes isolated in culture, positioned in phylogenetic trees and characterized at the ultrastructural level. Trypanosoma abeli n. sp. is highly prevalent in H. luetkeni and H. affinis armoured catfish from the Atlantic Forest biome, and in other catfish species from the Amazon and the Pantanal. Sequencing data suggested that Brazilian catfish often have mixed trypanosome infections, highlighting the importance of molecular characterization to identify trypanosome species in fishes and leeches. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13071-015-1193-7) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Moara Lemos
- Departamento de Microbiologia Geral, Instituto de Microbiologia Paulo de Góes, Centro de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Bloco I, sala 019. Av. Carlos Chagas Filho, 373, Ilha do Fundão, Rio de janeiro, 21941-902, Brazil. .,Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia em Biologia Estrutural e Bioimagens, Centro de Ciências da Saúde, bloco I, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
| | - Bruno R Fermino
- Departamento de Parasitologia, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.
| | - Cíntia Simas-Rodrigues
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Instituto de Química, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.
| | - Luísa Hoffmann
- Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. .,Instituto Nacional para Pesquisa Translacional em Saúde e Ambiente na Região Amazônica, Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico/MCT, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
| | - Rosane Silva
- Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. .,Instituto Nacional para Pesquisa Translacional em Saúde e Ambiente na Região Amazônica, Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico/MCT, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
| | - Erney P Camargo
- Departamento de Parasitologia, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.
| | - Marta M G Teixeira
- Departamento de Parasitologia, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.
| | - Thaïs Souto-Padrón
- Departamento de Microbiologia Geral, Instituto de Microbiologia Paulo de Góes, Centro de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Bloco I, sala 019. Av. Carlos Chagas Filho, 373, Ilha do Fundão, Rio de janeiro, 21941-902, Brazil. .,Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia em Biologia Estrutural e Bioimagens, Centro de Ciências da Saúde, bloco I, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
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A Novel Trypanosoma cruzi Protein Associated to the Flagellar Pocket of Replicative Stages and Involved in Parasite Growth. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0130099. [PMID: 26086767 PMCID: PMC4472858 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0130099] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2014] [Accepted: 05/15/2015] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The flagellar pocket constitutes an active and strategic site in the body of trypanosomatids (i.e. parasitic protozoa that cause important human and/or livestock diseases), which participates in several important processes such as cell polarity, morphogenesis and replication. Most importantly, the flagellar pocket is the unique site of surface protein export and nutrient uptake in trypanosomatids, and thus constitutes a key portal for the interaction with the host. In this work, we identified and characterized a novel Trypanosoma cruzi protein, termed TCLP 1, that accumulates at the flagellar pocket area of parasite replicative forms, as revealed by biochemical, immuno-cytochemistry and electron microscopy techniques. Different in silico analyses revealed that TCLP 1 is the founding member of a family of chimeric molecules restricted to trypanosomatids bearing, in addition to eukaryotic ubiquitin-like and protein-protein interacting domains, a motif displaying significant structural homology to bacterial multi-cargo chaperones involved in the secretion of virulence factors. Using the fidelity of an homologous expression system we confirmed TCLP 1 sub-cellular distribution and showed that TCLP 1-over-expressing parasites display impaired survival and accelerated progression to late stationary phase under starvation conditions. The reduced endocytic capacity of TCLP 1-over-expressors likely underlies (at least in part) this growth phenotype. TCLP 1 is involved in the uptake of extracellular macromolecules required for nutrition and hence in T. cruzi growth. Due to the bacterial origin, sub-cellular distribution and putative function(s), we propose TCLP 1 and related orthologs in trypanosomatids as appealing therapeutic targets for intervention against these health-threatening parasites.
