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Zhou H, Yuan W, Lei W, Zhou T, Qin P, Zhang B, Hu M. Domain definition and preliminary functional exploration of the endonuclease NOBP-1 in Strongyloides stercoralis. Parasit Vectors 2023; 16:399. [PMID: 37924155 PMCID: PMC10623843 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-023-05940-9] [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: 06/19/2023] [Accepted: 08/22/2023] [Indexed: 11/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Ribosome biogenesis is the process of assembling ribosome complexes that regulate cell proliferation and differentiation with potential regulatory effects on development. Many factors regulate ribosome biological processes. Nin one binding protein (Nob1) has received widespread attention as key genes regulating ribosome biogenesis-the 3' end of the 20S rRNA is cleaved by Nob1 at cleavage site D to form 18S rRNA, generating translationally capable 40S subunit. As a ribosome biogenesis factor, Nob1 may regulate the development of organisms, but almost nothing is known about the function of Nob1 for any parasitic nematode. We explored the functional role of NOBP-1 (the homologous gene of Nob1) encoding gene from a parasitic nematode-Strongyloides stercoralis. METHODS The full-length cDNA, gDNA and promoter region of Ss-nobp-1 was identified using protein BLAST in WormBase ParaSite according to the Caenorhabditis elegans NOBP-1 sequence to analyze the gene structure. RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) data in wormbase were retrieved and analyzed to assess the transcript abundance of Ss-nobp-1 in seven developmental stages of S. stercoralis. The standard method for gonadal microinjection of constructs was carried out to determine the anatomic expression patterns of Ss-nobp-1. The interaction between Ss-NOBP-1 and partner of NOBP-1 (Ss-PNO-1) was assessed by yeast two-hybridization and bimolecular fluorescence complementarity (BiFC) experiments. RESULTS The NOBP-1 encoding gene Ss-nopb-1 from the zoonotic parasite S. stercoralis has been isolated and characterized. The genomic DNA representing Ss-nobp-1 includes a 1599-bp coding region and encodes a protein comprising 403 amino acids (aa), which contains conserved PIN domain and zinc ribbon domain. RNA-seq analysis revealed that Ss-nobp-1 transcripts are present throughout the seven developmental stages in S. stercoralis and have higher transcription levels in iL3, L3 and P Female. Ss-nobp-1 is expressed mainly in the intestine of transgenic S. stercoralis larvae, and there is a direct interaction between Ss-NOBP-1 and Ss-PNO-1. CONCLUSIONS Collectively, Ss-NOBP-1 has a potential role in embryo formation and the infective process, and findings from this study provide a sound foundation for investigating its function during the development of parasitic nematode.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huan Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China.
- National Key Laboratory of Cotton Bio-Breeding and Integrated Utilization, School of Life Sciences, Henan University, Kaifeng, China.
| | - Wang Yuan
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
| | - Weiqiang Lei
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Jinling Institute of Technology, Nanjing, 210038, China
| | - Taoxun Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
| | - Peixi Qin
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
| | - Biying Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
| | - Min Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China.
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Zhou H, Hu J, Zhou T, Zhang Y, Qin P, Zhang B, Wang R, Luo X, Hu M. Establishment of an Animal Model Scheme of Strongyloides stercoralis-Infected Meriones meridianus. Pathogens 2023; 12:1285. [PMID: 38003750 PMCID: PMC10675186 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens12111285] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2023] [Revised: 10/17/2023] [Accepted: 10/23/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Studying parasitic nematodes, which generate a massive hazard to animal health, is more difficult than studying free-living nematodes as appropriate animal models are essential, and the relationship between parasites and hosts is extremely complex. Strongyloides stercoralis is an intestinal nematode parasite that mainly infects dogs, humans and other primates. Currently, S. stercoralis worms needed for research mainly rely on their natural host, the dog. This study explored a method of using Meriones meridianus as a model for S. stercoralis. The immunosuppressed M. meridianus were infected with S. stercoralis subcutaneously, and post-parasitic, first-stage larvae (PP L1) were detected in the faeces, with more larvae in female gerbils. In addition, parasitic females (PFs), third-stage larvae (L3s) and rhabditiform larvae were found primarily in the small intestines and lungs of infected gerbils. The PFs and auto-infective third-stage larvae (aL3s) obtained from M. meridianus are morphologically identical to those obtained from beagles and Meriones unguiculatus. Moreover, the infection of S. stercoralis caused changes to biochemical indicators in the serum and in the physiology of M. meridianus. The results demonstrated that M. meridianus can be infected by S. stercoralis, and this model provides a great tool for exploring the biological processes of this parasite and its interaction with the host.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huan Zhou
- National Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China; (J.H.); (T.Z.); (Y.Z.); (P.Q.); (B.Z.)
