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The unfolded protein response reverses the effects of glucose on lifespan in chemically-sterilized C. elegans. Nat Commun 2022; 13:5889. [PMID: 36261415 PMCID: PMC9582010 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-33630-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2018] [Accepted: 09/27/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Metabolic diseases often share common traits, including accumulation of unfolded proteins in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). Upon ER stress, the unfolded protein response (UPR) is activated to limit cellular damage which weakens with age. Here, we show that Caenorhabditis elegans fed a bacterial diet supplemented high glucose at day 5 of adulthood (HGD-5) extends their lifespan, whereas exposed at day 1 (HGD-1) experience shortened longevity. We observed a metabolic shift only in HGD-1, while glucose and infertility synergistically prolonged the lifespan of HGD-5, independently of DAF-16. Notably, we identified that UPR stress sensors ATF-6 and PEK-1 contributed to the longevity of HGD-5 worms, while ire-1 ablation drastically increased HGD-1 lifespan. Together, we postulate that HGD activates the otherwise quiescent UPR in aged worms to overcome ageing-related stress and restore ER homeostasis. In contrast, young animals subjected to HGD provokes unresolved ER stress, conversely leading to a detrimental stress response. Endoplasmic reticulum stress activates the unfolded protein response (UPR). The authors show that glucose extends the lifespan of aged animals by activating the otherwise quiescent UPR while causing a UPR-dependent reduced longevity in young animals
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Cui Y, Wang X, Xu J, Liu X, Wang X, Pang J, Song Y, Yu M, Song W, Luo X, Liu M, Sun S. PROTEOMIC ANALYSIS OF TAENIA SOLIUM CYST FLUID BY SHOTGUN LC-MS/MS. J Parasitol 2021; 107:799-809. [PMID: 34648630 DOI: 10.1645/20-65] [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: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Taenia solium cysts were collected from pig skeletal muscle and analyzed via a shotgun proteomic approach to identify known proteins in the cyst fluid and to explore host-parasite interactions. Cyst fluid was aseptically collected and analyzed with shotgun liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). Gene alignment and annotation were performed using Blast2GO software followed by gene ontology analysis of the annotated proteins. The pathways were further analyzed with the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG), and a protein-protein interaction (PPI) network map was generated using STRING software. A total of 158 known proteins were identified, most of which were low-molecular-mass proteins. These proteins were mainly involved in cellular and metabolic processes, and their molecular functions were predominantly related to catalytic activity and binding functions. The pathway enrichment analysis revealed that the known proteins were mainly enriched in the PI3K-Akt and glycolysis/gluconeogenesis signaling pathways. The nodes in the PPI network mainly consisted of enzymes involved in sugar metabolism. The cyst fluid proteins screened in this study may play important roles in the interaction between the cysticerci and the host. The shotgun LC-MS/MS, gene ontology, KEGG, and PPI network map data will be used to identify and analyze the cyst fluid proteome of cysticerci, which will provide a basis for further exploration of the invasion and activities of T. solium.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yaxuan Cui
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Inner Mongolia University for Nationalities, Inner Mongolia Tongliao 028042, China
| | - Xinrui Wang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Inner Mongolia University for Nationalities, Inner Mongolia Tongliao 028042, China
| | - Jing Xu
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Inner Mongolia University for Nationalities, Inner Mongolia Tongliao 028042, China
| | - Xiaolei Liu
- Key Laboratory of Zoonosis Research, Ministry of Education, Institute of Zoonosis/College of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin University, Changchun 130000, China
| | - Xuelin Wang
- Key Laboratory of Zoonosis Research, Ministry of Education, Institute of Zoonosis/College of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin University, Changchun 130000, China
| | - Jianda Pang
- Key Laboratory of Zoonosis Research, Ministry of Education, Institute of Zoonosis/College of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin University, Changchun 130000, China
| | - Yining Song
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Inner Mongolia University for Nationalities, Inner Mongolia Tongliao 028042, China
| | - Mingchuan Yu
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Inner Mongolia University for Nationalities, Inner Mongolia Tongliao 028042, China
| | - Weiyi Song
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Inner Mongolia University for Nationalities, Inner Mongolia Tongliao 028042, China
| | - Xuenong Luo
- Key Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology of Gansu Province, State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Etiological Biology, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou 730000, China
| | - Mingyuan Liu
- Key Laboratory of Zoonosis Research, Ministry of Education, Institute of Zoonosis/College of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin University, Changchun 130000, China.,Jiangsu Co-innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, Yangzhou, Jiangsu 225000, China
| | - Shumin Sun
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Inner Mongolia University for Nationalities, Inner Mongolia Tongliao 028042, China.,College of Veterinary Medicine, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming 650201, China
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Elucidating the molecular and developmental biology of parasitic nematodes: Moving to a multiomics paradigm. ADVANCES IN PARASITOLOGY 2020; 108:175-229. [PMID: 32291085 DOI: 10.1016/bs.apar.2019.12.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
In the past two decades, significant progress has been made in the sequencing, assembly, annotation and analyses of genomes and transcriptomes of parasitic worms of socioeconomic importance. This progress has somewhat improved our knowledge and understanding of these pathogens at the molecular level. However, compared with the free-living nematode Caenorhabditis elegans, the areas of functional genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics and metabolomics of parasitic nematodes are still in their infancy, and there are major gaps in our knowledge and understanding of the molecular biology of parasitic nematodes. The information on signalling molecules, molecular pathways and microRNAs (miRNAs) that are known to be involved in developmental processes in C. elegans and the availability of some molecular resources (draft genomes, transcriptomes and some proteomes) for selected parasitic nematodes provide a basis to start exploring the developmental biology of parasitic nematodes. Indeed, some studies have identified molecules and pathways that might associate with developmental processes in related, parasitic nematodes, such as Haemonchus contortus (barber's pole worm). However, detailed information is often scant and 'omics resources are limited, preventing a proper integration of 'omic data sets and comprehensive analyses. Moreover, little is known about the functional roles of pheromones, hormones, signalling pathways and post-transcriptional/post-translational regulations in the development of key parasitic nematodes throughout their entire life cycles. Although C. elegans is an excellent model to assist molecular studies of parasitic nematodes, its use is limited when it comes to explorations of processes that are specific to parasitism within host animals. A deep understanding of parasitic nematodes, such as H. contortus, requires substantially enhanced resources and the use of integrative 'omics approaches for analyses. The improved genome and well-established in vitro larval culture system for H. contortus provide unprecedented opportunities for comprehensive studies of the transcriptomes (mRNA and miRNA), proteomes (somatic, excretory/secretory and phosphorylated proteins) and lipidomes (e.g., polar and neutral lipids) of this nematode. Such resources should enable in-depth explorations of its developmental biology at a level, not previously possible. The main aims of this review are (i) to provide a background on the development of nematodes, with a particular emphasis on the molecular aspects involved in the dauer formation and exit in C. elegans; (ii) to critically appraise the current state of knowledge of the developmental biology of parasitic nematodes and identify key knowledge gaps; (iii) to cover salient aspects of H. contortus, with a focus on the recent advances in genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics and lipidomics as well as in vitro culturing systems; (iv) to review recent advances in our knowledge and understanding of the molecular and developmental biology of H. contortus using an integrative multiomics approach, and discuss the implications of this approach for detailed explorations of signalling molecules, molecular processes and pathways likely associated with nematode development, adaptation and parasitism, and for the identification of novel intervention targets against these pathogens. Clearly, the multiomics approach established recently is readily applicable to exploring a wide range of interesting and socioeconomically significant parasitic worms (including also trematodes and cestodes) at the molecular level, and to elucidate host-parasite interactions and disease processes.