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Batista CM, Kessler RL, Eger I, Soares MJ. Trypanosoma cruzi Intracellular Amastigotes Isolated by Nitrogen Decompression Are Capable of Endocytosis and Cargo Storage in Reservosomes. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0130165. [PMID: 26057131 PMCID: PMC4461355 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0130165] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2015] [Accepted: 05/18/2015] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Epimastigote forms of Trypanosoma cruzi (the etiologic agent of Chagas disease) internalize and store extracellular macromolecules in lysosome-related organelles (LROs) called reservosomes, which are positive for the cysteine protease cruzipain. Despite the importance of endocytosis for cell proliferation, macromolecule internalization remains poorly understood in the most clinically relevant proliferative form, the intracellular amastigotes found in mammalian hosts. The main obstacle was the lack of a simple method to isolate viable intracellular amastigotes from host cells. In this work we describe the fast and efficient isolation of viable intracellular amastigotes by nitrogen decompression (cavitation), which allowed the analysis of amastigote endocytosis, with direct visualization of internalized cargo inside the cells. The method routinely yielded 5x107 amastigotes—with typical shape and positive for the amastigote marker Ssp4—from 5x106 infected Vero cells (48h post-infection). We could visualize the endocytosis of fluorescently-labeled transferrin and albumin by isolated intracellular amastigotes using immunofluorescence microscopy; however, only transferrin endocytosis was detected by flow cytometry (and was also analyzed by western blotting), suggesting that amastigotes internalized relatively low levels of albumin. Transferrin binding to the surface of amastigotes (at 4°C) and its uptake (at 37°C) were confirmed by binding dissociation assays using acetic acid. Importantly, both transferrin and albumin co-localized with cruzipain in amastigote LROs. Our data show that isolated T. cruzi intracellular amastigotes actively ingest macromolecules from the environment and store them in cruzipain-positive LROs functionally related to epimastigote reservosomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cassiano Martin Batista
- Laboratório de Biologia Celular, Instituto Carlos Chagas/Fiocruz-PR, Curitiba, Paraná, Brazil
- * E-mail:
| | - Rafael Luis Kessler
- Laboratório de Genômica Funcional, Instituto Carlos Chagas/Fiocruz-PR, Curitiba, Paraná, Brazil
| | - Iriane Eger
- Laboratório de Biologia Celular, Instituto Carlos Chagas/Fiocruz-PR, Curitiba, Paraná, Brazil
- Departamento de Biologia Geral, Universidade Estadual de Ponta Grossa, Ponta Grossa, Paraná, Brazil
| | - Maurilio José Soares
- Laboratório de Biologia Celular, Instituto Carlos Chagas/Fiocruz-PR, Curitiba, Paraná, Brazil
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22
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Brunoro GVF, Caminha MA, Ferreira ATDS, Leprevost FDV, Carvalho PC, Perales J, Valente RH, Menna-Barreto RFS. Reevaluating the Trypanosoma cruzi proteomic map: The shotgun description of bloodstream trypomastigotes. J Proteomics 2015; 115:58-65. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jprot.2014.12.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2014] [Revised: 12/04/2014] [Accepted: 12/11/2014] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
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Golgi UDP-GlcNAc:polypeptide O-α-N-Acetyl-d-glucosaminyltransferase 2 (TcOGNT2) regulates trypomastigote production and function in Trypanosoma cruzi. EUKARYOTIC CELL 2014; 13:1312-27. [PMID: 25084865 DOI: 10.1128/ec.00165-14] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
All life cycle stages of the protozoan parasite Trypanosoma cruzi are enveloped by mucin-like glycoproteins which, despite major changes in their polypeptide cores, are extensively and similarly O-glycosylated. O-Glycan biosynthesis is initiated by the addition of αGlcNAc to Thr in a reaction catalyzed by Golgi UDP-GlcNAc:polypeptide O-α-N-acetyl-d-glucosaminyltransferases (ppαGlcNAcTs), which are encoded by TcOGNT1 and TcOGNT2. We now directly show that TcOGNT2 is associated with the Golgi apparatus of the epimastigote stage and is markedly downregulated in both differentiated metacyclic trypomastigotes (MCTs) and cell culture-derived trypomastigotes (TCTs). The significance of downregulation was examined by forced continued expression of TcOGNT2, which resulted in a substantial increase of TcOGNT2 protein levels but only modestly increased ppαGlcNAcT activity in extracts and altered cell surface glycosylation in TCTs. Constitutive TcOGNT2 overexpression had no discernible effect on proliferating epimastigotes but negatively affected production of both types of trypomastigotes. MCTs differentiated from epimastigotes at a low frequency, though they were apparently normal based on morphological and biochemical criteria. However, these MCTs exhibited an impaired ability to produce amastigotes and TCTs in cell culture monolayers, most likely due to a reduced infection frequency. Remarkably, inhibition of MCT production did not depend on TcOGNT2 catalytic activity, whereas TCT production was inhibited only by active TcOGNT2. These findings indicate that TcOGNT2 downregulation is important for proper differentiation of MCTs and functioning of TCTs and that TcOGNT2 regulates these functions by using both catalytic and noncatalytic mechanisms.
