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Fall F, Desmet L, Mamede L, Schioppa L, de Tullio P, Frédérich M, Govaerts B, Quetin-Leclercq J. Comparison of Three Widely Employed Extraction Methods for Metabolomic Analysis of Trypanosoma brucei. Curr Protoc 2024; 4:e1043. [PMID: 38706422 DOI: 10.1002/cpz1.1043] [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: 05/07/2024]
Abstract
Trypanosoma brucei (Tb) is the causative agent of human African trypanosomiasis (HAT), also known as sleeping sickness, which can be fatal if left untreated. An understanding of the parasite's cellular metabolism is vital for the discovery of new antitrypanosomal drugs and for disease eradication. Metabolomics can be used to analyze numerous metabolic pathways described as essential to Tb. brucei but has some limitations linked to the metabolites' physicochemical properties and the extraction process. To develop an optimized method for extracting and analyzing Tb. brucei metabolites, we tested the three most commonly used extraction methods, analyzed the extracts by hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography high-resolution mass spectrometry (HILIC LC-HRMS), and further evaluated the results using quantitative criteria including the number, intensity, reproducibility, and variability of features, as well as qualitative criteria such as the specific coverage of relevant metabolites. Here, we present the resulting protocols for untargeted metabolomic analysis of Tb. brucei using (HILIC LC-HRMS). © 2024 Wiley Periodicals LLC. Basic Protocol 1: Culture of Trypanosoma brucei brucei parasites Basic Protocol 2: Preparation of samples for metabolomic analysis of Trypanosoma brucei brucei Basic Protocol 3: LC-HRMS-based metabolomic data analysis of Trypanosoma brucei brucei.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fanta Fall
- Pharmacognosy Research Group, Louvain Drug Research Institute (LDRI), Université Catholique de Louvain (UCLouvain), Brussels, Belgium
| | - Lieven Desmet
- Institute of Statistics, Biostatistics and Actuarial Sciences (ISBA/LIDAM), UCLouvain, Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium
| | - Lúcia Mamede
- Laboratory of Pharmacognosy, Center for Interdisciplinary Research on Medicines (CIRM), University of Liège, Belgium
| | - Laura Schioppa
- Pharmacognosy Research Group, Louvain Drug Research Institute (LDRI), Université Catholique de Louvain (UCLouvain), Brussels, Belgium
| | - Pascal de Tullio
- Metabolomics group, Center for Interdisciplinary Research on Medicines (CIRM), University of Liège, Belgium
| | - Michel Frédérich
- Laboratory of Pharmacognosy, Center for Interdisciplinary Research on Medicines (CIRM), University of Liège, Belgium
| | - Bernadette Govaerts
- Institute of Statistics, Biostatistics and Actuarial Sciences (ISBA/LIDAM), UCLouvain, Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium
| | - Joëlle Quetin-Leclercq
- Pharmacognosy Research Group, Louvain Drug Research Institute (LDRI), Université Catholique de Louvain (UCLouvain), Brussels, Belgium
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Cabral FV, Cerone M, Persheyev S, Lian C, Samuel IDW, Ribeiro MS, Smith TK. New insights in photodynamic inactivation of Leishmania amazonensis: A focus on lipidomics and resistance. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0289492. [PMID: 37713373 PMCID: PMC10503701 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0289492] [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: 02/09/2023] [Accepted: 07/19/2023] [Indexed: 09/17/2023] Open
Abstract
The emergence of drug resistance in cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) has become a major problem over the past decades. The spread of resistant phenotypes has been attributed to the wide misuse of current antileishmanial chemotherapy, which is a serious threat to global health. Photodynamic therapy (PDT) has been shown to be effective against a wide spectrum of drug-resistant pathogens. Due to its multi-target approach and immediate effects, it may be an attractive strategy for treatment of drug-resistant Leishmania species. In this study, we sought to evaluate the activity of PDT in vitro using the photosensitizer 1,9-dimethyl methylene blue (DMMB), against promastigotes of two Leishmania amazonensis strains: the wild-type (WT) and a lab induced miltefosine-resistant (MFR) strain. The underlying mechanisms of DMMB-PDT action upon the parasites was focused on the changes in the lipid metabolism of both strains, which was conducted by a quantitative lipidomics analysis. We also assessed the production of ROS, mitochondrial labeling and lipid droplets accumulation after DMMB-PDT. Our results show that DMMB-PDT produced high levels of ROS, promoting mitochondrial membrane depolarization due to the loss of membrane potential. In addition, both untreated strains revealed some differences in the lipid content, in which MFR parasites showed increased levels of phosphatidylcholine, hence suggesting this could also be related to their mechanism of resistance to miltefosine. Moreover, the oxidative stress and consequent lipid peroxidation led to significant phospholipid alterations, thereby resulting in cellular dysfunction and parasite death. Thus, our results demonstrated that DMMB-mediated PDT is effective to kill L. amazonensis MFR strain and should be further studied as a potential strategy to overcome antileishmanial drug resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fernanda V. Cabral
- Center for Lasers and Applications, Nuclear and Energy Research Institute (IPEN/CNEN), São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Michela Cerone
- Schools of Biology & Chemistry, BSRC, University of St. Andrews, St Andrews, Fife, United Kingdom
| | - Saydulla Persheyev
- Organic Semiconductor Centre, School of Physics and Astronomy, University of St Andrews, St Andrews, United Kingdom
| | - Cheng Lian
- Organic Semiconductor Centre, School of Physics and Astronomy, University of St Andrews, St Andrews, United Kingdom
| | - Ifor D. W. Samuel
- Organic Semiconductor Centre, School of Physics and Astronomy, University of St Andrews, St Andrews, United Kingdom
| | - Martha S. Ribeiro
- Center for Lasers and Applications, Nuclear and Energy Research Institute (IPEN/CNEN), São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Terry K. Smith
- Schools of Biology & Chemistry, BSRC, University of St. Andrews, St Andrews, Fife, United Kingdom
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Nascimento JF, Souza ROO, Alencar MB, Marsiccobetre S, Murillo AM, Damasceno FS, Girard RBMM, Marchese L, Luévano-Martinez LA, Achjian RW, Haanstra JR, Michels PAM, Silber AM. How much (ATP) does it cost to build a trypanosome? A theoretical study on the quantity of ATP needed to maintain and duplicate a bloodstream-form Trypanosoma brucei cell. PLoS Pathog 2023; 19:e1011522. [PMID: 37498954 PMCID: PMC10409291 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1011522] [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: 03/23/2023] [Revised: 08/08/2023] [Accepted: 06/29/2023] [Indexed: 07/29/2023] Open
Abstract
ATP hydrolysis is required for the synthesis, transport and polymerization of monomers for macromolecules as well as for the assembly of the latter into cellular structures. Other cellular processes not directly related to synthesis of biomass, such as maintenance of membrane potential and cellular shape, also require ATP. The unicellular flagellated parasite Trypanosoma brucei has a complex digenetic life cycle. The primary energy source for this parasite in its bloodstream form (BSF) is glucose, which is abundant in the host's bloodstream. Here, we made a detailed estimation of the energy budget during the BSF cell cycle. As glycolysis is the source of most produced ATP, we calculated that a single parasite produces 6.0 x 1011 molecules of ATP/cell cycle. Total biomass production (which involves biomass maintenance and duplication) accounts for ~63% of the total energy budget, while the total biomass duplication accounts for the remaining ~37% of the ATP consumption, with in both cases translation being the most expensive process. These values allowed us to estimate a theoretical YATP of 10.1 (g biomass)/mole ATP and a theoretical [Formula: see text] of 28.6 (g biomass)/mole ATP. Flagellar motility, variant surface glycoprotein recycling, transport and maintenance of transmembrane potential account for less than 30% of the consumed ATP. Finally, there is still ~5.5% available in the budget that is being used for other cellular processes of as yet unknown cost. These data put a new perspective on the assumptions about the relative energetic weight of the processes a BSF trypanosome undergoes during its cell cycle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Janaina F. Nascimento
- Laboratory of Biochemistry of Tryps–LaBTryps, Department of Parasitology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo–São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Rodolpho O. O. Souza
- Laboratory of Biochemistry of Tryps–LaBTryps, Department of Parasitology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo–São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Mayke B. Alencar
- Laboratory of Biochemistry of Tryps–LaBTryps, Department of Parasitology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo–São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Sabrina Marsiccobetre
- Laboratory of Biochemistry of Tryps–LaBTryps, Department of Parasitology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo–São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Ana M. Murillo
- Laboratory of Biochemistry of Tryps–LaBTryps, Department of Parasitology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo–São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Flávia S. Damasceno
- Laboratory of Biochemistry of Tryps–LaBTryps, Department of Parasitology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo–São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Richard B. M. M. Girard
- Laboratory of Biochemistry of Tryps–LaBTryps, Department of Parasitology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo–São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Letícia Marchese
- Laboratory of Biochemistry of Tryps–LaBTryps, Department of Parasitology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo–São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Luis A. Luévano-Martinez
- Laboratory of Biochemistry of Tryps–LaBTryps, Department of Parasitology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo–São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Renan W. Achjian
- Laboratory of Biochemistry of Tryps–LaBTryps, Department of Parasitology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo–São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Jurgen R. Haanstra
- Systems Biology Lab, Amsterdam Institute of Molecular and Life Sciences (AIMMS), Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Paul A. M. Michels
- School of Biological Sciences, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Ariel M. Silber
- Laboratory of Biochemistry of Tryps–LaBTryps, Department of Parasitology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo–São Paulo, Brazil
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Melfi F, Carradori S, Campestre C, Haloci E, Ammazzalorso A, Grande R, D'Agostino I. Emerging compounds and therapeutic strategies to treat infections from Trypanosoma brucei: an overhaul of the last 5-years patents. Expert Opin Ther Pat 2023; 33:247-263. [PMID: 36933190 DOI: 10.1080/13543776.2023.2193328] [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: 03/19/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Human African Trypanosomiasis is a neglected disease caused by infection from parasites belonging to the Trypanosoma brucei species. Only six drugs are currently available and employed depending on the stage of the infection: pentamidine, suramin, melarsoprol, eflornithine, nifurtimox, and fexinidazole. Joint research projects were launched in an attempt to find new therapeutic options for this severe and often lethal disease. AREAS COVERED After a brief description of the recent literature on the parasite and the disease, we searched for patents dealing with the proposal of new anti-trypanosomiasis agents and, following the PRISMA guidelines, we filtered the results to those published from 2018onwards returning suitable entries, which represent the contemporary landscape of compounds/strategies against Trypanosoma brucei. In addition, some relevant publications from the overall scientific literature were also discussed. EXPERT OPINION This review comprehensively covers and analyzes the most recent advances not only in the discovery of new inhibitors and their structure-activity relationships but also in the assessment of innovative biological targets opening new scenarios in the MedChem field. Lastly, also new vaccines and formulations recently patented were described. However, natural and synthetic compounds were analyzed in terms of inhibitory activity and selective toxicity against human cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesco Melfi
- Department of Pharmacy, "G. d'Annunzio" University of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy
| | - Simone Carradori
- Department of Pharmacy, "G. d'Annunzio" University of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy
| | - Cristina Campestre
- Department of Pharmacy, "G. d'Annunzio" University of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy
| | - Entela Haloci
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Medicine, Tirana, Albania
| | | | - Rossella Grande
- Department of Pharmacy, "G. d'Annunzio" University of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy
| | - Ilaria D'Agostino
- Department of Pharmacy, "G. d'Annunzio" University of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy
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Cerone M, Roberts M, Smith TK. The lipidome of Crithidia fasiculataand its plasticity. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2022; 12:945750. [DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2022.945750] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2022] [Accepted: 09/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Crithidia fasiculata belongs to the trypanosomatidae order of protozoan parasites, bearing close relation to other kinetoplastid parasites such as Trypanosoma brucei and Leishmania spp. As an early diverging lineage of eukaryotes, the study of kinetoplastid parasites has provided unique insights into alternative mechanisms to traditional eukaryotic metabolic pathways. Crithidia are a monogenetic parasite for mosquito species and have two distinct lifecycle stages both taking place in the mosquito gut. These consist of a motile choanomastigote form and an immotile amastigote form morphologically similar to amastigotes in Leishmania. Owing to their close relation to Leishmania, Crithidia are a growing research tool, with continuing interest in its use as a model organism for kinetoplastid research with the added benefit that they are non-pathogenic to humans and can be grown with no special equipment or requirements for biological containment. Although comparatively little research has taken place on Crithidia, similarities to other kinetoplast species has been shown in terms of energy metabolism and genetics. Crithidia also show similarities to kinetoplastids in their production of the monosaccharide D-arabinopyranose similar to Leishmania, which is incorporated into a lipoarabinogalactan a major cell surface GPI-anchored molecule. Additionally, Crithidia have been used as a eukaryotic expression system to express proteins from other kinetoplastids and potentially other eukaryotes including human proteins allowing various co- and post-translational protein modifications to the recombinant proteins. Despite the obvious usefulness and potential of this organism very little is known about its lipid metabolism. Here we describe a detailed lipidomic analyses and demonstrate the possible placidity of Crithidia’s lipid metabolis. This could have important implications for biotechnology approaches and how other kinetoplastids interact with, and scavenge nutrients from their hosts.