- School of Life Sciences, Henan University, Kaifeng 475004, China
| | - Jinyang Hu
- National Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China; (J.H.); (T.Z.); (Y.Z.); (P.Q.); (B.Z.)
| | - Taoxun Zhou
- National Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China; (J.H.); (T.Z.); (Y.Z.); (P.Q.); (B.Z.)
| | - Ying Zhang
- National Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China; (J.H.); (T.Z.); (Y.Z.); (P.Q.); (B.Z.)
| | - Peixi Qin
- National Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China; (J.H.); (T.Z.); (Y.Z.); (P.Q.); (B.Z.)
| | - Biying Zhang
- National Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China; (J.H.); (T.Z.); (Y.Z.); (P.Q.); (B.Z.)
| | - Rui Wang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot 010030, China
| | - Xiaoping Luo
- Inner Mongolia Academy of Agriculture and Animal Husbandry Sciences, Hohhot 010030, China
| | - Min Hu
- National Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China; (J.H.); (T.Z.); (Y.Z.); (P.Q.); (B.Z.)
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Cadd LC, Crooks B, Marks NJ, Maule AG, Mousley A, Atkinson LE. The Strongyloides bioassay toolbox: A unique opportunity to accelerate functional biology for nematode parasites. Mol Biochem Parasitol 2022; 252:111526. [PMID: 36240960 DOI: 10.1016/j.molbiopara.2022.111526] [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: 06/27/2022] [Revised: 10/04/2022] [Accepted: 10/10/2022] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Caenorhabditis elegans is a uniquely powerful tool to aid understanding of fundamental nematode biology. While C. elegans boasts an unrivalled array of functional genomics tools and phenotype bioassays the inherent differences between free-living and parasitic nematodes underscores the need to develop these approaches in tractable parasite models. Advances in functional genomics approaches, including RNA interference and CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing, in the parasitic nematodes Strongyloides ratti and Strongyloides stercoralis provide a unique and timely opportunity to probe basic parasite biology and reveal novel anthelmintic targets in species that are both experimentally and therapeutically relevant pathogens. While Strongyloides functional genomics tools have progressed rapidly, the complementary range of bioassays required to elucidate phenotypic outcomes post-functional genomics remain more limited in scope. To adequately support the exploitation of functional genomic pipelines for studies of gene function in Strongyloides a comprehensive set of species- and parasite-specific quantitative bioassays are required to assess nematode behaviours post-genetic manipulation. Here we review the scope of the current Strongyloides bioassay toolbox, how established Strongyloides bioassays have advanced knowledge of parasite biology, opportunities for Strongyloides bioassay development and, the need for investment in tractable model parasite platforms such as Strongyloides to drive the discovery of novel targets for parasite control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luke C Cadd
- Microbes & Pathogen Biology, The Institute for Global Food Security, School of Biological Sciences, Queen's University Belfast, 19 Chlorine Gardens, Belfast BT9 5DL, UK
| | - Bethany Crooks
- Microbes & Pathogen Biology, The Institute for Global Food Security, School of Biological Sciences, Queen's University Belfast, 19 Chlorine Gardens, Belfast BT9 5DL, UK
| | - Nikki J Marks
- Microbes & Pathogen Biology, The Institute for Global Food Security, School of Biological Sciences, Queen's University Belfast, 19 Chlorine Gardens, Belfast BT9 5DL, UK
| | - Aaron G Maule
- Microbes & Pathogen Biology, The Institute for Global Food Security, School of Biological Sciences, Queen's University Belfast, 19 Chlorine Gardens, Belfast BT9 5DL, UK
| | - Angela Mousley
- Microbes & Pathogen Biology, The Institute for Global Food Security, School of Biological Sciences, Queen's University Belfast, 19 Chlorine Gardens, Belfast BT9 5DL, UK
| | - Louise E Atkinson
- Microbes & Pathogen Biology, The Institute for Global Food Security, School of Biological Sciences, Queen's University Belfast, 19 Chlorine Gardens, Belfast BT9 5DL, UK.
