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MGL1 Receptor Plays a Key Role in the Control of T. cruzi Infection by Increasing Macrophage Activation through Modulation of ERK1/2, c-Jun, NF-κB and NLRP3 Pathways. Cells 2020; 9:cells9010108. [PMID: 31906385 PMCID: PMC7017267 DOI: 10.3390/cells9010108] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2019] [Revised: 12/18/2019] [Accepted: 12/19/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Macrophage galactose-C type lectin (MGL)1 receptor is involved in the recognition of Trypanosoma cruzi (T. cruzi) parasites and is important for the modulation of the innate and adaptive immune responses. However, the mechanism by which MGL1 promotes resistance to T. cruzi remains unclear. Here, we show that MGL1 knockout macrophages (MGL1-/- Mφ) infected in vitro with T. cruzi were heavily parasitized and showed decreased levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS), nitric oxide (NO), IL-12 and TNF-α compared to wild-type macrophages (WT Mφ). MGL1-/- Mφ stimulated in vitro with T. cruzi antigen (TcAg) showed low expression of TLR-2, TLR-4 and MHC-II, which resulted in deficient splenic cell activation compared with similar co-cultured WT Mφ. Importantly, the activation of p-ERK1/2, p-c-Jun and p-NF-κB p65 were significantly reduced in MGL1-/- Mφ exposed to TcAg. Similarly, procaspase 1, caspase 1 and NLRP3 inflammasome also displayed a reduced expression that was associated with low IL-β production. Our data reveal a previously unappreciated role for MGL1 in Mφ activation through the modulation of ERK1/2, c-Jun, NF-κB and NLRP3 signaling pathways, and to the development of protective innate immunity against experimental T. cruzi infection.
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Morotti ALM, Martins-Teixeira MB, Carvalho I. Protozoan Parasites Glycosylphosphatidylinositol Anchors: Structures, Functions and Trends for Drug Discovery. Curr Med Chem 2019; 26:4301-4322. [PMID: 28748758 DOI: 10.2174/0929867324666170727110801] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2017] [Revised: 07/12/2017] [Accepted: 07/12/2017] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI) anchors are molecules located on cell membranes of all eukaryotic organisms. Proteins, enzymes, and other macromolecules which are anchored by GPIs are essential elements for interaction between cells, and are widely used by protozoan parasites when compared to higher eukaryotes. METHODS More than one hundred references were collected to obtain broad information about mammalian and protozoan parasites' GPI structures, biosynthetic pathways, functions and attempts to use these molecules as drug targets against parasitic diseases. Differences between GPI among species were compared and highlighted. Strategies for drug discovery and development against protozoan GPI anchors were discussed based on what has been reported on literature. RESULTS There are many evidences that GPI anchors are crucial for parasite's survival and interaction with hosts' cells. Despite all GPI anchors contain a conserved glycan core, they present variations regarding structural features and biosynthetic pathways between organisms, which could offer adequate selectivity to validate GPI anchors as drug targets. Discussion was developed with focus on the following parasites: Trypanosoma brucei, Trypanosoma cruzi, Leishmania, Plasmodium falciparum and Toxoplasma gondii, causative agents of tropical neglected diseases. CONCLUSION This review debates the main variances between parasitic and mammalian GPI anchor biosynthesis and structures, as well as clues for strategic development for new anti-parasitic therapies based on GPI anchors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Luísa Malaco Morotti
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Ribeirao Preto - University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | | | - Ivone Carvalho
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Ribeirao Preto - University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil
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Castillo-Acosta VM, Balzarini J, González-Pacanowska D. Surface Glycans: A Therapeutic Opportunity for Kinetoplastid Diseases. Trends Parasitol 2017; 33:775-787. [PMID: 28760415 DOI: 10.1016/j.pt.2017.06.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2017] [Revised: 05/29/2017] [Accepted: 06/22/2017] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Trypanosomal diseases are in need of innovative therapies that exploit novel mechanisms of action. The cell surface of trypanosomatid parasites is characterized by a dense coat of glycoconjugates with important functions in host cell recognition, immune evasion, infectivity, and cell function. The nature of parasite surface glycans is highly dynamic and changes during differentiation and in response to different stimuli through the action of glycosyltransferases and glycosidases. Here we propose a new approach to antiparasitic drug discovery that involves the use of carbohydrate-binding agents that bind specifically to cell-surface glycans, giving rise to cytotoxic events and parasite death. The potential and limitations of this strategy are addressed with a specific focus on the treatment of sleeping sickness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Víctor M Castillo-Acosta
