1
|
Nayek U, Shenoy TN, Abdul Salam AA. Data mining of arsenic-based small molecules geometrics present in Cambridge structural database. CHEMOSPHERE 2024; 360:142349. [PMID: 38763400 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2024.142349] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2023] [Revised: 04/27/2024] [Accepted: 05/14/2024] [Indexed: 05/21/2024]
Abstract
Arsenic, ubiquitous in various industrial processes and consumer products, presents both essential functions and considerable toxicity risks, driving extensive research into safer applications. Our investigation, drawing from 7182 arsenic-containing molecules in the Cambridge Structural Database (CSD), outlines their diverse bonding patterns. Notably, 51% of these molecules exhibit cyclic connections, while 49% display acyclic ones. Arsenic forms eight distinct bonding types with other elements, with significant interactions observed, particularly with phenyl rings, O3 and F6 moieties. Top interactions involve carbon, nitrogen, oxygen, fluorine, sulfur, and arsenic itself. We meticulously evaluated average bond lengths under three conditions: without an R-factor cut-off, with R-factor ≤0.075, and with R-factor ≤0.05, supporting the credibility of our results. Comparative analysis with existing literature data enriches our understanding of arsenic's bonding behaviour. Our findings illuminate the structural attributes, molecular coordination, geometry, and bond lengths of arsenic with 68 diverse atoms, enriching our comprehension of arsenic chemistry. These revelations not only offer a pathway for crafting innovative and safer arsenic-based compounds but also foster the evolution of arsenic detoxification mechanisms, tackling pivotal health and environmental challenges linked to arsenic exposure across different contexts.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Upendra Nayek
- Department of Atomic and Molecular Physics, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, 576 104, Karnataka, India
| | - Thripthi Nagesh Shenoy
- Department of Atomic and Molecular Physics, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, 576 104, Karnataka, India
| | - Abdul Ajees Abdul Salam
- Department of Atomic and Molecular Physics, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, 576 104, Karnataka, India.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Queffeulou M, Leprohon P, Fernandez-Prada C, Ouellette M, Mejía-Jaramillo AM. CRISPR-Cas9 high-throughput screening to study drug resistance in Leishmania infantum. mBio 2024:e0047724. [PMID: 38864609 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.00477-24] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2024] [Accepted: 04/23/2024] [Indexed: 06/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Parasites of the genus Leishmania pose a global health threat with limited treatment options. New drugs are urgently needed, and genomic screens have the potential to accelerate target discovery, mode of action, and resistance mechanisms against these new drugs. We describe here our effort in developing a genome-wide CRISPR-Cas9 screen in Leishmania, an organism lacking a functional nonhomologous end joining system that must rely on microhomology-mediated end joining, single-strand annealing, or homologous recombination for repairing Cas9-induced double-stranded DNA breaks. A new vector for cloning and expressing single guide RNAs (sgRNAs) was designed and proven to be effective in a small pilot project while enriching specific sgRNAs during drug selection. We then developed a whole-genome library of 49,754 sgRNAs, targeting all the genes of Leishmania infantum. This library was transfected in L. infantum expressing Cas9, and these cells were selected for resistance to two antileishmanials, miltefosine and amphotericin B. The sgRNAs the most enriched in the miltefosine screen targeted the miltefosine transporter gene, but sgRNAs targeting genes coding for a RING-variant protein and a transmembrane protein were also enriched. The sgRNAs the most enriched by amphotericin B targeted the sterol 24 C methyltransferase genes and a hypothetical gene. Through gene disruption experiments, we proved that loss of function of these genes was associated with resistance. This study describes the feasibility of carrying out whole-genome CRISPR-Cas9 screens in Leishmania provided that a strong selective pressure is applied. Such a screen can be used for accelerating the development of urgently needed antileishmanial drugs.IMPORTANCELeishmaniasis, a global health threat, lacks adequate treatment options and drug resistance exacerbates the challenge. This study introduces a CRISPR-Cas9 screening approach in Leishmania infantum, unraveling mechanisms of drug resistance at a genome-wide scale. Our screen was applied against two main antileishmanial drugs, and guides were enriched upon drug selection. These guides targeted known and new targets, hence validating the use of this screen against Leishmania. This strategy provides a powerful tool to expedite drug discovery as well as potential therapeutic targets against this neglected tropical disease.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Marine Queffeulou
- Centre de Recherche en Infectiologie du Centre de Recherche du CHU Québec, Université Laval, Québec, Canada
- Département de Microbiologie, Infectiologie et Immunologie, Faculté de Médecine, Université Laval, Québec, Canada
| | - Philippe Leprohon
- Centre de Recherche en Infectiologie du Centre de Recherche du CHU Québec, Université Laval, Québec, Canada
- Département de Microbiologie, Infectiologie et Immunologie, Faculté de Médecine, Université Laval, Québec, Canada
| | - Christopher Fernandez-Prada
- Centre de Recherche en Infectiologie du Centre de Recherche du CHU Québec, Université Laval, Québec, Canada
- Département de Microbiologie, Infectiologie et Immunologie, Faculté de Médecine, Université Laval, Québec, Canada
| | - Marc Ouellette
- Centre de Recherche en Infectiologie du Centre de Recherche du CHU Québec, Université Laval, Québec, Canada
- Département de Microbiologie, Infectiologie et Immunologie, Faculté de Médecine, Université Laval, Québec, Canada
| | - Ana María Mejía-Jaramillo
- Centre de Recherche en Infectiologie du Centre de Recherche du CHU Québec, Université Laval, Québec, Canada
- Département de Microbiologie, Infectiologie et Immunologie, Faculté de Médecine, Université Laval, Québec, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Meng J, Qian W, Yang Z, Gong L, Xu D, Huang H, Jiang X, Pu Z, Yin Y, Zou J. p53/E2F7 axis promotes temozolomide chemoresistance in glioblastoma multiforme. BMC Cancer 2024; 24:317. [PMID: 38454344 PMCID: PMC10921682 DOI: 10.1186/s12885-024-12017-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2023] [Accepted: 02/18/2024] [Indexed: 03/09/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most aggressive form of brain cancer, and chemoresistance poses a significant challenge to the survival and prognosis of GBM. Although numerous regulatory mechanisms that contribute to chemoresistance have been identified, many questions remain unanswered. This study aims to identify the mechanism of temozolomide (TMZ) resistance in GBM. METHODS Bioinformatics and antibody-based protein detection were used to examine the expression of E2F7 in gliomas and its correlation with prognosis. Additionally, IC50, cell viability, colony formation, apoptosis, doxorubicin (Dox) uptake, and intracranial transplantation were used to confirm the role of E2F7 in TMZ resistance, using our established TMZ-resistance (TMZ-R) model. Western blot and ChIP experiments provided confirmation of p53-driven regulation of E2F7. RESULTS Elevated levels of E2F7 were detected in GBM tissue and were correlated with a poor prognosis for patients. E2F7 was found to be upregulated in TMZ-R tumors, and its high levels were linked to increased chemotherapy resistance by limiting drug uptake and decreasing DNA damage. The expression of E2F7 was also found to be regulated by the activation of p53. CONCLUSIONS The high expression of E2F7, regulated by activated p53, confers chemoresistance to GBM cells by inhibiting drug uptake and DNA damage. These findings highlight the significant connection between sustained p53 activation and GBM chemoresistance, offering the potential for new strategies to overcome this resistance.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jiao Meng
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Wuxi People's Hospital, Wuxi Medical Center, The Affiliated Wuxi People's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing Medical University, 214023, Wuxi, Jiangsu, China
- Center of Clinical Research, Wuxi People's Hospital, Wuxi Medical Center, The Affiliated Wuxi People's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing Medical University, 214023, Wuxi, Jiangsu, China
| | - Wei Qian
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Wuxi People's Hospital, Wuxi Medical Center, The Affiliated Wuxi People's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing Medical University, 214023, Wuxi, Jiangsu, China
- Center of Clinical Research, Wuxi People's Hospital, Wuxi Medical Center, The Affiliated Wuxi People's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing Medical University, 214023, Wuxi, Jiangsu, China
- Department of Clinical Laborator, Kunshan Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Kunshan, 215300, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Zhenkun Yang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Wuxi People's Hospital, Wuxi Medical Center, The Affiliated Wuxi People's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing Medical University, 214023, Wuxi, Jiangsu, China
- Center of Clinical Research, Wuxi People's Hospital, Wuxi Medical Center, The Affiliated Wuxi People's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing Medical University, 214023, Wuxi, Jiangsu, China
| | - Lingli Gong
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Wuxi People's Hospital, Wuxi Medical Center, The Affiliated Wuxi People's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing Medical University, 214023, Wuxi, Jiangsu, China
- Center of Clinical Research, Wuxi People's Hospital, Wuxi Medical Center, The Affiliated Wuxi People's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing Medical University, 214023, Wuxi, Jiangsu, China
| | - Daxing Xu
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Wuxi People's Hospital, Wuxi Medical Center, The Affiliated Wuxi People's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing Medical University, 214023, Wuxi, Jiangsu, China
- Center of Clinical Research, Wuxi People's Hospital, Wuxi Medical Center, The Affiliated Wuxi People's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing Medical University, 214023, Wuxi, Jiangsu, China
| | - Hongbo Huang
- NHC Key Laboratory of Nuclear Medicine, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Molecular Nuclear Medicine, Jiangsu Institute of Nuclear Medicine, 214063, Wuxi, China
| | - Xinyi Jiang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Wuxi People's Hospital, Wuxi Medical Center, The Affiliated Wuxi People's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing Medical University, 214023, Wuxi, Jiangsu, China
- Center of Clinical Research, Wuxi People's Hospital, Wuxi Medical Center, The Affiliated Wuxi People's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing Medical University, 214023, Wuxi, Jiangsu, China
| | - Zhening Pu
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Wuxi People's Hospital, Wuxi Medical Center, The Affiliated Wuxi People's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing Medical University, 214023, Wuxi, Jiangsu, China.
- Center of Clinical Research, Wuxi People's Hospital, Wuxi Medical Center, The Affiliated Wuxi People's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing Medical University, 214023, Wuxi, Jiangsu, China.
| | - Ying Yin
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Wuxi People's Hospital, Wuxi Medical Center, The Affiliated Wuxi People's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing Medical University, 214023, Wuxi, Jiangsu, China.
- Center of Clinical Research, Wuxi People's Hospital, Wuxi Medical Center, The Affiliated Wuxi People's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing Medical University, 214023, Wuxi, Jiangsu, China.
| | - Jian Zou
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Wuxi People's Hospital, Wuxi Medical Center, The Affiliated Wuxi People's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing Medical University, 214023, Wuxi, Jiangsu, China.
