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Birocco F, Gonzalez LN, Guerrero SA, Iglesias AA, Arias DG. On the occurrence of a glutaredoxin-like small protein in the anaerobic protozoan parasite Entamoeba histolytica. Biochim Biophys Acta Gen Subj 2023; 1867:130489. [PMID: 37827204 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbagen.2023.130489] [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: 03/12/2023] [Revised: 09/17/2023] [Accepted: 10/09/2023] [Indexed: 10/14/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Entamoeba histolytica, an intestinal parasitic protozoan that usually lives and multiplies within the human gut, is the causative agent of amoebiasis. To date, de novo glutathione biosynthesis and its associated enzymes have not been identified in the parasite. Cysteine has been proposed to be the main intracellular thiol. METHODS Using bioinformatics tools to search for glutaredoxin homologs in the E. histolytica genome database, we identified a coding sequence for a putative Grx-like small protein (EhGLSP) in the E. histolytica HM-1:IMSS genome. We produced the recombinant protein and performed its biochemical characterization. RESULTS Through in vitro experiments, we observed that recombinant EhGLSP could bind GSH and L-Cys as ligands. However, the protein exhibited very low GSH-dependent disulfide reductase activity. Interestingly, via UV-Vis spectroscopy and chemical analysis, we detected that recombinant EhGLSP (freshly purified from Escherichia coli cells by IMAC) was isolated together with a redox-labile [FeS] bio-inorganic complex, suggesting that this protein could have some function linked to the metabolism of this cofactor. Western blotting showed that EhGLSP protein levels were modulated in E. histolytica cells exposed to exogenous oxidative species and metronidazole, suggesting that this protein cooperates with the antioxidant mechanisms of this parasite. CONCLUSIONS AND GENERAL SIGNIFICANCE Our findings support the existence of a new metabolic actor in this pathogen. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on this protein class in E. histolytica.
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Affiliation(s)
- Franco Birocco
- Laboratorio de Enzimología Molecular, Instituto de Agrobiotecnología del Litoral (CONICET-UNL), Santa Fe, Argentina; Facultad de Bioquímica y Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Nacional del Litoral, Santa Fe, Argentina
| | - Lihue N Gonzalez
- Laboratorio de Enzimología Molecular, Instituto de Agrobiotecnología del Litoral (CONICET-UNL), Santa Fe, Argentina; Facultad de Bioquímica y Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Nacional del Litoral, Santa Fe, Argentina
| | - Sergio A Guerrero
- Laboratorio de Enzimología Molecular, Instituto de Agrobiotecnología del Litoral (CONICET-UNL), Santa Fe, Argentina; Facultad de Bioquímica y Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Nacional del Litoral, Santa Fe, Argentina
| | - Alberto A Iglesias
- Laboratorio de Enzimología Molecular, Instituto de Agrobiotecnología del Litoral (CONICET-UNL), Santa Fe, Argentina; Facultad de Bioquímica y Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Nacional del Litoral, Santa Fe, Argentina
| | - Diego G Arias
- Laboratorio de Enzimología Molecular, Instituto de Agrobiotecnología del Litoral (CONICET-UNL), Santa Fe, Argentina; Facultad de Bioquímica y Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Nacional del Litoral, Santa Fe, Argentina.
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Samba-Louaka A, Labruyère E, Matondo M, Locard-Paulet M, Olivo-Marin JC, Guillen N. Encystation and Stress Responses under the Control of Ubiquitin-like Proteins in Pathogenic Amoebae. Microorganisms 2023; 11:2670. [PMID: 38004682 PMCID: PMC10673212 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms11112670] [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: 09/24/2023] [Revised: 10/21/2023] [Accepted: 10/24/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Amoebae found in aquatic and terrestrial environments encompass various pathogenic species, including the parasite Entamoeba histolytica and the free-living Acanthamoeba castellanii. Both microorganisms pose significant threats to public health, capable of inducing life-threatening effects on humans. These amoebae exist in two cellular forms: trophozoites and cysts. The trophozoite stage is the form used for growth and reproduction while the cyst stage is the resistant and disseminating form. Cysts occur after cellular metabolism slowdown due to nutritional deprivation or the appearance of environmental conditions unfavourable to the amoebae's growth and division. The initiation of encystation is accompanied by the activation of stress responses, and scarce data indicate that encystation shares factors and mechanisms identified in stress responses occurring in trophozoites exposed to toxic compounds derived from human immune defence. Although some "omics" analyses have explored how amoebae respond to diverse stresses, these studies remain limited and rarely report post-translational modifications that would provide knowledge on the molecular mechanisms underlying amoebae-specific stress responses. In this review, we discuss ubiquitin-like proteins associated with encystation and cell survival during oxidative damage. We aim to shed light on the signalling pathways involved in amoebic defence mechanisms, with a focus on their potential clinical implications against pathogenic amoebae, addressing the pressing need for effective therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ascel Samba-Louaka
- Université de Poitiers, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique UMR7267, Laboratoire Ecologie et Biologie des Interactions, TSA51106, 86073 Poitiers, France
| | - Elisabeth Labruyère
- Institut Pasteur, Biological Image Analysis Unit, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique UMR3691, Université Paris Cité, 75015 Paris, France; (E.L.); (J.-C.O.-M.)
| | - Mariette Matondo
- Institut Pasteur, Proteomics Core Facility, Mass Spectrometry for Biology Unit, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique UAR 2024, Université Paris Cité, 75015 Paris, France;
| | - Marie Locard-Paulet
- Institut de Pharmacologie et de Biologie Structurale, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique UMR 5089, Université Toulouse III-Paul Sabatier, 31077 Toulouse, France;
- Infrastructure Nationale de Proteomique ProFI—FR2048, 2048 Toulouse, France
| | - Jean-Christophe Olivo-Marin
- Institut Pasteur, Biological Image Analysis Unit, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique UMR3691, Université Paris Cité, 75015 Paris, France; (E.L.); (J.-C.O.-M.)
| | - Nancy Guillen
- Institut Pasteur, Biological Image Analysis Unit, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique UMR3691, Université Paris Cité, 75015 Paris, France; (E.L.); (J.-C.O.-M.)
- Institut Pasteur, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique ERL9195, 75015 Paris, France
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3
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Toledano-Magaña Y, Néquiz M, Valenzuela-Salas LM, Sánchez-García JJ, Galindo-Murillo R, García-Ramos JC, Klimova EI. The Amoebicidal Activity of Diferrocenyl Derivatives: A Significant Dependence on the Electronic Environment. Molecules 2023; 28:6008. [PMID: 37630260 PMCID: PMC10458203 DOI: 10.3390/molecules28166008] [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: 07/03/2023] [Revised: 08/02/2023] [Accepted: 08/04/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Amoebiasis is the second leading cause of death worldwide associated with parasitic disease and is becoming a critical health problem in low-income countries, urging new treatment alternatives. One of the most promising strategies is enhancing the redox imbalance within these susceptible parasites related to their limited antioxidant defense system. Metal-based drugs represent a perfect option due to their extraordinary capacity to stabilize different oxidation states and adopt diverse geometries, allowing their interaction with several molecular targets. This work describes the amoebicidal activity of five 2-(Z-2,3-diferrocenylvinyl)-4X-4,5-dihydrooxazole derivatives (X = H (3a), Me (3b), iPr (3c), Ph (3d), and benzyl (3e)) on Entamoeba histolytica trophozoites and the physicochemical, experimental, and theoretical properties that can be used to describe the antiproliferative activity. The growth inhibition capacity of these organometallic compounds is strongly related to a fine balance between the compounds' redox potential and hydrophilic character. The antiproliferative activity of diferrocenyl derivatives studied herein could be described either with the redox potential, the energy of electronic transitions, logP, or the calculated HOMO-LUMO values. Compound 3d presents the highest antiproliferative activity of the series with an IC50 of 23 µM. However, the results of this work provide a pipeline to improve the amoebicidal activity of these compounds through the directed modification of their electronic environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanis Toledano-Magaña
- Escuela de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Autónoma de Baja California, Ensenada 22860, Mexico
| | - Mario Néquiz
- Unidad de Investigación en Medicina Experimental, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City 06726, Mexico;
| | | | - Jessica J. Sánchez-García
- Facultad de Química, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad Universitaria, Mexico City 04510, Mexico; (J.J.S.-G.); (E.I.K.)
| | - Rodrigo Galindo-Murillo
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA;
| | - Juan Carlos García-Ramos
- Escuela de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Autónoma de Baja California, Ensenada 22860, Mexico
| | - Elena I. Klimova
- Facultad de Química, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad Universitaria, Mexico City 04510, Mexico; (J.J.S.-G.); (E.I.K.)
