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Kennedy V, Kaszecki E, Donaldson ME, Saville BJ. The impact of elevated sulfur and nitrogen levels on cadmium tolerance in Euglena species. Sci Rep 2024; 14:11734. [PMID: 38777815 PMCID: PMC11111685 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-61964-w] [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: 09/30/2023] [Accepted: 05/13/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Heavy metal (HM) pollution threatens human and ecosystem health. Current methods for remediating water contaminated with HMs are expensive and have limited effect. Therefore, bioremediation is being investigated as an environmentally and economically viable alternative. Freshwater protists Euglena gracilis and Euglena mutabilis were investigated for their tolerance to cadmium (Cd). A greater increase in cell numbers under Cd stress was noted for E. mutabilis but only E. gracilis showed an increase in Cd tolerance following pre-treatment with elevated concentrations of S or N. To gain insight regarding the nature of the increased tolerance RNA-sequencing was carried out on E. gracilis. This revealed transcript level changes among pretreated cells, and additional differences among cells exposed to CdCl2. Gene ontology (GO) enrichment analysis reflected changes in S and N metabolism, transmembrane transport, stress response, and physiological processes related to metal binding. Identifying these changes enhances our understanding of how these organisms adapt to HM polluted environments and allows us to target development of future pre-treatments to enhance the use of E. gracilis in bioremediation relating to heavy metals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victoria Kennedy
- Environmental and Life Sciences Graduate Program, Trent University, Peterborough, ON, Canada
| | - Emma Kaszecki
- Environmental and Life Sciences Graduate Program, Trent University, Peterborough, ON, Canada
| | - Michael E Donaldson
- Environmental and Life Sciences Graduate Program, Trent University, Peterborough, ON, Canada
- Forensic Science Department, Trent University, Peterborough, ON, Canada
| | - Barry J Saville
- Environmental and Life Sciences Graduate Program, Trent University, Peterborough, ON, Canada.
- Forensic Science Department, Trent University, Peterborough, ON, Canada.
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2
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Lukáčová A, Lihanová D, Beck T, Alberty R, Vešelényiová D, Krajčovič J, Vesteg M. The Influence of Phenol on the Growth, Morphology and Cell Division of Euglena gracilis. Life (Basel) 2023; 13:1734. [PMID: 37629591 PMCID: PMC10455851 DOI: 10.3390/life13081734] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2023] [Revised: 07/28/2023] [Accepted: 08/10/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Phenol, a monocyclic aromatic hydrocarbon with various commercial uses, is a major pollutant in industrial wastewater. Euglena gracilis is a unicellular freshwater flagellate possessing secondary chloroplasts of green algal origin. This protist has been widely used for monitoring the biological effect of various inorganic and organic environmental pollutants, including aromatic hydrocarbons. In this study, we evaluate the influence of different phenol concentrations (3.39 mM, 3.81 mM, 4.23 mM, 4.65 mM, 5.07 mM, 5.49 mM and 5.91 mM) on the growth, morphology and cell division of E. gracilis. The cell count continually decreases (p < 0.05-0.001) over time with increasing phenol concentration. While phenol treatment does not induce bleaching (permanent loss of photosynthesis), the morphological changes caused by phenol include the formation of spherical (p < 0.01-0.001), hypertrophied (p < 0.05) and monster cells (p < 0.01) and lipofuscin bodies. Phenol also induces an atypical form of cell division of E. gracilis, simultaneously producing more than 2 (3-12) viable cells from a single cell. Such atypically dividing cells have a symmetric "star"-like shape. The percentage of atypically dividing cells increases (p < 0.05) with increasing phenol concentration. Our findings suggest that E. gracilis can be used as bioindicator of phenol contamination in freshwater habitats and wastewater.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra Lukáčová
- Department of Biology, Ecology and Environment, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Matej Bel University, 974 01 Banská Bystrica, Slovakia (T.B.)
| | - Diana Lihanová
- Department of Biology, Ecology and Environment, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Matej Bel University, 974 01 Banská Bystrica, Slovakia (T.B.)
| | - Terézia Beck
- Department of Biology, Ecology and Environment, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Matej Bel University, 974 01 Banská Bystrica, Slovakia (T.B.)
| | - Roman Alberty
- Department of Biology, Ecology and Environment, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Matej Bel University, 974 01 Banská Bystrica, Slovakia (T.B.)
| | - Dominika Vešelényiová
- Institute of Biology and Biotechnology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Ss. Cyril and Methodius, 917 01 Trnava, Slovakia
| | - Juraj Krajčovič
- Institute of Biology and Biotechnology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Ss. Cyril and Methodius, 917 01 Trnava, Slovakia
| | - Matej Vesteg
- Department of Biology, Ecology and Environment, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Matej Bel University, 974 01 Banská Bystrica, Slovakia (T.B.)