- Instituto de Parasitología y Biomedicina 'López-Neyra', Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Parque Tecnológico de Ciencias de la Salud, Avenida del Conocimiento, s/n 18016-Armilla (Granada), Spain
| | - Jan Balzarini
- Rega Institute for Medical Research, KU Leuven, Herestraat 49, B-3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Dolores González-Pacanowska
- Instituto de Parasitología y Biomedicina 'López-Neyra', Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Parque Tecnológico de Ciencias de la Salud, Avenida del Conocimiento, s/n 18016-Armilla (Granada), Spain.
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Chuenkova MV, Pereiraperrin M. Neurodegeneration and neuroregeneration in Chagas disease. ADVANCES IN PARASITOLOGY 2011; 76:195-233. [PMID: 21884893 DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-12-385895-5.00009-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Autonomic dysfunction plays a significant role in the development of chronic Chagas disease (CD). Destruction of cardiac parasympathetic ganglia can underlie arrhythmia and heart failure, while lesions of enteric neurons in the intestinal plexuses are a direct cause of aperistalsis and megasyndromes. Neuropathology is generated by acute infection when the parasite, though not directly damaging to neuronal cells, elicits immune reactions that can become cytotoxic, inducing oxidative stress and neurodegeneration. Anti-neuronal autoimmunity may further contribute to neuropathology. Much less clear is the mechanism of subsequent neuronal regeneration in patients that survive acute infection. Morphological and functional recovery of the peripheral neurons in these patients correlates with the absence of CD clinical symptoms, while persistent neuronal deficiency is observed for the symptomatic group. The discovery that Trypanosoma cruzi trans-sialidase can moonlight as a parasite-derived neurotrophic factor (PDNF) suggests that the parasite might influence the balance between neuronal degeneration and regeneration. PDNF functionally mimics mammalian neurotrophic factors in that it binds and activates neurotrophin Trk tyrosine kinase receptors, a mechanism which prevents neurodegeneration. PDNF binding to Trk receptors triggers PI3K/Akt/GSK-3β and MAPK/Erk/CREB signalling cascades which in neurons translates into resistance to oxidative and nutritional stress, and inhibition of apoptosis, whereas in the cytoplasm of infected cells, PDNF represents a substrate-activator of the host Akt kinase, enhancing host-cell survival until completion of the intracellular cycle of the parasite. Such dual activity of PDNF provides sustained activation of survival mechanisms which, while prolonging parasite persistence in host tissues, can underlie distinct outcomes of CD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marina V Chuenkova
- Department of Pathology and Sackler School of Graduate Students, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
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Affiliation(s)
- Rosa M de Lederkremer
- Departamento de Quimica Organica, Universidad de Buenos Aires, 1428 Buenos Aires, Argentina
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Alves MJM, Mortara RA. A century of research: what have we learned about the interaction of Trypanosoma cruzi with host cells? Mem Inst Oswaldo Cruz 2009; 104 Suppl 1:76-88. [DOI: 10.1590/s0074-02762009000900013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2009] [Accepted: 05/29/2009] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
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Villalta F, Scharfstein J, Ashton AW, Tyler KM, Guan F, Mukherjee S, Lima MF, Alvarez S, Weiss LM, Huang H, Machado FS, Tanowitz HB. Perspectives on the Trypanosoma cruzi-host cell receptor interactions. Parasitol Res 2009; 104:1251-60. [PMID: 19283409 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-009-1383-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2008] [Accepted: 02/25/2009] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Chagas disease is caused by the parasite Trypanosoma cruzi. The critical initial event is the interaction of the trypomastigote form of the parasite with host receptors. This review highlights recent observations concerning these interactions. Some of the key receptors considered are those for thromboxane, bradykinin, and for the nerve growth factor TrKA. Other important receptors such as galectin-3, thrombospondin, and laminin are also discussed. Investigation into the molecular biology and cell biology of host receptors for T. cruzi may provide novel therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fernando Villalta
- Department of Microbial Pathogenesis and Immune Response, Meharry Medical College, Nashville, TN, USA.