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Rodrigues JCF, Godinho JLP, de Souza W. Biology of human pathogenic trypanosomatids: epidemiology, lifecycle and ultrastructure. Subcell Biochem 2014; 74:1-42. [PMID: 24264239 DOI: 10.1007/978-94-007-7305-9_1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 74] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
Leishmania and Trypanosoma belong to the Trypanosomatidae family and cause important human infections such as leishmaniasis, Chagas disease, and sleeping sickness. Leishmaniasis, caused by protozoa belonging to Leishmania, affects about 12 million people worldwide and can present different clinical manifestations, i.e., visceral leishmaniasis (VL), cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL), mucocutaneous leishmaniasis (MCL), diffuse cutaneous leishmaniasis (DCL), and post-kala-azar dermal leishmaniasis (PKDL). Chagas disease, also known as American trypanosomiasis, is caused by Trypanosoma cruzi and is mainly prevalent in Latin America but is increasingly occurring in the United States, Canada, and Europe. Sleeping sickness or human African trypanosomiasis (HAT), caused by two sub-species of Trypanosoma brucei (i.e., T. b. rhodesiense and T. b. gambiense), occurs only in sub-Saharan Africa countries. These pathogenic trypanosomatids alternate between invertebrate and vertebrate hosts throughout their lifecycles, and different developmental stages can live inside the host cells and circulate in the bloodstream or in the insect gut. Trypanosomatids have a classical eukaryotic ultrastructural organization with some of the same main organelles found in mammalian host cells, while also containing special structures and organelles that are absent in other eukaryotic organisms. For example, the mitochondrion is ramified and contains a region known as the kinetoplast, which houses the mitochondrial DNA. Also, the glycosomes are specialized peroxisomes containing glycolytic pathway enzymes. Moreover, a layer of subpellicular microtubules confers mechanic rigidity to the cell. Some of these structures have been investigated to determine their function and identify potential enzymes and metabolic pathways that may constitute targets for new chemotherapeutic drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juliany Cola Fernandes Rodrigues
- Laboratório de Ultraestrutura Celular Hertha Meyer, Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Centro de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil,
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Oliveira MPDC, Ramos TCP, Pinheiro AMVN, Bertini S, Takahashi HK, Straus AH, Haapalainen EF. Tridimensional ultrastructure and glycolipid pattern studies of Trypanosoma dionisii. Acta Trop 2013; 128:548-56. [PMID: 23933185 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2013.08.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2013] [Revised: 07/17/2013] [Accepted: 08/01/2013] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Trypanosoma (Schizotrypanum) dionisii is a non-pathogenic bat trypanosome closely related to Trypanosoma cruzi, the etiological agent of Chaga's disease. Both kinetoplastids present similar morphological stages and are able to infect mammalian cells in culture. In the present study we examined 3D ultrastructure aspects of the two species by serial sectioning epimastigote and trypomastigote forms, and identified common carbohydrate epitopes expressed in T. dionisii, T. cruzi and Leishmania major. A major difference in 3D morphology was that T. dionisii epimastigote forms present larger multivesicular structures, restricted to the parasite posterior region. These structures could be related to T. cruzi reservosomes and are also rich in cruzipain, the major cysteine-proteinase of T. cruzi. We analyzed the reactivity of two monoclonal antibodies: MEST-1 directed to galactofuranose residues of glycolipids purified from Paracoccidioides brasiliensis, and BST-1 directed to glycolipids purified from T. cruzi epimastigotes. Both antibodies were reactive with T. dionisii epimastigotes by indirect immunofluorescense, but we noted differences in the location and intensity of the epitopes, when compared to T. cruzi. In summary, despite similar features in cellular structure and life cycle of T. dionisii and T. cruzi, we observed a unique morphological characteristic in T. dionisii that deserves to be explored.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miriam Pires de Castro Oliveira
- Departamento de Biologia Estrutural e Funcional, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Rua Botucatu, 740, São Paulo, SP, 04023-900, Brazil.