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3
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Lihanová D, Lukáčová A, Beck T, Jedlička A, Vešelényiová D, Krajčovič J, Vesteg M. Versatile biotechnological applications of Euglena gracilis. World J Microbiol Biotechnol 2023; 39:133. [PMID: 36959517 DOI: 10.1007/s11274-023-03585-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2023] [Accepted: 03/16/2023] [Indexed: 03/25/2023]
Abstract
Euglena gracilis is a freshwater protist possessing secondary chloroplasts of green algal origin. Various physical factors (e.g. UV) and chemical compounds (e.g. antibiotics) cause the bleaching of E. gracilis cells-the loss of plastid genes leading to the permanent inability to photosynthesize. Bleaching can be prevented by antimutagens (i.e. lignin, vitamin C and selenium). Besides screening the mutagenic and antimutagenic activity of chemicals, E. gracilis is also a suitable model for studying the biological effects of many organic pollutants. Due to its capability of heavy metal sequestration, it can be used for bioremediation. E. gracilis has been successfully transformed, offering the possibility of genetic modifications for synthesizing compounds of biotechnological interest. The novel design of the "next generation" transgenic expression cassettes with respect to the specificities of euglenid gene expression is proposed. Moreover, E. gracilis is a natural source of commercially relevant bioproducts such as (pro)vitamins, wax esters, polyunsaturated fatty acids and paramylon (β-1,3-glucan). One of the highest limitations of large-scale cultivation of E. gracilis is its disability to synthesize essential vitamins B1 and B12. This disadvantage can be overcome by co-cultivation of E. gracilis with other microorganisms, which can synthesize sufficient amounts of these vitamins. Such co-cultures can be used for the effective accumulation and harvesting of Euglena biomass by bioflocculation.
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Grants
- VEGA 1/0694/2021 Scientific Grant Agency of the Ministry of Education, Science, Research and Sport of the Slovak Republic, and the Academy of Sciences
- VEGA 1/0694/2021 Scientific Grant Agency of the Ministry of Education, Science, Research and Sport of the Slovak Republic, and the Academy of Sciences
- VEGA 1/0694/2021 Scientific Grant Agency of the Ministry of Education, Science, Research and Sport of the Slovak Republic, and the Academy of Sciences
- VEGA 1/0694/2021 Scientific Grant Agency of the Ministry of Education, Science, Research and Sport of the Slovak Republic, and the Academy of Sciences
- VEGA 1/0694/2021 Scientific Grant Agency of the Ministry of Education, Science, Research and Sport of the Slovak Republic, and the Academy of Sciences
- VEGA 1/0694/2021 Scientific Grant Agency of the Ministry of Education, Science, Research and Sport of the Slovak Republic, and the Academy of Sciences
- VEGA 1/0694/2021 Scientific Grant Agency of the Ministry of Education, Science, Research and Sport of the Slovak Republic, and the Academy of Sciences
- ITMS 26210120024 European Regional Development Fund
- ITMS 26210120024 European Regional Development Fund
- ITMS 26210120024 European Regional Development Fund
- ITMS 26210120024 European Regional Development Fund
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Affiliation(s)
- Diana Lihanová
- Department of Biology and Ecology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Matej Bel University, Tajovského 40, 974 01, Banská Bystrica, Slovakia
| | - Alexandra Lukáčová
- Department of Biology and Ecology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Matej Bel University, Tajovského 40, 974 01, Banská Bystrica, Slovakia
| | - Terézia Beck
- Department of Biology and Ecology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Matej Bel University, Tajovského 40, 974 01, Banská Bystrica, Slovakia
| | - Andrej Jedlička
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Ss. Cyril and Methodius, 917 01, Trnava, Slovakia
| | - Dominika Vešelényiová
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Ss. Cyril and Methodius, 917 01, Trnava, Slovakia
| | - Juraj Krajčovič
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Ss. Cyril and Methodius, 917 01, Trnava, Slovakia
| | - Matej Vesteg
- Department of Biology and Ecology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Matej Bel University, Tajovského 40, 974 01, Banská Bystrica, Slovakia.
