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Vitarelli MDO, Franco TA, Pires DDS, Lima ARJ, Viala VL, Kraus AJ, de Azevedo IDLMJ, da Cunha JPC, Elias MC. Integrating high-throughput analysis to create an atlas of replication origins in Trypanosoma cruzi in the context of genome structure and variability. mBio 2024; 15:e0031924. [PMID: 38441981 PMCID: PMC11005370 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.00319-24] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2024] [Accepted: 02/09/2024] [Indexed: 03/07/2024] Open
Abstract
Trypanosoma cruzi is the etiologic agent of the most prevalent human parasitic disease in Latin America, Chagas disease. Its genome is rich in multigenic families that code for virulent antigens and are present in the rapidly evolving genomic compartment named Disruptive. DNA replication is a meticulous biological process in which flaws can generate mutations and changes in chromosomal and gene copy numbers. Here, integrating high-throughput and single-molecule analyses, we were able to identify Predominant, Flexible, and Dormant Orc1Cdc6-dependent origins as well as Orc1Cdc6-independent origins. Orc1Cdc6-dependent origins were found in multigenic family loci, while independent origins were found in the Core compartment that contains conserved and hypothetical protein-coding genes, in addition to multigenic families. In addition, we found that Orc1Cdc6 density is related to the firing of origins and that Orc1Cdc6-binding sites within fired origins are depleted of a specific class of nucleosomes that we previously categorized as dynamic. Together, these data suggest that Orc1Cdc6-dependent origins may contribute to the rapid evolution of the Disruptive compartment and, therefore, to the success of T. cruzi infection and that the local epigenome landscape is also involved in this process.IMPORTANCETrypanosoma cruzi, responsible for Chagas disease, affects millions globally, particularly in Latin America. Lack of vaccine or treatment underscores the need for research. Parasite's genome, with virulent antigen-coding multigenic families, resides in the rapidly evolving Disruptive compartment. Study sheds light on the parasite's dynamic DNA replication, discussing the evolution of the Disruptive compartment. Therefore, the findings represent a significant stride in comprehending T. cruzi's biology and the molecular bases that contribute to the success of infection caused by this parasite.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcela de Oliveira Vitarelli
- Cell Cycle Laboratory, Butantan Institute, Av. Vital Brazil, São Paulo, Brazil
- Center of Toxins, Immune Response and Cell Signaling (CeTICS), Butantan Institute, Av. Vital Brazil, São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | | | | | - Vincent Louis Viala
- Biochemistry Laboratory, Butantan Institute, Av. Vital Brazil, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Amelie Johanna Kraus
- Division of Experimental Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität in Munich, Planegg-Martinsried, Germany
- Biomedical Center, Division of Physiological Chemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität in Munich, Planegg-Martinsried, Germany
| | | | - Julia Pinheiro Chagas da Cunha
- Cell Cycle Laboratory, Butantan Institute, Av. Vital Brazil, São Paulo, Brazil
- Center of Toxins, Immune Response and Cell Signaling (CeTICS), Butantan Institute, Av. Vital Brazil, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Maria Carolina Elias
- Cell Cycle Laboratory, Butantan Institute, Av. Vital Brazil, São Paulo, Brazil
- Center of Toxins, Immune Response and Cell Signaling (CeTICS), Butantan Institute, Av. Vital Brazil, São Paulo, Brazil
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Vázquez C, Encalada R, Belmont-Díaz J, Rivera M, Alvarez S, Nogueda-Torres B, Saavedra E. Metabolic control analysis of the transsulfuration pathway and the compensatory role of the cysteine transport in Trypanosoma cruzi. Biosystems 2023; 234:105066. [PMID: 37898397 DOI: 10.1016/j.biosystems.2023.105066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2023] [Revised: 10/16/2023] [Accepted: 10/18/2023] [Indexed: 10/30/2023]
Abstract
Trypanosoma cruzi is the causal agent of American Trypanosomiasis or Chagas Disease in humans. The current drugs for its treatment benznidazole and nifurtimox have inconveniences of toxicity and efficacy; therefore, the search for new therapies continues. Validation through genetic strategies of new drug targets against the parasite metabolism have identified numerous essential genes. Target validation can be further narrowed by applying Metabolic Control Analysis (MCA) to determine the flux control coefficients of the pathway enzymes. That coefficient is a quantitative value that represents the degree in which an enzyme/transporter determines the flux of a metabolic pathway; those with the highest coefficients can be promising drug targets. Previous studies have demonstrated that cysteine (Cys) is a key precursor for the synthesis of trypanothione, the main antioxidant metabolite in the parasite. In this research, MCA was applied in an ex vivo system to the enzymes of the reverse transsulfuration pathway (RTP) for Cys synthesis composed by cystathionine beta synthase (CBS) and cystathionine gamma lyase (CGL). The results indicated that CGL has 90% of the control of the pathway flux. Inhibition of CGL with propargylglycine (PAG) decreased the levels of Cys and trypanothione and depleted those of glutathione in epimastigotes (proliferative stage in the insect vector); these metabolite changes were prevented by supplementing with Cys, suggesting a compensatory role of the Cys transport (CysT). Indeed, Cys supplementation (but not PAG treatment) increased the activity of the CysT in epimastigotes whereas in trypomastigotes (infective stage in mammals) CysT was increased when they were incubated with PAG. Our results suggested that CGL could be a potential drug target given its high control on the RTP flux and its effects on the parasite antioxidant defense. However, the redundant Cys supply pathways in the parasite may require inhibition of the CysT as well. Our findings also suggest differential responses of the Cys supply pathways in different parasite stages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Citlali Vázquez
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Instituto Nacional de Cardiología Ignacio Chávez, Mexico City, 14080, Mexico; Posgrado en Ciencias Químico Biológicas, Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biológicas, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Mexico City, 11350, Mexico
| | - Rusely Encalada
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Instituto Nacional de Cardiología Ignacio Chávez, Mexico City, 14080, Mexico
| | - Javier Belmont-Díaz
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Instituto Nacional de Cardiología Ignacio Chávez, Mexico City, 14080, Mexico
| | - Moisés Rivera
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Instituto Nacional de Cardiología Ignacio Chávez, Mexico City, 14080, Mexico
| | - Samantha Alvarez
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Instituto Nacional de Cardiología Ignacio Chávez, Mexico City, 14080, Mexico
| | - Benjamín Nogueda-Torres
- Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biológicas, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Mexico City, 11350, Mexico
| | - Emma Saavedra
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Instituto Nacional de Cardiología Ignacio Chávez, Mexico City, 14080, Mexico.
