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Gong Z, Qu Z, Yu Z, Li J, Liu B, Ma X, Cai J. Label-free quantitative detection and comparative analysis of lysine acetylation during the different life stages of Eimeria tenella. J Proteome Res 2023; 22:2785-2802. [PMID: 37562054 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jproteome.2c00726] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/12/2023]
Abstract
Proteome-wide lysine acetylation has been documented in apicomplexan parasite Toxoplasma gondii and Plasmodium falciparum. Here, we conducted the first lysine acetylome in unsporulated oocysts (USO), sporulated 7 h oocysts (SO 7h), sporulated oocysts (SO), sporozoites (S), and the second generation merozoites (SMG) of Eimeria tenella through a 4D label-free quantitative technique. Altogether, 8532 lysine acetylation sites on 2325 proteins were identified in E. tenella, among which 5445 sites on 1493 proteins were quantified. In addition, 557, 339, 478, 248, 241, and 424 differentially expressed proteins were identified in the comparisons SO7h vs USO, SO vs SO7h, SO vs USO, S vs SO, SMG vs S, and USO vs SMG, respectively. The bioinformatics analysis of the acetylome showed that the lysine acetylation is widespread on proteins of diverse functions. Moreover, the dynamic changes of lysine acetylome among E. tenella different life stages revealed significant regulation during the whole process of E. tenella growth and stage conversion. This study provides a beginning for the investigation of the regulate role of lysine acetylation in E. tenella and may provide new strategies for anticoccidiosis drug and vaccine development. Raw data are publicly available at iProX with the data set identifier PXD040368.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Zigang Qu
- State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Etiological Biology; Key Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology of Gansu Province; Innovation of Research Program of Gastrointestinal Infection and Mucosal Immunity of Poultry and Pig; Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, Gansu Province 730046, People's Republic of China
- Jiangsu Co-Innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, Yangzhou, Jiangsu Province 225009, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhengqing Yu
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Ningxia University, Yinchuan, Ningxia Province 750021, People's Republic of China
| | - Jidong Li
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Ningxia University, Yinchuan, Ningxia Province 750021, People's Republic of China
| | - Baohong Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Etiological Biology; Key Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology of Gansu Province; Innovation of Research Program of Gastrointestinal Infection and Mucosal Immunity of Poultry and Pig; Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, Gansu Province 730046, People's Republic of China
- Jiangsu Co-Innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, Yangzhou, Jiangsu Province 225009, People's Republic of China
| | - Xueting Ma
- State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Etiological Biology; Key Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology of Gansu Province; Innovation of Research Program of Gastrointestinal Infection and Mucosal Immunity of Poultry and Pig; Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, Gansu Province 730046, People's Republic of China
- Jiangsu Co-Innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, Yangzhou, Jiangsu Province 225009, People's Republic of China
| | - Jianping Cai
- State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Etiological Biology; Key Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology of Gansu Province; Innovation of Research Program of Gastrointestinal Infection and Mucosal Immunity of Poultry and Pig; Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, Gansu Province 730046, People's Republic of China
- Jiangsu Co-Innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, Yangzhou, Jiangsu Province 225009, People's Republic of China
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Abstract
Apicomplexans are important pathogens that cause severe infections in humans and animals. The biology and pathogeneses of these parasites have shown that proteins are intrinsically modulated during developmental transitions, physiological processes and disease progression. Also, proteins are integral components of parasite structural elements and organelles. Among apicomplexan parasites, Eimeria species are an important disease aetiology for economically important animals wherein identification and characterisation of proteins have been long-winded. Nonetheless, this review seeks to give a comprehensive overview of constitutively expressed Eimeria proteins. These molecules are discussed across developmental stages, organelles and sub-cellular components vis-à-vis their biological functions. In addition, hindsight and suggestions are offered with intention to summarise the existing trend of eimerian protein characterisation and to provide a baseline for future studies.
