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Rigo GV, Cardoso FG, Pereira MM, Devereux M, McCann M, Santos ALS, Tasca T. Peptidases Are Potential Targets of Copper(II)-1,10-Phenanthroline-5,6-dione Complex, a Promising and Potent New Drug against Trichomonas vaginalis. Pathogens 2023; 12:pathogens12050745. [PMID: 37242415 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens12050745] [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: 03/23/2023] [Revised: 05/09/2023] [Accepted: 05/17/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Trichomonas vaginalis is responsible for 156 million new cases per year worldwide. When present asymptomatically, the parasite can lead to serious complications, such as development of cervical and prostate cancer. As infection increases the acquisition and transmission of HIV, the control of trichomoniasis represents an important niche for the discovery and development of new antiparasitic molecules. This urogenital parasite synthesizes several molecules that allow the establishment and pathogenesis of infection. Among them, peptidases occupy key roles as virulence factors, and the inhibition of these enzymes has become an important mechanism for modulating pathogenesis. Based on these premises, our group recently reported the potent anti-T. vaginalis action of the metal-based complex [Cu(phendione)3](ClO4)2.4H2O (Cu-phendione). In the present study, we evaluated the influence of Cu-phendione on the modulation of proteolytic activities produced by T. vaginalis by biochemical and molecular approaches. Cu-phendione showed strong inhibitory potential against T. vaginalis peptidases, especially cysteine- and metallo-type peptidases. The latter revealed a more prominent effect at both the post-transcriptional and post-translational levels. Molecular Docking analysis confirmed the interaction of Cu-phendione, with high binding energy (-9.7 and -10.7 kcal·mol-1, respectively) at the active site of both TvMP50 and TvGP63 metallopeptidases. In addition, Cu-phendione significantly reduced trophozoite-mediated cytolysis in human vaginal (HMVII) and monkey kidney (VERO) epithelial cell lineages. These results highlight the antiparasitic potential of Cu-phendione by interaction with important T. vaginalis virulence factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Graziela Vargas Rigo
- Faculdade de Farmácia and Centro de Biotecnologia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre 90610-000, RS, Brazil
| | - Fernanda Gomes Cardoso
- Faculdade de Farmácia and Centro de Biotecnologia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre 90610-000, RS, Brazil
| | - Matheus Mendonça Pereira
- CIEPQPF, Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Coimbra, Rua Sílvio Lima, Pólo II-Pinhal de Marrocos, 3030-790 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Michael Devereux
- The Inorganic Pharmaceutical and Biomimetic Research Centre, Focas Research Institute, Dublin Institute of Technology, D08 CKP1 Dublin, Ireland
| | - Malachy McCann
- Chemistry Department, Maynooth University, National University of Ireland, W23 F2H6 Maynooth, Ireland
| | - André L S Santos
- Laboratório de Estudos Avançados de Microrganismos Emergentes e Resistentes (LEAMER), Departamento de Microbiologia Geral, Instituto de Microbiologia Paulo de Góes, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 21941-902, RJ, Brazil
| | - Tiana Tasca
- Faculdade de Farmácia and Centro de Biotecnologia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre 90610-000, RS, Brazil
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Li H, Li C, Shi C, Hu W, Cui H, Lin L. Characterization of controlled-release Eucalyptus citriodora oil/Zinc ions nanoparticles with enhanced antibacterial properties against E. coli O157:H7 in fruit juice. Food Res Int 2022; 162:112138. [DOI: 10.1016/j.foodres.2022.112138] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2022] [Revised: 10/05/2022] [Accepted: 11/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
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3
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Weber JI, Rigo GV, Rocha DA, Fortes IS, Seixas A, de Andrade SF, Tasca T. Modulation of peptidases by 2,4-diamine-quinazoline derivative induces cell death in the amitochondriate parasite Trichomonas vaginalis. Biomed Pharmacother 2021; 139:111611. [PMID: 34243597 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2021.111611] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2020] [Revised: 03/29/2021] [Accepted: 04/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Trichomonas vaginalis is an amitochondriate protozoan and the agent of human trichomoniasis, the most prevalent non-viral sexually transmitted infection (STI) in the world. In this study we showed that 2,4-diamine-quinazoline derivative compound (PH100) kills T. vaginalis. PH100 showed activity against fresh clinical and American Type Culture Collection (ATCC) T. vaginalis isolates with no cytotoxicity against cells (HMVI, 3T3-C1 and VERO) and erythrocytes. In addition, PH100 showed synergistic action with metronidazole, indicating that these compounds act by different mechanisms. When investigating the mechanism of action of PH100 to ATCC 30236, apoptosis-like characteristics were observed, such as phosphatidylserine exposure, membrane alterations, and modulation of gene expression and activity of peptidases related to apoptosis. The apoptosis-like cell death features were not observed for the fresh clinical isolate treated with PH100 revealing distinct profiles. Our data revealed the heterogeneity among T. vaginalis isolates and contribute with the understanding of mechanisms of cell death in pathogenic eukaryotic organisms without mitochondria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juliana Inês Weber
- Faculty of Pharmacy and Centre of Biotechnology, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - Graziela Vargas Rigo
- Faculty of Pharmacy and Centre of Biotechnology, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - Débora Assumpção Rocha
- Pharmaceutical Synthesis Group (PHARSG), Faculty of Pharmacy, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - Isadora Serraglio Fortes
- Pharmaceutical Synthesis Group (PHARSG), Faculty of Pharmacy, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - Adriana Seixas
- Department of Pharmacosciences, Federal University of Health Sciences of Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil; National Institute of Science and Technology in Molecular Entomology, Brazil
| | - Saulo Fernandes de Andrade
- Pharmaceutical Synthesis Group (PHARSG), Faculty of Pharmacy, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - Tiana Tasca
- Faculty of Pharmacy and Centre of Biotechnology, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil.