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Kevorkian ML, Vilchez Larrea SC, Fernández Villamil SH. Trypanosoma cruzi PARP is enriched in the nucleolus and is present in a thread connecting nuclei during mitosis. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0267329. [PMID: 36584038 PMCID: PMC9803098 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0267329] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2022] [Accepted: 12/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) is responsible for the synthesis of ADP-ribose polymers, which are involved in a wide range of cellular processes such as preservation of genome integrity, DNA damage signaling and repair, molecular switches between distinct cell death pathways, and cell cycle progression. Previously, we demonstrated that the only PARP present in T. cruzi migrates to the nucleus upon genotoxic stimulus. In this work, we identify the N-terminal domain as being sufficient for TcPARP nuclear localization and describe for the first time that TcPARP is enriched in the parasite's nucleolus. We also describe that TcPARP is present in a thread-like structure that connects two dividing nuclei and co-localizes with nucleolar material and microtubules. Furthermore, ADP-ribose polymers could also be detected in this thread during mitosis. These findings represent a first approach to new potential TcPARP functions inside the nucleus and will help understand its role well beyond the largely described DNA damage response protein in trypanosomatids.
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Affiliation(s)
- María Laura Kevorkian
- Instituto de Investigaciones en Ingeniería Genética y Biología Molecular “Dr. Héctor N. Torres”, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Salomé C. Vilchez Larrea
- Instituto de Investigaciones en Ingeniería Genética y Biología Molecular “Dr. Héctor N. Torres”, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Departamento de Fisiología, Biología Molecular y Celular, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Silvia H. Fernández Villamil
- Instituto de Investigaciones en Ingeniería Genética y Biología Molecular “Dr. Héctor N. Torres”, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Departamento de Química Biológica, Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina
- * E-mail: ,
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Saraiva FMS, Cosentino-Gomes D, Inacio JDF, Almeida-Amaral EE, Louzada-Neto O, Rossini A, Nogueira NP, Meyer-Fernandes JR, Paes MC. Hypoxia Effects on Trypanosoma cruzi Epimastigotes Proliferation, Differentiation, and Energy Metabolism. Pathogens 2022; 11:pathogens11080897. [PMID: 36015018 PMCID: PMC9416468 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens11080897] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2022] [Revised: 07/21/2022] [Accepted: 07/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Trypanosoma cruzi, the causative agent of Chagas disease, faces changes in redox status and nutritional availability during its life cycle. However, the influence of oxygen fluctuation upon the biology of T. cruzi is unclear. The present work investigated the response of T. cruzi epimastigotes to hypoxia. The parasites showed an adaptation to the hypoxic condition, presenting an increase in proliferation and a reduction in metacyclogenesis. Additionally, parasites cultured in hypoxia produced more reactive oxygen species (ROS) compared to parasites cultured in normoxia. The analyses of the mitochondrial physiology demonstrated that hypoxic condition induced a decrease in both oxidative phosphorylation and mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm) in epimastigotes. In spite of that, ATP levels of parasites cultivated in hypoxia increased. The hypoxic condition also increased the expression of the hexokinase and NADH fumarate reductase genes and reduced NAD(P)H, suggesting that this increase in ATP levels of hypoxia-challenged parasites was a consequence of increased glycolysis and fermentation pathways. Taken together, our results suggest that decreased oxygen levels trigger a shift in the bioenergetic metabolism of T. cruzi epimastigotes, favoring ROS production and fermentation to sustain ATP production, allowing the parasite to survive and proliferate in the insect vector.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francis M. S. Saraiva
- Trypanosomatids and Vectors Interaction Laboratory, Department of Biochemistry, Roberto Alcantara Gomes Institute of Biology, State University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 20550-013, Brazil
| | - Daniela Cosentino-Gomes
- Institute of Medical Biochemistry Leopoldo De Meis, Center for Health Sciences, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 21941-901, Brazil
| | - Job D. F. Inacio
- Tripanosomatide Biochemistry Laboratory, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Manguinhos, Rio de Janeiro 21040-900, Brazil
| | - Elmo E. Almeida-Amaral
- Tripanosomatide Biochemistry Laboratory, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Manguinhos, Rio de Janeiro 21040-900, Brazil
| | - Orlando Louzada-Neto
- Laboratory of Toxicology and Molecular Biology, Department of Biochemistry, IBRAG- UERJ, Rio de Janeiro 20511-010, Brazil
| | - Ana Rossini
- Laboratory of Toxicology and Molecular Biology, Department of Biochemistry, IBRAG- UERJ, Rio de Janeiro 20511-010, Brazil
| | - Natália P. Nogueira
- Trypanosomatids and Vectors Interaction Laboratory, Department of Biochemistry, Roberto Alcantara Gomes Institute of Biology, State University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 20550-013, Brazil
- National Institute of Science and Technology—Molecular Entomology (INCT-EM), Brasília 70000-000, Brazil
| | - José R. Meyer-Fernandes
- Institute of Medical Biochemistry Leopoldo De Meis, Center for Health Sciences, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 21941-901, Brazil
| | - Marcia C. Paes
- Trypanosomatids and Vectors Interaction Laboratory, Department of Biochemistry, Roberto Alcantara Gomes Institute of Biology, State University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 20550-013, Brazil
- National Institute of Science and Technology—Molecular Entomology (INCT-EM), Brasília 70000-000, Brazil
- Correspondence:
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Trypanosoma cruzi Importin α: ability to bind to a functional classical nuclear localization signal of the bipartite type. Parasitol Res 2020; 119:3899-3907. [PMID: 32951146 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-020-06885-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2020] [Accepted: 09/13/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Importin α, a transport factor in the classical pathway of nuclear transport of proteins in eukaryotes, has not been experimentally studied in trypanosomatids. A chimeric fluorescent version of this protein (TcImportin α-EGFP) expressed in transfected epimastigotes of Trypanosoma cruzi is characterized here. Initially, the cellular localization of the tagged protein was analysed in exponentially growing and non-growing quiescent cells in a stationary phase. In growing epimastigotes, the fluorescence signal appeared to be mostly localized in the nucleolus, with additional minor fluorescent dots observed close to the nuclear periphery. In the stationary phase, both aged epimastigotes and metacyclic trypomastigotes presented with dispersed fluorescence of a granular form within the nucleoplasm of the cells that predominantly localized in poorly DAPI-stained regions. On the other hand, the ability of a tagged (6×His) version of TcImportin α to bind the nuclear protein cargo TcRPA31 (TcRPA31-EGFP) was determined by pull-down assays of co-transfected cultures. In addition, the results from the in vitro analyses with these tagged recombinant proteins showed that the functional nuclear localization signal (NLS) previously mapped to TcRPA31 was sufficient to sustain binding to TcImportin α. Moreover, the second cluster of basic amino acids within this bipartite NLS (formerly termed element B) was found to be essential for complex formation, as previously described for the nuclear translocation of these fluorescent chimeras. To our knowledge, this approach is the first in which Importin α was experimentally researched in kinetoplastids. The ability of TcImportin α to bind the NLS motif analysed here, is an essential feature expected for its potential functional role as a soluble transport factor.