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Loffreda A, Schlame M, Bütikofer P. StaR-related lipid transfer-like domain-containing protein CLDP43 affects cardiolipin synthesis and mitochondrial function in Trypanosoma brucei. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0259752. [PMID: 35452450 PMCID: PMC9032421 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0259752] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2021] [Accepted: 02/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Cardiolipin is known to interact with bacterial and mitochondrial proteins and protein complexes. Unlike in Escherichia coli and Saccharomyces cerevisiae, the synthesis of cardiolipin is essential for growth of Trypanosoma brucei parasites in culture. Inhibition of cardiolipin production has been shown to result in major changes in the T. brucei proteome and energy metabolism, with CLDP43, a mitochondrial protein containing a StaR-related lipid transfer (START)-like domain, being depleted in a cardiolipin-dependent way. We now show that in T. brucei procyclic forms lacking CLDP43, cardiolipin metabolism and mitochondrial function are affected. Using quantitative and qualitative lipid analyses, we found that while steady-state levels of cardiolipin were elevated in CLDP43 knock-out parasites compared to parental cells, de novo formation of cardiolipin was down-regulated. In addition, depletion of CLDP43 resulted in partial loss of mitochondrial membrane potential and decreased ATP production via substrate level phosphorylation. Recombinant CLDP43 was found to bind cardiolipin and phosphatidic acid in lipid overlay experiments, suggesting that it may be involved in transport or synthesis of cardiolipin or its precursors in T. brucei.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessio Loffreda
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
- Graduate School for Cellular and Biochemical Studies, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Michael Schlame
- Department of Cell Biology, New York University Langone Medical Center, New York, NY, United States of America
| | - Peter Bütikofer
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
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Fall F, Mamede L, Schioppa L, Ledoux A, De Tullio P, Michels P, Frédérich M, Quetin-Leclercq J. Trypanosoma brucei: Metabolomics for analysis of cellular metabolism and drug discovery. Metabolomics 2022; 18:20. [PMID: 35305174 DOI: 10.1007/s11306-022-01880-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2021] [Accepted: 03/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Trypanosoma brucei is the causative agent of Human African Trypanosomiasis (also known as sleeping sickness), a disease causing serious neurological disorders and fatal if left untreated. Due to its lethal pathogenicity, a variety of treatments have been developed over the years, but which have some important limitations such as acute toxicity and parasite resistance. Metabolomics is an innovative tool used to better understand the parasite's cellular metabolism, and identify new potential targets, modes of action and resistance mechanisms. The metabolomic approach is mainly associated with robust analytical techniques, such as NMR and Mass Spectrometry. Applying these tools to the trypanosome parasite is, thus, useful for providing new insights into the sleeping sickness pathology and guidance towards innovative treatments. AIM OF REVIEW The present review aims to comprehensively describe the T. brucei biology and identify targets for new or commercialized antitrypanosomal drugs. Recent metabolomic applications to provide a deeper knowledge about the mechanisms of action of drugs or potential drugs against T. brucei are highlighted. Additionally, the advantages of metabolomics, alone or combined with other methods, are discussed. KEY SCIENTIFIC CONCEPTS OF REVIEW Compared to other parasites, only few studies employing metabolomics have to date been reported on Trypanosoma brucei. Published metabolic studies, treatments and modes of action are discussed. The main interest is to evaluate the metabolomics contribution to the understanding of T. brucei's metabolism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fanta Fall
- Pharmacognosy Research Group, Louvain Drug Research Institute (LDRI), UCLouvain, Avenue E. Mounier B1 72.03, B-1200, Brussels, Belgium.
| | - Lucia Mamede
- Laboratory of Pharmacognosy, Center of Interdisciplinary Research On Medicines (CIRM), University of Liège, Liège, Belgium
| | - Laura Schioppa
- Pharmacognosy Research Group, Louvain Drug Research Institute (LDRI), UCLouvain, Avenue E. Mounier B1 72.03, B-1200, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Allison Ledoux
- Laboratory of Pharmacognosy, Center of Interdisciplinary Research On Medicines (CIRM), University of Liège, Liège, Belgium
| | - Pascal De Tullio
- Metabolomics Group, Center of Interdisciplinary Research On Medicines (CIRM), University of Liège, Liège, Belgium
| | - Paul Michels
- Centre for Immunity, Infection and Evolution (CIIE) and Centre for Translational and Chemical Biology (CTCB), School of Biological Sciences, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, Scotland
| | - Michel Frédérich
- Laboratory of Pharmacognosy, Center of Interdisciplinary Research On Medicines (CIRM), University of Liège, Liège, Belgium
| | - Joëlle Quetin-Leclercq
- Pharmacognosy Research Group, Louvain Drug Research Institute (LDRI), UCLouvain, Avenue E. Mounier B1 72.03, B-1200, Brussels, Belgium
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Raman spectroscopic analysis of skin as a diagnostic tool for Human African Trypanosomiasis. PLoS Pathog 2021; 17:e1010060. [PMID: 34780575 PMCID: PMC8629383 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1010060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2021] [Revised: 11/29/2021] [Accepted: 10/23/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Human African Trypanosomiasis (HAT) has been responsible for several deadly epidemics throughout the 20th century, but a renewed commitment to disease control has significantly reduced new cases and motivated a target for the elimination of Trypanosoma brucei gambiense-HAT by 2030. However, the recent identification of latent human infections, and the detection of trypanosomes in extravascular tissues hidden from current diagnostic tools, such as the skin, has added new complexity to identifying infected individuals. New and improved diagnostic tests to detect Trypanosoma brucei infection by interrogating the skin are therefore needed. Recent advances have improved the cost, sensitivity and portability of Raman spectroscopy technology for non-invasive medical diagnostics, making it an attractive tool for gambiense-HAT detection. The aim of this work was to assess and develop a new non-invasive diagnostic method for T. brucei through Raman spectroscopy of the skin. Infections were performed in an established murine disease model using the animal-infective Trypanosoma brucei brucei subspecies. The skin of infected and matched control mice was scrutinized ex vivo using a confocal Raman microscope with 532 nm excitation and in situ at 785 nm excitation with a portable field-compatible instrument. Spectral evaluation and Principal Component Analysis confirmed discrimination of T. brucei-infected from uninfected tissue, and a characterisation of biochemical changes in lipids and proteins in parasite-infected skin indicated by prominent Raman peak intensities was performed. This study is the first to demonstrate the application of Raman spectroscopy for the detection of T. brucei by targeting the skin of the host. The technique has significant potential to discriminate between infected and non-infected tissue and could represent a unique, non-invasive diagnostic tool in the goal for elimination of gambiense-HAT as well as for Animal African Trypanosomiasis (AAT). Human African Trypanosomiasis (HAT), also known as sleeping sickness, is a disease caused by the parasite Trypanosoma brucei and has been responsible for the death of millions of people across Africa in the 20th century. It is also a major economic burden for countries endemic for trypanosomiasis, affecting livestock productivity in rural areas (Animal African Trypanosomiasis). A long-term international collaboration with the help of the World Health Organisation has resulted in the rate of human infection decreasing to less than 1000 new cases per year. However, the human disease continues to spread within remote villages. Current diagnosis is based on the detection of parasites in blood and serum samples, but this is challenging during chronic human infections with low or non-detectable parasitaemia. However, the recent discovery of extravascular skin-dwelling trypanosomes indicates that a reservoir of infection remains undetected, threatening the effort to eliminate the disease. In this study we have targeted the skin as a site for diagnosis using Raman spectroscopy and demonstrate that this method showed great promise in the laboratory, laying the foundation for field studies to examine its potential to strengthen current diagnostic strategies for detecting HAT cases.
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Vítová M, Palyzová A, Řezanka T. Plasmalogens - Ubiquitous molecules occurring widely, from anaerobic bacteria to humans. Prog Lipid Res 2021; 83:101111. [PMID: 34147515 DOI: 10.1016/j.plipres.2021.101111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2021] [Revised: 05/10/2021] [Accepted: 06/14/2021] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
Plasmalogens are a group of lipids mainly found in the cell membranes. They occur in anaerobic bacteria and in some protozoa, invertebrates and vertebrates, including humans. Their occurrence in plants and fungi is controversial. They can protect cells from damage by reactive oxygen species, protect other phospholipids or lipoprotein particles against oxidative stress, and have been implicated as signaling molecules and modulators of membrane dynamics. Biosynthesis in anaerobic and aerobic organisms occurs by different pathways, and the main biosynthetic pathway in anaerobic bacteria was clarified only this year (2021). Many different analytical techniques have been used for plasmalogen analysis, some of which are detailed below. These can be divided into two groups: shotgun lipidomics, or electrospray ionization mass spectrometry in combination with high performance liquid chromatography (LC-MS). The advantages and limitations of both techniques are discussed here, using examples from anaerobic bacteria to specialized mammalian (human) organs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Milada Vítová
- Institute of Microbiology of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Laboratory of Cell Cycles of Algae, Novohradská 237, 379 81 Třeboň, Czech Republic
| | - Andrea Palyzová
- Institute of Microbiology of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Vídeňská 1083, 142 20 Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Tomáš Řezanka
- Institute of Microbiology of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Vídeňská 1083, 142 20 Prague, Czech Republic.
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Sajko S, Grishkovskaya I, Kostan J, Graewert M, Setiawan K, Trübestein L, Niedermüller K, Gehin C, Sponga A, Puchinger M, Gavin AC, Leonard TA, Svergun DI, Smith TK, Morriswood B, Djinovic-Carugo K. Structures of three MORN repeat proteins and a re-evaluation of the proposed lipid-binding properties of MORN repeats. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0242677. [PMID: 33296386 PMCID: PMC7725318 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0242677] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2020] [Accepted: 11/08/2020] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
MORN (Membrane Occupation and Recognition Nexus) repeat proteins have a wide taxonomic distribution, being found in both prokaryotes and eukaryotes. Despite this ubiquity, they remain poorly characterised at both a structural and a functional level compared to other common repeats. In functional terms, they are often assumed to be lipid-binding modules that mediate membrane targeting. We addressed this putative activity by focusing on a protein composed solely of MORN repeats-Trypanosoma brucei MORN1. Surprisingly, no evidence for binding to membranes or lipid vesicles by TbMORN1 could be obtained either in vivo or in vitro. Conversely, TbMORN1 did interact with individual phospholipids. High- and low-resolution structures of the MORN1 protein from Trypanosoma brucei and homologous proteins from the parasites Toxoplasma gondii and Plasmodium falciparum were obtained using a combination of macromolecular crystallography, small-angle X-ray scattering, and electron microscopy. This enabled a first structure-based definition of the MORN repeat itself. Furthermore, all three structures dimerised via their C-termini in an antiparallel configuration. The dimers could form extended or V-shaped quaternary structures depending on the presence of specific interface residues. This work provides a new perspective on MORN repeats, showing that they are protein-protein interaction modules capable of mediating both dimerisation and oligomerisation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Sajko
- Department of Structural and Computational Biology, Max Perutz Labs, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Irina Grishkovskaya
- Department of Structural and Computational Biology, Max Perutz Labs, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Julius Kostan
- Department of Structural and Computational Biology, Max Perutz Labs, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Melissa Graewert
- European Molecular Biology Laboratory, Hamburg Unit, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Kim Setiawan
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Biocenter, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Linda Trübestein
- Department of Structural and Computational Biology, Max Perutz Labs, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Korbinian Niedermüller
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Biocenter, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Charlotte Gehin
- European Molecular Biology Laboratory, Heidelberg Unit, Heidelberg, Germany
- Institute of Bioengineering, Laboratory of Lipid Cell Biology, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Antonio Sponga
- Department of Structural and Computational Biology, Max Perutz Labs, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Martin Puchinger
- Department of Structural and Computational Biology, Max Perutz Labs, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Anne-Claude Gavin
- European Molecular Biology Laboratory, Heidelberg Unit, Heidelberg, Germany
- Department for Cell Physiology and Metabolism, University of Geneva, Centre Medical Universitaire, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Thomas A. Leonard
- Department of Structural and Computational Biology, Max Perutz Labs, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | | | - Terry K. Smith
- School of Biology, BSRC, University of St. Andrews, St. Andrews, United Kingdom
| | - Brooke Morriswood
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Biocenter, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Kristina Djinovic-Carugo
- Department of Structural and Computational Biology, Max Perutz Labs, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Technology, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
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11
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Booth LA, Smith TK. Lipid metabolism in Trypanosoma cruzi: A review. Mol Biochem Parasitol 2020; 240:111324. [PMID: 32961207 DOI: 10.1016/j.molbiopara.2020.111324] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2020] [Revised: 09/02/2020] [Accepted: 09/11/2020] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
The cellular membranes of Trypanosoma cruzi, like all eukaryotes, contain varying amounts of phospholipids, sphingolipids, neutral lipids and sterols. A multitude of pathways exist for the de novo synthesis of these lipid families but Trypanosoma cruzi has also become adapted to scavenge some of these lipids from the host. Completion of the TriTryp genomes has led to the identification of many putative genes involved in lipid synthesis, revealing some interesting differences to higher eukaryotes. Although many enzymes involved in lipid synthesis have yet to be characterised, completed experiments have shown the indispensability of some lipid metabolic pathways. Furthermore, the bioactive lipids of Trypanosoma cruzi and their effects on the host are becoming increasingly studied. Further studies on lipid metabolism in Trypanosoma cruzi will no doubt reveal some attractive targets for therapeutic intervention as well as reveal the interplay between parasite lipids, host response and pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leigh-Ann Booth
- Biomedical Sciences Research Complex, University of St Andrews, North Haugh, St Andrews, Scotland, KY16 9ST, United Kingdom
| | - Terry K Smith
- Biomedical Sciences Research Complex, University of St Andrews, North Haugh, St Andrews, Scotland, KY16 9ST, United Kingdom.