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Song H, Dong R, Qiu B, Jing J, Zhu S, Liu C, Jiang Y, Wu L, Wang S, Miao J, Shao Y. Potential Vaccine Targets against Rabbit Coccidiosis by Immunoproteomic Analysis. THE KOREAN JOURNAL OF PARASITOLOGY 2017; 55:15-20. [PMID: 28285502 PMCID: PMC5365254 DOI: 10.3347/kjp.2017.55.1.15] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2016] [Revised: 10/06/2016] [Accepted: 11/29/2016] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
The aim of this study was to identify antigens for a vaccine or drug target to control rabbit coccidiosis. A combination of 2-dimensional electrophoresis, immunoblotting, and mass spectrometric analysis were used to identify novel antigens from the sporozoites of Eimeria stiedae. Protein spots were recognized by the sera of New Zealand rabbits infected artificially with E. stiedae. The proteins were characterized by matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF/TOF-MS) analysis in combination with bioinformatics. Approximately 868 protein spots were detected by silver-staining, and a total of 41 immunoreactive protein spots were recognized by anti-E. stiedae sera. Finally, 23 protein spots were successfully identified. The proteins such as heat shock protein 70 and aspartyl protease may have potential as immunodiagnostic or vaccine antigens. The immunoreactive proteins were found to possess a wide range of biological functions. This study is the first to report the proteins recognized by sera of infected rabbits with E. stiedae, which might be helpful in identifying potential targets for vaccine development to control rabbit coccidiosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongyan Song
- Laboratory Animal Center of Nantong University, Nantong 226001, China
| | - Ronglian Dong
- Jiangsu Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Nanjing 21009, China
| | - Baofeng Qiu
- Nantong Entry-Exit Inspection and Quarantine Bureau, Nantong 226004, China
| | - Jin Jing
- Laboratory Animal Center of Nantong University, Nantong 226001, China
| | - Shunxing Zhu
- Laboratory Animal Center of Nantong University, Nantong 226001, China
| | - Chun Liu
- Laboratory Animal Center of Nantong University, Nantong 226001, China
| | - Yingmei Jiang
- Laboratory Animal Center of Nantong University, Nantong 226001, China
| | - Liucheng Wu
- Laboratory Animal Center of Nantong University, Nantong 226001, China
| | - Shengcun Wang
- Laboratory Animal Center of Nantong University, Nantong 226001, China
| | - Jin Miao
- Laboratory Animal Center of Nantong University, Nantong 226001, China
| | - Yixiang Shao
- Laboratory Animal Center of Nantong University, Nantong 226001, China
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4
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Identification and characterization of a cathepsin-L-like peptidase in Eimeria tenella. Parasitol Res 2014; 113:4335-48. [DOI: 10.1007/s00436-014-4107-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2014] [Accepted: 08/26/2014] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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5
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Katrib M, Ikin RJ, Brossier F, Robinson M, Slapetova I, Sharman PA, Walker RA, Belli SI, Tomley FM, Smith NC. Stage-specific expression of protease genes in the apicomplexan parasite, Eimeria tenella. BMC Genomics 2012; 13:685. [PMID: 23216867 PMCID: PMC3770453 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2164-13-685] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2012] [Accepted: 12/04/2012] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Proteases regulate pathogenesis in apicomplexan parasites but investigations of proteases have been largely confined to the asexual stages of Plasmodium falciparum and Toxoplasma gondii. Thus, little is known about proteases in other Apicomplexa, particularly in the sexual stages. We screened the Eimeria tenella genome