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Abstract
Trichomonas vaginalis is an anaerobic/microaerophilic protist parasite which causes trichomoniasis, one of the most prevalent sexually transmitted diseases worldwide. T. vaginalis not only is important as a human pathogen but also is of great biological interest because of its peculiar cell biology and metabolism, in earlier times fostering the erroneous notion that this microorganism is at the root of eukaryotic evolution. This review summarizes the major advances in the last five years in the T. vaginalis field with regard to genetics, molecular biology, ecology, and pathogenicity of the parasite.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Leitsch
- Department of Specific Prophylaxis and Tropical Medicine, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
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5
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Ruiz-May E, Altúzar-Molina A, Elizalde-Contreras JM, Arellano-de los Santos J, Monribot-Villanueva J, Guillén L, Vázquez-Rosas-Landa M, Ibarra-Laclette E, Ramírez-Vázquez M, Ortega R, Aluja M. A First Glimpse of the Mexican Fruit Fly Anastrepha ludens (Diptera: Tephritidae) Antenna Morphology and Proteome in Response to a Proteinaceous Attractant. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21218086. [PMID: 33138264 PMCID: PMC7663321 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21218086] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [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: 09/22/2020] [Revised: 10/25/2020] [Accepted: 10/26/2020] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Anastrepha ludens is a key pest of mangoes and citrus from Texas to Costa Rica but the mechanisms of odorant perception in this species are poorly understood. Detection of volatiles in insects occurs mainly in the antenna, where molecules penetrate sensillum pores and link to soluble proteins in the hemolymph until reaching specific odor receptors that trigger signal transduction and lead to behavioral responses. Scrutinizing the molecular foundation of odorant perception in A. ludens is necessary to improve biorational management strategies against this pest. After exposing adults of three maturity stages to a proteinaceous attractant, we studied antennal morphology and comparative proteomic profiles using nano-LC-MS/MS with tandem mass tags combined with synchronous precursor selection (SPS)-MS3. Antennas from newly emerged flies exhibited dense agglomerations of olfactory sensory neurons. We discovered 4618 unique proteins in the antennas of A. ludens and identified some associated with odor signaling, including odorant-binding and calcium signaling related proteins, the odorant receptor co-receptor (Orco), and putative odorant-degrading enzymes. Antennas of sexually immature flies exhibited the most upregulation of odor perception proteins compared to mature flies exposed to the attractant. This is the first report where critical molecular players are linked to the odor perception mechanism of A. ludens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eliel Ruiz-May
- Red de Estudios Moleculares Avanzados, Clúster Científico y Tecnológico BioMimic, Instituto de Ecología A.C. (INECOL), Carretera Antigua a Coatepec 351, El Haya, Xalapa 91073, Veracruz, Mexico; (J.M.E.-C.); (J.A.-d.l.S.); (J.M.-V.); (E.I.-L.); (M.R.-V.)
- Correspondence: (E.R.-M.); (M.A.)
| | - Alma Altúzar-Molina
- Red de Manejo Biorracional de Plagas y Vectores, Clúster Científico y Tecnológico BioMimic, Instituto de Ecología A.C. (INECOL), Carretera Antigua a Coatepec 351, El Haya, Xalapa 91073, Veracruz, Mexico; (A.A.-M.); (L.G.); (M.V.-R.-L.); (R.O.)
| | - José M. Elizalde-Contreras
- Red de Estudios Moleculares Avanzados, Clúster Científico y Tecnológico BioMimic, Instituto de Ecología A.C. (INECOL), Carretera Antigua a Coatepec 351, El Haya, Xalapa 91073, Veracruz, Mexico; (J.M.E.-C.); (J.A.-d.l.S.); (J.M.-V.); (E.I.-L.); (M.R.-V.)