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Pavani RS, Lima LP, Lima AA, Fernandes CAH, Fragoso SP, Calderano SG, Elias MC. Nuclear export of replication protein A in the nonreplicative infective forms of
Trypanosoma cruzi. FEBS Lett 2020; 594:1596-1607. [DOI: 10.1002/1873-3468.13755] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2019] [Revised: 02/04/2020] [Accepted: 02/05/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Raphael S. Pavani
- Laboratório de Ciclo Celular Instituto Butantan São Paulo Brazil
- Center of Toxins, Immune Response and Cell Signaling (CeTICS) Instituto Butantan São Paulo Brazil
| | - Loyze P. Lima
- Laboratório de Ciclo Celular Instituto Butantan São Paulo Brazil
- Center of Toxins, Immune Response and Cell Signaling (CeTICS) Instituto Butantan São Paulo Brazil
| | - André A. Lima
- Laboratório de Ciclo Celular Instituto Butantan São Paulo Brazil
- Center of Toxins, Immune Response and Cell Signaling (CeTICS) Instituto Butantan São Paulo Brazil
| | - Carlos A. H. Fernandes
- Departamento de Física e Biofísica Instituto de Biociências Universidade Estadual Paulista Júlio de Mesquita Filho (UNESP) Botucatu Brazil
- Laboratorie de Biologie et Pharmacologie Appliquée Ecole Normale Supérieure Paris‐Saclay Cachan France
| | | | - Simone G. Calderano
- Center of Toxins, Immune Response and Cell Signaling (CeTICS) Instituto Butantan São Paulo Brazil
- Laboratório de Parasitologia Instituto Butantan São Paulo Brazil
| | - Maria Carolina Elias
- Laboratório de Ciclo Celular Instituto Butantan São Paulo Brazil
- Center of Toxins, Immune Response and Cell Signaling (CeTICS) Instituto Butantan São Paulo Brazil
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Martínez-Calvillo S, Florencio-Martínez LE, Nepomuceno-Mejía T. Nucleolar Structure and Function in Trypanosomatid Protozoa. Cells 2019; 8:cells8050421. [PMID: 31071985 PMCID: PMC6562600 DOI: 10.3390/cells8050421] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2019] [Revised: 04/26/2019] [Accepted: 04/28/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The nucleolus is the conspicuous nuclear body where ribosomal RNA genes are transcribed by RNA polymerase I, pre-ribosomal RNA is processed, and ribosomal subunits are assembled. Other important functions have been attributed to the nucleolus over the years. Here we review the current knowledge about the structure and function of the nucleolus in the trypanosomatid parasites Trypanosoma brucei, Trypanosoma cruzi and Leishmania ssp., which represent one of the earliest branching lineages among the eukaryotes. These protozoan parasites present a single nucleolus that is preserved throughout the closed nuclear division, and that seems to lack fibrillar centers. Trypanosomatids possess a relatively low number of rRNA genes, which encode rRNA molecules that contain large expansion segments, including several that are trypanosomatid-specific. Notably, the large subunit rRNA (28S-type) is fragmented into two large and four small rRNA species. Hence, compared to other organisms, the rRNA primary transcript requires additional processing steps in trypanosomatids. Accordingly, this group of parasites contains the highest number ever reported of snoRNAs that participate in rRNA processing. The number of modified rRNA nucleotides in trypanosomatids is also higher than in other organisms. Regarding the structure and biogenesis of the ribosomes, recent cryo-electron microscopy analyses have revealed several trypanosomatid-specific features that are discussed here. Additional functions of the nucleolus in trypanosomatids are also reviewed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Santiago Martínez-Calvillo
- Unidad de Biomedicina, Facultad de Estudios Superiores Iztacala, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Av. de los Barrios 1, Col. Los Reyes Iztacala, Tlalnepantla CP 54090, Estado de México, Mexico.
| | - Luis E Florencio-Martínez
- Unidad de Biomedicina, Facultad de Estudios Superiores Iztacala, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Av. de los Barrios 1, Col. Los Reyes Iztacala, Tlalnepantla CP 54090, Estado de México, Mexico.
| | - Tomás Nepomuceno-Mejía
- Unidad de Biomedicina, Facultad de Estudios Superiores Iztacala, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Av. de los Barrios 1, Col. Los Reyes Iztacala, Tlalnepantla CP 54090, Estado de México, Mexico.
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Canela-Pérez I, López-Villaseñor I, Mendoza L, Cevallos AM, Hernández R. Nuclear localization signals in trypanosomal proteins. Mol Biochem Parasitol 2019; 229:15-23. [PMID: 30772422 DOI: 10.1016/j.molbiopara.2019.02.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2018] [Revised: 01/14/2019] [Accepted: 02/09/2019] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
The nuclear import of proteins in eukaryotic cells is a fundamental biological process. While it has been analysed to different extents in model eukaryotic organisms, this event has rarely been studied in the early divergent protozoa of the order Kinetoplastida. The work presented here represents an overview of nuclear import in these important species of human pathogens. Initially, an in silico study of classical nuclear localization signals within the published nuclear proteomes of Trypanosoma brucei and Trypanosoma cruzi was carried out. The basic amino acids that comprise the monopartite and bipartite classical nuclear localization signals (cNLS) in trypanosomal proteins are similar to the consensus sequences observed for the nuclear proteins of yeasts, animals and plants. In addition, a summarized description of published studies that experimentally address the NLS of nuclear proteins in trypanosomatids is presented, and the clear occurrence of non-classical NLS (NLS that lack the consensus motifs of basic amino acids) in the analysed reports indicate a complex scenario for the types of receptors in these species. In general, the information presented here agrees with the hypothetical appearance of mechanisms for the recognition of nuclear proteins in early eukaryotic evolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Israel Canela-Pérez
- Departamento de Biología Molecular y Biotecnología, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad Universitaria, CP 04360, México
| | - Imelda López-Villaseñor
- Departamento de Biología Molecular y Biotecnología, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad Universitaria, CP 04360, México
| | - Luis Mendoza
- Departamento de Biología Molecular y Biotecnología, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad Universitaria, CP 04360, México
| | - Ana María Cevallos
- Departamento de Biología Molecular y Biotecnología, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad Universitaria, CP 04360, México
| | - Roberto Hernández
- Departamento de Biología Molecular y Biotecnología, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad Universitaria, CP 04360, México.
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Overexpression of Trypanosoma cruzi High Mobility Group B protein (TcHMGB) alters the nuclear structure, impairs cytokinesis and reduces the parasite infectivity. Sci Rep 2019; 9:192. [PMID: 30655631 PMCID: PMC6336821 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-36718-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2018] [Accepted: 11/21/2018] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Kinetoplastid parasites, included Trypanosoma cruzi, the causal agent of Chagas disease, present a unique genome organization and gene expression. Although they control gene expression mainly post-transcriptionally, chromatin accessibility plays a fundamental role in transcription initiation control. We have previously shown that High Mobility Group B protein from Trypanosoma cruzi (TcHMGB) can bind DNA in vitro. Here, we show that TcHMGB also acts as an architectural protein in vivo, since the overexpression of this protein induces changes in the nuclear structure, mainly the reduction of the nucleolus and a decrease in the heterochromatin:euchromatin ratio. Epimastigote replication rate was markedly reduced presumably due to a delayed cell cycle progression with accumulation of parasites in G2/M phase and impaired cytokinesis. Some functions involved in pathogenesis were also altered in TcHMGB-overexpressing parasites, like the decreased efficiency of trypomastigotes to infect cells in vitro, the reduction of intracellular amastigotes replication and the number of released trypomastigotes. Taken together, our results suggest that the TcHMGB protein is a pleiotropic player that controls cell phenotype and it is involved in key cellular processes.