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Ma G, Wang T, Korhonen PK, Stroehlein AJ, Young ND, Gasser RB. Dauer signalling pathway model for Haemonchus contortus. Parasit Vectors 2019; 12:187. [PMID: 31036054 PMCID: PMC6489264 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-019-3419-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2019] [Accepted: 03/28/2019] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Signalling pathways have been extensively investigated in the free-living nematode Caenorhabditis elegans, but very little is known about these pathways in parasitic nematodes. Here, we constructed a model for the dauer-associated signalling pathways in an economically highly significant parasitic worm, Haemonchus contortus. METHODS Guided by data and information available for C. elegans, we used extensive genomic and transcriptomic datasets to infer gene homologues in the dauer-associated pathways, explore developmental transcriptomic, proteomic and phosphoproteomic profiles in H. contortus and study selected molecular structures. RESULTS The canonical cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP), transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β), insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) and steroid hormone signalling pathways of H. contortus were inferred to represent a total of 61 gene homologues. Compared with C. elegans, H. contortus has a reduced set of genes encoding insulin-like peptides, implying evolutionary and biological divergences between the parasitic and free-living nematodes. Similar transcription profiles were found for all gene homologues between the infective stage of H. contortus and dauer stage of C. elegans. High transcriptional levels for genes encoding G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), TGF-β, insulin-like ligands (e.g. ins-1, ins-17 and ins-18) and transcriptional factors (e.g. daf-16) in the infective L3 stage of H. contortus were suggestive of critical functional roles in this stage. Conspicuous protein expression patterns and extensive phosphorylation of some components of these pathways suggested marked post-translational modifications also in the L3 stage. The high structural similarity in the DAF-12 ligand binding domain among nematodes indicated functional conservation in steroid (i.e. dafachronic acid) signalling linked to worm development. CONCLUSIONS Taken together, this pathway model provides a basis to explore hypotheses regarding biological processes and regulatory mechanisms (via particular microRNAs, phosphorylation events and/or lipids) associated with the development of H. contortus and related nematodes as well as parasite-host cross talk, which could aid the discovery of new therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guangxu Ma
- Department of Veterinary Biosciences, Melbourne Veterinary School, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010 Australia
| | - Tao Wang
- Department of Veterinary Biosciences, Melbourne Veterinary School, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010 Australia
| | - Pasi K. Korhonen
- Department of Veterinary Biosciences, Melbourne Veterinary School, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010 Australia
| | - Andreas J. Stroehlein
- Department of Veterinary Biosciences, Melbourne Veterinary School, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010 Australia
| | - Neil D. Young
- Department of Veterinary Biosciences, Melbourne Veterinary School, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010 Australia
| | - Robin B. Gasser
- Department of Veterinary Biosciences, Melbourne Veterinary School, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010 Australia
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Du X, Jones MK, Nawaratna SSK, Ranasinghe S, Xiong C, Cai P, McManus DP, You H. Gene Expression in Developmental Stages of Schistosoma japonicum Provides Further Insight into the Importance of the Schistosome Insulin-Like Peptide. Int J Mol Sci 2019; 20:ijms20071565. [PMID: 30925781 PMCID: PMC6480100 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20071565] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2019] [Revised: 03/11/2019] [Accepted: 03/22/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
We showed previously that the Schistosoma japonicum insulin-like peptide (SjILP) binds the worm insulin receptors, thereby, activating the parasite’s insulin pathway and emphasizing its important role in regulating uptake of glucose, a nutrient essential for parasite survival. Here we show that SjILP is differentially expressed in the schistosome life cycle and is especially highly transcribed in eggs, miracidia, and adult female worms. RNA inference was employed to knockdown SjILP in adults in vitro, with suppression confirmed by significantly reduced protein production, declined adenosine diphosphate levels, and reduction in glucose consumption. Immunolocalization showed that SjILP is located to lateral gland cells of mature intra-ovular miracidia in the schistosome egg, and is distributed on the ciliated epithelium and internal cell masses of newly transformed miracidia. In schistosomula, SjILP is present on the tegument in two antero-lateral points, indicating highly polarized expression during cercarial transformation. Analysis of serum from S. japonicum-infected mice by ELISA using a recombinant form of SjILP as an antigen revealed IgG immunoreactivity to this molecule at 7 weeks post-infection indicating it is likely secreted from mature eggs into the host circulation. These findings provide further insights on ILP function in schistosomes and its essential roles in parasite survival and growth in different development stages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaofeng Du
- Molecular Parasitology Laboratory, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Queensland 4006, Australia.
| | - Malcolm K Jones
- School of Veterinary Science, The University of Queensland, Gatton 4343, Australia.
| | - Sujeevi S K Nawaratna
- Molecular Parasitology Laboratory, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Queensland 4006, Australia.
- School of Medicine, Griffith University, Gold Coast 4222, Australia.
| | - Shiwanthi Ranasinghe
- Molecular Parasitology Laboratory, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Queensland 4006, Australia.
| | - Chunrong Xiong
- Key Laboratory of National Health and Family Planning Commission on Parasitic Disease Control and Prevention, Jiangsu Provincial Key Laboratory on Parasite and Vector Control Technology, Jiangsu Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Wuxi 214000, China.
| | - Pengfei Cai
- Molecular Parasitology Laboratory, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Queensland 4006, Australia.
| | - Donald P McManus
- Molecular Parasitology Laboratory, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Queensland 4006, Australia.
| | - Hong You
- Molecular Parasitology Laboratory, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Queensland 4006, Australia.
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Ma G, Wang T, Korhonen PK, Nie S, Reid GE, Stroehlein AJ, Koehler AV, Chang BCH, Hofmann A, Young ND, Gasser RB. Comparative bioinformatic analysis suggests that specific dauer-like signalling pathway components regulate Toxocara canis development and migration in the mammalian host. Parasit Vectors 2019; 12:32. [PMID: 30642380 PMCID: PMC6332619 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-018-3265-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2018] [Accepted: 12/12/2018] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Toxocara canis is quite closely related to Ascaris suum but its biology is more complex, involving a phase of arrested development (diapause or hypobiosis) in tissues as well as transplacental and transmammary transmission routes. In the present study, we explored and compared dauer-like signalling pathways of T. canis and A. suum to infer which components in these pathways might associate with, or regulate, this added complexity in T. canis. Methods Guided by information for Caenorhabditis elegans, we bioinformatically inferred and compared components of dauer-like signalling pathways in T. canis and A. suum using genomic and transcriptomic data sets. In these two ascaridoids, we also explored endogenous dafachronic acids (DAs), which are known to be critical in regulating larval developmental processes in C. elegans and other nematodes, by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS). Results Orthologues of C. elegans dauer signalling genes were identified in T. canis (n = 55) and A. suum (n = 51), inferring the presence of a dauer-like signalling pathway in both species. Comparisons showed clear differences between C. elegans and these ascaridoids as well as between T. canis and A. suum, particularly in the transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) and insulin-like signalling pathways. Specifically, in both A. suum and T. canis, there was a paucity of genes encoding SMAD transcription factor-related protein (daf-3, daf-5, daf-8 and daf-14) and insulin/insulin-like peptide (daf-28, ins-4, ins-6 and ins-7) homologues, suggesting an evolution and adaptation of the signalling pathway in these parasites. In T. canis, there were more orthologues coding for homologues of antagonist insulin-like peptides (Tc-ins-1 and Tc-ins-18), an insulin receptor substrate (Tc-ist-1) and a serine/threonine kinase (Tc-akt-1) than in A. suum, suggesting potentiated functional roles for these molecules in regulating larval diapause and reactivation. A relatively conserved machinery was proposed for DA synthesis in the two ascaridoids, and endogenous Δ4- and Δ7-DAs were detected in them by LC-MS analysis. Differential transcription analysis between T. canis and A. suum suggests that ins-17 and ins-18 homologues are specifically involved in regulating development and migration in T. canis larvae in host tissues. Conclusion The findings of this study provide a basis for functional explorations of insulin-like peptides, signalling hormones (i.e. DAs) and related nuclear receptors, proposed to link to development and/or parasite-host interactions in T. canis. Elucidating the functional roles of these molecules might contribute to the discovery of novel anthelmintic targets in ascaridoids. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s13071-018-3265-y) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guangxu Ma
- Department of Veterinary Biosciences, Melbourne Veterinary School, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, 3010, Australia
| | - Tao Wang
- Department of Veterinary Biosciences, Melbourne Veterinary School, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, 3010, Australia
| | - Pasi K Korhonen
- Department of Veterinary Biosciences, Melbourne Veterinary School, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, 3010, Australia
| | - Shuai Nie
- Bio21 Molecular Science and Biotechnology Institute, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, 3010, Australia
| | - Gavin E Reid
- Bio21 Molecular Science and Biotechnology Institute, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, 3010, Australia
| | - Andreas J Stroehlein
- Department of Veterinary Biosciences, Melbourne Veterinary School, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, 3010, Australia
| | - Anson V Koehler
- Department of Veterinary Biosciences, Melbourne Veterinary School, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, 3010, Australia
| | - Bill C H Chang
- Department of Veterinary Biosciences, Melbourne Veterinary School, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, 3010, Australia
| | - Andreas Hofmann
- Griffith Institute for Drug Discovery, Griffith University, Nathan, Queensland, 4111, Australia
| | - Neil D Young
- Department of Veterinary Biosciences, Melbourne Veterinary School, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, 3010, Australia
| | - Robin B Gasser
- Department of Veterinary Biosciences, Melbourne Veterinary School, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, 3010, Australia.
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Ma G, Wang T, Korhonen PK, Ang CS, Williamson NA, Young ND, Stroehlein AJ, Hall RS, Koehler AV, Hofmann A, Gasser RB. Molecular alterations during larval development of Haemonchus contortus in vitro are under tight post-transcriptional control. Int J Parasitol 2018; 48:763-772. [PMID: 29792880 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpara.2018.03.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2018] [Revised: 03/20/2018] [Accepted: 03/26/2018] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
In this study, we explored the molecular alterations in the developmental switch from the L3 to the exsheathed L3 (xL3) and to the L4 stage of Haemonchus contortus in vitro using an integrated transcriptomic, proteomic and bioinformatic approach. Totals of 9,754 mRNAs, 88 microRNAs (miRNAs) and 1,591 proteins were identified, and 6,686 miRNA-mRNA pairs inferred in all larval stages studied. Approximately 16% of transcripts in the combined transcriptome (representing all three larval stages) were expressed as proteins, and there were positive correlations (r = 0.39-0.44) between mRNA transcription and protein expression in the three distinct developmental stages of the parasite. Of the predicted targets, 1,019 (27.0%) mRNA transcripts were expressed as proteins, and there was a negative correlation (r = -0.60 to -0.50) in the differential mRNA transcription and protein expression between developmental stages upon pairwise comparison. The changes in transcription (mRNA and miRNA) and protein expression from the free-living to the parasitic life cycle phase of H. contortus related to enrichments in biological pathways associated with metabolism (e.g., carbohydrate and lipid degradation, and amino acid metabolism), environmental information processing (e.g., signal transduction, signalling molecules and interactions) and/or genetic information processing (e.g., transcription and translation). Specifically, fatty acid degradation, steroid hormone biosynthesis and the Rap1 signalling pathway were suppressed, whereas transcription, translation and protein processing in the endoplasmic reticulum were upregulated during the transition from the free-living L3 to the parasitic xL3 and L4 stages of the nematode in vitro. Dominant post-transcriptional regulation was inferred to elicit these changes, and particular miRNAs (e.g., hco-miR-34 and hco-miR-252) appear to play roles in stress responses and/or environmental adaptations during developmental transitions of H. contortus. Taken together, these integrated results provide a comprehensive insight into the developmental biology of this important parasite at the molecular level in vitro. The approach applied here to H. contortus can be readily applied to other parasitic nematodes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guangxu Ma
- Department of Veterinary Biosciences, Melbourne Veterinary School, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia
| | - Tao Wang
- Department of Veterinary Biosciences, Melbourne Veterinary School, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia
| | - Pasi K Korhonen
- Department of Veterinary Biosciences, Melbourne Veterinary School, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia
| | - Ching-Seng Ang
- The Bio21 Institute of Molecular Science and Biotechnology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia
| | - Nicholas A Williamson
- The Bio21 Institute of Molecular Science and Biotechnology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia
| | - Neil D Young
- Department of Veterinary Biosciences, Melbourne Veterinary School, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia
| | - Andreas J Stroehlein
- Department of Veterinary Biosciences, Melbourne Veterinary School, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia
| | - Ross S Hall
- Department of Veterinary Biosciences, Melbourne Veterinary School, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia
| | - Anson V Koehler
- Department of Veterinary Biosciences, Melbourne Veterinary School, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia
| | - Andreas Hofmann
- Department of Veterinary Biosciences, Melbourne Veterinary School, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia; Griffith Institute for Drug Discovery, Griffith University, Nathan, Queensland 4111, Australia
| | - Robin B Gasser
- Department of Veterinary Biosciences, Melbourne Veterinary School, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia.