| | - Jiovanny Arellano-de los Santos
- Red de Estudios Moleculares Avanzados, Clúster Científico y Tecnológico BioMimic, Instituto de Ecología A.C. (INECOL), Carretera Antigua a Coatepec 351, El Haya, Xalapa 91073, Veracruz, Mexico; (J.M.E.-C.); (J.A.-d.l.S.); (J.M.-V.); (E.I.-L.); (M.R.-V.)
| | - Juan Monribot-Villanueva
- Red de Estudios Moleculares Avanzados, Clúster Científico y Tecnológico BioMimic, Instituto de Ecología A.C. (INECOL), Carretera Antigua a Coatepec 351, El Haya, Xalapa 91073, Veracruz, Mexico; (J.M.E.-C.); (J.A.-d.l.S.); (J.M.-V.); (E.I.-L.); (M.R.-V.)
| | - Larissa Guillén
- Red de Manejo Biorracional de Plagas y Vectores, Clúster Científico y Tecnológico BioMimic, Instituto de Ecología A.C. (INECOL), Carretera Antigua a Coatepec 351, El Haya, Xalapa 91073, Veracruz, Mexico; (A.A.-M.); (L.G.); (M.V.-R.-L.); (R.O.)
| | - Mirna Vázquez-Rosas-Landa
- Red de Manejo Biorracional de Plagas y Vectores, Clúster Científico y Tecnológico BioMimic, Instituto de Ecología A.C. (INECOL), Carretera Antigua a Coatepec 351, El Haya, Xalapa 91073, Veracruz, Mexico; (A.A.-M.); (L.G.); (M.V.-R.-L.); (R.O.)
| | - Enrique Ibarra-Laclette
- Red de Estudios Moleculares Avanzados, Clúster Científico y Tecnológico BioMimic, Instituto de Ecología A.C. (INECOL), Carretera Antigua a Coatepec 351, El Haya, Xalapa 91073, Veracruz, Mexico; (J.M.E.-C.); (J.A.-d.l.S.); (J.M.-V.); (E.I.-L.); (M.R.-V.)
| | - Mónica Ramírez-Vázquez
- Red de Estudios Moleculares Avanzados, Clúster Científico y Tecnológico BioMimic, Instituto de Ecología A.C. (INECOL), Carretera Antigua a Coatepec 351, El Haya, Xalapa 91073, Veracruz, Mexico; (J.M.E.-C.); (J.A.-d.l.S.); (J.M.-V.); (E.I.-L.); (M.R.-V.)
| | - Rafael Ortega
- Red de Manejo Biorracional de Plagas y Vectores, Clúster Científico y Tecnológico BioMimic, Instituto de Ecología A.C. (INECOL), Carretera Antigua a Coatepec 351, El Haya, Xalapa 91073, Veracruz, Mexico; (A.A.-M.); (L.G.); (M.V.-R.-L.); (R.O.)
| | - Martín Aluja
- Red de Manejo Biorracional de Plagas y Vectores, Clúster Científico y Tecnológico BioMimic, Instituto de Ecología A.C. (INECOL), Carretera Antigua a Coatepec 351, El Haya, Xalapa 91073, Veracruz, Mexico; (A.A.-M.); (L.G.); (M.V.-R.-L.); (R.O.)
- Correspondence: (E.R.-M.); (M.A.)
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Mena-Rejón G, Pérez-Navarro Y, Torres-Romero JC, Vázquez-Carrillo L, Carballo RM, Arreola R, Herrera-España Á, Arana-Argáez V, Quijano-Quiñones R, Fernández-Sánchez JM, Alvarez-Sánchez ME. Antitrichomonal activity and docking analysis of thiazole derivatives as TvMP50 protease inhibitors. Parasitol Res 2020; 120:233-241. [PMID: 33073325 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-020-06931-w] [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: 06/22/2020] [Accepted: 10/11/2020] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Trichomoniasis, caused by the protozoan Trichomonas vaginalis, is the most prevalent non-viral sexually transmitted infection that affects over 170 million people worldwide. The only type of drug recommended for the therapeutic control of trichomoniasis is the 5-nitroimidazoles, although there have been reports of some undesirable side effects and clinical resistance. Hence, the need for the search for new tricomonicidal agents is necessary. In a previous work, we demonstrated that two 2-amino-4-aryl thiazole derivatives (ATZ-1 and ATZ-2) possess a portent antigiardial effect. In the current paper, we investigated the in vitro antitrichomonal activity of these thiazole compounds. Both ATZ-1 and ATZ-2 reduced the viability and growth of parasites in a dose-dependent manner, with an IC50 value of 0.15 μg/mL and 0.18 μg/mL, respectively. Furthermore, both thiazole compounds were able to decrease the proteolytic activity in T. vaginalis trophozoites compared with untreated parasites. Interestingly, a full proteolytic inhibition profile was observed in the 50-kDa region which was associated with the decreased expression of the gene that codes for the trichomonad protease TvMP50. The docking simulations predicted strong interactions of the thiazole compounds in the TvMP50 protease's active site, suggesting a possible role as protease inhibitors. Our results demonstrate the potential of 2-amino-4-aryl thiazole derivatives as trichomonicidal compounds and could be, mechanistically, involved in the inhibition of key trichomonad proteases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gonzalo Mena-Rejón