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Nucleolar Division in the Promastigote Stage of Leishmania major Parasite: A Nop56 Point of View. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2018; 2018:1641839. [PMID: 30406129 PMCID: PMC6199852 DOI: 10.1155/2018/1641839] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2018] [Revised: 08/14/2018] [Accepted: 09/13/2018] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Nucleogenesis is the cellular event responsible for the formation of the new nucleoli at the end of mitosis. This process depends on the synthesis and processing of ribosomal RNA (rRNA) and, in some eukaryotes, the transfer of nucleolar material contained in prenucleolar bodies (PNBs) to active transcription sites. The lack of a comprehensive description of the nucleolus throughout the cell cycle of the human pathogen Leishmania major prompted us to analyze the distribution of nucleolar protein 56 (Nop56) during interphase and mitosis in the promastigote stage of the parasite. By in silico analysis we show that the orthologue of Nop56 in L. major (LmNop56) contains the three characteristic Nop56 domains and that its predicted three-dimensional structure is also conserved. Fluorescence microscopy observations indicate that the nucleolar localization of LmNop56 is similar, but not identical, to that of the nucleolar protein Elp3b. Notably, unlike other nucleolar proteins, LmNop56 remains associated with the nucleolus in nonproliferative cells. Moreover, epifluorescent images indicate the preservation of the nucleolar structure throughout the closed nuclear division. Experiments performed with the related parasite Trypanosoma brucei show that nucleolar division is carried out by an analogous mechanism.
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Canela-Pérez I, López-Villaseñor I, Cevallos AM, Hernández R. Nuclear distribution of the Trypanosoma cruzi RNA Pol I subunit RPA31 during growth and metacyclogenesis, and characterization of its nuclear localization signal. Parasitol Res 2018; 117:911-918. [PMID: 29322297 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-018-5747-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2017] [Accepted: 01/03/2018] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Trypanosoma cruzi is the aetiologic agent of Chagas disease. Our research group studies ribosomal RNA (rRNA) gene transcription and nucleolus dynamics in this species of trypanosomes. RPA31 is an essential subunit of RNA polymerase I (Pol I) whose presence is apparently restricted to trypanosomes. Using fluorescent-tagged versions of this protein (TcRPA31-EGFP), we describe its nuclear distribution during growth and metacyclogenesis. Our findings indicate that TcRPA31-EGFP alters its nuclear presence from concentrated nucleolar localization in exponentially growing epimastigotes to a dispersed granular distribution in the nucleoplasm of stationary epimastigotes and metacyclic trypomastigotes. These changes likely reflect a structural redistribution of the Pol I transcription machinery in quiescent cellular stages where downregulation of rRNA synthesis is known to occur. In addition, and related to the nuclear internalization of this protein, the presence of a classical bipartite-type nuclear localization signal was identified towards its C-terminal end. The functionality of this motif was demonstrated by its partial or total deletion in recombinant versions of the tagged fluorescent protein. Moreover, ivermectin inhibited the nuclear localization of the labelled chimaera, suggesting the involvement of the importin α/β transport system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Israel Canela-Pérez
- Departamento de Biología Molecular y Biotecnología, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad Universitaria, CP 04360, CDMX, Mexico
| | - Imelda López-Villaseñor
- Departamento de Biología Molecular y Biotecnología, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad Universitaria, CP 04360, CDMX, Mexico
| | - Ana María Cevallos
- Departamento de Biología Molecular y Biotecnología, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad Universitaria, CP 04360, CDMX, Mexico
| | - Roberto Hernández
- Departamento de Biología Molecular y Biotecnología, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad Universitaria, CP 04360, CDMX, Mexico.
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Mendonça PHB, da Rocha RFDB, Moraes JBDB, LaRocque-de-Freitas IF, Logullo J, Morrot A, Nunes MP, Freire-de-Lima CG, Decote-Ricardo D. Canine Macrophage DH82 Cell Line As a Model to Study Susceptibility to Trypanosoma cruzi Infection. Front Immunol 2017; 8:604. [PMID: 28620374 PMCID: PMC5449653 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2017.00604] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2017] [Accepted: 05/08/2017] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Trypanosoma cruzi is an obligatory intracellular protozoan parasite, and it is the etiological agent of Chagas' disease that is endemic in the Americas. In addition to humans, a wide spectrum of mammals can be infected by T. cruzi, including dogs. Dogs develop acute and chronic disease, similar to human infection. T. cruzi can infect almost all cell types and after cell invasion, the metacyclics trypomastigotes localize in the cytoplasm, where they transform into amastigotes, the replicative form of T. cruzi in mammals. After amastigote multiplication and differentiation, parasites lyse host cells and spread through the body by blood circulation. In this work, we evaluated the in vitro ability of T. cruzi to infect a canine macrophage cell line DH82 compared with RAW264.7, a murine tissue culture macrophage. Our results have shown that the T. cruzi is able to infect, replicate and differentiate in DH82 cell line. We observed that following treatment with LPS and IFN-γ DH82 cells were more resistant to infection and that resistance was not related reactive oxygen species production in our system. In this study, we also found that DH82 cells became more susceptible to T. cruzi infection when cocultured with apoptotic cells. The analysis of cytokine production has showed elevated levels of the TGF-β, IL-10, and TNF-α produced by T. cruzi-infected canine macrophages. Additionally, we demonstrated a reduced expression of the MHC class II and CD80 by infected DH82 cell line.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Jorgete Logullo
- Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Alexandre Morrot
- Instituto de Microbiologia Paulo de Góes, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | | | | | - Debora Decote-Ricardo
- Instituto de Veterinária, Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
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13
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Rout MP, Obado SO, Schenkman S, Field MC. Specialising the parasite nucleus: Pores, lamins, chromatin, and diversity. PLoS Pathog 2017; 13:e1006170. [PMID: 28253370 PMCID: PMC5333908 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1006170] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Michael P. Rout
- The Rockefeller University, New York, New York, United States of America
| | - Samson O. Obado
- The Rockefeller University, New York, New York, United States of America
| | | | - Mark C. Field
- Wellcome Centre for Anti-Infectives Research, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee, United Kingdom
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14
