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Ou N, Wang Y, Xu S, Luo J, Zhang C, Zhang Y, Shi X, Xiong M, Zhao L, Ji Z, Zhang Y, Zhao J, Bai H, Tian R, Li P, Zhi E, Huang Y, Chen W, Wang R, Jin Y, Wang D, Li Z, Chen H, Yao C. Primate-Specific DAZ Regulates Translation of Cell Proliferation-Related mRNAs and is Essential for Maintenance of Spermatogonia. Adv Sci (Weinh) 2024:e2400692. [PMID: 38783578 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202400692] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2024] [Revised: 05/05/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024]
Abstract
Primate-specific DAZ (deleted in azoospermia) has evolved in the azoospermia factor c (AZFc) locus on the Y chromosome. Loss of DAZ is associated with azoospermia in patients with deletion of the AZFc region (AZFc_del). However, the molecular mechanisms of DAZ in spermatogenesis remain uncertain. In this study, the molecular mechanism of DAZ is identified, which is unknown since it is identified 40 years ago because of the lack of a suitable model. Using clinical samples and cell models, it is shown that DAZ plays an important role in spermatogenesis and that loss of DAZ is associated with defective proliferation of c-KIT-positive spermatogonia in patients with AZFc_del. Mechanistically, it is shown that knockdown of DAZ significantly downregulated global translation and subsequently decreased cell proliferation. Furthermore, DAZ interacted with PABPC1 via the DAZ repeat domain to regulate global translation. DAZ targeted mRNAs that are involved in cell proliferation and cell cycle phase transition. These findings indicate that DAZ is a master translational regulator and essential for the maintenance of spermatogonia. Loss of DAZ may result in defective proliferation of c-KIT-positive spermatogonia and spermatogenic failure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ningjing Ou
- Department of Andrology, Center for Men's Health, Urologic Medical Center, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200011, China
- Department of Urology, Department of Interventional Medicine, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Biomedical Imaging, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai, Guangdong, 519000, China
- Department of Human Cell Biology and Genetics, Joint Laboratory of Guangdong & Hong Kong Universities for Vascular Homeostasis and Diseases, School of Medicine, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, Guangdong, 518000, China
| | - Yuci Wang
- Department of Human Cell Biology and Genetics, Joint Laboratory of Guangdong & Hong Kong Universities for Vascular Homeostasis and Diseases, School of Medicine, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, Guangdong, 518000, China
| | - Shuai Xu
- Department of Andrology, Center for Men's Health, Urologic Medical Center, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200011, China
| | - Jiaqiang Luo
- Department of Andrology, Center for Men's Health, Urologic Medical Center, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200011, China
| | - Chenwang Zhang
- Department of Andrology, Center for Men's Health, Urologic Medical Center, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200011, China
| | - Yangyi Zhang
- Department of Human Cell Biology and Genetics, Joint Laboratory of Guangdong & Hong Kong Universities for Vascular Homeostasis and Diseases, School of Medicine, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, Guangdong, 518000, China
| | - Xiaoyan Shi
- Department of Human Cell Biology and Genetics, Joint Laboratory of Guangdong & Hong Kong Universities for Vascular Homeostasis and Diseases, School of Medicine, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, Guangdong, 518000, China
| | - Minggang Xiong
- Department of Human Cell Biology and Genetics, Joint Laboratory of Guangdong & Hong Kong Universities for Vascular Homeostasis and Diseases, School of Medicine, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, Guangdong, 518000, China
| | - Liangyu Zhao
- Department of Urology, Department of Interventional Medicine, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Biomedical Imaging, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai, Guangdong, 519000, China
| | - Zhiyong Ji
- Department of Andrology, Center for Men's Health, Urologic Medical Center, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200011, China
| | - Yuxiang Zhang
- Department of Andrology, Center for Men's Health, Urologic Medical Center, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200011, China
| | - Jingpeng Zhao
- Department of Andrology, Center for Men's Health, Urologic Medical Center, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200011, China
| | - Haowei Bai
- Department of Andrology, Center for Men's Health, Urologic Medical Center, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200011, China
| | - Ruhui Tian
- Department of Andrology, Center for Men's Health, Urologic Medical Center, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200011, China
| | - Peng Li
- Department of Andrology, Center for Men's Health, Urologic Medical Center, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200011, China
| | - Erlei Zhi
- Department of Andrology, Center for Men's Health, Urologic Medical Center, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200011, China
| | - Yuhua Huang
- Department of Andrology, Center for Men's Health, Urologic Medical Center, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200011, China
| | - Wei Chen
- Department of Andrology, Center for Men's Health, Urologic Medical Center, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200011, China
| | - Ruiqi Wang
- Department of Human Cell Biology and Genetics, Joint Laboratory of Guangdong & Hong Kong Universities for Vascular Homeostasis and Diseases, School of Medicine, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, Guangdong, 518000, China
| | - Yuxuan Jin
- Department of Human Cell Biology and Genetics, Joint Laboratory of Guangdong & Hong Kong Universities for Vascular Homeostasis and Diseases, School of Medicine, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, Guangdong, 518000, China
| | - Dian Wang
- Department of Human Cell Biology and Genetics, Joint Laboratory of Guangdong & Hong Kong Universities for Vascular Homeostasis and Diseases, School of Medicine, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, Guangdong, 518000, China
| | - Zheng Li
- Department of Andrology, Center for Men's Health, Urologic Medical Center, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200011, China
| | - Hao Chen
- Department of Human Cell Biology and Genetics, Joint Laboratory of Guangdong & Hong Kong Universities for Vascular Homeostasis and Diseases, School of Medicine, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, Guangdong, 518000, China
| | - Chencheng Yao
- Department of Andrology, Center for Men's Health, Urologic Medical Center, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200011, China
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Gurung P, McGee JP, Dvorin JD. PfCAP-H is essential for assembly of condensin I complex and karyokinesis during asexual proliferation of Plasmodium falciparum. mBio 2024; 15:e0285023. [PMID: 38564676 PMCID: PMC11078010 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.02850-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2023] [Accepted: 03/12/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Condensin I is a pentameric complex that regulates the mitotic chromosome assembly in eukaryotes. The kleisin subunit CAP-H of the condensin I complex acts as a linchpin to maintain the structural integrity and loading of this complex on mitotic chromosomes. This complex is present in all eukaryotes and has recently been identified in Plasmodium spp. However, how this complex is assembled and whether the kleisin subunit is critical for this complex in these parasites are yet to be explored. To examine the role of PfCAP-H during cell division within erythrocytes, we generated an inducible PfCAP-H knockout parasite. We find that PfCAP-H is dynamically expressed during mitosis with the peak expression at the metaphase plate. PfCAP-H interacts with PfCAP-G and is a non-SMC member of the condensin I complex. Notably, the absence of PfCAP-H does not alter the expression of PfCAP-G but affects its localization at the mitotic chromosomes. While mitotic spindle assembly is intact in PfCAP-H-deficient parasites, duplicated centrosomes remain clustered over the mass of unsegmented nuclei with failed karyokinesis. This failure leads to the formation of an abnormal nuclear mass, while cytokinesis occurs normally. Altogether, our data suggest that PfCAP-H plays a crucial role in maintaining the structural integrity of the condensin I complex on the mitotic chromosomes and is essential for the asexual development of malarial parasites. IMPORTANCE Mitosis is a fundamental process for Plasmodium parasites, which plays a vital role in their survival within two distinct hosts-human and Anopheles mosquitoes. Despite its great significance, our comprehension of mitosis and its regulation remains limited. In eukaryotes, mitosis is regulated by one of the pivotal complexes known as condensin complexes. The condensin complexes are responsible for chromosome condensation, ensuring the faithful distribution of genetic material to daughter cells. While condensin complexes have recently been identified in Plasmodium spp., our understanding of how this complex is assembled and its precise functions during the blood stage development of Plasmodium falciparum remains largely unexplored. In this study, we investigate the role of a central protein, PfCAP-H, during the blood stage development of P. falciparum. Our findings reveal that PfCAP-H is essential and plays a pivotal role in upholding the structure of condensin I and facilitating karyokinesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pratima Gurung