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4
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Levaro-Loquio D, Serrano-Luna J, Velásquez-Torres M, Higuera-Martínez G, Arciniega-Martínez IM, Reséndiz-Albor AA, Pérez-Vielma NM, Pacheco-Yépez J. In Vitro Evaluation of the Antiamoebic Activity of Kaempferol against Trophozoites of Entamoeba histolytica and in the Interactions of Amoebae with Hamster Neutrophils. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:11216. [PMID: 37446394 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241311216] [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: 05/13/2023] [Revised: 07/04/2023] [Accepted: 07/05/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Entamoeba histolytica (E. histolytica) is a parasite in humans that provokes amoebiasis. The most employed drug is metronidazole (MTZ); however, some studies have reported that this drug induces genotoxic effects. Therefore, it is necessary to explore new compounds without toxicity that can eliminate E. histolytica. Flavonoids are polyphenolic compounds that have demonstrated inhibition of growth and dysregulation of amoebic proteins. Despite the knowledge acquired to date, action mechanisms are not completely understood. The present work evaluates the effect of kaempferol against E. histolytica trophozoites and in the interactions with neutrophils from hamster, which is a susceptibility model. Our study demonstrated a significant reduction in the amoebic viability of trophozoites incubated with kaempferol at 150 μM for 90 min. The gene expression analysis showed a significant downregulation of Pr (peroxiredoxin), Rr (rubrerythrin), and TrxR (thioredoxin reductase). In interactions with amoebae and neutrophils for short times, we observed a reduction in ROS (reactive oxygen species), NO (nitric oxide), and MPO (myeloperoxidase) neutrophil activities. In conclusion, we confirmed that kaempferol is an effective drug against E. histolytica through the decrease in E. histolytica antioxidant enzyme expression and a regulator of several neutrophil mechanisms, such as MPO activity and the regulation of ROS and NO.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Levaro-Loquio
- Sección de Estudios de Postgrado, Escuela Superior de Medicina, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Ciudad de México 11340, Mexico
| | - Jesús Serrano-Luna
- Departamento de Biología Celular, Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del IPN (CINVESTAV), Av. IPN No. 2508 Col. San Pedro Zacatenco, Ciudad de México 07360, Mexico
| | - Maritza Velásquez-Torres
- Sección de Estudios de Postgrado, Escuela Superior de Medicina, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Ciudad de México 11340, Mexico
| | - Germán Higuera-Martínez
- Sección de Estudios de Postgrado, Escuela Superior de Medicina, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Ciudad de México 11340, Mexico
| | | | - Aldo Arturo Reséndiz-Albor
- Sección de Estudios de Postgrado, Escuela Superior de Medicina, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Ciudad de México 11340, Mexico
| | - Nadia Mabel Pérez-Vielma
- Centro Interdisciplinario de Ciencias de la Salud, CICS, San Tomás, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Ciudad de México 11340, Mexico
| | - Judith Pacheco-Yépez
- Sección de Estudios de Postgrado, Escuela Superior de Medicina, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Ciudad de México 11340, Mexico
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Velásquez-Torres M, Trujillo-Ferrara JG, Godínez-Victoria M, Jarillo-Luna RA, Tsutsumi V, Sánchez-Monroy V, Posadas-Mondragón A, Cuevas-Hernández RI, Santiago-Cruz JA, Pacheco-Yépez J. Riluzole, a Derivative of Benzothiazole as a Potential Anti-Amoebic Agent against Entamoeba histolytica. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2023; 16:896. [PMID: 37375843 DOI: 10.3390/ph16060896] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2023] [Revised: 06/01/2023] [Accepted: 06/07/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Amoebiasis is produced by the parasite Entamoeba histolytica; this disease affects millions of people throughout the world who may suffer from amoebic colitis or amoebic liver abscess. Metronidazole is used to treat this protozoan, but it causes important adverse effects that limit its use. Studies have shown that riluzole has demonstrated activity against some parasites. Thus, the present study aimed, for the first time, to demonstrate the in vitro and in silico anti-amoebic activity of riluzole. In vitro, the results of Entamoeba histolytica trophozoites treated with IC50 (319.5 μM) of riluzole for 5 h showed (i) a decrease of 48.1% in amoeba viability, (ii) ultrastructural changes such as a loss of plasma membrane continuity and alterations in the nuclei followed by lysis, (iii) apoptosis-like cell death, (iv) the triggering of the production of reactive oxygen species and nitric oxide, and (v) the downregulation of amoebic antioxidant enzyme gene expression. Interestingly, docking studies have indicated that riluzole presented a higher affinity than metronidazole for the antioxidant enzymes thioredoxin, thioredoxin reductase, rubrerythrin, and peroxiredoxin of Entamoeba histolytica, which are considered as possible candidates of molecular targets. Our results suggest that riluzole could be an alternative treatment against Entamoeba histolytica. Future studies should be conducted to analyze the in vivo riluzole anti-amoebic effect on the resolution of amebic liver abscess in a susceptible model, as this will contribute to developing new therapeutic agents with anti-amoebic activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maritza Velásquez-Torres
- Sección de Estudios de Posgrado e Investigación, Escuela Superior de Medicina, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Ciudad de Mexico 11340, Mexico
| | - José Guadalupe Trujillo-Ferrara
- Laboratorio de Investigación en Bioquímica, Escuela Superior de Medicina, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Ciudad de Mexico 11340, Mexico
| | - Marycarmen Godínez-Victoria
- Sección de Estudios de Posgrado e Investigación, Escuela Superior de Medicina, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Ciudad de Mexico 11340, Mexico
| | - Rosa Adriana Jarillo-Luna
- Coordinación de Ciencias Morfológicas, Escuela Superior de Medicina, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Ciudad de Mexico 11340, Mexico
| | - Víctor Tsutsumi
- Departamento de Infectómica y Patogénesis Molecular, Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Ciudad de Mexico 07360, Mexico
| | - Virginia Sánchez-Monroy
- Sección de Estudios de Posgrado e Investigación, Escuela Superior de Medicina, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Ciudad de Mexico 11340, Mexico
| | - Araceli Posadas-Mondragón
- Laboratorio de Medicina de Conservación, Sección de Estudios de Posgrado e Investigación, Escuela Superior de Medicina, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Ciudad de Mexico 11340, Mexico
| | - Roberto Issac Cuevas-Hernández
- Laboratorio de Investigación en Bioquímica, Escuela Superior de Medicina, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Ciudad de Mexico 11340, Mexico
| | - José Angel Santiago-Cruz
- Laboratorio de Ecología Microbiana, Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biológicas, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Ciudad de Mexico 11350, Mexico
| | - Judith Pacheco-Yépez
- Sección de Estudios de Posgrado e Investigación, Escuela Superior de Medicina, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Ciudad de Mexico 11340, Mexico
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6
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Sharma M, Zhang H, Ehrenkaufer G, Singh U. Stress Response in Entamoeba histolytica Is Associated with Robust Processing of tRNA to tRNA Halves. mBio 2023; 14:e0345022. [PMID: 36809068 PMCID: PMC10127584 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.03450-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2022] [Accepted: 01/18/2023] [Indexed: 02/23/2023] Open
Abstract
tRNA-derived fragments have been reported in many different organisms and have diverse cellular roles, such as regulating gene expression, inhibiting protein translation, silencing transposable elements, and modulating cell proliferation. In particular, tRNA halves, a class of tRNA fragments produced by the cleavage of tRNAs in the anti-codon loop, have been widely reported to accumulate under stress and regulate translation in cells. Here, we report the presence of tRNA-derived fragments in Entamoeba, with tRNA halves being the most abundant. We further established that tRNA halves accumulate in the parasites upon different stress stimuli such as oxidative stress, heat shock, and serum starvation. We also observed differential expression of tRNA halves during developmental changes of trophozoite-to-cyst conversion, with various tRNA halves accumulating during early encystation. In contrast to other systems, the stress response does not appear to be mediated by a few specific tRNA halves, as multiple tRNAs appear to be processed during the various stresses. Furthermore, we identified some tRNA-derived fragments associated with Entamoeba Argonaute proteins, EhAgo2-2 and EhAgo2-3, which have a preference for different tRNA-derived fragment species. Finally, we show that tRNA halves are packaged inside extracellular vesicles secreted by amoebas. The ubiquitous presence of tRNA-derived fragments, their association with the Argonaute proteins, and the accumulation of tRNA halves during multiple different stresses, including encystation, suggest a nuanced level of gene expression regulation mediated by different tRNA-derived fragments in Entamoeba. IMPORTANCE In the present study, we report for the first time the presence of tRNA-derived fragments in Entamoeba. tRNA-derived fragments were identified by bioinformatics analyses of small-RNA sequencing data sets from the parasites and also confirmed experimentally. We found that tRNA halves accumulated in parasites exposed to environmental stress or during the developmental process of encystation. We also found that shorter tRNA-derived fragments are bound to Entamoeba Argonaute proteins, indicating that they may have a potential role in the Argonaute-mediated RNA-interference pathway, which mediates robust gene silencing in Entamoeba. We noticed that in response to heat shock, the protein translation levels were elevated in the parasites. This effect was reversed in the presence of an analog of leucine, which also reduced the levels of the tRNA halves in the stressed cells. Our results suggest that tRNA-derived fragments in Entamoeba have a possible role in regulating gene expression during environmental stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manu Sharma
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA
| | - Hanbang Zhang
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA
| | - Gretchen Ehrenkaufer
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA
| | - Upinder Singh
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA
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Vallières C, Golinelli-Cohen MP, Guittet O, Lepoivre M, Huang ME, Vernis L. Redox-Based Strategies against Infections by Eukaryotic Pathogens. Genes (Basel) 2023; 14:genes14040778. [PMID: 37107536 PMCID: PMC10138290 DOI: 10.3390/genes14040778] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2023] [Revised: 03/13/2023] [Accepted: 03/21/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Redox homeostasis is an equilibrium between reducing and oxidizing reactions within cells. It is an essential, dynamic process, which allows proper cellular reactions and regulates biological responses. Unbalanced redox homeostasis is the hallmark of many diseases, including cancer or inflammatory responses, and can eventually lead to cell death. Specifically, disrupting redox balance, essentially by increasing pro-oxidative molecules and favouring hyperoxidation, is a smart strategy to eliminate cells and has been used for cancer treatment, for example. Selectivity between cancer and normal cells thus appears crucial to avoid toxicity as much as possible. Redox-based approaches are also employed in the case of infectious diseases to tackle the pathogens specifically, with limited impacts on host cells. In this review, we focus on recent advances in redox-based strategies to fight eukaryotic pathogens, especially fungi and eukaryotic parasites. We report molecules recently described for causing or being associated with compromising redox homeostasis in pathogens and discuss therapeutic possibilities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cindy Vallières
- Institut de Chimie des Substances Naturelles, CNRS UPR 2301, Université Paris-Saclay, 91198 Gif-sur-Yvette, France
| | - Marie-Pierre Golinelli-Cohen
- Institut de Chimie des Substances Naturelles, CNRS UPR 2301, Université Paris-Saclay, 91198 Gif-sur-Yvette, France
| | - Olivier Guittet
- Institut de Chimie des Substances Naturelles, CNRS UPR 2301, Université Paris-Saclay, 91198 Gif-sur-Yvette, France
| | - Michel Lepoivre
- Institut de Chimie des Substances Naturelles, CNRS UPR 2301, Université Paris-Saclay, 91198 Gif-sur-Yvette, France
| | - Meng-Er Huang
- Institut de Chimie des Substances Naturelles, CNRS UPR 2301, Université Paris-Saclay, 91198 Gif-sur-Yvette, France
| | - Laurence Vernis
- Institut de Chimie des Substances Naturelles, CNRS UPR 2301, Université Paris-Saclay, 91198 Gif-sur-Yvette, France
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8
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Comparative genomics and interactomics of polyadenylation factors for the prediction of new parasite targets: Entamoeba histolytica as a working model. Biosci Rep 2023; 43:232462. [PMID: 36651565 PMCID: PMC9912109 DOI: 10.1042/bsr20221911] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2022] [Revised: 01/05/2023] [Accepted: 01/13/2023] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Protein-protein interactions (PPI) play a key role in predicting the function of a target protein and drug ability to affect an entire biological system. Prediction of PPI networks greatly contributes to determine a target protein and signal pathways related to its function. Polyadenylation of mRNA 3'-end is essential for gene expression regulation and several polyadenylation factors have been shown as valuable targets for controlling protozoan parasites that affect human health. Here, by using a computational strategy based on sequence-based prediction approaches, phylogenetic analyses, and computational prediction of PPI networks, we compared interactomes of polyadenylation factors in relevant protozoan parasites and the human host, to identify key proteins and define potential targets for pathogen control. Then, we used Entamoeba histolytica as a working model to validate our computational results. RT-qPCR assays confirmed the coordinated modulation of connected proteins in the PPI network and evidenced that silencing of the bottleneck protein EhCFIm25 affects the expression of interacting proteins. In addition, molecular dynamics simulations and docking approaches allowed to characterize the relationships between EhCFIm25 and Ehnopp34, two connected bottleneck proteins. Interestingly, the experimental identification of EhCFIm25 interactome confirmed the close relationships among proteins involved in gene expression regulation and evidenced new links with moonlight proteins in E. histolytica, suggesting a connection between RNA biology and metabolism as described in other organisms. Altogether, our results strengthened the relevance of comparative genomics and interactomics of polyadenylation factors for the prediction of new targets for the control of these human pathogens.
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9
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Singh SS, Mansuri MS, Naiyer S, Kaur D, Agrahari M, Srinivasan S, Jhingan GD, Bhattacharya A, Bhattacharya S. Multi-omics analysis to characterize molecular adaptation of Entamoeba histolytica during serum stress. Proteomics 2022; 22:e2200148. [PMID: 36066285 DOI: 10.1002/pmic.202200148] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2022] [Revised: 08/07/2022] [Accepted: 08/19/2022] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Entamoeba histolytica is responsible for dysentery and extraintestinal disease in humans. To establish successful infection, it must generate adaptive response against stress due to host defense mechanisms. We have developed a robust proteomics workflow by combining miniaturized sample preparation, low flow-rate chromatography, and ultra-high sensitivity mass spectrometry, achieving increased proteome coverage, and further integrated proteomics and RNA-seq data to decipher regulation at translational and transcriptional levels. Label-free quantitative proteomics led to identification of 2344 proteins, an improvement over the maximum number identified in E. histolytica proteomic studies. In serum-starved cells, 127 proteins were differentially abundant and were associated with functions including antioxidant activity, cytoskeleton, translation, catalysis, and transport. The virulence factor, Gal/GalNAc-inhibitable lectin subunits, was significantly altered. Integration of transcriptomic and proteomic data revealed that only 30% genes were coordinately regulated at both transcriptional and translational levels. Some highly expressed transcripts did not change in protein abundance. Conversely, genes with no transcriptional change showed enhanced protein abundance, indicating post-transcriptional regulation. This multi-omics approach enables more refined gene expression analysis to understand the adaptive response of E. histolytica during growth stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shashi Shekhar Singh
- School of Environmental Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, India.,Center for RNA Science and Therapeutics, Department of Biochemistry, School of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
| | - Mohammad Shahid Mansuri
- Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Sarah Naiyer
- School of Environmental Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, India.,Department of Immunology and Microbiology, University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Devinder Kaur
- School of Environmental Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, India.,Central University of Punjab, Bathinda, Punjab, India
| | - Mridula Agrahari
- School of Environmental Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, India.,Vproteomics, Valerian Chem Private Limited, New Delhi, India
| | | | | | - Alok Bhattacharya
- Ashoka University, Rajiv Gandhi Education City, Sonipat, Haryana, India
| | - Sudha Bhattacharya
- School of Environmental Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, India.,Ashoka University, Rajiv Gandhi Education City, Sonipat, Haryana, India
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10
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Alcohol Abuse Drug Disulfiram Is Effective against Cyst Stages of Entamoeba histolytica Parasite. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2022; 66:e0083222. [PMID: 36255253 DOI: 10.1128/aac.00832-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
New anti-Entamoeba histolytica multistage drugs are needed because only one drug class, nitroimidazoles, is available for treating invasive disease, and it does not effectively eradicate the infective cyst stage. Zinc ditiocarb (ZnDTC), a main metabolite of the FDA-approved drug disulfiram, was recently shown to be highly effective against the invasive trophozoite stage. In this brief report, we show that ZnDTC is active against cysts, with similar potency to first-line cysticidal drug paromomycin.