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Hashimoto M, Doi M, Kurebayashi N, Furukawa K, Hirawake-Mogi H, Ohmiya Y, Sakurai T, Mita T, Mikoshiba K, Nara T. Inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptor determines intracellular Ca 2+ concentration in Trypanosoma cruzi throughout its life cycle. FEBS Open Bio 2017; 6:1178-1185. [PMID: 28203518 PMCID: PMC5302059 DOI: 10.1002/2211-5463.12126] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2016] [Revised: 08/17/2016] [Accepted: 09/05/2016] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Regulation of intracellular Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) is vital for eukaryotic organisms. Recently, we identified a Ca2+ channel (TcIP 3R) associated with intracellular Ca2+ stores in Trypanosoma cruzi, the parasitic protist that causes Chagas disease. In this study, we measured [Ca2+]i during the parasite life cycle and determined whether TcIP 3R is involved in the observed variations. Parasites expressing R-GECO1, a red fluorescent, genetically encoded Ca2+ indicator for optical imaging that fluoresces when bound to Ca2+, were produced. Using these R-GECO1-expressing parasites to measure [Ca2+]i, we found that the [Ca2+]i in epimastigotes was significantly higher than that in trypomastigotes and lower than that in amastigotes, and we observed a positive correlation between TcIP3R mRNA expression and [Ca2+]i during the parasite life cycle both in vitro and in vivo. We also generated R-GECO1-expressing parasites with TcIP 3R expression levels that were approximately 65% of wild-type (wt) levels (SKO parasites), and [Ca2+]i in the wt and SKO parasites was compared. The [Ca2+]i in SKO parasites was reduced to approximately 50-65% of that in wt parasites. These results show that TcIP 3R is the determinant of [Ca2+]i in T. cruzi. Since Ca2+ signaling is vital for these parasites, TcIP 3R is a promising drug target for Chagas disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muneaki Hashimoto
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Parasitology Juntendo University School of Medicine Tokyo Japan; Health Research Institute AIST Takamatsu Kagawa Japan
| | - Motomichi Doi
- Biomedical Research Institute AIST Tsukuba Ibaraki Japan
| | - Nagomi Kurebayashi
- Department of Pharmacology Juntendo University School of Medicine Tokyo Japan
| | - Koji Furukawa
- Biomedical Research Institute AIST Tsukuba Ibaraki Japan
| | - Hiroko Hirawake-Mogi
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Parasitology Juntendo University School of Medicine Tokyo Japan
| | | | - Takashi Sakurai
- Department of Pharmacology Juntendo University School of Medicine Tokyo Japan
| | - Toshihiro Mita
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Parasitology Juntendo University School of Medicine Tokyo Japan
| | - Katsuhiko Mikoshiba
- Laboratory for Developmental Neurobiology RIKEN Brain Science Institute Saitama Japan
| | - Takeshi Nara
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Parasitology Juntendo University School of Medicine Tokyo Japan
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15
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Hashimoto M, Morales J, Uemura H, Mikoshiba K, Nara T. A Novel Method for Inducing Amastigote-To-Trypomastigote Transformation In Vitro in Trypanosoma cruzi Reveals the Importance of Inositol 1,4,5-Trisphosphate Receptor. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0135726. [PMID: 26267656 PMCID: PMC4534300 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0135726] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2015] [Accepted: 07/24/2015] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Trypanosoma cruzi is a parasitic protist that causes Chagas disease, which is prevalent in Latin America. Because of the unavailability of an effective drug or vaccine, and because about 8 million people are infected with the parasite worldwide, the development of novel drugs demands urgent attention. T. cruzi infects a wide variety of mammalian nucleated cells, with a preference for myocardial cells. Non-dividing trypomastigotes in the bloodstream infect host cells where they are transformed into replication-capable amastigotes. The amastigotes revert to trypomastigotes (trypomastigogenesis) before being shed out of the host cells. Although trypomastigote transformation is an essential process for the parasite, the molecular mechanisms underlying this process have not yet been clarified, mainly because of the lack of an assay system to induce trypomastigogenesis in vitro. Methodology/Principal Findings Cultivation of amastigotes in a transformation medium composed of 80% RPMI-1640 and 20% Grace’s Insect Medium mediated their transformation into trypomastigotes. Grace’s Insect Medium alone also induced trypomastigogenesis. Furthermore, trypomastigogenesis was induced more efficiently in the presence of fetal bovine serum. Trypomastigotes derived from in vitro trypomastigogenesis were able to infect mammalian host cells as efficiently as tissue-culture-derived trypomastigotes (TCT) and expressed a marker protein for TCT. Using this assay system, we demonstrated that T. cruzi inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptor (TcIP3R)—an intracellular Ca2+ channel and a key molecule involved in Ca2+ signaling in the parasite—is important for the transformation process. Conclusion/Significance Our findings provide a new tool to identify the molecular mechanisms of the amastigote-to-trypomastigote transformation, leading to a new strategy for drug development against Chagas disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muneaki Hashimoto
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Parasitology, Juntendo University School of Medicine, 2-1-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113–8421, Japan
- * E-mail:
| | - Jorge Morales
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Parasitology, Juntendo University School of Medicine, 2-1-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113–8421, Japan
| | - Haruki Uemura
- Department of Protozoology, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Nagasaki University, 1-12-4 Sakamoto, Nagasaki 852–8523, Japan
| | - Katsuhiko Mikoshiba
- Laboratory for Developmental Neurobiology, RIKEN Brain Science Institute, Saitama 351–0198, Japan
- Calcium Oscillation Project, International Cooperative Research Project and Solution-Oriented Research for Science and Technology, Japan Science and Technology Agency, Kawaguchi, Saitama 332–0012, Japan
| | - Takeshi Nara
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Parasitology, Juntendo University School of Medicine, 2-1-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113–8421, Japan
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16
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Ramey-Butler K, Ullu E, Kolev NG, Tschudi C. Synchronous expression of individual metacyclic variant surface glycoprotein genes in Trypanosoma brucei. Mol Biochem Parasitol 2015; 200:1-4. [PMID: 25896436 DOI: 10.1016/j.molbiopara.2015.04.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2015] [Revised: 04/03/2015] [Accepted: 04/08/2015] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
One distinctive feature of the Trypanosoma brucei life cycle is the presence of two discrete populations that are based on differential expression of variant surface glycoproteins (VSGs). Both are adapted to the environmental pressures they face and more importantly, both contribute directly to transmission. Metacyclics in the tsetse fly enable transmission to a new mammalian host, whereas bloodstream trypanosomes must avoid immune destruction to the extent that sufficient numbers are available for transmission, when the insect vector takes a blood meal. At present, there are few investigations on the molecular aspects of parasite biology in the tsetse vector and specifically about the activation of metacyclic VSG gene expression. Here we used an established in vitro differentiation system based on the overexpression of the RNA-binding protein 6 (RBP6), to monitor two metacyclic VSGs (VSG 397 and VSG 653) during development from procyclics to infectious metacyclic forms. We observed that activation of these two mVSGs was simultaneous both at the transcript and protein level, and manifested by the appearance of only one of the mVSGs in individual cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kiantra Ramey-Butler
- Department of Internal Medicine, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06536, USA
| | - Elisabetta Ullu
- Department of Internal Medicine, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06536, USA; Department of Cell Biology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06536, USA
| | - Nikolay G Kolev
- Department of Epidemiology of Microbial Diseases, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, CT 06536, USA.