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Claser C, Curcio M, de Mello SM, Silveira EV, Monteiro HP, Rodrigues MM. Silencing cytokeratin 18 gene inhibits intracellular replication of Trypanosoma cruzi in HeLa cells but not binding and invasion of trypanosomes. BMC Cell Biol 2008; 9:68. [PMID: 19087356 PMCID: PMC2636781 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2121-9-68] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2008] [Accepted: 12/17/2008] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Background As an obligatory intracellular parasite, Trypanosoma cruzi, the etiological agent of Chagas' disease, must invade and multiply within mammalian cells. Cytokeratin 18 (CK18) is among the host molecules that have been suggested as a mediator of important events during T. cruzi-host cell interaction. Based on that possibility, we addressed whether RNA interference (RNAi)-mediated down regulation of the CK18 gene could interfere with the parasite life cycle in vitro. HeLa cells transiently transfected with CK18-RNAi had negligible levels of CK18 transcripts, and significantly reduced levels of CK18 protein expression as determined by immunoblotting or immunofluorescence. Results CK18 negative or positive HeLa cells were invaded equally as well by trypomastigotes of different T. cruzi strains. Also, in CK18 negative or positive cells, parasites recruited host cells lysosomes and escaped from the parasitophorous vacuole equally as well. After that, the growth of amastigotes of the Y or CL-Brener strains, was drastically arrested in CK18 RNAi-treated cells. After 48 hours, the number of amastigotes was several times lower in CK18 RNAi-treated cells when compared to control cells. Simultaneous staining of parasites and CK18 showed that in HeLa cells infected with the Y strain both co-localize. Although the amastigote surface protein-2 contains the domain VTVXNVFLYNR previously described to bind to CK18, in several attempts, we failed to detect binding of a recombinant protein to CK-18. Conclusion The study demonstrates that silencing CK18 by transient RNAi, inhibits intracellular multiplication of the Y and CL strain of T. cruzi in HeLa cells, but not trypanosome binding and invasion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carla Claser
- Centro Interdisciplinar de Terapia Gênica (CINTERGEN), Universidade Federal de São Paulo-Escola Paulista de Medicina, Rua Mirassol, 207, São Paulo-SP 04044-010, Brazil.