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12
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Rocha VPC, Dacher M, Young SA, Kolokousi F, Efstathiou A, Späth GF, Soares MBP, Smirlis D. Leishmania dual-specificity tyrosine-regulated kinase 1 (DYRK1) is required for sustaining Leishmania stationary phase phenotype. Mol Microbiol 2020; 113:983-1002. [PMID: 31975452 DOI: 10.1111/mmi.14464] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2018] [Revised: 01/13/2020] [Accepted: 01/16/2020] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Although the multiplicative and growth-arrested states play key roles in Leishmania development, the regulators of these transitions are largely unknown. In an attempt to gain a better understanding of these processes, we characterised one member of a family of protein kinases with dual specificity, LinDYRK1, which acts as a stasis regulator in other organisms. LinDYRK1 overexpressing parasites displayed a decrease in proliferation and in cell cycle re-entry of arrested cells. Parasites lacking LinDYRK1 displayed distinct fitness phenotypes in logarithmic and stationary growth phases. In logarithmic growth phase, LinDYRK1-/- parasites proliferated better than control lines, supporting a role of this kinase in stasis, while in stationary growth phase, LinDYRK1-/- parasites had important defects as they rounded up, accumulated vacuoles and lipid bodies and displayed subtle but consistent differences in lipid composition. Moreover, they expressed less metacyclic-enriched transcripts, displayed increased sensitivity to complement lysis and a significant reduction in survival within peritoneal macrophages. The distinct LinDYRK1-/- growth phase phenotypes were mirrored by the distinct LinDYRK1 localisations in logarithmic (mainly in flagellar pocket area and endosomes) and late stationary phase (mitochondrion). Overall, this work provides first evidence for the role of a DYRK family member in sustaining promastigote stationary phase phenotype and infectivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vinícius Pinto Costa Rocha
- Instituto Gonçalo Moniz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (FIOCRUZ), Salvador, Brazil
- Centro de Biotecnologia e Terapia Celular, Hospital São Rafael, Salvador, Brazil
| | - Mariko Dacher
- Unité de Parasitologie Moléculaire et Signalisation, Department of Parasites and Insect Vectors, Institut Pasteur and INSERM U1201, Paris, France
| | - Simon Alan Young
- Biomedical Sciences Research Complex, School of Biology, The University of St. Andrews, St. Andrews, UK
| | - Foteini Kolokousi
- Molecular Parasitology Laboratory, Microbiology Department, Hellenic Pasteur Institute, Athens, Greece
| | - Antonia Efstathiou
- Molecular Parasitology Laboratory, Microbiology Department, Hellenic Pasteur Institute, Athens, Greece
| | - Gerald Frank Späth
- Unité de Parasitologie Moléculaire et Signalisation, Department of Parasites and Insect Vectors, Institut Pasteur and INSERM U1201, Paris, France
| | - Milena Botelho Pereira Soares
- Instituto Gonçalo Moniz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (FIOCRUZ), Salvador, Brazil
- Centro de Biotecnologia e Terapia Celular, Hospital São Rafael, Salvador, Brazil
| | - Despina Smirlis
- Molecular Parasitology Laboratory, Microbiology Department, Hellenic Pasteur Institute, Athens, Greece
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13
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Ceramide phosphoethanolamine, an enigmatic cellular membrane sphingolipid. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-BIOMEMBRANES 2019; 1861:1284-1292. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamem.2019.05.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2018] [Revised: 12/20/2018] [Accepted: 01/06/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
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14
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Abstract
The kinetoplastid parasite Trypanosoma brucei causes African trypanosomiasis in both humans and animals. Infections place a significant health and economic burden on developing nations in sub-Saharan Africa, but few effective anti-parasitic treatments are currently available. Hence, there is an urgent need to identify new leads for drug development. The T. brucei neutral sphingomyelinase (TbnSMase) was previously established as essential to parasite survival, consequently being identified as a potential drug target. This enzyme may catalyse the single route to sphingolipid catabolism outside the T. brucei lysosome. To obtain new insight into parasite sphingolipid catabolism, the substrate specificity of TbnSMase was investigated using electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (ESI-MS/MS). Recombinant TbnSMase was shown to degrade sphingomyelin, inositol-phosphoceramide and ethanolamine-phosphoceramide sphingolipid substrates, consistent with the sphingolipid complement of the parasites. TbnSMase also catabolized ceramide-1-phosphate, but was inactive towards sphingosine-1-phosphate. The broad-range specificity of this enzyme towards sphingolipid species is a unique feature of TbnSMase. Additionally, ESI-MS/MS analysis revealed previously uncharacterized activity towards lyso-phosphatidylcholine despite the enzyme's inability to degrade phosphatidylcholine. Collectively, these data underline the enzyme's importance in choline homoeostasis and the turnover of sphingolipids in T. brucei.
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15
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Harrison PJ, Dunn T, Campopiano DJ. Sphingolipid biosynthesis in man and microbes. Nat Prod Rep 2018; 35:921-954. [PMID: 29863195 PMCID: PMC6148460 DOI: 10.1039/c8np00019k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 98] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
A new review covering up to 2018 Sphingolipids are essential molecules that, despite their long history, are still stimulating interest today. The reasons for this are that, as well as playing structural roles within cell membranes, they have also been shown to perform a myriad of cell signalling functions vital to the correct function of eukaryotic and prokaryotic organisms. Indeed, sphingolipid disregulation that alters the tightly-controlled balance of these key lipids has been closely linked to a number of diseases such as diabetes, asthma and various neuropathologies. Sphingolipid biogenesis, metabolism and regulation is mediated by a large number of enzymes, proteins and second messengers. There appears to be a core pathway common to all sphingolipid-producing organisms but recent studies have begun to dissect out important, species-specific differences. Many of these have only recently been discovered and in most cases the molecular and biochemical details are only beginning to emerge. Where there is a direct link from classic biochemistry to clinical symptoms, a number a drug companies have undertaken a medicinal chemistry campaign to try to deliver a therapeutic intervention to alleviate a number of diseases. Where appropriate, we highlight targets where natural products have been exploited as useful tools. Taking all these aspects into account this review covers the structural, mechanistic and regulatory features of sphingolipid biosynthetic and metabolic enzymes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter J. Harrison
- School of Chemistry
, University of Edinburgh
,
David Brewster Road
, Edinburgh
, EH9 3FJ
, UK
.
| | - Teresa M. Dunn
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
, Uniformed Services University
,
Bethesda
, Maryland
20814
, USA
| | - Dominic J. Campopiano
- School of Chemistry
, University of Edinburgh
,
David Brewster Road
, Edinburgh
, EH9 3FJ
, UK
.
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16
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Bogacz M, Krauth-Siegel RL. Tryparedoxin peroxidase-deficiency commits trypanosomes to ferroptosis-type cell death. eLife 2018; 7:37503. [PMID: 30047863 PMCID: PMC6117152 DOI: 10.7554/elife.37503] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2018] [Accepted: 07/24/2018] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Tryparedoxin peroxidases, distant relatives of glutathione peroxidase 4 in higher eukaryotes, are responsible for the detoxification of lipid-derived hydroperoxides in African trypanosomes. The lethal phenotype of procyclic Trypanosoma brucei that lack the enzymes fulfils all criteria defining a form of regulated cell death termed ferroptosis. Viability of the parasites is preserved by α-tocopherol, ferrostatin-1, liproxstatin-1 and deferoxamine. Without protecting agent, the cells display, primarily mitochondrial, lipid peroxidation, loss of the mitochondrial membrane potential and ATP depletion. Sensors for mitochondrial oxidants and chelatable iron as well as overexpression of a mitochondrial iron-superoxide dismutase attenuate the cell death. Electron microscopy revealed mitochondrial matrix condensation and enlarged cristae. The peroxidase-deficient parasites are subject to lethal iron-induced lipid peroxidation that probably originates at the inner mitochondrial membrane. Taken together, ferroptosis is an ancient cell death program that can occur at individual subcellular membranes and is counterbalanced by evolutionary distant thiol peroxidases. Plants, animals and fungi all belong to a group of organisms known as eukaryotes. Their cells host a variety of compartments, with each having a specific role. For example, mitochondria are tasked with providing the energy that powers most of the processes that keep the cell alive. Membranes delimit these compartments, as well as the cells themselves. Iron is an element needed for chemical reactions that are essential for the cell to survive. Yet, the byproducts of these reactions can damage – ‘oxidize’ – the lipid molecules that form the cell’s membranes, including the one around mitochondria. Unless enzymes known as peroxidases come to repair the oxidized lipids, the cell dies in a process called ferroptosis. Scientists know that this death mechanism is programmed into the cells of humans and other complex eukaryotes. However, Bogacz and Krauth-Siegel wanted to know if ferroptosis also exists in creatures that appeared early in the evolution of eukaryotes, such as the trypanosome Trypanosoma brucei. This single-cell parasite causes sleeping sickness in humans and a disease called nagana in horses and cattle. Before it infects a mammal, T. brucei goes through an ‘insect stage’ where it lives in the tsetse fly; there, it relies on its mitochondrion to produce energy. Bogacz and Krauth-Siegel now show that if the parasites in the insect stage do not have a specific type of peroxidases, they die within a few hours. In particular, problems in the membranes of the mitochondrion stop the compartment from working properly. These peroxidases-free trypanosomes fare better if they are exposed to molecules that prevent iron from taking part in the reactions that can harm lipids. They also survive more if they are forced to create large amounts of an enzyme that relies on iron to protect the mitochondrion against oxidation. Finally, using drugs that prevent ferroptosis in human cells completely rescues these trypanosomes. Taken together, the results suggest that ferroptosis is an ancient cell death program which exists in T. brucei; and that, in the insect stage of the parasite's life cycle, this process first damages the mitochondrion. This last finding could be particularly relevant because the role of mitochondria in ferroptosis in mammals is highly debated. Yet, most of the research is done in cells that do not rely on this cellular compartment to get their energy. During their life cycle, trypanosomes are either dependent on their mitochondria, or they can find their energy through other sources: this could make them a good organism in which to dissect the precise mechanisms of ferroptosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta Bogacz
- Biochemie-Zentrum der Universität Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
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17
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Shedding light on lipid metabolism in Kinetoplastida: A phylogenetic analysis of phospholipase D protein homologs. Gene 2018; 656:95-105. [PMID: 29501621 DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2018.02.063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2017] [Revised: 02/14/2018] [Accepted: 02/24/2018] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Unicellular flagellates that make up the class Kinetoplastida include multiple parasites responsible for public health concerns, including Trypanosoma brucei and T. cruzi (agents of African sleeping sickness and Chagas disease, respectively), and various Leishmania species, which cause leishmaniasis. These diseases are generally difficult to eradicate, with treatments often having lethal side effects and/or being effective only during the acute phase of the diseases, when most patients are still asymptomatic. Phospholipid signaling and metabolism are important in the different life stages of Trypanosoma, including playing a role in transitions between stages and in immune system evasion, thus, making the responsible enzymes into potential therapeutic targets. However, relatively little is understood about how the pathways function in these pathogens. Thus, in this study we examined evolutionary history of proteins from one such signaling pathway, namely phospholipase D (PLD) homologs. PLD is an enzyme responsible for synthesizing phosphatidic acid (PA) from membrane phospholipids. PA is not only utilized for phospholipid synthesis, but is also involved in many other signaling pathways, including biotic and abiotic stress response. 37 different representative Kinetoplastida genomes were used for an exhaustive search to identify putative PLD homologs. The genome of Bodo saltans was the only one of surveyed Kinetoplastida genomes that encoded a protein that clustered with plant PLDs. The representatives from other Kinetoplastida species clustered together in two different clades, thought to be homologous to the PLD superfamily, but with shared sequence similarity with cardiolipin synthases (CLS), and phosphatidylserine synthases (PSS). The protein structure predictions showed that most Kinetoplastida sequences resemble CLS and PSS, with the exception of 5 sequences from Bodo saltans that shared significant structural similarities with the PLD sequences, suggesting the loss of PLD-like sequences during the evolution of parasitism in kinetoplastids. On the other hand, diacylglycerol kinase (DGK) homologs were identified for all species examined in this study, indicating that DGK could be the only pathway for the synthesis of PA involved in lipid signaling in these organisms due to genome streamlining during transition to parasitic lifestyle. Our findings offer insights for development of potential therapeutic and/or intervention approaches, particularly those focused on using PA, PLD and/or DGK related pathways, against trypanosomiasis, leishmaniasis, and Chagas disease.