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - James P. McGee
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Jeffrey D. Dvorin
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
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3
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Nayak B, Paul P, Mishra S. Neddylation is essential for malaria transmission in Plasmodium berghei. mBio 2024; 15:e0023224. [PMID: 38411954 PMCID: PMC11005431 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.00232-24] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2024] [Accepted: 02/07/2024] [Indexed: 02/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Neddylation is a type of posttranslational modification known to regulate a wide range of cellular processes by covalently conjugating the ubiquitin-like protein Nedd8 to target proteins at lysine residues. However, the role of neddylation in malaria parasites has not been determined. Here, for the first time, we showed that neddylation plays an essential role in malaria transmission in Plasmodium berghei. We found that disruption of Nedd8 did not affect blood-stage propagation, gametocyte development, gamete formation, or zygote formation while abolishing the formation of ookinetes and further transmission of the parasites in mosquitoes. These phenotypic defects in Nedd8 knockout parasites were complemented by reintroducing the gene that restored mosquito transmission to wild-type levels. Our data establish the role of P. berghei Nedd8 in malaria parasite transmission.IMPORTANCENeddylation is a process by which Nedd8 is covalently attached to target proteins through three-step enzymatic cascades. The attachment of Nedd8 residues results in a range of diverse functions, such as cell cycle regulation, metabolism, immunity, and tumorigenesis. The potential neddylation substrates are cullin (CUL) family members, which are implicated in controlling the cell cycle. Cullin neddylation leads to the activation of cullin-RING ubiquitin ligases, which regulate a myriad of biological processes through target-specific ubiquitylation. Neddylation possibly regulates meiosis in zygotes, which subsequently develop into ookinetes. Our findings point to an essential function of this neddylation pathway and highlight its possible importance in designing novel intervention strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bandita Nayak
- Division of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, CSIR-Central Drug Research Institute, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India
- Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Plabita Paul
- Division of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, CSIR-Central Drug Research Institute, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India
- Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Satish Mishra
- Division of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, CSIR-Central Drug Research Institute, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India
- Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh, India
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4
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Gurung P, McGee JP, Dvorin JD. PfCAP-H is essential for assembly of condensin I complex and karyokinesis during asexual proliferation of Plasmodium falciparum. bioRxiv 2024:2024.02.26.582160. [PMID: 38464281 PMCID: PMC10925219 DOI: 10.1101/2024.02.26.582160] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/12/2024]
Abstract
Condensin I is a pentameric complex that regulates the mitotic chromosome assembly in eukaryotes. The kleisin subunit CAP-H of the condensin I complex acts as a linchpin to maintain the structural integrity and loading of this complex on mitotic chromosomes. This complex is present in all eukaryotes and has recently been identified in Plasmodium spp. However, how this complex is assembled and whether the kleisin subunit is critical for this complex in these parasites is yet to be explored. To examine the role of PfCAP-H during cell division within erythrocytes, we generated an inducible PfCAP-H knockout parasite. We find that PfCAP-H is dynamically expressed during mitosis with the peak expression at the metaphase plate. PfCAP-H interacts with PfCAP-G and is a non-SMC member of the condensin I complex. Notably, the absence of PfCAP-H does not alter the expression of PfCAP-G but affects its localization at the mitotic chromosomes. While mitotic spindle assembly is intact in PfCAP-H deficient parasites, duplicated centrosomes remain clustered over the mass of unsegmented nuclei with failed karyokinesis. This failure leads to the formation of an abnormal nuclear mass, while cytokinesis occurs normally. Altogether, our data suggest that PfCAP-H plays a crucial role in maintaining the structural integrity of the condensin I complex on the mitotic chromosomes and is essential for the asexual development of malarial parasites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pratima Gurung
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, M.A
- Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, M.A
| | - James P. McGee
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, M.A
| | - Jeffrey D. Dvorin
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, M.A
- Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, M.A
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5
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Guttery DS, Zeeshan M, Holder AA, Tromer EC, Tewari R. Meiosis in Plasmodium: how does it work? Trends Parasitol 2023; 39:812-821. [PMID: 37541799 DOI: 10.1016/j.pt.2023.07.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2023] [Revised: 07/06/2023] [Accepted: 07/06/2023] [Indexed: 08/06/2023]
Abstract
Meiosis is sexual cell division, a process in eukaryotes whereby haploid gametes are produced. Compared to canonical model eukaryotes, meiosis in apicomplexan parasites appears to diverge from the process with respect to the molecular mechanisms involved; the biology of Plasmodium meiosis, and its regulation by means of post-translational modification, are largely unexplored. Here, we discuss the impact of technological advances in cell biology, evolutionary bioinformatics, and genome-wide functional studies on our understanding of meiosis in the Apicomplexa. These parasites, including Plasmodium falciparum, Toxoplasma gondii, and Eimeria spp., have significant socioeconomic impact on human and animal health. Understanding this key stage during the parasite's life cycle may well reveal attractive targets for therapeutic intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- David S Guttery
- School of Life Sciences, Queen's Medical Centre, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK; Department of Genetics and Genome Biology, College of Life Sciences, University of Leicester, Leicester, UK.
| | - Mohammad Zeeshan
- School of Life Sciences, Queen's Medical Centre, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
| | - Anthony A Holder
- Malaria Parasitology Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London, UK
| | - Eelco C Tromer
- Cell Biochemistry, Groningen Biomolecular Sciences and Biotechnology Institute, Faculty of Science and Engineering, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Rita Tewari
- School of Life Sciences, Queen's Medical Centre, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK.