| | - Christian Tschudi
- Department of Epidemiology of Microbial Diseases, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, CT 06536, USA
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17
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Sánchez-Valdéz FJ, Pérez Brandán C, Ferreira A, Basombrío MÁ. Gene-deleted live-attenuated Trypanosoma cruzi parasites as vaccines to protect against Chagas disease. Expert Rev Vaccines 2014; 14:681-97. [PMID: 25496192 DOI: 10.1586/14760584.2015.989989] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
Chagas disease is a neglected tropical disease caused by the protozoan parasite Trypanosoma cruzi. This illness is now becoming global, mainly due to congenital transmission, and so far, there are no prophylactic or therapeutic vaccines available to either prevent or treat Chagas disease. Therefore, different approaches aimed at identifying new protective immunogens are urgently needed. Live vaccines are likely to be more efficient in inducing protection, but safety issues linked with their use have been raised. The development of improved protozoan genetic manipulation tools and genomic and biological information has helped to increase the safety of live vaccines. These advances have generated a renewed interest in the use of genetically attenuated parasites as vaccines against Chagas disease. This review discusses the protective capacity of genetically attenuated parasite vaccines and the challenges and perspectives for the development of an effective whole-parasite Chagas disease vaccine.
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18
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Hashimoto M, Nara T, Hirawake H, Morales J, Enomoto M, Mikoshiba K. Antisense oligonucleotides targeting parasite inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptor inhibits mammalian host cell invasion by Trypanosoma cruzi. Sci Rep 2014; 4:4231. [PMID: 24577136 PMCID: PMC3937783 DOI: 10.1038/srep04231] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2013] [Accepted: 02/06/2014] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Chagas disease is caused by an intracellular parasitic protist, Trypanosoma cruzi. As there are no highly effective drugs against this agent that also demonstrate low toxicity, there is an urgent need for development of new drugs to treat Chagas disease. We have previously demonstrated that the parasite inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptor (TcIP3R) is crucial for invasion of the mammalian host cell by T. cruzi. Here, we report that TcIP3R is a short-lived protein and that its expression is significantly suppressed in trypomastigotes. Treatment of trypomastigotes, an infective stage of T. cruzi, with antisense oligonucleotides specific to TcIP3R deceased TcIP3R protein levels and impaired trypomastigote invasion of host cells. Due to the resulting instability and very low expression level of TcIP3R in trypomastigotes indicates that TcIP3R is a promising target for antisense therapy in Chagas disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muneaki Hashimoto
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Parasitology, Juntendo University School of Medicine, 2-1-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8421, Japan
| | - Takeshi Nara
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Parasitology, Juntendo University School of Medicine, 2-1-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8421, Japan
| | - Hiroko Hirawake
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Parasitology, Juntendo University School of Medicine, 2-1-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8421, Japan
| | - Jorge Morales
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Parasitology, Juntendo University School of Medicine, 2-1-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8421, Japan
| | - Masahiro Enomoto
- Division of Signaling Biology, Ontario Cancer Institute, Toronto, ON, Canada M5G 1L7
| | - Katsuhiko Mikoshiba
- 1] Laboratory for Developmental Neurobiology, RIKEN Brain Science Institute, Saitama 351-0198, Japan [2] Calcium Oscillation Project, International Cooperative Research Project and Solution-Oriented Research for Science and Technology, Japan Science and Technology Agency, Kawaguchi, Saitama 332-0012, Japan
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19
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Kulkarni MM, Karafova A, Kamysz W, Schenkman S, Pelle R, McGwire BS. Secreted trypanosome cyclophilin inactivates lytic insect defense peptides and induces parasite calcineurin activation and infectivity. J Biol Chem 2013; 288:8772-8784. [PMID: 23386612 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m112.421057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The mechanisms by which Trypanosoma cruzi survives antimicrobial peptides and differentiates during its transit through the gastrointestinal tract of the reduviid vector are unknown. We show that cyclophilin, a peptidyl-prolyl isomerase secreted from T. cruzi epimastigotes, binds to and neutralizes the reduviid antimicrobial peptide trialysin promoting parasite survival. This is dependent on a singular proline residue in trialysin and is inhibited by the cyclophilin inhibitor cyclosporine A. In addition, cyclophilin-trialysin complexes enhance the production of ATP and reductase responses of parasites, which are inhibited by both calcineurin-specific inhibitors cyclosporine A and FK506. Calcineurin phosphatase activity of cyclophilin-trialysin-treated parasites was higher than in controls and was inhibited by preincubation by either inhibitor. Parasites exposed to cyclophilin-trialysin have enhanced binding and invasion of host cells leading to higher infectivity. Leishmanial cyclophilin also mediates trialysin protection and metabolic stimulation by T. cruzi, indicating that extracellular cyclophilin may be critical to adaptation in other insect-borne protozoa. This work demonstrates that cyclophilin serves as molecular sensor leading to the evasion and adaptive metabolic response to insect defense peptides.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manjusha M Kulkarni
- Center for Microbial Interface Biology, The Ohio State University Medical Center, Columbus, Ohio 43210
| | - Anna Karafova
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Medical University of Gdansk, 80-120 Gdansk, Poland
| | - Wojciech Kamysz
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Medical University of Gdansk, 80-120 Gdansk, Poland
| | - Sergio Schenkman
- Departamento de Microbiologia, Imunologia e Parasitologia-Universidade Federal de Sao Paulo, 04023-062 SP, Brazil
| | - Roger Pelle
- International Livestock Research Institute, Nairobi 00100, Kenya
| | - Bradford S McGwire
- Center for Microbial Interface Biology, The Ohio State University Medical Center, Columbus, Ohio 43210; Division of Infectious Diseases, The Ohio State University Medical Center, Columbus, Ohio 43210.
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20
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Hashimoto M, Enomoto M, Morales J, Kurebayashi N, Sakurai T, Hashimoto T, Nara T, Mikoshiba K. Inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptor regulates replication, differentiation, infectivity and virulence of the parasitic protist Trypanosoma cruzi. Mol Microbiol 2013; 87:1133-50. [PMID: 23320762 DOI: 10.1111/mmi.12155] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/09/2013] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
In animals, inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptors (IP3 Rs) are ion channels that play a pivotal role in many biological processes by mediating Ca(2+) release from the endoplasmic reticulum. Here, we report the identification and characterization of a novel IP3 R in the parasitic protist, Trypanosoma cruzi, the pathogen responsible for Chagas disease. DT40 cells lacking endogenous IP3 R genes expressing T. cruzi IP3 R (TcIP3 R) exhibited IP3 -mediated Ca(2+) release from the ER, and demonstrated receptor binding to IP3 . TcIP3 R was expressed throughout the parasite life cycle but the expression level was much lower in bloodstream trypomastigotes than in intracellular amastigotes or epimastigotes. Disruption of two of the three TcIP3 R gene loci led to the death of the parasite, suggesting that IP3 R is essential for T. cruzi. Parasites expressing reduced or increased levels of TcIP3 R displayed defects in growth, transformation and infectivity, indicating that TcIP3 R is an important regulator of the parasite's life cycle. Furthermore, mice infected with T. cruzi expressing reduced levels of TcIP3 R exhibited a reduction of disease symptoms, indicating that TcIP3 R is an important virulence factor. Combined with the fact that the primary structure of TcIP3 R has low similarity to that of mammalian IP3 Rs, TcIP3 R is a promising drug target for Chagas disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muneaki Hashimoto
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Parasitology, Juntendo University School of Medicine, 2-1-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8421, Japan.