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Camargo de Lima J, Monteiro KM, Basika Cabrera TN, Paludo GP, Moura H, Barr JR, Zaha A, Ferreira HB. Comparative proteomics of the larval and adult stages of the model cestode parasite Mesocestoides corti. J Proteomics 2018; 175:127-135. [PMID: 29317356 PMCID: PMC10486185 DOI: 10.1016/j.jprot.2017.12.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2017] [Revised: 12/19/2017] [Accepted: 12/29/2017] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Mesocestoides corti is a widely used model for the study of cestode biology, and its transition from the larval tetrathyridium (TT) stage to the strobilated, adult worm (ST) stage can be induced and followed in vitro. Here, a proteomic approach was used to describe and compare M. corti TT and ST protein repertories. Overall, 571 proteins were identified, 238 proteins in TT samples and 333 proteins in ST samples. Among the identified proteins, 207 proteins were shared by TTs and STs, while 157 were stage-specific, being 31 exclusive from TTs, and 126 from STs. Functional annotation revealed fundamental metabolic differences between the TT and the ST stages. TTs perform functions related mainly to basic metabolism, responsible for growth and vegetative development by asexual reproduction. STs, in contrast, perform a wider range of functions, including macromolecule biosynthetic processes, gene expression and control pathways, which may be associated to its proglottization/segmentation, sexual differentiation and more complex physiology. Furthermore, the generated results provided an extensive list of cestode proteins of interest for functional studies in M. corti. Many of these proteins are novel candidate diagnostic antigens, and/or potential targets for the development of new and more effective antihelminthic drugs. BIOLOGICAL SIGNIFICANCE Cestodiases are parasitic diseases with serious impact on human and animal health. Efforts to develop more effective strategies for diagnosis, treatment or control of cestodiases are impaired by the still limited knowledge on many aspects of cestode biology, including the complex developmental processes that occur in the life cycles of these parasites. Mesocestoides corti is a good experimental model to study the transition from the larval to the adult stage, called strobilation, which occur in typical cestode life-cycles. The performed proteomics approach provided large-scale identification and quantification of M. corti proteins. Many stage-specific or differentially expressed proteins were detected in the larval tetrathyridium (TT) stage and in the strobilated, adult worm (ST) stage. Functional comparative analyses of the described protein repertoires shed light on function and processes associated to specific features of both stages, such as less differentiation and asexual reproduction in TTs, and proglottization/segmentation and sexual differentiation in ST. Moreover, many of the identified stage-specific proteins are useful as cestode developmental markers, and are potential targets for development of novel diagnostic methods and therapeutic drugs for cestodiases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeferson Camargo de Lima
- Laboratório de Genômica Estrutural e Funcional, Centro de Biotecnologia (CBiot), Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil; Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biologia Celular e Molecular, CBiot, UFRGS, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - Karina Mariante Monteiro
- Laboratório de Genômica Estrutural e Funcional, Centro de Biotecnologia (CBiot), Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil; Departamento de Biologia Molecular e Celular, Instituto de Biociências, UFRGS, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - Tatiana Noel Basika Cabrera
- Laboratório de Genômica Estrutural e Funcional, Centro de Biotecnologia (CBiot), Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil; Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biologia Celular e Molecular, CBiot, UFRGS, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - Gabriela Prado Paludo
- Laboratório de Genômica Estrutural e Funcional, Centro de Biotecnologia (CBiot), Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil; Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biologia Celular e Molecular, CBiot, UFRGS, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - Hercules Moura
- Biological Mass Spectrometry Laboratory, Clinical Chemistry Branch, Division of Laboratory Sciences, National Center for Environmental Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - John R Barr
- Biological Mass Spectrometry Laboratory, Clinical Chemistry Branch, Division of Laboratory Sciences, National Center for Environmental Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Arnaldo Zaha
- Laboratório de Biologia Molecular de Cestódeos, CBiot, UFRGS, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil; Departamento de Biologia Molecular e Celular, Instituto de Biociências, UFRGS, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - Henrique Bunselmeyer Ferreira
- Laboratório de Genômica Estrutural e Funcional, Centro de Biotecnologia (CBiot), Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil; Departamento de Biologia Molecular e Celular, Instituto de Biociências, UFRGS, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil.
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Obieglo K, Feng X, Bollampalli VP, Dellacasa-Lindberg I, Classon C, Österblad M, Helmby H, Hewitson JP, Maizels RM, Gigliotti Rothfuchs A, Nylén S. Chronic Gastrointestinal Nematode Infection Mutes Immune Responses to Mycobacterial Infection Distal to the Gut. THE JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY 2016; 196:2262-71. [PMID: 26819205 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.1500970] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2015] [Accepted: 12/22/2015] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
Helminth infections have been suggested to impair the development and outcome of Th1 responses to vaccines and intracellular microorganisms. However, there are limited data regarding the ability of intestinal nematodes to modulate Th1 responses at sites distal to the gut. In this study, we have investigated the effect of the intestinal nematode Heligmosomoides polygyrus bakeri on Th1 responses to Mycobacterium bovis bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG). We found that H. polygyrus infection localized to the gut can mute BCG-specific CD4(+) T cell priming in both the spleen and skin-draining lymph nodes. Furthermore, H. polygyrus infection reduced the magnitude of delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) to PPD in the skin. Consequently, H. polygyrus-infected mice challenged with BCG had a higher mycobacterial load in the liver compared with worm-free mice. The excretory-secretory product from H. polygyrus (HES) was found to dampen IFN-γ production by mycobacteria-specific CD4(+) T cells. This inhibition was dependent on the TGF-βR signaling activity of HES, suggesting that TGF-β signaling plays a role in the impaired Th1 responses observed coinfection with worms. Similar to results with mycobacteria, H. polygyrus-infected mice displayed an increase in skin parasite load upon secondary infection with Leishmania major as well as a reduction in DTH responses to Leishmania Ag. We show that a nematode confined to the gut can mute T cell responses to mycobacteria and impair control of secondary infections distal to the gut. The ability of intestinal helminths to reduce DTH responses may have clinical implications for the use of skin test-based diagnosis of microbial infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katja Obieglo
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology, Karolinska Institutet, 171 77 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Xiaogang Feng
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology, Karolinska Institutet, 171 77 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Vishnu Priya Bollampalli
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology, Karolinska Institutet, 171 77 Stockholm, Sweden
| | | | - Cajsa Classon
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology, Karolinska Institutet, 171 77 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Markus Österblad
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology, Karolinska Institutet, 171 77 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Helena Helmby
- Department of Immunology and Infection, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London WC1E 7HT, United Kingdom; and
| | - James P Hewitson
- Institute of Immunology and Infection Research, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH9 3JT, United Kingdom
| | - Rick M Maizels
- Institute of Immunology and Infection Research, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH9 3JT, United Kingdom
| | | | - Susanne Nylén
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology, Karolinska Institutet, 171 77 Stockholm, Sweden;
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10
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Chu C, Deng J, Liu L, Cao Y, Wei X, Li J, Man Y. Nanoparticles combined with growth factors: recent progress and applications. RSC Adv 2016. [DOI: 10.1039/c6ra13636b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Increasing attention has been focused on the applications of nanoparticles combined with growth factors (NPs/GFs) due to the substantial functions of GFs in regenerative medicine and disease treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chenyu Chu
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases
- West China Hospital of Stomatology
- Sichuan University
- Chengdu 610041
- China
| | - Jia Deng
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases
- West China Hospital of Stomatology
- Sichuan University
- Chengdu 610041
- China
| | - Li Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Laboratory for Aging Research
- West China Hospital
- Sichuan University and Collaborative Innovation Center for Biotherapy
- Chengdu
- China
| | - Yubin Cao
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases
- West China Hospital of Stomatology
- Sichuan University
- Chengdu 610041
- China
| | - Xiawei Wei
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Laboratory for Aging Research
- West China Hospital
- Sichuan University and Collaborative Innovation Center for Biotherapy
- Chengdu
- China
| | - Jidong Li
- Research Center for Nano Biomaterials
- Analytical & Testing Center
- Sichuan University
- Chengdu 610041
- P. R. China
| | - Yi Man
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases
- West China Hospital of Stomatology
- Sichuan University
- Chengdu 610041
- China
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11