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Zacks MA, Garg N. Recent developments in the molecular, biochemical and functional characterization of GPI8 and the GPI-anchoring mechanism [review]. Mol Membr Biol 2006; 23:209-25. [PMID: 16785205 DOI: 10.1080/09687860600601494] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
Glycoconjugates are utilized by eukaryotic organisms ranging from yeast to humans for the cell surface expression of a wide variety of proteins and lipids. These glycoconjugates are expressed as enzymes or receptors and serve a diversity of functions, including cell signaling and cell survival. In parasitic protozoans, glycoconjugates play roles in infectivity, survival, virulence and immune evasion. Among the alternate glycoconjugate structures that have been identified, glycosylphosphatidylinositols (GPIs) represent a universal structure for the anchorage of proteins, lipids, and phosphosaccharides to cellular membranes. Biosynthesis of the GPI is a multi-step process that culminates in the attachment of the assembled GPI to a precursor protein. This final step in the transfer of the GPI to a protein is catalyzed by GPI8 of the putative transamidase complex (TAM). GPI8 functions dually to perform the proteolytic cleavage of the C-terminal signal sequence of the precursor protein, followed by the formation of an amide bond between the protein and the ethanolamine phosphate of the GPI. This review summarizes the current aggregate of biochemical, gene-disruption and active site mutagenesis studies, which provide evidence that GPI8 is responsible for the protein-GPI anchoring reaction. We describe recently published studies that have identified other potential components of the TAM complex and that have elucidated their likely role in protein-GPI attachment. Further, we discuss the biochemical, molecular and functional differences between protozoan and mammalian GPI8 and the protein-GPI anchoring machinery. Finally, we will present the implications of these studies for the development of anti-parasite drug therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michele A Zacks
- Department of Pathology, Center for Biodefense and Emerging Infectious Diseases, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas 77555-1070, USA
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Andreoli WK, Taniwaki NN, Mortara RA. Survival of Trypanosoma cruzi metacyclic trypomastigotes within Coxiella burnetii vacuoles: differentiation and replication within an acidic milieu. Microbes Infect 2006; 8:172-82. [PMID: 16182585 DOI: 10.1016/j.micinf.2005.06.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2005] [Revised: 05/31/2005] [Accepted: 06/10/2005] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Coxiella burnetii, the etiological agent of Q fever, is an obligate intracellular bacterium that resides within acidified vacuoles with secondary lysosomal characteristics. Infective stages of Trypanosoma cruzi, the causative agent of Chagas' disease, actively invade a wide variety of cells, a process followed by lysosomal recruitment. Recently, we have investigated and characterized early events that occur in Vero cells persistently colonized with C. burnetii when doubly infected with T. cruzi trypomastigote forms. Kinetic studies of trypomastigote transfer indicated that parasitophorous vacuoles (PV) of metacyclic trypomastigotes are rapidly and efficiently fused to C. burnetii vacuoles. Based on these observations we have investigated the behavior of metacyclic trypomastigotes within C. burnetii vacuoles beyond 12 h of co-infection inside Vero cells. Using indirect immunofluorescence with MAb against different developmental stages, it was possible to follow the T. cruzi differentiation process within C. burnetii vacuoles after up to 96 h post-invasion. We observed that metacyclic trypomastigotes began to differentiate after 12 h of infection, and 24 h later amastigotes were the prevailing forms within C. burnetii vacuoles. T. cruzi amastigote replication within C. burnetii vacuoles was confirmed using video and time-lapse confocal microscopy and around 36 h of co-infection, cytokinesis took about 70 min to occur. After 72 h, we observed that amastigote forms seemed to escape from C. burnetii vacuoles. Labeling of amastigotes within C. burnetii vacuoles using a polyclonal antibody to C9 complement protein suggested that TcTOX (T. cruzi hemolysin) could play a role in parasite escape from C. burnetii. We concluded that T. cruzi has an outstanding adaptation capability and can survive within a hostile milieu such as C. burnetii vacuoles.
