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Wangchuk P, Yeshi K, Loukas A. Metabolomics and lipidomics studies of parasitic helminths: molecular diversity and identification levels achieved by using different characterisation tools. Metabolomics 2023; 19:63. [PMID: 37356029 PMCID: PMC10290966 DOI: 10.1007/s11306-023-02019-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2022] [Accepted: 05/15/2023] [Indexed: 06/27/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Helminths are parasitic worms that infect millions of people worldwide and secrete a variety of excretory-secretory products (ESPs), including proteins, peptides, and small molecules. Despite this, there is currently no comprehensive review article on cataloging small molecules from helminths, particularly focusing on the different classes of metabolites (polar and lipid molecules) identified from the ESP and somatic tissue extracts of helminths that were studied in isolation from their hosts. OBJECTIVE This review aims to provide a comprehensive assessment of the metabolomics and lipidomics studies of parasitic helminths using all available analytical platforms. METHOD To achieve this objective, we conducted a meta-analysis of the identification and characterization tools, metabolomics approaches, metabolomics standard initiative (MSI) levels, software, and databases commonly applied in helminth metabolomics studies published until November 2021. RESULT This review analyzed 29 studies reporting the metabolomic assessment of ESPs and somatic tissue extracts of 17 helminth species grown under ex vivo/in vitro culture conditions. Of these 29 studies, 19 achieved the highest level of metabolite identification (MSI level-1), while the remaining studies reported MSI level-2 identification. Only 155 small molecule metabolites, including polar and lipids, were identified using MSI level-1 characterization protocols from various helminth species. Despite the significant advances made possible by the 'omics' technology, standardized software and helminth-specific metabolomics databases remain significant challenges in this field. Overall, this review highlights the potential for future studies to better understand the diverse range of small molecules that helminths produce and leverage their unique metabolomic features to develop novel treatment options.
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Affiliation(s)
- Phurpa Wangchuk
- Centre for Molecular Therapeutics, Australian Institute of Tropical Health and Medicine, James Cook University, Cairns, QLD 4878 Australia
| | - Karma Yeshi
- Centre for Molecular Therapeutics, Australian Institute of Tropical Health and Medicine, James Cook University, Cairns, QLD 4878 Australia
| | - Alex Loukas
- Centre for Molecular Therapeutics, Australian Institute of Tropical Health and Medicine, James Cook University, Cairns, QLD 4878 Australia
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Wang T, Nie S, Ma G, Vlaminck J, Geldhof P, Williamson NA, Reid GE, Gasser RB. Quantitative lipidomic analysis of Ascaris suum. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2020; 14:e0008848. [PMID: 33264279 PMCID: PMC7710092 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0008848] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2020] [Accepted: 10/05/2020] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Ascaris is a soil-transmitted nematode that causes ascariasis, a neglected tropical disease affecting predominantly children and adolescents in the tropics and subtropics. Approximately 0.8 billion people are affected worldwide, equating to 0.86 million disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs). Exploring the molecular biology of Ascaris is important to gain a better understanding of the host-parasite interactions and disease processes, and supports the development of novel interventions. Although advances have been made in the genomics, transcriptomics and proteomics of Ascaris, its lipidome has received very limited attention. Lipidomics is an important sub-discipline of systems biology, focused on exploring lipids profiles in tissues and cells, and elucidating their biological and metabolic roles. Here, we characterised the lipidomes of key developmental stages and organ systems of Ascaris of porcine origin via high throughput LC-MS/MS. In total, > 500 lipid species belonging to 18 lipid classes within three lipid categories were identified and quantified–in precise molar amounts in relation to the dry weight of worm material–in different developmental stages/sexes and organ systems. The results showed substantial differences in the composition and abundance of lipids with key roles in cellular processes and functions (e.g. energy storage regulation and membrane structure) among distinct stages and among organ systems, likely reflecting differing demands for lipids, depending on stage of growth and development as well as the need to adapt to constantly changing environments within and outside of the host animal. This work provides the first step toward understanding the biology of lipids in Ascaris, with possibilities to work toward designing new interventions against ascariasis. Lipids are of vital importance in the biology of parasitic worms, particularly in relation to cellular membranes, energy storage, and intra- and intercellular signalling. However, very little is known about the biology of lipids in parasitic nematodes. Using a high-throughput LC-MS/MS approach, we characterised the first global lipidome for Ascaris. We investigated the lipid composition and abundance in key developmental stages/sexes as well as the organ systems of Ascaris. We observed substantial differences in lipid composition and abundance among these stages/sexes and among the organ systems studied. The findings provide a basis to start to understand lipid biology in Ascaris, with possible implications for developing new interventions against ascariasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tao Wang
- Department of Veterinary Biosciences, Melbourne Veterinary School, Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Shuai Nie
- Bio21 Mass Spectrometry and Proteomics Facility, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Guangxu Ma