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Pan W, Shen Y, Han X, Wang Y, Liu H, Jiang Y, Zhang Y, Wang Y, Xu Y, Cao J. Transcriptome profiles of the protoscoleces of Echinococcus granulosus reveal that excretory-secretory products are essential to metabolic adaptation. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2014; 8:e3392. [PMID: 25500817 PMCID: PMC4263413 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0003392] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2014] [Accepted: 11/03/2014] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Cystic hydatid disease (CHD) is caused by the larval stages of the cestode and affects humans and domestic animals worldwide. Protoscoleces (PSCs) are one component of the larval stages that can interact with both definitive and intermediate hosts. Previous genomic and transcriptomic data have provided an overall snapshot of the genomics of the growth and development of this parasite. However, our understanding of how PSCs subvert the immune response of hosts and maintains metabolic adaptation remains unclear. In this study, we used Roche 454 sequencing technology and in silico secretome analysis to explore the transcriptome profiles of the PSCs from E. granulosus and elucidate the potential functions of the excretory-secretory proteins (ESPs) released by the parasite. Methodology/Principal Findings A large number of nonredundant sequences as unigenes were generated (26,514), of which 22,910 (86.4%) were mapped to the newly published E. granulosus genome and 17,705 (66.8%) were distributed within the coding sequence (CDS) regions. Of the 2,280 ESPs predicted from the transcriptome, 138 ESPs were inferred to be involved in the metabolism of carbohydrates, while 124 ESPs were inferred to be involved in the metabolism of protein. Eleven ESPs were identified as intracellular enzymes that regulate glycolysis/gluconeogenesis (GL/GN) pathways, while a further 44 antigenic proteins, 25 molecular chaperones and four proteases were highly represented. Many proteins were also found to be significantly enriched in development-related signaling pathways, such as the TGF-β receptor pathways and insulin pathways. Conclusions/Significance This study provides valuable information on the metabolic adaptation of parasites to their hosts that can be used to aid the development of novel intervention targets for hydatid treatment and control. The successful infection establishment of parasites depends on their ability to combat their host's immune system while maintaining metabolic adaptation to their hosts. The mechanisms of these processes are not well understood. We used the protoscoleces (PSCs) of E. granulosus as a model system to study this complex host-parasite interaction by investigating the role of excretory-secretory proteins (ESPs) in the physiological adaptation of the parasite. Using Roche 454 sequencing technology and in silico secretome analysis, we predicted 2280 ESPs and analyzed their biological functions. Our analysis of the bioinformatic data suggested that ESPs are integral to the metabolism of carbohydrates and proteins within the parasite and/or hosts. We also found that ESPs are involved in mediating the immune responses of hosts and function within key development-related signaling pathways. We found 11 intracellular enzymes, 25 molecular chaperones and four proteases that were highly represented in the ESPs, in addition to 44 antigenic proteins that showed promise as candidates for vaccine or serodiagnostic development purposes. These findings provide valuable information on the mechanisms of metabolic adaptation in parasites that will aid the development of novel hydatid treatment and control targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Pan
- National Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
- Key Laboratory of Parasite and Vector Biology, Ministry of Health, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
- WHO Collaborating Center for Malaria, Schistosomiasis and Filariasis, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| | - Yujuan Shen
- National Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
- Key Laboratory of Parasite and Vector Biology, Ministry of Health, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
- WHO Collaborating Center for Malaria, Schistosomiasis and Filariasis, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
- * E-mail: (YS); (JC)
| | - Xiuming Han
- Department of Parasitic Diseases, Qinghai Institute for Endemic Disease Prevention and Control, Zong Zhai, Xining, Qinghai, People's Republic of China
| | - Ying Wang
- National Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
- Key Laboratory of Parasite and Vector Biology, Ministry of Health, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
- WHO Collaborating Center for Malaria, Schistosomiasis and Filariasis, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| | - Hua Liu
- National Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
- Key Laboratory of Parasite and Vector Biology, Ministry of Health, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
- WHO Collaborating Center for Malaria, Schistosomiasis and Filariasis, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| | - Yanyan Jiang
- National Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
- Key Laboratory of Parasite and Vector Biology, Ministry of Health, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
- WHO Collaborating Center for Malaria, Schistosomiasis and Filariasis, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| | - Yumei Zhang
- National Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
- Key Laboratory of Parasite and Vector Biology, Ministry of Health, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
- WHO Collaborating Center for Malaria, Schistosomiasis and Filariasis, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| | - Yanjuan Wang
- National Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
- Key Laboratory of Parasite and Vector Biology, Ministry of Health, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
- WHO Collaborating Center for Malaria, Schistosomiasis and Filariasis, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| | - Yuxin Xu
- National Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
- Key Laboratory of Parasite and Vector Biology, Ministry of Health, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
- WHO Collaborating Center for Malaria, Schistosomiasis and Filariasis, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| | - Jianping Cao
- National Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
- Key Laboratory of Parasite and Vector Biology, Ministry of Health, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
- WHO Collaborating Center for Malaria, Schistosomiasis and Filariasis, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
- * E-mail: (YS); (JC)
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12
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Identification and characterization of functional Smad8 and Smad4 homologues from Echinococcus granulosus. Parasitol Res 2014; 113:3745-57. [PMID: 25039015 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-014-4040-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2014] [Accepted: 07/11/2014] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Smad family proteins are essential cellular mediators of the transforming growth factor-β superfamily. In the present study, we identified two members of the Smad proteins, Smad8 and Smad4 homologues (termed as EgSmadE and EgSmadD, respectively), from Echinococcus granulosus, the causative agent of cystic echinococcosis (CE). Phylogenetic analysis placed EgSmadE in the Smad1, 5, and 8 subgroup of the R-Smad sub-family and EgSmadD in the Co-Smad family. Furthermore, EgSmadE and EgSmadD attained a high homology to EmSmadE and EmSmadD of E. multilocularis, respectively. Both EgSmadE and EgSmadD were co-expressed in the larval stages and exhibited the highest transcript levels in activated protoscoleces, and their encoded proteins were co-localized in the sub-tegumental and tegumental layer of the parasite. As shown by yeast two-hybrid and pull-down analysis, EgSmadE displayed a positive binding interaction with EgSmadD. In addition, EgSmadE localized in the nuclei of Mv1Lu cells (mink lung epithelial cells) upon treatment with human TGF-β1 or human BMP2, indicating that EgSmadE is capable of being translocated into nucleus, in vitro. Our study suggests that EgSmadE and EgSmadD may take part in critical biological processes, including echinococcal growth, development, and parasite-host interaction.
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You H, Stephenson RJ, Gobert GN, McManus DP. Revisiting glucose uptake and metabolism in schistosomes: new molecular insights for improved schistosomiasis therapies. Front Genet 2014; 5:176. [PMID: 24966871 PMCID: PMC4052099 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2014.00176] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2014] [Accepted: 05/23/2014] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
A better understanding of the molecular mechanisms required for schistosomes to take up glucose, the major nutritional source exploited by these blood flukes from their mammalian hosts and the subsequent metabolism required to fuel growth and fecundity, can provide new avenues for developing novel interventions for the control of schistosomiasis. This aspect of parasitism is particularly important to paired adult schistosomes, due to their considerable requirements for the energy needed to produce the extensive numbers of eggs laid daily by the female worm. This review describes recent advances in characterizing glucose metabolism in adult schistosomes. Potential intervention targets are discussed within the insulin signaling and glycolysis pathways, both of which play critical roles in the carbohydrate and energy requirements of schistosomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hong You
- Molecular Parasitology Laboratory, Infectious Diseases Division, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research InstituteBrisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Rachel J. Stephenson
- Faculty of Science, School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of QueenslandBrisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Geoffrey N. Gobert
- Molecular Parasitology Laboratory, Infectious Diseases Division, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research InstituteBrisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Donald P. McManus
- Molecular Parasitology Laboratory, Infectious Diseases Division, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research InstituteBrisbane, QLD, Australia
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Hemer S, Konrad C, Spiliotis M, Koziol U, Schaack D, Förster S, Gelmedin V, Stadelmann B, Dandekar T, Hemphill A, Brehm K. Host insulin stimulates Echinococcus multilocularis insulin signalling pathways and larval development. BMC Biol 2014; 12:5. [PMID: 24468049 PMCID: PMC3923246 DOI: 10.1186/1741-7007-12-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2013] [Accepted: 01/21/2014] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The metacestode of the tapeworm Echinococcus multilocularis is the causative agent of alveolar echinococcosis, a lethal zoonosis. Infections are initiated through establishment of parasite larvae within the intermediate host's liver, where high concentrations of insulin are present, followed by tumour-like growth of the metacestode in host organs. The molecular mechanisms determining the organ tropism of E. multilocularis or the influences of host hormones on parasite proliferation are poorly understood. RESULTS Using in vitro cultivation systems for parasite larvae we show that physiological concentrations (10 nM) of human insulin significantly stimulate the formation of metacestode larvae from parasite stem cells and promote asexual growth of the metacestode. Addition of human insulin to parasite larvae led to increased glucose uptake and enhanced phosphorylation of Echinococcus insulin signalling components, including an insulin receptor-like kinase, EmIR1, for which we demonstrate predominant expression in the parasite's glycogen storage cells. We also characterized a second insulin receptor family member, EmIR2, and demonstrated interaction of its ligand binding domain with human insulin in the yeast two-hybrid system. Addition of an insulin receptor inhibitor resulted in metacestode killing, prevented metacestode development from parasite stem cells, and impaired the activation of insulin signalling pathways through host insulin. CONCLUSIONS Our data indicate that host insulin acts as a stimulant for parasite development within the host liver and that E. multilocularis senses the host hormone through an evolutionarily conserved insulin signalling pathway. Hormonal host-parasite cross-communication, facilitated by the relatively close phylogenetic relationship between E. multilocularis and its mammalian hosts, thus appears to be important in the pathology of alveolar echinococcosis. This contributes to a closer understanding of organ tropism and parasite persistence in larval cestode infections. Furthermore, our data show that Echinococcus insulin signalling pathways are promising targets for the development of novel drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Klaus Brehm
- University of Würzburg, Institute of Hygiene and Microbiology, Josef-Schneider-Strasse 2, D-97080 Würzburg, Germany.