- Center of Clinical Research, Wuxi People's Hospital, Wuxi Medical Center, The Affiliated Wuxi People's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing Medical University, 214023, Wuxi, Jiangsu, China.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Madusanka RK, Karunaweera ND, Silva H, Selvapandiyan A. Antimony resistance and gene expression in Leishmania: spotlight on molecular and proteomic aspects. Parasitology 2024; 151:1-14. [PMID: 38012864 PMCID: PMC10941051 DOI: 10.1017/s0031182023001129] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2023] [Revised: 11/04/2023] [Accepted: 11/09/2023] [Indexed: 11/29/2023]
Abstract
Leishmaniasis is a vector-borne parasitic disease caused by Leishmania parasites with a spectrum of clinical manifestations, ranging from skin lesions to severe visceral complications. Treatment of this infection has been extremely challenging with the concurrent emergence of drug resistance. The differential gene expression and the discrepancies in protein functions contribute to the appearance of 2 distinct phenotypes: resistant and sensitive, but the current diagnostic tools fail to differentiate between them. The identification of gene expression patterns and molecular mechanisms coupled with antimony (Sb) resistance can be leveraged to prompt diagnosis and select the most effective treatment methods. The present study attempts to use comparative expression of Sb resistance-associated genes in resistant and sensitive Leishmania, to disclose their relative abundance in clinical or in vitro selected isolates to gain an understanding of the molecular mechanisms of Sb response/resistance. Data suggest that the analysis of resistance gene expression would verify the Sb resistance or susceptibility only to a certain extent; however, none of the individual expression patterns of the studied genes was diagnostic as a biomarker of Sb response of Leishmania. The findings highlighted will be useful in bridging the knowledge gap and discovering innovative diagnostic tools and novel therapeutic targets.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rajamanthrilage Kasun Madusanka
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Colombo, No. 25, Kynsey Road, Colombo 8, Sri Lanka
- Department of Molecular Medicine, School of Interdisciplinary Sciences and Technology, Jamia Hamdard, New Delhi 110062, India
| | - Nadira D. Karunaweera
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Colombo, No. 25, Kynsey Road, Colombo 8, Sri Lanka
| | - Hermali Silva
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Colombo, No. 25, Kynsey Road, Colombo 8, Sri Lanka
| | - Angamuthu Selvapandiyan
- Department of Molecular Medicine, School of Interdisciplinary Sciences and Technology, Jamia Hamdard, New Delhi 110062, India
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Demicheli C, Vallejos VMR, Lanza JS, Ramos GS, Do Prado BR, Pomel S, Loiseau PM, Frézard F. Supramolecular assemblies from antimony(V) complexes for the treatment of leishmaniasis. Biophys Rev 2023; 15:751-765. [PMID: 37681109 PMCID: PMC10480371 DOI: 10.1007/s12551-023-01073-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2023] [Accepted: 05/30/2023] [Indexed: 09/09/2023] Open
Abstract
The pentavalent meglumine antimoniate (MA) is still a first-line drug in the treatment of leishmaniasis in several countries. As an attempt to elucidate its mechanism of action and develop new antimonial drugs with improved therapeutic profile, Sb(V) complexes with different ligands, including β-cyclodextrin (β-CD), nucleosides and non-ionic surfactants, have been studied. Interestingly, Sb(V) oxide, MA, its complex with β-CD, Sb(V)-guanosine complex and amphiphilic Sb(V) complexes with N-alkyl-N-methylglucamide, have shown marked tendency to self-assemble in aqueous solutions, forming nanoaggregates, hydrogel or micelle-like nanoparticles. Surprisingly, the resulting assemblies presented in most cases slow dissociation kinetics upon dilution and a strong influence of pH, which impacted on their pharmacokinetic and therapeutic properties against leishmaniasis. To explain this unique property, we raised the hypothesis that multiple pnictogen bonds could contribute to the formation of these assemblies and their kinetic of dissociation. The present article reviews our current knowledge on the structural organization and physicochemical characteristics of Sb-based supramolecular assemblies, as well as their pharmacological properties and potential for treatment of leishmaniasis. This review supports the feasibility of the rational design of new Sb(V) complexes with supramolecular assemblies for the safe and effective treatment of leishmaniasis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Cynthia Demicheli
- Department of Chemistry, Institute of Exact Sciences, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG 31270-901 Brazil
| | - Virgínia M. R. Vallejos
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Institute of Biological Sciences, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG 31270-901 Brazil
| | | | - Guilherme S. Ramos
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Institute of Biological Sciences, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG 31270-901 Brazil
| | - Bruno R. Do Prado
- Department of Chemistry, Institute of Exact Sciences, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG 31270-901 Brazil
| | - Sébastien Pomel
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Antiparasite Chemotherapy (PARACHEM), UMR 8076 CNRS BioCIS, University Paris-Saclay, 91400 Orsay, France
| | - Philippe M. Loiseau
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Antiparasite Chemotherapy (PARACHEM), UMR 8076 CNRS BioCIS, University Paris-Saclay, 91400 Orsay, France
| | - Frédéric Frézard
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Institute of Biological Sciences, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG 31270-901 Brazil
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Singh R, Kashif M, Srivastava P, Manna PP. Recent Advances in Chemotherapeutics for Leishmaniasis: Importance of the Cellular Biochemistry of the Parasite and Its Molecular Interaction with the Host. Pathogens 2023; 12:pathogens12050706. [PMID: 37242374 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens12050706] [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: 12/20/2022] [Revised: 05/08/2023] [Accepted: 05/09/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Leishmaniasis, a category 1 neglected protozoan disease caused by a kinetoplastid pathogen called Leishmania, is transmitted through dipteran insect vectors (phlebotomine, sand flies) in three main clinical forms: fatal visceral leishmaniasis, self-healing cutaneous leishmaniasis, and mucocutaneous leishmaniasis. Generic pentavalent antimonials have long been the drug of choice against leishmaniasis; however, their success is plagued with limitations such as drug resistance and severe side effects, which makes them redundant as frontline therapy for endemic visceral leishmaniasis. Alternative therapeutic regimens based on amphotericin B, miltefosine, and paromomycin have also been approved. Due to the unavailability of human vaccines, first-line chemotherapies such as pentavalent antimonials, pentamidine, and amphotericin B are the only options to treat infected individuals. The higher toxicity, adverse effects, and perceived cost of these pharmaceutics, coupled with the emergence of parasite resistance and disease relapse, makes it urgent to identify new, rationalized drug targets for the improvement in disease management and palliative care for patients. This has become an emergent need and more relevant due to the lack of information on validated molecular resistance markers for the monitoring and surveillance of changes in drug sensitivity and resistance. The present study reviewed the recent advances in chemotherapeutic regimens by targeting novel drugs using several strategies including bioinformatics to gain new insight into leishmaniasis. Leishmania has unique enzymes and biochemical pathways that are distinct from those of its mammalian hosts. In light of the limited number of available antileishmanial drugs, the identification of novel drug targets and studying the molecular and cellular aspects of these drugs in the parasite and its host is critical to design specific inhibitors targeting and controlling the parasite. The biochemical characterization of unique Leishmania-specific enzymes can be used as tools to read through possible drug targets. In this review, we discuss relevant metabolic pathways and novel drugs that are unique, essential, and linked to the survival of the parasite based on bioinformatics and cellular and biochemical analyses.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ranjeet Singh
- Immunobiology Laboratory, Department of Zoology, Institute of Science, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi 221005, India
| | - Mohammad Kashif
- Immunobiology Laboratory, Department of Zoology, Institute of Science, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi 221005, India
- School of Computational and Integrative Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi 110067, India
| | - Prateek Srivastava
- Immunobiology Laboratory, Department of Zoology, Institute of Science, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi 221005, India
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry and Pharmacology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva 84105, Israel
| | - Partha Pratim Manna
- Immunobiology Laboratory, Department of Zoology, Institute of Science, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi 221005, India
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Kamran M, Bhattacharjee R, Das S, Mukherjee S, Ali N. The paradigm of intracellular parasite survival and drug resistance in leishmanial parasite through genome plasticity and epigenetics: Perception and future perspective. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2023; 13:1001973. [PMID: 36814446 PMCID: PMC9939536 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2023.1001973] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2022] [Accepted: 01/16/2023] [Indexed: 02/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Leishmania is an intracellular, zoonotic, kinetoplastid eukaryote with more than 1.2 million cases all over the world. The leishmanial chromosomes are divided into polymorphic chromosomal ends, conserved central domains, and antigen-encoding genes found in telomere-proximal regions. The genome flexibility of chromosomal ends of the leishmanial parasite is known to cause drug resistance and intracellular survival through the evasion of host defense mechanisms. Therefore, in this review, we discuss the plasticity of Leishmania genome organization which is the primary cause of drug resistance and parasite survival. Moreover, we have not only elucidated the causes of such genome plasticity which includes aneuploidy, epigenetic factors, copy number variation (CNV), and post-translation modification (PTM) but also highlighted their impact on drug resistance and parasite survival.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Sonali Das
- Infectious Diseases and Immunology Division, Indian Institute of Chemical Biology, Kolkata, West Bengal, India
| | - Sohitri Mukherjee
- Infectious Diseases and Immunology Division, Indian Institute of Chemical Biology, Kolkata, West Bengal, India
| | | |
Collapse
|
8
|
Kumari P, Mamud A, Jha AN. Review on the Drug Intolerance and Vaccine Development for the Leishmaniasis. Curr Drug Targets 2023; 24:1023-1031. [PMID: 37823567 DOI: 10.2174/0113894501254585230927100440] [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: 03/23/2023] [Revised: 07/07/2023] [Accepted: 09/01/2023] [Indexed: 10/13/2023]
Abstract
Leishmaniasis is one of the Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs), a zoonotic disease of vector-borne nature that is caused by a protozoan parasite Leishmania. This parasite is transmitted by the vector sandfly into the human via a bite. Visceral leishmaniasis (VL), also called kala-azar, is the most fatal among the types of leishmaniasis, with high mortality mostly spread in the East Africa and South Asia regions. WHO report stated that approximately 3.3 million disabilities occur every year due to the disease along with approximately 50,000 annual deaths. The real matter of concern is that there is no particular effective medicine/vaccine available against leishmaniasis to date except a few approved drugs and chemotherapy for the infected patient. The current selection of small compounds was constrained, and their growing drug resistance had been a major worry. Additionally, the serious side effects on humans of the available therapy or drugs have made it essential to discover efficient and low-cost methods to speed up the development of new drugs against leishmaniasis. Ideally, the vaccine could be a low risk and effective alternative for both CL and VL and elicit long-lasting immunity against the disease. There are a number of vaccine candidates at various stages of clinical development and preclinical stage. However, none has successfully passed all clinical trials. But, the successful development and approval of commercially available vaccines for dogs against canine leishmaniasis (CanL) provides evidence that it can be possible for humans in distant future. In the present article, the approaches used for the development of vaccines for leishmaniasis are discussed and the progress being made is briefly reviewed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Priya Kumari
- Centre of Sustainable Polymers, Indian Institute of Technology, Guwahati, Assam, India
| | - Afrin Mamud
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Tezpur University, Tezpur, Assam, India
| | - Anupam Nath Jha
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Tezpur University, Tezpur, Assam, India
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Down the membrane hole: Ion channels in protozoan parasites. PLoS Pathog 2022; 18:e1011004. [PMID: 36580479 PMCID: PMC9799330 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1011004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Parasitic diseases caused by protozoans are highly prevalent around the world, disproportionally affecting developing countries, where coinfection with other microorganisms is common. Control and treatment of parasitic infections are constrained by the lack of specific and effective drugs, plus the rapid emergence of resistance. Ion channels are main drug targets for numerous diseases, but their potential against protozoan parasites is still untapped. Ion channels are membrane proteins expressed in all types of cells, allowing for the flow of ions between compartments, and regulating cellular functions such as membrane potential, excitability, volume, signaling, and death. Channels and transporters reside at the interface between parasites and their hosts, controlling nutrient uptake, viability, replication, and infectivity. To understand how ion channels control protozoan parasites fate and to evaluate their suitability for therapeutics, we must deepen our knowledge of their structure, function, and modulation. However, methodological approaches commonly used in mammalian cells have proven difficult to apply in protozoans. This review focuses on ion channels described in protozoan parasites of clinical relevance, mainly apicomplexans and trypanosomatids, highlighting proteins for which molecular and functional evidence has been correlated with their physiological functions.
Collapse
|
10
|
Gong L, Yin Y, Chen C, Wan Q, Xia D, Wang M, Pu Z, Zhang B, Zou J. Characterization of EGFR-reprogrammable temozolomide-resistant cells in a model of glioblastoma. Cell Death Dis 2022; 8:438. [PMID: 36316307 PMCID: PMC9622861 DOI: 10.1038/s41420-022-01230-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2022] [Revised: 10/18/2022] [Accepted: 10/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Temozolomide (TMZ) resistance is a major clinical challenge for glioblastoma (GBM). O6-methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase (MGMT) mediated DNA damage repair is a key mechanism for TMZ resistance. However, MGMT-null GBM patients remain resistant to TMZ, and the process for resistance evolution is largely unknown. Here, we developed an acquired TMZ resistant xenograft model using serial implantation of MGMT-hypermethylated U87 cells, allowing the extraction of stable, TMZ resistant (TMZ-R) tumors and primary cells. The derived tumors and cells exhibited stable multidrug resistance both in vitro and in vivo. Functional experiments, as well as single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq), indicated that TMZ treatment induced cellular heterogeneity including quiescent cancer stem cells (CSCs) in TMZ-R tumors. A subset of these were labeled by NES+/SOX2+/CADM1+ and demonstrated significant advantages for drug resistance. Further study revealed that Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR) deficiency and diminished downstream signaling may confer this triple positive CSCs subgroup’s quiescent phenotypes and chemoresistance. Continuous EGF treatment improved the chemosensitivity of TMZ-R cells both in vitro and in vivo, mechanically reversing cell cycle arrest and reduced drug uptake. Further, EGF treatment of TMZ-R tumors favorably normalized the response to TMZ in combination therapy. Here, we characterize a unique subgroup of CSCs in MGMT-null experimental glioblastoma, identifying EGF + TMZ therapy as a potential strategy to overcome cellular quiescence and TMZ resistance, likely endowed by deficient EGFR signaling.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lingli Gong
- grid.89957.3a0000 0000 9255 8984Department of Laboratory Medicine, The Affiliated Wuxi People’s Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Wuxi, 214023 China ,grid.89957.3a0000 0000 9255 8984Center of Clinical Research, The Affiliated Wuxi People’s Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Wuxi, 214023 China
| | - Ying Yin
- grid.89957.3a0000 0000 9255 8984Department of Laboratory Medicine, The Affiliated Wuxi People’s Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Wuxi, 214023 China ,grid.89957.3a0000 0000 9255 8984Center of Clinical Research, The Affiliated Wuxi People’s Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Wuxi, 214023 China
| | - Cheng Chen
- grid.89957.3a0000 0000 9255 8984Department of Laboratory Medicine, The Affiliated Wuxi People’s Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Wuxi, 214023 China ,grid.89957.3a0000 0000 9255 8984Center of Clinical Research, The Affiliated Wuxi People’s Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Wuxi, 214023 China
| | - Quan Wan
- grid.89957.3a0000 0000 9255 8984Department of Neurosurgery, The Affiliated Wuxi Second Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214002 China
| | - Die Xia
- grid.89957.3a0000 0000 9255 8984Department of Laboratory Medicine, The Affiliated Wuxi People’s Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Wuxi, 214023 China ,grid.89957.3a0000 0000 9255 8984Center of Clinical Research, The Affiliated Wuxi People’s Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Wuxi, 214023 China
| | - Mei Wang
- grid.89957.3a0000 0000 9255 8984Department of Laboratory Medicine, The Affiliated Wuxi People’s Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Wuxi, 214023 China ,grid.89957.3a0000 0000 9255 8984Center of Clinical Research, The Affiliated Wuxi People’s Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Wuxi, 214023 China
| | - Zhening Pu
- grid.89957.3a0000 0000 9255 8984Department of Laboratory Medicine, The Affiliated Wuxi People’s Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Wuxi, 214023 China ,grid.89957.3a0000 0000 9255 8984Center of Clinical Research, The Affiliated Wuxi People’s Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Wuxi, 214023 China
| | - Bo Zhang
- grid.89957.3a0000 0000 9255 8984Department of Laboratory Medicine, The Affiliated Wuxi People’s Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Wuxi, 214023 China ,grid.89957.3a0000 0000 9255 8984Center of Clinical Research, The Affiliated Wuxi People’s Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Wuxi, 214023 China
| | - Jian Zou
- grid.89957.3a0000 0000 9255 8984Department of Laboratory Medicine, The Affiliated Wuxi People’s Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Wuxi, 214023 China ,grid.89957.3a0000 0000 9255 8984Center of Clinical Research, The Affiliated Wuxi People’s Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Wuxi, 214023 China
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Hierarchical Clustering and Target-Independent QSAR for Antileishmanial Oxazole and Oxadiazole Derivatives. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23168898. [PMID: 36012163 PMCID: PMC9408707 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23168898] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2022] [Revised: 07/22/2022] [Accepted: 07/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Leishmaniasis is a neglected tropical disease that kills more than 20,000 people each year. The chemotherapy available for the treatment of the disease is limited, and novel approaches to discover novel drugs are urgently needed. Herein, 2D- and 4D-quantitative structure–activity relationship (QSAR) models were developed for a series of oxazole and oxadiazole derivatives that are active against Leishmania infantum, the causative agent of visceral leishmaniasis. A clustering strategy based on structural similarity was applied with molecular fingerprints to divide the complete set of compounds into two groups. Hierarchical clustering was followed by the development of 2D- (R2 = 0.90, R2pred = 0.82) and 4D-QSAR models (R2 = 0.80, R2pred = 0.64), which showed improved statistical robustness and predictive ability.