database for proteases, classified these into families and determined their stage specific expression. Results Over forty protease genes were identified in the E. tenella genome. These were distributed across aspartic (three genes), cysteine (sixteen), metallo (fourteen) and serine (twelve) proteases. Expression of at least fifteen protease genes was upregulated in merozoites including homologs of genes known to be important in host cell invasion, remodelling and egress in P. falciparum and/or T. gondii. Thirteen protease genes were specifically expressed or upregulated in gametocytes; five of these were in two families of serine proteases (S1 and S8) that are over-represented in the coccidian parasites, E. tenella and T. gondii, distinctive within the Apicomplexa because of their hard-walled oocysts. Serine protease inhibitors prevented processing of EtGAM56, a protein from E. tenella gametocytes that gives rise to tyrosine-rich peptides that are incorporated into the oocyst wall. Conclusion Eimeria tenella possesses a large number of protease genes. Expression of many of these genes is upregulated in asexual stages. However, expression of almost one-third of protease genes is upregulated in, or confined to gametocytes; some of these appear to be unique to the Coccidia and may play key roles in the formation of the oocyst wall, a defining feature of this group of parasites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marilyn Katrib
- Institute for the Biotechnology of Infectious Diseases, University of Technology, Sydney, Broadway, N.S.W. 2007, Australia
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Balasubramanian N, Nascimento G, Ferreira R, Martinez M, Simões N. Pepsin-like aspartic protease (Sc-ASP155) cloning, molecular characterization and gene expression analysis in developmental stages of nematode Steinernema carpocapsae. Gene 2012; 500:164-71. [PMID: 22503896 DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2012.03.062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2011] [Revised: 03/21/2012] [Accepted: 03/22/2012] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Steinernema carpocapsae is an insect parasitic nematode associated with the bacterium Xenorhabdus nematophila. These symbiotic complexes are virulent against the insect host. Many protease genes were shown previously to be induced during parasitism, including one predicted to encode an aspartic protease, which was cloned and analyzed in this study. A cDNA encoding Sc-ASP155 was cloned based on the EST fragment. The full-length cDNA of Sc-ASP155 consists of 955 nucleotides with multiple domains, including a signal peptide (aa1-15), a pro-peptide region (aa16-45), and a typical catalytic aspartic domain (aa71-230). The putative 230 amino acid residues have a calculated molecular mass of 23,812Da and a theoretical pI of 5.01. Sc-ASP155 blastp analysis showed 40-62% amino acid sequence identity to aspartic proteases from parasitic and free-living nematodes. Expression analysis showed that the sc-asp155 gene was up-regulated during the initial parasitic stage, especially in L3 gut and 6h induced nematodes. Sequence comparison revealed that Sc-ASP155 was a member of an aspartic protease family and phylogenetic analysis indicated that Sc-ASP155 was clustered with Sc-ASP113. In situ hybridization showed that sc-asp155 was expressed in subventral cells. Additionally, we determined that sc-asp155 is a single-copy gene in S. carpocapsae. Homology modeling showed that Sc-ASP155 adopts a typical aspartic protease structure. The up-regulated Sc-ASP155 expression revealed that this protease could play a role in the parasitic process. In this study, we have cloned the gene and determined the expression of the pepsin-like aspartic protease Sc-ASP155 in S. carpocapsae.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natesan Balasubramanian
- CIRN and Department of Biology, University of Azores, 9501-855 Ponta Delgada, Azores, Portugal.