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Bezerra MJR, Moura DMN, Freire ER, Holetz FB, Reis CRS, Monteiro TTS, Pinto ARS, Zhang N, Rezende AM, Pereira-Neves A, Figueiredo RCBQ, Clayton C, Field MC, Carrington M, de Melo Neto OP. Distinct mRNA and protein interactomes highlight functional differentiation of major eIF4F-like complexes from Trypanosoma brucei. Front Mol Biosci 2022; 9:971811. [PMID: 36275617 PMCID: PMC9585242 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2022.971811] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2022] [Accepted: 09/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Gene expression in pathogenic protozoans of the family Trypanosomatidae has several novel features, including multiple eIF4F-like complexes involved in protein synthesis. The eukaryotic eIF4F complex, formed mainly by eIF4E and eIF4G subunits, is responsible for the canonical selection of mRNAs required for the initiation of mRNA translation. The best-known complexes implicated in translation in trypanosomatids are based on two related pairs of eIF4E and eIF4G subunits (EIF4E3/EIF4G4 and EIF4E4/EIF4G3), whose functional distinctions remain to be fully described. Here, to define interactomes associated with both complexes in Trypanosoma brucei procyclic forms, we performed parallel immunoprecipitation experiments followed by identification of proteins co-precipitated with the four tagged eIF4E and eIF4G subunits. A number of different protein partners, including RNA binding proteins and helicases, specifically co-precipitate with each complex. Highlights with the EIF4E4/EIF4G3 pair include RBP23, PABP1, EIF4AI and the CRK1 kinase. Co-precipitated partners with the EIF4E3/EIF4G4 pair are more diverse and include DRBD2, PABP2 and different zinc-finger proteins and RNA helicases. EIF4E3/EIF4G4 are essential for viability and to better define their role, we further investigated their phenotypes after knockdown. Depletion of either EIF4E3/EIF4G4 mRNAs lead to aberrant morphology with a more direct impact on events associated with cytokinesis. We also sought to identify those mRNAs differentially associated with each complex through CLIP-seq with the two eIF4E subunits. Predominant among EIF4E4-bound transcripts are those encoding ribosomal proteins, absent from those found with EIF4E3, which are generally more diverse. RNAi mediated depletion of EIF4E4, which does not affect proliferation, does not lead to changes in mRNAs or proteins associated with EIF4E3, confirming a lack of redundancy and distinct roles for the two complexes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria J. R. Bezerra
- Aggeu Magalhães Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil
- Department of Genetics, Federal University of Pernambuco, Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil
| | | | - Eden R. Freire
- Carlos Chagas Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Curitiba, Pernambuco, Brazil
| | - Fabiola B. Holetz
- Carlos Chagas Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Curitiba, Pernambuco, Brazil
| | | | | | - Adriana R. S. Pinto
- Aggeu Magalhães Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil
| | - Ning Zhang
- School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee, United Kingdom
| | - Antonio M. Rezende
- Aggeu Magalhães Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil
| | | | | | - Christine Clayton
- Heidelberg University Center for Molecular Biology, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Mark C. Field
- School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee, United Kingdom
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre, Czech Academy of Sciences, České Budějovice, Czechia
| | - Mark Carrington
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Osvaldo P. de Melo Neto
- Aggeu Magalhães Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil
- *Correspondence: Osvaldo P. de Melo Neto,
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5