Collapse
|
12
|
Jimenez V, Miranda K, Augusto I. The old and the new about the contractile vacuole of Trypanosoma cruzi. J Eukaryot Microbiol 2022; 69:e12939. [PMID: 35916682 DOI: 10.1111/jeu.12939] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2022] [Revised: 07/27/2022] [Accepted: 07/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Osmoregulation is a conserved cellular process required for the survival of all organisms. In protists, the need for robust compensatory mechanisms that can maintain cell volume and tonicity within physiological range is even more relevant, as their life cycles are often completed in different environments. Trypanosoma cruzi, the protozoan pathogen responsible for Chagas disease, is transmitted by an insect vector to multiple types of mammalian hosts. The contractile vacuole complex (CVC) is an organelle that senses and compensates osmotic changes in the parasites, ensuring their survival upon ionic and osmotic challenges. Recent work shows that the contractile vacuole is also a key component of the secretory and endocytic pathways, regulating the selective targeting of surface proteins during differentiation. Here we summarize our current knowledge of the mechanisms involved in the osmoregulatory processes that take place in the vacuole, and we explore the new and exciting functions of this organelle in cell trafficking and signaling.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Veronica Jimenez
- Department of Biological Science, College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, California State University Fullerton
| | - Kildare Miranda
- Laboratorio de Ultraestrutura Celular Hertha Meyer, Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro.,Centro Nacional de Biologia Estrutural e Bioimagem, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Ingrid Augusto
- Department of Biological Science, College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, California State University Fullerton.,Laboratorio de Ultraestrutura Celular Hertha Meyer, Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Yao D, Liu S, Lian F, Xu X, Yang J, Chen R, Cao Y. AQP9 (Aquaporin 9) Determines Arsenic Uptake and Tolerance in Human Hepatocellular Carcinoma Cells In Vitro. Cureus 2022; 14:e26753. [PMID: 35967171 PMCID: PMC9363710 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.26753] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Arsenic-based therapeutic strategies, even though promising for acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL), are limited by arsenic-related toxic effect and resistance with unknown mechanisms. The purpose of this study is to better understand the different sensitivities of hepatocellular carcinoma cells to arsenic and its mechanism. Arsenic-sensitive liver cancer cell line (HepG2) and arsenic-resistant HepG2 (AsHepG2) cells are employed to study the role of aquaporin 9 (AQP9) in arsenic uptake and tolerance. The half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) value of arsenic in AsHepG2 cells (15.59 ± 1.36 µM) is significantly higher than that in HepG2 cells (7.33 ± 0.93 µM; p= 0.0288). We demonstrated that, with the treatment of sodium arsenite (NaAsO2), arsenic was accumulated at a significantly lower level in AsHepG2 cells in comparison with HepG2 cells (p= 0.00549). Further, arsenic level in AsHepG2 cells reaches a plateau after six hours of treatment, whereas arsenic continues to increase in HepG2 cells during the entire experimental period. Mechanistic study showed that the expression of AQP9 is decreased in a dose-dependent manner in AsHepG2 cells, but no significant difference in HepG2 cells. Furthermore, NaAsO2 dramatically increases AQP9 and p38 phosphorylation, which may partially regulate arsenic sensitivity in both cell lines. In conclusion, the expression and phosphorylation of AQP9 regulated by p38 kinase are involved in the arsenic uptake, thus regulating cellular arsenic sensitivity.
Collapse
|
14
|
Salari S, Bamorovat M, Sharifi I, Almani PGN. Global distribution of treatment resistance gene markers for leishmaniasis. J Clin Lab Anal 2022; 36:e24599. [PMID: 35808933 PMCID: PMC9396204 DOI: 10.1002/jcla.24599] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2022] [Revised: 06/19/2022] [Accepted: 06/28/2022] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Pentavalent antimonials (Sb(V)) such as meglumine antimoniate (Glucantime®) and sodium stibogluconate (Pentostam®) are used as first‐line treatments for leishmaniasis, either alone or in combination with second‐line drugs such as amphotericin B (Amp B), miltefosine (MIL), methotrexate (MTX), or cryotherapy. Therapeutic aspects of these drugs are now challenged because of clinical resistance worldwide. Methods We reviewedthe recent original studies were assessed by searching in electronic databases such as Scopus, Pubmed, Embase, and Web of Science. Results Studies on molecular biomarkers involved in drug resistance are essential for monitoring the disease. We reviewed genes and mechanisms of resistance to leishmaniasis, and the geographical distribution of these biomarkers in each country has also been thoroughly investigated. Conclusion Due to the emergence of resistant genes mainly in anthroponotic Leishmania species such as L. donovani and L. tropica, as the causative agents of ACL and AVL, respectively, selection of an appropriate treatment modality is essential. Physicians should be aware of the presence of such resistance for the selection of proper treatment modalities in endemic countries.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Samira Salari
- Medical Mycology and Bacteriology Research Center, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
| | - Mehdi Bamorovat
- Leishmaniasis Research Center, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
| | - Iraj Sharifi
- Leishmaniasis Research Center, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
| | | |
Collapse
|
15
|
Transcriptome Analysis of Intracellular Amastigotes of Clinical Leishmania infantum Lines from Therapeutic Failure Patients after Infection of Human Macrophages. Microorganisms 2022; 10:microorganisms10071304. [PMID: 35889023 PMCID: PMC9324091 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms10071304] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2022] [Revised: 06/21/2022] [Accepted: 06/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Leishmaniasis is considered to be one of the most neglected tropical diseases affecting humans and animals around the world. Due to the absence of an effective vaccine, current treatment is based on chemotherapy. However, the continuous appearance of drug resistance and therapeutic failure (TF) lead to an early obsolescence of treatments. Identification of the factors that contribute to TF and drug resistance in leishmaniasis will constitute a useful tool for establishing future strategies to control this disease. In this manuscript, we evaluated the transcriptomic changes in the intracellular amastigotes of the Leishmania infantum parasites isolated from patients with leishmaniasis and TF at 96 h post-infection of THP-1 cells. The adaptation of the parasites to their new environment leads to expression alterations in the genes involved mainly in the transport through cell membranes, energy and redox metabolism, and detoxification. Specifically, the gene that codes for the prostaglandin f2α synthase seems to be relevant in the pathogenicity and TF since it appears substantially upregulated in all the L. infantum lines. Overall, our results show that at the late infection timepoint, the transcriptome of the parasites undergoes significant changes that probably improve the survival of the Leishmania lines in the host cells, contributing to the TF phenotype as well as drug therapy evasion.
Collapse
|
16
|
As(III) Exposure Induces a Zinc Scarcity Response and Restricts Iron Uptake in High-Level Arsenic-Resistant Paenibacillus taichungensis Strain NC1. Appl Environ Microbiol 2022; 88:e0031222. [PMID: 35435714 DOI: 10.1128/aem.00312-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The Gram-positive bacterium Paenibacillus taichungensis NC1 was isolated from the Zijin gold-copper mine and shown to display high resistance to arsenic (MICs of 10 mM for arsenite in minimal medium). Genome sequencing indicated the presence of a number of potential arsenic resistance determinants in NC1. Global transcriptomic analysis under arsenic stress showed that NC1 not only directly upregulated genes in an arsenic resistance operon but also responded to arsenic toxicity by increasing the expression of genes encoding antioxidant functions, such as cat, perR, and gpx. In addition, two highly expressed genes, marR and arsV, encoding a putative flavin-dependent monooxygenase and located adjacent to the ars resistance operon, were highly induced by As(III) exposure and conferred resistance to arsenic and antimony compounds. Interestingly, the zinc scarcity response was induced under exposure to high concentrations of arsenite, and genes responsible for iron uptake were downregulated, possibly to cope with oxidative stress associated with As toxicity. IMPORTANCE Microbes have the ability to adapt and respond to a variety of conditions. To better understand these processes, we isolated the arsenic-resistant Gram-positive bacterium Paenibacillus taichungensis NC1 from a gold-copper mine. The transcriptome responding to arsenite exposure showed induction of not only genes encoding arsenic resistance determinants but also genes involved in the zinc scarcity response. In addition, many genes encoding functions involved in iron uptake were downregulated. These results help to understand how bacteria integrate specific responses to arsenite exposure with broader physiological responses.
Collapse
|
17
|
Santi AMM, Murta SMF. Impact of Genetic Diversity and Genome Plasticity of Leishmania spp. in Treatment and the Search for Novel Chemotherapeutic Targets. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2022; 12:826287. [PMID: 35141175 PMCID: PMC8819175 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2022.826287] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2021] [Accepted: 01/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Leishmaniasis is one of the major public health concerns in Latin America, Africa, Asia, and Europe. The absence of vaccines for human use and the lack of effective vector control programs make chemotherapy the main strategy to control all forms of the disease. However, the high toxicity of available drugs, limited choice of therapeutic agents, and occurrence of drug-resistant parasite strains are the main challenges related to chemotherapy. Currently, only a small number of drugs are available for leishmaniasis treatment, including pentavalent antimonials (SbV), amphotericin B and its formulations, miltefosine, paromomycin sulphate, and pentamidine isethionate. In addition to drug toxicity, therapeutic failure of leishmaniasis is a serious concern. The occurrence of drug-resistant parasites is one of the causes of therapeutic failure and is closely related to the diversity of parasites in this genus. Owing to the enormous plasticity of the genome, resistance can occur by altering different metabolic pathways, demonstrating that resistance mechanisms are multifactorial and extremely complex. Genetic variability and genome plasticity cause not only the available drugs to have limitations, but also make the search for new drugs challenging. Here, we examined the biological characteristics of parasites that hinder drug discovery.
Collapse
|
18
|
AQPX-cluster aquaporins and aquaglyceroporins are asymmetrically distributed in trypanosomes. Commun Biol 2021; 4:953. [PMID: 34376792 PMCID: PMC8355241 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-021-02472-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2021] [Accepted: 07/21/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Major Intrinsic Proteins (MIPs) are membrane channels that permeate water and other small solutes. Some trypanosomatid MIPs mediate the uptake of antiparasitic compounds, placing them as potential drug targets. However, a thorough study of the diversity of these channels is still missing. Here we place trypanosomatid channels in the sequence-function space of the large MIP superfamily through a sequence similarity network. This analysis exposes that trypanosomatid aquaporins integrate a distant cluster from the currently defined MIP families, here named aquaporin X (AQPX). Our phylogenetic analyses reveal that trypanosomatid MIPs distribute exclusively between aquaglyceroporin (GLP) and AQPX, being the AQPX family expanded in the Metakinetoplastina common ancestor before the origin of the parasitic order Trypanosomatida. Synteny analysis shows how African trypanosomes specifically lost AQPXs, whereas American trypanosomes specifically lost GLPs. AQPXs diverge from already described MIPs on crucial residues. Together, our results expose the diversity of trypanosomatid MIPs and will aid further functional, structural, and physiological research needed to face the potentiality of the AQPXs as gateways for trypanocidal drugs.
Collapse
|
19
|
Potvin JE, Leprohon P, Queffeulou M, Sundar S, Ouellette M. Mutations in an Aquaglyceroporin as a Proven Marker of Antimony Clinical Resistance in the Parasite Leishmania donovani. Clin Infect Dis 2021; 72:e526-e532. [PMID: 32827255 DOI: 10.1093/cid/ciaa1236] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2020] [Accepted: 08/17/2020] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Antimonial drugs have long been the mainstay to treat visceral leishmaniasis. Their use has been discontinued in the Indian subcontinent because of drug resistance, but they are still clinically useful elsewhere. The goal of this study was to find markers of antimony resistance in Leishmania donovani clinical isolates and validate experimentally their role in resistance. METHODS The genomes of sensitive and antimony-resistant clinical isolates were sequenced. The role of a specific gene in contributing to resistance was studied by CRISPR-Cas9-mediated gene editing and intracellular drug sensitivity assays. RESULTS Both gene copy number variations and single nucleotide variants were associated with antimony resistance. A homozygous insertion of 2 nucleotides was found in the gene coding for the aquaglyceroporin AQP1 in both resistant isolates. Restoring the wild-type AQP1 open reading frame re-sensitized the 2 independent resistant isolates to antimonials. Alternatively, editing the genome of a sensitive isolate by incorporating the 2-nucleotide insertion in its AQP1 gene led to antimony-resistant parasites. CONCLUSIONS Through genomic analysis and CRISPR-Cas9-mediated genome editing we have proven the role of the AQP1 mutations in antimony clinical resistance in L. donovani.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jade-Eva Potvin
- Division of Infectious Disease and Immunity, CHU de Quebec Research Center and Department of Microbiology, Infectious Disease, and Immunology, University Laval, Quebec, Canada
| | - Philippe Leprohon
- Division of Infectious Disease and Immunity, CHU de Quebec Research Center and Department of Microbiology, Infectious Disease, and Immunology, University Laval, Quebec, Canada
| | - Marine Queffeulou
- Division of Infectious Disease and Immunity, CHU de Quebec Research Center and Department of Microbiology, Infectious Disease, and Immunology, University Laval, Quebec, Canada
| | - Shyam Sundar
- Department of Medicine, Institute of Medical Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, India
| | - Marc Ouellette
- Division of Infectious Disease and Immunity, CHU de Quebec Research Center and Department of Microbiology, Infectious Disease, and Immunology, University Laval, Quebec, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Tunes LG, Ascher DB, Pires DEV, Monte-Neto RL. The mutation G133D on Leishmania guyanensis AQP1 is highly destabilizing as revealed by molecular modeling and hypo-osmotic shock assay. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-BIOMEMBRANES 2021; 1863:183682. [PMID: 34175297 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamem.2021.183682] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2021] [Revised: 06/11/2021] [Accepted: 06/14/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
The Leishmania aquaglyceroporin 1 (AQP1) plays an important role in osmoregulation and antimony (Sb) uptake, being determinant for resistance to antimony. We have previously demonstrated that G133D mutation on L. guyanensis AQP1 (LgAQP1) leads to reduced Sb uptake. Here, we investigated the effects of G133D mutation on LgAQP1 structure, associated with Sb uptake and alterations in osmoregulation capacity. High confidence molecular models of wild-type LgAQP1 as well as the LgAQP1::G133D mutant were constructed and optimized via comparative homology modeling. Computational methods from the mCSM platform were used to evaluate the effects on protein stability and on its ability to bind to glycerol. Functional validation of the disruptive effect of the mutation on LgAQP1 was done by challenging the parasites with hypo-osmotic chock. Glycine 133 is on transmembrane helix 3, buried in the membrane in both open and closed conformation. G133D mutation was predicted to be highly destabilizing, as it alters the helical bundling arrangement in order to accommodate the aspartic acid side chain. The shift in helices also resulted in fewer favorable contacts with glycerol in the channel, which would explain the reduced affinity for similar small molecules as SbO3. Under hypo-osmotic condition, L. guyanensis AQP1G133D presented a 3-fold increase in cellular volume and pronounced delay to recover osmosis homeostasis when compared to the wild-type, a profile that was enhanced in LgAQP1-/- mutants. In conclusion, G133D is a highly disruptive mutation that will destabilize the monomer, compromise tetramer formation and alter pore conformation, leading to reduced Sb uptake and deficient osmoregulation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Luiza G Tunes
- Biotechnology Applied to Pathogens Instituto René Rachou, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (Fiocruz Minas), Av. Augusto de Lima, 1715, Belo Horizonte 30190-009, MG, Brazil; The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, 5323 Harry Hines Blvd, 75390-8511 Dallas, TX, USA.
| | - David B Ascher
- Structural Biology and Bioinformatics, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The University of Melbourne, Bio21 Institute, 30 Flemington Rd, Parkville, VIC 3052, Melbourne, Australia; Computational Biology and Clinical Informatics, Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute, VIC 3004, Melbourne, Australia.
| | - Douglas E V Pires
- Structural Biology and Bioinformatics, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The University of Melbourne, Bio21 Institute, 30 Flemington Rd, Parkville, VIC 3052, Melbourne, Australia; Computational Biology and Clinical Informatics, Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute, VIC 3004, Melbourne, Australia; School of Computing and Information Systems, The University of Melbourne, Doug McDonell Building, VIC 3010, Parkville, Melbourne, Australia.
| | - Rubens L Monte-Neto
- Biotechnology Applied to Pathogens Instituto René Rachou, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (Fiocruz Minas), Av. Augusto de Lima, 1715, Belo Horizonte 30190-009, MG, Brazil.