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18
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Ooi CP, Smith TK, Gluenz E, Wand NV, Vaughan S, Rudenko G. Blocking variant surface glycoprotein synthesis alters endoplasmic reticulum exit sites/Golgi homeostasis in Trypanosoma brucei. Traffic 2018; 19:391-405. [PMID: 29533496 PMCID: PMC6001540 DOI: 10.1111/tra.12561] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2017] [Revised: 03/08/2018] [Accepted: 03/08/2018] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
The predominant secretory cargo of bloodstream form Trypanosoma brucei is variant surface glycoprotein (VSG), comprising ~10% total protein and forming a dense protective layer. Blocking VSG translation using Morpholino oligonucleotides triggered a precise pre‐cytokinesis arrest. We investigated the effect of blocking VSG synthesis on the secretory pathway. The number of Golgi decreased, particularly in post‐mitotic cells, from 3.5 ± 0.6 to 2.0 ± 0.04 per cell. Similarly, the number of endoplasmic reticulum exit sites (ERES) in post‐mitotic cells dropped from 3.9 ± 0.6 to 2.7 ± 0.1 eight hours after blocking VSG synthesis. The secretory pathway was still functional in these stalled cells, as monitored using Cathepsin L. Rates of phospholipid and glycosylphosphatidylinositol‐anchor biosynthesis remained relatively unaffected, except for the level of sphingomyelin which increased. However, both endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi morphology became distorted, with the Golgi cisternae becoming significantly dilated, particularly at the trans‐face. Membrane accumulation in these structures is possibly caused by reduced budding of nascent vesicles due to the drastic reduction in the total amount of secretory cargo, that is, VSG. These data argue that the total flux of secretory cargo impacts upon the biogenesis and maintenance of secretory structures and organelles in T. brucei, including the ERES and Golgi.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cher-Pheng Ooi
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Terry K Smith
- BSRC, School of Biology, University of St. Andrews, St. Andrews, UK
| | - Eva Gluenz
- Sir William Dunn School of Pathology, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | | | - Sue Vaughan
- Department of Biological and Medical Sciences, Oxford Brookes University, Oxford, UK
| | - Gloria Rudenko
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, London, UK
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19
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Mina JGM, Denny PW. Everybody needs sphingolipids, right! Mining for new drug targets in protozoan sphingolipid biosynthesis. Parasitology 2018; 145:134-147. [PMID: 28637533 PMCID: PMC5964470 DOI: 10.1017/s0031182017001081] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2017] [Revised: 05/15/2017] [Accepted: 05/18/2017] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Sphingolipids (SLs) are an integral part of all eukaryotic cellular membranes. In addition, they have indispensable functions as signalling molecules controlling a myriad of cellular events. Disruption of either the de novo synthesis or the degradation pathways has been shown to have detrimental effects. The earlier identification of selective inhibitors of fungal SL biosynthesis promised potent broad-spectrum anti-fungal agents, which later encouraged testing some of those agents against protozoan parasites. In this review we focus on the key enzymes of the SL de novo biosynthetic pathway in protozoan parasites of the Apicomplexa and Kinetoplastidae, outlining the divergence and interconnection between host and pathogen metabolism. The druggability of the SL biosynthesis is considered, alongside recent technology advances that will enable the dissection and analyses of this pathway in the parasitic protozoa. The future impact of these advances for the development of new therapeutics for both globally threatening and neglected infectious diseases is potentially profound.
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Affiliation(s)
- John G M Mina
- Department of Biosciences,Lower Mountjoy,Stockton Road,Durham DH1 3LE,UK
| | - P W Denny
- Department of Biosciences,Lower Mountjoy,Stockton Road,Durham DH1 3LE,UK
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20
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Lee S, Cheung-See-Kit M, Williams TA, Yamout N, Zufferey R. The glycosomal alkyl-dihydroxyacetonephosphate synthase TbADS is essential for the synthesis of ether glycerophospholipids in procyclic trypanosomes. Exp Parasitol 2018; 185:71-78. [PMID: 29355496 DOI: 10.1016/j.exppara.2018.01.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2017] [Revised: 12/30/2017] [Accepted: 01/14/2018] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
Glycerophospholipids are the main constituents of the biological membranes in Trypanosoma brucei, which causes sleeping sickness in humans. The present work reports the characterization of the alkyl-dihydroxyacetonephosphate synthase TbADS that catalyzes the committed step in ether glycerophospholipid biosynthesis. TbADS localizes to the glycosomal lumen. TbADS complemented a null mutant of Leishmania major lacking alkyl-dihydroxyacetonephosphate synthase activity and restored the formation of normal form of the ether lipid based virulence factor lipophosphoglycan. Despite lacking alkyl-dihydroxyacetonephosphate synthase activity, a null mutant of TbADS in procyclic trypanosomes remained viable and exhibited normal growth. Comprehensive analysis of cellular glycerophospholipids showed that TbADS was involved in the biosynthesis of all ether glycerophospholipid species, primarily found in the PE and PC classes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sungsu Lee
- Department of Biological Sciences, St John's University, 8000 Utopia Parkway, Jamaica, NY 11439, USA
| | - Melanie Cheung-See-Kit
- Department of Biological Sciences, St John's University, 8000 Utopia Parkway, Jamaica, NY 11439, USA
| | - Tyler A Williams
- Department of Biological Sciences, St John's University, 8000 Utopia Parkway, Jamaica, NY 11439, USA
| | - Nader Yamout
- Department of Biological Sciences, St John's University, 8000 Utopia Parkway, Jamaica, NY 11439, USA
| | - Rachel Zufferey
- Department of Biological Sciences, St John's University, 8000 Utopia Parkway, Jamaica, NY 11439, USA.
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21
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Comparative sphingolipidomics of disease-causing trypanosomatids reveal unique lifecycle- and taxonomy-specific lipid chemistries. Sci Rep 2017; 7:13617. [PMID: 29051559 PMCID: PMC5648825 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-13931-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2017] [Accepted: 10/03/2017] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Trypanosomatids are parasitic protozoa which cause a spectrum of diseases, including trypanosomiasis and leishmaniasis, affecting millions of humans and animals worldwide. The surface of most protozoan parasites is heavily decorated with lipids and lipid-anchored molecules, forming protective barriers and acting as virulence factors during infection. Sphingolipids (SP) are major components of eukaryotic biomembranes, which play important roles in structural integrity, energy homeostasis and signaling. However, the precise chemical composition of SP in pathogens as well as their biochemical pathways and functions remain poorly characterized. Here, we present the first system-scale analyses of SP found in a panel of 7 trypanosomatids, including Leishmania donovani, Trypanosoma brucei and Trypanosoma cruzi. We characterized the structure of aminoethylphosphonate-containing ceramides, which are found exclusively in stercorarian Trypanosoma. Employing the sensitive and semi-quantitative sphingolipidomics approach that we developed, we report the detection of over 300 molecular species of SP, and identified unique metabolic signatures which serve as discriminants of the pathogens based on their taxonomy and lifecycle stages. The deep sphingolipidome presented here is an important biochemical and technological resource for future works to dissect SP metabolism and functions in these medically and agriculturally relevant systems.
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22
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The Lipid Raft Proteome of African Trypanosomes Contains Many Flagellar Proteins. Pathogens 2017; 6:pathogens6030039. [PMID: 28837104 PMCID: PMC5617996 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens6030039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2017] [Revised: 08/22/2017] [Accepted: 08/22/2017] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Lipid rafts are liquid-ordered membrane microdomains that form by preferential association of 3-β-hydroxysterols, sphingolipids and raft-associated proteins often having acyl modifications. We isolated lipid rafts of the protozoan parasite Trypanosoma brucei and determined the protein composition of lipid rafts in the cell. This analysis revealed a striking enrichment of flagellar proteins and several putative signaling proteins in the lipid raft proteome. Calpains and intraflagellar transport proteins, in particular, were found to be abundant in the lipid raft proteome. These findings provide additional evidence supporting the notion that the eukaryotic cilium/flagellum is a lipid raft-enriched specialized structure with high concentrations of sterols, sphingolipids and palmitoylated proteins involved in environmental sensing and cell signaling.
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23
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De Castro Levatti EV, Toledo MS, Watanabe Costa R, Bahia D, Mortara RA, Takahashi HK, Straus AH. Leishmania (Viannia) braziliensis Inositol Phosphorylceramide: Distinctive Sphingoid Base Composition. Front Microbiol 2017; 8:1453. [PMID: 28824583 PMCID: PMC5543781 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2017.01453] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2017] [Accepted: 07/18/2017] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Inositol phosphorylceramide (IPC), the major sphingolipid in the genus Leishmania but not found in mammals, is considered a potentially useful target for chemotherapy against leishmaniasis. Leishmania (Viannia) braziliensis is endemic in Latin America and causes American tegumentary leishmaniasis. We demonstrated that IPCs are localized internally in parasites, using a specific monoclonal antibody. Treatment with 5 μM myriocin (a serine palmitoyltransferase inhibitor) rendered promastigotes 8-fold less infective than controls in experimental hamster infection, as determined by number of parasites per inguinal lymph node after 8 weeks infection, suggesting the importance of parasite IPC or sphingolipid derivatives in parasite infectivity or survival in the host. IPC was isolated from promastigotes of three L. (V.) braziliensis strains and analyzed by positive- and negative-ion ESI-MS. The major IPC ions were characterized as eicosasphinganine and eicosasphingosine. Negative-ion ESI-MS revealed IPC ion species at m/z 778.6 (d20:1/14:0), 780.6 (d20:0/14:0), 796.6 (t20:0/14:0), 806.6 (d20:1/16:0), and 808.6 (d20:0/16:0). IPCs isolated from L. (V.) braziliensis and L. (L.) major showed significant differences in IPC ceramide composition. The major IPC ion from L. (L.) major, detected in negative-ion ESI-MS at m/z 780.6, was composed of ceramide d16:1/18:0. Our results suggest that sphingosine synthase (also known as serine palmitoyltransferase; SPT) in L. (V.) braziliensis is responsible for synthesis of a long-chain base of 20 carbons (d20), whereas SPT in L. (L.) major synthesizes a 16-carbon long-chain base (d16). A phylogenetic tree based on SPT proteins was constructed by analysis of sequence homologies in species of the Leishmania and Viannia subgenera. Results indicate that SPT gene position in L. (V.) braziliensis is completely separated from that of members of subgenus Leishmania, including L. (L.) major, L. (L.) infantum, and L. (L.) mexicana. Our findings clearly demonstrate sphingoid base differences between L. (V.) braziliensis and members of subgenus Leishmania, and are relevant to future development of more effective targeted anti-leishmaniasis drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erica V De Castro Levatti
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Universidade Federal de São PauloSão Paulo, Brazil
| | - Marcos S Toledo
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Universidade Federal de São PauloSão Paulo, Brazil
| | - Renata Watanabe Costa
- Departmento de Microbiologia, Imunologia e Parasitologia, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Universidade Federal de São PauloSão Paulo, Brazil
| | - Diana Bahia
- Departmento de Microbiologia, Imunologia e Parasitologia, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Universidade Federal de São PauloSão Paulo, Brazil.,Departamento de Biologia Geral, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas GeraisBelo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Renato A Mortara
- Departmento de Microbiologia, Imunologia e Parasitologia, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Universidade Federal de São PauloSão Paulo, Brazil
| | - Helio K Takahashi
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Universidade Federal de São PauloSão Paulo, Brazil
| | - Anita H Straus
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Universidade Federal de São PauloSão Paulo, Brazil
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24
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Biagiotti M, Dominguez S, Yamout N, Zufferey R. Lipidomics and anti-trypanosomatid chemotherapy. Clin Transl Med 2017; 6:27. [PMID: 28766182 PMCID: PMC5539062 DOI: 10.1186/s40169-017-0160-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2017] [Accepted: 07/26/2017] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Trypanosomatids such as Leishmania, Trypanosoma brucei and Trypanosoma cruzi belong to the order Kinetoplastida and are the source of many significant human and animal diseases. Current treatment is unsatisfactory and is compromised by the rising appearance of drug resistant parasites. Novel and more effective chemotherapeutics are urgently needed to treat and prevent these devastating diseases, which relies on the identification of essential, parasite specific targets that are absent in the host. Lipids constitute essential components of the cell and carry out multiple critical functions from building blocks of biological membranes to regulatory roles in signal transduction, organellar biogenesis, energy storage, and virulence. The recent technological advances of lipidomics has facilitated the broadening of our knowledge in the field of cellular lipid content, structure, functions, and metabolic pathways. MAIN BODY This review highlights the application of lipidomics (i) in the characterization of the lipidome of kinetoplastid parasites or of their subcellular structure(s), (ii) in the identification of unique lipid species or metabolic pathways that can be targeted for novel drug therapies, (iii) as an analytic tool to gain a deeper insight into the roles of specific enzymes in lipid metabolism using genetically modified microorganisms, and (iv) in deciphering the mechanism of action of anti-microbial drugs on lipid metabolism. Lastly, an outlook stating where the field is evolving is presented. CONCLUSION Lipidomics has contributed to the expanding knowledge related to lipid metabolism, mechanism of drug action and resistance, and pathogen-host interaction of trypanosomatids, which provides a solid basis for the development of better anti-parasitic pharmaceuticals.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Nader Yamout
- St John's University, 8000 Utopia Parkway, Queens, NY, 11439, USA
| | - Rachel Zufferey
- St John's University, 8000 Utopia Parkway, Queens, NY, 11439, USA.
