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Ren Y, Huang P, Zhang L, Tang YF, Luo SL, She Z, Peng H, Chen YQ, Luo JW, Duan WX, Liu LJ, Liu LQ. Dual Regulation Mechanism of Obesity: DNA Methylation and Intestinal Flora. Biomedicines 2024; 12:1633. [PMID: 39200098 PMCID: PMC11351752 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines12081633] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2024] [Revised: 07/15/2024] [Accepted: 07/18/2024] [Indexed: 09/01/2024] Open
Abstract
Obesity is a multifactorial chronic inflammatory metabolic disorder, with pathogenesis influenced by genetic and non-genetic factors such as environment and diet. Intestinal microbes and their metabolites play significant roles in the occurrence and development of obesity by regulating energy metabolism, inducing chronic inflammation, and impacting intestinal hormone secretion. Epigenetics, which involves the regulation of host gene expression without changing the nucleotide sequence, provides an exact direction for us to understand how the environment, lifestyle factors, and other risk factors contribute to obesity. DNA methylation, as the most common epigenetic modification, is involved in the pathogenesis of various metabolic diseases. The epigenetic modification of the host is induced or regulated by the intestinal microbiota and their metabolites, linking the dynamic interaction between the microbiota and the host genome. In this review, we examined recent advancements in research, focusing on the involvement of intestinal microbiota and DNA methylation in the etiology and progression of obesity, as well as potential interactions between the two factors, providing novel perspectives and avenues for further elucidating the pathogenesis, prevention, and treatment of obesity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi Ren
- Department of Pediatrics, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha 410011, China; (Y.R.); (P.H.); (L.Z.); (Y.-F.T.); (S.-L.L.); (Z.S.); (H.P.); (Y.-Q.C.); (J.-W.L.); (W.-X.D.); (L.-J.L.)
- Children’s Brain Development and Brain Injury Research Office, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha 410011, China
- Department of Pediatrics, Haikou Hospital of the Maternal and Child Health, Haikou 570100, China
- Department of Children’s Healthcare, Hainan Modern Women and Children’s Medical, Haikou 570100, China
| | - Peng Huang
- Department of Pediatrics, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha 410011, China; (Y.R.); (P.H.); (L.Z.); (Y.-F.T.); (S.-L.L.); (Z.S.); (H.P.); (Y.-Q.C.); (J.-W.L.); (W.-X.D.); (L.-J.L.)
- Children’s Brain Development and Brain Injury Research Office, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha 410011, China
| | - Lu Zhang
- Department of Pediatrics, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha 410011, China; (Y.R.); (P.H.); (L.Z.); (Y.-F.T.); (S.-L.L.); (Z.S.); (H.P.); (Y.-Q.C.); (J.-W.L.); (W.-X.D.); (L.-J.L.)
- Children’s Brain Development and Brain Injury Research Office, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha 410011, China
| | - Yu-Fen Tang
- Department of Pediatrics, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha 410011, China; (Y.R.); (P.H.); (L.Z.); (Y.-F.T.); (S.-L.L.); (Z.S.); (H.P.); (Y.-Q.C.); (J.-W.L.); (W.-X.D.); (L.-J.L.)
- Children’s Brain Development and Brain Injury Research Office, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha 410011, China
| | - Sen-Lin Luo
- Department of Pediatrics, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha 410011, China; (Y.R.); (P.H.); (L.Z.); (Y.-F.T.); (S.-L.L.); (Z.S.); (H.P.); (Y.-Q.C.); (J.-W.L.); (W.-X.D.); (L.-J.L.)
- Children’s Brain Development and Brain Injury Research Office, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha 410011, China
| | - Zhou She
- Department of Pediatrics, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha 410011, China; (Y.R.); (P.H.); (L.Z.); (Y.-F.T.); (S.-L.L.); (Z.S.); (H.P.); (Y.-Q.C.); (J.-W.L.); (W.-X.D.); (L.-J.L.)
- Children’s Brain Development and Brain Injury Research Office, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha 410011, China
| | - Hong Peng
- Department of Pediatrics, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha 410011, China; (Y.R.); (P.H.); (L.Z.); (Y.-F.T.); (S.-L.L.); (Z.S.); (H.P.); (Y.-Q.C.); (J.-W.L.); (W.-X.D.); (L.-J.L.)