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Biological characterization of Bacillus flexus strain SSAI1 transforming highly toxic arsenite to less toxic arsenate mediated by periplasmic arsenite oxidase enzyme encoded by aioAB genes. Biometals 2021; 34:895-907. [PMID: 33956287 DOI: 10.1007/s10534-021-00316-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2021] [Accepted: 04/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Bacillus flexus strain SSAI1 isolated from agro-industry waste, Tuem, Goa, India displayed high arsenite resistance as minimal inhibitory concentration was 25 mM in mineral salts medium. This bacterial strain exposed to 10 mM arsenite demonstrated rapid arsenite oxidation and internalization of 7 mM arsenate within 24 h. The Fourier transformed infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy of cells exposed to arsenite revealed important functional groups on the cell surface interacting with arsenite. Furthermore, scanning electron microscopy combined with electron dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDAX) of cells exposed to arsenite revealed clumping of cells with no surface adsorption of arsenite. Transmission electron microscopy coupled with electron dispersive X-ray spectroscopic (TEM-EDAX) analysis of arsenite exposed cells clearly demonstrated ultra-structural changes and intracellular accumulation of arsenic. Whole-genome sequence analysis of this bacterial strain interestingly revealed the presence of large number of metal(loid) resistance genes, including aioAB genes encoding arsenite oxidase responsible for the oxidation of highly toxic arsenite to less toxic arsenate. Enzyme assay further confirmed that arsenite oxidase is a periplasmic enzyme. The genome of strain SSAI1 also carried glpF, aioS and aioE genes conferring resistance to arsenite. Therefore, multi-metal(loid) resistant arsenite oxidizing Bacillus flexus strain SSAI1 has potential to bioremediate arsenite contaminated environmental sites and is the first report of its kind.
Collapse
|
22
|
Eslami G, Hatefi S, Ramezani V, Tohidfar M, Churkina TV, Orlov YL, Hosseini SS, Boozhmehrani MJ, Vakili M. Molecular characteristic of treatment failure clinical isolates of Leishmania major. PeerJ 2021; 9:e10969. [PMID: 33763300 PMCID: PMC7956003 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.10969] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2020] [Accepted: 01/28/2021] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Leishmaniasis is a prevalent tropical disease caused by more than 20 Leishmania species (Protozoa, Kinetoplastida and Trypanosomatidae). Among different clinical forms of the disease, cutaneous leishmaniasis is the most common form, with an annual 0.6–1 million new cases reported worldwide. This disease’s standard treatment is pentavalent antimonial (SbV) that have been used successfully since the first half of the 20th century as a first-line drug. However, treatment failure is an increasing problem that is persistently reported from endemic areas. It is important to define and standardize tests for drug resistance in cutaneous leishmaniasis. SbV must be reduced to its trivalent active form (SbIII). This reduction occurs within the host macrophage, and the resultant SbIIIenters amastigotes via the aquaglyceroporin1 (AQP1) membrane carrier. Overexpression of AQP1 results in hypersensitivity of the parasites to SbIII, but resistant phenotypes accompany reduced expression, inactivation mutations, or deletion of AQP1. Hence, in this study, a phylogenetic analysis using barcode gene COXII and kDNA minicircle and expression analysis of AQP1 were performed in treatment failure isolates to assess the isolates’ molecular characteristics and to verify possible association with drug response. Methods Samples in this study were collected from patients with cutaneous leishmaniasis referred to the Diagnosis Laboratory Center in Isfahan Province, Iran, from October 2017 to December 2019. Among them, five isolates (code numbers 1–5) were categorized as treatment failures. The PCR amplification of barcode gene COXII and kDNA minicircle were done and subsequently analyzed using MEGA (10.0.5) to perform phylogenetics analysis of Treatment failures (TF) and Treatment response (TR) samples. Relative quantification of the AQP1 gene expression of TF and TR samples was assessed by real-time PCR. Results All samples were classified as L. major. No amplification failure was observed in the cases of barcode gene COXII and kDNA minicircle amplification. Having excluded the sequences with complete homology using maximum parsimony with the Bootstrap 500 method, four major groups were detected to perform phylogenetic analysis using COXII. The phylogenetic analysis using the barcode target of minicircle showed that all five treatment failure isolates were grouped in a separate sub-clade. Conclusions We concluded that the barcode gene COXII and the minicircle kDNA were suitable for identification, differentiation and phylogenetic analysis in treatment failure clinical isolates of Leishmania major. Also, AQP1 gene expression analyses showed that treatment failure isolates had less expression than TR isolates. The isolate with TF and overexpression of the AQP1 gene of other molecular mechanisms such as overexpression of ATP-binding cassette may be involved in the TR, such as overexpression of ATP-binding cassette which requires further research.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Gilda Eslami
- Department of Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran
| | - Samira Hatefi
- Research Center for Food Hygiene and Safety, School of Public Health, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran.,Department of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran
| | - Vahid Ramezani
- Department of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran.,Pharmaceutical Research Center, School of Pharmacy, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran
| | - Masoud Tohidfar
- Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Life Science and Biotechnology, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Tatyana V Churkina
- Insitute of Cytology and Genetics SB RAS, Novosibirsk, Russia.,Novosibirsk State University, Novosibirsk, Russia
| | - Yuriy L Orlov
- Insitute of Cytology and Genetics SB RAS, Novosibirsk, Russia.,Novosibirsk State University, Novosibirsk, Russia.,The Digital Health Institute, I.M.Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University (Sechenov University), Moscow, Russia
| | - Saeedeh Sadat Hosseini
- Research Center for Food Hygiene and Safety, School of Public Health, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran
| | - Mohammad Javad Boozhmehrani
- Department of Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran
| | - Mahmood Vakili
- Department of Community and Preventive Medicine, Health Monitoring Research Center, School of Medicine, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
Azad AK, Raihan T, Ahmed J, Hakim A, Emon TH, Chowdhury PA. Human Aquaporins: Functional Diversity and Potential Roles in Infectious and Non-infectious Diseases. Front Genet 2021; 12:654865. [PMID: 33796134 PMCID: PMC8007926 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2021.654865] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2021] [Accepted: 02/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Aquaporins (AQPs) are integral membrane proteins and found in all living organisms from bacteria to human. AQPs mainly involved in the transmembrane diffusion of water as well as various small solutes in a bidirectional manner are widely distributed in various human tissues. Human contains 13 AQPs (AQP0-AQP12) which are divided into three sub-classes namely orthodox aquaporin (AQP0, 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, and 8), aquaglyceroporin (AQP3, 7, 9, and 10) and super or unorthodox aquaporin (AQP11 and 12) based on their pore selectivity. Human AQPs are functionally diverse, which are involved in wide variety of non-infectious diseases including cancer, renal dysfunction, neurological disorder, epilepsy, skin disease, metabolic syndrome, and even cardiac diseases. However, the association of AQPs with infectious diseases has not been fully evaluated. Several studies have unveiled that AQPs can be regulated by microbial and parasitic infections that suggest their involvement in microbial pathogenesis, inflammation-associated responses and AQP-mediated cell water homeostasis. This review mainly aims to shed light on the involvement of AQPs in infectious and non-infectious diseases and potential AQPs-target modulators. Furthermore, AQP structures, tissue-specific distributions and their physiological relevance, functional diversity and regulations have been discussed. Altogether, this review would be useful for further investigation of AQPs as a potential therapeutic target for treatment of infectious as well as non-infectious diseases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Abul Kalam Azad
- Department of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Shahjalal University of Science and Technology, Sylhet, Bangladesh
| | - Topu Raihan
- Department of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Shahjalal University of Science and Technology, Sylhet, Bangladesh
| | - Jahed Ahmed
- Department of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Shahjalal University of Science and Technology, Sylhet, Bangladesh
- Louvain Institute of Biomolecular Science and Technology, Université catholique de Louvain, Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium
| | - Al Hakim
- Department of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Shahjalal University of Science and Technology, Sylhet, Bangladesh
| | - Tanvir Hossain Emon
- Department of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Shahjalal University of Science and Technology, Sylhet, Bangladesh
| | | |
Collapse
|
24
|
Bwalya AK, Irekwa RM, Mbugua A, Munyao MM, Rotich PK, Nyandwaro TT, Njoroge CW, Mwangi AW, Yego JJ, Kiyaga S, Nzou SM. Investigation of single nucleotide polymorphisms in <i>MRPA</i> and <i>AQP-1</i> genes of <i>Leishmania donovani</i> as resistance markers in visceral leishmaniasis in Kenya. AIMS MOLECULAR SCIENCE 2021. [DOI: 10.3934/molsci.2021011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
|
25
|
Andrade JM, Gonçalves LO, Liarte DB, Lima DA, Guimarães FG, de Melo Resende D, Santi AMM, de Oliveira LM, Velloso JPL, Delfino RG, Pescher P, Späth GF, Ruiz JC, Murta SMF. Comparative transcriptomic analysis of antimony resistant and susceptible Leishmania infantum lines. Parasit Vectors 2020; 13:600. [PMID: 33256787 PMCID: PMC7706067 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-020-04486-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2020] [Accepted: 11/17/2020] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Background One of the major challenges to leishmaniasis treatment is the emergence of parasites resistant to antimony. To study differentially expressed genes associated with drug resistance, we performed a comparative transcriptomic analysis between wild-type and potassium antimonyl tartrate (SbIII)-resistant Leishmania infantum lines using high-throughput RNA sequencing. Methods All the cDNA libraries were constructed from promastigote forms of each line, sequenced and analyzed using STAR for mapping the reads against the reference genome (L. infantum JPCM5) and DESeq2 for differential expression statistical analyses. All the genes were functionally annotated using sequence similarity search. Results The analytical pipeline considering an adjusted p-value < 0.05 and fold change > 2.0 identified 933 transcripts differentially expressed (DE) between wild-type and SbIII-resistant L. infantum lines. Out of 933 DE transcripts, 504 presented functional annotation and 429 were assigned as hypothetical proteins. A total of 837 transcripts were upregulated and 96 were downregulated in the SbIII-resistant L. infantum line. Using this DE dataset, the proteins were further grouped in functional classes according to the gene ontology database. The functional enrichment analysis for biological processes showed that the upregulated transcripts in the SbIII-resistant line are associated with protein phosphorylation, microtubule-based movement, ubiquitination, host–parasite interaction, cellular process and other categories. The downregulated transcripts in the SbIII-resistant line are assigned in the GO categories: ribonucleoprotein complex, ribosome biogenesis, rRNA processing, nucleosome assembly and translation. Conclusions The transcriptomic profile of L. infantum showed a robust set of genes from different metabolic pathways associated with the antimony resistance phenotype in this parasite. Our results address the complex and multifactorial antimony resistance mechanisms in Leishmania, identifying several candidate genes that may be further evaluated as molecular targets for chemotherapy of leishmaniasis.![]()
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Juvana Moreira Andrade
- Genômica Funcional de Parasitos, Instituto René Rachou, Fiocruz Minas, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Leilane Oliveira Gonçalves
- Grupo Informática de Biossistemas, Instituto René Rachou, Fiocruz Minas, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil.,Programa de Pós-graduação em Biologia Computacional e Sistemas, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | | | - Davi Alvarenga Lima
- Genômica Funcional de Parasitos, Instituto René Rachou, Fiocruz Minas, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil.,Grupo Informática de Biossistemas, Instituto René Rachou, Fiocruz Minas, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | | | - Daniela de Melo Resende
- Genômica Funcional de Parasitos, Instituto René Rachou, Fiocruz Minas, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil.,Grupo Informática de Biossistemas, Instituto René Rachou, Fiocruz Minas, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Ana Maria Murta Santi
- Genômica Funcional de Parasitos, Instituto René Rachou, Fiocruz Minas, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Luciana Marcia de Oliveira
- Unité Biologie des ARN des Pathogènes Fongiques, Département de Mycologie, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France
| | | | - Renato Guimarães Delfino
- Grupo Informática de Biossistemas, Instituto René Rachou, Fiocruz Minas, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Pascale Pescher
- Unité de Parasitologie moléculaire et Signalisation, Département de Parasitologie et Mycologie, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France
| | - Gerald F Späth
- Unité de Parasitologie moléculaire et Signalisation, Département de Parasitologie et Mycologie, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France
| | - Jeronimo Conceição Ruiz
- Grupo Informática de Biossistemas, Instituto René Rachou, Fiocruz Minas, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil. .,Programa de Pós-graduação em Biologia Computacional e Sistemas, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.
| | | |
Collapse
|
26
|
The Ionophores CCCP and Gramicidin but Not Nigericin Inhibit Trypanosoma brucei Aquaglyceroporins at Neutral pH. Cells 2020; 9:cells9102335. [PMID: 33096791 PMCID: PMC7589649 DOI: 10.3390/cells9102335] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2020] [Revised: 10/16/2020] [Accepted: 10/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Human African trypanosomiasis (HAT) is caused by Trypanosoma brucei parasites. The T. brucei aquaglyceroporin isoform 2, TbAQP2, has been linked to the uptake of pentamidine. Negative membrane potentials and transmembrane pH gradients were suggested to promote transport of the dicationic antitrypanosomal drug. Application of ionophores to trypanosomes further hinted at direct inhibition of TbAQP2 by carbonyl cyanide m-chlorophenyl hydrazone (CCCP). Here, we tested for direct effects of three classical ionophores (CCCP, nigericin, gramicidin) on the functionality of TbAQP2 and the related TbAQP3 at conditions that are independent from the membrane potential or a proton gradient. We expressed TbAQP2 and TbAQP3 in yeast, and determined permeability of uncharged glycerol at neutral pH using stopped-flow light scattering. The mobile proton carrier CCCP directly inhibited TbAQP2 glycerol permeability at an IC50 of 2 µM, and TbAQP3 to a much lesser extent (IC50 around 1 mM) likely due to different selectivity filter layouts. Nigericin, another mobile carrier, left both isoforms unaffected. The membrane-integral pore-forming gramicidin evenly inhibited TbAQP2 and TbAQP2 in the double-digit micromolar range. Our data exemplify the need for suitable controls to detect unwanted ionophore side effects even when used at concentrations that are typically recommended to disturb the transmembrane ion distribution.
