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Quan JJ, Nikolov LA, Sha J, Wohlschlegel JA, Coppens I, Bradley PJ. Systematic characterization of all Toxoplasma gondii TBC domain-containing proteins identifies an essential regulator of Rab2 in the secretory pathway. PLoS Biol 2024; 22:e3002634. [PMID: 38713739 PMCID: PMC11101121 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pbio.3002634] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2023] [Revised: 05/17/2024] [Accepted: 04/22/2024] [Indexed: 05/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii resides in its intracellular niche by employing a series of specialized secretory organelles that play roles in invasion, host cell manipulation, and parasite replication. Rab GTPases are major regulators of the parasite's secretory traffic that function as nucleotide-dependent molecular switches to control vesicle trafficking. While many of the Rab proteins have been characterized in T. gondii, precisely how these Rabs are regulated remains poorly understood. To better understand the parasite's secretory traffic, we investigated the entire family of Tre2-Bub2-Cdc16 (TBC) domain-containing proteins, which are known to be involved in vesicle fusion and secretory protein trafficking. We first determined the localization of all 18 TBC domain-containing proteins to discrete regions of the secretory pathway or other vesicles in the parasite. Second, we use an auxin-inducible degron approach to demonstrate that the protozoan-specific TgTBC9 protein, which localizes to the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), is essential for parasite survival. Knockdown of TgTBC9 results in parasite growth arrest and affects the organization of the ER and mitochondrial morphology. TgTBC9 knockdown also results in the formation of large lipid droplets (LDs) and multi-membranous structures surrounded by ER membranes, further indicating a disruption of ER functions. We show that the conserved dual-finger active site in the TBC domain of the protein is critical for its GTPase-activating protein (GAP) function and that the Plasmodium falciparum orthologue of TgTBC9 can rescue the lethal knockdown. We additionally show by immunoprecipitation and yeast 2 hybrid analyses that TgTBC9 preferentially binds Rab2, indicating that the TBC9-Rab2 pair controls ER morphology and vesicular trafficking in the parasite. Together, these studies identify the first essential TBC protein described in any protozoan and provide new insight into intracellular vesicle trafficking in T. gondii.
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Affiliation(s)
- Justin J. Quan
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Molecular Genetics, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
| | - Lachezar A. Nikolov
- Department of Biology, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana, United States of America
| | - Jihui Sha
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Institute of Genomics and Proteomics, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
| | - James A. Wohlschlegel
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Institute of Genomics and Proteomics, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
| | - Isabelle Coppens
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Peter J. Bradley
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Molecular Genetics, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
- Molecular Biology Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
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2
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Jennison C, Armstrong JM, Dankwa DA, Hertoghs N, Kumar S, Abatiyow BA, Naung M, Minkah NK, Swearingen KE, Moritz R, Barry AE, Kappe SHI, Vaughan AM. Plasmodium GPI-anchored micronemal antigen is essential for parasite transmission through the mosquito host. Mol Microbiol 2024; 121:394-412. [PMID: 37314965 PMCID: PMC11076100 DOI: 10.1111/mmi.15078] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2022] [Revised: 05/03/2023] [Accepted: 05/08/2023] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Plasmodium parasites, the eukaryotic pathogens that cause malaria, feature three distinct invasive forms tailored to the host environment they must navigate and invade for life cycle progression. One conserved feature of these invasive forms is the micronemes, apically oriented secretory organelles involved in egress, motility, adhesion, and invasion. Here we investigate the role of GPI-anchored micronemal antigen (GAMA), which shows a micronemal localization in all zoite forms of the rodent-infecting species Plasmodium berghei. ∆GAMA parasites are severely