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6
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Zhao Z, Wang X, Ding Y, Cao X, Zhang X. SMC4, a novel tumor prognostic marker and potential tumor therapeutic target. Front Oncol 2023; 13:1117642. [PMID: 37007153 PMCID: PMC10064883 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2023.1117642] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2022] [Accepted: 01/31/2023] [Indexed: 03/19/2023] Open
Abstract
The structural maintenance of chromosome 4 (SMC4) is a member of the ATPase family of chromosomes. The most widely reported function of SMC4, as well as the remaining subunits of whole condensin complexes, is compression and dissociation of sister chromatids, DNA damage repair, DNA recombination, and pervasive transcription of the genome. Studies have also shown that SMC4 plays an exceedingly essential role in the division cycle of embryonic cells, such as RNA splicing, DNA metabolic process, cell adhesion, and extracellular matrix. On the other hand, SMC4 is also a positive regulator of the inflammatory innate immune response, while excessive innate immune responses not only disrupt immune homeostasis and may lead to autoimmune diseases, but even cancer. To further understand the expression and prognostic value of SMC4 in tumors, we provide an in-depth review of the literature and several bioinformatic databases, for example, The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA), Genotype-Tissue Expression (GTEx), Clinical Proteomic Tumor Analysis Consortium (CPTAC), The Human Protein Atlas and Kaplan Meier plotter tools, illustrating that SMC4 plays a vital role in the occurrence and development of tumors, and high expression of SMC4 seems to consistently predict worse overall survival. In conclusion, we present this review which introduces the structure, biological function of SMC4, and its correlation with the tumor in detail; it might provide new insight into a novel tumor prognostic marker and potential tumor therapeutic target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zonglei Zhao
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Binzhou Medical University Hospital, Binzhou, Shandong, China
| | - Xixiu Wang
- Department of Cardiovascular Diseases, Binzhou Medical University Hospital, Binzhou, Shandong, China
| | - Yan Ding
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Binzhou Medical University Hospital, Binzhou, Shandong, China
| | - Xuefeng Cao
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Binzhou Medical University Hospital, Binzhou, Shandong, China
- *Correspondence: Xuefeng Cao,
| | - Xingyuan Zhang
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Binzhou Medical University Hospital, Binzhou, Shandong, China
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Abstract
The malaria parasite life cycle alternates between two hosts: a vertebrate and the female Anopheles mosquito vector. Cell division, proliferation, and invasion are essential for parasite development, transmission, and survival. Most research has focused on Plasmodium development in the vertebrate, which causes disease; however, knowledge of malaria parasite development in the mosquito (the sexual and transmission stages) is now rapidly accumulating, gathered largely through investigation of the rodent malaria model, with Plasmodium berghei. In this review, we discuss the seminal genome-wide screens that have uncovered key regulators of cell proliferation, invasion, and transmission during Plasmodium sexual development. Our focus is on the roles of transcription factors, reversible protein phosphorylation, and molecular motors. We also emphasize the still-unanswered important questions around key pathways in cell division during the vector transmission stages and how they may be targeted in future studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- David S Guttery
- School of Life Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom; ,
- Leicester Cancer Research Centre, University of Leicester, Leicester, United Kingdom;
| | - Mohammad Zeeshan
- School of Life Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom; ,
| | - David J P Ferguson
- Nuffield Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences and John Radcliffe Hospital, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom;
- Department of Biological and Medical Sciences, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Oxford Brookes University, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Anthony A Holder
- Malaria Parasitology Laboratory, Francis Crick Institute, London, United Kingdom;
| | - Rita Tewari
- School of Life Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom; ,
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8
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Ambekar SV, Beck JR, Mair GR. TurboID Identification of Evolutionarily Divergent Components of the Nuclear Pore Complex in the Malaria Model Plasmodium berghei. mBio 2022;:e0181522. [PMID: 36040030 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.01815-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Twenty years since the publication of the Plasmodium falciparum and P. berghei genomes one-third of their protein-coding genes still lack functional annotation. In the absence of sequence and structural homology, protein-protein interactions can facilitate functional prediction of such orphan genes by mapping protein complexes in their natural cellular environment. The Plasmodium nuclear pore complex (NPC) is a case in point: it remains poorly defined; its constituents lack conservation with the 30+ proteins described in the NPC of many opisthokonts, a clade of eukaryotes that includes fungi and animals, but not Plasmodium. Here, we developed a labeling methodology based on TurboID fusion proteins, which allows visualization of the P. berghei NPC and facilitates the identification of its components. Following affinity purification and mass spectrometry, we identified 4 known nucleoporins (Nups) (138, 205, 221, and the bait 313), and verify interaction with the putative phenylalanine-glycine (FG) Nup637; we assigned 5 proteins lacking annotation (and therefore meaningful homology with proteins outside the genus) to the NPC, which is confirmed by green fluorescent protein (GFP) tagging. Based on gene deletion attempts, all new Nups — Nup176, 269, 335, 390, and 434 — are essential to parasite survival. They lack primary sequence homology with proteins outside the Plasmodium genus; albeit 2 incorporate short domains with structural homology to human Nup155 and yeast Nup157, and the condensin SMC (Structural Maintenance Of Chromosomes 4). The protocols developed here showcase the power of proximity labeling for elucidating protein complex composition and annotation of taxonomically restricted genes in Plasmodium. It opens the door to exploring the function of the Plasmodium NPC and understanding its evolutionary position.