Collapse
|
27
|
Functionalization of new anticancer Pt(II) complex with transferrin receptor binding peptide. Inorganica Chim Acta 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ica.2020.119811] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
|
28
|
Candidate genes for monitoring hydrogen peroxide resistance in the salmon louse, Lepeophtheirus salmonis. Parasit Vectors 2020; 13:344. [PMID: 32650825 PMCID: PMC7350588 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-020-04211-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2020] [Accepted: 07/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) is one of the delousing agents used to control sea lice infestations in salmonid aquaculture. However, some Lepeophtheirus salmonis populations have developed resistance towards H2O2. An increased gene expression and activity of catalase, an enzyme that breaks down H2O2, have been detected in resistant lice, being therefore introduced as a resistance marker in the salmon industry. In the present study the aim was to validate the use of catalase expression as a marker and to identify new candidate genes as additional markers to catalase, related to H2O2 resistance in L. salmonis. METHODS A sensitive and an H2O2 resistant laboratory strain (P0 generation, not exposed to H2O2 for several years) were batch crossed to generate a cohort with a wide range of H2O2 sensitivities (F2 generation). F2 adult females were then exposed to H2O2 to separate sensitive and resistant individuals. Those F2 lice, the P0 lice and field-collected resistant lice (exposed to H2O2 in the field) were used in an RNA sequencing study. RESULTS Catalase was upregulated in resistant lice exposed to H2O2 compared to sensitive lice. This was, however, not the case for unexposed resistant P0 lice. Several other genes were found differentially expressed between sensitive and resistant lice, but most of them seemed to be related to H2O2 exposure. However, five genes were consistently up- or downregulated in the resistant lice independent of exposure history. The upregulated genes were: one gene in the DNA polymerase family, one gene encoding a Nesprin-like protein and an unannotated gene encoding a small protein. The downregulated genes encoded endoplasmic reticulum resident protein 29 and an aquaporin (Glp1_v2). CONCLUSIONS Catalase expression seems to be induced by H2O2 exposure, since it was not upregulated in unexposed resistant lice. This may pose a challenge for its use as a resistance marker. The five new genes associated with resistance are put forward as complementary candidate genes. The most promising was Glp1_v2, an aquaglyceroporin that may serve as a passing channel for H2O2. Lower channel number can reduce the influx or distribution of H2O2 in the salmon louse, being directly involved in the resistance mechanism.
Collapse
|
29
|
Neumann LSM, Dias AHS, Skaf MS. Molecular Modeling of Aquaporins from Leishmania major. J Phys Chem B 2020; 124:5825-5836. [PMID: 32551664 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpcb.0c03550] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Aquaporins are membrane proteins responsible for permeating water, ions, dissolved gases, and other small molecular weight compounds through the protective cell membranes of living organisms. These proteins have been gaining increased importance as targets for treating a variety of parasitic diseases, since they control key physiological processes in the life cycle of parasitic protozoans, such as the uptake of nutrients, release of metabolites, and alleviation of osmotic stress. In this work, we use homology modeling to build three-dimensional structures for the four main aquaporins encoded and expressed by Leishmania major, a protozoan that causes leishmaniasis and affects millions of people worldwide. Physico-chemical properties of the proposed models for LmAQP1, LmAQPα, LmAQPβ, and LmAQPγ are then investigated using molecular dynamics simulations and the reference interaction site model (RISM) molecular theory of solvation. Pore characteristics, water permeation, and potential of mean force across the AQP channels for water, methanol, urea, ammonia, and carbon dioxide are examined and compared with results obtained for a protozoan (Plasmodium falciparum) aquaporin for which a crystal structure is available.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lucas S M Neumann
- Institute of Chemistry and Center for Computing in Engineering and Sciences, University of Campinas, Campinas, SP 13084-862, Brazil
| | - Artur H S Dias
- Institute of Chemistry and Center for Computing in Engineering and Sciences, University of Campinas, Campinas, SP 13084-862, Brazil
| | - Munir S Skaf
- Institute of Chemistry and Center for Computing in Engineering and Sciences, University of Campinas, Campinas, SP 13084-862, Brazil
| |
Collapse
|
30
|
Douanne N, Wagner V, Roy G, Leprohon P, Ouellette M, Fernandez-Prada C. MRPA-independent mechanisms of antimony resistance in Leishmania infantum. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL FOR PARASITOLOGY-DRUGS AND DRUG RESISTANCE 2020; 13:28-37. [PMID: 32413766 PMCID: PMC7225602 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpddr.2020.03.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2020] [Revised: 03/25/2020] [Accepted: 03/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Control of both human and canine leishmaniasis is based on a very short list of chemotherapeutic agents, headed by antimonial derivatives (Sb). The utility of these molecules is severely threatened by high rates of drug resistance. The ABC transporter MRPA is one of the few key Sb resistance proteins described to date, whose role in detoxification has been thoroughly studied in Leishmania parasites. Nonetheless, its rapid amplification during drug selection complicates the discovery of other mechanisms potentially involved in Sb resistance. In this study, stepwise drug-resistance selection and next-generation sequencing were combined in the search for novel Sb-resistance mechanisms deployed by parasites when MRPA is abolished by targeted gene disruption. The gene mrpA is not essential in L. infantum, and its disruption leads to an Sb hypersensitive phenotype in both promastigotes and amastigotes. Five independent mrpA-/- mutants were selected for antimony resistance. These mutants displayed major changes in their ploidy, as well as extrachromosomal linear amplifications of the subtelomeric region of chromosome 23, which includes the genes coding for ABCC1 and ABCC2. Overexpression of ABCC2, but not of ABCC1, resulted in increased Sb tolerance in the mrpA-/- mutant. SNP analyses revealed three different heterozygous mutations in the gene coding for a serine acetyltransferase (SAT) involved in de novo cysteine synthesis in Leishmania. Overexpression of satQ390K, satG321R and satG325R variants led to a 2-3.2 -fold increase in Sb resistance in mrpA-/- parasites. Only satG321R and satG325R induced increased Sb resistance in wild-type parasites. These results reinforce and expand knowledge on the complex nature of Sb resistance in Leishmania parasites.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Noélie Douanne
- Département de Pathologie et Microbiologie, Faculté de Médecine Vétérinaire Université de Montréal, Saint-Hyacinthe, Québec, Canada
| | - Victoria Wagner
- Département de Pathologie et Microbiologie, Faculté de Médecine Vétérinaire Université de Montréal, Saint-Hyacinthe, Québec, Canada
| | - Gaetan Roy
- Centre de Recherche en Infectiologie du Centre de Recherche du CHU Québec and Département de Microbiologie, Infectiologie et Immunologie, Faculté de Médecine, Université Laval, Québec, Québec, Canada
| | - Philippe Leprohon
- Centre de Recherche en Infectiologie du Centre de Recherche du CHU Québec and Département de Microbiologie, Infectiologie et Immunologie, Faculté de Médecine, Université Laval, Québec, Québec, Canada
| | - Marc Ouellette
- Centre de Recherche en Infectiologie du Centre de Recherche du CHU Québec and Département de Microbiologie, Infectiologie et Immunologie, Faculté de Médecine, Université Laval, Québec, Québec, Canada
| | - Christopher Fernandez-Prada
- Département de Pathologie et Microbiologie, Faculté de Médecine Vétérinaire Université de Montréal, Saint-Hyacinthe, Québec, Canada; Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada.
| |
Collapse
|
31
|
Touching the Surface: Diverse Roles for the Flagellar Membrane in Kinetoplastid Parasites. Microbiol Mol Biol Rev 2020; 84:84/2/e00079-19. [PMID: 32238446 DOI: 10.1128/mmbr.00079-19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
While flagella have been studied extensively as motility organelles, with a focus on internal structures such as the axoneme, more recent research has illuminated the roles of the flagellar surface in a variety of biological processes. Parasitic protists of the order Kinetoplastida, which include trypanosomes and Leishmania species, provide a paradigm for probing the role of flagella in host-microbe interactions and illustrate that this interface between the flagellar surface and the host is of paramount importance. An increasing body of knowledge indicates that the flagellar membrane serves a multitude of functions at this interface: attachment of parasites to tissues within insect vectors, close interactions with intracellular organelles of vertebrate cells, transactions between flagella from different parasites, junctions between the flagella and the parasite cell body, emergence of nanotubes and exosomes from the parasite directed to either host or microbial targets, immune evasion, and sensing of the extracellular milieu. Recent whole-organelle or genome-wide studies have begun to identify protein components of the flagellar surface that must mediate these diverse host-parasite interactions. The increasing corpus of knowledge on kinetoplastid flagella will likely prove illuminating for other flagellated or ciliated pathogens as well.
Collapse
|
32
|
Franssen SU, Durrant C, Stark O, Moser B, Downing T, Imamura H, Dujardin JC, Sanders MJ, Mauricio I, Miles MA, Schnur LF, Jaffe CL, Nasereddin A, Schallig H, Yeo M, Bhattacharyya T, Alam MZ, Berriman M, Wirth T, Schönian G, Cotton JA. Global genome diversity of the Leishmania donovani complex. eLife 2020; 9:e51243. [PMID: 32209228 PMCID: PMC7105377 DOI: 10.7554/elife.51243] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2019] [Accepted: 02/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Protozoan parasites of the Leishmania donovani complex - L. donovani and L. infantum - cause the fatal disease visceral leishmaniasis. We present the first comprehensive genome-wide global study, with 151 cultured field isolates representing most of the geographical distribution. L. donovani isolates separated into five groups that largely coincide with geographical origin but vary greatly in diversity. In contrast, the majority of L. infantum samples fell into one globally-distributed group with little diversity. This picture is complicated by several hybrid lineages. Identified genetic groups vary in heterozygosity and levels of linkage, suggesting different recombination histories. We characterise chromosome-specific patterns of aneuploidy and identified extensive structural variation, including known and suspected drug resistance loci. This study reveals greater genetic diversity than suggested by geographically-focused studies, provides a resource of genomic variation for future work and sets the scene for a new understanding of the evolution and genetics of the Leishmania donovani complex.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Caroline Durrant
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Wellcome Genome CampusHinxtonUnited Kingdom
| | | | | | - Tim Downing
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Wellcome Genome CampusHinxtonUnited Kingdom
- Dublin City UniversityDublinIreland
| | | | - Jean-Claude Dujardin
- Institute of Tropical MedicineAntwerpBelgium
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of AntwerpAntwerpBelgium
| | - Mandy J Sanders
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Wellcome Genome CampusHinxtonUnited Kingdom
| | - Isabel Mauricio
- Universidade Nova de Lisboa Instituto de Higiene e MedicinaLisboaPortugal
| | - Michael A Miles
- London School of Hygiene and Tropical MedicineLondonUnited Kingdom
| | - Lionel F Schnur
- Kuvin Centre for the Study of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, IMRIC, Hebrew University-Hadassah, Medical SchoolJerusalemIsrael
| | - Charles L Jaffe
- Kuvin Centre for the Study of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, IMRIC, Hebrew University-Hadassah, Medical SchoolJerusalemIsrael
| | - Abdelmajeed Nasereddin
- Kuvin Centre for the Study of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, IMRIC, Hebrew University-Hadassah, Medical SchoolJerusalemIsrael
| | - Henk Schallig
- Amsterdam University Medical Centres – Academic Medical Centre at the University of Amsterdam, Department of Medical Microbiology – Experimental ParasitologyAmsterdamNetherlands
| | - Matthew Yeo
- London School of Hygiene and Tropical MedicineLondonUnited Kingdom
| | | | - Mohammad Z Alam
- Department of Parasitology, Bangladesh Agricultural UniversityMymensinghBangladesh
| | - Matthew Berriman
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Wellcome Genome CampusHinxtonUnited Kingdom
| | - Thierry Wirth
- Institut de Systématique, Evolution, Biodiversité, ISYEB, Muséum national d'Histoire naturelle, CNRS, Sorbonne Université, EPHE, Université des AntillesParisFrance
- École Pratique des Hautes Études (EPHE)Paris Sciences & Lettres (PSL)ParisFrance
| | | | - James A Cotton
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Wellcome Genome CampusHinxtonUnited Kingdom
| |
Collapse
|
33
|
Environmental Conditions May Shape the Patterns of Genomic Variations in Leishmania panamensis. Genes (Basel) 2019; 10:genes10110838. [PMID: 31652919 PMCID: PMC6896075 DOI: 10.3390/genes10110838] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2019] [Revised: 10/03/2019] [Accepted: 10/08/2019] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Due to the absence of transcriptional regulation of gene expression in Leishmania parasites, it is now well accepted that several forms of genomic variations modulate the levels of critical proteins through changes in gene dosage. We previously observed many of these variations in our reference laboratory strain of L. panamensis (PSC-1 strain), including chromosomes with an increased somy and the presence of a putative linear minichromosome derived from chromosome 34. Here, we compared the previously described genomic variations with those occurring after exposure of this strain to increasing concentrations of trivalent antimony (SbIII), as well as those present in two geographically unrelated clinical isolates of L. panamensis. We observed changes in the somy of several chromosomes, amplifications of several chromosomal regions, and copy number variations in gene arrays after exposure to SbIII. Occurrence of amplifications potentially beneficial for the Sb-resistant phenotype appears to be associated with the loss of other forms of amplification, such as the linear minichromosome. In contrast, we found no evidence of changes in somy or amplification of relatively large chromosomal regions in the clinical isolates. In these isolates, the predominant amplifications appear to be those that generate genes arrays; however, in many cases, the amplified arrays have a notably higher number of copies than those from the untreated and Sb-treated laboratory samples.
