1
|
Alimenti C, Buonanno F, Di Giuseppe G, Guella G, Luporini P, Ortenzi C, Vallesi A. Bioactive Molecules from Ciliates: Structure, Activity, and Applicative Potential. J Eukaryot Microbiol 2022; 69:e12887. [PMID: 35014102 PMCID: PMC9542385 DOI: 10.1111/jeu.12887] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2021] [Accepted: 01/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Ciliates are a rich source of molecules synthesized to socialize, compete ecologically, and interact with prey and predators. Their isolation from laboratory cultures is often straightforward, permitting the study of their mechanisms of action and their assessment for applied research. This review focuses on three classes of these bioactive molecules: (i) water‐borne, cysteine‐rich proteins that are used as signaling pheromones in self/nonself recognition phenomena; (ii) cell membrane‐associated lipophilic terpenoids that are used in interspecies competitions for habitat colonization; (iii) cortical granule‐associated molecules of various chemical nature that primarily serve offence/defense functions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- C Alimenti
- Laboratory of Eukaryotic Microbiology and Animal Biology, School of Biosciences and Veterinary Medicine, University of Camerino, 62032, Camerino, (MC), Italy
| | - F Buonanno
- Laboratory of Protistology and Biology Education, Department of Education, Cultural Heritage, and Tourism (ECHT), Università degli Studi di Macerata, 62100, Macerata, Italy
| | - G Di Giuseppe
- Unit of Protistology, Department of Biology, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy; MARinePHARMA Center, University of Pisa, Italy
| | - G Guella
- Bioorganic Chemistry Lab, Department of Physics, University of Trento, 38123, Povo, Trento, Italy
| | - P Luporini
- Laboratory of Eukaryotic Microbiology and Animal Biology, School of Biosciences and Veterinary Medicine, University of Camerino, 62032, Camerino, (MC), Italy
| | - C Ortenzi
- Laboratory of Protistology and Biology Education, Department of Education, Cultural Heritage, and Tourism (ECHT), Università degli Studi di Macerata, 62100, Macerata, Italy
| | - A Vallesi
- Laboratory of Eukaryotic Microbiology and Animal Biology, School of Biosciences and Veterinary Medicine, University of Camerino, 62032, Camerino, (MC), Italy
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Cavaleiro J, Oliveira NB, Ribeiro TA, Guimarães LF, Fernandes NM, da Silva-Neto ID, Marszaukowski F, Wohnrath K, Barreto CB, Schweikert M, Petroni G, Ortenzi C, Buonanno F, Picciani PHS, Oliveira ON, Soares CAG. Distinguishing Activities in the Photodynamic Arsenals of the Pigmented Ciliates Blepharisma sinuosum Sawaya, 1940 and Blepharisma japonicum Suzuki, 1954 (Ciliophora: Heterotrichea). Photochem Photobiol 2020; 96:1251-1266. [PMID: 32472704 DOI: 10.1111/php.13288] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2020] [Accepted: 05/13/2020] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Blepharismins are photodynamic hypericin-like dianthrones produced as a variable pigment blend in Blepharisma ciliates and mostly studied in the Afro-Asiatic Blepharisma japonicum. The present work describes the bioactivity of pigments from the Brazilian Blepharisma sinuosum. Comparative analyses showed that the pigments from both species can trigger photo-induced modifications in phospholipids, but different redox properties and biological activities were assigned for each pigment blend. Stronger activities were detected for B. sinuosum pigments, with the lethal concentration LC50 10 × lower than B. japonicum pigments in light-irradiated tests against Bacillus cereus and less than half for treatments on the human HeLa tumor cells. HPLC showed B. sinuosum producing a simpler pigment blend, mostly with the blepharismin-C (~ 70%) and blepharismin-E (~ 30%) types. Each blepharismin engaged a specific dose-response profile on sensitive cells. The blepharismin-B and blepharismin-C were the most toxic pigments, showing LC50 ~ 2.5-3.0 µm and ~ 100 µm on B. cereus and HeLa cells, respectively, after illumination. Similarity clustering analysis compiling the bioactivity data revealed two groups of blepharismins: the most active, B and C, and the less active, A, D and E. The B. sinuosum pigment blend includes one representative of each clade. Functional and medical implications are discussed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jéssica Cavaleiro
- Departamento de Genética, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, UFRJ, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.,Biofunctional Nanodevices Development Group, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, UFRJ, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Nathally B Oliveira
- Departamento de Genética, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, UFRJ, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.,Biofunctional Nanodevices Development Group, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, UFRJ, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Talita A Ribeiro