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Affiliation(s)
- W K Andreoli
- Disciplina de Parasitologia, Escola Paulista de Medicina, UNIFESP, Rua Botucatu 862, 6 andar, CEP-04023 062-São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
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Wichroski MJ, Ward GE. Biosynthesis of glycosylphosphatidylinositol is essential to the survival of the protozoan parasite Toxoplasma gondii. EUKARYOTIC CELL 2004; 2:1132-6. [PMID: 14555496 PMCID: PMC219362 DOI: 10.1128/ec.2.5.1132-1136.2003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
The PIGA gene from Toxoplasma gondii has been cloned and characterized. Like mammalian PIGA, the transmembrane and C-terminal domains are sufficient to direct localization to the parasite endoplasmic reticulum. A functional copy of PIGA is required for tachyzoite viability, demonstrating that glycosylphosphatidylinositol biosynthesis is an essential process in T. gondii.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael J Wichroski
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of Vermont, Burlington, Vermont 05405, USA
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Salto ML, Bertello LE, Vieira M, Docampo R, Moreno SNJ, de Lederkremer RM. Formation and remodeling of inositolphosphoceramide during differentiation of Trypanosoma cruzi from trypomastigote to amastigote. EUKARYOTIC CELL 2003; 2:756-68. [PMID: 12912895 PMCID: PMC178363 DOI: 10.1128/ec.2.4.756-768.2003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Differentiation of Trypanosoma cruzi trypomastigotes to amastigotes inside myoblasts or in vitro, at low extracellular pH, in the presence of [(3)H]palmitic acid or [(3)H]inositol revealed differential labeling of inositolphosphoceramide and phosphatidylinositol, suggesting that a remodeling process takes place in both lipids. Using (3)H-labeled inositolphosphoceramide and phosphatidylinositol as substrates, we demonstrated the association of at least five enzymatic activities with the membranes of amastigotes and trypomastigotes. These included phospholipase A(1), phospholipase A(2), inositolphosphoceramide-fatty acid hydrolase, acyltransferase, and a phospholipase C releasing either ceramide or a glycerolipid from the inositolphospholipids. These enzymes may be acting in remodeling reactions leading to the anchor of mature glycoproteins or glycoinositolphospholipids and helping in the transformation of the plasma membrane, a necessary step in the differentiation of slender trypomastigotes to round amastigotes. Synthesis of inositolphosphoceramide and particularly of glycoinositolphospholipids was inhibited by aureobasidin A, a known inhibitor of fungal inositolphosphoceramide synthases. The antibiotic impaired the differentiation of trypomastigotes at acidic pH, as indicated by an increased appearance of intermediate forms and a decreased expression of the Ssp4 glycoprotein, a characteristic marker of amastigote forms. Aureobasidin A was also toxic to differentiating trypomastigotes at acidic pH but not to trypomastigotes maintained at neutral pH. Our data suggest that inositolphosphoceramide is implicated in T. cruzi differentiation and that its metabolism could provide important targets for the development of antiparasitic therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Laura Salto
- Laboratory of Molecular Parasitology, Department of Pathobiology and Center for Zoonoses Research, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 61802, USA
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Stanton JD, Rashid MB, Mensa-Wilmot K. Cysteine-less glycosylphosphatidylinositol-specific phospholipase C is inhibited competitively by a thiol reagent: evidence for glyco-mimicry by p-chloromercuriphenylsulphonate. Biochem J 2002; 366:281-8. [PMID: 12010122 PMCID: PMC1222759 DOI: 10.1042/bj20020367] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2002] [Revised: 05/10/2002] [Accepted: 05/15/2002] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI)-specific phospholipases are highly valuable for studying the structure and function of GPIs. GPI-specific phospholipase C (GPI-PLC) from Trypanosoma brucei and phosphatidylinositol-specific phospholipase C (PI-PLC) from Bacillus cereus are the most widely studied of this class of phospholipases C. Inhibition of protein activity by thiol reagents is indicative of the participation of cysteine residues in biochemical events. The thiol reagent p-chloromercuriphenylsulphonate (pCMPS) inhibits T. brucei GPI-PLC, which has eight cysteine residues. Surprisingly, we found that the activity of B. cereus PI-PLC is also blocked by pCMPS, although the protein does not contain cysteine residues. Inhibition of B. cereus PI-PLC was reversed