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25
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Zufferey R, Pirani K, Cheung-See-Kit M, Lee S, Williams TA, Chen DG, Hossain MF. The Trypanosoma brucei dihydroxyacetonephosphate acyltransferase TbDAT is dispensable for normal growth but important for synthesis of ether glycerophospholipids. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0181432. [PMID: 28715456 PMCID: PMC5513551 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0181432] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2017] [Accepted: 06/30/2017] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Glycerophospholipids are the most abundant constituents of biological membranes in Trypanosoma brucei, which causes sleeping sickness in humans and nagana in cattle. They are essential cellular components that fulfill various important functions beyond their structural role in biological membranes such as in signal transduction, regulation of membrane trafficking or control of cell cycle progression. Our previous studies have established that the glycerol-3-phosphate acyltransferase TbGAT is dispensable for growth, viability, and ester lipid biosynthesis suggesting the existence of another initial acyltransferase(s). This work presents the characterization of the alternative, dihydroxyacetonephosphate acyltransferase TbDAT, which acylates primarily dihydroxyacetonephosphate and prefers palmitoyl-CoA as an acyl-CoA donor. TbDAT restores the viability of a yeast double null mutant that lacks glycerol-3-phosphate and dihydroxyacetonephosphate acyltransferase activities. A conditional null mutant of TbDAT in T. brucei procyclic form was created and characterized. TbDAT was important for survival during stationary phase and synthesis of ether lipids. In contrast, TbDAT was dispensable for normal growth. Our results show that in T. brucei procyclic forms i) TbDAT but not TbGAT is the physiologically relevant initial acyltransferase and ii) ether lipid precursors are primarily made by TbDAT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel Zufferey
- Department of Biochemistry, Kansas State University, Manhattan, Kansas, United States of America.,Department of Biological Sciences, St. John's University, Queens, New York, United States of America
| | - Karim Pirani
- Department of Biochemistry, Kansas State University, Manhattan, Kansas, United States of America
| | - Melanie Cheung-See-Kit
- Department of Biological Sciences, St. John's University, Queens, New York, United States of America
| | - Sungsu Lee
- Department of Biological Sciences, St. John's University, Queens, New York, United States of America
| | - Tyler A Williams
- Department of Biological Sciences, St. John's University, Queens, New York, United States of America
| | - Daniel G Chen
- Department of Biological Sciences, St. John's University, Queens, New York, United States of America
| | - Md Faruk Hossain
- Department of Biological Sciences, St. John's University, Queens, New York, United States of America
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26
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Farine L, Jelk J, Choi J, Voelker DR, Nunes J, Smith TK, Bütikofer P. Phosphatidylserine synthase 2 and phosphatidylserine decarboxylase are essential for aminophospholipid synthesis in Trypanosoma brucei. Mol Microbiol 2017; 104:412-427. [PMID: 28142188 PMCID: PMC5413845 DOI: 10.1111/mmi.13637] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/26/2017] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) and phosphatidylserine (PS) are ubiquitously expressed and metabolically interconnected glycerophospholipids in eukaryotes and prokaryotes. In Trypanosoma brucei, PE synthesis has been shown to occur mainly via the Kennedy pathway, one of the three routes leading to PE synthesis in eukaryotes, while PS synthesis has not been studied experimentally. We now reveal the importance of T. brucei PS synthase 2 (TbPSS2) and T. brucei PS decarboxylase (TbPSD), two key enzymes involved in aminophospholipid synthesis, for trypanosome viability. By using tetracycline-inducible down-regulation of gene expression and in vivo and in vitro metabolic labeling, we found that TbPSS2 (i) is necessary for normal growth of procyclic trypanosomes, (ii) localizes to the endoplasmic reticulum and (iii) represents the unique route for PS formation in T. brucei. In addition, we identified TbPSD as type I PS decarboxylase in the mitochondrion and found that it is processed proteolytically at a WGSS cleavage site into a heterodimer. Down-regulation of TbPSD expression affected mitochondrial integrity in both procyclic and bloodstream form trypanosomes, decreased ATP production via oxidative phosphorylation in procyclic form and affected parasite growth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luce Farine
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular MedicineUniversity of BernBern3012Switzerland
| | - Jennifer Jelk
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular MedicineUniversity of BernBern3012Switzerland
| | - Jae‐Yeon Choi
- Department of MedicineNational Jewish HealthDenverCO80206USA
| | | | - Jon Nunes
- Biomedical Sciences Research ComplexUniversity of St. AndrewsSt. AndrewsScotland
| | - Terry K. Smith
- Biomedical Sciences Research ComplexUniversity of St. AndrewsSt. AndrewsScotland
| | - Peter Bütikofer
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular MedicineUniversity of BernBern3012Switzerland
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27
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Fernandez-Prada C, Vincent IM, Brotherton MC, Roberts M, Roy G, Rivas L, Leprohon P, Smith TK, Ouellette M. Different Mutations in a P-type ATPase Transporter in Leishmania Parasites are Associated with Cross-resistance to Two Leading Drugs by Distinct Mechanisms. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2016; 10:e0005171. [PMID: 27911896 PMCID: PMC5135041 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0005171] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2016] [Accepted: 11/08/2016] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Leishmania infantum is an etiological agent of the life-threatening visceral form of leishmaniasis. Liposomal amphotericin B (AmB) followed by a short administration of miltefosine (MF) is a drug combination effective for treating visceral leishmaniasis in endemic regions of India. Resistance to MF can be due to point mutations in the miltefosine transporter (MT). Here we show that mutations in MT are also observed in Leishmania AmB-resistant mutants. The MF-induced MT mutations, but not the AmB induced mutations in MT, alter the translocation/uptake of MF. Moreover, mutations in the MT selected by AmB or MF have a major impact on lipid species that is linked to cross-resistance between both drugs. These alterations include changes of specific phospholipids, some of which are enriched with cyclopropanated fatty acids, as well as an increase in inositolphosphoceramide species. Collectively these results provide evidence of the risk of cross-resistance emergence derived from current AmB-MF sequential or co-treatments for visceral leishmaniasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher Fernandez-Prada
- Centre de Recherche en Infectiologie du Centre de Recherche du CHU de Québec and Département de Microbiologie, Infectiologie et Immunologie, Faculté de Médecine, Université Laval, Québec, Québec, Canada
| | - Isabel M. Vincent
- Centre de Recherche en Infectiologie du Centre de Recherche du CHU de Québec and Département de Microbiologie, Infectiologie et Immunologie, Faculté de Médecine, Université Laval, Québec, Québec, Canada
| | - Marie-Christine Brotherton
- Centre de Recherche en Infectiologie du Centre de Recherche du CHU de Québec and Département de Microbiologie, Infectiologie et Immunologie, Faculté de Médecine, Université Laval, Québec, Québec, Canada
| | - Mathew Roberts
- Biomedical Sciences Research Complex (BSRC), Schools of Biology & Chemistry, The North Haugh, The University of St. Andrews, United Kingdom
| | - Gaétan Roy
- Centre de Recherche en Infectiologie du Centre de Recherche du CHU de Québec and Département de Microbiologie, Infectiologie et Immunologie, Faculté de Médecine, Université Laval, Québec, Québec, Canada
| | - Luis Rivas
- Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas (CSIC), Madrid, Spain
| | - Philippe Leprohon
- Centre de Recherche en Infectiologie du Centre de Recherche du CHU de Québec and Département de Microbiologie, Infectiologie et Immunologie, Faculté de Médecine, Université Laval, Québec, Québec, Canada
| | - Terry K. Smith
- Biomedical Sciences Research Complex (BSRC), Schools of Biology & Chemistry, The North Haugh, The University of St. Andrews, United Kingdom
| | - Marc Ouellette
- Centre de Recherche en Infectiologie du Centre de Recherche du CHU de Québec and Département de Microbiologie, Infectiologie et Immunologie, Faculté de Médecine, Université Laval, Québec, Québec, Canada
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28
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Costa TRD, Ilangovan A, Ukleja M, Redzej A, Santini JM, Smith TK, Egelman EH, Waksman G. Structure of the Bacterial Sex F Pilus Reveals an Assembly of a Stoichiometric Protein-Phospholipid Complex. Cell 2016; 166:1436-1444.e10. [PMID: 27610568 PMCID: PMC5018250 DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2016.08.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 90] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2016] [Revised: 07/04/2016] [Accepted: 08/11/2016] [Indexed: 12/05/2022]
Abstract
Conjugative pili are widespread bacterial appendages that play important roles in horizontal gene transfer, in spread of antibiotic resistance genes, and as sites of phage attachment. Among conjugative pili, the F “sex” pilus encoded by the F plasmid is the best functionally characterized, and it is also historically the most important, as the discovery of F-plasmid-mediated conjugation ushered in the era of molecular biology and genetics. Yet, its structure is unknown. Here, we present atomic models of two F family pili, the F and pED208 pili, generated from cryoelectron microscopy reconstructions at 5.0 and 3.6 Å resolution, respectively. These structures reveal that conjugative pili are assemblies of stoichiometric protein-phospholipid units. We further demonstrate that each pilus type binds preferentially to particular phospholipids. These structures provide the molecular basis for F pilus assembly and also shed light on the remarkable properties of conjugative pili in bacterial secretion and phage infection. The atomic structures of the F pilus and an F-like pilus are solved by cryo-EM The structure reveals an assembly of a protein-phospholipid complex unit Mutations at subunit-lipid interfaces affect phage infection and conjugation The structure elucidates the molecular basis for DNA transfer and phage attachment
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Affiliation(s)
- Tiago R D Costa
- Institute of Structural and Molecular Biology, University College London and Birkbeck, Malet Street, London WC1E 7HX, UK
| | - Aravindan Ilangovan
- Institute of Structural and Molecular Biology, University College London and Birkbeck, Malet Street, London WC1E 7HX, UK
| | - Marta Ukleja
- Institute of Structural and Molecular Biology, University College London and Birkbeck, Malet Street, London WC1E 7HX, UK
| | - Adam Redzej
- Institute of Structural and Molecular Biology, University College London and Birkbeck, Malet Street, London WC1E 7HX, UK
| | - Joanne M Santini
- Institute of Structural and Molecular Biology, University College London and Birkbeck, Malet Street, London WC1E 7HX, UK
| | - Terry K Smith
- BSRC, School of Biology, University of St Andrews, St Andrews KY16 9AJ, UK
| | - Edward H Egelman
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA.
| | - Gabriel Waksman
- Institute of Structural and Molecular Biology, University College London and Birkbeck, Malet Street, London WC1E 7HX, UK.
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29
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Plasmodium falciparum Choline Kinase Inhibition Leads to a Major Decrease in Phosphatidylethanolamine Causing Parasite Death. Sci Rep 2016; 6:33189. [PMID: 27616047 PMCID: PMC5018819 DOI: 10.1038/srep33189] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2016] [Accepted: 08/22/2016] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Malaria is a life-threatening disease caused by different species of the protozoan parasite Plasmodium, with P. falciparum being the deadliest. Increasing parasitic resistance to existing antimalarials makes the necessity of novel avenues to treat this disease an urgent priority. The enzymes responsible for the synthesis of phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylethanolamine are attractive drug targets to treat malaria as their selective inhibition leads to an arrest of the parasite's growth and cures malaria in a mouse model. We present here a detailed study that reveals a mode of action for two P. falciparum choline kinase inhibitors both in vitro and in vivo. The compounds present distinct binding modes to the choline/ethanolamine-binding site of P. falciparum choline kinase, reflecting different types of inhibition. Strikingly, these compounds primarily inhibit the ethanolamine kinase activity of the P. falciparum choline kinase, leading to a severe decrease in the phosphatidylethanolamine levels within P. falciparum, which explains the resulting growth phenotype and the parasites death. These studies provide an understanding of the mode of action, and act as a springboard for continued antimalarial development efforts selectively targeting P. falciparum choline kinase.