- Department of Veterinary Biosciences, Melbourne Veterinary School, Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
- College of Animal Sciences, Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Johnny Vlaminck
- Laboratory of Parasitology, Department of Virology, Parasitology and Immunology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium
| | - Peter Geldhof
- Laboratory of Parasitology, Department of Virology, Parasitology and Immunology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium
| | - Nicholas A. Williamson
- Bio21 Mass Spectrometry and Proteomics Facility, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Gavin E. Reid
- School of Chemistry, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
- Bio21 Molecular Science and Biotechnology Institute, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Robin B. Gasser
- Department of Veterinary Biosciences, Melbourne Veterinary School, Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
- * E-mail:
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Becker AC, Willenberg I, Springer A, Schebb NH, Steinberg P, Strube C. Fatty acid composition of free-living and parasitic stages of the bovine lungworm Dictyocaulus viviparus. Mol Biochem Parasitol 2017; 216:39-44. [DOI: 10.1016/j.molbiopara.2017.06.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2017] [Revised: 06/20/2017] [Accepted: 06/21/2017] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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Wang Z, Stoltzfus J, You YJ, Ranjit N, Tang H, Xie Y, Lok JB, Mangelsdorf DJ, Kliewer SA. The nuclear receptor DAF-12 regulates nutrient metabolism and reproductive growth in nematodes. PLoS Genet 2015; 11:e1005027. [PMID: 25774872 PMCID: PMC4361679 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1005027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2014] [Accepted: 01/27/2015] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Appropriate nutrient response is essential for growth and reproduction. Under favorable nutrient conditions, the C. elegans nuclear receptor DAF-12 is activated by dafachronic acids, hormones that commit larvae to reproductive growth. Here, we report that in addition to its well-studied role in controlling developmental gene expression, the DAF-12 endocrine system governs expression of a gene network that stimulates the aerobic catabolism of fatty acids. Thus, activation of the DAF-12 transcriptome coordinately mobilizes energy stores to permit reproductive growth. DAF-12 regulation of this metabolic gene network is conserved in the human parasite, Strongyloides stercoralis, and inhibition of specific steps in this network blocks reproductive growth in both of the nematodes. Our study provides a molecular understanding for metabolic adaptation of nematodes to their environment, and suggests a new therapeutic strategy for treating parasitic diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhu Wang
- Deparment of Pharmacology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas, Dallas, Texas, United States of America
| | - Jonathan Stoltzfus
- Department of Pathology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Young-jai You
- Department of Molecular Biology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas, Dallas, Texas, United States of America
| | - Najju Ranjit
- Department of Pathology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Hao Tang
- Department of Clinical Science, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas, Dallas, Texas, United States of America
| | - Yang Xie
- Department of Clinical Science, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas, Dallas, Texas, United States of America
| | - James B. Lok
- Department of Pathology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - David J. Mangelsdorf
- Deparment of Pharmacology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas, Dallas, Texas, United States of America
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas, Dallas, Texas, United States of America
| | - Steven A. Kliewer
- Deparment of Pharmacology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas, Dallas, Texas, United States of America
- Department of Molecular Biology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas, Dallas, Texas, United States of America
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Lettini SE, Sukhdeo MVK. ANHYDROBIOSIS INCREASES SURVIVAL OF TRICHOSTRONGYLE NEMATODES. J Parasitol 2006; 92:1002-9. [PMID: 17152941 DOI: 10.1645/ge-784r.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
This study demonstrates that infective-stage larvae of 2 trichostrongyle ruminant gastrointestinal nematodes, Haemonchus contortus and Trichostrongylus colubriformis, can enter into anhydrobiotic states when completely desiccated. Larvae of control trichostrongyle species, Heligmosomoides polygyrus and Nippostrongylus brasiliensis, that infect mice were unable to survive desiccation or to enter into anhydrobiosis. Ruminant larvae were able to survive up to 7 desiccation/rehydration cycles, and, during anhydrobiosis, metabolic activity was decreased and survival of the larvae was prolonged both in the laboratory and in the field. Relative humidity had no effect on ruminant larval survival after anhydrobiosis compared with controls. Temperature had a significant effect, 85.8 +/- 2.3% of larvae in anhydrobiosis could survive low temperatures (0 C) that killed all control larvae. Metabolic activity, measured by changes in lipid content and CO2 respiration, was significantly lower in larvae that entered anhydrobiosis compared with controls (P < 0.05). In field experiments using open-meshed chambers under ambient environmental conditions, larvae in anhydrobiosis had significantly higher survival rates in the field compared with controls (P < 0.05) during summer and winter trials. These data suggest that anhydrobiosis in ruminant larvae promotes survival at freezing temperatures, decreases metabolic activity, and prolongs survival under natural field conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- S E Lettini
- Department of Ecology, Evolution, and Natural Resources, Rutgers University, 84 Lipman Drive, New Brunswick, New Jersey 08901, USA.