when pCMPS was size-separated from a preformed pCMPS.PI-PLC complex. In contrast, no activity was recovered when T. brucei GPI-PLC was subjected to a similar protocol. Equimolar beta-mercaptoethanol (beta-ME) reversed the inhibition of PI-PLC activity in a pCMPS.PI-PLC complex. For T. brucei GPI-PLC, however, ultrafiltration of the pCMPS.GI-PLC complex and addition of a large excess of beta-ME was necessary for partial recovery of enzyme activity. Thus T. brucei GPI-PLC is susceptible to inactivation by covalent modification with pCMPS, whereas PI-PLC is not. Kinetic analysis indicated that pCMPS was a competitive inhibitor of PI-PLC when a GPI was a substrate. Curiously, with phosphatidylinositol as substrate, inhibition was no longer competitive. These data suggest that pCMPS is a glyco-mimetic that occupies the glycan binding site of PI-PLC, from where, depending on the substrate, it inhibits catalysis allosterically or competitively.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julie D Stanton
- Department of Cellular Biology, The University of Georgia, 724 Biological Sciences, Athens, GA 30602, U.S.A
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McConville MJ, Mullin KA, Ilgoutz SC, Teasdale RD. Secretory pathway of trypanosomatid parasites. Microbiol Mol Biol Rev 2002; 66:122-54; table of contents. [PMID: 11875130 PMCID: PMC120783 DOI: 10.1128/mmbr.66.1.122-154.2002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 175] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The Trypanosomatidae comprise a large group of parasitic protozoa, some of which cause important diseases in humans. These include Trypanosoma brucei (the causative agent of African sleeping sickness and nagana in cattle), Trypanosoma cruzi (the causative agent of Chagas' disease in Central and South America), and Leishmania spp. (the causative agent of visceral and [muco]cutaneous leishmaniasis throughout the tropics and subtropics). The cell surfaces of these parasites are covered in complex protein- or carbohydrate-rich coats that are required for parasite survival and infectivity in their respective insect vectors and mammalian hosts. These molecules are assembled in the secretory pathway. Recent advances in the genetic manipulation of these parasites as well as progress with the parasite genome projects has greatly advanced our understanding of processes that underlie secretory transport in trypanosomatids. This article provides an overview of the organization of the trypanosomatid secretory pathway and connections that exist with endocytic organelles and multiple lytic and storage vacuoles. A number of the molecular components that are required for vesicular transport have been identified, as have some of the sorting signals that direct proteins to the cell surface or organelles in the endosome-vacuole system. Finally, the subcellular organization of the major glycosylation pathways in these parasites is reviewed. Studies on these highly divergent eukaryotes provide important insights into the molecular processes underlying secretory transport that arose very early in eukaryotic evolution. They also reveal unusual or novel aspects of secretory transport and protein glycosylation that may be exploited in developing new antiparasite drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Malcolm J McConville
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia.
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15
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Almeida IC, Gazzinelli RT. Proinflammatory activity of glycosylphosphatidylinositol anchors derived from
Trypanosoma cruzi
: structural and functional analyses. J Leukoc Biol 2001. [DOI: 10.1189/jlb.70.4.467] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Igor C. Almeida
- Department of Parasitology, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil; and
| | - Ricardo T. Gazzinelli
- Department of Biochemistry and Immunology, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
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Smith TK, Crossman A, Borissow CN, Paterson MJ, Dix A, Brimacombe JS, Ferguson MA. Specificity of GlcNAc-PI de-N-acetylase of GPI biosynthesis and synthesis of parasite-specific suicide substrate inhibitors. EMBO J 2001; 20:3322-32. [PMID: 11432820 PMCID: PMC125529 DOI: 10.1093/emboj/20.13.3322] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The substrate specificities of Trypanosoma brucei and human (HeLa) GlcNAc-PI de-N-acetylases were determined using 24 substrate analogues. The results show the following. (i) The de-N-acetylases show little specificity for the lipid moiety of GlcNAc-PI. (ii) The 3'-OH group of the GlcNAc residue is essential for substrate recognition whereas the 6'-OH group