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Zhao L, Zhang S, Wei W, Hao H, Zhang B, Butcher RA, Sun J. Chemical signals synchronize the life cycles of a plant-parasitic nematode and its vector beetle. Curr Biol 2013; 23:2038-43. [PMID: 24120638 DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2013.08.041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2012] [Revised: 05/13/2013] [Accepted: 08/12/2013] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
The pinewood nematode Bursaphelenchus xylophilus has caused severe damage to pine forests in large parts of the world [1-4]. Dispersal of this plant-parasitic nematode occurs when the nematode develops into the dispersal fourth larval stage (LIV) upon encountering its insect vector, the Monochamus pine sawyer beetle, inside an infected pine tree [5-9]. Here, we show that LIV formation in B. xylophilus is induced by C16 and C18 fatty acid ethyl esters (FAEEs), which are produced abundantly on the body surface of the vector beetle specifically during the late development pupal, emerging adult, and newly eclosed adult stages. The LIV can then enter the tracheal system of the adult beetle for dispersal to a new pine tree. Treatment of B. xylophilus with long-chain FAEEs, or the PI3 kinase inhibitor LY294002, promotes LIV formation, while Δ7-dafachronic acid blocks the effects of these chemicals, suggesting a conserved role for the insulin/IGF-1 and DAF-12 pathways in LIV formation. Our work provides a mechanism by which LIV formation in B. xylophilus is specifically coordinated with the life cycle of its vector beetle. Knowledge of the chemical signals that control the LIV developmental decision could be used to interfere with the dispersal of this plant-parasitic nematode.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lilin Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, People's Republic of China; Department of Chemistry, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA
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Molecular characterisation of the recovery process in the entomopathogenic nematode Heterorhabditis bacteriophora. Int J Parasitol 2013; 43:843-52. [PMID: 23806512 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpara.2013.05.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2013] [Revised: 05/13/2013] [Accepted: 05/14/2013] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
In Heterorhabditis bacteriophora, an insect-parasitic nematode, the third juvenile is the infective, developmentally arrested form. When it infects a suitable host, the infective juvenile recovers from developmental arrest and resumes growth and development. This process is called recovery and it is the first outcome of the host-parasite interaction. Recovery is also very important from a commercial point of view. To characterise the recovery in H. bacteriophora, we sought to identify genes involved in this process. A large-scale bioassay for recovery was established and subtraction libraries of recovering infective juvenile from arrested infective juvenile transcripts were constructed at different time points. Most of the genes identified as differentially expressed between recovering and developmentally arrested infective juveniles belonged to metabolic pathways. Elevated expression levels of 23 selected genes during recovery were confirmed by quantitative PCR. For eight of these genes, transcription silencing in H. bacteriophora resulted in a significant decline in infective juvenile recovery rates, suggesting that these genes are critical to the recovery process. Two of the genes were associated with the insulin-like growth factor-1 (insulin/IGF-1) pathway, known to regulate dauer formation in the free-living nematode Caenorhabditis elegans, whereas the other six genes were associated with pathways not previously associated with recovery in nematodes. These results suggest that although little is known about parasitism-unique genes, the pathways regulating recovery in H. bacteriophora include those activated in C. elegans and those that might be unique to parasitic nematodes; the latter may be activated in response to host signals and enable the parasite to recognise its host.
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Menon R, Gasser RB, Mitreva M, Ranganathan S. An analysis of the transcriptome of Teladorsagia circumcincta: its biological and biotechnological implications. BMC Genomics 2012; 13 Suppl 7:S10. [PMID: 23282110 PMCID: PMC3521389 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2164-13-s7-s10] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Teladorsagia circumcincta (order Strongylida) is an economically important parasitic nematode of small ruminants (including sheep and goats) in temperate climatic regions of the world. Improved insights into the molecular biology of this parasite could underpin alternative methods required to control this and related parasites, in order to circumvent major problems associated with anthelmintic resistance. The aims of the present study were to define the transcriptome of the adult stage of T. circumcincta and to infer the main pathways linked to molecules known to be expressed in this nematode. Since sheep develop acquired immunity against T. circumcincta, there is some potential for the development of a vaccine against this parasite. Hence, we infer excretory/secretory molecules for T. circumcincta as possible immunogens and vaccine candidates. RESULTS A total of 407,357 ESTs were assembled yielding 39,852 putative gene sequences. Conceptual translation predicted 24,013 proteins, which were then subjected to detailed annotation which included pathway mapping of predicted proteins (including 112 excreted/secreted [ES] and 226 transmembrane peptides), domain analysis and GO annotation was carried out using InterProScan along with BLAST2GO. Further analysis was carried out for secretory signal peptides using SignalP and non-classical sec pathway using SecretomeP tools. For ES proteins, key pathways, including Fc epsilon RI, T cell receptor, and chemokine signalling as well as leukocyte transendothelial migration were inferred to be linked to immune responses, along with other pathways related to neurodegenerative diseases and infectious diseases, which warrant detailed future studies. KAAS could identify new and updated pathways like phagosome and protein processing in endoplasmic reticulum. Domain analysis for the assembled dataset revealed families of serine, cysteine and proteinase inhibitors which might represent targets for parasite intervention. InterProScan could identify GO terms pertaining to the extracellular region. Some of the important domain families identified included the SCP-like extracellular proteins which belong to the pathogenesis-related proteins (PRPs) superfamily along with C-type lectin, saposin-like proteins. The 'extracellular region' that corresponds to allergen V5/Tpx-1 related, considered important in parasite-host interactions, was also identified. Six cysteine motif (SXC1) proteins, transthyretin proteins, C-type lectins, activation-associated secreted proteins (ASPs), which could represent potential candidates for developing novel anthelmintics or vaccines were few other important findings. Of these, SXC1, protein kinase domain-containing protein, trypsin family protein, trypsin-like protease family member (TRY-1), putative major allergen and putative lipid binding protein were identified which have not been reported in the published T. circumcincta proteomics analysis. Detailed analysis of 6,058 raw EST sequences from dbEST revealed 315 putatively secreted proteins. Amongst them, C-type single domain activation associated secreted protein ASP3 precursor, activation-associated secreted proteins (ASP-like protein), cathepsin B-like cysteine protease, cathepsin L cysteine protease, cysteine protease, TransThyretin-Related and Venom-Allergen-like proteins were the key findings. CONCLUSIONS We have annotated a large dataset ESTs of T. circumcincta and undertaken detailed comparative bioinformatics analyses. The results provide a comprehensive insight into the molecular biology of this parasite and disease manifestation which provides potential focal point for future research. We identified a number of pathways responsible for immune response. This type of large-scale computational scanning could be coupled with proteomic and metabolomic studies of this parasite leading to novel therapeutic intervention and disease control strategies. We have also successfully affirmed the use of bioinformatics tools, for the study of ESTs, which could now serve as a benchmark for the development of new computational EST analysis pipelines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ranjeeta Menon
- Department of Chemistry and Biomolecular Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, New South Wales 2109, Australia
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18
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You H, Gobert GN, Duke MG, Zhang W, Li Y, Jones MK, McManus DP. The insulin receptor is a transmission blocking veterinary vaccine target for zoonotic Schistosoma japonicum. Int J Parasitol 2012; 42:801-7. [PMID: 22771861 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpara.2012.06.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2012] [Revised: 06/01/2012] [Accepted: 06/04/2012] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Insulin receptors have been previously identified in Schistosoma japonicum that can bind human insulin. We used the purified recombined protein of the ligand domain of S.japonicum insulin receptor 2 (SjLD2) in three independent murine vaccine/challenge trials. Compared with controls, vaccination of mice with SjLD2 resulted in a significant reduction in faecal eggs, the stunting of adult worms and a reduction in liver granuloma density in all three trials. Furthermore, in the final trial, in which mature intestinal eggs were also quantified, there was a reduction in their number. These results suggest that development of a vaccine based on rSjLD2 for preventing transmission of zoonotic schistosomiasis is feasible.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hong You
- Molecular Parasitology Laboratory, Infectious Diseases Division, Queensland Institute of Medical Research, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
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19
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You H, Gobert GN, Jones MK, Zhang W, McManus DP. Signalling pathways and the host-parasite relationship: putative targets for control interventions against schistosomiasis: signalling pathways and future anti-schistosome therapies. Bioessays 2011; 33:203-14. [PMID: 21290396 DOI: 10.1002/bies.201000077] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
A better understanding of how schistosomes exploit host nutrients, neuro-endocrine hormones and signalling pathways for growth, development and maturation may provide new insights for improved interventions in the control of schistosomiasis. This paper describes recent advances in the identification and characterisation of schistosome tyrosine kinase and signalling pathways. It discusses the potential intervention value of insulin signalling, which may play an important role in glucose uptake and carbohydrate metabolism in schistosomes, providing the nutrients essential for parasite growth, development and, notably, female fecundity. Significant progress has also been made in the characterisation of other schistosome growth factor receptors, such as transforming growth factor beta receptor and epidermal growth factor receptor, and in our understanding of their roles in the host-parasite molecular dialogue and parasite development. The use of parasite signal transduction components as novel vaccine or drug targets may prove invaluable in prevention, treatment and control strategies to combat schistosomiasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hong You
- Queensland Institute of Medical Research, Australian Centre for International and Tropical Health, Brisbane, Australia
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20
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Brehm K. The role of evolutionarily conserved signalling systems in Echinococcus multilocularis development and host–parasite interaction. Med Microbiol Immunol 2010. [DOI: 78495111110.1007/s00430-010-0154-1' target='_blank'>'"<>78495111110.1007/s00430-010-0154-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [78495111110.1007/s00430-010-0154-1','', '10.1016/s0020-7519(01)00348-4')">Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
78495111110.1007/s00430-010-0154-1" />
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21
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The role of evolutionarily conserved signalling systems in Echinococcus multilocularis development and host-parasite interaction. Med Microbiol Immunol 2010; 199:247-59. [PMID: 20376483 DOI: 10.1007/s00430-010-0154-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2010] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Alveolar echinococcosis, one of the most serious and life-threatening zoonoses in the world, is caused by the metacestode larval stage of the fox-tapeworm Echinococcus multilocularis. Mostly due to its accessibility to in vitro cultivation, this parasite has recently evolved into an experimental model system to study larval cestode development and associated host-parasite interaction mechanisms. Respective advances include the establishment of axenic in vitro cultivation systems for parasite larvae as well as culture systems by which the early development of metacestode vesicles from totipotent parasite stem cells can be reconstituted under controlled laboratory conditions. A series of evolutionarily conserved signalling molecules of the insulin, epidermal growth factor and transforming growth factor-beta pathways that are able to functionally interact with corresponding host cytokines have been described in E. multilocularis and most likely play a crucial role in parasite development within the liver of the intermediate host. Furthermore, a whole genome sequencing project has been initiated by which a comprehensive picture on E. multilocularis cell-cell communication systems will be available in due time, including information on parasite cytokines that are secreted towards host tissue and thus might affect the immune response. In this article, an overview of our current picture on Echinococcus signalling systems will be given, and the potential to exploit these pathways as targets for anti-parasitic chemotherapy will be discussed.