- Facultad de Química, Universidad Autónoma de Yucatán (UADY), Calle 43 S/N entre calle 96 y calle 40, Colonia Inalámbrica, C.P. 97069, Mérida, Yucatán, México
| | - Yussel Pérez-Navarro
- Posgrado en Ciencias Genómicas, Universidad Autónoma de la Ciudad de México (UACM), San Lorenzo # 290, Col. Del Valle, CP 03100, México City, México
| | - Julio César Torres-Romero
- Facultad de Química, Universidad Autónoma de Yucatán (UADY), Calle 43 S/N entre calle 96 y calle 40, Colonia Inalámbrica, C.P. 97069, Mérida, Yucatán, México
| | - Laura Vázquez-Carrillo
- Posgrado en Ciencias Genómicas, Universidad Autónoma de la Ciudad de México (UACM), San Lorenzo # 290, Col. Del Valle, CP 03100, México City, México
| | - Rubén M Carballo
- Facultad de Química, Universidad Autónoma de Yucatán (UADY), Calle 43 S/N entre calle 96 y calle 40, Colonia Inalámbrica, C.P. 97069, Mérida, Yucatán, México
| | - Rodrigo Arreola
- Psychiatric Genetics Department, Clinical Research Branch, National Institute of Psychiatry, Ramón de la Fuente, Calzada México-Xochimilco 101, Colonia San Lorenzo Huipulco, Tlalpan, 14370, México City, DF, México
| | - Ángel Herrera-España
- Facultad de Química, Universidad Autónoma de Yucatán (UADY), Calle 43 S/N entre calle 96 y calle 40, Colonia Inalámbrica, C.P. 97069, Mérida, Yucatán, México
| | - Victor Arana-Argáez
- Facultad de Química, Universidad Autónoma de Yucatán (UADY), Calle 43 S/N entre calle 96 y calle 40, Colonia Inalámbrica, C.P. 97069, Mérida, Yucatán, México
| | - Ramiro Quijano-Quiñones
- Facultad de Química, Universidad Autónoma de Yucatán (UADY), Calle 43 S/N entre calle 96 y calle 40, Colonia Inalámbrica, C.P. 97069, Mérida, Yucatán, México
| | - Jose Manuel Fernández-Sánchez
- División de Ingeniería en Gestión Empresarial, Tecnológico de Estudios Superiores de Ecatepec, Avenida Tecnológico S/N, Colonia Valle de Anahuac, Ecatepec de Morelos, Estado de México, Mexico
| | - María Elizbeth Alvarez-Sánchez
- Posgrado en Ciencias Genómicas, Universidad Autónoma de la Ciudad de México (UACM), San Lorenzo # 290, Col. Del Valle, CP 03100, México City, México.
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7
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Torres-Romero JC, Villalpando JL, Lara-Riegos J, Valdés J, Azuara-Liceaga E, Euan-Canto A, López-Camarillo C, Alvarez-Sánchez ME. In silico analysis of putative metal response elements (MREs) in the zinc-responsive genes from Trichomonas vaginalis and the identification of novel palindromic MRE-like motif. Biometals 2020; 33:229-240. [PMID: 32920708 DOI: 10.1007/s10534-020-00246-0] [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: 05/13/2020] [Revised: 06/23/2020] [Accepted: 09/07/2020] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Zinc is an essential micronutrient that plays an important role as a co-factor to several proteins, including zinc-responsive transcription factors. Trichomonas vaginalis is able to survive in the presence of high zinc concentrations in the male urogenital tract. Several genes in T. vaginalis have been shown to respond to changes in zinc concentrations, however, the zinc-dependent mechanism remains undetermined. Recently, we identified in T. vaginalis the zinc finger protein, TvZNF1, which is an ortholog of the mammal metal transcription factor (MTF1). We searched for several of the zinc-responsive genes in T. vaginalis to determine whether if they contain metal response elements (MRE), cis-acting DNA elements that specifically bind MTF1. Six highly conserved over-represented sequence motifs (TvMREs), which share similarity with other eukaryotic MREs, were identified in the zinc-responsive genes in T. vaginalis. We also demonstrated that some of the TvMREs assemble as divalent complexes either as two closely spaced TvMREs or as two overlapping TvMREs forming a palindromic-like sequence: TGCC(N3)GGCA. Electrophoretic mobility shift assays were used to detect the zinc-dependent binding of TvZNF1 and nuclear proteins from T. vaginalis to this specific palindromic motif. Our results support a novel mechanism used by T. vaginalis for the transcriptional regulation of associated zinc-responsive genes through a MTF1/MRE-like system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julio César Torres-Romero