- Children’s Brain Development and Brain Injury Research Office, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha 410011, China
| | - Yu-Qiong Chen
- Department of Pediatrics, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha 410011, China; (Y.R.); (P.H.); (L.Z.); (Y.-F.T.); (S.-L.L.); (Z.S.); (H.P.); (Y.-Q.C.); (J.-W.L.); (W.-X.D.); (L.-J.L.)
- Children’s Brain Development and Brain Injury Research Office, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha 410011, China
| | - Jin-Wen Luo
- Department of Pediatrics, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha 410011, China; (Y.R.); (P.H.); (L.Z.); (Y.-F.T.); (S.-L.L.); (Z.S.); (H.P.); (Y.-Q.C.); (J.-W.L.); (W.-X.D.); (L.-J.L.)
- Children’s Brain Development and Brain Injury Research Office, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha 410011, China
| | - Wang-Xin Duan
- Department of Pediatrics, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha 410011, China; (Y.R.); (P.H.); (L.Z.); (Y.-F.T.); (S.-L.L.); (Z.S.); (H.P.); (Y.-Q.C.); (J.-W.L.); (W.-X.D.); (L.-J.L.)
- Children’s Brain Development and Brain Injury Research Office, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha 410011, China
| | - Ling-Juan Liu
- Department of Pediatrics, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha 410011, China; (Y.R.); (P.H.); (L.Z.); (Y.-F.T.); (S.-L.L.); (Z.S.); (H.P.); (Y.-Q.C.); (J.-W.L.); (W.-X.D.); (L.-J.L.)
- Children’s Brain Development and Brain Injury Research Office, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha 410011, China
| | - Li-Qun Liu
- Department of Pediatrics, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha 410011, China; (Y.R.); (P.H.); (L.Z.); (Y.-F.T.); (S.-L.L.); (Z.S.); (H.P.); (Y.-Q.C.); (J.-W.L.); (W.-X.D.); (L.-J.L.)
- Children’s Brain Development and Brain Injury Research Office, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha 410011, China
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Díaz-Viraqué F, Chiribao ML, Libisch MG, Robello C. Genome-wide chromatin interaction map for Trypanosoma cruzi. Nat Microbiol 2023; 8:2103-2114. [PMID: 37828247 PMCID: PMC10627812 DOI: 10.1038/s41564-023-01483-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2023] [Accepted: 08/25/2023] [Indexed: 10/14/2023]
Abstract
Trypanosomes are eukaryotic, unicellular parasites, such as Trypanosoma brucei, which causes sleeping sickness, and Trypanosoma cruzi, which causes Chagas disease. Genomes of these parasites comprise core regions and species-specific disruptive regions that encode multigene families of surface glycoproteins. Few transcriptional regulators have been identified in these parasites, and the role of spatial organization of the genome in gene expression is unclear. Here we mapped genome-wide chromatin interactions in T. cruzi using chromosome conformation capture (Hi-C), and we show that the core and disruptive regions form three-dimensional chromatin compartments named C and D. These chromatin compartments differ in levels of DNA methylation, nucleosome positioning and chromatin interactions, affecting genome expression dynamics. Our data reveal that the trypanosome genome is organized into chromatin-folding domains and transcription is affected by the local chromatin structure. We propose a model in which epigenetic mechanisms affect gene expression in trypanosomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Florencia Díaz-Viraqué
- Laboratorio de Interacciones Hospedero-Patógeno-UBM, Institut Pasteur de Montevideo, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - María Laura Chiribao
- Laboratorio de Interacciones Hospedero-Patógeno-UBM, Institut Pasteur de Montevideo, Montevideo, Uruguay
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - María Gabriela Libisch
- Laboratorio de Interacciones Hospedero-Patógeno-UBM, Institut Pasteur de Montevideo, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Carlos Robello
- Laboratorio de Interacciones Hospedero-Patógeno-UBM, Institut Pasteur de Montevideo, Montevideo, Uruguay.
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay.