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Hałakuc P, Karnkowska A, Milanowski R. Typical structure of rRNA coding genes in diplonemids points to two independent origins of the bizarre rDNA structures of euglenozoans. BMC Ecol Evol 2022; 22:59. [PMID: 35534840 PMCID: PMC9082867 DOI: 10.1186/s12862-022-02014-9] [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: 11/17/2021] [Accepted: 04/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Members of Euglenozoa (Discoba) are known for unorthodox rDNA organization. In Euglenida rDNA is located on extrachromosomal circular DNA. In Kinetoplastea and Euglenida the core of the large ribosomal subunit, typically formed by the 28S rRNA, consists of several smaller rRNAs. They are the result of the presence of additional internal transcribed spacers (ITSs) in the rDNA. Diplonemea is the third of the main groups of Euglenozoa and its members are known to be among the most abundant and diverse protists in the oceans. Despite that, the rRNA of only one diplonemid species, Diplonema papillatum, has been examined so far and found to exhibit continuous 28S rRNA. Currently, the rDNA organization has not been researched for any diplonemid. Herein we investigate the structure of rRNA genes in classical (Diplonemidae) and deep-sea diplonemids (Eupelagonemidae), representing the majority of known diplonemid diversity. The results fill the gap in knowledge about diplonemid rDNA and allow better understanding of the evolution of the fragmented structure of the rDNA in Euglenozoa. Results We used available genomic (culture and single-cell) sequencing data to assemble complete or almost complete rRNA operons for three classical and six deep-sea diplonemids. The rDNA sequences acquired for several euglenids and kinetoplastids were used to provide the background for the analysis. In all nine diplonemids, 28S rRNA seems to be contiguous, with no additional ITSs detected. Similarly, no additional ITSs were detected in basal prokinetoplastids. However, we identified five additional ITSs in the 28S rRNA of all analysed metakinetoplastids, and up to twelve in euglenids. Only three of these share positions, and they cannot be traced back to their common ancestor. Conclusions Presented results indicate that independent origin of additional ITSs in euglenids and kinetoplastids seems to be the most likely. The reason for such unmatched fragmentation remains unknown, but for some reason euglenozoan ribosomes appear to be prone to 28S rRNA fragmentation. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12862-022-02014-9.
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6
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Lukáčová A, Beck T, Trnková K, Trniková M, Krajčovič J, Vesteg M. Discrimination of Euglena gracilis strains Z and bacillaris by MALDI-TOF MS. J Appl Microbiol 2022; 133:930-942. [PMID: 35483969 DOI: 10.1111/jam.15600] [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: 01/25/2022] [Revised: 03/31/2022] [Accepted: 04/26/2022] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
AIMS Euglena gracilis is used as model organism for various microbiological, molecular biological and biotechnological studies. Its most studied wild type strains are Z and bacillaris, but their discrimination by standard molecular methods is difficult. Therefore, we decided to test the suitability of MALDI-TOF MS (matrix assisted laser desorption/ionization - time of flight mass spectrometry) for identification of E. gracilis and for discrimination of these two strains possessing functional chloroplasts. MALDI-TOF MS profiling was also tested for two white (non-photosynthetic) stable E. gracilis mutant strains Wgm ZOflL and W10 BSmL. METHODS AND RESULTS We have successfully obtained main spectrum profiles (MSPs) of E. gracilis strains Z, SAG 1224-5/25 and bacillaris, SAG 1224-5/15 using protein extraction procedure. Subsequent MALDI-TOF MS profiling of a number of tested samples and the comparison of the obtained protein profiles with our in-house database including MSPs of both strains has revealed that these two strains can be easily distinguished by MALDI-TOF MS based on score values over two in most cases. This method has also confirmed the ancestry of white mutant strains Wgm ZOflL and W10 BSmL, originally derived from strains Z and bacillaris, respectively. CONCLUSIONS MALDI-TOF MS is suitable, accurate and rapid method for discrimination of E. gracilis strains. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF STUDY These results can have broad practical implications for laboratories cultivating various strains of euglenids, and they can be applied for their discrimination by MALDI-TOF MS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra Lukáčová