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Goh MY, Pan MZ, Blake DP, Wan KL, Song BK. Eimeria maxima phosphatidylinositol 4-phosphate 5-kinase: locus sequencing, characterization, and cross-phylum comparison. Parasitol Res 2011; 108:611-20. [PMID: 20938684 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-010-2104-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2010] [Accepted: 09/23/2010] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
Phosphatidylinositol 4-phosphate 5-kinase (PIP5K) may play an important role in host-cell invasion by the Eimeria species, protozoan parasites which can cause severe intestinal disease in livestock. Here, we report the structural organization of the PIP5K gene in Eimeria maxima (Weybridge strain). Two E. maxima BAC clones carrying the E. maxima PIP5K (EmPIP5K) coding sequences were selected for shotgun sequencing, yielding a 9.1-kb genomic segment. The EmPIP5K coding region was initially identified using in silico gene-prediction approaches and subsequently confirmed by mapping rapid amplification of cDNA ends and RT-PCR-generated cDNA sequence to its genomic segment. The putative EmPIP5K gene was located at position 710-8036 nt on the complimentary strand and comprised of 23 exons. Alignment of the 1147 amino acid sequence with previously annotated PIP5K proteins from other Apicomplexa species detected three conserved motifs encompassing the kinase core domain, which has been shown by previous protein deletion studies to be necessary for PIP5K protein function. Phylogenetic analysis provided further evidence that the putative EmPIP5K protein is orthologous to that of other Apicomplexa. Subsequent comparative gene structure characterization revealed events of intron loss/gain throughout the evolution of the apicomplexan PIP5K gene. Further scrutiny of the genomic structure revealed a possible trend towards "intron gain" between two of the motif regions. Our findings offer preliminary insights into the structural variations that have occurred during the evolution of the PIP5K locus and may aid in understanding the functional role of this gene in the cellular biology of apicomplexan parasites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mei-Yen Goh
- School of Science, Monash University Sunway Campus, Jalan Lagoon Selatan, 46150 Bandar Sunway, Selangor, DE, Malaysia
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Zimmermann J, Saalbach I, Jahn D, Giersberg M, Haehnel S, Wedel J, Macek J, Zoufal K, Glünder G, Falkenburg D, Kipriyanov SM. Antibody expressing pea seeds as fodder for prevention of gastrointestinal parasitic infections in chickens. BMC Biotechnol 2009; 9:79. [PMID: 19747368 PMCID: PMC2755478 DOI: 10.1186/1472-6750-9-79] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2009] [Accepted: 09/11/2009] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Coccidiosis caused by protozoans of genus Eimeria is a chicken parasitic disease of great economical importance. Conventional disease control strategies depend on vaccination and prophylactic use of anticoccidial drugs. Alternative solution to prevent and treat coccidiosis could be provided by passive immunization using orally delivered neutralizing antibodies. We investigated the possibility to mitigate the parasitic infection by feeding poultry with antibody expressing transgenic crop seeds. RESULTS Using the phage display antibody library, we generated a panel of anti-Eimeria scFv antibody fragments with high sporozoite-neutralizing activity. These antibodies were expressed either transiently in agrobacteria-infiltrated tobacco leaves or stably in seeds of transgenic pea plants. Comparison of the scFv antibodies purified either from tobacco leaves or from the pea seeds demonstrated no difference in their antigen-binding activity and molecular form compositions. Force-feeding experiments demonstrated that oral delivery of flour prepared from the transgenic pea seeds had higher parasite neutralizing activity in vivo than the purified antibody fragments isolated from tobacco. The pea seed content was found to protect antibodies against degradation by gastrointestinal proteases (>100-fold gain in stability). Ad libitum feeding of chickens demonstrated that the transgenic seeds were well consumed and not shunned. Furthermore, feeding poultry with shred prepared from the antibody expressing pea seeds led to significant mitigation of infection caused both by high and low challenge doses of Eimeria oocysts. CONCLUSION The results suggest that our strategy offers a general approach to control parasitic infections in production animals using cost-effective antibody expression in crop seeds affordable for the animal health market.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jana Zimmermann
- Novoplant GmbH, Am Schwabeplan 1b, 06466 Gatersleben, Germany
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9