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You H, Zhang W, Jones MK, Gobert GN, Mulvenna J, Rees G, Spanevello M, Blair D, Duke M, Brehm K, McManus DP. Cloning and characterisation of Schistosoma japonicum insulin receptors. PLoS One 2010; 5:e9868. [PMID: 20352052 PMCID: PMC2844434 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0009868] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2010] [Accepted: 03/02/2010] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Schistosomes depend for growth and development on host hormonal signals, which may include the insulin signalling pathway. We cloned and assessed the function of two insulin receptors from Schistosoma japonicum in order to shed light on their role in schistosome biology. Methodology/Principal Findings We isolated, from S. japonicum, insulin receptors 1 (SjIR-1) and 2 (SjIR-2) sharing close sequence identity to their S. mansoni homologues (SmIR-1 and SmIR-2). SjIR-1 is located on the tegument basal membrane and the internal epithelium of adult worms, whereas SjIR-2 is located in the parenchyma of males and the vitelline tissue of females. Phylogenetic analysis showed that SjIR-2 and SmIR-2 are close to Echinococcus multilocularis insulin receptor (EmIR), suggesting that SjIR-2, SmIR-2 and EmIR share similar roles in growth and development in the three taxa. Structure homology modelling recovered the conserved structure between the SjIRs and Homo sapiens IR (HIR) implying a common predicted binding mechanism in the ligand domain and the same downstream signal transduction processing in the tyrosine kinase domain as in HIR. Two-hybrid analysis was used to confirm that the ligand domains of SjIR-1 and SjIR-2 contain the insulin binding site. Incubation of adult worms in vitro, both with a specific insulin receptor inhibitor and anti-SjIRs antibodies, resulted in a significant decrease in worm glucose levels, suggesting again the same function for SjIRs in regulating glucose uptake as described for mammalian cells. Conclusions Adult worms of S. japonicum possess insulin receptors that can specifically bind to insulin, indicating that the parasite can utilize host insulin for development and growth by sharing the same pathway as mammalian cells in regulating glucose uptake. A complete understanding of the role of SjIRs in the biology of S. japonicum may result in their use as new targets for drug and vaccine development against schistosomiasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hong You
- Queensland Institute of Medical Research, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
- School of Population Health, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Wenbao Zhang
- Queensland Institute of Medical Research, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Malcolm K. Jones
- Queensland Institute of Medical Research, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
- School of Veterinary Science, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Geoffrey N. Gobert
- Queensland Institute of Medical Research, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Jason Mulvenna
- Queensland Institute of Medical Research, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Glynn Rees
- Queensland Institute of Medical Research, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Mark Spanevello
- Queensland Institute of Medical Research, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - David Blair
- School of Tropical Biology, James Cook University, Townsville, Queensland, Australia
| | - Mary Duke
- Queensland Institute of Medical Research, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Klaus Brehm
- Institute für Hygiene und Mikrobiologie, Universität Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Donald P. McManus
- Queensland Institute of Medical Research, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
- * E-mail:
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Lant B, Storey KB. An overview of stress response and hypometabolic strategies in Caenorhabditis elegans: conserved and contrasting signals with the mammalian system. Int J Biol Sci 2010; 6:9-50. [PMID: 20087441 PMCID: PMC2808051 DOI: 10.7150/ijbs.6.9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2009] [Accepted: 11/25/2009] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Studies of the molecular mechanisms that are involved in stress responses (environmental or physiological) have long been used to make links to disease states in humans. The nematode model organism, Caenorhabditis elegans, undergoes a state of hypometabolism called the 'dauer' stage. This period of developmental arrest is characterized by a significant reduction in metabolic rate, triggered by ambient temperature increase and restricted oxygen/ nutrients. C. elegans employs a number of signal transduction cascades in order to adapt to these unfavourable conditions and survive for long times with severely reduced energy production. The suppression of cellular metabolism, providing energetic homeostasis, is critical to the survival of nematodes through the dauer period. This transition displays molecular mechanisms that are fundamental to control of hypometabolism across the animal kingdom. In general, mammalian systems are highly inelastic to environmental stresses (such as extreme temperatures and low oxygen), however, there is a great deal of conservation between the signal transduction pathways of nematodes and mammals. Along with conserving many of the protein targets in the stress response, many of the critical regulatory mechanisms are maintained, and often differ only in their level of expression. Hence, the C. elegans model outlines a framework of critical molecular mechanisms that may be employed in the future as therapeutic targets for addressing disease states.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Kenneth B. Storey
- Institute of Biochemistry, Carleton University, Ottawa, Ont., Canada
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daf-7-related TGF-beta homologues from Trichostrongyloid nematodes show contrasting life-cycle expression patterns. Parasitology 2009; 137:159-71. [PMID: 19712539 DOI: 10.1017/s0031182009990321] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) gene family regulates critical processes in animal development, and plays a crucial role in regulating the mammalian immune response. We aimed to identify TGF-beta homologues from 2 laboratory model nematodes (Heligmosomoides polygyrus and Nippostrongylus brasiliensis) and 2 major parasites of ruminant livestock (Haemonchus contortus and Teladorsagia circumcincta). Parasite cDNA was used as a template for gene-specific PCR and RACE. Homologues of the TGH-2 subfamily were isolated, and found to differ in length (301, 152, 349 and 305 amino acids respectively), with variably truncated N-terminal pre-proteins. All contained conserved C-terminal active domains (>85% identical over 115 amino acids) containing 9 cysteine residues, as in C. elegans DAF-7, Brugia malayi TGH-2 and mammalian TGF-beta. Surprisingly, only the H. contortus homologue retained a conventional signal sequence, absent from shorter proteins of other species. RT-PCR assays of transcription showed that in H. contortus and N. brasiliensis expression was maximal in the infective larval stage, and very low in adult worms. In contrast, in H. polygyrus and T. circumcincta, tgh-2 transcription is higher in adults than infective larvae. The molecular evolution of this gene family in parasitic nematodes has diversified the pre-protein and life-cycle expression patterns of TGF-beta homologues while conserving the structure of the active domain.
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25
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Differential in vitro effects of insulin on Taenia crassiceps and Taenia solium cysticerci. J Helminthol 2009; 83:403-12. [PMID: 19549345 DOI: 10.1017/s0022149x09990265] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
Hormones play a significant role in murine cysticercosis (Taenia crassiceps), and increase the frequency of porcine cysticercosis caused by Taenia solium. In the present study, we report the in vitro effect of insulin on the larval stages of T. crassiceps (ORF strain) and T. solium. In vitro exposure of T. crassiceps cysticerci to insulin was found to stimulate this parasite's reproduction twofold with respect to control values, while the same treatment had no effect on T. solium cysticerci. Moreover, normal female mice (BALB/cAnN) infected with T. crassiceps cysticerci previously exposed to insulin presented larger parasite loads than mice inoculated with vehicle-treated cysticerci. To determine the possible molecular mechanisms by which insulin affects T. crassiceps, the insulin receptor was amplified by means of reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Interestingly, both T. crassiceps and T. solium expressed the insulin receptor, although insulin had effects only on T. crassiceps. These results demonstrate that insulin has a dichotomistic effect; it acts directly only on T. crassiceps cysticerci reproduction, possibly through its binding to a specific insulin receptor synthesized by the parasite. Thus, insulin may be recognized by T. crassiceps cysticercus cells as a mitogenic factor, and contribute to parasite proliferation inside the host, as well as to the female mouse susceptibility to T.crassiceps. This phenomenon has not been reported for cysticercosis caused by T. solium, which could, in part, be related to the poor effect of insulin upon the human parasite.