- Laboratorio de Bioquímica y Genética Molecular, Facultad de Química, Universidad Autónoma de Yucatán (UADY), Calle 43 S/N entre calle 96 y calle 40, Colonia Inalámbrica, CP 97069, Mérida, Yucatán, Mexico
| | - José Luis Villalpando
- Posgrado en Ciencias Genómicas, Universidad Autónoma de la Ciudad de México (UACM), San Lorenzo # 290, Col. Del Valle, CP 03100, México City, Mexico
| | - Julio Lara-Riegos
- Laboratorio de Bioquímica y Genética Molecular, Facultad de Química, Universidad Autónoma de Yucatán (UADY), Calle 43 S/N entre calle 96 y calle 40, Colonia Inalámbrica, CP 97069, Mérida, Yucatán, Mexico
| | - Jesús Valdés
- Departmento de Bioquímica, Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del Instituto Politécnico Nacional, México City, Mexico
| | - Elisa Azuara-Liceaga
- Posgrado en Ciencias Genómicas, Universidad Autónoma de la Ciudad de México (UACM), San Lorenzo # 290, Col. Del Valle, CP 03100, México City, Mexico
| | - Antonio Euan-Canto
- Laboratorio de Bioquímica y Genética Molecular, Facultad de Química, Universidad Autónoma de Yucatán (UADY), Calle 43 S/N entre calle 96 y calle 40, Colonia Inalámbrica, CP 97069, Mérida, Yucatán, Mexico
| | - César López-Camarillo
- Posgrado en Ciencias Genómicas, Universidad Autónoma de la Ciudad de México (UACM), San Lorenzo # 290, Col. Del Valle, CP 03100, México City, Mexico
| | - Maria Elizbeth Alvarez-Sánchez
- Posgrado en Ciencias Genómicas, Universidad Autónoma de la Ciudad de México (UACM), San Lorenzo # 290, Col. Del Valle, CP 03100, México City, Mexico.
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Friedman M, Tam CC, Cheng LW, Land KM. Anti-trichomonad activities of different compounds from foods, marine products, and medicinal plants: a review. BMC Complement Med Ther 2020; 20:271. [PMID: 32907567 PMCID: PMC7479404 DOI: 10.1186/s12906-020-03061-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2020] [Accepted: 08/25/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Human trichomoniasis, caused by the pathogenic parasitic protozoan Trichomonas vaginalis, is the most common non-viral sexually transmitted disease that contributes to reproductive morbidity in affected women and possibly to prostate cancer in men. Tritrichomonas foetus strains cause the disease trichomoniasis in farm animals (cattle, bulls, pigs) and diarrhea in domestic animals (cats and dogs). Because some T. vaginalis strains have become resistant to the widely used drug metronidazole, there is a need to develop alternative treatments, based on safe natural products that have the potential to replace and/or enhance the activity of lower doses of metronidazole. To help meet this need, this overview collates and interprets worldwide reported studies on the efficacy of structurally different classes of food, marine, and medicinal plant extracts and some of their bioactive pure compounds against T. vaginalis and T. foetus in vitro and in infected mice and women. Active food extracts include potato peels and their glycoalkaloids α-chaconine and α-solanine, caffeic and chlorogenic acids, and quercetin; the tomato glycoalkaloid α-tomatine; theaflavin-rich black tea extracts and bioactive theaflavins; plant essential oils and their compounds (+)-α-bisabolol and eugenol; the grape skin compound resveratrol; the kidney bean lectin, marine extracts from algae, seaweeds, and fungi and compounds that are derived from fungi; medicinal extracts and about 30 isolated pure compounds. Also covered are the inactivation of drug-resistant T. vaginalis and T. foetus strains by sensitized light; anti-trichomonad effects in mice and women; beneficial effects of probiotics in women; and mechanisms that govern cell death. The summarized findings will hopefully stimulate additional research, including molecular-mechanism-guided inactivations and human clinical studies, that will help ameliorate adverse effects of pathogenic protozoa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mendel Friedman
- United States Department of Agriculture, Healthy Processed Foods Research Unit, Agricultural Research Service, Albany, CA, 94710, USA.