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Periz J, Ryan R, Blake DP, Tomley FM. Eimeria tenella microneme protein EtMIC4: capture of the full-length transcribed sequence and comparison with other microneme proteins. Parasitol Res 2008; 104:717-21. [PMID: 19089451 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-008-1301-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2008] [Accepted: 11/25/2008] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
EtMIC4 is a microneme protein of Eimeria tenella, an intracellular apicomplexan protozoan that can cause severe enteritis in chickens. The EtMIC4 gene has been partially characterised, and in this study, we used a combined strategy of rapid amplification of cDNA ends (5'RACE) and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction to identify the authentic 5' end of the transcribed sequence (accession number AJ306453.2). Comparison of the predicted EtMIC4 transcription start site with predicted start sites for EtMIC1, 2 and 3 genes identified comparable initiator regions that each conform to the consensus sequence for a transcriptional initiator element. The EtMIC4 gene is organised over 11 exons and analysis of the full-length predicted protein identified a new N-terminal region that comprises a hydrophobic signal peptide followed by four thrombospondin-type 1 modules that are similar to those previously described further downstream in the protein. Best-fit analysis shows that EtMIC4 shares high homology with the Eimeria maxima protein EmTFP250 and with TgMIC12, a predicted Toxoplasma gondii microneme protein. EtMIC4 and EmTFP250 share 70% amino acid identity and all predicted structural domains are conserved between the two. EtMIC4 and TgMIC12 share 48% identity and they have very similar domain organisation and conservation of intron/exon boundaries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Javier Periz
- Institute for Animal Health, Compton, Newbury, Berkshire, RG20 7NN, UK
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Fragoso RDR, Lourenço IT, Batista JAN, Oliveira-Neto OB, Silva MCM, Rocha TL, Coutinho MV, Grossi-de-Sa MF. Meloidogyne incognita: molecular cloning and characterization of a cDNA encoding a cathepsin D-like aspartic proteinase. Exp Parasitol 2008; 121:115-23. [PMID: 18952081 DOI: 10.1016/j.exppara.2008.09.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2007] [Revised: 09/29/2008] [Accepted: 09/30/2008] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Herein we describe the cloning and characterization of a cDNA encoding an aspartic proteinase from the root-knot nematode Meloidogyne incognita. Using PCR techniques, a 1471-bp cDNA fragment encoding a cathepsin D-like (Mi-asp1) transcript was isolated from second-stage larvae mRNA. Its predicted amino acid sequence comprises a pro-region of 71 amino acid residues and a mature protease of 378 amino acid residues with a predicted molecular mass of 41.502kDa. Protein sequence comparisons of Mi-asp1 with GenBank (DQ360827) sequences showed 59-71% identity with nematode-specific cathepsin D-like aspartic proteinases. Southern blot analysis, RT-PCR amplification and EST mining suggest the existence of a developmentally expressed gene family encoding aspartic proteinases in M. incognita. Mi-asp1 may represent a potential target for molecular intervention for the purposes of plant-parasitic nematode control.
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Ecker A, Bushell ESC, Tewari R, Sinden RE. Reverse genetics screen identifies six proteins important for malaria development in the mosquito. Mol Microbiol 2008; 70:209-20. [PMID: 18761621 PMCID: PMC2658712 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2958.2008.06407.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 102] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/04/2022]
Abstract
Transmission from the vertebrate host to the mosquito vector represents a major population bottleneck in the malaria life cycle that can successfully be targeted by intervention strategies. However, to date only about 25 parasite proteins expressed during this critical phase have been functionally analysed by gene disruption. We describe the first systematic, larger scale generation and phenotypic analysis of Plasmodium berghei knockout (KO) lines, characterizing 20 genes encoding putatively secreted proteins expressed by the ookinete, the parasite stage responsible for invasion of the mosquito midgut. Of 12 KO lines that were generated, six showed significant reductions in parasite numbers during development in the mosquito, resulting in a block in transmission of five KOs. While expression data, time point of essential function and mutant phenotype correlate well in three KOs defective in midgut invasion, in three KOs that fail at sporulation, maternal inheritance of the mutant phenotype suggests that essential function occurs during ookinete formation and thus precedes morphological abnormalities by several days.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Ecker
- Division of Cell and Molecular Biology, Imperial College London, London SW7 2AZ, UK.