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26
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Nisbet AJ, Redmond DL, Matthews JB, Watkins C, Yaga R, Jones JT, Nath M, Knox DP. Stage-specific gene expression in Teladorsagia circumcincta (Nematoda: Strongylida) infective larvae and early parasitic stages. Int J Parasitol 2007; 38:829-38. [PMID: 18062971 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpara.2007.10.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2007] [Revised: 10/10/2007] [Accepted: 10/16/2007] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
Suppression subtractive hybridisation was used to enrich genes expressed in a stage-specific manner in infective, exsheathed L3s (xL3) versus early L4s of the ovine nematode, Teladorsagia circumcincta prior to gene expression profiling by microarray. The 769 cDNA sequences obtained from the xL3-enriched library contained 361 unique sequences, with 292 expressed sequence tags (ESTs) being represented once ("singletons") and 69 sequences which were represented more than once (overlapping and non-overlapping "contigs"). The L4-enriched EST dataset contained 472 unique sequences, with 314 singletons and 158 contigs. Of these 833 sequences, 85% of the xL3 sequences and 86% of the L4 sequences exhibited homology to known genes or ESTs derived from other species of nematode. Quantitative differential expression (P<0.05) was demonstrated for 563 (68%) of the ESTs by microarray. Within the L3-specific dataset, more than 30% of the transcripts represented the enzyme, guanosine-5'-triphosphate (GTP)-cyclohydrolase, which is the first and rate-limiting enzyme of the tetrahydrobiopterin synthesis pathway and may be involved in critical elements of larval development. In L4s, proteolytic enzymes were highly up-regulated, as were collagens and a number of previously characterised secretory proteins, reflecting the rapid growth of these larvae in abomasal glands. Nucleotide sequence data reported in this paper are available in the EMBL, GenBank and DDJB databases under accession numbers AM 743198-AM 744942.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alasdair J Nisbet
- Moredun Research Institute, Pentlands Science Park, Bush Loan, Penicuik, UK.
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Freitas TC, Jung E, Pearce EJ. TGF-beta signaling controls embryo development in the parasitic flatworm Schistosoma mansoni. PLoS Pathog 2007; 3:e52. [PMID: 17411340 PMCID: PMC1847691 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.0030052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 138] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2006] [Accepted: 02/20/2007] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Over 200 million people have, and another 600 million are at risk of contracting, schistosomiasis, one of the major neglected tropical diseases. Transmission of this infection, which is caused by helminth parasites of the genus Schistosoma, depends upon the release of parasite eggs from the human host. However, approximately 50% of eggs produced by schistosomes fail to reach the external environment, but instead become trapped in host tissues where pathological changes caused by the immune responses to secreted egg antigens precipitate disease. Despite the central importance of egg production in transmission and disease, relatively little is understood of the molecular processes underlying the development of this key life stage in schistosomes. Here, we describe a novel parasite-encoded TGF-β superfamily member, Schistosoma mansoni Inhibin/Activin (SmInAct), which is key to this process. In situ hybridization localizes SmInAct expression to the reproductive tissues of the adult female, and real-time RT-PCR analyses indicate that SmInAct is abundantly expressed in ovipositing females and the eggs they produce. Based on real-time RT-PCR analyses, SmInAct transcription continues, albeit at a reduced level, both in adult worms isolated from single-sex infections, where reproduction is absent, and in parasites from IL-7R−/− mice, in which viable egg production is severely compromised. Nevertheless, Western analyses demonstrate that SmInAct protein is undetectable in parasites from single-sex infections and from infections of IL-7R−/− mice, suggesting that SmInAct expression is tightly linked to the reproductive potential of the worms. A crucial role for SmInAct in successful embryogenesis is indicated by the finding that RNA interference–mediated knockdown of SmInAct expression in eggs aborts their development. Our results demonstrate that TGF-β signaling plays a major role in the embryogenesis of a metazoan parasite, and have implications for the development of new strategies for the treatment and prevention of an important and neglected human disease. Schistosomes are parasitic worms that infect hundreds of millions of people in developing countries. They cause disease by virtue of the fact that the eggs that they produce, which are intended for release from the host in order to allow transmission of infection, can become trapped in target organs such as the liver, where they induce damaging inflammation. Egg production by female schistosomes is critically dependent on the presence of male parasites, without which females never fully develop, and (counterintuitively) on the contribution of signals from the host's immune system. Very little is understood about the molecular basis of these interactions. Here, we describe a newly discovered schistosome gene, which is expressed in the reproductive tract of the female parasite and in parasite eggs. The protein encoded by this gene is made only when females are paired with males in an immunologically competent setting. Using recently developed tools that allow gene function to be inhibited in schistosomes, we show that the product of this gene plays a crucial role in egg development. Examining how the expression of this gene is controlled has the potential to provide insight into the molecular nature of the interactions between male and female parasites and their hosts. Moreover, the pivotal role of this gene in the egg makes it a potential target for blocking transmission and disease development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tori C Freitas
- Department of Pathobiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Euihye Jung
- Department of Pathobiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Edward J Pearce
- Department of Pathobiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
- * To whom correspondence should be addressed. E-mail:
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Strube C, von Samson-Himmelstjerna G, Schnieder T. Genetic regulation of arrested development in nematodes: are age-1 and daf-gene orthologs present in Dictyocaulus viviparus? Parasitol Res 2007; 101:1111-5. [PMID: 17558520 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-007-0594-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2007] [Accepted: 05/15/2007] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
In opposite to the free-living soil nematode Caenorhabditis elegans, the genetic regulation of hypobiosis or inhibited or arrested development in parasitic nematodes is completely unknown. In C. elegans, the daf-genes or the age-1 gene are of major importance in signaling pathways regulating arrested development. To investigate if orthologs of these genes are present in the bovine lungworm Dictyocaulus viviparus, a PCR analysis with gene-specific primer combinations was performed. No orthologs of the age-1 or daf-genes could be identified in D. viviparus. The possible differences in the role of the daf-genes concerning arrested development in parasitic and free-living nematodes will be discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christina Strube
- Institute for Parasitology, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Buenteweg, 17, 30559 Hannover, Germany.
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29
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Grant WN, Stasiuk S, Newton-Howes J, Ralston M, Bisset SA, Heath DD, Shoemaker CB. Parastrongyloides trichosuri, a nematode parasite of mammals that is uniquely suited to genetic analysis. Int J Parasitol 2006; 36:453-66. [PMID: 16500655 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpara.2005.11.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2005] [Revised: 11/28/2005] [Accepted: 11/29/2005] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Commonly studied nematode parasites have not proven amenable to simple genetic analyses and this has significantly reduced the available research options. We introduce here a nematode parasite of mammals, Parastrongyloides trichosuri, which has features uniquely suited for genetic analysis. This parasite has the capacity to undergo multiple reproductive cycles as a free-living worm and thereby amplify the numbers of its infective L3s in faeces. Culture conditions are presented that permit facile laboratory maintenance of this worm for >90 free-living life cycles (to date) without the need for re-entry into a permissive host. Even after long maintenance as a free-living worm, culture conditions can be manipulated to favour development of infective L3 worms, which remain able to successfully infect their marsupial hosts. The switch to infective L3 development is triggered by a secreted factor contained in culture medium conditioned by multiple generations of free-living worm culture. It is simple to perform single pair crosses with P. trichosuri to carry out Mendelian genetics in the laboratory and this has been done multiple times with sibling pairs to generate highly inbred lines. Lines of worms can readily be cryopreserved and recovered. Over 7000 expressed sequence tags have been produced from cDNAs at different life cycle stages and used to identify single nucleotide polymorphisms and microsatellites as genetic markers. Free-living worms live only a few days on average while the patency of parasitic infections can last for several months. Since we show this is not the result of re-infection, we conclude that parasitic worms have a lifespan capacity at least 20-30 times longer than their free-living counterparts. We discuss how it should be possible to exploit these unique features of P. trichosuri as a model for future studies that explore the genetic basis of longevity and parasitism.
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Affiliation(s)
- W N Grant
- AgResearch Ltd, Wallaceville Animal Research Centre, Ward Street, P.O. Box 40063, Upper Hutt, New Zealand.