| | - Christina C Tam
- United States Department of Agriculture, Foodborne Toxins Detection and Prevention Research Unit, Agricultural Research Service, Albany, California, 94710, USA
| | - Luisa W Cheng
- United States Department of Agriculture, Foodborne Toxins Detection and Prevention Research Unit, Agricultural Research Service, Albany, California, 94710, USA
| | - Kirkwood M Land
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of the Pacific, Stockton, CA, 95211, USA
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The effect of iron on Trichomonas vaginalis TvCP2: a cysteine proteinase found in vaginal secretions of trichomoniasis patients. Parasitology 2020; 147:760-774. [PMID: 32174285 DOI: 10.1017/s0031182020000438] [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] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Trichomonas vaginalis (Tv) induces host cell damage through cysteine proteinases (CPs) modulated by iron. An immunoproteomic analysis showed that trichomoniasis patient sera recognize various CPs, also some of them are present in vaginal washes (VWs). Thus, the goal of this work was to determine whether TvCP2 is expressed during infection and to assess the effect of iron on TvCP2 expression, localization and contribution to in vitro cellular damage. Western-blotting (WB) assays using TvCP2r and vaginitis patient serum samples showed that 6/9 Tv (+) but none of the Tv (-) patient sera recognized TvCP2r. WB using an anti-TvCP2r antibody and VWs from the same patients showed that in all of the Tv (+) but none of the Tv (-) VWs, the anti-TvCP2r antibody detected a 27 kDa protein band that corresponded to the mature TvCP2, which was confirmed by mass spectrometry analysis. Iron decreased the amount of TvCP2 mRNA and the protein localized on the parasite surface and cytoplasmic vesicles concomitant with the cytotoxic effect of TvCP2 on HeLa cells. Parasites pretreated with the anti-TvCP2r antibody also showed reduced levels of cytotoxicity and apoptosis induction in HeLa cell monolayers. In conclusion, these results show that TvCP2 is expressed during trichomonal infection and plays an important role in the in vitro HeLa cell cytotoxic damage under iron-restricted conditions.
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Kalia N, Singh J, Kaur M. Microbiota in vaginal health and pathogenesis of recurrent vulvovaginal infections: a critical review. Ann Clin Microbiol Antimicrob 2020; 19:5. [PMID: 31992328 PMCID: PMC6986042 DOI: 10.1186/s12941-020-0347-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 110] [Impact Index Per Article: 27.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2018] [Accepted: 01/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Recurrent vulvovaginal infections (RVVI) has not only become an epidemiological and clinical problem but also include large social and psychological consequences. Understanding the mechanisms of both commensalism and pathogenesis are necessary for the development of efficient diagnosis and treatment strategies for these enigmatic vaginal infections. Through this review, an attempt has been made to analyze vaginal microbiota (VMB) from scratch and to provide an update on its current understanding in relation to health and common RVVI i.e. bacterial vaginosis, vulvovaginal candidiaisis and Trichomoniasis, making the present review first of its kind. For this, potentially relevant studies were retrieved from data sources and critical analysis of the literature was made. Though, culture-independent methods have greatly unfolded the mystery regarding vaginal bacterial microbiome, there are only a few studies regarding the composition and diversity of vaginal mycobiome and different Trichomonas vaginalis strains. This scenario suggests a need of further studies based on comparative genomics of RVVI pathogens to improve our perceptive of RVVI pathogenesis that is still not clear (Fig. 5). Besides this, the review details the rationale for Lactobacilli dominance and changes that occur in healthy VMB throughout a women's life. Moreover, the list of possible agents continues to expand and new species recognised in both health and VVI are updated in this review. The review concludes with the controversies challenging the widely accepted dogma i.e. "VMB dominated with Lactobacilli is healthier than a diverse VMB". These controversies, over the past decade, have complicated the definition of vaginal health and vaginal infections with no definite conclusion. Thus, further studies on newly recognised microbial agents may reveal answers to these controversies. Conversely, VMB of women could be an answer but it is not enough to just look at the microbiology. We have to look at the woman itself, as VMB which is fine for one woman may be troublesome for others. These differences in women's response to the same VMB may be determined by a permutation of behavioural, cultural, genetic and various other anonymous factors, exploration of which may lead to proper definition of vaginal health and disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Namarta Kalia
- Department of Molecular Biology & Biochemistry, Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar, 143005 India
| | - Jatinder Singh
- Department of Molecular Biology & Biochemistry, Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar, 143005 India
| | - Manpreet Kaur
- Department of Human Genetics, Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar, 143005 India
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A Novel Cadherin-like Protein Mediates Adherence to and Killing of Host Cells by the Parasite Trichomonas vaginalis. mBio 2019; 10:mBio.00720-19. [PMID: 31088924 PMCID: PMC6520450 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.00720-19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Trichomonas vaginalis, a prevalent sexually transmitted parasite, adheres to and induces cytolysis of human mucosal epithelial cells. We have characterized a hypothetical protein, TVAG_393390, with predicted tertiary structure similar to that of mammalian cadherin proteins involved in cell-cell adherence. TVAG_393390, renamed cadherin-like protein (CLP), contains a calcium-binding site at a position conserved in cadherins. CLP is surface localized, and its mRNA and protein levels are significantly upregulated upon parasite adherence to host cells. To test the roles of CLP and its calcium-binding dependency during host cell adherence, we first demonstrated that wild-type CLP (CLP) binds calcium with a high affinity, whereas the calcium-binding site mutant protein (CLP-mut) does not. CLP and CLP-mut