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Li J, Shami GJ, Cho E, Liu B, Hanssen E, Dixon MWA, Tilley L. Repurposing the mitotic machinery to drive cellular elongation and chromatin reorganisation in Plasmodium falciparum gametocytes. Nat Commun 2022; 13:5054. [PMID: 36030238 PMCID: PMC9419145 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-32579-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2022] [Accepted: 08/04/2022] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
The sexual stage gametocytes of the malaria parasite, Plasmodium falciparum, adopt a falciform (crescent) shape driven by the assembly of a network of microtubules anchored to a cisternal inner membrane complex (IMC). Using 3D electron microscopy, we show that a non-mitotic microtubule organizing center (MTOC), embedded in the parasite's nuclear membrane, orients the endoplasmic reticulum and the nascent IMC and seeds cytoplasmic microtubules. A bundle of microtubules extends into the nuclear lumen, elongating the nuclear envelope and capturing the chromatin. Classical mitotic machinery components, including centriolar plaque proteins, Pfcentrin-1 and -4, microtubule-associated protein, End-binding protein-1, kinetochore protein, PfNDC80 and centromere-associated protein, PfCENH3, are involved in the nuclear microtubule assembly/disassembly process. Depolymerisation of the microtubules using trifluralin prevents elongation and disrupts the chromatin, centromere and kinetochore organisation. We show that the unusual non-mitotic hemispindle plays a central role in chromatin organisation, IMC positioning and subpellicular microtubule formation in gametocytes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiahong Li
- Department of Biochemistry and Pharmacology, Bio21 Molecular Science and Biotechnology Institute, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3010, Australia
| | - Gerald J Shami
- Department of Biochemistry and Pharmacology, Bio21 Molecular Science and Biotechnology Institute, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3010, Australia
| | - Ellie Cho
- Department of Biochemistry and Pharmacology, Bio21 Molecular Science and Biotechnology Institute, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3010, Australia.,Biological Optical Microscopy Platform, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3010, Australia
| | - Boyin Liu
- Department of Biochemistry and Pharmacology, Bio21 Molecular Science and Biotechnology Institute, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3010, Australia
| | - Eric Hanssen
- Department of Biochemistry and Pharmacology, Bio21 Molecular Science and Biotechnology Institute, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3010, Australia.,Ian Holmes Imaging Center, Bio21 Molecular Science and Biotechnology Institute, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3010, Australia
| | - Matthew W A Dixon
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The Peter Doherty Institute, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3010, Australia. .,Walter and Eliza Hall Institute, Parkville, VIC, 3010, Australia.
| | - Leann Tilley
- Department of Biochemistry and Pharmacology, Bio21 Molecular Science and Biotechnology Institute, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3010, Australia.
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10
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Jia X, Liu F, Bai J, Zhang Y, Cui L, Cao Y, Luo E. Phosphatase inhibitors BVT-948 and alexidine dihydrochloride inhibit sexual development of the malaria parasite Plasmodium berghei. Int J Parasitol Drugs Drug Resist 2022; 19:81-88. [PMID: 35792443 PMCID: PMC9260261 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpddr.2022.06.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2022] [Revised: 06/18/2022] [Accepted: 06/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Background With the emergence of resistance to front-line antimalarials, there is an urgent need to develop new medicines, including those targeting sexual development. This study aimed to assess the activity of a panel of phosphatase inhibitors against the sexual development of Plasmodium berghei and evaluate their potential as transmission-blocking agents. Methods Twenty-five compounds were screened for transmission-blocking activity in vitro using the P. berghei ookinete culture assay. The inhibitory effects on male gametogenesis, gamete-ookinete, and zygote-ookinete formation were evaluated. The transmission-blocking activity of two compounds was evaluated using an in vivo mosquito feeding assay. Their cytotoxic effects were assessed on the human cell line HepG2. Results Twelve compounds inhibited P. berghei ookinete formation with an IC50 < 10 μM. Two compounds, BVT-948 and alexidine dihydrochloride, significantly inhibited different developmental stages from gametogenesis through ookinete maturation. They also showed a substantial in vivo transmission-blocking activity by the mosquito feeding assay. Conclusions Some phosphatase inhibitors effectively inhibited Plasmodium sexual development and exhibited evident transmission-blocking activity, suggesting that phosphatases are valid targets for antimalarial development. BVT-948 and alexidine·2HCl inhibit sexual developmental stages of Plasmodium. BVT-948 and alexidine·2HCl show a substantial transmission-blocking activity. BVT-948 and alexidine·2HCl show a relatively low cytotoxicity to HepG2 cells. Phosphatases are valid targets for antimalarial development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xitong Jia
- Department of Pathogen Biology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, 110122, China
| | - Fei Liu
- Department of Immunology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, 110122, China
| | - Jie Bai
- Department of Immunology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, 110122, China
| | - Yongzhe Zhang
- Department of Pathogen Biology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, 110122, China; Department of Nephrology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, 110004, China
| | - Liwang Cui
- Department of Internal Medicine, Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, 3720 Spectrum Boulevard, Suite 304, Tampa, FL, 33612-9415, USA
| | - Yaming Cao
- Department of Immunology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, 110122, China.
| | - Enjie Luo
- Department of Pathogen Biology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, 110122, China.