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11
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Idrees D, Naqvi AAT, Hassan MI, Ahmad F, Gourinath S. Insight into the Conformational Transitions of Serine Acetyl Transferase Isoforms in E. histolytica: Implications for Structural and Functional Balance. ACS OMEGA 2022; 7:24626-24637. [PMID: 35874230 PMCID: PMC9301732 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.2c02467] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Serine acetyl transferase (SAT) is one of the crucial enzymes in the cysteine biosynthetic pathway and an essential enzyme for the survival of Entamoeba histolytica, the causative agent of amoebiasis. E. histolytica expresses three isoforms of SAT, where SAT1 and SAT2 are inhibited by the final product cysteine, while SAT3 is not inhibited. SAT3 has a slightly elongated C-terminus compared to SAT1. To understand the stability and conformational transition between two secondary structures of proteins, we measured the effect of urea, a chemical denaturant, on two isoforms of SAT (SAT1 and SAT3) of E. histolytica. The effect of urea on the structure and stability of SAT1 and SAT3 was determined by measuring changes in their far-UV circular dichroism (CD), Trp fluorescence, and near-UV absorption spectra. The urea-induced normal transition curves suggested that the structural transition is reversible and follows a two-state process. Analysis of the urea-induced transition of all optical properties for the stability parameters ΔG D° (Gibbs free energy change (ΔG D) in the absence of urea), m (dependence of ΔG D on urea concentration), and C m (midpoint of urea transition) suggested that SAT1 is more stable than SAT3. Characterization of the end product of the urea-induced transition of both proteins by the far-UV CD and Trp-fluorescence and near-UV absorbance suggested that urea causes α-helix to β-sheet transition and burial of Trp residues, respectively. To support the in vitro findings, 100 ns molecular dynamics simulations (in silico study) were performed. Both the spectroscopic and molecular dynamics approaches clearly indicated that SAT1 is more stable than SAT3. SAT3 has evolved to escape the feedback inhibition to keep producing cysteine, but in the process, it compromises its structural stability relative to SAT1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danish Idrees
- School
of Life Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi 110067, India
- Faculty
of Allied Health Sciences, Shree Guru Gobind
Tricentenary University, Gurugram, Harayana 122505, India
| | | | - Md Imtaiyaz Hassan
- Centre
for Interdisciplinary Research in Basic Science, Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi 110025, India
| | - Faizan Ahmad
- Department
of Biochemistry, Jamia Hamdard, New Delhi 110062, India
| | - Samudrala Gourinath
- School
of Life Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi 110067, India
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12
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Sarid L, Zanditenas E, Ye J, Trebicz-Geffen M, Ankri S. Insights into the Mechanisms of Lactobacillus acidophilus Activity against Entamoeba histolytica by Using Thiol Redox Proteomics. Antioxidants (Basel) 2022; 11:814. [PMID: 35624678 PMCID: PMC9137826 DOI: 10.3390/antiox11050814] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2022] [Revised: 04/06/2022] [Accepted: 04/20/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Amebiasis is an intestinal disease transmitted by the protist parasite, Entamoeba histolytica. Lactobacillus acidophilus is a common inhabitant of healthy human gut and a probiotic that has antimicrobial properties against a number of pathogenic bacteria, fungi, and parasites. The aim of this study was to investigate the amebicide activity of L. acidophilus and its mechanisms. For this purpose, E. histolytica and L. acidophilus were co-incubated and the parasite's viability was determined by eosin dye exclusion. The level of ozidized proteins (OXs) in the parasite was determined by resin-assisted capture RAC (OX-RAC). Incubation with L. acidophilus for two hours reduced the viability of E. histolytica trophozoites by 50%. As a result of the interaction with catalase, an enzyme that degrades hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) to water and oxygen, this amebicide activity is lost, indicating that it is mediated by H2O2 produced by L. acidophilus. Redox proteomics shows that L. acidophilus triggers the oxidation of many essential amebic enzymes such as pyruvate: ferredoxin oxidoreductase, the lectin Gal/GalNAc, and cysteine proteases (CPs). Further, trophozoites of E. histolytica incubated with L. acidophilus show reduced binding to mammalian cells. These results support L. acidophilus as a prophylactic candidate against amebiasis.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Serge Ankri
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, Ruth and Bruce Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, Technion, Haifa 31096, Israel; (L.S.); (E.Z.); (J.Y.); (M.T.-G.)
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13
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Jasni N, Saidin S, Arifin N, Azman DK, Shin LN, Othman N. A Review: Natural and Synthetic Compounds Targeting Entamoeba histolytica and Its Biological Membrane. MEMBRANES 2022; 12:membranes12040396. [PMID: 35448367 PMCID: PMC9024486 DOI: 10.3390/membranes12040396] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2021] [Revised: 02/23/2022] [Accepted: 03/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Amoebiasis is the third most common parasitic cause of morbidity and mortality, particularly in countries with poor hygienic settings in central and south America, Africa, and India. This disease is caused by a protozoan parasite, namely Entamoeba histolytica, which infects approximately 50 million people worldwide, resulting in 70,000 deaths every year. Since the 1960s, E. histolytica infection has been successfully treated with metronidazole. However, there are drawbacks to metronidazole therapy: the side effects, duration of treatment, and need for additional drugs to prevent transmission. Previous interdisciplinary studies, including biophysics, bioinformatics, chemistry, and, more recently, lipidomics studies, have increased biomembranes’ publicity. The biological membranes are comprised of a mixture of membrane and cytosolic proteins. They work hand in hand mainly at the membrane part. They act as dedicated platforms for a whole range of cellular processes, such as cell proliferation, adhesion, migration, and intracellular trafficking, thus are appealing targets for drug treatment. Therefore, this review aims to observe the updated trend of the research regarding the biological membranes of E. histolytica from 2015 to 2021, which may help further research regarding the drug targeting the biological membrane.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nurhana Jasni
- Institute for Research in Molecular Medicine (INFORMM), Universiti Sains Malaysia, Gelugor 11800, Malaysia; (N.J.); (N.A.); (D.K.A.); (L.N.S.)
| | - Syazwan Saidin
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science and Mathematics, Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris, Tanjung Malim 35900, Malaysia;
| | - Norsyahida Arifin
- Institute for Research in Molecular Medicine (INFORMM), Universiti Sains Malaysia, Gelugor 11800, Malaysia; (N.J.); (N.A.); (D.K.A.); (L.N.S.)
| | - Daruliza Kernain Azman
- Institute for Research in Molecular Medicine (INFORMM), Universiti Sains Malaysia, Gelugor 11800, Malaysia; (N.J.); (N.A.); (D.K.A.); (L.N.S.)
| | - Lai Ngit Shin
- Institute for Research in Molecular Medicine (INFORMM), Universiti Sains Malaysia, Gelugor 11800, Malaysia; (N.J.); (N.A.); (D.K.A.); (L.N.S.)
| | - Nurulhasanah Othman
- Institute for Research in Molecular Medicine (INFORMM), Universiti Sains Malaysia, Gelugor 11800, Malaysia; (N.J.); (N.A.); (D.K.A.); (L.N.S.)
- Correspondence:
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14
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Malych R, Füssy Z, Ženíšková K, Arbon D, Hampl V, Hrdý I, Sutak R. The response of Naegleria gruberi to oxidative stress. Metallomics 2022; 14:6527579. [PMID: 35150262 DOI: 10.1093/mtomcs/mfac009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2021] [Accepted: 02/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/14/2022]
Abstract
Aerobic organisms require oxygen for respiration but must simultaneously cope with oxidative damages inherently linked with this molecule. Unicellular amoeboflagellates of the genus Naegleria, containing both free-living species and opportunistic parasite, thrive in aerobic environments. However, they are also known to maintain typical features of anaerobic organisms. Here, we describe the mechanisms of oxidative damage mitigation in Naegleria gruberi and focus on the molecular characteristics of three noncanonical proteins interacting with oxygen and its derived reactive forms. We show that this protist expresses hemerythrin, protoglobin and an aerobic-type rubrerythrin, with spectral properties characteristic of the cofactors they bind. We provide evidence that protoglobin and hemerythrin interact with oxygen in vitro and confirm the mitochondrial localization of rubrerythrin by immunolabeling. Our proteomic analysis and immunoblotting following heavy metal treatment revealed upregulation of hemerythrin, while rotenone treatment resulted in an increase in rubrerythrin protein levels together with vast upregulation of alternative oxidase. Our study provided new insights into the mechanisms employed by N. gruberi to cope with different types of oxidative stress and allowed us to propose specific roles for three unique and understudied proteins: hemerythrin, protoglobin and rubrerythrin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ronald Malych
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, BIOCEV, Vestec, Czech Republic
| | - Zoltán Füssy
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, BIOCEV, Vestec, Czech Republic
| | - Kateřina Ženíšková
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, BIOCEV, Vestec, Czech Republic
| | - Dominik Arbon
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, BIOCEV, Vestec, Czech Republic
| | - Vladimír Hampl
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, BIOCEV, Vestec, Czech Republic
| | - Ivan Hrdý
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, BIOCEV, Vestec, Czech Republic
| | - Robert Sutak
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, BIOCEV, Vestec, Czech Republic
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15
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Saito-Nakano Y, Makiuchi T, Tochikura M, Gilchrist CA, Petri WA, Nozaki T. ArfX2 GTPase Regulates Trafficking From the Trans-Golgi to Lysosomes and Is Necessary for Liver Abscess Formation in the Protozoan Parasite Entamoeba histolytica. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2022; 11:794152. [PMID: 34976870 PMCID: PMC8719317 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2021.794152] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2021] [Accepted: 11/24/2021] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Entamoeba histolytica is the causative agent of amoebic dysentery and liver abscess in humans. The parasitic lifestyle and the virulence of the protist require elaborate biological processes, including vesicular traffic and stress management against a variety of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species produced by the host immune response. Although the mechanisms for intracellular traffic of representative virulence factors have been investigated at molecular levels, it remains poorly understood whether and how intracellular traffic is involved in the defense against reactive oxygen and nitrogen species. Here, we demonstrate that EhArfX2, one of the Arf family of GTPases known to be involved in the regulation of vesicular traffic, was identified by comparative transcriptomic analysis of two isogenic strains: an animal-passaged highly virulent HM-1:IMSS Cl6 and in vitro maintained attenuated avirulent strain. EhArfX2 was identified as one of the most highly upregulated genes in the highly virulent strain. EhArfX2 was localized to small vesicle-like structures and largely colocalized with the marker for the trans-Golgi network SNARE, EhYkt6, but neither with the endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-resident chaperon, EhBip, nor the cis-Golgi SNARE, EhSed5, and Golgi-luminal galactosyl transferase, EhGalT. Expression of the dominant-active mutant form of EhArfX2 caused an increase in the number of lysosomes, while expression of the dominant-negative mutant led to a defect in lysosome formation and cysteine protease transport to lysosomes. Expression of the dominant-negative mutant in the virulent E. histolytica strain caused a reduction of the size of liver abscesses in a hamster model. This defect in liver abscess formation was likely at least partially attributed to reduced resistance to nitrosative, but not oxidative stress in vitro. These results showed that the EhArfX2-mediated traffic is necessary for the nitrosative stress response and virulence in the host.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yumiko Saito-Nakano
- Department of Parasitology, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Takashi Makiuchi
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Tokai University School of Medicine, Isehara, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Mami Tochikura
- Department of Parasitology, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Carol A Gilchrist
- Department of Medicine, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, United States
| | - William A Petri
- Department of Medicine, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, United States
| | - Tomoyoshi Nozaki
- Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Bunkyo, Tokyo, Japan
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16
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Devi S, Tomar P, Faisal Tarique K, Gourinath S. Inhibiting Pyridoxal Kinase of Entamoeba histolytica Is Lethal for This Pathogen. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2021; 11:660466. [PMID: 33937101 PMCID: PMC8085340 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2021.660466] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2021] [Accepted: 03/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Pyridoxal 5’-phosphate (PLP) functions as a cofactor for hundreds of different enzymes that are crucial to the survival of microorganisms. PLP-dependent enzymes have been extensively characterized and proposed as drug targets in Entamoeba histolytica. This pathogen is unable to synthesize vitamin B6via de-novo pathway and relies on the uptake of vitamin B6 vitamers from the host which are then phosphorylated by the enzyme pyridoxal kinase to produce PLP, the active form of vitamin B6. Previous studies from our lab shows that EhPLK is essential for the survival and growth of this protozoan parasite and its active site differs significantly with respect to its human homologue making it a potential drug target. In-silico screening of EhPLK against small molecule libraries were performed and top five ranked molecules were shortlisted on the basis of docking scores. These compounds dock into the PLP binding site of the enzyme such that binding of these compounds hinders the binding of substrate. Of these five compounds, two compounds showed inhibitory activity with IC50 values between 100-250 μM when tested in-vitro. The effect of these compounds proved to be extremely lethal for Entamoeba trophozoites in cultured cells as the growth was hampered by 91.5% and 89.5% when grown in the presence of these compounds over the period of 72 hours.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suneeta Devi
- Structural Biology Laboratory, School of Life Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, India
| | - Priya Tomar
- Structural Biology Laboratory, School of Life Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, India
| | - Khaja Faisal Tarique
- Structural Biology Laboratory, School of Life Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, India.,Department of Molecular Reproduction, Development and Genetics, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, India
| | - Samudrala Gourinath
- Structural Biology Laboratory, School of Life Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, India
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17
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Shirley DA, Sharma I, Warren CA, Moonah S. Drug Repurposing of the Alcohol Abuse Medication Disulfiram as an Anti-Parasitic Agent. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2021; 11:633194. [PMID: 33777846 PMCID: PMC7991622 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2021.633194] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2020] [Accepted: 02/18/2021] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Parasitic infections contribute significantly to worldwide morbidity and mortality. Antibiotic treatment is essential for managing patients infected with these parasites since control is otherwise challenging and there are no vaccines available for prevention. However, new antimicrobial therapies are urgently needed as significant problems exist with current treatments such as drug resistance, limited options, poor efficacy, as well as toxicity. This situation is made worse by the challenges of drug discovery and development which is costly especially for non-profitable infectious diseases, time-consuming, and risky with a high failure rate. Drug repurposing which involves finding new use for existing drugs may help to more rapidly identify therapeutic candidates while drastically cutting costs of drug research and development. In this perspective article, we discuss the importance of drug repurposing, review disulfiram pharmacology, and highlight emerging data that supports repurposing disulfiram as an anti-parasitic, exemplified by the major diarrhea-causing parasite Entamoeba histolytica.