constructs were then used to overexpress these proteins in T. vaginalis Parasites overexpressing CLP have ∼3.5-fold greater adherence to host cells than wild-type parasites, and this increased adherence is ablated by mutating the calcium-binding site. Additionally, competition with recombinant CLP decreased parasite binding to host cells. We also found that overexpression of CLP induced parasite aggregation which was further enhanced in the presence of calcium, whereas CLP-mut overexpression did not affect aggregation. Lastly, parasites overexpressing wild-type CLP induced killing of host cells ∼2.35-fold, whereas parasites overexpressing CLP-mut did not have this effect. These analyses describe the first parasitic CLP and demonstrate a role for this protein in mediating parasite-parasite and host-parasite interactions. T. vaginalis CLP may represent convergent evolution of a parasite protein that is functionally similar to the mammalian cell adhesion protein cadherin, which contributes to parasite pathogenesis.IMPORTANCE The adherence of pathogens to host cells is critical for colonization of the host and establishing infection. Here we identify a protein with no known function that is more abundant on the surface of parasites that are better at binding host cells. To interrogate a predicted function of this protein, we utilized bioinformatic protein prediction programs which allowed us to uncover the first cadherin-like protein (CLP) found in a parasite. Cadherin proteins are conserved metazoan proteins with central roles in cell-cell adhesion, development, and tissue structure maintenance. Functional characterization of this CLP from the unicellular parasite Trichomonas vaginalis demonstrated that the protein mediates both parasite-parasite and parasite-host adherence, which leads to an enhanced killing of host cells by T. vaginalis Our findings demonstrate the presence of CLPs in unicellular pathogens and identify a new host cell binding protein family in a human-infective parasite.
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Cáceres-Castillo D, Pérez-Navarro Y, Torres-Romero JC, Mirón-López G, Ceballos-Cruz J, Arana-Argáez V, Vázquez-Carrillo L, Fernández-Sánchez JM, Alvarez-Sánchez ME. Trichomonicidal activity of a new anthraquinone isolated from the roots of Morinda panamensis Seem. Drug Dev Res 2018; 80:155-161. [PMID: 30570769 DOI: 10.1002/ddr.21504] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2018] [Revised: 10/30/2018] [Accepted: 11/17/2018] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
Trichomoniasis, caused by the protozoan parasite Trichomonas vaginalis, is the most common nonviral sexually transmitted infection worldwide. Although drug treatment is available, unpleasant side effects and increased resistance to the nitroimidazole family have been documented. Hence, there is a need for the identification of new and safe therapeutic agents against T. vaginalis. Antimicrobial activity of anthraquinone compounds has been reported by a number of authors. The genus Morinda is well known for the diversity of anthraquinones with numerous biological activities. A new anthraquinone, lucidin-ω-isopropyl ether, was isolated from the roots of Morinda panamensis Seem. The structure of the compound was determined by 1 H and 13 C Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) analyses, in addition to comparison with literature reports. Using in vitro susceptibility assay, the half inhibitory concentration (IC50 ) of lucidin-ω-isopropyl ether for T. vaginalis (1.32 μg/mL) was found similar to that of metronidazole concentration tested (6 μM = 1.03 μg/mL). In addition, this anthraquinone was capable of inhibiting the parasite's ability to kill HeLa cells and decreased proteolytic activity of the proteinase TvMP50 from T. vaginalis. This was associated with the decreased expression of the mp50 gene. These results demonstrate the trichomonicidal potential by lucidin-ω-isopropyl ether. Further action-mode studies are necessary to elucidate the antiparasitic mechanism of this new anthraquinone to develop a more potent antitrichomonal agent.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Cáceres-Castillo
- Laboratorio de Química Farmacéutica. Facultad de Química, Universidad Autónoma de Yucatán, Mérida, Yucatan, Mexico
| | - Yussel Pérez-Navarro
- Posgrado de Ciencias Genómicas, Universidad Autónoma de la Ciudad de México, Mexico, D.F., Mexico
| | - Julio César Torres-Romero
- Laboratorio de Bioquímica y Genética Molecular. Facultad de Química, Universidad Autónoma de Yucatán, Mérida, Yucatan, Mexico
| | - Gumersindo Mirón-López
- Laboratorio de Química Farmacéutica. Facultad de Química, Universidad Autónoma de Yucatán, Mérida, Yucatan, Mexico
| | - Jimmy Ceballos-Cruz
- Laboratorio de Química Farmacéutica. Facultad de Química, Universidad Autónoma de Yucatán, Mérida, Yucatan, Mexico
| | - Victor Arana-Argáez
- Laboratorio de Farmacología. Facultad de Química, Universidad Autónoma de Yucatán, Mérida, Yucatan, Mexico
| | - Laura Vázquez-Carrillo
- Posgrado de Ciencias Genómicas, Universidad Autónoma de la Ciudad de México, Mexico, D.F., Mexico
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Mercer F, Johnson PJ. Trichomonas vaginalis: Pathogenesis, Symbiont Interactions, and Host Cell Immune Responses. Trends Parasitol 2018; 34:683-693. [PMID: 30056833 PMCID: PMC11132421 DOI: 10.1016/j.pt.2018.05.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 73] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2018] [Revised: 05/21/2018] [Accepted: 05/30/2018] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
The parasite Trichomonas vaginalis (Tv) causes a highly prevalent sexually transmitted infection. As an extracellular pathogen, the parasite mediates adherence to epithelial cells to colonize the human host. In addition, the parasite interfaces with the host immune system and the vaginal microbiota. Modes of Tv pathogenesis include damage to host tissue mediated by parasite killing of host cells, disruption of steady-state vaginal microbial ecology, and eliciting inflammation by activating the host immune response. Recent Tv research has uncovered new players that contribute to multifactorial mechanisms of host-parasite adherence and killing, and has examined the relationship between Tv and vaginal bacteria. Mechanisms that may lead to parasite recognition and killing, or the evasion of host immune cells, have also been revealed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frances Mercer
- Department of Biological Sciences, California State Polytechnic University, 3801 West Temple Avenue, Pomona, CA 91768, USA.