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Salas-Sarduy E, Cabrera-Muñoz A, Cauerhff A, González-González Y, Trejo SA, Chidichimo A, Chávez-Planes MDLA, Cazzulo JJ. Antiparasitic effect of a fraction enriched in tight-binding protease inhibitors isolated from the Caribbean coral Plexaura homomalla. Exp Parasitol 2013; 135:611-22. [DOI: 10.1016/j.exppara.2013.09.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2013] [Revised: 09/17/2013] [Accepted: 09/22/2013] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
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Bayer-Santos E, Cunha-e-Silva NL, Yoshida N, Franco da Silveira J. Expression and cellular trafficking of GP82 and GP90 glycoproteins during Trypanosoma cruzi metacyclogenesis. Parasit Vectors 2013; 6:127. [PMID: 23634710 PMCID: PMC3652755 DOI: 10.1186/1756-3305-6-127] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2012] [Accepted: 04/23/2013] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The transformation of noninfective epimastigotes into infective metacyclic trypomastigotes (metacyclogenesis) is a fundamental step in the life cycle of Trypanosoma cruzi, comprising several morphological and biochemical changes. GP82 and GP90 are glycoproteins expressed at the surface of metacyclic trypomastigote, with opposite roles in mammalian cell invasion. GP82 is an adhesin that promotes cell invasion, while GP90 acts as a negative regulator of parasite internalization. Our understanding of the synthesis and intracellular trafficking of GP82 and GP90 during metacyclogenesis is still limited. Therefore, we decided to determine whether GP82 and GP90 are expressed only in fully differentiated metacyclic forms or they start to be expressed in intermediate forms undergoing differentiation. Methods Parasite populations enriched in intermediate forms undergoing differentiation were analyzed by quantitative real-time PCR, Western blot, flow cytometry and immunofluorescence to assess GP82 and GP90 expression. Results We found that GP82 and GP90 mRNAs and proteins are expressed in intermediate forms and reach higher levels in fully differentiated metacyclic forms. Surprisingly, GP82 and GP90 presented distinct cellular localizations in intermediate forms compared to metacyclic trypomastigotes. In intermediate forms, GP82 is localized in organelles at the posterior region and colocalizes with cruzipain, while GP90 is localized at the flagellar pocket region. Conclusions This study discloses new aspects of protein expression and trafficking during T. cruzi differentiation by showing that the machinery involved in GP82 and GP90 gene expression starts to operate early in the differentiation process and that different secretion pathways are responsible for delivering these glycoproteins toward the cell surface.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ethel Bayer-Santos
- Departamento de Microbiologia, Imunologia e Parasitologia, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP 04023-062, Brazil
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Kessler RL, Soares MJ, Probst CM, Krieger MA. Trypanosoma cruzi response to sterol biosynthesis inhibitors: morphophysiological alterations leading to cell death. PLoS One 2013; 8:e55497. [PMID: 23383204 PMCID: PMC3561218 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0055497] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2012] [Accepted: 12/23/2012] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The protozoan parasite Trypanosoma cruzi displays similarities to fungi in terms of its sterol lipid biosynthesis, as ergosterol and other 24-alkylated sterols are its principal endogenous sterols. The sterol pathway is thus a potential drug target for the treatment of Chagas disease. We describe here a comparative study of the growth inhibition, ultrastructural and physiological changes leading to the death of T. cruzi cells following treatment with the sterol biosynthesis inhibitors (SBIs) ketoconazole and lovastatin. We first calculated the drug concentration inhibiting epimastigote growth by 50% (EC(50)/72 h) or killing all cells within 24 hours (EC(100)/24 h). Incubation with inhibitors at the EC(50)/72 h resulted in interesting morphological changes: intense proliferation of the inner mitochondrial membrane, which was corroborated by flow cytometry and confocal microscopy of the parasites stained with rhodamine 123, and strong swelling of the reservosomes, which was confirmed by acridine orange staining. These changes to the mitochondria and reservosomes may reflect the involvement of these organelles in ergosterol biosynthesis or the progressive autophagic process culminating in cell lysis after 6 to 7 days of treatment with SBIs at the EC(50)/72 h. By contrast, treatment with SBIs at the EC(100)/24 h resulted in rapid cell death with a necrotic phenotype: time-dependent cytosolic calcium overload, mitochondrial depolarization and reservosome membrane permeabilization (RMP), culminating in cell lysis after a few hours of drug exposure. We provide the first demonstration that RMP constitutes the "point of no return" in the cell death cascade, and propose a model for the necrotic cell death of T. cruzi. Thus, SBIs trigger cell death by different mechanisms, depending on the dose used, in T. cruzi. These findings shed new light on ergosterol biosynthesis and the mechanisms of programmed cell death in this ancient protozoan parasite.