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11
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Fréville A, Gnangnon B, Tremp AZ, De Witte C, Cailliau K, Martoriati A, Aliouat EM, Fernandes P, Chhuon C, Silvie O, Marion S, Guerrera IC, Dessens JT, Pierrot C, Khalife J. Plasmodium berghei leucine-rich repeat protein 1 downregulates protein phosphatase 1 activity and is required for efficient oocyst development. Open Biol 2022; 12:220015. [PMID: 35920043 PMCID: PMC9346556 DOI: 10.1098/rsob.220015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2022] [Accepted: 07/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Protein phosphatase 1 (PP1) is a key enzyme for Plasmodium development. However, the detailed mechanisms underlying its regulation remain to be deciphered. Here, we report the functional characterization of the Plasmodium berghei leucine-rich repeat protein 1 (PbLRR1), an orthologue of SDS22, one of the most ancient and conserved PP1 interactors. Our study shows that PbLRR1 is expressed during intra-erythrocytic development of the parasite, and up to the zygote stage in mosquitoes. PbLRR1 can be found in complex with PbPP1 in both asexual and sexual stages and inhibits its phosphatase activity. Genetic analysis demonstrates that PbLRR1 depletion adversely affects the development of oocysts. PbLRR1 interactome analysis associated with phospho-proteomics studies identifies several novel putative PbLRR1/PbPP1 partners. Some of these partners have previously been characterized as essential for the parasite sexual development. Interestingly, and for the first time, Inhibitor 3 (I3), a well-known and direct interactant of Plasmodium PP1, was found to be drastically hypophosphorylated in PbLRR1-depleted parasites. These data, along with the detection of I3 with PP1 in the LRR1 interactome, strongly suggest that the phosphorylation status of PbI3 is under the control of the PP1-LRR1 complex and could contribute (in)directly to oocyst development. This study provides new insights into previously unrecognized PbPP1 fine regulation of Plasmodium oocyst development through its interaction with PbLRR1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aline Fréville
- Univ. Lille, CNRS, Inserm, CHU Lille, Institut Pasteur de Lille, U1019—UMR 9017—CIIL—Centre d'Infection et d'Immunité de Lille, 59000 Lille, France
| | - Bénédicte Gnangnon
- Univ. Lille, CNRS, Inserm, CHU Lille, Institut Pasteur de Lille, U1019—UMR 9017—CIIL—Centre d'Infection et d'Immunité de Lille, 59000 Lille, France
| | - Annie Z. Tremp
- Department of Infection Biology, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, Keppel Street, WC1E 7HT London, UK
| | - Caroline De Witte
- Univ. Lille, CNRS, Inserm, CHU Lille, Institut Pasteur de Lille, U1019—UMR 9017—CIIL—Centre d'Infection et d'Immunité de Lille, 59000 Lille, France
| | - Katia Cailliau
- Univ. Lille, CNRS, UMR 8576-UGSF-Unité de Glycobiologie Structurale et Fonctionnelle, F-59000 Lille, France
| | - Alain Martoriati
- Univ. Lille, CNRS, UMR 8576-UGSF-Unité de Glycobiologie Structurale et Fonctionnelle, F-59000 Lille, France
| | - El Moukthar Aliouat
- Univ. Lille, CNRS, Inserm, CHU Lille, Institut Pasteur de Lille, U1019—UMR 9017—CIIL—Centre d'Infection et d'Immunité de Lille, 59000 Lille, France
| | - Priyanka Fernandes
- Sorbonne Université, INSERM, CNRS, Centre d'Immunologie et des Maladies Infectieuses, F-75013 Paris, France
| | - Cerina Chhuon
- Proteomics platform 3P5-Necker, Université Paris Descartes - Structure Fédérative de Recherche Necker, INSERM US24/CNRS UMS3633, Paris, France
| | - Olivier Silvie
- Sorbonne Université, INSERM, CNRS, Centre d'Immunologie et des Maladies Infectieuses, F-75013 Paris, France
| | - Sabrina Marion
- Univ. Lille, CNRS, Inserm, CHU Lille, Institut Pasteur de Lille, U1019—UMR 9017—CIIL—Centre d'Infection et d'Immunité de Lille, 59000 Lille, France
| | - Ida Chiara Guerrera
- Proteomics platform 3P5-Necker, Université Paris Descartes - Structure Fédérative de Recherche Necker, INSERM US24/CNRS UMS3633, Paris, France
| | - Johannes T. Dessens
- Department of Infection Biology, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, Keppel Street, WC1E 7HT London, UK
| | - Christine Pierrot
- Univ. Lille, CNRS, Inserm, CHU Lille, Institut Pasteur de Lille, U1019—UMR 9017—CIIL—Centre d'Infection et d'Immunité de Lille, 59000 Lille, France
| | - Jamal Khalife
- Univ. Lille, CNRS, Inserm, CHU Lille, Institut Pasteur de Lille, U1019—UMR 9017—CIIL—Centre d'Infection et d'Immunité de Lille, 59000 Lille, France
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12
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Zeeshan M, Rashpa R, Ferguson DJP, Abel S, Chahine Z, Brady D, Vaughan S, Moores CA, Le Roch KG, Brochet M, Holder AA, Tewari R. Genome-wide functional analysis reveals key roles for kinesins in the mammalian and mosquito stages of the malaria parasite life cycle. PLoS Biol 2022; 20:e3001704. [PMID: 35900985 PMCID: PMC9333250 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pbio.3001704] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2022] [Accepted: 06/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Kinesins are microtubule (MT)-based motors important in cell division, motility, polarity, and intracellular transport in many eukaryotes. However, they are poorly studied in the divergent eukaryotic pathogens Plasmodium spp., the causative agents of malaria, which manifest atypical aspects of cell division and plasticity of morphology throughout the life cycle in both mammalian and mosquito hosts. Here, we describe a genome-wide screen of Plasmodium kinesins, revealing diverse subcellular locations and functions in spindle assembly, axoneme formation, and cell morphology. Surprisingly, only kinesin-13 is essential for growth in the mammalian host while the other 8 kinesins are required during the proliferative and invasive stages of parasite transmission through the mosquito vector. In-depth analyses of kinesin-13 and kinesin-20 revealed functions in MT dynamics during apical cell polarity formation, spindle assembly, and axoneme biogenesis. These findings help us to understand the importance of MT motors and may be exploited to discover new therapeutic interventions against malaria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad Zeeshan
- University of Nottingham, School of Life Sciences, Nottingham, United Kingdom
| | - Ravish Rashpa
- University of Geneva, Faculty of Medicine, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - David J P Ferguson
- Oxford Brookes University, Department of Biological and Medical Sciences, Oxford, United Kingdom
- University of Oxford, John Radcliffe Hospital, Nuffield Department of Clinical Laboratory Science, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Steven Abel
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Systems Biology, University of California Riverside, Riverside, California, United States of America
| | - Zeinab Chahine
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Systems Biology, University of California Riverside, Riverside, California, United States of America
| | - Declan Brady
- University of Nottingham, School of Life Sciences, Nottingham, United Kingdom
| | - Sue Vaughan
- Oxford Brookes University, Department of Biological and Medical Sciences, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Carolyn A Moores
- Institute of Structural and Molecular Biology, Department of Biological Sciences, Birkbeck College, London, United Kingdom
| | - Karine G Le Roch
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Systems Biology, University of California Riverside, Riverside, California, United States of America
| | - Mathieu Brochet
- University of Geneva, Faculty of Medicine, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Anthony A Holder
- The Francis Crick Institute, Malaria Parasitology Laboratory, London, United Kingdom
| | - Rita Tewari
- University of Nottingham, School of Life Sciences, Nottingham, United Kingdom
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13
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Nie H, Wu Y, Ou C, He X. Comprehensive Analysis of SMC Gene Family Prognostic Value and Immune Infiltration in Patients With Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma. Front Med (Lausanne) 2022; 9:832312. [PMID: 35372377 PMCID: PMC8965256 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2022.832312] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2021] [Accepted: 02/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic adenocarcinoma (PAAD) is a malignant tumor with high morbidity and mortality worldwide. Members from the structural maintenance of chromosomes (SMC) gene family function as oncogenes in various tumor types, but their roles in PAAD have not been elucidated. In this study, we aimed to explore the role of the SMC family in tumor progression and cancer immune infiltration in PAAD using integrative bioinformatic analyses. The results showed that the SMC 1A, 2, 3, 4, and 6 were overexpressed in PAAD tissues; of these, SMC 1A, 4, 5, and 6 could be potential prognostic biomarkers for PAAD. The expression of SMC genes was found to be strongly associated with immune cell infiltration. According to the infiltrative status of various immune cells, the mRNA expression of SMC genes in PAAD was associated with the overall and recurrence-free survival of patients. In conclusion, the SMC gene family is associated with PAAD and may be involved in tumorigenesis and cancer-immune interactions; thus, members from this gene family may serve as promising prognostic and therapeutic biomarkers of PAAD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui Nie