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12
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Fetterer RH, Jenkins MC, Miska KB, Barfield RC. Characterization of the antigen SO7 during development of Eimeria tenella. J Parasitol 2008; 93:1107-13. [PMID: 18163345 DOI: 10.1645/ge-1171r.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
The developmental expression of the antigen SO7, which has been previously shown to protect chickens against infection by several Eimeria species, was investigated. Using RT-PCR, mRNA for SO7 was found to be restricted primarily to unsporulated oocysts (0 hr). Western blot (WB) analysis with an antibody to recombinant SO7 (rbSO7) revealed expression of the protein from 6 to 72 hr (fully sporulated) of sporulation and in sporozoites (SZ). SO7 was absent in host-derived second-stage merozoites (MZ) and was present in culture-derived first-stage MZ but at a level of only 25% of that exhibited by SZ. During invasion of Madin-Darby bovine kidney (MDBK) cells by SZ in vitro, the level of SO7 within cells, as determined by WB analysis, remained relatively constant until 48 hr of development and then decreased by about 40% at the next time point (72 hr). The SO7 secreted into the culture media during in vitro development increased to a relative maximum at 48 hr and then decreased to about 20% of maximum at 72 hr. Immunostaining with anti-rbSO7 indicates that SO7 is highly concentrated in both refractile bodies (RB) of SZ, with some limited distribution in the apical complex. Anti-rbSO7 intensively stained the intracellular parasites and the first-stage schizonts during in vitro development of E. tenella in MDBK cells. Upon release from the schizonts, the first-stage merozoites stained with 1 or 2 bright spots typically at each end. The results suggest that SO7 is closely associated with the SZ RB and is developmentally regulated but may not play a direct role in cellular invasion.
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Affiliation(s)
- R H Fetterer
- Animal Parasitic Diseases Laboratory, Henry A. Wallace Beltsville Agricultural Research Center USDA/ARS, Beltsville, Maryland 20750, USA.
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13
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Shea M, Jäkle U, Liu Q, Berry C, Joiner KA, Soldati-Favre D. A Family of Aspartic Proteases and a Novel, Dynamic and Cell-Cycle-Dependent Protease Localization in the Secretory Pathway of Toxoplasma gondii. Traffic 2007; 8:1018-34. [PMID: 17547703 DOI: 10.1111/j.1600-0854.2007.00589.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Aspartic proteases are important virulence factors in pathogens like HIV, Candida albicans or Plasmodium falciparum. We report here the identification of seven putative aspartic proteases, TgASP1 to TgASP7, in the apicomplexan parasite Toxoplasma gondii. Bioinformatic and phylogenetic analysis of the TgASPs and other aspartic proteases from related Apicomplexa suggests the existence of five distinct groups of aspartic proteases with different evolutionary lineages. The members of each group share predicted biological features that validate the phylogeny. TgASP1 is expressed in tachyzoites, the rapidly dividing asexual stage of T.gondii. We present the proteolytic maturation and subcellular localization of this protease through the cell cycle. TgASP1 shows a novel punctate localization associated with the secretory system in non-dividing cells, and relocalizes dramatically and unambiguously to the nascent inner membrane complex of daughter cells at replication, before coalescing again at the end of division.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Shea
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Medicine, University of Geneva, 1211 Geneva, Switzerland
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14
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Fetterer RH, Miska KB, Barfield RC. Partial purification and characterization of an aminopeptidase from Eimeria tenella. J Parasitol 2006; 91:1280-6. [PMID: 16539006 DOI: 10.1645/ge-554r.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Our previous investigation demonstrated the expression in Eimeria tenella sporulated oocysts of an aminopeptidase (AP) with strong homology to AP N. To further understand the role of proteases during development, we investigated the molecular and biochemical properties of E. tenella AP. Greater than 95% AP activity was present in a soluble extract during sporulation of oocysts with highest activity in fully sporulated oocysts. The AP activity was inhibited by the AP inhibitors bestatin and 1,6-phenanthroline, but not by serine protease inhibitors. The AP had specificity for synthetic endopeptidase substrates that contain arginine, alanine, or glycine at the N terminus. Partial purification of the enzyme yielded a major protein band with an Mr of about 106 kDa and an isoelectric point (Ip) of 5.1. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction indicated that the gene for AP is expressed during sporulation, but expression is absent or greatly reduced in the sporozoites and merozoites. On the basis of the deduced gene structure, the predicted Mr is 110 kDa with a pI of 5.59. Database search indicates that the E. tenella AP shares significant homology with the AP from Apicomplexan taxa: Toxoplasma gondii, Cryptosporidium parvum, and Cryptosporidium hominis. Together, these results confirm the presence of a cytosolic AP related to AP N, which is expressed and active during sporulation of E. tenella oocysts.