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Teixeira DE, Benchimol M, Crepaldi PH, de Souza W. Interactive multimedia to teach the life cycle of Trypanosoma cruzi, the causative agent of Chagas disease. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2012; 6:e1749. [PMID: 22970330 PMCID: PMC3429381 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0001749] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Dirceu E. Teixeira
- Research Department, CEDERJ Consortium/CECIERJ Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
- National Institute of Metrology, Quality and Technology (INMETRO), Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Marlene Benchimol
- Research Department, CEDERJ Consortium/CECIERJ Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
- National Institute of Metrology, Quality and Technology (INMETRO), Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
- Santa Úrsula University, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Paulo Henrique Crepaldi
- Research Department, CEDERJ Consortium/CECIERJ Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
- National Institute of Metrology, Quality and Technology (INMETRO), Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Wanderley de Souza
- National Institute of Metrology, Quality and Technology (INMETRO), Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
- Laboratory of Cellular Ultrastructure Hertha Meyer, Institute of Biophysics Carlos Chagas Filho, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
- * E-mail:
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Girard-Dias W, Alcântara CL, Cunha-e-Silva N, de Souza W, Miranda K. On the ultrastructural organization of Trypanosoma cruzi using cryopreparation methods and electron tomography. Histochem Cell Biol 2012; 138:821-31. [PMID: 22872316 DOI: 10.1007/s00418-012-1002-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/09/2012] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
The structural organization of Trypanosoma cruzi has been intensely investigated by different microscopy techniques. At the electron microscopy level, bi-dimensional analysis of thin sections of chemically fixed cells has been one of the most commonly used techniques, despite the known potential of generating artifacts during chemical fixation and the subsequent steps of sample preparation. In contrast, more sophisticated and elaborate techniques, such as cryofixation followed by freeze substitution that are known to preserve the samples in a more close-to-native state, have not been widely applied to T. cruzi. In addition, the 3D characterization of such cells has been carried out mostly using 3D reconstruction from serial sections, currently considered a low resolution technique when compared to electron tomography (ET). In this work, we re-visited the 3D ultrastructure of T. cruzi using a combination of two approaches: (1) analysis of both conventionally processed and cryofixed and freeze substituted cells and (2) 3D reconstruction of large volumes by serial electron tomography. The analysis of high-pressure frozen and freeze substituted parasites showed novel characteristics in a number of intracellular structures, both in their structure and content. Organelles generally showed a smooth and regular morphology in some cases presenting a characteristic electron dense content. Ribosomes and new microtubule sets showed an unexpected localization in the cell body. The improved preservation and imaging in 3D of T. cruzi cells using cryopreparation techniques has revealed some novel aspects of the ultrastructural organization of this parasite.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wendell Girard-Dias
- Laboratório de Ultraestrutura Celular Hertha Meyer, Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho and Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia em Biologia Estrutural e Bioimagens, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Avenida Carlos Chagas Filho, 373. Bloco G-subsolo, Cidade Universitária, Rio de Janeiro 21941-902, Brazil
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Cloning, localization and differential expression of the Trypanosoma cruzi TcOGNT-2 glycosyl transferase. Gene 2012; 498:147-54. [PMID: 22387207 DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2012.02.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2011] [Revised: 02/07/2012] [Accepted: 02/14/2012] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
The surface of Trypanosoma cruzi is covered by a dense glycocalix which is characteristic of each stage of the life cycle. Its composition and complexity depend mainly on mucin-like proteins. A remarkable feature of O-glycan biosynthesis in trypanosomes is that it initiates with the addition of a GlcNAc instead of the GalNAc residue that is commonly used in vertebrate mucins. The fact that the interplay between trans-sialidase and mucin is crucial for pathogenesis, and both families have stage-specific members is also remarkable. Recently the enzyme that transfers the first GlcNAc from UDP-GlcNAc to a serine or threonine residue was kinetically characterized. The relevance of this enzyme is evidenced by its role as catalyzer of the first step in O-glycosylation. In this paper we describe how this gene is expressed differentially along the life cycle with a pattern that is very similar to that of trans-sialidases. Its localization was determined, showing that the protein predicted to be in the Golgi apparatus is also present in reservosomes. Finally our results indicate that this enzyme, when overexpressed, enhances T. cruzi infectivity.
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A novel triazolic naphthofuranquinone induces autophagy in reservosomes and impairment of mitosis in Trypanosoma cruzi. Parasitology 2011; 139:26-36. [DOI: 10.1017/s0031182011001612] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
SUMMARYChagas' disease, caused by the protozoan Trypanosoma cruzi, represents a serious health problem in Latin America, and the available chemotherapy, which is based on 2 nitro-derivatives, is not satisfactory. In folk medicine, natural products including naphthoquinones have been employed for the treatment of different parasitic diseases. In the pursuit of alternative drugs for Chagas' disease, we investigated the mechanism of action of the triazolic naphthoquinone (TN; 2,2-dimethyl-3-(4-phenyl-1H-1,2,3-triazol-1-yl)-2,3-dihydronaphtho[1,2-b]furan-4,5-dione), which is the most active compound against T. cruzi trypomastigotes among a series of naphthofuranquinones. TN was active against the 3 parasite forms producing a dose-dependent inhibitory effect. In epimastigotes, TN induced reservosome disruption, flagellar blebbing, Golgi disorganization, the presence of cytosolic concentric membrane structures and abnormal multiflagellar parasites. The treatment also led to the appearance of well-developed endoplasmic reticulum profiles surrounding organelles that associated with an increase in monodansylcadaverine labelling, suggesting autophagy as part of the TN mechanism of action. Interestingly, no ultrastructural damage was detected in the mitochondria of naphthoquinone-treated epimastigotes. Flow cytometric analysis demonstrated an impairment of mitosis, an increase in ROS production and the maintenance of mitochondrial membrane potential. TN could be a good starting point in the investigation of a chemotherapeutic approach for the treatment of Chagas' disease.