- Departamento de Genética, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, UFRJ, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.,Biofunctional Nanodevices Development Group, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, UFRJ, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Lohaine F Guimarães
- Departamento de Genética, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, UFRJ, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.,Biofunctional Nanodevices Development Group, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, UFRJ, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Noemi M Fernandes
- Departamento de Zoologia, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, UFRJ, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Inácio D da Silva-Neto
- Departamento de Zoologia, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, UFRJ, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Flávia Marszaukowski
- Departamento de Química, Universidade Estadual de Ponta Grossa, UEPG, Ponta Grossa, Brazil
| | - Karen Wohnrath
- Departamento de Química, Universidade Estadual de Ponta Grossa, UEPG, Ponta Grossa, Brazil
| | - Cleber B Barreto
- Instituto Federal de Educação, Ciência e Tecnologia do Rio de Janeiro, IFRJ, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Michael Schweikert
- Institute for Biomaterials and Biomolecular Systems, Department of Biobased Materials, University of Stuttgart, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Giulio Petroni
- Dipartimento di Biologia, Unità di Protistologia, Università di Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Claudio Ortenzi
- Dipartimento di SFBCT, Laboratorio di Protistologia e Didattica della Biologia, Università di Macerata, UNIMC, Macerata, Italy
| | - Federico Buonanno
- Dipartimento di SFBCT, Laboratorio di Protistologia e Didattica della Biologia, Università di Macerata, UNIMC, Macerata, Italy
| | - Paulo H S Picciani
- Biofunctional Nanodevices Development Group, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, UFRJ, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.,Instituto de Macromoléculas Eloisa Mano, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, UFRJ, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Osvaldo N Oliveira
- Instituto de Física de São Carlos, Universidade de São Paulo, USP, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Carlos Augusto G Soares
- Departamento de Genética, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, UFRJ, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.,Biofunctional Nanodevices Development Group, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, UFRJ, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Buonanno F, Catalani E, Cervia D, Proietti Serafini F, Picchietti S, Fausto AM, Giorgi S, Lupidi G, Rossi FV, Marcantoni E, Petrelli D, Ortenzi C. Bioactivity and Structural Properties of Novel Synthetic Analogues of the Protozoan Toxin Climacostol. Toxins (Basel) 2019; 11:toxins11010042. [PMID: 30650514 PMCID: PMC6356496 DOI: 10.3390/toxins11010042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2018] [Revised: 01/07/2019] [Accepted: 01/08/2019] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Climacostol (5-[(2Z)-non-2-en-1-yl]benzene-1,3-diol) is a resorcinol produced by the protozoan Climacostomum virens for defence against predators. It exerts a potent antimicrobial activity against bacterial and fungal pathogens, inhibits the growth of several human and rodent tumour cells, and is now available by chemical synthesis. In this study, we chemically synthesized two novel analogues of climacostol, namely, 2-methyl-5 [(2Z)-non-2-en-1-yl]benzene-1,3-diol (AN1) and 5-[(2Z)-non-2-en-1-yl]benzene-1,2,3-triol (AN2), with the aim to increase the activity of the native toxin, evaluating their effects on prokaryotic and free-living protists and on mammalian tumour cells. The results demonstrated that the analogue bearing a methyl group (AN1) in the aromatic ring exhibited appreciably higher toxicity against pathogen microbes and protists than climacostol. On the other hand, the analogue bearing an additional hydroxyl group (AN2) in the aromatic ring revealed its ability to induce programmed cell death in protistan cells. Overall, the data collected demonstrate that the introduction of a methyl or a hydroxyl moiety to the aromatic ring of climacostol can effectively modulate its potency and its mechanism of action.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Federico Buonanno
- Laboratory of Protistology and Biology Education, Department of Education, Cultural Heritage, and Tourism (ECHT), Università degli Studi di Macerata, 62100 Macerata, Italy.
| | - Elisabetta Catalani
- Department for Innovation in Biological, Agro-food and Forest systems (DIBAF), Università degli Studi della Tuscia, 01100 Viterbo, Italy.