is dispensable and the 4'-OH, while not required for recognition, cannot be epimerized or substituted. (iii) The parasite enzyme can act on analogues containing betaGlcNAc or aromatic N-acyl groups, whereas the human enzyme cannot. (iv) Three GlcNR-PI analogues are de-N-acetylase inhibitors, one of which is a suicide inhibitor. (v) The suicide inhibitor most likely forms a carbamate or thiocarbamate ester to an active site hydroxy-amino acid or Cys or residue such that inhibition is reversed by certain nucleophiles. These and previous results were used to design two potent (IC50 = 8 nM) parasite-specific suicide substrate inhibitors. These are potential lead compounds for the development of anti-protozoan parasite drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Michael A.J. Ferguson
- Division of Biological Chemistry & Molecular Microbiology, The School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee DD1 5EH, UK
Corresponding author e-mail:
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Kumar S, Tarleton RL. Antigen-specific Th1 but not Th2 cells provide protection from lethal Trypanosoma cruzi infection in mice. JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY (BALTIMORE, MD. : 1950) 2001; 166:4596-603. [PMID: 11254717 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.166.7.4596] [Citation(s) in RCA: 87] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Infection with Trypanosoma cruzi results in the development of both type 1 and type 2 patterns of cytokine responses during acute and chronic stages of infection. To investigate the role of Th1 and Th2 subsets of CD4(+) T cells in determining the outcome of T. cruzi infection in mice, we have developed T. cruzi clones that express OVA and have used OVA-specific TCR-transgenic T cells to generate OVA-specific Th1 and Th2 cells. BALB/c mice receiving 10(7) OVA-specific Th1 cells and then challenged with OVA-expressing T. cruzi G-OVA.GPI showed significantly lower parasitemia and increased survival in comparison to mice that received no cells. In contrast, recipients of OVA-specific Th2 cells developed higher parasitemias, exhibited higher tissue parasitism and inflammation, and had higher mortality than recipients of Th1 cells after infection with T. cruzi G-OVA.GPI. Mice receiving a mixture of both Th1 and Th2 OVA-specific cells also were not protected from lethal challenge. The protective effect of the OVA-specific Th1 cells was OVA dependent as shown by the fact that transfer of OVA-specific Th1 or Th2 cells failed to alter the course of infection or disease in mice challenged with wild-type T. cruzi. Immunohistochemical analysis of OVA-specific Th1 and Th2 cells at 4, 15, and 30 days postinfection revealed the persistence and expansion of these cells in mice challenged with T. cruzi G-OVA.GPI but not in mice infected with wild-type T. cruzi. We conclude that transfer of Ag-specific Th1 cells but not Th2 cells protect mice from a lethal infection with T. cruzi.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Kumar
- Department of Cellular Biology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA
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Mortara RA, Minelli LM, Vandekerckhove F, Nussenzweig V, Ramalho-Pinto FJ. Phosphatidylinositol-specific phospholipase C (PI-PLC) cleavage of GPI-anchored surface molecules of Trypanosoma cruzi triggers in vitro morphological reorganization of trypomastigotes. J Eukaryot Microbiol 2001; 48:27-37. [PMID: 11249190 DOI: 10.1111/j.1550-7408.2001.tb00413.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Trypanosoma cruzi trypomastigotes treated with phosphatidylinositol-specific phospholipase C (PI-PLC) in vitro are rapidly induced to differentiate into round forms. Using confocal microscopy, we were able to show that trypomastigotes treated with PI-PLC initiate the process of flagellum remodeling by 30 sec after contact with the enzyme and amastigote-like forms are detected as early as 10 min after PI-PLC treatment. Scanning and transmission electron microscopy indicate that trypomastigotes undergo a previously undescribed process of flagellum circularization and internalization. Analysis of the flagellar complex with monoclonal antibody 4D9 shows heterogeneous labeling among the parasites, suggesting a remodeling of these molecules. After PI-PLC treatment, parasites rapidly lose the surface marker Ssp-3 and 24 h post-treatment they begin to exhibit a circular nucleus and a rod-shaped kinetoplast. By flow cytometry analysis and confocal microscopy, the Ssp-4 amastigote-specific epitope can be detected on the parasite surface. This indicates that the release of trypomastigote GPI-anchored molecules by exogenous PI-PLC in vitro can trigger morphological changes.