- Department of Pathology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Yanhao Wu
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Chunlin Ou
- Department of Pathology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China.,National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Xiaoyun He
- Departments of Ultrasound Imaging, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
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14
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Wang Y, Wu Z. The Clinical Significance and Transcription Regulation of a DNA Damage Repair Gene, SMC4, in Low-Grade Glioma via Integrated Bioinformatic Analysis. Front Oncol 2021; 11:761693. [PMID: 34868977 PMCID: PMC8636002 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2021.761693] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2021] [Accepted: 10/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Glioma is the most common type of malignant tumor in the central nervous system with an unfavorable prognosis and limited treatment. In this study, we are devoted to addressing the prognostic value of DNA damage repair-related genes in low-grade glioma (LGG). We plotted the landscape of DNA damage repair (DDR)-related genes and identified SMC4 as an independent prognostic marker with integrated bioinformatics analysis, which is overexpressed in different histologic subtypes of glioma. We observed that SMC4 expression is elevated in recurrent LGG patients or those with advanced histologic staging. SMC4 depletion inhibits proliferation and induces increased replication damage in LGG cells. Lastly, we predicted and validated the transcription modulation of SMC4 by a transcription factor, MYB, at the -976bp~ -837bp of the SMC4 promoter region in LGG cells. Together, our study identified SMC4 as a potential prognostic biomarker for LGG patients, which functions to promote cell proliferation by repairing replication damage and the expression of SMC4 could be transcriptionally regulated by MYB.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Wang
- Department of Neurology, First Hospital of Quanzhou, Quanzhou, China
| | - Zhisheng Wu
- Department of Neurology, First Hospital of Quanzhou, Quanzhou, China
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15
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Liffner B, Absalon S. Expansion Microscopy Reveals Plasmodium falciparum Blood-Stage Parasites Undergo Anaphase with A Chromatin Bridge in the Absence of Mini-Chromosome Maintenance Complex Binding Protein. Microorganisms 2021; 9:2306. [PMID: 34835432 PMCID: PMC8620465 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms9112306] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2021] [Revised: 11/02/2021] [Accepted: 11/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum undergoes closed mitosis, which occurs within an intact nuclear envelope, and differs significantly from its human host. Mitosis is underpinned by the dynamics of microtubules and the nuclear envelope. To date, our ability to study P. falciparum mitosis by microscopy has been hindered by the small size of the P. falciparum nuclei. Ultrastructure expansion microscopy (U-ExM) has recently been developed for P. falciparum, allowing the visualization of mitosis at the individual nucleus level. Using U-ExM, three intranuclear microtubule structures are observed: hemispindles, mitotic spindles, and interpolar spindles. A previous study demonstrated that the mini-chromosome maintenance complex binding-protein (MCMBP) depletion caused abnormal nuclear morphology and microtubule defects. To investigate the role of microtubules following MCMBP depletion and study the nuclear envelope in these parasites, we developed the first nuclear stain enabled by U-ExM in P. falciparum. MCMBP-deficient parasites show aberrant hemispindles and mitotic spindles. Moreover, anaphase chromatin bridges and individual nuclei containing multiple microtubule structures were observed following MCMBP knockdown. Collectively, this study refines our understanding of MCMBP-deficient parasites and highlights the utility of U-ExM coupled with a nuclear envelope stain for studying mitosis in P. falciparum.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Sabrina Absalon
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA;
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16
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Hu Y, Yu L, Fan H, Huang G, Wu Q, Nie Y, Liu S, Yan L, Wei F. Genomic Signatures of Coevolution between Nonmodel Mammals and Parasitic Roundworms. Mol Biol Evol 2021; 38:531-544. [PMID: 32960966 PMCID: PMC7826172 DOI: 10.1093/molbev/msaa243] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Antagonistic coevolution between host and parasite drives species evolution. However, most of the studies only focus on parasitism adaptation and do not explore the coevolution mechanisms from the perspective of both host and parasite. Here, through the de novo sequencing and assembly of the genomes of giant panda roundworm, red panda roundworm, and lion roundworm parasitic on tiger, we investigated the genomic mechanisms of coevolution between nonmodel mammals and their parasitic roundworms and those of roundworm parasitism in general. The genome-wide phylogeny revealed that these parasitic roundworms have not phylogenetically coevolved with their hosts. The CTSZ and prolyl 4-hydroxylase subunit beta (P4HB) immunoregulatory proteins played a central role in protein interaction between mammals and parasitic roundworms. The gene tree comparison identified that seven pairs of interactive proteins had consistent phylogenetic topology, suggesting their coevolution during host–parasite interaction. These coevolutionary proteins were particularly relevant to immune response. In addition, we found that the roundworms of both pandas exhibited higher proportions of metallopeptidase genes, and some positively selected genes were highly related to their larvae’s fast development. Our findings provide novel insights into the genetic mechanisms of coevolution between nonmodel mammals and parasites and offer the valuable genomic resources for scientific ascariasis prevention in both pandas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yibo Hu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Animal Ecology and Conservation Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.,Center for Excellence in Animal Evolution and Genetics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, China
| | - Lijun Yu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Animal Ecology and Conservation Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Huizhong Fan
- CAS Key Laboratory of Animal Ecology and Conservation Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Guangping Huang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Animal Ecology and Conservation Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Qi Wu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Animal Ecology and Conservation Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Yonggang Nie
- CAS Key Laboratory of Animal Ecology and Conservation Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.,Center for Excellence in Animal Evolution and Genetics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, China
| | - Shuai Liu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Animal Ecology and Conservation Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Li Yan
- CAS Key Laboratory of Animal Ecology and Conservation Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Fuwen Wei
- CAS Key Laboratory of Animal Ecology and Conservation Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.,Center for Excellence in Animal Evolution and Genetics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, China
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17
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Zeeshan M, Pandey R, Subudhi AK, Ferguson DJP, Kaur G, Rashpa R, Nugmanova R, Brady D, Bottrill AR, Vaughan S, Brochet M, Bollen M, Pain A, Holder AA, Guttery DS, Tewari R. Protein phosphatase 1 regulates atypical mitotic and meiotic division in Plasmodium sexual stages. Commun Biol 2021; 4:760. [PMID: 34145386 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-021-02273-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2021] [Accepted: 05/25/2021] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
PP1 is a conserved eukaryotic serine/threonine phosphatase that regulates many aspects of mitosis and meiosis, often working in concert with other phosphatases, such as CDC14 and CDC25. The proliferative stages of the malaria parasite life cycle include sexual development within the mosquito vector, with male gamete formation characterized by an atypical rapid mitosis, consisting of three rounds of DNA synthesis, successive spindle formation with clustered kinetochores, and a meiotic stage during zygote to ookinete development following fertilization. It is unclear how PP1 is involved in these unusual processes. Using real-time live-cell and ultrastructural imaging, conditional gene knockdown, RNA-seq and proteomic approaches, we show that Plasmodium PP1 is implicated in both mitotic exit and, potentially, establishing cell polarity during zygote development in the mosquito midgut, suggesting that small molecule inhibitors of PP1 should be explored for blocking parasite transmission.