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Konttinen O, Carmody J, Kurnik M, Johnson KA, Reich N. High fidelity DNA strand-separation is the major specificity determinant in DNA methyltransferase CcrM's catalytic mechanism. Nucleic Acids Res 2023; 51:6883-6898. [PMID: 37326016 PMCID: PMC10359602 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkad443] [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: 06/23/2022] [Revised: 04/29/2023] [Accepted: 06/12/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Strand-separation is emerging as a novel DNA recognition mechanism but the underlying mechanisms and quantitative contribution of strand-separation to fidelity remain obscure. The bacterial DNA adenine methyltransferase, CcrM, recognizes 5'GANTC'3 sequences through a DNA strand-separation mechanism with unusually high selectivity. To explore this novel recognition mechanism, we incorporated Pyrrolo-dC into cognate and noncognate DNA to monitor the kinetics of strand-separation and used tryptophan fluorescence to follow protein conformational changes. Both signals are biphasic and global fitting showed that the faster phase of DNA strand-separation was coincident with the protein conformational transition. Non-cognate sequences did not display strand-separation and methylation was reduced > 300-fold, providing evidence that strand-separation is a major determinant of selectivity. Analysis of an R350A mutant showed that the enzyme conformational step can occur without strand-separation, so the two events are uncoupled. A stabilizing role for the methyl-donor (SAM) is proposed; the cofactor interacts with a critical loop which is inserted between the DNA strands, thereby stabilizing the strand-separated conformation. The results presented here are broadly applicable to the study of other N6-adenine methyltransferases that contain the structural features implicated in strand-separation, which are found widely dispersed across many bacterial phyla, including human and animal pathogens, and some Eukaryotes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olivia Konttinen
- Biomolecular Science and Engineering, University of California, Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA, USA
| | - Jason Carmody
- Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA, USA
| | - Martin Kurnik
- Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA, USA
| | - Kenneth A Johnson
- Life Sciences Interdisciplinary Graduate Program, Department of Molecular Biosciences, University of Texas, Austin, TX, USA
| | - Norbert Reich
- Biomolecular Science and Engineering, University of California, Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA, USA
- Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA, USA
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Gaona-López C, Vazquez-Jimenez LK, Gonzalez-Gonzalez A, Delgado-Maldonado T, Ortiz-Pérez E, Nogueda-Torres B, Moreno-Rodríguez A, Vázquez K, Saavedra E, Rivera G. Advances in Protozoan Epigenetic Targets and Their Inhibitors for the Development of New Potential Drugs. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2023; 16:ph16040543. [PMID: 37111300 PMCID: PMC10143871 DOI: 10.3390/ph16040543] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2023] [Revised: 03/29/2023] [Accepted: 03/31/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Protozoan parasite diseases cause significant mortality and morbidity worldwide. Factors such as climate change, extreme poverty, migration, and a lack of life opportunities lead to the propagation of diseases classified as tropical or non-endemic. Although there are several drugs to combat parasitic diseases, strains resistant to routinely used drugs have been reported. In addition, many first-line drugs have adverse effects ranging from mild to severe, including potential carcinogenic effects. Therefore, new lead compounds are needed to combat these parasites. Although little has been studied regarding the epigenetic mechanisms in lower eukaryotes, it is believed that epigenetics plays an essential role in vital aspects of the organism, from controlling the life cycle to the expression of genes involved in pathogenicity. Therefore, using epigenetic targets to combat these parasites is foreseen as an area with great potential for development. This review summarizes the main known epigenetic mechanisms and their potential as therapeutics for a group of medically important protozoal parasites. Different epigenetic mechanisms are discussed, highlighting those that can be used for drug repositioning, such as histone post-translational modifications (HPTMs). Exclusive parasite targets are also emphasized, including the base J and DNA 6 mA. These two categories have the greatest potential for developing drugs to treat or eradicate these diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlos Gaona-López