| | - Davide Cervia
- Department for Innovation in Biological, Agro-food and Forest systems (DIBAF), Università degli Studi della Tuscia, 01100 Viterbo, Italy.
| | - Francesca Proietti Serafini
- Department for Innovation in Biological, Agro-food and Forest systems (DIBAF), Università degli Studi della Tuscia, 01100 Viterbo, Italy.
| | - Simona Picchietti
- Department for Innovation in Biological, Agro-food and Forest systems (DIBAF), Università degli Studi della Tuscia, 01100 Viterbo, Italy.
| | - Anna Maria Fausto
- Department for Innovation in Biological, Agro-food and Forest systems (DIBAF), Università degli Studi della Tuscia, 01100 Viterbo, Italy.
| | - Simone Giorgi
- School of Sciences and Technologies, Section of Chemistry, Università degli Studi di Camerino, 62032 Camerino, Italy.
| | - Gabriele Lupidi
- School of Sciences and Technologies, Section of Chemistry, Università degli Studi di Camerino, 62032 Camerino, Italy.
| | - Federico Vittorio Rossi
- School of Sciences and Technologies, Section of Chemistry, Università degli Studi di Camerino, 62032 Camerino, Italy.
| | - Enrico Marcantoni
- School of Sciences and Technologies, Section of Chemistry, Università degli Studi di Camerino, 62032 Camerino, Italy.
| | - Dezemona Petrelli
- School of Biosciences and Veterinary Medicine, Università degli Studi di Camerino, 62032 Camerino, Italy.
| | - Claudio Ortenzi
- Laboratory of Protistology and Biology Education, Department of Education, Cultural Heritage, and Tourism (ECHT), Università degli Studi di Macerata, 62100 Macerata, Italy.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Cavaleiro J, Fernandes NM, da Silva-Neto ID, Soares CAG. Resting Cysts of the Pigmented Ciliate Blepharisma sinuosum Sawaya, 1940 (Ciliophora: Heterotrichea). J Eukaryot Microbiol 2017; 65:422-426. [PMID: 29106769 DOI: 10.1111/jeu.12483] [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: 08/09/2017] [Revised: 10/08/2017] [Accepted: 10/26/2017] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
The morphology of Blepharisma sinuosum resting cysts and the dynamics of pigmentation at different stages of encystment are presented for the first time. Cyst morphometrics are similar to other Blepharisma species, with three-wall layers, bacteria surrounding the ectocyst, a conical plug, and wrinkly surface toward the plug in mature stages. The vegetative moniliform macronucleus changes to a horseshoe shape, and at early stages, the cystic cytoplasm is homogeneously pigmented, comprising a contractile vacuole; later, pigments polarize toward the plug, decorate the cortical layer, and become brownish. This work reinforces the potential role of pigment dynamics on cyst biology.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jéssica Cavaleiro
- Departamento de Genética, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro- UFRJ, Av. Carlos Chagas Filho 373 - CCS, Lab. A2-120, Rio de Janeiro, 21.941-617, Brazil
| | - Noemi Mendes Fernandes
- Departamento de Zoologia, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro - UFRJ, Av. Carlos Chagas Filho 373 - CCS, Lab. A0-74, Rio de Janeiro, 21.941-617, Brazil
| | - Inácio D da Silva-Neto
- Departamento de Zoologia, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro - UFRJ, Av. Carlos Chagas Filho 373 - CCS, Lab. A0-74, Rio de Janeiro, 21.941-617, Brazil
| | - Carlos Augusto Gomes Soares
- Departamento de Genética, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro- UFRJ, Av. Carlos Chagas Filho 373 - CCS, Lab. A2-120, Rio de Janeiro, 21.941-617, Brazil
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Buonanno F, Anesi A, Guella G, Ortenzi C. Blepharismins used for chemical defense in two ciliate species of the genus Blepharisma, B. stoltei and B. undulans (Ciliophora: Heterotrichida). THE EUROPEAN ZOOLOGICAL JOURNAL 2017. [DOI: 10.1080/24750263.2017.1353145] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- F. Buonanno
- Laboratory of Protistology and Biology Education, Department of ECHT, University of Macerata , Italy
| | - A. Anesi
- Bioorganic Chemistry Laboratory, Department of Physics, University of Trento , Italy
| | - G. Guella
- Bioorganic Chemistry Laboratory, Department of Physics, University of Trento , Italy
- Biophysical Institute, CNR , Italy
| | - C. Ortenzi
- Laboratory of Protistology and Biology Education, Department of ECHT, University of Macerata , Italy