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21
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Pérez Brandan C, Basombrío MÁ. Genetically attenuated Trypanosoma cruzi parasites as a potential vaccination tool. Bioengineered 2012; 3:242-6. [PMID: 22705838 DOI: 10.4161/bioe.20680] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Chagas disease is the clinical manifestation of the infection produced by the parasite Trypanosoma cruzi. Currently there is no vaccine to prevent this disease and the protection attained with vaccines containing non-replicating parasites is limited. Genetically attenuated trypanosomatid parasites can be obtained by deletion of selected genes. Gene deletion takes advantage of the fact that this parasite can undergo homologous recombination between endogenous and foreign DNA sequences artificially introduced in the cells. This approach facilitated the discovery of several unknown gene functions, as well as allowing us to speculate about the potential for genetically attenuated live organisms as experimental immunogens. Vaccination with live attenuated parasites has been used effectively in mice to reduce parasitemia and histological damage, and in dogs, to prevent vector-delivered infection in the field. However, the use of live parasites as immunogens is controversial due to the risk of reversion to a virulent phenotype. Herein, we present our results from experiments on genetic manipulation of two T. cruzi strains to produce parasites with impaired replication and infectivity, and using the mutation of the dhfr-ts gene as a safety device against reversion to virulence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cecilia Pérez Brandan
- Instituto de Patología Experimental-CONICET, Universidad Nacional de Salta, Salta, Argentina.
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22
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Hashimoto M, Morales J, Fukai Y, Suzuki S, Takamiya S, Tsubouchi A, Inoue S, Inoue M, Kita K, Harada S, Tanaka A, Aoki T, Nara T. Critical importance of the de novo pyrimidine biosynthesis pathway for Trypanosoma cruzi growth in the mammalian host cell cytoplasm. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2011; 417:1002-6. [PMID: 22209850 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2011.12.073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2011] [Accepted: 12/15/2011] [Indexed: 10/14/2022]
Abstract
The intracellular parasitic protist Trypanosoma cruzi is the causative agent of Chagas disease in Latin America. In general, pyrimidine nucleotides are supplied by both de novo biosynthesis and salvage pathways. While epimastigotes-an insect form-possess both activities, amastigotes-an intracellular replicating form of T. cruzi-are unable to mediate the uptake of pyrimidine. However, the requirement of de novo pyrimidine biosynthesis for parasite growth and survival has not yet been elucidated. Carbamoyl-phosphate synthetase II (CPSII) is the first and rate-limiting enzyme of the de novo biosynthetic pathway, and increased CPSII activity is associated with the rapid proliferation of tumor cells. In the present study, we showed that disruption of the T. cruzi cpsII gene significantly reduced parasite growth. In particular, the growth of amastigotes lacking the cpsII gene was severely suppressed. Thus, the de novo pyrimidine pathway is important for proliferation of T. cruzi in the host cell cytoplasm and represents a promising target for chemotherapy against Chagas disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muneaki Hashimoto
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Parasitology, Juntendo University School of Medicine, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, Japan.
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Knockout of the dhfr-ts gene in Trypanosoma cruzi generates attenuated parasites able to confer protection against a virulent challenge. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2011; 5:e1418. [PMID: 22180798 PMCID: PMC3236718 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0001418] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2011] [Accepted: 10/21/2011] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Trypanosoma cruzi is a protozoan parasite that causes severe disease in millions of habitants of developing countries. Currently there is no vaccine to prevent this disease and the available drugs have the consequences of side effects. Live vaccines are likely to be more effective in inducing protection than recombinant proteins or DNA vaccines; however, safety problems associated to their use have been pointed out. In recent years, increasing knowledge on the molecular genetics of Trypanosomes has allowed the identification and elimination of genes that may be necessary for parasite infectivity and survival. In this sense, targeted deletion or disruption of specific genes in the parasite genome may protect against such reversion to virulent genotypes. METHODS AND FINDINGS By targeted gene disruption we generated monoallelic mutant parasites for the dhfr-ts gene in a T. cruzi strain that has been shown to be naturally attenuated. In comparison to T. cruzi wild type epimastigotes, impairment in growth of dhfr-ts(+/-) mutant parasites was observed and mutant clones displayed decreased virulence in mice. Also, a lower number of T. cruzi-specific CD8(+) T cells, in comparison to those induced by wild type parasites, was detected in mice infected with mutant parasites. However, no remarkable differences in the protective effect of TCC wild type versus TCC mutant parasites were observed. Mice challenged with virulent parasites a year after the original infection with the mutant parasites still displayed a significant control over the secondary infection. CONCLUSION This study indicates that it is possible to generate genetically attenuated T. cruzi parasites able to confer protection against further T. cruzi infections.