- Department of Biology and Ecology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Matej Bel University, Banská Bystrica, Slovakia
| | - Terézia Beck
- Department of Biology and Ecology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Matej Bel University, Banská Bystrica, Slovakia
| | - Katarína Trnková
- Department of the Environment, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Matej Bel University, Banská Bystrica, Slovakia
| | - Miriam Trniková
- Department of Biology and Ecology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Matej Bel University, Banská Bystrica, Slovakia
| | - Juraj Krajčovič
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Ss. Cyril and Methodius, Trnava, Slovakia
| | - Matej Vesteg
- Department of Biology and Ecology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Matej Bel University, Banská Bystrica, Slovakia
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7
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Euglena gracilis can grow in the mixed culture containing Cladosporium westerdijkiae, Lysinibacillus boronitolerans and Pseudobacillus badius without the addition of vitamins B1 and B12. J Biotechnol 2022; 351:50-59. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jbiotec.2022.04.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2022] [Revised: 04/26/2022] [Accepted: 04/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
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Cordoba J, Perez E, Van Vlierberghe M, Bertrand AR, Lupo V, Cardol P, Baurain D. De Novo Transcriptome Meta-Assembly of the Mixotrophic Freshwater Microalga Euglena gracilis. Genes (Basel) 2021; 12:842. [PMID: 34072576 PMCID: PMC8227486 DOI: 10.3390/genes12060842] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2021] [Revised: 05/24/2021] [Accepted: 05/27/2021] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Euglena gracilis is a well-known photosynthetic microeukaryote considered as the product of a secondary endosymbiosis between a green alga and a phagotrophic unicellular belonging to the same eukaryotic phylum as the parasitic trypanosomatids. As its nuclear genome has proven difficult to sequence, reliable transcriptomes are important for functional studies. In this work, we assembled a new consensus transcriptome by combining sequencing reads from five independent studies. Based on a detailed comparison with two previously released transcriptomes, our consensus transcriptome appears to be the most complete so far. Remapping the reads on it allowed us to compare the expression of the transcripts across multiple culture conditions at once and to infer a functionally annotated network of co-expressed genes. Although the emergence of meaningful gene clusters indicates that some biological signal lies in gene expression levels, our analyses confirm that gene regulation in euglenozoans is not primarily controlled at the transcriptional level. Regarding the origin of E. gracilis, we observe a heavily mixed gene ancestry, as previously reported, and rule out sequence contamination as a possible explanation for these observations. Instead, they indicate that this complex alga has evolved through a convoluted process involving much more than two partners.
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Affiliation(s)
- Javier Cordoba
- InBioS—PhytoSYSTEMS, Laboratoire de Génétique et Physiologie des Microalgues, ULiège, B-4000 Liège, Belgium; (J.C.); (E.P.); (P.C.)
| | - Emilie Perez
- InBioS—PhytoSYSTEMS, Laboratoire de Génétique et Physiologie des Microalgues, ULiège, B-4000 Liège, Belgium; (J.C.); (E.P.); (P.C.)
- InBioS—PhytoSYSTEMS, Unit of Eukaryotic Phylogenomics, ULiège, B-4000 Liège, Belgium; (M.V.V.); (A.R.B.); (V.L.)
| | - Mick Van Vlierberghe
- InBioS—PhytoSYSTEMS, Unit of Eukaryotic Phylogenomics, ULiège, B-4000 Liège, Belgium; (M.V.V.); (A.R.B.); (V.L.)
| | - Amandine R. Bertrand
- InBioS—PhytoSYSTEMS, Unit of Eukaryotic Phylogenomics, ULiège, B-4000 Liège, Belgium; (M.V.V.); (A.R.B.); (V.L.)
| | - Valérian Lupo
- InBioS—PhytoSYSTEMS, Unit of Eukaryotic Phylogenomics, ULiège, B-4000 Liège, Belgium; (M.V.V.); (A.R.B.); (V.L.)
| | - Pierre Cardol
- InBioS—PhytoSYSTEMS, Laboratoire de Génétique et Physiologie des Microalgues, ULiège, B-4000 Liège, Belgium; (J.C.); (E.P.); (P.C.)
| | - Denis Baurain
- InBioS—PhytoSYSTEMS, Unit of Eukaryotic Phylogenomics, ULiège, B-4000 Liège, Belgium; (M.V.V.); (A.R.B.); (V.L.)