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Abstract
Microparasite virulence (the potential to cause harm in the host) is thought to be regulated by a direct trade-off with pathogen transmission potential, but it is unclear whether similar trade-offs occur in macroparasites (helminths). In this analysis, the transmission potentials of 5 nematode species (order Strongylida), known to differ in their virulence, were estimated using an index based on egg production and larval survivability. Virulence estimates were based on the minimum number of worms that cause host death. In nematode species where mature adults cause pathology (trichonematidic development), there is a direct relationship between virulence and transmission, suggesting that high virulence is related to parasite fitness in these worms. However, in nematodes where the juvenile stages produce pathology during migration and development (strongylidic development), virulence is not correlated with transmission. These data suggest that trade-offs between transmission and virulence in nematode parasites are not analogous for all species and may depend on the developmental strategy and mechanism of pathogenicity of the parasites.
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Affiliation(s)
- D L Medica
- Department of Animal Sciences, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, New Brunswick 08901-8525, USA
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Udonsi JK. Changes in lipid contents of infective third-stage larvae of Necator americanus during desiccation and revival. ZEITSCHRIFT FUR PARASITENKUNDE (BERLIN, GERMANY) 1984; 70:81-5. [PMID: 6695536 DOI: 10.1007/bf00929577] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
Changes in lipid content of infective third-stage larvae of Necator americanus were investigated after short periods of induced desiccation and revival. A fall in lipid reserve from an outset level of 86% to 74% was recorded in the first 2 h of desiccation. With increased desiccation, lipid reserves did not show significant decline, probably as a result of decreased lipid metabolism in the desiccated larvae. During revival, there was a drastic fall in lipid reserves as a result of increased lipid utilisation by the reviving larvae. The results showed that desiccated larvae with lipid levels less than 10% did not revive. The presence of lipid did not appear to prevent desiccation but was an essential factor for revival. The ecological significance of these findings in field larvae is discussed.
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Wilson PA. The ageing process in infective larvae of the roundworms Haemonchus contortus and Nippostrongylus brasiliensis: carbohydrate content. ZEITSCHRIFT FUR PARASITENKUNDE (BERLIN, GERMANY) 1976; 49:243-52. [PMID: 988680 DOI: 10.1007/bf00380594] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Trehalose, glycogen and traces of glucose were the only anthrone sensitive carbohydrates identifiable. The variation of 13-22% of the dry weight in different populations of Haemonchus contortus L3 is shown to be due to their capacity to synthesize glycogen during ageing. This contrasts with the larvae of Nippostrongylus brasiliensis in which a low level of carbohydrate remains constant with time. It is suggested that H. contortus can convert lipid to carbohydrate as is the case for several other nematodes. H. contortus L3 show some evidence of physiological adaptation.
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Bryant V. Growth and respiration throughout the life-cycle of Nematospiroides dubius Baylis, 1926 (Nematoda: Heligmosomidae). The free-living stages. Parasitology 1973; 67:245-51. [PMID: 4796903 DOI: 10.1017/s0031182000046485] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
The growth of the three free-living stages of N. dubius was measured in terms of dry and fresh weight. Changes in body water content during moulting were demonstrated by variations in dry weight when expressed as a percentage of fresh weight.
The respiration rate of the larvae increased until they became infective, after which time it decreased until five days later no oxygen consumption could be recorded. The inability of all larval stages to withstand anaerobic conditions indicated that their metabolism was essentially aerobic.
The relationship between body size and metabolic rate was established for each stage and its significance in relation to the life-cycle discussed.
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Abstract
Lipid levels of infective larvae of Ancylostoma tubaeforme are reduced and their behavioural activity declines with age. We have measured behavioural activity using the percentage active, rate of activity, and the percentage of larvae able to penetrate a membrane. Neostigmine bromide, a cholinergic drug, increased larval activity in all tests. Larvae, stored at 4 and 10 °C and in hypertonic saline, were inactive but consumed lipid. When returned to isotonic saline at 26 °C, these larvae were no more active than those at 26 °C throughout. We found no evidence that such inactive larvae had entered a state of quiescence. All our results, and those of other workers, have been used to emphasize that larval ageing is related directly to decreased metabolic rates, and not primarily to lipid levels.
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Abstract
It has been demonstrated that under prolonged experimental conditions lipid is utilized most quickly under optimal conditions of tonicity, gaseous exchange, pH and sensory stimulation. There is good evidence that activity may be an appreciable energy-consuming process. It has been deduced, however, that the low Reynold's number means viscous forces dominate locomotory energy consumption, and work done is proportional to the square of the velocity. Osmoregulation in hypotonic media and tolerance of hypertonic media do not require appreciable energy.Locomotion is only possible in limited environmental conditions, and these may also be conditions of peak basal metabolism. Larvae are able to enter quiescence which is not energy-demanding, in poor conditions. Larvae can survive anaerobiasis, but finally die without reduction in lipid and cannot convert lipid to carbohydrate for anaerobic metabolism.The help of Mrs Helen Foreman in staining the larvae and for statistical analyses, and of Mr J. M. Smith is greatly appreciated. I would like to thank Dr Elizabeth U. Canning for kindly providing the microdensitometer and Professor G. S. Nelson and Dr D. A. Denham for enabling us to establishA. tubaeformein our cats. The generous support of the British Medical Research Council is much appreciated.
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