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Catalani E, Proietti Serafini F, Zecchini S, Picchietti S, Fausto AM, Marcantoni E, Buonanno F, Ortenzi C, Perrotta C, Cervia D. Natural products from aquatic eukaryotic microorganisms for cancer therapy: Perspectives on anti-tumour properties of ciliate bioactive molecules. Pharmacol Res 2016; 113:409-420. [PMID: 27650755 DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2016.09.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2016] [Revised: 09/12/2016] [Accepted: 09/16/2016] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Several modern drugs, including those for cancer therapy, have been isolated from natural sources, are based on natural products and its derivatives, or mime natural products. Some of them are in clinical use, others in clinical trials. The success of natural products in drug discovery is related to their biochemical characteristics and to the technologic methods used to study their feature. Natural compounds may acts as chemo-preventive agents and as factors that increase therapeutic efficacy of existing drugs, thus overcoming cancer cell drug resistance that is the main factor determining the failure in conventional chemotherapy. Water environment, because of its physical and chemical conditions, shows an extraordinary collection of natural biological substances with an extensive structural and functional diversity. The isolation of bioactive molecules has been reported from a great variety of aquatic organisms; however, the therapeutic application of molecules from eukaryotic microorganisms remains inadequately investigated and underexploited on a systematic basis. Herein we describe the biological activities in mammalian cells of selected substances isolated from ciliates, free-living protozoa common almost everywhere there is water, focusing on their anti-tumour actions and their possible therapeutic activity. In particular, we unveil the cellular and molecular machine mediating the effects of cell type-specific signalling protein pheromone Er-1 and secondary metabolites, i.e. euplotin C and climacostol, in cancer cells. To support the feasibility of climacostol-based approaches, we also present novel findings and report additional mechanisms of action using both in vitro and in vivo models of mouse melanomas, with the scope of highlighting new frontiers that can be explored also in a therapeutic perspective. The high skeletal chemical difference of ciliate compounds, their sustainability and availability, also through the use of new organic synthesis/modifications processes, and the results obtained so far in biological studies provide a rationale to consider some of them a potential resource for the design of new anti-cancer drugs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Elisabetta Catalani
- Department for Innovation in Biological, Agro-food and Forest systems (DIBAF), Università degli Studi della Tuscia, Viterbo, Italy
| | - Francesca Proietti Serafini
- Department for Innovation in Biological, Agro-food and Forest systems (DIBAF), Università degli Studi della Tuscia, Viterbo, Italy
| | - Silvia Zecchini
- Unit of Clinical Pharmacology, University Hospital "Luigi Sacco"-ASST Fatebenefratelli Sacco, Milano, Italy
| | - Simona Picchietti
- Department for Innovation in Biological, Agro-food and Forest systems (DIBAF), Università degli Studi della Tuscia, Viterbo, Italy
| | - Anna Maria Fausto
- Department for Innovation in Biological, Agro-food and Forest systems (DIBAF), Università degli Studi della Tuscia, Viterbo, Italy
| | - Enrico Marcantoni
- School of Sciences and Technologies, Section of Chemistry, Università degli Studi di Camerino, Italy
| | - Federico Buonanno
- Laboratory of Protistology and Biology Education, Department of Education, Cultural Heritage and Tourism, Università degli Studi di Macerata, Italy
| | - Claudio Ortenzi
- Laboratory of Protistology and Biology Education, Department of Education, Cultural Heritage and Tourism, Università degli Studi di Macerata, Italy
| | - Cristiana Perrotta
- Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences "Luigi Sacco" (DIBIC), Università degli Studi di Milano, Italy.
| | - Davide Cervia
- Department for Innovation in Biological, Agro-food and Forest systems (DIBAF), Università degli Studi della Tuscia, Viterbo, Italy; Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences "Luigi Sacco" (DIBIC), Università degli Studi di Milano, Italy.