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30
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Pawlowic MC, Hsu FF, Moitra S, Biyani N, Zhang K. Plasmenylethanolamine synthesis in Leishmania major. Mol Microbiol 2016; 101:238-49. [PMID: 27062077 DOI: 10.1111/mmi.13387] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/28/2016] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Ethanolamine glycerophospholipids are ubiquitous cell membrane components. Trypanosomatid parasites of the genus Leishmania synthesize the majority of their ethanolamine glycerophospholipids as 1-O-alk-1'-enyl-2-acyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphoethanolamine or plasmenylethanolamine (PME) through the Kennedy pathway. PME is a subtype of ether phospholipids also known as ethanolamine plasmalogen whose functions are not well characterized. In this study, we investigated the role of PME synthesis in Leishmania major through the characterization of an ethanolamine phosphotransferase (EPT) mutant. EPT-null parasites are largely devoid of PME and fully viable in regular medium but fail to proliferate in the absence of fetal bovine serum. They exhibit significant abnormalities in the synthesis and localization of GPI-anchored surface molecules. EPT-null mutants also show attenuated virulence in BALB/c mice. Furthermore, in addition to PME synthesis, ethanolamine also contributes to the production of phosphatidylcholine, the most abundant class of lipids in Leishmania. Together, these findings suggest that ethanolamine production is likely required for Leishmania promastigotes to generate bulk phospholipids, to handle stress, and to control the expression of membrane bound virulence factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mattie C Pawlowic
- Department of Biological Sciences, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX, 79409, USA
| | - Fong-Fu Hsu
- Department of Internal Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, 660 S. Euclid Ave., Saint Louis, MO, 63110, USA
| | - Samrat Moitra
- Department of Biological Sciences, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX, 79409, USA
| | - Neha Biyani
- Department of Biological Sciences, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX, 79409, USA
| | - Kai Zhang
- Department of Biological Sciences, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX, 79409, USA
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31
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Patel N, Pirani KA, Zhu T, Cheung-See-Kit M, Lee S, Chen DG, Zufferey R. The Glycerol-3-Phosphate Acyltransferase TbGAT is Dispensable for Viability and the Synthesis of Glycerolipids in Trypanosoma brucei. J Eukaryot Microbiol 2016; 63:598-609. [PMID: 26909872 DOI: 10.1111/jeu.12309] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2015] [Revised: 01/30/2016] [Accepted: 02/16/2016] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Glycerolipids are the main constituents of biological membranes in Trypanosoma brucei, which causes sleeping sickness in humans. Importantly, they occur as a structural component of the glycosylphosphatidylinositol lipid anchor of the abundant cell surface glycoproteins procyclin in procyclic forms and variant surface glycoprotein in bloodstream form, that play crucial roles for the development of the parasite in the insect vector and the mammalian host, respectively. The present work reports the characterization of the glycerol-3-phosphate acyltransferase TbGAT that initiates the biosynthesis of ester glycerolipids. TbGAT restored glycerol-3-phosphate acyltransferase activity when expressed in a Leishmania major deletion strain lacking this activity and exhibited preference for medium length, unsaturated fatty acyl-CoAs. TbGAT localized to the endoplasmic reticulum membrane with its N-terminal domain facing the cytosol. Despite that a TbGAT null mutant in T. brucei procyclic forms lacked glycerol-3-phosphate acyltransferase activity, it remained viable and exhibited similar growth rate as the wild type. TbGAT was dispensable for the biosynthesis of phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylinositol, phosphatidylserine, and GPI-anchored protein procyclin. However, the null mutant exhibited a slight decrease in phosphatidylethanolamine biosynthesis that was compensated with a modest increase in production of ether phosphatidylcholine. Our data suggest that an alternative initial acyltransferase takes over TbGAT's function in its absence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nipul Patel
- Department of Biological Sciences, St John's University, 8000 Utopia Parkway, Jamaica, New York, 11439
| | - Karim A Pirani
- Department of Biochemistry, Kansas State University, Manhattan, Kansas, 66506
| | - Tongtong Zhu
- Department of Biological Sciences, St John's University, 8000 Utopia Parkway, Jamaica, New York, 11439
| | - Melanie Cheung-See-Kit
- Department of Biological Sciences, St John's University, 8000 Utopia Parkway, Jamaica, New York, 11439
| | - Sungsu Lee
- Department of Biological Sciences, St John's University, 8000 Utopia Parkway, Jamaica, New York, 11439
| | - Daniel G Chen
- Department of Biological Sciences, St John's University, 8000 Utopia Parkway, Jamaica, New York, 11439
| | - Rachel Zufferey
- Department of Biological Sciences, St John's University, 8000 Utopia Parkway, Jamaica, New York, 11439.,Department of Biochemistry, Kansas State University, Manhattan, Kansas, 66506
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32
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Glycosomal bromodomain factor 1 from Trypanosoma cruzi enhances trypomastigote cell infection and intracellular amastigote growth. Biochem J 2015; 473:73-85. [DOI: 10.1042/bj20150986] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2015] [Accepted: 10/23/2015] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
We characterized bromodomain factor 1 from Trypanosoma cruzi (TcBDF1), a developmentally regulated protein that localizes in the glycosomes of epimastigotes. The overexpression of wild-type TcBDF1 is detrimental for epimastigotes, but favours trypomastigote infection, whereas mutant TcBDF1 diminishes the infectivity rate.
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33
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Pliotas C, Dahl ACE, Rasmussen T, Mahendran KR, Smith TK, Marius P, Gault J, Banda T, Rasmussen A, Miller S, Robinson CV, Bayley H, Sansom MSP, Booth IR, Naismith JH. The role of lipids in mechanosensation. Nat Struct Mol Biol 2015; 22:991-8. [PMID: 26551077 PMCID: PMC4675090 DOI: 10.1038/nsmb.3120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 127] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2015] [Accepted: 10/06/2015] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The ability of proteins to sense membrane tension is pervasive in biology. A higher-resolution structure of the Escherichia coli small-conductance mechanosensitive channel MscS identifies alkyl chains inside pockets formed by the transmembrane helices (TMs). Purified MscS contains E. coli lipids, and fluorescence quenching demonstrates that phospholipid acyl chains exchange between bilayer and TM pockets. Molecular dynamics and biophysical analyses show that the volume of the pockets and thus the number of lipid acyl chains within them decreases upon channel opening. Phospholipids with one acyl chain per head group (lysolipids) displace normal phospholipids (with two acyl chains) from MscS pockets and trigger channel opening. We propose that the extent of acyl-chain interdigitation in these pockets determines the conformation of MscS. When interdigitation is perturbed by increased membrane tension or by lysolipids, the closed state becomes unstable, and the channel gates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christos Pliotas
- Biomedical Sciences Research Complex, University of St. Andrews, St. Andrews, UK
| | | | - Tim Rasmussen
- Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, UK
| | | | - Terry K Smith
- Biomedical Sciences Research Complex, University of St. Andrews, St. Andrews, UK
| | - Phedra Marius
- Biomedical Sciences Research Complex, University of St. Andrews, St. Andrews, UK
| | - Joseph Gault
- Department of Chemistry, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Thandiwe Banda
- Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, UK
| | - Akiko Rasmussen
- Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, UK
| | - Samantha Miller
- Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, UK
| | | | - Hagan Bayley
- Department of Chemistry, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Mark S P Sansom
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Ian R Booth
- Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, UK
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, California, USA
| | - James H Naismith
- Biomedical Sciences Research Complex, University of St. Andrews, St. Andrews, UK
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
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34
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Farine L, Niemann M, Schneider A, Bütikofer P. Phosphatidylethanolamine and phosphatidylcholine biosynthesis by the Kennedy pathway occurs at different sites in Trypanosoma brucei. Sci Rep 2015; 5:16787. [PMID: 26577437 PMCID: PMC4649479 DOI: 10.1038/srep16787] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2015] [Accepted: 10/20/2015] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) and phosphatidylcholine (PC) are among the most abundant phospholipids in biological membranes. In many eukaryotes, the CDP-ethanolamine and CDP-choline branches of the Kennedy pathway represent major and often essential routes for the production of PE and PC, with ethanolamine and choline/ethanolamine phosphotransferases (EPT and CEPT, respectively) catalysing the last reactions in the respective pathways. Although the site of PE and PC synthesis is commonly known to be the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), detailed information on the localization of the different phosphotransferases is lacking. In the unicellular parasite, Trypanosoma brucei, both branches of the Kennedy pathway are essential for cell growth in culture. We have previously reported that T. brucei EPT (TbEPT) catalyses the production of ether-type PE molecular species while T. brucei CEPT (TbCEPT) synthesizes diacyl-type PE and PC molecular species. We now show that the two enzymes localize to different sub-compartments of the ER. By expressing a series of tagged forms of the two enzymes in T. brucei parasites, in combination with sub-cellular fractionation and enzyme activity measurements, TbEPT was found exclusively in the perinuclear ER, a distinct area located close to but distinct from the nuclear membrane. In contrast, TbCEPT was detected in the bulk ER.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luce Farine
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, University of Bern, 3012 Bern, Switzerland.,Graduate School for Cellular and Biomedical Sciences, University of Bern, 3012 Bern, Switzerland
| | - Moritz Niemann
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Bern, 3012 Bern, Switzerland
| | - André Schneider
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Bern, 3012 Bern, Switzerland
| | - Peter Bütikofer
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, University of Bern, 3012 Bern, Switzerland
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35
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Discovery of Infection Associated Metabolic Markers in Human African Trypanosomiasis. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2015; 9:e0004200. [PMID: 26505639 PMCID: PMC4624234 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0004200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2015] [Accepted: 10/07/2015] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Human African trypanosomiasis (HAT) remains a major neglected tropical disease in Sub-Saharan Africa. As clinical symptoms are usually non-specific, new diagnostic and prognostic markers are urgently needed to enhance the number of identified cases and optimise treatment. This is particularly important for disease caused by Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense, where indirect immunodiagnostic approaches have to date been unsuccessful. We have conducted global metabolic profiling of plasma from T.b.rhodesiense HAT patients and endemic controls, using 1H nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy and ultra-performance liquid chromatography, coupled with mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS) and identified differences in the lipid, amino acid and metabolite profiles. Altogether 16 significantly disease discriminatory metabolite markers were found using NMR, and a further 37 lipid markers via UPLC-MS. These included significantly higher levels of phenylalanine, formate, creatinine, N-acetylated glycoprotein and triglycerides in patients relative to controls. HAT patients also displayed lower concentrations of histidine, sphingomyelins, lysophosphatidylcholines, and several polyunsaturated phosphatidylcholines. While the disease metabolite profile was partially consistent with previous data published in experimental rodent infection, we also found unique lipid and amino acid profile markers highlighting subtle but important differences between the host response to trypanosome infections between animal models and natural human infections. Our results demonstrate the potential of metabolic profiling in the identification of novel diagnostic biomarkers and the elucidation of pathogenetic mechanisms in this disease. Metabolic profiling of biofluids and tissues in disease and healthy individuals is a powerful approach to discover new markers for diagnosis. We have applied these techniques to the protozoan infection human African trypanosomiasis (HAT), otherwise known as sleeping sickness. The form of HAT endemic in East Africa, caused by Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense, requires technically demanding direct microscopic diagnosis, as there are no indirect rapid diagnostic tests available. We studied the metabolite profiles in plasma from HAT patients and controls. Clear biochemical differences were discovered between control individuals and patients, including changes in the overall lipid composition and concentration of certain amino acids. These may have been caused by the inflammatory immune response to infection and the uptake of particular molecules by the parasites, although further research will be required for confirmation. We demonstrate that plasma metabolic profiles are characteristic for T. b. rhodesiense infection. While some of these changes are consistent with those observed in an experimental mouse infection model of HAT, many are unique to this clinical study and indicate the necessity of validating experimental animal study data in clinical disease studies. Our results also reveal biochemical changes in patients that will help us understand the development of disease.