| | - Patricia J Johnson
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology & Molecular Genetics, University of California, 1602 Molecular Sciences Building, 609 Charles E. Young Drive East, Los Angeles, CA 90095-1489, USA.
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Arreola R, Villalpando JL, Puente-Rivera J, Morales-Montor J, Rudiño-Piñera E, Alvarez-Sánchez ME. Trichomonas vaginalis metalloproteinase TvMP50 is a monomeric Aminopeptidase P-like enzyme. Mol Biotechnol 2018; 60:563-575. [PMID: 29936696 DOI: 10.1007/s12033-018-0097-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
Abstract
Previously, metalloproteinase was isolated and identified from Trichomonas vaginalis, belonging to the aminopeptidase P-like metalloproteinase subfamily A/B, family M24 of clan MG, named TvMP50. The native and recombinant TvMP50 showed proteolytic activity, determined by gelatin zymogram, and a 50 kDa band, suggesting that TvMP50 is a monomeric active enzyme. This was an unexpected finding since other Xaa-Pro aminopeptidases/prolidases are active as a biological unit formed by dimers/tetramers. In this study, the evolutionary history of TvMP50 and the preliminary crystal structure of the recombinant enzyme determined at 3.4 Å resolution is reported. TvMP50 was shown to be a type of putative, eukaryotic, monomeric aminopeptidase P, and the crystallographic coordinates showed a monomer on a "pseudo-homodimer" array on the asymmetric unit that resembles the quaternary structure of the M24B dimeric family and suggests a homodimeric aminopeptidase P-like enzyme as a likely ancestor. Interestingly, TvMP50 had a modified N-terminal region compared with other Xaa-Pro aminopeptidases/prolidases with three-dimensional structures; however, the formation of the standard dimer is structurally unstable in aqueous solution, and a comparably reduced number of hydrogen bridges and lack of saline bridges were found between subunits A/B, which could explain why TvMP50 portrays monomeric functionality. Additionally, we found that the Parabasalia group contains two protein lineages with a "pita bread" fold; the ancestral monomeric group 1 was probably derived from an ancestral dimeric aminopeptidase P-type enzyme, and group 2 has a probable dimeric kind of ancestral eukaryotic prolidase lineage. The implications of such hypotheses are also presented.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rodrigo Arreola
- Psychiatric Genetics Department, Clinical Research Branch, National Institute of Psychiatry, Ramón de la Fuente, Calzada México-Xochimilco 101, Colonia San Lorenzo Huipulco, Tlalpan, 14370, Mexico City, DF, Mexico
| | - José Luis Villalpando
- Posgrado en Ciencias Genómicas, Universidad Autónoma de la Ciudad de México (UACM), San Lorenzo # 290, Colonia Del Valle, CP 0310, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Jonathan Puente-Rivera
- Posgrado en Ciencias Genómicas, Universidad Autónoma de la Ciudad de México (UACM), San Lorenzo # 290, Colonia Del Valle, CP 0310, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Jorge Morales-Montor
- Departamento de Inmunología, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ap 70228, CP 04510, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Enrique Rudiño-Piñera
- Departamento de Medicina Molecular y Bioprocesos, Instituto de Biotecnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Avenida Universidad 2001, 62210, Cuernavaca, MOR, Mexico
| | - María Elizbeth Alvarez-Sánchez
- Posgrado en Ciencias Genómicas, Universidad Autónoma de la Ciudad de México (UACM), San Lorenzo # 290, Colonia Del Valle, CP 0310, Mexico City, Mexico.
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