- Laboratorio de Biotecnología Farmacéutica, Centro de Biotecnología Genómica, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Reynosa 88710, Mexico
| | - Lenci K Vazquez-Jimenez
- Laboratorio de Biotecnología Farmacéutica, Centro de Biotecnología Genómica, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Reynosa 88710, Mexico
| | - Alonzo Gonzalez-Gonzalez
- Laboratorio de Biotecnología Farmacéutica, Centro de Biotecnología Genómica, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Reynosa 88710, Mexico
| | - Timoteo Delgado-Maldonado
- Laboratorio de Biotecnología Farmacéutica, Centro de Biotecnología Genómica, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Reynosa 88710, Mexico
| | - Eyrá Ortiz-Pérez
- Laboratorio de Biotecnología Farmacéutica, Centro de Biotecnología Genómica, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Reynosa 88710, Mexico
| | - Benjamín Nogueda-Torres
- Departamento de Parasitología, Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biológicas, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Mexico City 11340, Mexico
| | - Adriana Moreno-Rodríguez
- Laboratorio de Estudios Epidemiológicos, Clínicos, Diseños Experimentales e Investigación, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Autónoma "Benito Juárez" de Oaxaca, Avenida Universidad S/N, Ex Hacienda Cinco Señores, Oaxaca 68120, Mexico
| | - Karina Vázquez
- Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, Francisco Villa 20, General Escobedo 66054, Mexico
| | - Emma Saavedra
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Instituto Nacional de Cardiología Ignacio Chávez, Mexico City 14080, Mexico
| | - Gildardo Rivera
- Laboratorio de Biotecnología Farmacéutica, Centro de Biotecnología Genómica, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Reynosa 88710, Mexico
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Yang M, Leng D, Zeng B, Wang T, Xu Z, Li D. Characteristics and functions of DNA N(6)-methyladenine in embryonic chicken muscle development. Poult Sci 2023; 102:102528. [PMID: 36907131 PMCID: PMC10024188 DOI: 10.1016/j.psj.2023.102528] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2022] [Revised: 01/18/2023] [Accepted: 01/18/2023] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
DNA N(6)-methyladenine (DNA-6mA) is a new epigenetic mark in eukaryotes, the distribution and functions of which in genomic DNA remain unknown. Although recent studies have suggested that 6mA is present in multiple model organisms and is dynamically regulated during development, the genomic features of 6mA in avian species have yet to be elucidated. 6mA immunoprecipitation sequencing approach was used to analysis the distribution and function of 6mA in the muscle genomic DNA during embryonic chicken development. 6mA immunoprecipitation sequencing was combined with transcriptomic sequencing to reveal the role of 6mA in the regulation of gene expression and to explore possible pathways by which 6mA is involved in muscle development. We here provide evidence that 6mA modification exists widely throughout the chicken genome, and show preliminary data regarding genome-wide distribution of this epigenetic mark. Gene expression was shown to be inhibited by 6mA modification in promoter regions. In addition, the promoters of some genes related to development were modified by 6mA, indicating that 6mA may be involved in embryonic chicken development. Furthermore, 6mA may participate in muscle development and immune function by regulating HSPB8 and OASL expression. Our study improves our understanding of the distribution and function of 6mA modification in higher organisms and provide new information about differences between mammals and other vertebrates. These findings demonstrate an epigenetic role for 6mA in gene expression and potential involvement in chicken muscle development. Furthermore, the results suggest a potential epigenetic role for 6mA in avian embryonic development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maosen Yang
- School of Pharmacy, Chengdu University, Chengdu 610106, China; College of Animal Science and Technology, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, China
| | - Dong Leng
- School of Pharmacy, Chengdu University, Chengdu 610106, China; College of Animal Science and Technology, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, China
| | - Bo Zeng
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, China
| | - Tao Wang
- School of Pharmacy, Chengdu University, Chengdu 610106, China; College of Animal Science and Technology, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, China
| | - Zhongxian Xu
- Key Laboratory of Southwest China Wildlife Resources Conservation (Ministry of Education), China West Normal University, Nanchong 637002, China
| | - Diyan Li
- School of Pharmacy, Chengdu University, Chengdu 610106, China; College of Animal Science and Technology, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, China.