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Affiliation(s)
- R A Mortara
- Departamento de Microbiologia, Imunologia e Parasitologia and Centro de Microscopia Eletr nica, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, SP, Brasil.
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Armah DA, Mensa-Wilmot K. Tetramerization of glycosylphosphatidylinositol-specific phospholipase C from Trypanosoma brucei. J Biol Chem 2000; 275:19334-42. [PMID: 10764777 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m001798200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Glycosylphosphatidylinositol-specific phospholipase C (GPI-PLC) is an integral membrane protein in the protozoan parasite Trypanosoma brucei. Enzyme activity appears to be suppressed in T. brucei, although the polypeptide is readily detectable. The basis for the apparent quiescence of GPI-PLC is not known. Protein oligomerization was investigated as a possible mechanism for post-translational regulation of GPI-PLC activity. An equilibrium between monomers, dimers, and tetramers of purified GPI-PLC was detected by molecular sieving and shown to be perturbed with specific detergents. Homotetramers dominated in Nonidet P-40, and dimers and monomers of GPI-PLC were the major species in 3-[(3-cholamidopropyl)dimethylammonio]-1-propanesulfonate. The detergents were exploited as tools to study the effect of oligomerization on enzyme activity. Tetrameric GPI-PLC was 3. 6-20-fold more active than the monomeric enzyme. Tetramer existence was confirmed by chemical cross-linking. In vivo cross-linking revealed the oligomeric state of GPI-PLC during latency and after enzyme activation. During quiescence, monomers were the predominant species in T. brucei. Assembly of tetrameric GPI-PLC occurred when parasites were subjected to conditions known to activate the enzyme. In Leishmania where heterologous expression of GPI-PLC causes a GPI deficiency, the enzyme existed as a tetramer. Hence, oligomerization of GPI-PLC is associated with high enzyme activity both in vivo and in vitro.
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Affiliation(s)
- D A Armah
- Department of Cellular Biology, the University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia 30602, USA
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Tiede A, Bastisch I, Schubert J, Orlean P, Schmidt RE. Biosynthesis of glycosylphosphatidylinositols in mammals and unicellular microbes. Biol Chem 1999; 380:503-23. [PMID: 10384957 DOI: 10.1515/bc.1999.066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 97] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Membrane anchoring of cell surface proteins via glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI) occurs in all eukaryotic organisms. In addition, GPI-related glycophospholipids are important constituents of the glycan coat of certain protozoa. Defects in GPI biosynthesis can retard, if not abolish growth of these organisms. In humans, a defect in GPI biosynthesis can cause paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH), a severe acquired bone marrow disorder. Here, we review advances in the characterization of GPI biosynthesis in parasitic protozoa, yeast and mammalian cells. The GPI core structure as well as the major steps in its biosynthesis are conserved throughout evolution. However, there are significant biosynthetic differences between mammals and microbes. First indications are that these differences could be exploited as targets in the design of novel pharmacotherapeutics that selectively inhibit GPI biosynthesis in unicellular microbes.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Tiede
- Department of Clinical Immunology, Hannover Medical School, Germany
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Abstract
The surfaces of all microbes are 'sugar coated' with molecules such as lipopolysaccharides in Gram-negative bacteria, capsular polysaccharides in bacteria, lipoarabinomannans in mycobacteria and lipophosphoglycan in Leishmania. The basic structures of these glycoconjugates are known and, in the case of pathogens, they can function as virulence determinants. Recent publications have refined some of these structures and have elucidated interesting genes and proteins responsible for their biosynthesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- B J Mengeling
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Kentucky Medical Center, Lexington 40536-0084, USA
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