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18
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Gubbels MJ, Coppens I, Zarringhalam K, Duraisingh MT, Engelberg K. The Modular Circuitry of Apicomplexan Cell Division Plasticity. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2021; 11:670049. [PMID: 33912479 PMCID: PMC8072463 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2021.670049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2021] [Accepted: 03/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
The close-knit group of apicomplexan parasites displays a wide variety of cell division modes, which differ between parasites as well as between different life stages within a single parasite species. The beginning and endpoint of the asexual replication cycles is a 'zoite' harboring the defining apical organelles required for host cell invasion. However, the number of zoites produced per division round varies dramatically and can unfold in several different ways. This plasticity of the cell division cycle originates from a combination of hard-wired developmental programs modulated by environmental triggers. Although the environmental triggers and sensors differ between species and developmental stages, widely conserved secondary messengers mediate the signal transduction pathways. These environmental and genetic input integrate in division-mode specific chromosome organization and chromatin modifications that set the stage for each division mode. Cell cycle progression is conveyed by a smorgasbord of positively and negatively acting transcription factors, often acting in concert with epigenetic reader complexes, that can vary dramatically between species as well as division modes. A unique set of cell cycle regulators with spatially distinct localization patterns insert discrete check points which permit individual control and can uncouple general cell cycle progression from nuclear amplification. Clusters of expressed genes are grouped into four functional modules seen in all division modes: 1. mother cytoskeleton disassembly; 2. DNA replication and segregation (D&S); 3. karyokinesis; 4. zoite assembly. A plug-and-play strategy results in the variety of extant division modes. The timing of mother cytoskeleton disassembly is hard-wired at the species level for asexual division modes: it is either the first step, or it is the last step. In the former scenario zoite assembly occurs at the plasma membrane (external budding), and in the latter scenario zoites are assembled in the cytoplasm (internal budding). The number of times each other module is repeated can vary regardless of this first decision, and defines the modes of cell division: schizogony, binary fission, endodyogeny, endopolygeny.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marc-Jan Gubbels
- Department of Biology, Boston College, Chestnut Hill, MA, United States
| | - Isabelle Coppens
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Kourosh Zarringhalam
- Department of Mathematics, University of Massachusetts Boston, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Manoj T. Duraisingh
- Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Klemens Engelberg
- Department of Biology, Boston College, Chestnut Hill, MA, United States
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19
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Hawkins LM, Naumov AV, Batra M, Wang C, Chaput D, Suvorova ES. Novel CRK-Cyclin Complex Controls Spindle Assembly Checkpoint in Toxoplasma Endodyogeny. mBio 2021; 13:e0356121. [PMID: 35130726 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.03561-21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Opportunistic parasites of the Apicomplexa phylum use a variety of division modes built on two types of cell cycles that incorporate two distinctive mechanisms of mitosis: uncoupled from and coupled to parasite budding. Parasites have evolved novel factors to regulate such unique replication mechanisms that are poorly understood. Here, we have combined genetics, quantitative fluorescence microscopy, and global proteomics approaches to examine endodyogeny in Toxoplasma gondii dividing by mitosis coupled to cytokinesis. In the current study, we focus on the steps controlled by the recently described atypical Cdk-related kinase T. gondii Crk6 (TgCrk6). While inspecting protein complexes, we found that this previously orphaned TgCrk6 kinase interacts with a parasite-specific atypical cyclin, TgCyc1. We built conditional expression models and examined primary cell cycle defects caused by the lack of TgCrk6 or TgCyc1. Quantitative microscopy assays revealed that tachyzoites deficient in either TgCrk6 or the cyclin partner TgCyc1 exhibit identical mitotic defects, suggesting cooperative action of the complex components. Further examination of the mitotic structures indicated that the TgCrk6/TgCyc1 complex regulates metaphase. This novel finding confirms a functional spindle assembly checkpoint (SAC) in T. gondii. Measuring global changes in protein expression and phosphorylation, we found evidence that canonical activities of the Toxoplasma SAC are intertwined with parasite-specific tasks. Analysis of phosphorylation motifs suggests that Toxoplasma metaphase is regulated by CDK, mitogen-activated kinase (MAPK), and Aurora kinases, while the TgCrk6/TgCyc1 complex specifically controls the centromere-associated network. IMPORTANCE The rate of Toxoplasma tachyzoite division directly correlates with the severity of the disease, toxoplasmosis, which affects humans and animals. Thus, a better understanding of the tachyzoite cell cycle would offer much-needed efficient tools to control the acute stage of infection. Although tachyzoites divide by binary division, the cell cycle architecture and regulation differ significantly from the conventional binary fission of their host cells. Unlike the unidirectional conventional cell cycle, the Toxoplasma budding cycle is braided and is regulated by multiple essential Cdk-related kinases (Crks) that emerged in the place of missing conventional cell cycle regulators. How these novel Crks control apicomplexan cell cycles is largely unknown. Here, we have discovered a novel parasite-specific complex, TgCrk6/TgCyc1, that orchestrates a major mitotic event, the spindle assembly checkpoint. We demonstrated that tachyzoites incorporated parasite-specific tasks in the canonical checkpoint functions.