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Li H, Zhang N, Wang Y, Xia S, Zhu Y, Xing C, Tian X, Du Y. DNA N6-Methyladenine Modification in Eukaryotic Genome. Front Genet 2022; 13:914404. [PMID: 35812743 PMCID: PMC9263368 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2022.914404] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2022] [Accepted: 06/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
DNA methylation is treated as an important epigenetic mark in various biological activities. In the past, a large number of articles focused on 5 mC while lacking attention to N6-methyladenine (6 mA). The presence of 6 mA modification was previously discovered only in prokaryotes. Recently, with the development of detection technologies, 6 mA has been found in several eukaryotes, including protozoans, metazoans, plants, and fungi. The importance of 6 mA in prokaryotes and single-celled eukaryotes has been widely accepted. However, due to the incredibly low density of 6 mA and restrictions on detection technologies, the prevalence of 6 mA and its role in biological processes in eukaryotic organisms are highly debated. In this review, we first summarize the advantages and disadvantages of 6 mA detection methods. Then, we conclude existing reports on the prevalence of 6 mA in eukaryotic organisms. Next, we highlight possible methyltransferases, demethylases, and the recognition proteins of 6 mA. In addition, we summarize the functions of 6 mA in eukaryotes. Last but not least, we summarize our point of view and put forward the problems that need further research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hao Li
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
- First School of Clinical Medicine, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
- First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Ning Zhang
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
- First School of Clinical Medicine, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
- First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Yuechen Wang
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
- Second School of Clinical Medicine, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Siyuan Xia
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
- Second School of Clinical Medicine, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Yating Zhu
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Chen Xing
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Xuefeng Tian
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
- First School of Clinical Medicine, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Yinan Du
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
- *Correspondence: Yinan Du,
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Boulias K, Greer EL. Means, mechanisms and consequences of adenine methylation in DNA. Nat Rev Genet 2022; 23:411-428. [PMID: 35256817 PMCID: PMC9354840 DOI: 10.1038/s41576-022-00456-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/31/2022] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
N6-methyl-2'-deoxyadenosine (6mA or m6dA) has been reported in the DNA of prokaryotes and eukaryotes ranging from unicellular protozoa and algae to multicellular plants and mammals. It has been proposed to modulate DNA structure and transcription, transmit information across generations and have a role in disease, among other functions. However, its existence in more recently evolved eukaryotes remains a topic of debate. Recent technological advancements have facilitated the identification and quantification of 6mA even when the modification is exceptionally rare, but each approach has limitations. Critical assessment of existing data, rigorous design of future studies and further development of methods will be required to confirm the presence and biological functions of 6mA in multicellular eukaryotes.
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O’Brown ZK, Greer EL. N6-methyladenine: A Rare and Dynamic DNA Mark. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2022; 1389:177-210. [DOI: 10.1007/978-3-031-11454-0_8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
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9
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Tellgren-Roth C, Couturier M. Detecting DNA Methylations in the Hyperthermoacidophilic Crenarchaeon Sulfolobus acidocaldarius Using SMRT Sequencing. Methods Mol Biol 2022; 2516:39-50. [PMID: 35922620 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-2413-5_3] [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: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
DNA methylations are one of the most well-known epigenetic modifications along with histone modifications and noncoding RNAs. They are found at specific sites along the DNA in all domains of life, with 5-mC and 6-mA/4-mC being well-characterized in eukaryotes and bacteria respectively, and they have not only been described as contributing to the structure of the double helix itself but also as regulators of DNA-based processes such as replication, transcription, and recombination. Different methods have been developed to accurately identify and/or map methylated motifs to decipher the involvement of DNA methylations in regulatory networks that affect the cellular state.Although DNA methylations have been detected along archaeal genomes, their involvement as regulators of DNA-based processes remains the least known. To highlight the importance of DNA methylations in the control of key cellular mechanisms and their dynamics in archaea cells, we have used single-molecule real-time (SMRT) sequencing. This sequencing technology allows the identification and direct mapping of the methylated motifs along the genome of an organism. In this chapter, we present a step-by-step protocol for detecting DNA methylations in the hyperthermophilic crenarchaeon Sulfolobus acidocaldarius using SMRT sequencing. This protocol can easily be adapted to other prokaryotes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christian Tellgren-Roth
- Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, National Genomics Infrastructure, Science for Life Laboratory, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Mohea Couturier
- Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA.
- Research Group of Microbiology, Department of Bioengineering Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium.