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Affiliation(s)
- Debbie-Ann Shirley
- Division of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, Department of Pediatrics, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, United States
| | - Ishrya Sharma
- Division of Infectious Diseases & International Health, Department of Medicine, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, United States
| | - Cirle A Warren
- Division of Infectious Diseases & International Health, Department of Medicine, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, United States
| | - Shannon Moonah
- Division of Infectious Diseases & International Health, Department of Medicine, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, United States
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18
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Shrivastav MT, Malik Z, Somlata. Revisiting Drug Development Against the Neglected Tropical Disease, Amebiasis. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2021; 10:628257. [PMID: 33718258 PMCID: PMC7943716 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2020.628257] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2020] [Accepted: 12/30/2020] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Amebiasis is a neglected tropical disease which is caused by the protozoan parasite Entamoeba histolytica. This disease is one of the leading causes of diarrhea globally, affecting largely impoverished residents in developing countries. Amebiasis also remains one of the top causes of gastrointestinal diseases in returning international travellers. Despite having many side effects, metronidazole remains the drug of choice as an amebicidal tissue-active agent. However, emergence of metronidazole resistance in pathogens having similar anaerobic metabolism and also in laboratory strains of E. histolytica has necessitated the identification and development of new drug targets and therapeutic strategies against the parasite. Recent research in the field of amebiasis has led to a better understanding of the parasite’s metabolic and cellular pathways and hence has been useful in identifying new drug targets. On the other hand, new molecules effective against amebiasis have been mined by modifying available compounds, thereby increasing their potency and efficacy and also by repurposing existing approved drugs. This review aims at compiling and examining up to date information on promising drug targets and drug molecules for the treatment of amebiasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manish T Shrivastav
- Multidisciplinary Centre for Advanced Research and Studies, Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi, India
| | - Zainab Malik
- Multidisciplinary Centre for Advanced Research and Studies, Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi, India
| | - Somlata
- Multidisciplinary Centre for Advanced Research and Studies, Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi, India
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19
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Autophagy Activated by Peroxiredoxin of Entamoeba histolytica. Cells 2020; 9:cells9112462. [PMID: 33198056 PMCID: PMC7696310 DOI: 10.3390/cells9112462] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2020] [Revised: 11/01/2020] [Accepted: 11/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Autophagy, an evolutionarily conserved mechanism to remove redundant or dangerous cellular components, plays an important role in innate immunity and defense against pathogens, which, in turn, can regulate autophagy to establish infection within a host. However, for Entamoeba histolytica, an intestinal protozoan parasite causing human amoebic colitis, the interaction with the host cell autophagy mechanism has not been investigated. In this study, we found that E. histolytica peroxiredoxin (Prx), an antioxidant enzyme critical for parasite survival during the invasion of host tissues, could activate autophagy in macrophages. The formation of autophagosomes in macrophages treated with recombinant Prx of E. histolytica for 24 h was revealed by immunofluorescence and immunoblotting in RAW264.7 cells and in mice. Prx was cytotoxic for RAW264.7 macrophages after 48-h treatment, which was partly attributed to autophagy-dependent cell death. RNA interference experiments revealed that Prx induced autophagy mostly through the toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4)-TIR domain-containing adaptor-inducing interferon (TRIF) pathway. The C-terminal part of Prx comprising 100 amino acids was the key functional domain to activate autophagy. These results indicated that Prx of E. histolytica could induce autophagy and cytotoxic effects in macrophages, revealing a new pathogenic mechanism activated by E. histolytica in host cells.
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20
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Tarique KF, Devi S, Tomar P, Ali MF, Rehman SAA, Gourinath S. Characterization and functional insights into the Entamoeba histolytica pyridoxal kinase, an enzyme essential for its survival. J Struct Biol 2020; 212:107645. [PMID: 33045383 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsb.2020.107645] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2020] [Revised: 09/29/2020] [Accepted: 10/06/2020] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
Pyridoxal 5'-phosphate (PLP) is the active form of vitamin B6 and a cofactor for more than 140 enzymes. This coenzyme plays a pivotal role in catalysis of various enzymatic reactions that are critical for the survival of organisms. Entamoeba histolytica depends on the uptake of pyridoxal (PL), a B6 vitamer from the external environment which is then phosphorylated by pyridoxal kinase (EhPLK) to form PLP via the salvage pathway. E. histolytica cannot synthesise vitamin B6de-novo, and also lacks pyridoxine 5'-phosphate oxidase, a salvage pathway enzyme required to produce PLP from pyridoxine phosphate (PNP) and pyridoxamine phosphate (PMP). Analysing the importance of PLK in E. histolytica, we have determined the high-resolution crystal structures of the dimeric pyridoxal kinase in apo, ADP-bound, and PLP-bound states. These structures provided a snapshot of the transition state and help in understanding the reaction mechanism in greater detail. The EhPLK structure significantly differed from the human homologue at its PLP binding site, and the phylogenetic study also revealed its divergence from human PLK. Further, gene regulation of EhPLK using sense and antisense RNA showed that any change in optimal level is harmful to the pathogen. Biochemical and in vivo studies unveiled EhPLK to be essential for this pathogen, while the molecular differences with human PLK structure can be exploited for the structure-guided design of EhPLK inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Khaja Faisal Tarique
- Structural Biology Laboratory, School of Life Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, India; Department of Molecular Reproduction, Development and Genetics, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, India
| | - Suneeta Devi
- Structural Biology Laboratory, School of Life Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, India
| | - Priya Tomar
- Structural Biology Laboratory, School of Life Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, India
| | - Mohammad Farhan Ali
- Structural Biology Laboratory, School of Life Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, India
| | - Syed Arif Abdul Rehman
- Structural Biology Laboratory, School of Life Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, India; MRC Protein Phosphorylation & Ubiquitylation Unit, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee, UK
| | - Samudrala Gourinath
- Structural Biology Laboratory, School of Life Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, India.
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21
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Flores-Solis D, Mendoza A, Rentería-González I, Casados-Vazquez LE, Trasviña-Arenas CH, Jiménez-Sandoval P, Benítez-Cardoza CG, Del Río-Portilla F, Brieba LG. Solution structure of the inhibitor of cysteine proteases 1 from Entamoeba histolytica reveals a possible auto regulatory mechanism. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-PROTEINS AND PROTEOMICS 2020; 1868:140512. [PMID: 32731033 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbapap.2020.140512] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2020] [Revised: 07/07/2020] [Accepted: 07/24/2020] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
The genome of Entamoeba histolytica encodes approximately 50 Cysteine Proteases (CPs) whose activity is regulated by two Inhibitors of Cysteine Proteases (ICPs), EhICP1 and EhICP2. The main difference between both EhICPs is the acquisition of a 17 N-terminal targeting signal in EhICP2 and three exposed cysteine residues in EhICP1. The three exposed cysteines in EhICP1 potentiate the formation of cross-linking species that drive heterogeneity. Here we solved the NMR structure of EhICP1 using a mutant protein without accessible cysteines. Our structural data shows that EhICP1 adopts an immunoglobulin fold composed of seven β-strands, and three solvent exposed loops that resemble the structures of EhICP2 and chagasin. EhICP1 and EhICP2 are able to inhibit the archetypical cysteine protease papain by intercalating their BC loops into the protease active site independently of the character of the residue (serine or threonine) responsible to interact with the active site of papain. EhICP1 and EhICP2 present signals of functional divergence as they clustered in different clades. Two of the three exposed cysteines in EhICP1 are located at the DE loop that intercalates into the CP substrate-binding cleft. We propose that the solvent exposed cysteines of EhICP1 play a role in regulating its inhibitory activity and that in oxidative conditions, the cysteines of EhICP1 react to form intra and intermolecular disulfide bonds that render an inactive inhibitor. EhICP2 is not subject to redox regulation, as this inhibitor does not contain a single cysteine residue. This proposed redox regulation may be related to the differential cellular localization between EhICP1 and EhICP2.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Flores-Solis
- Departamento de Química de Biomacromoléculas, Instituto de Química, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Circuito exterior s/n, Coyoacán, Ciudad de Mexico 04510, Mexico
| | - Angeles Mendoza
- Departamento de Química de Biomacromoléculas, Instituto de Química, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Circuito exterior s/n, Coyoacán, Ciudad de Mexico 04510, Mexico
| | - Itzel Rentería-González
- Laboratorio Nacional de Genómica para la Biodiversidad, Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del Instituto Politécnico Nacional, km. 9.6 Libramiento Norte Carretera Irapuato-León, CP 36821 Irapuato, Guanajuato, Mexico
| | - Luz E Casados-Vazquez
- Laboratorio Nacional de Genómica para la Biodiversidad, Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del Instituto Politécnico Nacional, km. 9.6 Libramiento Norte Carretera Irapuato-León, CP 36821 Irapuato, Guanajuato, Mexico
| | - Carlos H Trasviña-Arenas
- Laboratorio Nacional de Genómica para la Biodiversidad, Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del Instituto Politécnico Nacional, km. 9.6 Libramiento Norte Carretera Irapuato-León, CP 36821 Irapuato, Guanajuato, Mexico
| | - Pedro Jiménez-Sandoval
- Laboratorio Nacional de Genómica para la Biodiversidad, Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del Instituto Politécnico Nacional, km. 9.6 Libramiento Norte Carretera Irapuato-León, CP 36821 Irapuato, Guanajuato, Mexico
| | - Claudia G Benítez-Cardoza
- Laboratorio de Investigación Bioquímica, Programa Institucional en Biomedicina Molecular ENMyH-Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Guillermo Massieu Helguera No. 239, La Escalera Ticoman, 07320, D.F, Mexico
| | - Federico Del Río-Portilla
- Departamento de Química de Biomacromoléculas, Instituto de Química, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Circuito exterior s/n, Coyoacán, Ciudad de Mexico 04510, Mexico.
| | - Luis G Brieba
- Laboratorio Nacional de Genómica para la Biodiversidad, Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del Instituto Politécnico Nacional, km. 9.6 Libramiento Norte Carretera Irapuato-León, CP 36821 Irapuato, Guanajuato, Mexico.