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Höfle G, Reinecke S, Laude U, Spitzner D. Amethystin, the coloring principle of Stentor amethystinus. JOURNAL OF NATURAL PRODUCTS 2014; 77:1383-1389. [PMID: 24882688 DOI: 10.1021/np5001363] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
Among the ciliates, Stentor amethystinus stands out for its conspicuous red-violet color compared to its blue- and red-colored relatives Stentor coeruleus and Blepharisma japonicum. Rich blooms in German lakes allowed us to collect sufficient organisms to isolate the pigments and elucidate the structure of the main component amethystin (4) by spectroscopic methods as a carboxy derivative of blepharismin. Depending on conditions, the carboxy group appears as an orthoester or as a mixture of the orthoester and small amounts of a hydroxylactone. Derivatives of both isomeric forms were obtained by acetylation and methylation supporting the proposed structures. On reaction of amethystin with base in the presence of oxygen, oxyamethystin and, under vigorous conditions, p-hydroxybenzoic acid were formed. In addition to 4, two homologues, an isomer of amethystin, and stentorin F (1b) were identified in the primary extract. Further, a biosynthetic scheme is proposed linking stentorin, blepharismin, and amethystin type compounds to the hypothetical protostentorin as a common intermediate.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Gerhard Höfle
- Helmholtz Center for Infection Research (HZI) , Inhoffenstrasse 7, 38124 Braunschweig, Germany
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
8
|
Buonanno F, Anesi A, Guella G, Kumar S, Bharti D, La Terza A, Quassinti L, Bramucci M, Ortenzi C. Chemical Offense by Means of Toxicysts in the Freshwater Ciliate, Coleps hirtus. J Eukaryot Microbiol 2014; 61:293-304. [DOI: 10.1111/jeu.12106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2013] [Revised: 01/02/2014] [Accepted: 01/02/2014] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Federico Buonanno
- Laboratory of Protistology and Biology Education; University of Macerata; P.le Bertelli 1 62100 Macerata Italy
| | - Andrea Anesi
- Department of Physics; Bioorganic Chemistry Laboratory; University of Trento; 38123 Povo Trento Italy
| | - Graziano Guella
- Department of Physics; Bioorganic Chemistry Laboratory; University of Trento; 38123 Povo Trento Italy
| | - Santosh Kumar
- School of Environmental Sciences; Section of Animal and Molecular Ecology; University of Camerino; Via Gentile III da Varano 62032 Camerino (MC) Italy
- Ciliate Biology Laboratory; Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Khalsa College; University of Delhi; Delhi 110007 India
| | - Daizy Bharti
- School of Environmental Sciences; Section of Animal and Molecular Ecology; University of Camerino; Via Gentile III da Varano 62032 Camerino (MC) Italy
- Ciliate Biology Laboratory; Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Khalsa College; University of Delhi; Delhi 110007 India
| | - Antonietta La Terza
- School of Environmental Sciences; Section of Animal and Molecular Ecology; University of Camerino; Via Gentile III da Varano 62032 Camerino (MC) Italy
| | - Luana Quassinti
- Section of Physiology; School of Pharmacy; University of Camerino; Via Gentile III da Varano 62032 Camerino (MC) Italy
| | - Massimo Bramucci
- Section of Physiology; School of Pharmacy; University of Camerino; Via Gentile III da Varano 62032 Camerino (MC) Italy
| | - Claudio Ortenzi
- Laboratory of Protistology and Biology Education; University of Macerata; P.le Bertelli 1 62100 Macerata Italy
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
|
10
|
Yoshioka K, Tominaga S, Uruma Y, Usuki Y, Iio H. Starter units of the biosynthesis of blepharismins: self-defense pigments of Blepharisma japonicum. Tetrahedron 2008. [DOI: 10.1016/j.tet.2008.02.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
|
11
|
Youssef T, Brazard J, Ley C, Lacombat F, Plaza P, Martin MM, Sgarbossa A, Checcucci G, Lenci F. Steady-state and femtosecond photoinduced processes of blepharismins bound to alpha-crystallin. Photochem Photobiol Sci 2008; 7:844-53. [DOI: 10.1039/b800848e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
|
12
|