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Gehl V, Paunkov A, Leitsch D. A reassessment of the role of oxygen scavenging enzymes in the emergence of metronidazole resistance in trichomonads. Int J Parasitol Drugs Drug Resist 2021; 16:38-44. [PMID: 33962363 PMCID: PMC8113990 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpddr.2021.04.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2020] [Revised: 02/11/2021] [Accepted: 04/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Trichomonads are an order of parasitic protists which infect a wide range of hosts. The human parasite Trichomonas vaginalis and the bovine parasite Tritrichomonas foetus which also infects cats and swine are of considerable medical and veterinary importance, respectively. Since trichomonads are microaerophiles/anaerobes they are susceptible to 5-nitroimidazoles such as metronidazole. 5-nitroimidazoles are exclusively toxic to microaerophilic/anaerobic organisms because reduction, i.e. activation, of the drug can only occur in a highly reductive environment. 5-nitroimidazoles have remained a reliable treatment option throughout the last decades but drug resistance can be a problem. Clinical resistance to 5-nitroimidazoles has been studied in more detail in T. vaginalis and has been ascribed to defective oxygen scavenging mechanisms which lead to higher intracellular oxygen concentrations and, consequently, to less drug being reduced. Two enzymes, flavin reductase (FR) and NADH oxidase have been suggested to be the major oxygen scavenging enzymes in T. vaginalis. The loss, or at least an impairment of FR which reduces oxygen to hydrogen peroxide, has been proposed as the central mechanism that enables the emergence of 5-nitroimidazole resistance. In this study we explored if T. foetus also encodes a homolog of FR and if it is, likewise, involved in resistance. T. foetus was indeed found to express a FR but it was only weakly active as compared to the T. vaginalis homolog. Further, activity of FR in T. foetus was unchanged in metronidazole-resistant cell lines, ruling out that it has a role in metronidazole resistance. Finally, we measured oxygen scavenging rates in metronidazole-sensitive and -resistant cell lines and found that NADH oxidase and FR are not the major oxygen scavenging enzymes in trichomonads and that oxygen scavenging is possibly a consequence, rather than a cause of metronidazole resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Virág Gehl
- Institute for Specific Prophylaxis and Tropical Medicine Center for Pathophysiology, Infectiology, and Immunology, Medical University of Vienna, Kinderspitalgasse 15, A-1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Ana Paunkov
- Institute for Specific Prophylaxis and Tropical Medicine Center for Pathophysiology, Infectiology, and Immunology, Medical University of Vienna, Kinderspitalgasse 15, A-1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - David Leitsch
- Institute for Specific Prophylaxis and Tropical Medicine Center for Pathophysiology, Infectiology, and Immunology, Medical University of Vienna, Kinderspitalgasse 15, A-1090 Vienna, Austria.
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Abstract
Trichomonas vaginalis is an anaerobic/microaerophilic protist parasite which causes trichomoniasis, one of the most prevalent sexually transmitted diseases worldwide. T. vaginalis not only is important as a human pathogen but also is of great biological interest because of its peculiar cell biology and metabolism, in earlier times fostering the erroneous notion that this microorganism is at the root of eukaryotic evolution. This review summarizes the major advances in the last five years in the T. vaginalis field with regard to genetics, molecular biology, ecology, and pathogenicity of the parasite.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Leitsch
- Department of Specific Prophylaxis and Tropical Medicine, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
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Lizarraga A, Muñoz D, Strobl-Mazzulla PH, de Miguel N. Toward incorporating epigenetics into regulation of gene expression in the parasite Trichomonas vaginalis. Mol Microbiol 2021; 115:959-967. [PMID: 33599017 DOI: 10.1111/mmi.14704] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2021] [Accepted: 02/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Trichomonas vaginalis is an extracellular parasite that colonizes the human urogenital tract, causing a highly prevalent sexually transmitted infection. The parasite must change its transcriptional profile in order to establish and maintain infection. However, few core regulatory elements and transcription factors have been identified to date and little is known about other mechanisms that may control these rapid changes in gene expression during parasite infection. In the last years, epigenetic mechanisms involved in the regulation of gene expression have been gaining major attention in this parasite. In this review, we summarize and discuss the major advances of the last few years with regard to epigenetics (DNA methylation, post-translational histone modifications, and histone variants) in the parasite T. vaginalis. These studies can shed light into our current understanding of this parasite's biology with far-reaching implications for the prognosis and treatment of trichomoniasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ayelen Lizarraga
- Laboratorio de Parásitos Anaerobios, Instituto Tecnológico Chascomús (INTECH), CONICET-UNSAM, Chascomús, Argentina