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Affiliation(s)
- R H Fetterer
- Animal Parasitic Diseases Laboratory, Animal and Natural Resources Institute, United States Department of Agriculture, Henry A Wallace Beltsville Agricultural Research Center, Maryland 20705, USA.
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15
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Morales ME, Kalinna BH, Heyers O, Mann VH, Schulmeister A, Copeland CS, Loukas A, Brindley PJ. Genomic organization of the Schistosoma mansoni aspartic protease gene, a platyhelminth orthologue of mammalian lysosomal cathepsin D. Gene 2004; 338:99-109. [PMID: 15302411 DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2004.05.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2004] [Revised: 05/06/2004] [Accepted: 05/17/2004] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
Schistosomes are considered the most important of the helminth parasites of humans in terms of morbidity and mortality. Schistosomes employ proteolytic enzymes to digest host hemoglobin from ingested human blood, including a cathepsin D-like, aspartic protease that is overexpressed in the gut of the adult female schistosome. Because of its key role in parasite nutrition, this enzyme represents a potential intervention target. To continue exploration of this potential, here we have determined the sequence, structure and genomic organization of the cathepsin D gene locus of Schistosoma mansoni. Using the cDNA encoding S. mansoni cathepsin D as a probe, we isolated several positive bacterial artificial chromosomes (BAC) from a BAC library that represents an approximately 8-fold coverage of the schistosome genome. Sequencing of BAC clone 25-J-24 revealed that the cathepsin D gene locus was approximately 13 kb in length, and included seven exons interrupted by six introns. The exons ranged in length from 49 to 294 bp, and the introns from 30 to 5025 bp. The genomic organization of schistosome cathepsin D was similar in sequence, structure and complexity to human cathepsin D, including to a greater or lesser extent the conservation of all six exon/intron boundaries of the schistosome gene. It was less similar to aspartic protease genes of the nematodes Caenorhabditis elegans and Haemonchus contortus, and dissimilar to those of plasmepsins from malarial parasites. Examination of the introns revealed the presence of endogenous mobile genetic elements including SR2, the ASL-associated retrotransposon, and the SINE-like element, SMalpha. Phylogenetically, schistosome cathepsin D appeared to be more closely related to mammalian cathepsin D than to other sub-families of eukaryotic aspartic proteases known from mammals. Taken together, these features indicated that schistosome cathepsin D is a platyhelminth orthologue of mammalian lysosomal cathepsin D.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria E Morales
- Department of Tropical Medicine, School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, Tulane University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA
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Jean L, Long M, Young J, Péry P, Tomley F. Aspartyl proteinase genes from apicomplexan parasites: evidence for evolution of the gene structure. Trends Parasitol 2001; 17:491-8. [PMID: 11587964 DOI: 10.1016/s1471-4922(01)02030-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Aspartyl proteinases are a widely distributed family of enzymes. All vertebrate aspartyl proteinases share a conserved nine-exon gene structure, but in other organisms the structure of aspartyl proteinase genes varies considerably. The exon-intron patterns generally reflect phylogeny based on amino acid sequences. However, close comparison of these gene structures reveals some striking features, such as the conservation of intron positions and intron phases between aspartyl proteinases from nematodes and apicomplexans. Here, we discuss the implications of gene structure for the possible evolution of the aspartyl proteinase family, with particular reference to the plasmepsins of Plasmodium falciparum and eimepsin from Eimeria tenella.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Jean
- National Institute for Medical Research, Division of Parasitology, The Ridgeway, Mill Hill, London, UK NW7 1AA.
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