Collapse
|
34
|
Bezerra-Neto JP, de Araújo FC, Ferreira-Neto JRC, da Silva MD, Pandolfi V, Aburjaile FF, Sakamoto T, de Oliveira Silva RL, Kido EA, Barbosa Amorim LL, Ortega JM, Benko-Iseppon AM. Plant Aquaporins: Diversity, Evolution and Biotechnological Applications. Curr Protein Pept Sci 2019; 20:368-395. [PMID: 30387391 DOI: 10.2174/1389203720666181102095910] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2018] [Revised: 10/24/2018] [Accepted: 10/30/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
The plasma membrane forms a permeable barrier that separates the cytoplasm from the external environment, defining the physical and chemical limits in each cell in all organisms. The movement of molecules and ions into and out of cells is controlled by the plasma membrane as a critical process for cell stability and survival, maintaining essential differences between the composition of the extracellular fluid and the cytosol. In this process aquaporins (AQPs) figure as important actors, comprising highly conserved membrane proteins that carry water, glycerol and other hydrophilic molecules through biomembranes, including the cell wall and membranes of cytoplasmic organelles. While mammals have 15 types of AQPs described so far (displaying 18 paralogs), a single plant species can present more than 120 isoforms, providing transport of different types of solutes. Such aquaporins may be present in the whole plant or can be associated with different tissues or situations, including biotic and especially abiotic stresses, such as drought, salinity or tolerance to soils rich in heavy metals, for instance. The present review addresses several aspects of plant aquaporins, from their structure, classification, and function, to in silico methodologies for their analysis and identification in transcriptomes and genomes. Aspects of evolution and diversification of AQPs (with a focus on plants) are approached for the first time with the aid of the LCA (Last Common Ancestor) analysis. Finally, the main practical applications involving the use of AQPs are discussed, including patents and future perspectives involving this important protein family.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- João P Bezerra-Neto
- Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Genetics Department, Center of Biosciences, Av. Prof. Moraes Rego, 1235, 50.670-423, Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil
| | - Flávia Czekalski de Araújo
- Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Genetics Department, Center of Biosciences, Av. Prof. Moraes Rego, 1235, 50.670-423, Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil
| | - José R C Ferreira-Neto
- Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Genetics Department, Center of Biosciences, Av. Prof. Moraes Rego, 1235, 50.670-423, Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil
| | - Manassés D da Silva
- Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Genetics Department, Center of Biosciences, Av. Prof. Moraes Rego, 1235, 50.670-423, Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil
| | - Valesca Pandolfi
- Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Genetics Department, Center of Biosciences, Av. Prof. Moraes Rego, 1235, 50.670-423, Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil
| | - Flavia F Aburjaile
- Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Genetics Department, Center of Biosciences, Av. Prof. Moraes Rego, 1235, 50.670-423, Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil
| | - Tetsu Sakamoto
- Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Department of Biochemistry and Immunology, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Roberta L de Oliveira Silva
- Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Genetics Department, Center of Biosciences, Av. Prof. Moraes Rego, 1235, 50.670-423, Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil
| | - Ederson A Kido
- Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Genetics Department, Center of Biosciences, Av. Prof. Moraes Rego, 1235, 50.670-423, Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil
| | - Lidiane L Barbosa Amorim
- Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Genetics Department, Center of Biosciences, Av. Prof. Moraes Rego, 1235, 50.670-423, Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil.,Instituto Federal de Educação, Ciência e Tecnologia do Piauí, Campus Oeiras, Avenida Projetada, s/n, 64.500-000, Oeiras, Piauí, Brazil
| | - José M Ortega
- Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Department of Biochemistry and Immunology, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Ana M Benko-Iseppon
- Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Genetics Department, Center of Biosciences, Av. Prof. Moraes Rego, 1235, 50.670-423, Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil
| |
Collapse
|
35
|
Rugani JN, Gontijo CMF, Frézard F, Soares RP, do Monte-Neto RL. Antimony resistance in Leishmania (Viannia) braziliensis clinical isolates from atypical lesions associates with increased ARM56/ARM58 transcripts and reduced drug uptake. Mem Inst Oswaldo Cruz 2019; 114:e190111. [PMID: 31433006 PMCID: PMC6697410 DOI: 10.1590/0074-02760190111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2019] [Accepted: 07/12/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND In addition to the limited therapeutic arsenal and the side effects of antileishmanial agents, drug resistance hinders disease control. In Brazil, Leishmania braziliensis causes atypical (AT) tegumentary leishmaniasis lesions, frequently refractory to treatment. OBJECTIVES The main goal of this study was to characterise antimony (Sb)-resistant (SbR) L. braziliensis strains obtained from patients living in Xakriabá indigenous community, Minas Gerais, Brazil. METHODS The aquaglyceroporin 1-encoding gene (AQP1) from L. braziliensis clinical isolates was sequenced, and its function was evaluated by hypo-osmotic shock. mRNA levels of genes associated with Sb resistance were measured by quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). Atomic absorption was used to measure Sb uptake. FINDINGS Although clinical isolates presented delayed recovery time in hypo-osmotic shock, AQP1 function was maintained. Isolate 340 accumulated less Sb than all other isolates, supporting the 65-fold downregulation of AQP1 mRNA levels. Both 330 and 340 isolates upregulated antimony resistance marker (ARM) 56/ARM58 and multidrug resistant protein A (MRPA); however, only ARM58 upregulation was an exclusive feature of SbR field isolates. CA7AE seemed to increase drug uptake in L. braziliensis and represented a tool to study the role of glycoconjugates in Sb transport. MAIN CONCLUSIONS There is a clear correlation between ARM56/58 upregulation and Sb resistance in AT-harbouring patients, suggesting the use of these markers as potential indicators to help the treatment choice and outcome, preventing therapeutic failure.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Frédéric Frézard
- Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Instituto de Ciências
Biológicas, Departamento de Fisiologia e Biofísica, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brasil
| | - Rodrigo Pedro Soares
- Fundação Oswaldo Cruz-Fiocruz, Instituto René Rachou, Belo
Horizonte, MG, Brasil
| | | |
Collapse
|
36
|
Chemogenomic Profiling of Antileishmanial Efficacy and Resistance in the Related Kinetoplastid Parasite Trypanosoma brucei. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2019; 63:AAC.00795-19. [PMID: 31160283 PMCID: PMC6658743 DOI: 10.1128/aac.00795-19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2019] [Accepted: 05/23/2019] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
The arsenal of drugs used to treat leishmaniasis, caused by Leishmania spp., is limited and beset by toxicity and emergent resistance. Furthermore, our understanding of drug mode of action and potential routes to resistance is limited. Forward genetic approaches have revolutionized our understanding of drug mode of action in the related kinetoplastid parasite Trypanosoma brucei. The arsenal of drugs used to treat leishmaniasis, caused by Leishmania spp., is limited and beset by toxicity and emergent resistance. Furthermore, our understanding of drug mode of action and potential routes to resistance is limited. Forward genetic approaches have revolutionized our understanding of drug mode of action in the related kinetoplastid parasite Trypanosoma brucei. Therefore, we screened our genome-scale T. brucei RNA interference (RNAi) library against the current antileishmanial drugs sodium stibogluconate (antimonial), paromomycin, miltefosine, and amphotericin B. Identification of T. brucei orthologues of the known Leishmania antimonial and miltefosine plasma membrane transporters effectively validated our approach, while a cohort of 42 novel drug efficacy determinants provides new insights and serves as a resource. Follow-up analyses revealed the antimonial selectivity of the aquaglyceroporin TbAQP3. A lysosomal major facilitator superfamily transporter contributes to paromomycin-aminoglycoside efficacy. The vesicle-associated membrane protein TbVAMP7B and a flippase contribute to amphotericin B and miltefosine action and are potential cross-resistance determinants. Finally, multiple phospholipid-transporting flippases, including the T. brucei orthologue of the Leishmania miltefosine transporter, a putative β-subunit/CDC50 cofactor, and additional membrane-associated hits, affect amphotericin B efficacy, providing new insights into mechanisms of drug uptake and action. The findings from this orthology-based chemogenomic profiling approach substantially advance our understanding of antileishmanial drug action and potential resistance mechanisms and should facilitate the development of improved therapies as well as surveillance for drug-resistant parasites.
Collapse
|
37
|
Téllez J, Romero I, Romanha AJ, Steindel M. Drug transporter and oxidative stress gene expression in human macrophages infected with benznidazole-sensitive and naturally benznidazole-resistant Trypanosoma cruzi parasites treated with benznidazole. Parasit Vectors 2019; 12:262. [PMID: 31126349 PMCID: PMC6534881 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-019-3485-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2018] [Accepted: 05/06/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Chagas disease is a potentially life-threatening disease caused by the protozoan parasite Trypanosoma cruzi. Current therapeutic management is limited to treatment with nitroheterocyclic drugs, such as nifurtimox (NFX) and benznidazole (BZ). Thus, the identification of affordable and readily available drugs to treat resistant parasites is urgently required worldwide. To analyse the effects of BZ on human macrophage gene expression, a quantitative PCR (qPCR) array analysis was performed using drug transporter and oxidative stress pathway genes to compare the gene expression profiles of human differentiated THP-1 macrophage (THP-1 MΦ) cells infected or not with benznidazole-sensitive (CL Brener) and naturally benznidazole-resistant (Colombiana) T. cruzi parasites followed by treatment with BZ. Results The gene expression analysis indicated that the expression levels of 62 genes were either up- or downregulated at least 3-fold in the host upon infection with CL Brener and BZ treatment, of which 46 were upregulated and 16 were downregulated. Moreover, the expression level of 32 genes was altered in THP-1 MФ cells infected with Colombiana and treated with BZ, of which 29 were upregulated and 3 were downregulated. Our results revealed that depending on the specific condition, human THP-1 MΦ cells infected with T. cruzi strains with sensitive or resistant phenotypes and treated with BZ expressed high mRNA levels of AQP1, AQP9 and ABCB1 (MDR1) compared to those of the control cells. Conclusions Our findings suggest that the proteins encoded by AQP1, AQP9 and ABCB1 may be implicated in benznidazole detoxification. Therefore, studies on gene expression are required to better understand the host response to pathogens and drug treatment integrated with functional and metabolic data to identify potentially novel targets for the treatment of this important and neglected tropical disease. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s13071-019-3485-9) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jair Téllez
- Laboratorio de Protozoologia, Departamento de Microbiologia, Imunologia e Parasitologia, Centro de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, SC, Brazil. .,Vicerrectoría de Investigaciones, Universidad Manuela Beltrán, Bogotá, Cundinamarca, Colombia.
| | - Ibeth Romero
- Laboratorio de Protozoologia, Departamento de Microbiologia, Imunologia e Parasitologia, Centro de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, SC, Brazil.,Programa de Ciencias Básicas, Universidad Manuela Beltrán, Bogotá, Cundinamarca, Colombia
| | - Alvaro José Romanha
- Laboratorio de Protozoologia, Departamento de Microbiologia, Imunologia e Parasitologia, Centro de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, SC, Brazil
| | - Mario Steindel
- Laboratorio de Protozoologia, Departamento de Microbiologia, Imunologia e Parasitologia, Centro de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, SC, Brazil.
| |
Collapse
|
38
|
El Safadi D, Merhabi S, Rafei R, Mallat H, Hamze M, Acosta-Serrano A. Cutaneous leishmaniasis in north Lebanon: re-emergence of an important neglected tropical disease. Trans R Soc Trop Med Hyg 2019; 113:471-476. [DOI: 10.1093/trstmh/trz030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2019] [Revised: 03/28/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Background
Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) is the most prevalent neglected tropical disease among externally displaced people in the Middle East. In recent years, the Lebanese population has increased >30%, mainly due to a mass influx of Syrian migrants, thousands of them carrying CL, among other infectious diseases. Here we revisit the current CL prevalence among refugees in northern Lebanon.
Methods
This cohort study was conducted at the Al Bashaer Medical Center in north Lebanon between January and June 2017. A total of 48 randomly selected suspected CL patients were clinically diagnosed by dermatologists and samples were obtained for microscopic examination and molecular identification by polymerase chain reaction restriction fragment length polymorphism. The treatment response to antimonials was assessed each week and was followed for up 6 months.
Results
Leishmania tropica was the predominant species (91.7%) followed by Leishmania major (8.3%). Confirmed cases were treated with one to two courses of antimonials and healing was usually achieved after receiving a second course of treatment. Importantly, we show evidence of possible local CL transmission by indigenous sandflies in three separate patients who had no history of recent travel to Syria.