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Mughal MN, Ye Q, Zhao L, Grevelding CG, Li Y, Di W, He X, Li X, Gasser RB, Hu M. First Evidence of Function for Schistosoma japonicumriok-1 and RIOK-1. Pathogens 2021; 10:862. [PMID: 34358012 PMCID: PMC8308690 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens10070862] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2021] [Revised: 07/02/2021] [Accepted: 07/05/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Protein kinases are known as key molecules that regulate many biological processes in animals. The right open reading frame protein kinase (riok) genes are known to be essential regulators in model organisms such as the free-living nematode Caenorhabditis elegans. However, very little is known about their function in parasitic trematodes (flukes). In the present study, we characterized the riok-1 gene (Sj-riok-1) and the inferred protein (Sj-RIOK-1) in the parasitic blood fluke, Schistosoma japonicum. We gained a first insight into function of this gene/protein through double-stranded RNA interference (RNAi) and chemical inhibition. RNAi significantly reduced Sj-riok-1 transcription in both female and male worms compared with untreated control worms, and subtle morphological alterations were detected in the ovaries of female worms. Chemical knockdown of Sj-RIOK-1 with toyocamycin (a specific RIOK-1 inhibitor/probe) caused a substantial reduction in worm viability and a major accumulation of mature oocytes in the seminal receptacle (female worms), and of spermatozoa in the sperm vesicle (male worms). These phenotypic alterations indicate that the function of Sj-riok-1 is linked to developmental and/or reproductive processes in S. japonicum.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mudassar N. Mughal
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China; (M.N.M.); (Q.Y.); (L.Z.); (Y.L.); (X.H.); (X.L.)
- Biomedical Research Center Seltersberg, Institute of Parasitology, Justus Liebig University Giessen, D-35392 Giessen, Germany;
| | - Qing Ye
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China; (M.N.M.); (Q.Y.); (L.Z.); (Y.L.); (X.H.); (X.L.)
| | - Lu Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China; (M.N.M.); (Q.Y.); (L.Z.); (Y.L.); (X.H.); (X.L.)
| | - Christoph G. Grevelding
- Biomedical Research Center Seltersberg, Institute of Parasitology, Justus Liebig University Giessen, D-35392 Giessen, Germany;
| | - Ying Li
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China; (M.N.M.); (Q.Y.); (L.Z.); (Y.L.); (X.H.); (X.L.)
| | - Wenda Di
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Guangxi University, Nanning 530005, China;
| | - Xin He
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China; (M.N.M.); (Q.Y.); (L.Z.); (Y.L.); (X.H.); (X.L.)
| | - Xuesong Li
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China; (M.N.M.); (Q.Y.); (L.Z.); (Y.L.); (X.H.); (X.L.)
| | - Robin B. Gasser
- Department of Veterinary Biosciences, Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, Melbourne Veterinary School, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia;
| | - Min Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China; (M.N.M.); (Q.Y.); (L.Z.); (Y.L.); (X.H.); (X.L.)
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Zhou H, Zhou T, Zhang B, Lei W, Yuan W, Shan J, Zhang Y, Gupta N, Hu M. RIOK-2 protein is essential for egg hatching in a common parasitic nematode. Int J Parasitol 2020; 50:595-602. [PMID: 32592810 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpara.2020.05.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2020] [Revised: 05/01/2020] [Accepted: 05/07/2020] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
The atypical protein kinase RIOK-2 is a non-ribosomal factor essential for ribosome maturation in yeast and human cells; however, little is known about its physiological role in pathogens. Our earlier work examined the expression profile of a RIOK-2 gene (Ss-riok-2) in Strongyloides stercoralis - a prevalent nematode parasite of dogs and humans. Herein, we demonstrate that Ss-RIOK-2 encodes a catalytically active kinase, distributed primarily in the cytoplasm of intestinal and hypodermal cells in transgenic larvae. Its expression oscillates as the free-living L1s develop into infective L3s. Overexpression of a catalytically impaired Ss-RIOK-2-D228A mutant delayed the development of transgenic larvae, while ectopic expression of another dominant negative isoform with a mutation in the ATP-binding site (K123A) abrogated the process of egg hatching, which could be rescued by co-expressing a wild-type Ss-RIOK-2 but not by its Ss-RIOK-1 ortholog. Collectively, our findings show a critical and specific role of Ss-RIOK-2 during the development of a pathogenic roundworm, which can be exploited to develop anti-infectives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huan Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, People's Republic of China
| | - Taoxun Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, People's Republic of China
| | - Biying Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, People's Republic of China
| | - Weiqiang Lei
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, People's Republic of China
| | - Wang Yuan
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, People's Republic of China
| | - Jianan Shan
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, People's Republic of China
| | - Ying Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, People's Republic of China
| | - Nishith Gupta
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, People's Republic of China; Department of Molecular Parasitology, Faculty of Life Sciences, Humboldt University, Berlin, Germany
| | - Min Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, People's Republic of China.