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Trypanosoma cruzi epimastigotes are able to store and mobilize high amounts of cholesterol in reservosome lipid inclusions. PLoS One 2011; 6:e22359. [PMID: 21818313 PMCID: PMC3144899 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0022359] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2010] [Accepted: 06/26/2011] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Reservosomes are lysosome-related organelles found in Trypanosoma cruzi epimastigotes. They represent the last step in epimastigote endocytic route, accumulating a set of proteins and enzymes related to protein digestion and lipid metabolism. The reservosome matrix contains planar membranes, vesicles and lipid inclusions. Some of the latter may assume rectangular or sword-shaped crystalloid forms surrounded by a phospholipid monolayer, resembling the cholesterol crystals in foam cells. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS Using Nile Red fluorimetry and fluorescence microscopy, as well as electron microscopy, we have established a direct correlation between serum concentration in culture medium and the presence of crystalloid lipid inclusions. Starting from a reservosome purified fraction, we have developed a fractionation protocol to isolate lipid inclusions. Gas-chromatography mass-spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis revealed that lipid inclusions are composed mainly by cholesterol and cholesterol esters. Moreover, when the parasites with crystalloid lipid-loaded reservosomes were maintained in serum free medium for 48 hours the inclusions disappeared almost completely, including the sword shaped ones. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE Taken together, our results suggest that epimastigote forms of T. cruzi store high amounts of neutral lipids from extracellular medium, mostly cholesterol or cholesterol esters inside reservosomes. Interestingly, the parasites are able to disassemble the reservosome cholesterol crystalloid inclusions when submitted to serum starvation.
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Brennand A, Gualdrón-López M, Coppens I, Rigden DJ, Ginger ML, Michels PA. Autophagy in parasitic protists: Unique features and drug targets. Mol Biochem Parasitol 2011; 177:83-99. [DOI: 10.1016/j.molbiopara.2011.02.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 92] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2010] [Revised: 01/30/2011] [Accepted: 02/02/2011] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
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Alvarez VE, Niemirowicz GT, Cazzulo JJ. The peptidases of Trypanosoma cruzi: digestive enzymes, virulence factors, and mediators of autophagy and programmed cell death. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-PROTEINS AND PROTEOMICS 2011; 1824:195-206. [PMID: 21621652 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbapap.2011.05.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 80] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2011] [Revised: 05/11/2011] [Accepted: 05/12/2011] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Trypanosoma cruzi, the agent of the American Trypanosomiasis, Chagas disease, contains cysteine, serine, threonine, aspartyl and metallo peptidases. The most abundant among these enzymes is cruzipain, a cysteine proteinase expressed as a mixture of isoforms, some of them membrane-bound. The enzyme is an immunodominant antigen in human chronic Chagas disease and seems to be important in the host/parasite relationship. Inhibitors of cruzipain kill the parasite and cure infected mice, thus validating the enzyme as a very promising target for the development of new drugs against the disease. In addition, a 30kDa cathepsin B-like enzyme, two metacaspases and two autophagins have been described. Serine peptidases described in the parasite include oligopeptidase B, a member of the prolyl oligopeptidase family involved in Ca(2+)-signaling during mammalian cell invasion; a prolyl endopeptidase (Tc80), against which inhibitors are being developed, and a lysosomal serine carboxypeptidase. Metallopeptidases homologous to the gp63 of Leishmania spp. are present, as well as two metallocarboxypeptidases belonging to the M32 family, previously found only in prokaryotes. The proteasome has properties similar to those of other eukaryotes, and its inhibition by lactacystin blocks some differentiation steps in the life cycle of the parasite. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Proteolysis 50 years after the discovery of lysosome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vanina E Alvarez
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biotecnológicas (IIB-INTECH, Universidad Nacional de San Martín-CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
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Goldenberg S, Ávila AR. Aspects of Trypanosoma cruzi stage differentiation. ADVANCES IN PARASITOLOGY 2011; 75:285-305. [PMID: 21820561 DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-12-385863-4.00013-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
Abstract
Trypanosoma cruzi alternates between different morphological and functional types during its life cycle. Since the discovery of this parasite at the beginning of the twentieth century, efforts have been made to determine the basis of its pathogenesis in the course of Chagas disease and its biochemical constituents. There has also been work to develop tools and strategies for prophylaxis of the important disease caused by these parasites which affects millions of people in Latin America. The identification of axenic conditions allowing T. cruzi growth and differentiation has led to the identification and characterization of stage-specific antigens as well as a better characterization of the biological properties and biochemical particularities of each individual developmental stage. The recent availability of genomic data should pave the way to new progress in our knowledge of the biology and pathogenesis of T. cruzi. This review addresses the differentiation and major stage-specific antigens of T. cruzi and attempts to describe the complexity of the parasite and of the disease it causes.