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30
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Waghabi MC, Keramidas M, Bailly S, Degrave W, Mendonça-Lima L, Soeiro MDNC, Meirelles MDNL, Paciornik S, Araújo-Jorge TC, Feige JJ. Uptake of host cell transforming growth factor-beta by Trypanosoma cruzi amastigotes in cardiomyocytes: potential role in parasite cycle completion. THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PATHOLOGY 2005; 167:993-1003. [PMID: 16192635 PMCID: PMC1603686 DOI: 10.1016/s0002-9440(10)61189-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
The cytokine transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) plays various functions in the control of Trypanosoma cruzi infectivity and in the progression of Chagas' disease. When we immunostained T. cruzi-infected cardiomyocytes (after either in vivo or in vitro infections) for TGF-beta, we observed stronger immunoreactivity in parasites than in host cells. TGF-beta immunoreactivity evolved during parasite cycle progression, with intense staining in amastigotes versus very faint staining in trypomastigotes. TGF-beta was present on the surface of amastigotes, in the flagellar pocket, and in intraparasitic vesicles as revealed by electron microscopy. However, no ortholog TGF-beta gene could be identified in the genome of T. cruzi by in silico analysis or by extensive polymerase chain reaction and reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction studies. Immunoreactive TGF-beta was most probably taken up by the parasite from the host cell cytoplasm because such an internalization process of biotinylated TGF-beta could be observed in axenic amastigotes in vitro. These observations represent the first example of a novel mechanism by which a primitive unicellular protozoan can use host cell TGF-beta to control its own intracellular life cycle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariana C Waghabi
- Laboratorios de Biologia Celular, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
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31
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Brand AM, Varghese G, Majewski W, Hawdon JM. Identification of a DAF-7 ortholog from the hookworm Ancylostoma caninum. Int J Parasitol 2005; 35:1489-98. [PMID: 16135366 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpara.2005.07.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2005] [Revised: 07/05/2005] [Accepted: 07/25/2005] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Infective hookworm L3 encounter a host specific signal during invasion that re-activates suspended developmental pathways. Response to this cue is critical for the successful infection and completion of the life cycle in the host. In the free-living nematode Caenorhabditis elegans, recovery from the developmentally arrested dauer stage in response to environmental cues is analogous to the resumption of development in invading hookworm L3. Transforming growth factor beta (TGF-beta) and insulin-like signalling pathways mediate dauer formation and recovery. An insulin-like signalling pathway mediates L3 activation in hookworms. To determine the role of TGF-beta signalling in hookworm infection, an ortholog of the C. elegans TGF-beta signalling molecule daf-7 was cloned and characterised. Sequence from a hookworm expressed sequence tag was used to design specific primers for PCR amplification of Ac-daf-7 from Ancylostoma caninum infective L3 cDNA. Amplicons from the 5' and 3' ends were cloned, sequenced, and combined to create a full-length composite Ac-daf-7 cDNA sequence. The 1,634 nucleotide cDNA encoded a 355 amino acid open reading frame with significant homology to Ce-DAF-7 and other TGF-beta signalling molecules. The deduced amino acid sequence contained seven conserved cysteines characteristic of TGF-beta family members, as well as two additional conserved cysteines found in members of the TGF-beta/activin subfamily. Ac-DAF-7 contains a characteristic C-terminal ligand domain that is predicted to be released from a propeptide by proteolytic cleavage at a tetrabasic cleavage site. Ac-daf-7 mRNA was strongly detected by reverse transcriptase PCR in L3 and serum stimulated L3 cDNA, and weakly in cDNA from L1 and adult life cycle stages. Antiserum against Escherichia coli expressed recombinant Ac-DAF-7 detected the mature protein in L3 and adult soluble extracts, but not in excretory/secretory products from serum stimulated L3 or adults. Increased expression in arrested L3 stages suggests that Ac-daf-7 is important for developmental arrest.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea M Brand
- Department of Microbiology and Tropical Medicine, The George Washington University Medical Center, 725 Ross Hall, 2300 Eye St. NW, Washington, DC 20037, USA
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Kapp K, Knobloch J, Schüssler P, Sroka S, Lammers R, Kunz W, Grevelding CG. The Schistosoma mansoni Src kinase TK3 is expressed in the gonads and likely involved in cytoskeletal organization. Mol Biochem Parasitol 2005; 138:171-82. [PMID: 15555729 DOI: 10.1016/j.molbiopara.2004.07.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2004] [Revised: 07/23/2004] [Accepted: 07/31/2004] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
Cytoplasmic protein tyrosine kinases of the Src family play a pivotal role in the regulation of cellular processes including proliferation and differentiation. Among other functions, Src kinases are involved in regulating the cell architecture. In an approach to identify protein tyrosine kinases from the medically important parasite Schistosoma mansoni, we isolated the TK3 gene by degenerate primer PCR and cDNA library screening. Sequencing of the complete cDNA and data-base analyses indicated that TK3 is a Src family kinase. Its predicted size of 71 kDa was confirmed by Western blot analysis. Southern blot analysis showed that TK3 is a single-copy gene, and Northern blot and RT-PCR experiments indicated its expression in both sexes and throughout development. Localization studies by in situ hybridization and immunolocalization revealed that TK3 is predominantly expressed in the reproductive organs such as the testes of the male and the ovary as well as the vitellarium of the female. Its enzymatic activity was confirmed by functional analyses. In transient transfection experiments with HEK293 cells, TK3 phosphorylated the well-known Src-kinase substrate p130 Cas, an intracellular scaffolding protein. Yeast two-hybrid screenings in a heterologous invertebrate system identified dAbi, vinculin and tubulin as binding partners, representing molecules that fulfill functions in the cell architecture of many organisms. These findings suggest that TK3 may play a role in signal transduction pathways organizing the cytoskeleton in the gonads of schistosomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katja Kapp
- Institut für Genetik, Genetische Parasitologie und Biologisch-Medizinisches-Forschungszentrum, Universitätsstr. 1, Heinrich-Heine-Universität, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany
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Massey HC, Castelletto ML, Bhopale VM, Schad GA, Lok JB. Sst-tgh-1 from Strongyloides stercoralis encodes a proposed ortholog of daf-7 in Caenorhabditis elegans. Mol Biochem Parasitol 2005; 142:116-20. [PMID: 15907565 DOI: 10.1016/j.molbiopara.2005.03.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2004] [Revised: 03/15/2005] [Accepted: 03/15/2005] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Holman C Massey
- Department of Pathobiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, 3800 Spruce Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.
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34
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Knobloch J, Rossi A, Osman A, LoVerde PT, Klinkert MQ, Grevelding CG. Cytological and biochemical evidence for a gonad-preferential interplay of SmFKBP12 and SmTβR-I in Schistosoma mansoni. Mol Biochem Parasitol 2004; 138:227-36. [PMID: 15555734 DOI: 10.1016/j.molbiopara.2004.09.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2004] [Revised: 09/20/2004] [Accepted: 09/30/2004] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
In eukaryotes, FK506-binding proteins with a molecular weight of 12 kDa (FKBP12s) influence a variety of signal transduction pathways that regulate cell division, differentiation, and ion homeostasis. Amongst these, TGFbeta signaling and calcineurin (CN) phosphatase activity is modulated by FKBP12 via binding to TGFbeta-family type I receptors (TbetaR-Is) or to the CN subunit A, respectively. In this work, we demonstrate the tissue-specific expression of the Schistosoma mansoni FKBP12 homologue (SmFKBP12) in the gonads of female parasites as well as in the tegument of both genders. Components of the TGFbeta pathway have been characterized in schistosomes and their roles in mediating host-parasite or male-female interactions proposed. We show that a schistosome TGFbeta-family type I receptor (SmTbetaR-I, SmRK-1) is expressed in the female gonads, suggesting that SmFKBP12 may regulate its activity in this tissue. This hypothesis is supported by yeast two-hybrid analyses showing a direct binding of SmFKBP12 and SmTbetaR-I, which was specifically inhibited by the drug FK506. Our data provide the first evidence for the activity of a transmembrane receptor in the vitellarium of schistosome females and indicate that FKBP12-meditated regulation of the TGFbeta pathway is evolutionarily conserved in a primitive metazoan such as Schistosoma. Furthermore, we show that the schistosome CN (SmCN) is not expressed in the female gonads, but co-localizes with SmFKBP12 only in the tegument. From these data we conclude an SmFKBP12/SmTbetaR-I, but not an SmCN/SmFKBP12 interplay in the female gonads.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jürgen Knobloch
- Institut für Genetik, Genetische Parasitologie und Biologisch-Medizinisches-Forschungszentrum, Heinrich-Heine-Universität, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany
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Massey HC, Nishi M, Chaudhary K, Pakpour N, Lok JB. Structure and developmental expression of Strongyloides stercoralis fktf-1, a proposed ortholog of daf-16 in Caenorhabditis elegans. Int J Parasitol 2004; 33:1537-44. [PMID: 14572516 PMCID: PMC3637023 DOI: 10.1016/s0020-7519(03)00205-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
A forkhead transcription factor gene, fktf-1, which we propose to be orthologous to the Caenorhabditis elegans dauer-regulatory gene daf-16 has been discovered in the parasitic nematode Strongyloides stercoralis. Genomic and cDNA sequences from both species predict alternately spliced a and b message isoforms. In contrast to C. elegans, where two a isoforms, daf-16a1 and daf-16a2, are found, a single fktf-1a isoform is found in S. stercoralis. Five of the 10 introns found in the C. elegans gene are found in the proposed S. stercoralis ortholog. Functional motifs common to DAF-16 and several mammalian forkhead transcription factors are conserved in FKTF-1. These include the forkhead DNA binding domain, four Akt/protein kinase B phosphorylation sites and a C-terminal domain that may associate with factors such as the steroid receptor coactivator and other factors necessary for transcriptional regulation. An N-terminal serine-rich domain found in DAF-16A is greatly expanded in FKTF-1A. This domain is missing in DAF-16B, FKTF-1B and all mammalian orthologs. FKTF-1 shows the closest phylogenetic relationship to DAF-16 among all known mammalian and nematode forkhead transcription factors. Like its proposed Caenorhabditis ortholog, the fktf-1 message is expressed at all stages of the life cycle examined thus far. Discovery of fktf-1 indicates the presence of an insulin-like signalling pathway in S. stercoralis similar to that known to regulate dauer development in C. elegans. This pathway is a likely candidate to control infective larval arrest and reactivation as well as regulation of the switch between parasitic and free-living development in the parasite.
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Affiliation(s)
- Holman C Massey
- Department of Pathobiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, 3800 Spruce Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104-6050, USA.
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Nisbet AJ, Cottee P, Gasser RB. Molecular biology of reproduction and development in parasitic nematodes: progress and opportunities. Int J Parasitol 2004; 34:125-38. [PMID: 15037100 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpara.2003.09.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2003] [Revised: 09/05/2003] [Accepted: 09/11/2003] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
Molecular biological research on the development and reproduction of parasites is of major significance for many fundamental and applied areas of medical and veterinary parasitology. Together with knowledge of parasite biology and epidemiology, the application of molecular tools and technologies provides unique opportunities for elucidating developmental and reproductive processes in helminths. This article focuses specifically on recent progress in studying the molecular mechanisms of development, sexual differentiation and reproduction in parasitic nematodes of socio-economic importance and comparative analyses, where appropriate, with the free-living nematode Caenorhabditis elegans. It also describes the implications of such work for understanding reproduction, tissue migration, hypobiosis, signal transduction and host-parasite interactions at the molecular level, and for seeking new means of parasite intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alasdair J Nisbet
- Department of Veterinary Science, The University of Melbourne, 250 Princes Highway, Werribee, Victoria 3030, Australia
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