| | - Daniela Muñoz
- Laboratorio de Parásitos Anaerobios, Instituto Tecnológico Chascomús (INTECH), CONICET-UNSAM, Chascomús, Argentina
| | - Pablo H Strobl-Mazzulla
- Laboratorio de Biología del Desarrollo, Instituto Tecnológico Chascomús (INTECH), CONICET-UNSAM, Chascomús, Argentina
| | - Natalia de Miguel
- Laboratorio de Parásitos Anaerobios, Instituto Tecnológico Chascomús (INTECH), CONICET-UNSAM, Chascomús, Argentina
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Davis SZ, Hollin T, Lenz T, Le Roch KG. Three-dimensional chromatin in infectious disease-A role for gene regulation and pathogenicity? PLoS Pathog 2021; 17:e1009207. [PMID: 33539484 PMCID: PMC7861443 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1009207] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The recent Coronavirus Disease 2019 pandemic has once again reminded us the importance of understanding infectious diseases. One important but understudied area in infectious disease research is the role of nuclear architecture or the physical arrangement of the genome in the nucleus in controlling gene regulation and pathogenicity. Recent advances in research methods, such as Genome-wide chromosome conformation capture using high-throughput sequencing (Hi-C), have allowed for easier analysis of nuclear architecture and chromosomal reorganization in both the infectious disease agents themselves as well as in their host cells. This review will discuss broadly on what is known about nuclear architecture in infectious disease, with an emphasis on chromosomal reorganization, and briefly discuss what steps are required next in the field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sage Z. Davis
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Systems Biology (MCSB), University of California Riverside, California, United States of America
| | - Thomas Hollin
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Systems Biology (MCSB), University of California Riverside, California, United States of America
| | - Todd Lenz
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Systems Biology (MCSB), University of California Riverside, California, United States of America
| | - Karine G. Le Roch
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Systems Biology (MCSB), University of California Riverside, California, United States of America
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Small RNAs Are Implicated in Regulation of Gene and Transposable Element Expression in the Protist Trichomonas vaginalis. mSphere 2021; 6:6/1/e01061-20. [PMID: 33408230 PMCID: PMC7845603 DOI: 10.1128/msphere.01061-20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Trichomoniasis, caused by the protozoan Trichomonas vaginalis, is the most common nonviral sexually transmitted infection in humans. The millions of cases each year have sequelae that may include complications during pregnancy and increased risk of HIV infection. Trichomonas vaginalis is the causative agent of trichomoniasis, the most prevalent nonviral sexually transmitted infection worldwide. Repetitive elements, including transposable elements (TEs) and virally derived repeats, comprise more than half of the ∼160-Mb T. vaginalis genome. An intriguing question is how the parasite controls its potentially lethal complement of mobile elements, which can disrupt transcription of protein-coding genes and genome functions. In this study, we generated high-throughput RNA sequencing (RNA-Seq) and small RNA-Seq data sets in triplicate for the T. vaginalis G3 reference strain and characterized the mRNA and small RNA populations and their mapping patterns along all six chromosomes. Mapping the RNA-Seq transcripts to the genome revealed that the majority of genes predicted within repetitive elements are not expressed. Interestingly, we identified a novel species of small RNA that maps bidirectionally along the chromosomes and is correlated with reduced protein-coding gene expression and reduced RNA-Seq coverage in repetitive elements. This novel small RNA family may play a regulatory role in gene and repetitive element expression. Our results identify a possible small RNA pathway mechanism by which the parasite regulates expression of genes and TEs and raise intriguing questions as to the role repeats may play in shaping T. vaginalis genome evolution and the diversity of small RNA pathways in general. IMPORTANCE Trichomoniasis, caused by the protozoan Trichomonas vaginalis, is the most common nonviral sexually transmitted infection in humans. The millions of cases each year have sequelae that may include complications during pregnancy and increased risk of HIV infection. Given its evident success in this niche, it is paradoxical that T. vaginalis harbors in its genome thousands of transposable elements that have the potential to be extremely detrimental to normal genomic function. In many organisms, transposon expression is regulated by the activity of endogenously expressed short (∼21 to 35 nucleotides [nt]) small RNA molecules that effect gene silencing by targeting mRNAs for degradation or by recruiting epigenetic silencing machinery to locations in the genome. Our research has identified small RNA molecules correlated with reduced expression of T. vaginalis genes and transposons. This suggests that a small RNA pathway is a major contributor to gene expression patterns in the parasite and opens up new avenues for investigation into small RNA biogenesis, function, and diversity.
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