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Trypanosoma cruzi: ubiquity expression of surface cruzipain molecules in TCI and TCII field isolates. Parasitol Res 2010; 107:443-7. [DOI: 10.1007/s00436-010-1888-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2009] [Accepted: 04/20/2010] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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In vitro and in vivo activities of 1,3,4-thiadiazole-2-arylhydrazone derivatives of megazol against Trypanosoma cruzi. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2010; 54:2023-31. [PMID: 20231395 DOI: 10.1128/aac.01241-09] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
From a series of 1,3,4-thiadiazole-2-arylhydrazone derivatives of megazol screened in vitro against Trypanosoma cruzi, eight (S1 to S8) were selected for in vivo screening by single-dose oral administration (200 mg/kg of body weight) to infected mice at 5 days postinfection (dpi). Based on significant decreases in both parasitemia levels and mortality rates, S2 and S3 were selected for further assays. Despite having no in vivo effect, S1 was included since it was 2-fold more potent against trypomastigotes than megazol in vitro. Trypomastigotes treated with S1, S2, or S3 showed alterations of the flagellar structure and of the nuclear envelope. When assayed on intracellular amastigotes, the selectivity index (SI) for macrophages was in the range of >27 to >63 and for cardiac cells was >32 for S1 and >48 for megazol. In noninfected mice, S1 did not alter the levels of glutamic oxalacetic transaminase (GOT), glutamate pyruvate transaminase (GPT), or urea. S2 led to an increase in GOT, S3 to increases in GOT and GPT, and megazol to an increase in GOT. Infected mice were treated with each derivative at 50 and 100 mg/kg from dpi 6 to 15: S1 did not interfere with the course of infection or reduce the number of inflammatory foci in the cardiac tissue, S2 led to a significant decrease of parasitemia, and S3 decreased mortality. There was no direct correlation between the in vitro effect on trypomastigotes and amastigotes and the results of the treatment in experimental models, as S1 showed a high potency in vitro while, in two different schemes of in vivo treatment, no decrease of parasitemia or mortality was observed.
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Higuchi MDL, Kawakami J, Ikegami R, Clementino MBM, Kawamoto FM, Reis MM, Bocchi E. Do Archaea and bacteria co-infection have a role in the pathogenesis of chronic chagasic cardiopathy? Mem Inst Oswaldo Cruz 2010; 104 Suppl 1:199-207. [PMID: 19753475 DOI: 10.1590/s0074-02762009000900026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2009] [Accepted: 06/01/2009] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
UNLABELLED Chronic cardiopathy (CC) in Chagas disease is a fibrotic myocarditis with C5b-9 complement deposition. Mycoplasma and Chlamydia may interfere with the complement response. Proteolytic enzymes and archaeal genes that have been described in Trypanosoma cruzi may increase its virulence. Here we tested the hypothesis that different ratios of Mycoplasma, Chlamydia and archaeal organisms, which are frequent symbionts, may be associated with chagasic clinical forms. MATERIALS AND METHODS eight indeterminate form (IF) and 20 CC chagasic endomyocardial biopsies were submitted to in situ hybridization, electron and immunoelectron microscopy and PCR techniques for detection of Mycoplasma pneumoniae (MP), Chlamydia pneumoniae(CP), C5b-9 and archaeal-like bodies. RESULTS MP and CP-DNA were always present at lower levels in CC than in IF (p < 0.001) and were correlated with each other only in CC. Electron microscopy revealed Mycoplasma, Chlamydia and two types of archaeal-like bodies. One had electron dense lipid content (EDL) and was mainly present in IF. The other had electron lucent content (ELC) and was mainly present in CC. In this group, ELC correlated negatively with the other microbes and EDL and positively with C5b-9. The CC group was positive for Archaea and T. cruzi DNA. In conclusion, different amounts of Mycoplasma, Chlamydia and archaeal organisms may be implicated in complement activation and may have a role in Chagas disease outcome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria de Lourdes Higuchi
- Laboratório de Anatomia Patológica, Instituto do Coração, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brasil.