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Kaur D, Agrahari M, Singh SS, Mandal PK, Bhattacharya A, Bhattacharya S. Transcriptomic analysis of Entamoeba histolytica reveals domain-specific sense strand expression of LINE-encoded ORFs with massive antisense expression of RT domain. Plasmid 2021; 114:102560. [PMID: 33482228 DOI: 10.1016/j.plasmid.2021.102560] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2020] [Revised: 12/29/2020] [Accepted: 12/31/2020] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
LINEs are retrotransposable elements found in diverse organisms. Their activity is kept in check by several mechanisms, including transcriptional silencing. Here we have analyzed the transcription status of LINE1 copies in the early-branching parasitic protist Entamoeba histolytica. Full-length EhLINE1 encodes ORF1, and ORF2 with reverse transcriptase (RT) and endonuclease (EN) domains. RNA-Seq analysis of EhLINE1 copies (both truncated and full-length) showed unique features. Firstly, although 20/41 transcribed copies were full-length, we failed to detect any full-length transcripts. Rather, sense-strand transcripts mapped to the functional domains- ORF1, RT and EN. Secondly, there was strong antisense transcription specifically from RT domain. No antisense transcripts were seen from ORF1. Antisense RT transcripts did not encode known functional peptides. They could possibly be involved in attenuating translation of RT domain, as we failed to detect ORF2p, whereas ORF1p was detectable. Lack of full-length transcripts and strong antisense RT expression may serve to limit EhLINE1 retrotransposition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Devinder Kaur
- School of Environmental Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University, India
| | - Mridula Agrahari
- School of Environmental Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University, India
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Grünebast J, Clos J. Leishmania: Responding to environmental signals and challenges without regulated transcription. Comput Struct Biotechnol J 2020; 18:4016-4023. [PMID: 33363698 PMCID: PMC7744640 DOI: 10.1016/j.csbj.2020.11.058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2020] [Revised: 11/24/2020] [Accepted: 11/28/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Here we describe the non-canonical control of gene expression in Leishmania, a single-cell parasite that is responsible for one of the major neglected tropical diseases. We discuss the lack of regulated RNA synthesis, the post-transcriptional gene regulation including RNA stability and regulated translation. We also show that genetic adaptations such as mosaic aneuploidy, gene copy number variations and DNA sequence polymorphisms are important means for overcoming drug challenge and environmental diversity. These mechanisms are discussed in the context of the unique flow of genetic information found in Leishmania and related protists.
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Affiliation(s)
- Janne Grünebast
- Leishmaniasis Group, Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Joachim Clos
- Leishmaniasis Group, Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, Hamburg, Germany
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11
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Hammond MJ, Nenarokova A, Butenko A, Zoltner M, Dobáková EL, Field MC, Lukeš J. A Uniquely Complex Mitochondrial Proteome from Euglena gracilis. Mol Biol Evol 2020; 37:2173-2191. [PMID: 32159766 PMCID: PMC7403612 DOI: 10.1093/molbev/msaa061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Euglena gracilis is a metabolically flexible, photosynthetic, and adaptable free-living protist of considerable environmental importance and biotechnological value. By label-free liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry, a total of 1,786 proteins were identified from the E. gracilis purified mitochondria, representing one of the largest mitochondrial proteomes so far described. Despite this apparent complexity, protein machinery responsible for the extensive RNA editing, splicing, and processing in the sister clades diplonemids and kinetoplastids is absent. This strongly suggests that the complex mechanisms of mitochondrial gene expression in diplonemids and kinetoplastids occurred late in euglenozoan evolution, arising independently. By contrast, the alternative oxidase pathway and numerous ribosomal subunits presumed to be specific for parasitic trypanosomes are present in E. gracilis. We investigated the evolution of unexplored protein families, including import complexes, cristae formation proteins, and translation termination factors, as well as canonical and unique metabolic pathways. We additionally compare this mitoproteome with the transcriptome of Eutreptiella gymnastica, illuminating conserved features of Euglenida mitochondria as well as those exclusive to E. gracilis. This is the first mitochondrial proteome of a free-living protist from the Excavata and one of few available for protists as a whole. This study alters our views of the evolution of the mitochondrion and indicates early emergence of complexity within euglenozoan mitochondria, independent of parasitism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael J Hammond
- Biology Centre, Institute of Parasitology, Czech Academy of Sciences, České Budějovice, Budweis, Czech Republic
| | - Anna Nenarokova
- Biology Centre, Institute of Parasitology, Czech Academy of Sciences, České Budějovice, Budweis, Czech Republic
- Faculty of Sciences, University of South Bohemia, České Budějovice, Budweis, Czech Republic
| | - Anzhelika Butenko