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20
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Absalon S, Dvorin JD. Depletion of the mini-chromosome maintenance complex binding protein allows the progression of cytokinesis despite abnormal karyokinesis during the asexual development of Plasmodium falciparum. Cell Microbiol 2020; 23:e13284. [PMID: 33124706 DOI: 10.1111/cmi.13284] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2020] [Revised: 10/22/2020] [Accepted: 10/26/2020] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
The eukaryotic cell cycle is typically divided into distinct phases with cytokinesis immediately following mitosis. To ensure proper cell division, each phase is tightly coordinated via feedback controls named checkpoints. During its asexual replication cycle, the malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum undergoes multiple asynchronous rounds of mitosis with segregation of uncondensed chromosomes followed by nuclear division with intact nuclear envelope. The multi-nucleated schizont is then subjected to a single round of cytokinesis that produces dozens of daughter cells called merozoites. To date, no cell cycle checkpoints have been identified that regulate the Plasmodium spp. mode of division. Here, we identify the Plasmodium homologue of the Mini-Chromosome Maintenance Complex Binding Protein (PfMCMBP), which co-purified with the Mini-Chromosome Maintenance (MCM) complex, a replicative helicase required for genomic DNA replication. By conditionally depleting PfMCMBP, we disrupt nuclear morphology and parasite proliferation without causing a block in DNA replication. By immunofluorescence microscopy, we show that PfMCMBP depletion promotes the formation of mitotic spindle microtubules with extensions to more than one DNA focus and abnormal centrin distribution. Strikingly, PfMCMBP-deficient parasites complete cytokinesis and form aneuploid merozoites with variable cellular and nuclear sizes. Our study demonstrates that the parasite lacks a robust checkpoint response to prevent cytokinesis following aberrant karyokinesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sabrina Absalon
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.,Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Jeffrey D Dvorin
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.,Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
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21
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Hollin T, Gupta M, Lenz T, Le Roch KG. Dynamic Chromatin Structure and Epigenetics Control the Fate of Malaria Parasites. Trends Genet 2021; 37:73-85. [PMID: 32988634 DOI: 10.1016/j.tig.2020.09.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2020] [Revised: 08/27/2020] [Accepted: 09/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Multiple hosts and various life cycle stages prompt the human malaria parasite, Plasmodium falciparum, to acquire sophisticated molecular mechanisms to ensure its survival, spread, and transmission to its next host. To face these environmental challenges, increasing evidence suggests that the parasite has developed complex and complementary layers of regulatory mechanisms controlling gene expression. Here, we discuss the recent developments in the discovery of molecular components that contribute to cell replication and differentiation and highlight the major contributions of epigenetics, transcription factors, and nuclear architecture in controlling gene regulation and life cycle progression in Plasmodium spp.
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22
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Zeeshan M, Pandey R, Ferguson DJP, Tromer EC, Markus R, Abel S, Brady D, Daniel E, Limenitakis R, Bottrill AR, Le Roch KG, Holder AA, Waller RF, Guttery DS, Tewari R. Real-time dynamics of Plasmodium NDC80 reveals unusual modes of chromosome segregation during parasite proliferation. J Cell Sci 2020; 134:jcs245753. [PMID: 32501284 PMCID: PMC7340582 DOI: 10.1242/jcs.245753] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2020] [Accepted: 04/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Eukaryotic cell proliferation requires chromosome replication and precise segregation to ensure daughter cells have identical genomic copies. Species of the genus Plasmodium, the causative agents of malaria, display remarkable aspects of nuclear division throughout their life cycle to meet some peculiar and unique challenges to DNA replication and chromosome segregation. The parasite undergoes atypical endomitosis and endoreduplication with an intact nuclear membrane and intranuclear mitotic spindle. To understand these diverse modes of Plasmodium cell division, we have studied the behaviour and composition of the outer kinetochore NDC80 complex, a key part of the mitotic apparatus that attaches the centromere of chromosomes to microtubules of the mitotic spindle. Using NDC80-GFP live-cell imaging in Plasmodium berghei, we observe dynamic spatiotemporal changes during proliferation, including highly unusual kinetochore arrangements during sexual stages. We identify a very divergent candidate for the SPC24 subunit of the NDC80 complex, previously thought to be missing in Plasmodium, which completes a canonical, albeit unusual, NDC80 complex structure. Altogether, our studies reveal the kinetochore to be an ideal tool to investigate the non-canonical modes of chromosome segregation and cell division in Plasmodium.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad Zeeshan
- School of Life Sciences, Queen's Medical Centre, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2UH, UK
| | - Rajan Pandey
- School of Life Sciences, Queen's Medical Centre, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2UH, UK
| | - David J P Ferguson
- Nuffield Department of Clinical Laboratory Science, University of Oxford, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford OX3 9DU, UK
- Department of Biological and Medical Sciences, Faculty of Health and Life Science, Oxford Brookes University, Gipsy Lane, Oxford OX3 0BP, UK
| | - Eelco C Tromer
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 1QW, UK
| | - Robert Markus
- School of Life Sciences, Queen's Medical Centre, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2UH, UK
| | - Steven Abel
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Systems Biology, University of California Riverside, Riverside, CA 92521, USA
| | - Declan Brady
- School of Life Sciences, Queen's Medical Centre, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2UH, UK
| | - Emilie Daniel
- School of Life Sciences, Queen's Medical Centre, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2UH, UK
| | | | - Andrew R Bottrill
- School of Life Sciences, Gibbelt Hill Campus, University of Warwick, Coventry CV4 7AL, UK
| | - Karine G Le Roch
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Systems Biology, University of California Riverside, Riverside, CA 92521, USA
| | - Anthony A Holder
- Malaria Parasitology Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London NW1 1AT, UK
| | - Ross F Waller
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 1QW, UK
| | - David S Guttery
- Leicester Cancer Research Centre, University of Leicester, Leicester LE2 7LX, UK
| | - Rita Tewari
- School of Life Sciences, Queen's Medical Centre, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2UH, UK
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