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Furlan AL, Bianucci E, Giordano W, Castro S, Becker DF. Proline metabolic dynamics and implications in drought tolerance of peanut plants. PLANT PHYSIOLOGY AND BIOCHEMISTRY : PPB 2020; 151:566-578. [PMID: 32320942 DOI: 10.1016/j.plaphy.2020.04.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2019] [Revised: 04/07/2020] [Accepted: 04/08/2020] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
Proline accumulation and metabolism are associated with mechanisms of abiotic stress avoidance in plants. Proline accumulation generally improves osmotic stress tolerance whereas proline metabolism can have varying effects from ATP generation to the formation of reactive oxygen species. To further understand the roles of proline in stress protection, two peanut cultivars with contrasting tolerance to drought were examined by transcriptional and biochemical analyses during water stress. Plants exposed to polyethylene glycol had diminished relative water content and increased proline content; while, only the drought sensitive plants, cultivar Granoleico, showed lipid oxidative damage (measured as thiobarbituric acid reactive substances). The expression of proline biosynthesis genes (P5CS1, P5CS2a, P5CS2b, P5CR) was increased in both cultivars upon exposure to water stress. However, the relative expression of proline catabolism genes (ProDH1, ProDH2) was increased only in the sensitive cultivar during stress. Exogenous addition of proline and the proline analogue thiazolidine-4-carboxylic acid (T4C), both substrates of proline dehydrogenase, was also used to exacerbate and identify plant responses. Pretreatment of plants with T4C induced unique changes in the drought tolerant EC-98 cultivar such as higher mRNA levels of proline biosynthetic and catabolic ProDH genes, even in the absence of water stress. The increased levels of ProDH gene expression, potentially associated with higher T4C conversion to cysteine, may contribute to the tolerant phenotype.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Laura Furlan
- Instituto de Investigaciones Agrobiotecnológicas (INIAB-CONICET), Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Físico-Químicas y Naturales, Universidad Nacional de Río Cuarto, Ruta 36, Km 601, 5800, Río Cuarto, Córdoba, Argentina; Department of Biochemistry, Redox Biology Center, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE, 68588, USA.
| | - Eliana Bianucci
- Instituto de Investigaciones Agrobiotecnológicas (INIAB-CONICET), Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Físico-Químicas y Naturales, Universidad Nacional de Río Cuarto, Ruta 36, Km 601, 5800, Río Cuarto, Córdoba, Argentina
| | - Walter Giordano
- Instituto de Biotecnología Ambiental y Salud (INBIAS-CONICET), Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Físico-Químicas y Naturales, Universidad Nacional de Río Cuarto, Ruta 36, Km 601, 5800, Río Cuarto, Córdoba, Argentina
| | - Stella Castro
- Instituto de Investigaciones Agrobiotecnológicas (INIAB-CONICET), Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Físico-Químicas y Naturales, Universidad Nacional de Río Cuarto, Ruta 36, Km 601, 5800, Río Cuarto, Córdoba, Argentina
| | - Donald F Becker
- Department of Biochemistry, Redox Biology Center, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE, 68588, USA
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Shaulov Y, Nagaraja S, Sarid L, Trebicz-Geffen M, Ankri S. Formation of oxidised (OX) proteins in Entamoeba histolytica exposed to auranofin and consequences on the parasite virulence. Cell Microbiol 2020; 22:e13174. [PMID: 32017328 DOI: 10.1111/cmi.13174] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2019] [Revised: 01/16/2020] [Accepted: 01/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Metronidazole (MNZ), the first line drug for amoebiasis and auranofin (AF), an emerging antiprotozoan drug, are both inhibiting Entamoeba histolytica thioredoxin reductase. The nature of oxidised proteins (OXs) formed in AF- or MNZ-treated E. histolytica trophozoites is unknown. In order to fill this knowledge gap, we performed a large-scale identification and quantification of the OXs formed in AF- or MNZ-treated E. histolytica trophozoites using resin-assisted capture coupled to mass spectrometry (MS). We detected 661 OXs in MNZ-treated trophozoites and 583 OXs in AF-treated trophozoites. More than 50% of these OXs were shared, and their functions include hydrolases, enzyme modulators, transferases, nucleic acid binding proteins, oxidoreductases, cytoskeletal proteins, chaperones, and ligases. Here, we report that the formation of actin filaments (F-actin) is impaired in AF-treated trophozoites. Consequently, their erythrophagocytosis, cytopathic activity, and their motility are impaired. We also observed that less than 15% of OXs present in H2 O2 -treated trophozoites are also present in AF- or MNZ-treated trophozoites. These results strongly suggest that the formation of OXs in AF- or MNZ-treated trophozoites and in H2 O2 -treated trophozoites occurred by two different mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yana Shaulov
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, Ruth and Bruce Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, Technion, Haifa, Israel
| | - Shruti Nagaraja
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, Ruth and Bruce Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, Technion, Haifa, Israel
| | - Lotem Sarid
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, Ruth and Bruce Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, Technion, Haifa, Israel
| | - Meirav Trebicz-Geffen
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, Ruth and Bruce Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, Technion, Haifa, Israel
| | - Serge Ankri
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, Ruth and Bruce Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, Technion, Haifa, Israel
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24
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Biological activity of esters of quinoxaline-7-carboxylate 1,4-di-N-oxide against E. histolytica and their analysis as potential thioredoxin reductase inhibitors. Parasitol Res 2020; 119:695-711. [PMID: 31907668 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-019-06580-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2019] [Accepted: 12/12/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Amoebiasis is caused by the protozoan Entamoeba histolytica that affects millions of people throughout the world. The standard treatment is metronidazole, however, this drug causes several side effects, and is also mutagenic and carcinogenic. Therefore, the search for therapeutic alternatives is necessary. Quinoxaline 1,4-di-N-oxides (QdNOs) derivatives have been shown to exhibit activity against different protozoan. In the present study, the effects of esters of quinoxaline-7-carboxylate 1,4-di-N-oxide (7-carboxylate QdNOs) derivatives on E. histolytica proliferation, morphology, ultrastructure, and oxidative stress were evaluated, also their potential as E. histolytica thioredoxin reductase (EhTrxR) inhibitors was analyzed. In vitro tests showed that 12 compounds from n-propyl and isopropyl series, were more active (IC50 = 0.331 to 3.56 μM) than metronidazole (IC50 = 4.5 μM). The compounds with better biological activity have a bulky, trifluoromethyl and isopropyl group at R1-, R2-, and R3-position, respectively. The main alterations found in trophozoites treated with some of these compounds included changes in chromatin, cell granularity, redistribution of vacuoles with cellular debris, and an increase in reactive oxygen species. Interestingly, docking studies suggested that 7-carboxylate QdNOs derivatives could interact with amino acid residues of the NADPH-binding domain and/or the redox-active site of EhTrxR. Enzymatic assays demonstrated that selected 7-carboxylate QdNOs inhibits EhTrxR disulfide reductase activity, and diaphorase activity shows that these compounds could act as electron acceptor substrates for the enzyme. Taken together, these data indicate that among the mechanisms involved in the antiamoebic effect of the 7-carboxylate QdNOs derivatives studied, is the induction of oxidative stress and the inhibition of EhTrxR activity.
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25
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A review on the druggability of a thiol-based enzymatic antioxidant thioredoxin reductase for treating filariasis and other parasitic infections. Int J Biol Macromol 2020; 142:125-141. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2019.09.083] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2019] [Revised: 09/10/2019] [Accepted: 09/11/2019] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
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26
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Hypericum erectum alcoholic extract inhibits Toxoplasma growth and Entamoeba encystation: an exploratory study on the anti-protozoan potential. J Nat Med 2019; 74:294-305. [DOI: 10.1007/s11418-019-01369-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2019] [Accepted: 10/24/2019] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
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27
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Ghosh S, Jiang N, Farr L, Ngobeni R, Moonah S. Parasite-Produced MIF Cytokine: Role in Immune Evasion, Invasion, and Pathogenesis. Front Immunol 2019; 10:1995. [PMID: 31497025 PMCID: PMC6712082 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2019.01995] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2019] [Accepted: 08/07/2019] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Protozoan parasites represent a major threat to health and contribute significantly to morbidity and mortality worldwide, especially in developing countries. This is further compounded by lack of effective vaccines, drug resistance and toxicity associated with current therapies. Multiple protozoans, including Plasmodium, Entamoeba, Toxoplasma, and Leishmania produce homologs of the cytokine MIF. These parasite MIF homologs are capable of altering the host immune response during infection, and play a role in immune evasion, invasion and pathogenesis. This minireview outlines well-established and emerging literature on the role of parasite MIF homologs in disease, and their potential as targets for therapeutic and preventive interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Swagata Ghosh
- Division of Infectious Diseases and International Health, Department of Medicine, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, United States
| | - Nona Jiang
- Department of Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, CT, United States
| | - Laura Farr
- Division of Infectious Diseases and International Health, Department of Medicine, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, United States
| | - Renay Ngobeni
- Department of Environmental, Water, and Earth Sciences, Tshwane University of Technology, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Shannon Moonah
- Division of Infectious Diseases and International Health, Department of Medicine, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, United States
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28
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Betanzos A, Bañuelos C, Orozco E. Host Invasion by Pathogenic Amoebae: Epithelial Disruption by Parasite Proteins. Genes (Basel) 2019; 10:E618. [PMID: 31416298 PMCID: PMC6723116 DOI: 10.3390/genes10080618] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2019] [Revised: 04/25/2019] [Accepted: 04/29/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The epithelium represents the first and most extensive line of defence against pathogens, toxins and pollutant agents in humans. In general, pathogens have developed strategies to overcome this barrier and use it as an entrance to the organism. Entamoeba histolytica, Naegleriafowleri and Acanthamoeba spp. are amoebae mainly responsible for intestinal dysentery, meningoencephalitis and keratitis, respectively. These amoebae cause significant morbidity and mortality rates. Thus, the identification, characterization and validation of molecules participating in host-parasite interactions can provide attractive targets to timely intervene disease progress. In this work, we present a compendium of the parasite adhesins, lectins, proteases, hydrolases, kinases, and others, that participate in key pathogenic events. Special focus is made for the analysis of assorted molecules and mechanisms involved in the interaction of the parasites with epithelial surface receptors, changes in epithelial junctional markers, implications on the barrier function, among others. This review allows the assessment of initial host-pathogen interaction, to correlate it to the potential of parasite invasion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abigail Betanzos
- Consejo Nacional de Ciencia y Tecnología (CONACYT), Mexico City 03940, Mexico
- Departamento de Infectómica y Patogénesis Molecular, Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del Instituto Politécnico Nacional (CINVESTAV-IPN), Mexico City 07360, Mexico
| | - Cecilia Bañuelos
- Coordinación General de Programas de Posgrado Multidisciplinarios, Programa de Doctorado Transdisciplinario en Desarrollo Científico y Tecnológico para la Sociedad, CINVESTAV-IPN, Mexico City 07360, Mexico
| | - Esther Orozco
- Departamento de Infectómica y Patogénesis Molecular, CINVESTAV-IPN, Mexico City 07360, Mexico.