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Cuervo P, Domont GB, De Jesus JB. Proteomics of trypanosomatids of human medical importance. J Proteomics 2010; 73:845-67. [PMID: 20056176 DOI: 10.1016/j.jprot.2009.12.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2009] [Accepted: 12/18/2009] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Leishmania spp., Trypanosoma cruzi, and Trypanosoma brucei are protozoan parasites that cause a spectrum of fatal human diseases around the world. Recent completion of the genomic sequencing of these parasites has enormous relevance to the study of their biology and the pathogenesis of the diseases they cause because it opens the door to high-throughput proteomic technologies. This review encompasses studies using diverse proteomic approaches with these organisms to describe and catalogue global protein profiles, reveal changes in protein expression during development, elucidate the subcellular localisation of gene products, and evaluate host-parasite interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patricia Cuervo
- Laboratorio de Pesquisa em Leishmaniose, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, FIOCRUZ, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
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41
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Extending the knowledge in histochemistry and cell biology. Histochem Cell Biol 2009; 133:1-40. [PMID: 19946696 DOI: 10.1007/s00418-009-0665-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/17/2009] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
Central to modern Histochemistry and Cell Biology stands the need for visualization of cellular and molecular processes. In the past several years, a variety of techniques has been achieved bridging traditional light microscopy, fluorescence microscopy and electron microscopy with powerful software-based post-processing and computer modeling. Researchers now have various tools available to investigate problems of interest from bird's- up to worm's-eye of view, focusing on tissues, cells, proteins or finally single molecules. Applications of new approaches in combination with well-established traditional techniques of mRNA, DNA or protein analysis have led to enlightening and prudent studies which have paved the way toward a better understanding of not only physiological but also pathological processes in the field of cell biology. This review is intended to summarize articles standing for the progress made in "histo-biochemical" techniques and their manifold applications.
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42
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Kinetoplastid papain-like cysteine peptidases. Mol Biochem Parasitol 2009; 167:12-9. [DOI: 10.1016/j.molbiopara.2009.04.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2009] [Revised: 04/21/2009] [Accepted: 04/22/2009] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
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Sant'Anna C, Nakayasu ES, Pereira MG, Lourenço D, de Souza W, Almeida IC, Cunha-E-Silva NL. Subcellular proteomics of Trypanosoma cruzi reservosomes. Proteomics 2009; 9:1782-94. [PMID: 19288526 DOI: 10.1002/pmic.200800730] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Reservosomes are the endpoint of the endocytic pathway in Trypanosoma cruzi epimastigotes. These organelles have the particular ability to concentrate proteins and lipids obtained from medium together with the main proteolytic enzymes originated from the secretory pathway, being at the same time a storage organelle and the main site of protein degradation. Subcellular proteomics have been extensively used for profiling organelles in different cell types. Here, we combine cell fractionation and LC-MS/MS analysis to identify reservosome-resident proteins. Starting from a purified reservosome fraction, we established a protocol to isolate reservosome membranes. Transmission electron microscopy was applied to confirm the purity of the fractions. To achieve a better coverage of identified proteins we analyzed the fractions separately and combined the results. LC-MS/MS analysis identified in total 709 T. cruzi-specific proteins; of these, 456 had predicted function and 253 were classified as hypothetical proteins. We could confirm the presence of most of the proteins validated by previous work and identify new proteins from different classes such as enzymes, proton pumps, transport proteins, and others. The definition of the reservosome protein profile is a good tool to assess their molecular signature, identify molecular markers, and understand their relationship with different organelles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Celso Sant'Anna
- Laboratório de Ultraestrutura Celular Hertha Meyer, Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
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44
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Affiliation(s)
- Wanderley de Souza
- Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Brasil; Instituto Nacional de Metrologia, Normalização e Qualidade Industrial, Brasil
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de Souza W, Sant'Anna C, Cunha-e-Silva NL. Electron microscopy and cytochemistry analysis of the endocytic pathway of pathogenic protozoa. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2009; 44:67-124. [PMID: 19410686 DOI: 10.1016/j.proghi.2009.01.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Endocytosis is essential for eukaryotic cell survival and has been well characterized in mammal and yeast cells. Among protozoa it is also important for evading from host immune defenses and to support intense proliferation characteristic of some life cycle stages. Here we focused on the contribution of morphological and cytochemical studies to the understanding of endocytosis in Trichomonas, Giardia, Entamoeba, Plasmodium, and trypanosomatids, mainly Trypanosoma cruzi, and also Trypanosoma brucei and Leishmania.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wanderley de Souza
- Laboratório de Ultraestrutura Celular Hertha Meyer, Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Cidade Universitária, Ilha do Fundão, Rio de Janeiro 21941-902, Brazil.
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State-of-the-art technologies, current opinions and developments, and novel findings: news from the field of histochemistry and cell biology. Histochem Cell Biol 2008; 130:1205-51. [PMID: 18985372 DOI: 10.1007/s00418-008-0535-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/21/2008] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
Investigations of cell and tissue structure and function using innovative methods and approaches have again yielded numerous exciting findings in recent months and have added important data to current knowledge, inspiring new ideas and hypotheses in various fields of modern life sciences. Topics and contents of comprehensive expert reviews covering different aspects in methodological advances, cell biology, tissue function and morphology, and novel findings reported in original papers are summarized in the present review.
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