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Abstract
Purpose of Review This paper constitutes an update of recent studies on the general biology, molecular genetics, and cellular biology of Strongyloides spp. and related parasitic nematodes. Recent Findings Increasingly, human strongyloidiasis is considered the most neglected of neglected tropical diseases. Despite this, the last 5 years has seen remarkable advances in the molecular biology of Strongyloides spp. Genome sequences for S. stercoralis, S. ratti, S. venezuelensis, S. papillosus, and the related parasite Parastrongyloides trichosuri were created, annotated, and analyzed. These genomic resources, along with a practical transgenesis platform for Strongyloides spp., aided a major achievement, the advent of targeted mutagenesis via CRISPR/Cas9 in S. stercoralis and S. ratti. The genome sequences have also enabled significant molecular epidemiologic and phylogenetic findings on human strongyloidiasis, including the first genetic evidence of zoonotic transmission of S. stercoralis between dogs and humans. Studies of molecular signaling pathways identified the nuclear receptor Ss-DAF-12 as one that can be manipulated in the parasite by exogenous application of its steroid ligands. The chemotherapeutic implications of this were unscored by a study in which a Ss-DAF-12 ligand suppressed autoinfection by S. stercoralis in a new murine model of human strongyloidiasis. Summary Seminal advances in genomics of Strongyloides spp. have transformed research into strongyloidiasis, facilitating fundamental phylogenetic and epidemiologic studies and aiding the deployment of CRISPR/Cas9 gene disruption and editing as functional genomic tools in Strongyloides spp. Studies of Ss-DAF-12 signaling in S. stercoralis demonstrated the potential of this pathway as a novel chemotherapeutic target in parasitic nematodes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tegegn G. Jaleta
- Department of Pathobiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - James B. Lok
- Department of Pathobiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
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Lok JB. CRISPR/Cas9 Mutagenesis and Expression of Dominant Mutant Transgenes as Functional Genomic Approaches in Parasitic Nematodes. Front Genet 2019; 10:656. [PMID: 31379923 PMCID: PMC6646703 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2019.00656] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2019] [Accepted: 06/21/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
DNA transformation of parasitic nematodes enables novel approaches to validating predictions from genomic and transcriptomic studies of these important pathogens. Notably, proof of principle for CRISPR/Cas9 mutagenesis has been achieved in Strongyloides spp., allowing identification of molecules essential to the functions of sensory neurons that mediate behaviors comprising host finding, invasion, and location of predilection sites by parasitic nematodes. Likewise, CRISPR/Cas9 knockout of the developmental regulatory transcription factor Ss-daf-16 has validated its function in regulating morphogenesis of infective third-stage larvae in Strongyloides stercoralis. While encouraging, these studies underscore challenges that remain in achieving straightforward validation of essential intervention targets in parasitic nematodes. Chief among these is the likelihood that knockout of multifunctional regulators like Ss-DAF-16 or its downstream mediator, the nuclear receptor Ss-DAF-12, will produce phenotypes so complex as to defy interpretation and will render affected worms incapable of infecting their hosts, thus preventing establishment of stable mutant lines. Approaches to overcoming these impediments could involve refinements to current CRISPR/Cas9 methods in Strongyloides including regulatable Cas9 expression from integrated transgenes and CRISPR/Cas9 editing to ablate specific functional motifs in regulatory molecules without complete knockout. Another approach would express transgenes encoding regulatory molecules of interest with mutations designed to similarly ablate or degrade specific functional motifs such as the ligand binding domain of Ss-DAF-12 while preserving core functions such as DNA binding. Such mutant transgenes would be expected to exert a dominant interfering effect on their endogenous counterparts. Published reports validate the utility of such dominant-negative approaches in Strongyloides.
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Affiliation(s)
- James B Lok
- Department of Pathobiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
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