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29
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Nakada-Tsukui K, Watanabe N, Maehama T, Nozaki T. Phosphatidylinositol Kinases and Phosphatases in Entamoeba histolytica. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2019; 9:150. [PMID: 31245297 PMCID: PMC6563779 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2019.00150] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2018] [Accepted: 04/23/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Phosphatidylinositol (PtdIns) metabolism is indispensable in eukaryotes. Phosphoinositides (PIs) are phosphorylated derivatives of PtdIns and consist of seven species generated by reversible phosphorylation of the inositol moieties at the positions 3, 4, and 5. Each of the seven PIs has a unique subcellular and membrane domain distribution. In the enteric protozoan parasite Entamoeba histolytica, it has been previously shown that the PIs phosphatidylinositol 3-phosphate (PtdIns3P), PtdIns(4,5)P2, and PtdIns(3,4,5)P3 are localized to phagosomes/phagocytic cups, plasma membrane, and phagocytic cups, respectively. The localization of these PIs in E. histolytica is similar to that in mammalian cells, suggesting that PIs have orthologous functions in E. histolytica. In contrast, the conservation of the enzymes that metabolize PIs in this organism has not been well-documented. In this review, we summarized the full repertoire of the PI kinases and PI phosphatases found in E. histolytica via a genome-wide survey of the current genomic information. E. histolytica appears to have 10 PI kinases and 23 PI phosphatases. It has a panel of evolutionarily conserved enzymes that generate all the seven PI species. However, class II PI 3-kinases, type II PI 4-kinases, type III PI 5-phosphatases, and PI 4P-specific phosphatases are not present. Additionally, regulatory subunits of class I PI 3-kinases and type III PI 4-kinases have not been identified. Instead, homologs of class I PI 3-kinases and PTEN, a PI 3-phosphatase, exist as multiple isoforms, which likely reflects that elaborate signaling cascades mediated by PtdIns(3,4,5)P3 are present in this organism. There are several enzymes that have the nuclear localization signal: one phosphatidylinositol phosphate (PIP) kinase, two PI 3-phosphatases, and one PI 5-phosphatase; this suggests that PI metabolism also has conserved roles related to nuclear functions in E. histolytica, as it does in model organisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kumiko Nakada-Tsukui
- Department of Parasitology, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Natsuki Watanabe
- Department of Parasitology, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Tokyo, Japan.,Graduate School of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Japan
| | - Tomohiko Maehama
- Division of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe University, Kobe, Japan
| | - Tomoyoshi Nozaki
- Department of Biomedical Chemistry, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
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30
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Nagaraja S, Ankri S. Target identification and intervention strategies against amebiasis. Drug Resist Updat 2019; 44:1-14. [PMID: 31112766 DOI: 10.1016/j.drup.2019.04.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2018] [Revised: 04/27/2019] [Accepted: 04/30/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Entamoeba histolytica is the etiological agent of amebiasis, which is an endemic parasitic disease in developing countries and is the cause of approximately 70,000 deaths annually. E. histolytica trophozoites usually reside in the colon as a non-pathogenic commensal in most infected individuals (90% of infected individuals are asymptomatic). For unknown reasons, these trophozoites can become virulent and invasive, cause amebic dysentery, and migrate to the liver where they cause hepatocellular damage. Amebiasis is usually treated either by amebicides which are classified as (a) luminal and are active against the luminal forms of the parasite, (b) tissue and are effective against those parasites that have invaded tissues, and (c) mixed and are effective against the luminal forms of the parasite and those forms which invaded the host's tissues. Of the amebicides, the luminal amebicide, metronidazole (MTZ), is the most widely used drug to treat amebiasis. Although well tolerated, concerns about its adverse effects and the possible emergence of MTZ-resistant strains of E. histolytica have led to the development of new therapeutic strategies against amebiasis. These strategies include improving the potency of existing amebicides, discovering new uses for approved drugs (repurposing of existing drugs), drug rediscovery, vaccination, drug targeting of essential E. histolytica components, and the use of probiotics and bioactive natural products. This review examines each of these strategies in the light of the current knowledge on the gut microbiota of patients with amebiasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shruti Nagaraja
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, Ruth and Bruce Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel
| | - Serge Ankri
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, Ruth and Bruce Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel.
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31
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Stairs CW, Kokla A, Ástvaldsson Á, Jerlström-Hultqvist J, Svärd S, Ettema TJG. Oxygen induces the expression of invasion and stress response genes in the anaerobic salmon parasite Spironucleus salmonicida. BMC Biol 2019; 17:19. [PMID: 30823887 PMCID: PMC6397501 DOI: 10.1186/s12915-019-0634-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2018] [Accepted: 02/06/2019] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Spironucleus salmonicida is an anaerobic parasite that can cause systemic infections in Atlantic salmon. Unlike other diplomonad parasites, such as the human pathogen Giardia intestinalis, Spironucleus species can infiltrate the blood stream of their hosts eventually colonizing organs, skin and gills. How this presumed anaerobe can persist and invade oxygenated tissues, despite having a strictly anaerobic metabolism, remains elusive. Results To investigate how S. salmonicida response to oxygen stress, we performed RNAseq transcriptomic analyses of cells grown in the presence of oxygen or antioxidant-free medium. We found that over 20% of the transcriptome is differentially regulated in oxygen (1705 genes) and antioxidant-depleted (2280 genes) conditions. These differentially regulated transcripts encode proteins related to anaerobic metabolism, cysteine and Fe-S cluster biosynthesis, as well as a large number of proteins of unknown function. S. salmonicida does not encode genes involved in the classical elements of oxygen metabolism (e.g., catalases, superoxide dismutase, glutathione biosynthesis, oxidative phosphorylation). Instead, we found that genes encoding bacterial-like oxidoreductases were upregulated in response to oxygen stress. Phylogenetic analysis revealed some of these oxygen-responsive genes (e.g., nadh oxidase, rubrerythrin, superoxide reductase) are rare in eukaryotes and likely derived from lateral gene transfer (LGT) events into diplomonads from prokaryotes. Unexpectedly, we observed that many host evasion- and invasion-related genes were also upregulated under oxidative stress suggesting that oxygen might be an important signal for pathogenesis. Conclusion While oxygen is toxic for related organisms, such as G. intestinalis, we find that oxygen is likely a gene induction signal for host invasion- and evasion-related pathways in S. salmonicida. These data provide the first molecular evidence for how S. salmonicida could tolerate oxic host environments and demonstrate how LGT can have a profound impact on the biology of anaerobic parasites. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s12915-019-0634-8) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Courtney W Stairs
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden.
| | - Anna Kokla
- Present Address: Department of Plant Biology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU), Almas Allé 5, BioCentrum, room D-444, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Ásgeir Ástvaldsson
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Jon Jerlström-Hultqvist
- Present Address: Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Canada
| | - Staffan Svärd
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Thijs J G Ettema
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden.,Laboratory of Microbiology, Department of Agrotechnology and Food Sciences, Wageningen University, Stippeneng 4, 6708WE, Wageningen, The Netherlands
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32
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Control and regulation of the pyrophosphate-dependent glucose metabolism in Entamoeba histolytica. Mol Biochem Parasitol 2019; 229:75-87. [PMID: 30772421 DOI: 10.1016/j.molbiopara.2019.02.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2018] [Revised: 01/31/2019] [Accepted: 02/09/2019] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Entamoeba histolytica has neither Krebs cycle nor oxidative phosphorylation activities; therefore, glycolysis is the main pathway for ATP supply and provision of carbon skeleton precursors for the synthesis of macromolecules. Glucose is metabolized through fermentative glycolysis, producing ethanol as its main end-product as well as some acetate. Amoebal glycolysis markedly differs from the typical Embden-Meyerhof-Parnas pathway present in human cells: (i) by the use of inorganic pyrophosphate, instead of ATP, as the high-energy phospho group donor; (ii) with one exception, the pathway enzymes can catalyze reversible reactions under physiological conditions; (iii) there is no allosteric regulation and sigmoidal kinetic behavior of key enzymes; and (iv) the presence of some glycolytic and fermentation enzymes similar to those of anaerobic bacteria. These peculiarities bring about alternative mechanisms of control and regulation of the PPi-dependent fermentative glycolysis in the parasite in comparison to the ATP-dependent and allosterically regulated glycolysis in many other eukaryotic cells. In this review, the current knowledge of the carbohydrate metabolism enzymes in E. histolytica is analyzed. Thermodynamics and stoichiometric analyses indicate 2 to 3.5 ATP yield per glucose metabolized, instead of the often presumed 5 ATP/glucose ratio. PPi derived from anabolism seems insufficient for PPi-glycolysis; hence, alternative ways of PPi supply are also discussed. Furthermore, the underlying mechanisms of control and regulation of the E. histolytica carbohydrate metabolism, analyzed by applying integral and systemic approaches such as Metabolic Control Analysis and kinetic modeling, contribute to unveiling alternative and promising drug targets.
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Kabra R, Chauhan N, Kumar A, Ingale P, Singh S. Efflux pumps and antimicrobial resistance: Paradoxical components in systems genomics. PROGRESS IN BIOPHYSICS AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2019; 141:15-24. [PMID: 30031023 PMCID: PMC7173168 DOI: 10.1016/j.pbiomolbio.2018.07.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2018] [Revised: 07/10/2018] [Accepted: 07/15/2018] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Efflux pumps play a major role in the increasing antimicrobial resistance rendering a large number of drugs of no use. Large numbers of pathogens are becoming multidrug resistant due to inadequate dosage and use of the existing antimicrobials. This leads to the need for identifying new efflux pump inhibitors. Design of novel targeted therapies using inherent complexity involved in the biological network modeling has gained increasing importance in recent times. The predictive approaches should be used to determine antimicrobial activities with high pathogen specificity and microbicidal potency. Antimicrobial peptides, which are part of our innate immune system, have the ability to respond to infections and have gained much attention in making resistant strain sensitive to existing drugs. In this review paper, we outline evidences linking host-directed therapy with the efflux pump activity to infectious disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ritika Kabra
- National Centre for Cell Science, NCCS Complex, Ganeshkhind, SP Pune University Campus, Pune 411007, India
| | - Nutan Chauhan
- National Centre for Cell Science, NCCS Complex, Ganeshkhind, SP Pune University Campus, Pune 411007, India
| | - Anurag Kumar
- National Centre for Cell Science, NCCS Complex, Ganeshkhind, SP Pune University Campus, Pune 411007, India
| | - Prajakta Ingale
- National Centre for Cell Science, NCCS Complex, Ganeshkhind, SP Pune University Campus, Pune 411007, India
| | - Shailza Singh
- National Centre for Cell Science, NCCS Complex, Ganeshkhind, SP Pune University Campus, Pune 411007, India.
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Analyses of the three 1-Cys Peroxiredoxins from Aspergillus fumigatus reveal that cytosolic Prx1 is central to H 2O 2 metabolism and virulence. Sci Rep 2018; 8:12314. [PMID: 30120327 PMCID: PMC6098058 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-30108-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2018] [Accepted: 07/24/2018] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Standing among the front defense strategies against pathogens, host phagocytic cells release various oxidants. Therefore, pathogens have to cope with stressful conditions at the site of infection. Peroxiredoxins (Prx) are highly reactive and abundant peroxidases that can support virulence and persistence of pathogens in distinct hosts. Here, we revealed that the opportunistic human pathogen A. fumigatus presents three 1-Cys Prx (Prx6 subfamily), which is unprecedented. We showed that PrxB and PrxC were in mitochondria, while Prx1 was in cytosol. As observed for other Prxs, recombinant Prx1 and PrxC decomposed H2O2 at elevated velocities (rate constants in the 107 M−1s−1 range). Deletion mutants for each Prx displayed higher sensitivity to oxidative challenge in comparison with the wild-type strain. Additionally, cytosolic Prx1 was important for A. fumigatus survival upon electron transport dysfunction. Expression of Prxs was dependent on the SakAHOG1 MAP kinase and the Yap1YAP1 transcription factor, a global regulator of the oxidative stress response in fungi. Finally, cytosolic Prx1 played a major role in pathogenicity, since it is required for full virulence, using a neutropenic mouse infection model. Our data indicate that the three 1-Cys Prxs act together to maintain the redox balance of A. fumigatus.