- Biology Centre, Institute of Parasitology, Czech Academy of Sciences, České Budějovice, Budweis, Czech Republic
- Faculty of Science, University of Ostrava, Ostrava, Czech Republic
| | - Martin Zoltner
- School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee, United Kingdom
- Faculty of Science, Charles University, Biocev, Vestec, Czech Republic
| | - Eva Lacová Dobáková
- Biology Centre, Institute of Parasitology, Czech Academy of Sciences, České Budějovice, Budweis, Czech Republic
| | - Mark C Field
- Biology Centre, Institute of Parasitology, Czech Academy of Sciences, České Budějovice, Budweis, Czech Republic
- School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee, United Kingdom
| | - Julius Lukeš
- Biology Centre, Institute of Parasitology, Czech Academy of Sciences, České Budějovice, Budweis, Czech Republic
- Faculty of Sciences, University of South Bohemia, České Budějovice, Budweis, Czech Republic
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Tomáška Ľ, Nosek J. Co-evolution in the Jungle: From Leafcutter Ant Colonies to Chromosomal Ends. J Mol Evol 2020; 88:293-318. [PMID: 32157325 DOI: 10.1007/s00239-020-09935-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2019] [Accepted: 02/25/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Biological entities are multicomponent systems where each part is directly or indirectly dependent on the others. In effect, a change in a single component might have a consequence on the functioning of its partners, thus affecting the fitness of the entire system. In this article, we provide a few examples of such complex biological systems, ranging from ant colonies to a population of amino acids within a single-polypeptide chain. Based on these examples, we discuss one of the central and still challenging questions in biology: how do such multicomponent consortia co-evolve? More specifically, we ask how telomeres, nucleo-protein complexes protecting the integrity of linear DNA chromosomes, originated from the ancestral organisms having circular genomes and thus not dealing with end-replication and end-protection problems. Using the examples of rapidly evolving topologies of mitochondrial genomes in eukaryotic microorganisms, we show what means of co-evolution were employed to accommodate various types of telomere-maintenance mechanisms in mitochondria. We also describe an unprecedented runaway evolution of telomeric repeats in nuclei of ascomycetous yeasts accompanied by co-evolution of telomere-associated proteins. We propose several scenarios derived from research on telomeres and supported by other studies from various fields of biology, while emphasizing that the relevant answers are still not in sight. It is this uncertainty and a lack of a detailed roadmap that makes the journey through the jungle of biological systems still exciting and worth undertaking.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ľubomír Tomáška
- Department of Genetics, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Comenius University in Bratislava, Ilkovičova 6, 842 15, Bratislava, Slovakia.
| | - Jozef Nosek
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Comenius University in Bratislava, Ilkovičova 6, 842 15, Bratislava, Slovakia
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Mathieu-Rivet E, Mati-Baouche N, Walet-Balieu ML, Lerouge P, Bardor M. N- and O-Glycosylation Pathways in the Microalgae Polyphyletic Group. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2020; 11:609993. [PMID: 33391324 PMCID: PMC7773692 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2020.609993] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2020] [Accepted: 11/23/2020] [Indexed: 05/15/2023]
Abstract
The term microalga refers to various unicellular and photosynthetic organisms representing a polyphyletic group. It gathers numerous species, which can be found in cyanobacteria (i.e., Arthrospira) as well as in distinct eukaryotic groups, such as Chlorophytes (i.e., Chlamydomonas or Chlorella) and Heterokonts (i.e., diatoms). This phylogenetic diversity results in an extraordinary variety of metabolic pathways, offering large possibilities for the production of natural compounds like pigments or lipids that can explain the ever-growing interest of industrials for these organisms since the middle of the last century. More recently, several species have received particular attention as biofactories for the production of recombinant proteins. Indeed, microalgae are easy to grow, safe and cheap making them attractive alternatives as heterologous expression systems. In this last scope of applications, the glycosylation capacity of these organisms must be considered as this post-translational modification of proteins impacts their structural and biological features. Although these mechanisms are well known in various Eukaryotes like mammals, plants or insects, only a few studies have been undertaken for the investigation of the protein glycosylation in microalgae. Recently, significant progresses have been made especially regarding protein N-glycosylation, while O-glycosylation remain poorly known. This review aims at summarizing the recent data in order to assess the state-of-the art knowledge in glycosylation processing in microalgae.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Patrice Lerouge
- UNIROUEN, Laboratoire Glyco-MEV EA4358, Normandie Université, Rouen, France
| | - Muriel Bardor
- UNIROUEN, Laboratoire Glyco-MEV EA4358, Normandie Université, Rouen, France
- Unité de Glycobiologie Structurale et Fonctionnelle (UGSF), UMR 8576, CNRS, Université de Lille, Lille, France
- *Correspondence: Muriel Bardor,
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