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Serricchio M, Schmid AW, Steinmann ME, Sigel E, Rauch M, Julkowska D, Bonnefoy S, Fort C, Bastin P, Bütikofer P. Flagellar membranes are rich in raft-forming phospholipids. Biol Open 2015; 4:1143-53. [PMID: 26276100 PMCID: PMC4582118 DOI: 10.1242/bio.011957] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
The observation that the membranes of flagella are enriched in sterols and sphingolipids has led to the hypothesis that flagella might be enriched in raft-forming lipids. However, a detailed lipidomic analysis of flagellar membranes is not available. Novel protocols to detach and isolate intact flagella from Trypanosoma brucei procyclic forms in combination with reverse-phase liquid chromatography high-resolution tandem mass spectrometry allowed us to determine the phospholipid composition of flagellar membranes relative to whole cells. Our analyses revealed that phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylserine, ceramide and the sphingolipids inositol phosphorylceramide and sphingomyelin are enriched in flagella relative to whole cells. In contrast, phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylinositol are strongly depleted in flagella. Within individual glycerophospholipid classes, we observed a preference for ether-type over diacyl-type molecular species in membranes of flagella. Our study provides direct evidence for a preferential presence of raft-forming phospholipids in flagellar membranes of T. brucei.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mauro Serricchio
- Institute of Biochemistry & Molecular Medicine, University of Bern, Bern 3012, Switzerland
| | - Adrien W Schmid
- Proteomics Core Facility, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, Lausanne 1015, Switzerland
| | - Michael E Steinmann
- Institute of Biochemistry & Molecular Medicine, University of Bern, Bern 3012, Switzerland
| | - Erwin Sigel
- Institute of Biochemistry & Molecular Medicine, University of Bern, Bern 3012, Switzerland
| | - Monika Rauch
- Institute of Biochemistry & Molecular Medicine, University of Bern, Bern 3012, Switzerland
| | - Daria Julkowska
- Trypanosome Cell Biology Unit, Pasteur Institute and INSERM U1201, Paris 75015, France
| | - Serge Bonnefoy
- Trypanosome Cell Biology Unit, Pasteur Institute and INSERM U1201, Paris 75015, France
| | - Cécile Fort
- Trypanosome Cell Biology Unit, Pasteur Institute and INSERM U1201, Paris 75015, France
| | - Philippe Bastin
- Trypanosome Cell Biology Unit, Pasteur Institute and INSERM U1201, Paris 75015, France
| | - Peter Bütikofer
- Institute of Biochemistry & Molecular Medicine, University of Bern, Bern 3012, Switzerland
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Luévano-Martínez LA. The chimeric origin of the cardiolipin biosynthetic pathway in the Eukarya domain. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-BIOENERGETICS 2015; 1847:599-606. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbabio.2015.03.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2015] [Revised: 03/17/2015] [Accepted: 03/27/2015] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
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Trypanosoma brucei Bloodstream Forms Depend upon Uptake of myo-Inositol for Golgi Complex Phosphatidylinositol Synthesis and Normal Cell Growth. EUKARYOTIC CELL 2015; 14:616-24. [PMID: 25888554 DOI: 10.1128/ec.00038-15] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2015] [Accepted: 04/13/2015] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
myo-Inositol is a building block for all inositol-containing phospholipids in eukaryotes. It can be synthesized de novo from glucose-6-phosphate in the cytosol and endoplasmic reticulum. Alternatively, it can be taken up from the environment via Na(+)- or H(+)-linked myo-inositol transporters. While Na(+)-coupled myo-inositol transporters are found exclusively in the plasma membrane, H(+)-linked myo-inositol transporters are detected in intracellular organelles. In Trypanosoma brucei, the causative agent of human African sleeping sickness, myo-inositol metabolism is compartmentalized. De novo-synthesized myo-inositol is used for glycosylphosphatidylinositol production in the endoplasmic reticulum, whereas the myo-inositol taken up from the environment is used for bulk phosphatidylinositol synthesis in the Golgi complex. We now provide evidence that the Golgi complex-localized T. brucei H(+)-linked myo-inositol transporter (TbHMIT) is essential in bloodstream-form T. brucei. Downregulation of TbHMIT expression by RNA interference blocked phosphatidylinositol production and inhibited growth of parasites in culture. Characterization of the transporter in a heterologous expression system demonstrated a remarkable selectivity of TbHMIT for myo-inositol. It tolerates only a single modification on the inositol ring, such as the removal of a hydroxyl group or the inversion of stereochemistry at a single hydroxyl group relative to myo-inositol.
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Gazos-Lopes F, Oliveira MM, Hoelz LVB, Vieira DP, Marques AF, Nakayasu ES, Gomes MT, Salloum NG, Pascutti PG, Souto-Padrón T, Monteiro RQ, Lopes AH, Almeida IC. Structural and functional analysis of a platelet-activating lysophosphatidylcholine of Trypanosoma cruzi. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2014; 8:e3077. [PMID: 25101628 PMCID: PMC4125143 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0003077] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2013] [Accepted: 06/13/2014] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Trypanosoma cruzi is the causative agent of the life-threatening Chagas disease, in which increased platelet aggregation related to myocarditis is observed. Platelet-activating factor (PAF) is a potent intercellular lipid mediator and second messenger that exerts its activity through a PAF-specific receptor (PAFR). Previous data from our group suggested that T. cruzi synthesizes a phospholipid with PAF-like activity. The structure of T. cruzi PAF-like molecule, however, remains elusive. Methodology/Principal findings Here, we have purified and structurally characterized the putative T. cruzi PAF-like molecule by electrospray ionization-tandem mass spectrometry (ESI-MS/MS). Our ESI-MS/MS data demonstrated that the T. cruzi PAF-like molecule is actually a lysophosphatidylcholine (LPC), namely sn-1 C18:1(delta 9)-LPC. Similar to PAF, the platelet-aggregating activity of C18:1-LPC was abrogated by the PAFR antagonist, WEB 2086. Other major LPC species, i.e., C16:0-, C18:0-, and C18:2-LPC, were also characterized in all T. cruzi stages. These LPC species, however, failed to induce platelet aggregation. Quantification of T. cruzi LPC species by ESI-MS revealed that intracellular amastigote and trypomastigote forms have much higher levels of C18:1-LPC than epimastigote and metacyclic trypomastigote forms. C18:1-LPC was also found to be secreted by the parasite in extracellular vesicles (EV) and an EV-free fraction. A three-dimensional model of PAFR was constructed and a molecular docking study was performed to predict the interactions between the PAFR model and PAF, and each LPC species. Molecular docking data suggested that, contrary to other LPC species analyzed, C18:1-LPC is predicted to interact with the PAFR model in a fashion similar to PAF. Conclusions/Significance Taken together, our data indicate that T. cruzi synthesizes a bioactive C18:1-LPC, which aggregates platelets via PAFR. We propose that C18:1-LPC might be an important lipid mediator in the progression of Chagas disease and its biosynthesis could eventually be exploited as a potential target for new therapeutic interventions. Chagas disease, caused by the parasite Trypanosoma cruzi, was exclusively confined to Latin America but it has recently spread to other regions of the world. Chagas disease affects 8–10 million people and kills thousands of them every year. Lysophosphatidylcholine (LPC) is a major bioactive phospholipid of human plasma low-density lipoproteins (LDL). Platelet-activating factor (PAF) is a phospholipid similar to LPC and a potent intercellular mediator. Both PAF and LPC have been reported to act on mammalian cells through PAF receptor (PAFR). Previous data from our group suggested that T. cruzi produces a phospholipid with PAF activity. Here, we describe the structural and functional analysis of different species of LPC from T. cruzi, including a LPC with a fatty acid chain of 18 carbon atoms and one double bond (C18:1-LPC). We also show that C18:1-LPC is able to induce rabbit platelet aggregation, which is abrogated by a PAFR antagonist. In addition, a three-dimensional model of human PAFR was constructed. Contrary to other T. cruzi LPC molecules, C18:1-LPC is predicted to interact with the PAFR model in a fashion similar to PAF. Further studies are needed to validate the biosynthesis of T. cruzi C18:1-LPC as a potential drug target in Chagas disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Felipe Gazos-Lopes
- The Border Biomedical Research Center, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP), El Paso, Texas, United States of America
| | - Mauricio M. Oliveira
- Instituto de Microbiologia Paulo de Góes, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Cidade Universitária, Centro de Ciências da Saúde, Bloco I, Ilha do Fundão, Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Lucas V. B. Hoelz
- Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Cidade Universitária, Centro de Ciências da Saúde, Bloco G, Ilha do Fundão, Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Danielle P. Vieira
- Instituto de Microbiologia Paulo de Góes, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Cidade Universitária, Centro de Ciências da Saúde, Bloco I, Ilha do Fundão, Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Alexandre F. Marques
- The Border Biomedical Research Center, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP), El Paso, Texas, United States of America
- Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Departamento de Parasitologia, Pampulha, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Ernesto S. Nakayasu
- The Border Biomedical Research Center, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP), El Paso, Texas, United States of America
| | - Marta T. Gomes
- Instituto de Microbiologia Paulo de Góes, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Cidade Universitária, Centro de Ciências da Saúde, Bloco I, Ilha do Fundão, Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Instituto de Bioquímica Médica, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Cidade Universitária, Centro de Ciências da Saúde, Bloco H, Ilha do Fundão, Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Nasim G. Salloum
- The Border Biomedical Research Center, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP), El Paso, Texas, United States of America
| | - Pedro G. Pascutti
- Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Cidade Universitária, Centro de Ciências da Saúde, Bloco G, Ilha do Fundão, Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Thaïs Souto-Padrón
- Instituto de Microbiologia Paulo de Góes, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Cidade Universitária, Centro de Ciências da Saúde, Bloco I, Ilha do Fundão, Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Robson Q. Monteiro
- Instituto de Bioquímica Médica, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Cidade Universitária, Centro de Ciências da Saúde, Bloco H, Ilha do Fundão, Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Angela H. Lopes
- Instituto de Microbiologia Paulo de Góes, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Cidade Universitária, Centro de Ciências da Saúde, Bloco I, Ilha do Fundão, Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- * E-mail: (AHL); (ICA)
| | - Igor C. Almeida
- The Border Biomedical Research Center, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP), El Paso, Texas, United States of America
- * E-mail: (AHL); (ICA)
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Minois N, Rockenfeller P, Smith TK, Carmona-Gutierrez D. Spermidine feeding decreases age-related locomotor activity loss and induces changes in lipid composition. PLoS One 2014; 9:e102435. [PMID: 25010732 PMCID: PMC4092136 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0102435] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2013] [Accepted: 06/19/2014] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Spermidine is a natural polyamine involved in many important cellular functions, whose supplementation in food or water increases life span and stress resistance in several model organisms. In this work, we expand spermidine's range of age-related beneficial effects by demonstrating that it is also able to improve locomotor performance in aged flies. Spermidine's mechanism of action on aging has been primarily related to general protein hypoacetylation that subsequently induces autophagy. Here, we suggest that the molecular targets of spermidine also include lipid metabolism: Spermidine-fed flies contain more triglycerides and show altered fatty acid and phospholipid profiles. We further determine that most of these metabolic changes are regulated through autophagy. Collectively, our data suggests an additional and novel lipid-mediated mechanism of action for spermidine-induced autophagy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nadège Minois
- Biomedical Sciences Research Complex, University of St. Andrews, St. Andrews, United Kingdom
| | | | - Terry K. Smith
- Biomedical Sciences Research Complex, University of St. Andrews, St. Andrews, United Kingdom
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41
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Seixas JD, Luengo-Arratta SA, Diaz R, Saldivia M, Rojas-Barros DI, Manzano P, Gonzalez S, Berlanga M, Smith TK, Navarro M, Pollastri MP. Establishment of a structure-activity relationship of 1H-imidazo[4,5-c]quinoline-based kinase inhibitor NVP-BEZ235 as a lead for African sleeping sickness. J Med Chem 2014; 57:4834-48. [PMID: 24805946 PMCID: PMC4099174 DOI: 10.1021/jm500361r] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
![]()
Compound
NVP-BEZ235 (1) is a potent inhibitor of human
phospoinositide-3-kinases and mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR)
that also showed high inhibitory potency against Trypanosoma
brucei cultures. With an eye toward using 1 as a starting point for anti-trypanosomal drug discovery, we report
efforts to reduce host cell toxicity, to improve the physicochemical
properties, and to improve the selectivity profile over human kinases.
In this work, we have developed structure–activity relationships
for analogues of 1 and have prepared analogues of 1 with improved solubility properties and good predicted central
nervous system exposure. In this way, we have identified 4e, 9, 16e, and 16g as the most
promising leads to date. We also report cell phenotype and phospholipidomic
studies that suggest that these compounds exert their anti-trypanosomal
effects, at least in part, by inhibition of lipid kinases.