Savoia D, Avanzini C, Allice T, Callone E, Guella G, Dini F. Antimicrobial activity of euplotin C, the sesquiterpene taxonomic marker from the marine ciliate Euplotes crassus. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2004; 48:3828-33. [PMID: 15388442 PMCID: PMC521918 DOI: 10.1128/aac.48.10.3828-3833.2004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Strains of the marine ciliate protist Euplotes crassus produce exclusive terpenoids called euplotins that play an ecological role. Among these derivatives, euplotin C is the main of four secondary metabolites isolated from cultures of this protozoon and represents the sesquiterpene taxonomic marker from E. crassus. Because different terpenoid metabolites of plant origin showed a certain antimicrobial activity, we assessed the compound euplotin C, purified by high-pressure liquid chromatography and solubilized in two solubility enhancers, against the protozoa Leishmania major and Leishmani infantum, the fungus Candida albicans, and nine strains of gram-positive and gram-negative microorganisms. An activity of euplotin C against Leishmania promastigotes was demonstrated (50% lethal doses were 4.6 or 8.1 microg/ml depending on the agent used to solubilize the compound), while the effect was less evident on Candida and nearly absent on bacteria. A nonsignificant cytotoxicity (50% lethal dose, >200 microg/ml) against the J774 cell line was observed. A leishmanicidal activity was also shown by the living, euplotin-producing cells of E. crassus cultured together with promastigotes; this activity increased with time from 10 min to 6 h of incubation. This study provides an initial rationale for the evaluation of euplotin C and other similar natural products as alternative or possibly synergistic compounds for current antiprotozoon chemotherapeutics.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dianella Savoia
- University of Turin, Department of Clinical and Biological Sciences, S. Luigi Gonzaga Hospital, Orbassano (TO) 10043, Italy.
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
13
|
Terazima MN, Harumoto T. Defense Function of Pigment Granules in the Ciliate Blepharisma japonicum against Two Predatory Protists,Amoeba proteus (Rhizopodea) and Climacostomum virens (Ciliata). Zoolog Sci 2004; 21:823-8. [PMID: 15333994 DOI: 10.2108/zsj.21.823] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
The defense function of pigment granules in the red ciliate Blepharisma japonicum against two predatory protists, Amoeba proteus and Climacostomum virens, was investigated by (1) comparing normally-pigmented and albino mutant cells of B. japonicum as the prey of these predators and (2) comparing resistance of the predators to blepharismin, the toxic pigment contained in the pigment granules of B. japonicum. Normally pigmented cells which contained more blepharismin than albino cells were less vulnerable to A. proteus than albino cells, but not to C. virens. C. virens was more resistant than A. proteus to the lethal effect of blepharismin. The results indicate that pigment granules of B. japonicum function as defense organelles against A. proteus but not against C. virens and suggest that successful defense against a predator depends on the susceptibility of the predator to blepharismin.
Collapse
|
14
|
Takada Y, Uda K, Kawamura K, Matsuoka T. Molecular cloning and characterization of a novel glutathione S-transferase gene induced by light stimulation in the protozoan Blepharisma japonicum. FEMS Microbiol Lett 2004; 231:185-9. [PMID: 14987763 DOI: 10.1016/s0378-1097(03)00927-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2003] [Revised: 12/04/2003] [Accepted: 12/05/2003] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
A cDNA clone that is inducible by light stimulation was cloned by a differential screening method from a cDNA library of the protozoan Blepharisma japonicum, and the light-dependent expression was checked by semi-quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction analysis. Sequence analysis showed that the cDNA encodes a glutathione S-transferase (GST) that has not been characterized in the protozoa. Multiple alignment of B. japonicum GST (BjGST1), known protozoan, and mammalian alpha-, micro-, pi-, sigma-, theta-, zeta-, kappa-, and omega-class GSTs suggested that the BjGST1 may be a novel class GST. Furthermore, highly conserved amino acid residues among the GSTs and the substrate specificity of recombinant BjGST1 showed that BjGST1 is related to alpha-, micro-, pi-, and sigma-class GSTs rather than the other class of GSTs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yuichi Takada
- Department of Natural Environmental Science, Faculty of Science, Kochi University, Kochi 780-8520, Japan.
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
15
|
Terazima MN, Iio H, Harumoto T. Toxic and Phototoxic Properties of the Protozoan Pigments Blepharismin and Oxyblepharismin. Photochem Photobiol 1999. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1751-1097.1999.tb05305.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
|
16
|
Harumoto T, Miyake A, Ishikawa N, Sugibayashi R, Zenfuku K, lio H. Chemical defense by means of pigmented extrusomes in the ciliate Blepharisma japonicum. Eur J Protistol 1998. [DOI: 10.1016/s0932-4739(98)80014-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/16/2022]
|
17
|
|