Conclusions
This highlights the urgent necessity to implement preventive disease strategies to avoid further dispersion of L. tropica CL in north Lebanon.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dima El Safadi
- Health and Environment Microbiology Laboratory, Doctoral School of Sciences and Technology, Faculty of Public Health, Lebanese University, Tripoli, Lebanon
| | - Sabah Merhabi
- Health and Environment Microbiology Laboratory, Doctoral School of Sciences and Technology, Faculty of Public Health, Lebanese University, Tripoli, Lebanon
| | - Rayane Rafei
- Health and Environment Microbiology Laboratory, Doctoral School of Sciences and Technology, Faculty of Public Health, Lebanese University, Tripoli, Lebanon
| | - Hassan Mallat
- Health and Environment Microbiology Laboratory, Doctoral School of Sciences and Technology, Faculty of Public Health, Lebanese University, Tripoli, Lebanon
| | - Monzer Hamze
- Health and Environment Microbiology Laboratory, Doctoral School of Sciences and Technology, Faculty of Public Health, Lebanese University, Tripoli, Lebanon
| | - Alvaro Acosta-Serrano
- Department of Vector Biology, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, England, UK
| |
Collapse
|
39
|
Ahmadian S, Eslami G, Fatahi A, Hosseini SS, Vakili M, Ajamein Fahadan V, Elloumi M. J- binding protein 1 and J- binding protein 2 expression in clinical Leishmania major no response-antimonial isolates. J Parasit Dis 2018; 43:39-45. [PMID: 30956444 DOI: 10.1007/s12639-018-1052-5] [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: 04/02/2018] [Accepted: 11/07/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) is a major disease in many parts of the world. Since no vaccine has been developed, treatment is the best way to control it. In most areas, antimonial resistance whose mechanisms have not been completely understood has been reported. The main aim of this study is gene expression assessing of J-binging protein 1 and J-binding protein 2 in clinical Leishmania major isolates. The patients with CL from central and north Iran were considered for this study. The samples were transferred in RNAlater solution and stored in - 20 °C. RNA extraction and cDNA synthesis were performed. The gene expression analysis was done with SYBR Green real-time PCR using ∆∆CT. Written informed consent forms were filled out by patients, and then, information forms were filled out based on the Helsinki Declaration. Statistical analysis was done with SPSS (16.0; SPSS Inc, Chicago) using independent t test, Shapiro-Wilk, and Pearson's and Spearman's rank correlation coefficients. P ≤ 0.05 was considered significant. The gene expression of JBP1 and JBP2 had no relation with sex and age. The JBP1 gene expression was high in sensitive isolates obtained from north of the country. The JBP2 gene expression was significant in sensitive and no response-antimonial isolates from the north, but no significant differences were detected in sensitive and resistant isolates from central Iran. Differential gene expression of JBP1 and JBP2 in various clinical resistances isolates in different geographical areas shows multifactorial ways of developing resistance in different isolates.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Salman Ahmadian
- 1Research Center for Food Hygiene and Safety, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran
- 2Department of Parasitology and Mycology, Faculty of Medicine, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran
| | - Gilda Eslami
- 1Research Center for Food Hygiene and Safety, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran
- 2Department of Parasitology and Mycology, Faculty of Medicine, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran
| | - Ali Fatahi
- 2Department of Parasitology and Mycology, Faculty of Medicine, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran
| | - Saeede Sadat Hosseini
- 1Research Center for Food Hygiene and Safety, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran
| | - Mahmoud Vakili
- 3Department of Community and Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran
| | - Vahid Ajamein Fahadan
- 1Research Center for Food Hygiene and Safety, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran
- 2Department of Parasitology and Mycology, Faculty of Medicine, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran
| | - Mourad Elloumi
- 4Laboratory of Technologies of Information and Communication and Electrical Engineering (LaTICE), University of Tunis, Tunis, Tunisia
| |
Collapse
|
40
|
Mohebali M, Kazemirad E, Hajjaran H, Kazemirad E, Oshaghi MA, Raoofian R, Teimouri A. Gene expression analysis of antimony resistance in Leishmania tropica using quantitative real-time PCR focused on genes involved in trypanothione metabolism and drug transport. Arch Dermatol Res 2018; 311:9-17. [PMID: 30390113 DOI: 10.1007/s00403-018-1872-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2018] [Revised: 10/04/2018] [Accepted: 10/21/2018] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Pentavalent antimonials remain the treatment of choice for all the clinical forms of leishmaniasis. The increasing rates of antimony resistance are becoming a serious health problem in treatment of anthroponotic cutaneous leishmaniasis (ACL). Accordingly, unraveling molecular markers is crucial for improving medication strategies and monitoring of drug-resistant parasites. Different studies have suggested the importance of genes involved in trypanothione metabolism and drug transport. In this regard, present study was designed to investigate the RNA expression level of five genes including γ-GCS, ODC, TRYR (involved in trypanothione metabolism), AQP1 (acts in drug uptake) and MRPA (involved in sequestration of drug) in sensitive and resistant Leishmania tropica isolates. Seven antimony-resistant and seven antimony-sensitive L. tropica clinical isolates were collected from ACL patients. Drug sensitivity test was performed on the samples as well as reference strains; afterwards, gene expression analysis was performed on clinical isolates by quantitative real-time PCR. The results revealed that the average expression level of AQP1 gene was decreased (0.47-fold) in resistant isolates compared to sensitive ones whereas MRPA (2.45), γ-GCS (2.1) and TRYR (1.97) was upregulated in resistant isolates. The average expression of ODC (1.24-fold) gene was not different significantly between sensitive and resistant isolates. Our findings suggest that AQP1, MRPA, GSH1 and TRYR can be considered as potential molecular markers for screening of antimony resistance in some L. tropica clinical isolates.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mehdi Mohebali
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Elham Kazemirad
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. .,Department of Parasitology, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Homa Hajjaran
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Elaheh Kazemirad
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mohammad Ali Oshaghi
- Department of Medical Entomology and Vector Control, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Reza Raoofian
- Legal Medicine Research Center, Legal Medicine Organization, Tehran, Iran
| | - Aref Teimouri
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| |
Collapse
|
41
|
Laloux T, Junqueira B, Maistriaux LC, Ahmed J, Jurkiewicz A, Chaumont F. Plant and Mammal Aquaporins: Same but Different. Int J Mol Sci 2018; 19:E521. [PMID: 29419811 PMCID: PMC5855743 DOI: 10.3390/ijms19020521] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2018] [Revised: 01/31/2018] [Accepted: 02/01/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Aquaporins (AQPs) constitute an ancient and diverse protein family present in all living organisms, indicating a common ancient ancestor. However, during evolution, these organisms appear and evolve differently, leading to different cell organizations and physiological processes. Amongst the eukaryotes, an important distinction between plants and animals is evident, the most conspicuous difference being that plants are sessile organisms facing ever-changing environmental conditions. In addition, plants are mostly autotrophic, being able to synthesize carbohydrates molecules from the carbon dioxide in the air during the process of photosynthesis, using sunlight as an energy source. It is therefore interesting to analyze how, in these different contexts specific to both kingdoms of life, AQP function and regulation evolved. This review aims at highlighting similarities and differences between plant and mammal AQPs. Emphasis is given to the comparison of isoform numbers, their substrate selectivity, the regulation of the subcellular localization, and the channel activity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Timothée Laloux
- Institut des Sciences de la Vie, Université catholique de Louvain, Croix du Sud 4-L7.07.14, B-1348 Louvain-la Neuve, Belgium.
| | - Bruna Junqueira
- Institut des Sciences de la Vie, Université catholique de Louvain, Croix du Sud 4-L7.07.14, B-1348 Louvain-la Neuve, Belgium.
| | - Laurie C Maistriaux
- Institut des Sciences de la Vie, Université catholique de Louvain, Croix du Sud 4-L7.07.14, B-1348 Louvain-la Neuve, Belgium.
| | - Jahed Ahmed
- Institut des Sciences de la Vie, Université catholique de Louvain, Croix du Sud 4-L7.07.14, B-1348 Louvain-la Neuve, Belgium.
| | - Agnieszka Jurkiewicz
- Institut des Sciences de la Vie, Université catholique de Louvain, Croix du Sud 4-L7.07.14, B-1348 Louvain-la Neuve, Belgium.
| | - François Chaumont
- Institut des Sciences de la Vie, Université catholique de Louvain, Croix du Sud 4-L7.07.14, B-1348 Louvain-la Neuve, Belgium.
| |
Collapse
|
42
|
Profiling gene expression of antimony response genes in Leishmania (Viannia) panamensis and infected macrophages and its relationship with drug susceptibility. Acta Trop 2017; 176:355-363. [PMID: 28843396 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2017.08.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2017] [Revised: 08/04/2017] [Accepted: 08/17/2017] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
The mechanisms of Leishmania resistance to antimonials have been primarily determined in experimentally derived Leishmania strains. However, their participation in the susceptibility phenotype in field isolates has not been conclusively established. Being an intracellular parasite, the activity of antileishmanials is dependent on internalization of drugs into host cells and effective delivery to the intracellular compartments inhabited by the parasite. In this study we quantified and comparatively analyzed the gene expression of nine molecules involved in mechanisms of xenobiotic detoxification and Leishmania resistance to antimonial drugs in resistant and susceptible laboratory derived and clinical L.(Viannia) panamensis strains(n=19). In addition, we explored the impact of Leishmania susceptibility to antimonials on the expression of macrophage gene products having putative functions in transport, accumulation and metabolism of antimonials. As previously shown for other Leishmania species, a trend of increased abcc3 and lower aqp-1 expression was observed in the laboratory derived Sb-resistant L.(V.) panamensis line. However, this was not found in clinical strains, in which the expression of abca2 was significantly higher in resistant strains as both, promastigotes and intracellular amastigotes. The effect of drug susceptibility on host cell gene expression was evaluated on primary human macrophages from patients with cutaneous leishmaniasis (n=17) infected ex-vivo with the matched L.(V.) panamensis strains isolated at diagnosis, and in THP-1 cells infected with clinical strains (n=6) and laboratory adapted L.(V.) panamensis lines. Four molecules, abcb1 (p-gp), abcb6, aqp-9 and mt2a were differentially modulated by drug resistant and susceptible parasites, and among these, a consistent and significantly increased expression of the xenobiotic scavenging molecule mt2a was observed in macrophages infected with Sb-susceptible L. (V.) panamensis. Our results substantiate that different mechanisms of drug resistance operate in laboratory adapted and clinical Leishmania strains, and provide evidence that parasite-mediated modulation of host cell gene expression of molecules involved in drug transport and metabolism could contribute to the mechanisms of drug resistance and susceptibility in Leishmania.
Collapse
|
43
|
Trefz M, Keller R, Vogt M, Schneider D. The GlpF residue Trp219 is part of an amino-acid cluster crucial for aquaglyceroporin oligomerization and function. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-BIOMEMBRANES 2017; 1860:887-894. [PMID: 29069569 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamem.2017.10.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2017] [Revised: 10/10/2017] [Accepted: 10/15/2017] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The vestibule loop regions of aquaglyceroporins are involved in accumulation of glycerol inside the channel pore. Even though most loop regions do not show high sequence similarity among aquaglyceroporins, loop E is highly conserved in aquaglyceroporins, but not in members of the homologous aquaporins. Specifically, a tryptophan residue is extremely conserved within this loop. We have investigated the role of this residue (Trp219) that deeply protrudes into the protein and potentially interacts with adjacent loops, using the E. coli aqualgyeroporin GlpF as a model. Replacement of Trp219 affects the activity of GlpF and impairs the stability of the tetrameric protein. Furthermore, we have identified an amino acid cluster involving Trp219 that stabilizes the GlpF tetramer. Based on our results we propose that Trp219 is key for formation of a defined vestibule structure, which is crucial for glycerol accumulation as well as for the stability of the active GlpF tetramer.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Margareta Trefz
- Johannes Gutenberg University, Johann-Joachim-Becher-Weg 30, 55128 Mainz, Germany
| | - Rebecca Keller
- Johannes Gutenberg University, Johann-Joachim-Becher-Weg 30, 55128 Mainz, Germany
| | - Miriam Vogt
- Johannes Gutenberg University, Johann-Joachim-Becher-Weg 30, 55128 Mainz, Germany
| | - Dirk Schneider
- Johannes Gutenberg University, Johann-Joachim-Becher-Weg 30, 55128 Mainz, Germany.
| |
Collapse
|
44
|
Sayé M, Fargnoli L, Reigada C, Labadie GR, Pereira CA. Evaluation of proline analogs as trypanocidal agents through the inhibition of a Trypanosoma cruzi proline transporter. Biochim Biophys Acta Gen Subj 2017; 1861:2913-2921. [PMID: 28844978 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbagen.2017.08.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2017] [Revised: 06/30/2017] [Accepted: 08/21/2017] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Trypanosoma cruzi, the etiological agent of Chagas disease, uses proline as its main carbon source, essential for parasite growth and stage differentiation in epimastigotes and amastigotes. Since proline is involved in many essential biological processes in T. cruzi, its transport and metabolism are interesting drug targets. METHODS Four synthetic proline analogues (ITP-1B/1C/1D/1G) were evaluated as inhibitors of proline transport mediated through the T. cruzi proline permease TcAAAP069. The trypanocidal activity of the compounds was also assessed. RESULTS The compounds ITP-1B and ITP-1G inhibited proline transport mediated through TcAAAP069 permease in a dose-dependent manner. The analogues ITP-1B, -1D and -1G had trypanocidal effect on T. cruzi epimastigotes with IC50 values between 30 and 40μM. However, only ITP-1G trypanocidal activity was related with its inhibitory effect on TcAAAP069 proline transporter. Furthermore, this analogue strongly inhibited the parasite stage differentiation from epimastigote to metacyclic trypomastigote. Finally, compounds ITP-1B and ITP-1G were also able to inhibit the transport mediated by other permeases from the same amino acid permeases family, TcAAAP. CONCLUSIONS It is possible to design synthetic amino acid analogues with trypanocidal activity. The compound ITP-1G is an interesting starting point for new trypanocidal drug design which is also an inhibitor of transport of amino acids and polyamines mediated by permeases from the TcAAAP family, such as proline transporter TcAAAP069 among others. GENERAL SIGNIFICANCE The Trypanosoma cruzi amino acid transporter family TcAAAP constitutes a multiple and promising therapeutic target for the development of new treatments against Chagas disease.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Melisa Sayé
- Laboratorio de Parasitología Molecular, Instituto de Investigaciones Médicas "A. Lanari", IDIM-CONICET, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Lucía Fargnoli
- Instituto de Química Rosario, UNR, CONICET, Suipacha 531, S2002LRK Rosario, Argentina
| | - Chantal Reigada
- Laboratorio de Parasitología Molecular, Instituto de Investigaciones Médicas "A. Lanari", IDIM-CONICET, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Guillermo R Labadie
- Instituto de Química Rosario, UNR, CONICET, Suipacha 531, S2002LRK Rosario, Argentina; Departamento de Química Orgánica, Facultad de Ciencias Bioquímicas y Farmacéuticas, Universidad Nacional de Rosario, Suipacha 531, S2002LRK Rosario, Argentina
| | - Claudio A Pereira
- Laboratorio de Parasitología Molecular, Instituto de Investigaciones Médicas "A. Lanari", IDIM-CONICET, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
| |
Collapse
|
45
|
Xia W, Zhao P, Yi Z, Cui Y. Phylogenetic and specific sequence analysis of four paralogs in insect Aquaporins. Mol Med Rep 2017; 16:4903-4908. [PMID: 28791346 DOI: 10.3892/mmr.2017.7148] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2017] [Accepted: 07/27/2017] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Aquaporins (AQP) are proteins that form channels to facilitate the movement of water across cell membranes in plants, bacteria and animals. Insect AQPs are indispensable for cellular water management under stress, including dehydration and cold. To better understand the biological significance of molecular evolution of gene sequences, followed by structural and functional specialization, the present study used ClustalX2.1, MEGA7.0, Jalview and Mesquite software to build an insect AQP phylogenetic tree and visualize the evolutionary associations among insect AQPs. It was demonstrated that 45 AQPs were classified as four major paralogs with each amino acid sequence containing two conserved NPA (Asp‑Pro‑Ala) motifs located in the center and C‑terminal domains, and other residues conserved within the paralogous groups, however not among them. All these differences in amino acid content may affect the structure, function and classification of the AQPs. The findings provide a basis for further study to understand insect AQPs through sequence comparison, structure and predicted function.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Wei Xia