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Affiliation(s)
- João D Seixas
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Northeastern University , Boston, Massachusetts 02115, United States
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42
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Vincent IM, Weidt S, Rivas L, Burgess K, Smith TK, Ouellette M. Untargeted metabolomic analysis of miltefosine action in Leishmania infantum reveals changes to the internal lipid metabolism. Int J Parasitol Drugs Drug Resist 2014; 4:20-7. [PMID: 24596665 PMCID: PMC3940234 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpddr.2013.11.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2013] [Revised: 11/08/2013] [Accepted: 11/14/2013] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
There are many theories as to the mode of action of miltefosine against Leishmania including alterations to the membrane lipid content, induction of apoptosis and modulation of macrophage responses. Here we perform untargeted metabolomics to elucidate the metabolic changes involved in miltefosine action. Over 800 metabolites were detected, 10% of which were significantly altered after 3.75 h. Many of the changes related to an increase in alkane fragment and sugar release. Fragment release is synchronised with reactive oxygen species production, but native membrane phospholipids remain intact. Signs of DNA damage were also detected as were changes to the levels of some thiols and polyamines. After 5 h of miltefosine treatment the cells showed depleted levels of most metabolites, indicating that the cells' outer membrane integrity had become compromised and internal metabolites were escaping upon cell death. In miltefosine resistant cells, the drug was not internalised and the changes to the internal metabolite levels were not seen. In contrast, cells resistant to antimony (SbIII) had similar corresponding alterations to the levels of internal metabolites as wild-type cells. A detailed knowledge of the mode of action of miltefosine will be important to inform the design of combination therapies to combat leishmaniasis, something that the research community should be prioritising in the coming years.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isabel M. Vincent
- Centre de Recherche en Infectiologie, Université Laval, Québec, Canada
| | - Stefan Weidt
- Glasgow Polyomics Facility, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Luis Rivas
- Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas (CSIC), Madrid, Spain
| | - Karl Burgess
- Glasgow Polyomics Facility, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Terry K. Smith
- Schools of Biology & Chemistry, Biomedical Sciences Research Complex (BSRC), The North Haugh, The University, St. Andrews, UK
| | - Marc Ouellette
- Centre de Recherche en Infectiologie, Université Laval, Québec, Canada
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43
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Lilley AC, Major L, Young S, Stark MJR, Smith TK. The essential roles of cytidine diphosphate-diacylglycerol synthase in bloodstream form Trypanosoma brucei. Mol Microbiol 2014; 92:453-70. [PMID: 24533860 PMCID: PMC4114554 DOI: 10.1111/mmi.12553] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/12/2014] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Lipid metabolism in Trypanosoma brucei, the causative agent of African sleeping sickness, differs from its human host in several fundamental ways. This has lead to the validation of a plethora of novel drug targets, giving hope of novel chemical intervention against this neglected disease. Cytidine diphosphate diacylglycerol (CDP‐DAG) is a central lipid intermediate for several pathways in both prokaryotes and eukaryotes, being produced by CDP‐DAG synthase (CDS). However, nothing is known about the single T. brucei CDS gene (Tb927.7.220/EC 2.7.7.41) or its activity. In this study we show TbCDS is functional by complementation of a non‐viable yeast CDS null strain and that it is essential in the bloodstream form of the parasite via a conditional knockout. The TbCDS conditional knockout showed morphological changes including a cell‐cycle arrest due in part to kinetoplast segregation defects. Biochemical phenotyping of TbCDS conditional knockout showed drastically altered lipid metabolism where reducing levels of phosphatidylinositol detrimentally impacted on glycoylphosphatidylinositol biosynthesis. These studies also suggest that phosphatidylglycerol synthesized via the phosphatidylglycerol‐phosphate synthase is not synthesized from CDP‐DAG, as was previously thought. TbCDS was shown to localized the ER and Golgi, probably to provide CDP‐DAG for the phosphatidylinositol synthases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alison C Lilley
- Biomedical Sciences Research Centre, School of Biology, The University of St. Andrews, The North Haugh, St. Andrews, Fife Scotland, KY16 9ST, UK
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44
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Brochet M, Collins MO, Smith TK, Thompson E, Sebastian S, Volkmann K, Schwach F, Chappell L, Gomes AR, Berriman M, Rayner JC, Baker DA, Choudhary J, Billker O. Phosphoinositide metabolism links cGMP-dependent protein kinase G to essential Ca²⁺ signals at key decision points in the life cycle of malaria parasites. PLoS Biol 2014; 12:e1001806. [PMID: 24594931 PMCID: PMC3942320 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pbio.1001806] [Citation(s) in RCA: 149] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2013] [Accepted: 01/23/2014] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Many critical events in the Plasmodium life cycle rely on the controlled release of Ca²⁺ from intracellular stores to activate stage-specific Ca²⁺-dependent protein kinases. Using the motility of Plasmodium berghei ookinetes as a signalling paradigm, we show that the cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP)-dependent protein kinase, PKG, maintains the elevated level of cytosolic Ca²⁺ required for gliding motility. We find that the same PKG-dependent pathway operates upstream of the Ca²⁺ signals that mediate activation of P. berghei gametocytes in the mosquito and egress of Plasmodium falciparum merozoites from infected human erythrocytes. Perturbations of PKG signalling in gliding ookinetes have a marked impact on the phosphoproteome, with a significant enrichment of in vivo regulated sites in multiple pathways including vesicular trafficking and phosphoinositide metabolism. A global analysis of cellular phospholipids demonstrates that in gliding ookinetes PKG controls phosphoinositide biosynthesis, possibly through the subcellular localisation or activity of lipid kinases. Similarly, phosphoinositide metabolism links PKG to egress of P. falciparum merozoites, where inhibition of PKG blocks hydrolysis of phosphatidylinostitol (4,5)-bisphosphate. In the face of an increasing complexity of signalling through multiple Ca²⁺ effectors, PKG emerges as a unifying factor to control multiple cellular Ca²⁺ signals essential for malaria parasite development and transmission.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mathieu Brochet
- Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Hinxton, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Mark O. Collins
- Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Hinxton, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Terry K. Smith
- Schools of Biology and Chemistry, Biomedical Sciences Research Complex, The North Haugh, The University of Saint Andrews, St. Andrews, Fife United Kingdom
| | - Eloise Thompson
- Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Sarah Sebastian
- Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Hinxton, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Katrin Volkmann
- Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Hinxton, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Frank Schwach
- Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Hinxton, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Lia Chappell
- Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Hinxton, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Ana Rita Gomes
- Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Hinxton, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Matthew Berriman
- Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Hinxton, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Julian C. Rayner
- Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Hinxton, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - David A. Baker
- Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Jyoti Choudhary
- Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Hinxton, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Oliver Billker
- Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Hinxton, Cambridge, United Kingdom
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45
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Lipid synthesis in protozoan parasites: a comparison between kinetoplastids and apicomplexans. Prog Lipid Res 2013; 52:488-512. [PMID: 23827884 DOI: 10.1016/j.plipres.2013.06.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 103] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2013] [Revised: 06/16/2013] [Accepted: 06/17/2013] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Lipid metabolism is of crucial importance for pathogens. Lipids serve as cellular building blocks, signalling molecules, energy stores, posttranslational modifiers, and pathogenesis factors. Parasites rely on a complex system of uptake and synthesis mechanisms to satisfy their lipid needs. The parameters of this system change dramatically as the parasite transits through the various stages of its life cycle. Here we discuss the tremendous recent advances that have been made in the understanding of the synthesis and uptake pathways for fatty acids and phospholipids in apicomplexan and kinetoplastid parasites, including Plasmodium, Toxoplasma, Cryptosporidium, Trypanosoma and Leishmania. Lipid synthesis differs in significant ways between parasites from both phyla and the human host. Parasites have acquired novel pathways through endosymbiosis, as in the case of the apicoplast, have dramatically reshaped substrate and product profiles, and have evolved specialized lipids to interact with or manipulate the host. These differences potentially provide opportunities for drug development. We outline the lipid pathways for key species in detail as they progress through the developmental cycle and highlight those that are of particular importance to the biology of the pathogens and/or are the most promising targets for parasite-specific treatment.
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46
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Macêdo JP, Schmidt RS, Mäser P, Rentsch D, Vial HJ, Sigel E, Bütikofer P. Characterization of choline uptake in Trypanosoma brucei procyclic and bloodstream forms. Mol Biochem Parasitol 2013; 190:16-22. [PMID: 23747277 DOI: 10.1016/j.molbiopara.2013.05.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2013] [Revised: 05/27/2013] [Accepted: 05/28/2013] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
Choline is an essential nutrient for eukaryotic cells, where it is used as precursor for the synthesis of choline-containing phospholipids, such as phosphatidylcholine (PC). According to published data, Trypanosoma brucei parasites are unable to take up choline from the environment but instead use lyso-phosphatidylcholine as precursor for choline lipid synthesis. We now show that T. brucei procyclic forms in culture readily incorporate [(3)H]-labeled choline into PC, indicating that trypanosomes express a transporter for choline at the plasma membrane. Characterization of the transport system in T. brucei procyclic and bloodstream forms shows that uptake of choline is independent of sodium and potassium ions and occurs with a Km in the low micromolar range. In addition, we demonstrate that choline uptake can be blocked by the known choline transport inhibitor, hemicholinium-3, and by synthetic choline analogs that have been established as anti-malarials. Together, our results show that T. brucei parasites express an uptake system for choline and that exogenous choline is used for PC synthesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan P Macêdo
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, University of Bern, 3012 Bern, Switzerland
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47
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Lin S, Morris MT, Ackroyd PC, Morris JC, Christensen KA. Peptide-targeted delivery of a pH sensor for quantitative measurements of intraglycosomal pH in live Trypanosoma brucei. Biochemistry 2013; 52:3629-37. [PMID: 23651061 DOI: 10.1021/bi400029m] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Studies of dynamic changes in organelles of protozoan parasite Trypanosoma brucei have been limited, in part because of the difficulty of targeting analytical probes to specific subcellular compartments. Here we demonstrate application of a ratiometric probe for pH quantification in T. brucei glycosomes. The probe consists of a peptide encoding the peroxisomal targeting sequence (F-PTS1, acetyl-CKGGAKL) coupled to fluorescein, which responds to pH. When incubated with living parasites, the probe is internalized within vesicular structures that colocalize with a glycosomal marker. Inhibition of uptake of F-PTS1 at 4 °C and pulse-chase colocalization with fluorescent dextran suggested that the probe is initially taken up by non-receptor-mediated endocytosis but is subsequently transported separately from dextran and localized within glycosomes, prior to the final fusion of labeled glycosomes and lysosomes as part of glycosomal turnover. Intraorganellar measurements and pH calibration with F-PTS1 in T. brucei glycosomes indicate that the resting glycosomal pH under physiological conditions is 7.4 ± 0.2. However, incubation in glucose-depleted buffer triggered mild acidification of the glycosome over a period of 20 min, with a final observed pH of 6.8 ± 0.3. This glycosomal acidification was reversed by reintroduction of glucose. Coupling of ratiometric fluorescent sensors and reporters to PTS peptides offers an invaluable tool for monitoring in situ glycosomal response(s) to changing environmental conditions and could be applied to additional kinetoplastid parasites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sheng Lin
- Department of Chemistry and ‡Department of Genetics and Biochemistry, Clemson University , Clemson, South Carolina 29634, United States
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Serricchio M, Bütikofer P. Phosphatidylglycerophosphate synthase associates with a mitochondrial inner membrane complex and is essential for growth ofTrypanosoma brucei. Mol Microbiol 2012. [DOI: 10.1111/mmi.12116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Mauro Serricchio
- Institute of Biochemistry & Molecular Medicine; University of Bern; Bern; Switzerland
| | - Peter Bütikofer
- Institute of Biochemistry & Molecular Medicine; University of Bern; Bern; Switzerland
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Farine L, Bütikofer P. The ins and outs of phosphatidylethanolamine synthesis in Trypanosoma brucei. Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Cell Biol Lipids 2012; 1831:533-42. [PMID: 23010476 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbalip.2012.09.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2012] [Revised: 09/07/2012] [Accepted: 09/16/2012] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Phospholipids are not only major building blocks of biological membranes but fulfill a wide range of critical functions that are often widely unrecognized. In this review, we focus on phosphatidylethanolamine, a major glycerophospholipid class in eukaryotes and bacteria, which is involved in many unexpected biological processes. We describe (i) the ins, i.e. the substrate sources and biochemical reactions involved in phosphatidylethanolamine synthesis, and (ii) the outs, i.e. the different roles of phosphatidylethanolamine and its involvement in various cellular events. We discuss how the protozoan parasite, Trypanosoma brucei, has contributed and may contribute in the future as eukaryotic model organism to our understanding of phosphatidylethanolamine homeostasis. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled Phospholipids and Phospholipid Metabolism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luce Farine
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, University of Bern, 3012 Bern, Switzerland.
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Lipidomic profiling of model organisms and the world's major pathogens. Biochimie 2012; 95:109-15. [PMID: 22971440 DOI: 10.1016/j.biochi.2012.08.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2012] [Accepted: 08/14/2012] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
Lipidomics is a subspecialty of metabolomics that focuses on water insoluble metabolites that form membrane barriers. Most lipidomic databases catalog lipids from common model organisms, like humans or Escherichia coli. However, model organisms' lipid profiles show surprisingly little overlap with those of specialized pathogens, creating the need for organism-specific lipidomic databases. Here we review rapid progress in lipidomic platform development with regard to chromatography, detection and bioinformatics. We emphasize new methods of comparative lipidomics, which use aligned datasets to identify lipids changed after introducing a biological variable. These new methods provide an unprecedented ability to broadly and quantitatively describe lipidic change during biological processes and identify changed lipids with low error rates.
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