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35
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Martínez-Castillo M, Pacheco-Yepez J, Flores-Huerta N, Guzmán-Téllez P, Jarillo-Luna RA, Cárdenas-Jaramillo LM, Campos-Rodríguez R, Shibayama M. Flavonoids as a Natural Treatment Against Entamoeba histolytica. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2018; 8:209. [PMID: 29988403 PMCID: PMC6024094 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2018.00209] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2018] [Accepted: 06/05/2018] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Over the past 20 years, gastrointestinal infections in developing countries have been a serious health problem and are the second leading cause of morbidity among all age groups. Among pathogenic protozoans that cause diarrheal disease, the parasite Entamoeba histolytica produces amebic colitis as well as the most frequent extra-intestinal lesion, an amebic liver abscess (ALA). Usually, intestinal amebiasis and ALA are treated with synthetic chemical compounds (iodoquinol, paromomycin, diloxanide furoate, and nitroimidazoles). Metronidazole is the most common treatment for amebiasis. Although the efficacy of nitroimidazoles in killing amebas is known, the potential resistance of E. histolytica to this treatment is a concern. In addition, controversial studies have reported that metronidazole could induce mutagenic effects and cerebral toxicity. Therefore, natural and safe alternative drugs against this parasite are needed. Flavonoids are natural polyphenolic compounds. Flavonoids depend on malonyl-CoA and phenylalanine to be synthesized. Several flavonoids have anti-oxidant and anti-microbial properties. Since the 1990s, several works have focused on the identification and purification of different flavonoids with amebicidal effects, such as, -(-)epicatechin, kaempferol, and quercetin. In this review, we investigated the effects of flavonoids that have potential amebicidal activity and that can be used as complementary and/or specific therapeutic strategies against E. histolytica trophozoites. Interestingly, it was found that these natural compounds can induce morphological changes in the amebas, such as chromatin condensation and cytoskeletal protein re-organization, as well as the upregulation and downregulation of fructose-1,6-bisphosphate aldolase, glyceraldehyde-phosphate dehydrogenase, and pyruvate:ferredoxin oxidoreductase (enzymes of the glycolytic pathway). Although the specific molecular targets, bioavailability, route of administration, and doses of some of these natural compounds need to be determined, flavonoids represent a very promising and innocuous strategy that should be considered for use against E. histolytica in the era of microbial drug resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Moisés Martínez-Castillo
- Departamento de Infectómica y Patogénesis Molecular, Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Ciudad de México, Mexico
| | - Judith Pacheco-Yepez
- Sección de Estudios de Posgrado e Investigación, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Escuela Superior de Medicina, Ciudad de México, Mexico
| | - Nadia Flores-Huerta
- Departamento de Infectómica y Patogénesis Molecular, Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Ciudad de México, Mexico
| | - Paula Guzmán-Téllez
- Departamento de Infectómica y Patogénesis Molecular, Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Ciudad de México, Mexico
| | - Rosa A Jarillo-Luna
- Sección de Estudios de Posgrado e Investigación, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Escuela Superior de Medicina, Ciudad de México, Mexico
| | - Luz M Cárdenas-Jaramillo
- Coordinación de Morfología, Departamento de Formación Básica Disciplinaria, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Escuela Superior de Medicina, Ciudad de México, Mexico
| | - Rafael Campos-Rodríguez
- Sección de Estudios de Posgrado e Investigación, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Escuela Superior de Medicina, Ciudad de México, Mexico
| | - Mineko Shibayama
- Departamento de Infectómica y Patogénesis Molecular, Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Ciudad de México, Mexico
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Leitsch D, Williams CF, Hrdý I. Redox Pathways as Drug Targets in Microaerophilic Parasites. Trends Parasitol 2018; 34:576-589. [PMID: 29807758 DOI: 10.1016/j.pt.2018.04.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2018] [Revised: 04/27/2018] [Accepted: 04/28/2018] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
The microaerophilic parasites Entamoeba histolytica, Trichomonas vaginalis, and Giardia lamblia jointly cause hundreds of millions of infections in humans every year. Other microaerophilic parasites such as Tritrichomonas foetus and Spironucleus spp. pose a relevant health problem in veterinary medicine. Unfortunately, vaccines against these pathogens are unavailable, but their microaerophilic lifestyle opens opportunities for specifically developed chemotherapeutics. In particular, their high sensitivity towards oxygen can be exploited by targeting redox enzymes. This review focusses on the redox pathways of microaerophilic parasites and on drugs, either already in use or currently in the state of development, which target these pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Leitsch
- Institute for Specific Prophylaxis and Tropical Medicine, Center for Pathophysiology, Infectiology, and Immunology, Medical University of Vienna, Austria.
| | - Catrin F Williams
- School of Engineering, Cardiff University, Cardiff, Wales, United Kingdom
| | - Ivan Hrdý
- Department of Parasitology, Charles University, Faculty of Science, Prague, Czech Republic
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Synthesis, antiamoebic activity and docking studies of metronidazole-triazole-styryl hybrids. Eur J Med Chem 2018; 150:633-641. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2018.03.033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2017] [Revised: 10/14/2017] [Accepted: 03/12/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
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Nagaraja S, Ankri S. Utilization of Different Omic Approaches to Unravel Stress Response Mechanisms in the Parasite Entamoeba histolytica. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2018; 8:19. [PMID: 29473019 PMCID: PMC5809450 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2018.00019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2017] [Accepted: 01/16/2018] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
During its life cycle, the unicellular parasite Entamoeba histolytica is challenged by a wide variety of environmental stresses, such as fluctuation in glucose concentration, changes in gut microbiota composition, and the release of oxidative and nitrosative species from neutrophils and macrophages. The best mode of survival for this parasite is to continuously adapt itself to the dynamic environment of the host. Our ability to study the stress-induced responses and adaptive mechanisms of this parasite has been transformed through the development of genomics, proteomics or metabolomics (omics sciences). These studies provide insights into different facets of the parasite's behavior in the host. However, there is a dire need for multi-omics data integration to better understand its pathogenic nature, ultimately paving the way to identify new chemotherapeutic targets against amebiasis. This review provides an integration of the most relevant omics information on the mechanisms that are used by E. histolytica to resist environmental stresses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shruti Nagaraja
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, Ruth and Bruce Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, Technion, Haifa, Israel
| | - Serge Ankri
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, Ruth and Bruce Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, Technion, Haifa, Israel
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Aldaba-Muruato LR, Muñoz-Ortega MH, Macías-Pérez JR, Pulido-Ortega J, Martínez-Hernández SL, Ventura-Juárez J. Adrenergic regulation during acute hepatic infection with Entamoeba histolytica in the hamster: involvement of oxidative stress, Nrf2 and NF-KappaB. Parasite 2017; 24:46. [PMID: 29185982 PMCID: PMC5706999 DOI: 10.1051/parasite/2017048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2017] [Accepted: 11/06/2017] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Oxidative stress and transcriptional pathways of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) and nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB) are critically involved in the etiopathology of amebic liver abscess (ALA). In this work, we studied the relationship between the adrenergic nervous system and ALA in the hamster. ALA was visible at 12 h of infection. While 6-hydroxidopamine (6-OHDA) decreased infection, propranolol (β-adrenergic blocker) treatment was associated with less extensive liver damage, and phentolamine treatment (α-adrenergic blocker) significantly reduced ALA compared to 6-OHDA and propranolol. Serum enzymatic activities of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and γ-glutamyl transpeptidase (γ-GTP) were increased at 12 h post-infection. Chemical denervation and α and β-adrenergic blockers decreased ALT to normal levels, while 6-OHDA and propranolol showed a trend to decrease γ-GTP but phentolamine significantly reduced γ-GTP. Amebic infection increased oxidized glutathione (GSSG) and decreased both reduced glutathione (GSH) and the GSH/GSSG ratio. Propranolol and 6-OHDA showed a tendency to decrease GSSG. However, GSH, GSSG and GSH/GSSG returned to normal levels with phentolamine. Furthermore, amebic infection increased pNF-κB and interleukin-1β (IL-1β), and showed a tendency to decrease hemoxigenase-1 (HO-1), but not Nrf2. Chemical denervation showed a trend to decrease pNF-κB and IL-1β, and neither Nrf2 nor HO-1 increased significantly. In addition, NF-κB and IL-1β were attenuated by propranolol and phentolamine treatments, although phentolamine showed significant overexpression of Nrf2 and HO-1. This suggests that the adrenergic system may be involved in oxidative stress and in modulation of the Nrf2 and NF-κB pathways during ALA development.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Martín Humberto Muñoz-Ortega
- Departamento de Química, Centro de Ciencias Básicas, Universidad Autónoma de Aguascalientes,
Aguascalientes,
Ags. México
| | - José Roberto Macías-Pérez
- Química Clínica, Unidad Académica Multidisciplinaria Zona Huasteca, Universidad Autónoma de San Luis Potosí,
Ciudad Valles,
SLP. México
| | - Julieta Pulido-Ortega
- Departamento de Morfología, Universidad Autónoma de Aguascalientes,
Aguascalientes,
Ags. México
| | | | - Javier Ventura-Juárez
- Departamento de Morfología, Universidad Autónoma de Aguascalientes,
Aguascalientes,
Ags. México
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Jeelani G, Sato D, Soga T, Nozaki T. Genetic, metabolomic and transcriptomic analyses of the de novo L-cysteine biosynthetic pathway in the enteric protozoan parasite Entamoeba histolytica. Sci Rep 2017; 7:15649. [PMID: 29142277 PMCID: PMC5688106 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-15923-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2017] [Accepted: 11/01/2017] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
The de novo L-cysteine biosynthetic pathway is critical for the growth, antioxidative stress defenses, and pathogenesis of bacterial and protozoan pathogens, such as Salmonella typhimurium and Entamoeba histolytica. This pathway involves two key enzymes, serine acetyltransferase (SAT) and cysteine synthase (CS), which are absent in mammals and therefore represent rational drug targets. The human parasite E. histolytica possesses three SAT and CS isozymes; however, the specific roles of individual isoforms and significance of such apparent redundancy remains unclear. In the present study, we generated E. histolytica cell lines in which CS and SAT expression was knocked down by transcriptional gene silencing. The strain in which CS1, 2 and 3 were simultaneously silenced and the SAT3 gene-silenced strain showed impaired growth when cultured in a cysteine lacking BI-S-33 medium, whereas silencing of SAT1 and SAT2 had no effects on growth. Combined transcriptomic and metabolomic analyses revealed that, CS and SAT3 are involved in S-methylcysteine/cysteine synthesis. Furthermore, silencing of the CS1-3 or SAT3 caused upregulation of various iron-sulfur flavoprotein genes. Taken together, these results provide the first direct evidence of the biological importance of SAT3 and CS isoforms in E. histolytica and justify the exploitation of these enzymes as potential drug targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ghulam Jeelani
- Department of Biomedical Chemistry, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-0033, Japan
- Department of Parasitology, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, 1-23-1 Toyama, Shinjuku, Tokyo, 162-8640, Japan
| | - Dan Sato
- Institute for Advanced Biosciences, Keio University, Tsuruoka, Yamagata, Japan
- Graduate School of Science and Technology, Department of Applied Biology, Kyoto Institute of Technology, Kyoto, 606-8585, Japan
| | - Tomoyoshi Soga
- Institute for Advanced Biosciences, Keio University, Tsuruoka, Yamagata, Japan
| | - Tomoyoshi Nozaki
- Department of Biomedical Chemistry, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-0033, Japan.
- Department of Parasitology, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, 1-23-1 Toyama, Shinjuku, Tokyo, 162-8640, Japan.
- Graduate School of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Tsukuba, 1-1-1 Tennodai, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 305-8572, Japan.