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Schenkman S, Pascoalino BDS, Nardelli SC. Nuclear structure of Trypanosoma cruzi. ADVANCES IN PARASITOLOGY 2011; 75:251-83. [PMID: 21820560 DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-12-385863-4.00012-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
The presence of nucleus in living organisms characterizes the Eukaryote domain. The nucleus compartmentalizes the genetic material surrounded by a double membrane called nuclear envelope. The nucleus has been observed since the advent of the light microscope, and sub-compartments such as nucleoli, diverse nuclear bodies and condensed chromosomes have been later recognized, being part of highly organized and dynamic structure. The significance and function of such organization has increased with the understanding of transcription, replication, DNA repair, recombination processes. It is now recognized as consequence of adding complexity and regulation in more complex eukaryotic cells. Here we provide a description of the actual stage of knowledge of the nuclear structure of Trypanosoma cruzi. As an early divergent eukaryote, it presents unique and/or reduced events of DNA replication, transcription and repair as well as RNA processing and transport to the cytosol. Nevertheless, it shows peculiar structure changes accordingly to the cell cycle and stage of differentiation. T. cruzi proliferates only as epimastigote and amastigote stages, and when these forms differentiate in trypomastigote forms, their cell cycle is arrested. This arrested stage is capable of invading mammalian cells and of surviving harsh conditions, such as the gut of the insect vector and mammalian macrophages. Transcription and replication decrease during transformation in trypomastigotes implicating large alterations in the nuclear structure. Recent evidences also suggest that T. cruzi nucleus respond to oxidative and nutritional stresses. Due to the phylogenetic proximity with other well-known trypanosomes, such as Trypanosoma brucei and Leishmania major, they are expected to have similar nuclear organization, although differences are noticed due to distinct life cycles, cellular organizations and the specific adaptations for surviving in different host environments. Therefore, the general features of T. cruzi nuclear structure regarding unique characteristics of this protozoan parasite will be described.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sergio Schenkman
- Departamento de Microbiologia, Imunologia e Parasitologia, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
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25
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Scott MS, Troshin PV, Barton GJ. NoD: a Nucleolar localization sequence detector for eukaryotic and viral proteins. BMC Bioinformatics 2011; 12:317. [PMID: 21812952 PMCID: PMC3166288 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2105-12-317] [Citation(s) in RCA: 102] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2011] [Accepted: 08/03/2011] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Nucleolar localization sequences (NoLSs) are short targeting sequences responsible for the localization of proteins to the nucleolus. Given the large number of proteins experimentally detected in the nucleolus and the central role of this subnuclear compartment in the cell, NoLSs are likely to be important regulatory elements controlling cellular traffic. Although many proteins have been reported to contain NoLSs, the systematic characterization of this group of targeting motifs has only recently been carried out. Results Here, we describe NoD, a web server and a command line program that predicts the presence of NoLSs in proteins. Using the web server, users can submit protein sequences through the NoD input form and are provided with a graphical output of the NoLS score as a function of protein position. While the web server is most convenient for making prediction for just a few proteins, the command line version of NoD can return predictions for complete proteomes. NoD is based on our recently described human-trained artificial neural network predictor. Through stringent independent testing of the predictor using available experimentally validated NoLS-containing eukaryotic and viral proteins, the NoD sensitivity and positive predictive value were estimated to be 71% and 79% respectively. Conclusions NoD is the first tool to provide predictions of nucleolar localization sequences in diverse eukaryotes and viruses. NoD can be run interactively online at http://www.compbio.dundee.ac.uk/nod or downloaded to use locally.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michelle S Scott
- Division of Biological Chemistry and Drug Discovery, College of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dow Street, Dundee DD1 5EH, UK.
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Názer E, Verdún RE, Sánchez DO. Nucleolar localization of RNA binding proteins induced by actinomycin D and heat shock in Trypanosoma cruzi. PLoS One 2011; 6:e19920. [PMID: 21629693 PMCID: PMC3101214 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0019920] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2011] [Accepted: 04/14/2011] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
In this work we show that under Actinomycin D (ActD) treatment, several RNA Binding Proteins (RBPs) involved in mRNA metabolism are relocalized into the nucleolus in Trypanosoma cruzi as a specific stress response. ATP depletion as well as kinase inhibition markedly reduced the nucleolar localization response, suggesting that an energy-dependent transport modulated by the phosphorylation status of the parasite might be required. Deletion analyses in one of such proteins, TcSR62, showed that a domain bearing basic amino acids located in the COOH terminal region was sufficient to promote its nucleolar relocalization. Interestingly, we showed that in addition to RBPs, poly(A)+ RNA is also accumulated into the nucleolus in response to ActD treatment. Finally, we found out that nucleolar relocalization of RBPs is also triggered by severe heat shock in a reversible way. Together, these results suggest that the nucleolus of an early divergent eukaryote is either able to sequester key factors related to mRNA metabolism in response to transcriptional stress or behaves as a RBP processing center, arguing in favour to the hypothesis that the non-traditional features of the nucleolus could be acquired early during evolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ezequiel Názer
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biotecnólogicas-Instituto Tecnológico Chascomús, UNSAM-CONICET, San Martín, Provincia de Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Ramiro E. Verdún
- Leonard M. Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, Florida, United States of America
| | - Daniel O. Sánchez
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biotecnólogicas-Instituto Tecnológico Chascomús, UNSAM-CONICET, San Martín, Provincia de Buenos Aires, Argentina
- * E-mail:
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Obado SO, Bot C, Echeverry MC, Bayona JC, Alvarez VE, Taylor MC, Kelly JM. Centromere-associated topoisomerase activity in bloodstream form Trypanosoma brucei. Nucleic Acids Res 2010; 39:1023-33. [PMID: 20864447 PMCID: PMC3035458 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkq839] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Topoisomerase-II accumulates at centromeres during prometaphase, where it resolves the DNA catenations that represent the last link between sister chromatids. Previously, using approaches including etoposide-mediated topoisomerase-II cleavage, we mapped centromeric domains in trypanosomes, early branching eukaryotes in which chromosome segregation is poorly understood. Here, we show that in bloodstream form Trypanosoma brucei, RNAi-mediated depletion of topoisomerase-IIα, but not topoisomerase-IIβ, results in the abolition of centromere-localized activity and is lethal. Both phenotypes can be rescued by expression of the corresponding enzyme from T. cruzi. Therefore, processes which govern centromere-specific topoisomerase-II accumulation/activation have been functionally conserved within trypanosomes, despite the long evolutionary separation of these species and differences in centromeric DNA organization. The variable carboxyl terminal region of topoisomerase-II has a major role in regulating biological function. We therefore generated T. brucei lines expressing T. cruzi topoisomerase-II truncated at the carboxyl terminus and examined activity at centromeres after the RNAi-mediated depletion of the endogenous enzyme. A region necessary for nuclear localization was delineated to six residues. In other organisms, sumoylation of topoisomerase-II has been shown to be necessary for regulated chromosome segregation. Evidence that we present here suggests that sumoylation of the T. brucei enzyme is not required for centromere-specific cleavage activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samson O Obado
- Department of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London WC1E 7HT, UK
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Xu D, Brandán CP, Basombrío MA, Tarleton RL. Evaluation of high efficiency gene knockout strategies for Trypanosoma cruzi. BMC Microbiol 2009; 9:90. [PMID: 19432966 PMCID: PMC2688506 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2180-9-90] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2008] [Accepted: 05/11/2009] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Trypanosoma cruzi, a kinetoplastid protozoan parasite that causes Chagas disease, infects approximately 15 million people in Central and South America. In contrast to the substantial in silico studies of the T. cruzi genome, transcriptome, and proteome, only a few genes have been experimentally characterized and validated, mainly due to the lack of facile methods for gene manipulation needed for reverse genetic studies. Current strategies for gene disruption in T. cruzi are tedious and time consuming. In this study we have compared the conventional multi-step cloning technique with two knockout strategies that have been proven to work in other organisms, one-step-PCR- and Multisite Gateway-based systems. Results While the one-step-PCR strategy was found to be the fastest method for production of knockout constructs, it does not efficiently target genes of interest using gene-specific sequences of less than 80 nucleotides. Alternatively, the Multisite Gateway based approach is less time-consuming than conventional methods and is able to efficiently and reproducibly delete target genes. Conclusion Using the Multisite Gateway strategy, we have rapidly produced constructs that successfully produce specific gene deletions in epimastigotes of T. cruzi. This methodology should greatly facilitate reverse genetic studies in T. cruzi.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dan Xu
- Department of Cellular Biology and Center for Tropical and Emerging Global Diseases, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA.
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