- Department of Central Laboratory, The Third People's Hospital of Yancheng, Affiliated Yancheng Hospital, School of Medicine, Southeast University, Yancheng, Jiangsu 224000, P.R. China
| | - Panwen Zhao
- Department of Central Laboratory, The Third People's Hospital of Yancheng, Affiliated Yancheng Hospital, School of Medicine, Southeast University, Yancheng, Jiangsu 224000, P.R. China
| | - Zhongquan Yi
- Department of Central Laboratory, The Third People's Hospital of Yancheng, Affiliated Yancheng Hospital, School of Medicine, Southeast University, Yancheng, Jiangsu 224000, P.R. China
| | - Yubao Cui
- Department of Central Laboratory, The Third People's Hospital of Yancheng, Affiliated Yancheng Hospital, School of Medicine, Southeast University, Yancheng, Jiangsu 224000, P.R. China
| |
Collapse
|
46
|
Sarwar HS, Akhtar S, Sohail MF, Naveed Z, Rafay M, Nadhman A, Yasinzai M, Shahnaz G. Redox biology of Leishmania and macrophage targeted nanoparticles for therapy. Nanomedicine (Lond) 2017. [DOI: 10.2217/nnm-2017-0049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Intramacrophage parasite ‘Leishmania’ has developed various mechanisms for proficient uptake into macrophages and phagosome regulation to avoid macrophage's oxidative burst induced by peroxide, hydroxyl radical, hypochlorous acid and peroxynitrite production. One major barrier for impairing the accession of old fashioned anti-Leishmanial drugs is intrinsic incapability to pass through cell membranes and limiting their abilities to ultimately destroy intracellular pathogens. Receptor-mediated targeted drug delivery to the macrophages by using nanoparticles emerges as promising strategy to improve therapeutic efficacy of old-fashioned drug. Receptor-mediated targeted nanoparticles can migrate across the cell membrane barriers and release enclosed drug cargo at sites of infection. This review is focusing on Leishmania-macrophage signaling alterations, its association with drug resistance and role of nanoparticles for receptor mediated macrophage targeting.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Sohail Akhtar
- Department of Entomology, University College of Agriculture & Environmental Sciences, The Islamia University, Bahawalpur, Pakistan
| | - Muhammad Farhan Sohail
- Department of Pharmacy, Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad 45320, Pakistan
- Harvard-MIT Division of Health Sciences & Technology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 0213, USA
- Riphah Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Riphah International University, Lahore Campus, Lahore 54000, Pakistan
| | - Zaeema Naveed
- Department of Epidemiology, College of Public Health, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USA
| | - Muhammad Rafay
- Department of Forestry, Range & Wild Life Management, University College of Agriculture & Environmental Sciences, The Islamia University, Bahawalpur, Pakistan
| | - Akhtar Nadhman
- Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Basic Sciences, International Islamic University, Islamabad, Pakistan
| | - Masoom Yasinzai
- Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Basic Sciences, International Islamic University, Islamabad, Pakistan
| | - Gul Shahnaz
- Department of Pharmacy, Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad 45320, Pakistan
| |
Collapse
|
47
|
Ghosh AK, Saini S, Das S, Mandal A, Sardar AH, Ansari MY, Abhishek K, Kumar A, Singh R, Verma S, Equbal A, Ali V, Das P. Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase and Trypanothione reductase interaction protects Leishmania donovani from metalloid mediated oxidative stress. Free Radic Biol Med 2017; 106:10-23. [PMID: 28179112 DOI: 10.1016/j.freeradbiomed.2017.02.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2016] [Revised: 02/02/2017] [Accepted: 02/04/2017] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Exploration of metabolons as viable drug target is rare in kinetoplastid biology. Here we present a novel protein-protein interaction among Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (LdG6PDH) and Trypanothione reductase (LdTryR) of Leishmania donovani displaying interconnection between central glucose metabolism and thiol metabolism of this parasite. Digitonin fractionation patterns observed through immunoblotting indicated localisation of both LdG6PDH and LdTryR in cytosol. In-silico and in-vitro interaction observed by size exclusion chromatography, co-purification, pull-down assay and spectrofluorimetric analysis revealed LdG6PDH and LdTryR physically interact with each other in a NADPH dependent manner. Coupled enzymatic assay displayed that NADPH generation was severely impaired by addition of SbIII, AsIII and TeIV extraneously, which hint towards metalloid driven structural changes of the interacting proteins. Co-purification patterns and pull-down assays also depicted that metalloids (SbIII, AsIII and TeIV) hinder the in-vitro interaction of these two enzymes. Surprisingly, metalloids at sub-lethal concentrations induced the in-vivo interaction of LdG6PDH and LdTryR, as analyzed by pull-down assays and fluorescence microscopy signifying protection against metalloid mediated ROS. Inhibition of LdTryR by thioridazine in LdG6PDH-/- parasites resulted in metalloid induced apoptotic death of the parasites due to abrupt fall in reduced thiol content, disrupted NADPH/NADP+ homeostasis and lethal oxidative stress. Interestingly, clinical isolates of L.donovani resistant to SAG exhibited enhanced interaction between LdG6PDH and LdTryR and showed cross resistivity towards AsIII and TeIV. Thus, our findings propose the metabolon of LdG6PDH and LdTryR as an alternate therapeutic target and provide mechanistic insight about metalloid resistance in Visceral Leishmaniasis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ayan Kumar Ghosh
- Division of Molecular Biology, Bioinformatics and Molecular Biochemistry & Cell Biology, Rajendra Memorial Research Institute of Medical Sciences (I.C.M.R.), Agamkuan, Patna 800007, Bihar, India
| | - Savita Saini
- Department of Biotechnology, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER), Export Promotion Industrial Park, Hajipur, Vaishali 844101, Bihar, India
| | - Sushmita Das
- Department of Microbiology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Phulwarisharif, Patna 801505, Bihar, India
| | - Abhishek Mandal
- Division of Molecular Biology, Bioinformatics and Molecular Biochemistry & Cell Biology, Rajendra Memorial Research Institute of Medical Sciences (I.C.M.R.), Agamkuan, Patna 800007, Bihar, India
| | - Abul Hasan Sardar
- Division of Molecular Biology, Bioinformatics and Molecular Biochemistry & Cell Biology, Rajendra Memorial Research Institute of Medical Sciences (I.C.M.R.), Agamkuan, Patna 800007, Bihar, India
| | - Md Yousuf Ansari
- Division of Molecular Biology, Bioinformatics and Molecular Biochemistry & Cell Biology, Rajendra Memorial Research Institute of Medical Sciences (I.C.M.R.), Agamkuan, Patna 800007, Bihar, India
| | - Kumar Abhishek
- Division of Molecular Biology, Bioinformatics and Molecular Biochemistry & Cell Biology, Rajendra Memorial Research Institute of Medical Sciences (I.C.M.R.), Agamkuan, Patna 800007, Bihar, India
| | - Ajay Kumar
- Division of Molecular Biology, Bioinformatics and Molecular Biochemistry & Cell Biology, Rajendra Memorial Research Institute of Medical Sciences (I.C.M.R.), Agamkuan, Patna 800007, Bihar, India
| | - Ruby Singh
- Division of Molecular Biology, Bioinformatics and Molecular Biochemistry & Cell Biology, Rajendra Memorial Research Institute of Medical Sciences (I.C.M.R.), Agamkuan, Patna 800007, Bihar, India
| | - Sudha Verma
- Division of Molecular Biology, Bioinformatics and Molecular Biochemistry & Cell Biology, Rajendra Memorial Research Institute of Medical Sciences (I.C.M.R.), Agamkuan, Patna 800007, Bihar, India
| | - Asif Equbal
- Division of Molecular Biology, Bioinformatics and Molecular Biochemistry & Cell Biology, Rajendra Memorial Research Institute of Medical Sciences (I.C.M.R.), Agamkuan, Patna 800007, Bihar, India
| | - Vahab Ali
- Division of Molecular Biology, Bioinformatics and Molecular Biochemistry & Cell Biology, Rajendra Memorial Research Institute of Medical Sciences (I.C.M.R.), Agamkuan, Patna 800007, Bihar, India
| | - Pradeep Das
- Division of Molecular Biology, Bioinformatics and Molecular Biochemistry & Cell Biology, Rajendra Memorial Research Institute of Medical Sciences (I.C.M.R.), Agamkuan, Patna 800007, Bihar, India.
| |
Collapse
|
48
|
Ni ZX, Cui JM, Zhang NZ, Fu BQ. Structural and evolutionary divergence of aquaporins in parasites (Review). Mol Med Rep 2017; 15:3943-3948. [PMID: 28440467 PMCID: PMC5436202 DOI: 10.3892/mmr.2017.6505] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2016] [Accepted: 02/28/2017] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Aquaporins are ubiquitous proteins that belong to the major intrinsic protein family. Previous studies have indicated that aquaporins are involved in multiple physiological processes in parasites, such as nutrient absorption and end product efflux, and thus, would be promising pharmacological agents in the fight against parasite infection. In the present paper, the authors analyzed the evolutionary relationship of parasitic aquaporins by re‑constructing of a phylogenic tree using neighbor‑joining and maximum likelihood methods. In addition, the authors discussed the variation of the conserved functional sites impacting on the transportation of water molecules. The protein was concluded to be a potential drug target in parasites.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zi-Xin Ni
- College of Veterinary Medicine, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100083, P.R. China
| | - Jian-Min Cui
- State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Etiological Biology, Key Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology of Gansu, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, Gansu 730046, P.R. China
| | - Nian-Zhang Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Etiological Biology, Key Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology of Gansu, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, Gansu 730046, P.R. China
| | - Bao-Quan Fu
- State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Etiological Biology, Key Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology of Gansu, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, Gansu 730046, P.R. China
| |
Collapse
|
49
|
Jeacock L, Baker N, Wiedemar N, Mäser P, Horn D. Aquaglyceroporin-null trypanosomes display glycerol transport defects and respiratory-inhibitor sensitivity. PLoS Pathog 2017; 13:e1006307. [PMID: 28358927 PMCID: PMC5388498 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1006307] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2016] [Revised: 04/11/2017] [Accepted: 03/22/2017] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Aquaglyceroporins (AQPs) transport water and glycerol and play important roles in drug-uptake in pathogenic trypanosomatids. For example, AQP2 in the human-infectious African trypanosome, Trypanosoma brucei gambiense, is responsible for melarsoprol and pentamidine-uptake, and melarsoprol treatment-failure has been found to be due to AQP2-defects in these parasites. To further probe the roles of these transporters, we assembled a T. b. brucei strain lacking all three AQP-genes. Triple-null aqp1-2-3 T. b. brucei displayed only a very moderate growth defect in vitro, established infections in mice and recovered effectively from hypotonic-shock. The aqp1-2-3 trypanosomes did, however, display glycerol uptake and efflux defects. They failed to accumulate glycerol or to utilise glycerol as a carbon-source and displayed increased sensitivity to salicylhydroxamic acid (SHAM), octyl gallate or propyl gallate; these inhibitors of trypanosome alternative oxidase (TAO) can increase intracellular glycerol to toxic levels. Notably, disruption of AQP2 alone generated cells with glycerol transport defects. Consistent with these findings, AQP2-defective, melarsoprol-resistant clinical isolates were sensitive to the TAO inhibitors, SHAM, propyl gallate and ascofuranone, relative to melarsoprol-sensitive reference strains. We conclude that African trypanosome AQPs are dispensable for viability and osmoregulation but they make important contributions to drug-uptake, glycerol-transport and respiratory-inhibitor sensitivity. We also discuss how the AQP-dependent inverse sensitivity to melarsoprol and respiratory inhibitors described here might be exploited.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Laura Jeacock
- The Wellcome Trust Centre for Anti-Infectives Research, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dow Street, Dundee, United Kingdom
| | - Nicola Baker
- The Wellcome Trust Centre for Anti-Infectives Research, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dow Street, Dundee, United Kingdom
| | - Natalie Wiedemar
- Parasite Chemotherapy Unit, Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Switzerland
- University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Pascal Mäser
- Parasite Chemotherapy Unit, Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Switzerland
- University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - David Horn
- The Wellcome Trust Centre for Anti-Infectives Research, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dow Street, Dundee, United Kingdom
| |
Collapse
|
50
|
Rai K, Bhattarai NR, Vanaerschot M, Imamura H, Gebru G, Khanal B, Rijal S, Boelaert M, Pal C, Karki P, Dujardin JC, Van der Auwera G. Single locus genotyping to track Leishmania donovani in the Indian subcontinent: Application in Nepal. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2017; 11:e0005420. [PMID: 28249021 PMCID: PMC5348045 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0005420] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2016] [Revised: 03/13/2017] [Accepted: 02/17/2017] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Background We designed a straightforward method for discriminating circulating Leishmania populations in the Indian subcontinent (ISC). Research on transmission dynamics of visceral leishmaniasis (VL, or Kala-azar) was recently identified as one of the key research priorities for elimination of the disease in the ISC. VL in Bangladesh, India, and Nepal is caused by genetically homogeneous populations of Leishmania donovani parasites, transmitted by female sandflies. Classical methods to study diversity of these protozoa in other regions of the world, such as microsatellite typing, have proven of little use in the area, as they are not able to discriminate most genotypes. Recently, whole genome sequencing (WGS) so far identified 10 different populations termed ISC001-ISC010. Methodology / Principle findings As an alternative to WGS for epidemiological or clinical studies, we designed assays based on PCR amplification followed by dideoxynucleotide sequencing for identification of the non-recombinant genotypes ISC001 up to ISC007. These assays were applied on 106 parasite isolates collected in Nepal between 2011 and 2014. Combined with data from WGS on strains collected in the period 2002–2011, we provide a proof-of-principle for the application of genotyping to study treatment outcome, and differential geographic distribution. Conclusions / Significance Our method can aid in epidemiological follow-up of visceral leishmaniasis in the Indian subcontinent, a necessity in the frame of the Kala-azar elimination initiative in the region. Visceral Leishmaniasis (VL) or Kala-azar is a life-threatening neglected tropical disease that annually affects half a million people worldwide. In the Indian subcontinent (India, Nepal, Bangladesh), the disease is caused by infection with the protozoan parasite Leishmania donovani, which is transmitted by female sand flies. Currently, the Kala-azar elimination program aims at reducing the number of VL cases in the region to less than 1 in 10.000 at upazila, sub-district and district level in Bangladesh, India, and Nepal respectively. In support of this program, tools for tracking L. donovani populations are essential, because these allow monitoring geographic spread over time. However, the parasite populations in the region are highly homogeneous, requiring sequencing of the entire genome to gather sufficient information for discriminating them. Because whole genome sequencing (WGS) is impractical for large-scale use, we designed a simple alternative to identify the WGS-genotypes. Our method is based on PCR amplification followed by sequencing of one particular locus, diagnostic of each population. We provide proof-of-principle that our method can be used to track parasite populations over time, and to correlate them with clinical parameters. We believe that our assay can support the Kala-azar control efforts in the Indian subcontinent.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Keshav Rai
- Department of Microbiology, B.P. Koirala Institute of Health Sciences, Dharan, Nepal
- Department of Zoology, West Bengal State University, Barasat, West Bengal, India
| | - Narayan Raj Bhattarai
- Department of Microbiology, B.P. Koirala Institute of Health Sciences, Dharan, Nepal
| | - Manu Vanaerschot
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY, United States of America
| | - Hideo Imamura
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Gebreyohans Gebru
- Department of Animal Science, College of Agriculture, Aksum University, Aksum, Ethiopia
| | - Basudha Khanal
- Department of Microbiology, B.P. Koirala Institute of Health Sciences, Dharan, Nepal
| | - Suman Rijal
- Department of Internal Medicine, B.P. Koirala Institute of Health Sciences, Dharan, Nepal
| | - Marleen Boelaert
- Department of Public Health, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Chiranjib Pal
- Department of Zoology, West Bengal State University, Barasat, West Bengal, India
| | - Prahlad Karki
- Department of Internal Medicine, B.P. Koirala Institute of Health Sciences, Dharan, Nepal
| | - Jean-Claude Dujardin
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Antwerp, Belgium
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Antwerp, Belgium
- * E-mail: (JCD); (GVdA)
| | - Gert Van der Auwera
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Antwerp, Belgium
- * E-mail: (JCD); (GVdA)
| |
Collapse
|