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Leitsch D. Drug susceptibility testing in microaerophilic parasites: Cysteine strongly affects the effectivities of metronidazole and auranofin, a novel and promising antimicrobial. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL FOR PARASITOLOGY-DRUGS AND DRUG RESISTANCE 2017; 7:321-327. [PMID: 28910741 PMCID: PMC5595233 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpddr.2017.09.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2017] [Revised: 08/28/2017] [Accepted: 09/04/2017] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
The microaerophilic parasites Entamoeba histolytica, Trichomonas vaginalis, and Giardia lamblia annually cause hundreds of millions of human infections which are treated with antiparasitic drugs. Metronidazole is the most often prescribed drug but also other drugs are in use, and novel drugs with improved characteristics are constantly being developed. One of these novel drugs is auranofin, originally an antirheumatic which has been relabelled for the treatment of parasitic infections. Drug effectivity is arguably the most important criterion for its applicability and is commonly assessed in susceptibility assays using in vitro cultures of a given pathogen. However, drug susceptibility assays can be strongly affected by certain compounds in the growth media. In the case of microaerophilic parasites, cysteine which is added in large amounts as an antioxidant is an obvious candidate because it is highly reactive and known to modulate the toxicity of metronidazole in several microaerophilic parasites. In this study, it was attempted to reduce cysteine concentrations as far as possible without affecting parasite viability by performing drug susceptibility assays under strictly anaerobic conditions in an anaerobic cabinet. Indeed, T. vaginalis and E. histolytica could be grown without any cysteine added and the cysteine concentration necessary to maintain G. lamblia could be reduced to 20%. Susceptibilities to metronidazole were found to be clearly reduced in the presence of cysteine. With auranofin the protective effect of cysteine was extreme, providing protection to concentrations up to 100-fold higher as observed in the absence of cysteine. With three other drugs tested, albendazole, furazolidone and nitazoxanide, all in use against G. lamblia, the effect of cysteine was less pronounced. Oxygen was found to have a less marked impact on metronidazole and auranofin than cysteine but bovine bile which is standardly used in growth media for G. lamblia, displayed a marked synergistic effect with metronidazole. T. vaginalis and E. histolytica can grow anaerobically without cysteine. T. vaginalis and G. lamblia are more susceptible to metronidazole without cysteine. T. vaginalis is 100-fold more susceptible to auranofin without cysteine. G. lamblia is 12-fold more susceptible to auranofin with low cysteine. Bovine bile renders G. lamblia more susceptible to metronidazole.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Leitsch
- Institute of Specific Prophylaxis and Tropical Medicine, Medical University of Vienna, Kinderspitalgasse 15, A-1095 Vienna, Austria.
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Iyer LR, Banyal N, Naik S, Paul J. Antioxidant enzyme profile of two clinical isolates of Entamoeba histolytica varying in sensitivity to antiamoebic drugs. World J Clin Infect Dis 2017; 7:21-31. [DOI: 10.5495/wjcid.v7.i2.21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2016] [Revised: 11/12/2016] [Accepted: 02/13/2017] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
AIM To study the sensitivity and antioxidant enzyme response in two clinical isolates of Entamoeba histolytica (E. histolytica) during treatment with antiamoebic drugs, auranofin and metronidazole.
METHODS E. histolytica were isolated from stool samples and maintained in Robinson’s biphasic culture medium. Clinial isolates were maintained in xenic culture medium, and harvested for determination of minimum inhibitory concentrations to the two antiamoebic drugs, Metronidazole and Auranofin using microtiter plate tests. The percent survival of the two isolates were determined using the trypan blue cell count. Isolate 980 was treated with 70 μmol/L and 2 μmol/L while isolate 989 was treated with 20 μmol/L and 0.5 μmol/L of metronidazole and auranofin respectively for 24 h. Fifty thousand cells of each isolate were harvested after 24 h of treatment for analysis of the mRNA expressions of the antioxidant enzymes, thioredoxin reductase, peroxiredoxin and FeSOD using the specific primers. Cell lysate was used for determination of enzyme activity of thioredoxin reductase by measuring DTNB reduction spectrophotometrically at 412 nm.
RESULTS Minimum inhibitory concentration of the clinical isolates 980 and 989 for auranofin was 3 μmol/L and 1 μmol/L respectively while that for metronidazole was 80 μmol/L and 30 μmol/L respectively. Thioredoxin reductase, peroxiredoxin and FeSOD expression levels were significantly reduced in the isolate 980 when treated with Auranofin. Metronidazole treatment showed a down regulation of thioredoxin reductase. Though not significant both at the mRNA and the enzyme activity levels. Peroxiredoxin and FeSOD however remained unchanged. Auranofin treatment of isolate 989, showed an upregulation in expression of thioredoxin reductase while Peroxiredoxin and FeSOD did not show any change in expression. Upon treatment with metronidazole, isolate 989 showed an increase in thioredoxin reductase expression. Peroxiredoxin and FeSOD expressions however remain unchanged both at mRNA and enzyme activity level.
CONCLUSION Clinical isolates from New Delhi NCR region show different sensitivities to antiamoebic drugs. Auranofin is effective against isolate showing higher tolerance to metronidazole as shown by its inhibition in thioredoxin reductase activity.
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Cázares-Apátiga J, Medina-Gómez C, Chávez-Munguía B, Calixto-Gálvez M, Orozco E, Vázquez-Calzada C, Martínez-Higuera A, Rodríguez MA. The Tudor Staphylococcal Nuclease Protein of Entamoeba histolytica Participates in Transcription Regulation and Stress Response. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2017; 7:52. [PMID: 28293543 PMCID: PMC5328994 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2017.00052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2016] [Accepted: 02/10/2017] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Entamoeba histolytica is the protozoa parasite responsible of human amoebiasis, disease that causes from 40,000 to 100,000 deaths annually worldwide. However, few are known about the expression regulation of molecules involved in its pathogenicity. Transcription of some virulence-related genes is positively controlled by the cis-regulatory element named URE1. Previously we identified the transcription factor that binds to URE1, which displayed a nuclear and cytoplasmic localization. This protein belongs to the Tudor Staphyococcal nuclease (TSN) family, which in other systems participates in virtually all pathways of gene expression, suggesting that this amoebic transcription factor (EhTSN; former EhURE1BP) could also play multiple functions in E. histolytica. The aim of this study was to identify the possible cellular events where EhTSN is involved. Here, we found that EhTSN in nucleus is located in euchromatin and close to, but not into, heterochromatin. We also showed the association of EhTSN with proteins involved in transcription and that the knockdown of EhTSN provokes a diminishing in the mRNA level of the EhRabB gene, which in its promoter region contains the URE1 motif, confirming that EhTSN participates in transcription regulation. In cytoplasm, this protein was found linked to the membrane of small vesicles and to plasma membrane. Through pull-down assays and mass spectrometry we identity thirty two candidate proteins to interact with EhTSN. These proteins participate in transcription, metabolism, signaling, and stress response, among other cellular processes. Interaction of EhTSN with some candidate proteins involved in metabolism, and signaling was validated by co-immunoprecipitation or co-localization. Finally we showed the co-localization of EhTSN and HSP70 in putative stress granules during heat shock and that the knockdown of EhTSN increases the cell death during heat shock treatment, reinforcing the hypothesis that EhTSN has a role during stress response. All data support the proposal that EhTSN is a multifunctional protein of E. histolytica.
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Affiliation(s)
- Javier Cázares-Apátiga
- Departamento de Infectómica y Patogénesis Molecular, CINVESTAV-IPN Ciudad de México, Mexico
| | - Christian Medina-Gómez
- Departamento de Infectómica y Patogénesis Molecular, CINVESTAV-IPN Ciudad de México, Mexico
| | - Bibiana Chávez-Munguía
- Departamento de Infectómica y Patogénesis Molecular, CINVESTAV-IPN Ciudad de México, Mexico
| | | | - Esther Orozco
- Departamento de Infectómica y Patogénesis Molecular, CINVESTAV-IPN Ciudad de México, Mexico
| | - Carlos Vázquez-Calzada
- Departamento de Infectómica y Patogénesis Molecular, CINVESTAV-IPN Ciudad de México, Mexico
| | - Aarón Martínez-Higuera
- Departamento de Infectómica y Patogénesis Molecular, CINVESTAV-IPN Ciudad de México, Mexico
| | - Mario A Rodríguez
- Departamento de Infectómica y Patogénesis Molecular, CINVESTAV-IPN Ciudad de México, Mexico
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The Architecture of Thiol Antioxidant Systems among Invertebrate Parasites. Molecules 2017; 22:molecules22020259. [PMID: 28208651 PMCID: PMC6155587 DOI: 10.3390/molecules22020259] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2016] [Accepted: 02/03/2017] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
The use of oxygen as the final electron acceptor in aerobic organisms results in an improvement in the energy metabolism. However, as a byproduct of the aerobic metabolism, reactive oxygen species are produced, leaving to the potential risk of an oxidative stress. To contend with such harmful compounds, living organisms have evolved antioxidant strategies. In this sense, the thiol-dependent antioxidant defense systems play a central role. In all cases, cysteine constitutes the major building block on which such systems are constructed, being present in redox substrates such as glutathione, thioredoxin, and trypanothione, as well as at the catalytic site of a variety of reductases and peroxidases. In some cases, the related selenocysteine was incorporated at selected proteins. In invertebrate parasites, antioxidant systems have evolved in a diversity of both substrates and enzymes, representing a potential area in the design of anti-parasite strategies. The present review focus on the organization of the thiol-based antioxidant systems in invertebrate parasites. Differences between these taxa and its final mammal host is stressed. An understanding of the antioxidant defense mechanisms in this kind of parasites, as well as their interactions with the specific host is crucial in the design of drugs targeting these organisms.
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Morgado P, Manna D, Singh U. Recent advances in Entamoeba biology: RNA interference, drug discovery, and gut microbiome. F1000Res 2016; 5:2578. [PMID: 27853522 PMCID: PMC5089142 DOI: 10.12688/f1000research.9241.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/17/2016] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
In recent years, substantial progress has been made in understanding the molecular and cell biology of the human parasite
Entamoeba histolytica, an important pathogen with significant global impact. This review outlines some recent advances in the
Entamoeba field in the last five years, focusing on areas that have not recently been discussed in detail: (i) molecular mechanisms regulating parasite gene expression, (ii) new efforts at drug discovery using high-throughput drug screens, and (iii) the effect of gut microbiota on amoebiasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pedro Morgado
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA
| | - Dipak Manna
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA
| | - Upinder Singh
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA.,Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA
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Nakada-Tsukui K, Nozaki T. Immune Response of Amebiasis and Immune Evasion by Entamoeba histolytica. Front Immunol 2016; 7:175. [PMID: 27242782 PMCID: PMC4863898 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2016.00175] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2016] [Accepted: 04/20/2016] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Entamoeba histolytica is a protozoan parasite and the causative agent of amebiasis. It is estimated approximately 1% of humans are infected with E. histolytica, resulting in an estimate of 100,000 deaths annually. Clinical manifestations of amebic infection range widely from asymptomatic to severe symptoms, including dysentery and extra-intestinal abscesses. Like other infectious diseases, it is assumed that only ~20% of infected individuals develop symptoms, and genetic factors of both the parasite and humans as well as the environmental factors, e.g., microbiota, determine outcome of infection. There are multiple essential steps in amebic infection: degradation of and invasion into the mucosal layer, adherence to the intestinal epithelium, invasion into the tissues, and dissemination to other organs. While the mechanisms of invasion and destruction of the host tissues by the amebae during infection have been elucidated at the molecular levels, it remains largely uncharacterized how the parasite survive in the host by evading and attacking host immune system. Recently, the strategies for immune evasion by the parasite have been unraveled, including immunomodulation to suppress IFN-γ production, elimination of immune cells and soluble immune mediators, and metabolic alterations against reactive oxygen and nitrogen species to fend off the attack from immune system. In this review, we summarized the latest knowledge on immune reaction and immune evasion during amebiasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kumiko Nakada-Tsukui
- Department of Parasitology, National Institute of Infectious Diseases , Tokyo , Japan
| | - Tomoyoshi Nozaki
- Department of Parasitology, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Tokyo, Japan; Graduate School of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Japan
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