defective for invasion of the mosquito midgut. Once formed, oocysts develop normally, however, sporozoites are unable to egress and exhibit defective motility. Epitope-tagging of GAMA revealed tight temporal expression late during sporogony and showed that GAMA is shed during sporozoite gliding motility in a similar manner to circumsporozoite protein. Complementation of P. berghei knockout parasites with full-length P. falciparum GAMA partially restored infectivity to mosquitoes, indicating conservation of function across Plasmodium species. A suite of parasites with GAMA expressed under the promoters of CTRP, CAP380, and TRAP, further confirmed the involvement of GAMA in midgut infection, motility, and vertebrate infection. These data show GAMA's involvement in sporozoite motility, egress, and invasion, implicating GAMA as a regulator of microneme function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charlie Jennison
- Center for Global Infectious Disease Research, Seattle Children's Research Institute, Washington, Seattle, USA
| | - Janna M. Armstrong
- Center for Global Infectious Disease Research, Seattle Children's Research Institute, Washington, Seattle, USA
| | - Dorender A. Dankwa
- Center for Global Infectious Disease Research, Seattle Children's Research Institute, Washington, Seattle, USA
| | - Nina Hertoghs
- Center for Global Infectious Disease Research, Seattle Children's Research Institute, Washington, Seattle, USA
| | - Sudhir Kumar
- Center for Global Infectious Disease Research, Seattle Children's Research Institute, Washington, Seattle, USA
| | - Biley A. Abatiyow
- Center for Global Infectious Disease Research, Seattle Children's Research Institute, Washington, Seattle, USA
| | - Myo Naung
- Population Health and Immunity Division, Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Victoria, Parkville, Australia
- Department of Medical Biology, University of Melbourne, Victoria, Carlton, Australia
- Department of Global Health, University of Washington, Washington, Seattle, USA
| | - Nana K. Minkah
- Center for Global Infectious Disease Research, Seattle Children's Research Institute, Washington, Seattle, USA
| | - Kristian E. Swearingen
- Institute of Mental and Physical Health and Clinical Translation (IMPACT), School of Medicine, Deakin University, Victoria, Geelong, Australia
| | - Robert Moritz
- Institute of Mental and Physical Health and Clinical Translation (IMPACT), School of Medicine, Deakin University, Victoria, Geelong, Australia
| | - Alyssa E. Barry
- Department of Global Health, University of Washington, Washington, Seattle, USA
- Institute for Systems Biology, Washington, Seattle, USA
| | - Stefan H. I. Kappe
- Center for Global Infectious Disease Research, Seattle Children's Research Institute, Washington, Seattle, USA
- Burnet Institute, Victoria, Melbourne, Australia
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Washington, Washington, Seattle, USA
| | - Ashley M. Vaughan
- Center for Global Infectious Disease Research, Seattle Children's Research Institute, Washington, Seattle, USA
- Burnet Institute, Victoria, Melbourne, Australia
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Washington, Washington, Seattle, USA
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3
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Back PS, Senthilkumar V, Choi CP, Ly AM, Snyder AK, Lau JG, Ward GE, Bradley PJ. The Toxoplasma subpellicular network is highly interconnected and defines parasite shape for efficient motility and replication. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.08.10.552545. [PMID: 37609316 PMCID: PMC10441382 DOI: 10.1101/2023.08.10.552545] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/24/2023]
Abstract
Apicomplexan parasites possess several specialized structures to invade their host cells and replicate successfully. One of these is the inner membrane complex (IMC), a peripheral membrane-cytoskeletal system underneath the plasma membrane. It is composed of a series of flattened, membrane-bound vesicles and a cytoskeletal subpellicular network (SPN) comprised of intermediate filament-like proteins called alveolins. While the alveolin proteins are conserved throughout the Apicomplexa and the broader Alveolata, their precise functions and interactions remain poorly understood. Here, we describe the function of one of these alveolin proteins, TgIMC6. Disruption of IMC6 resulted in striking morphological defects that led to aberrant motility, invasion, and replication. Deletion analyses revealed that the alveolin domain alone is largely sufficient to restore localization and partially sufficient for function. As this highlights the importance of the IMC6 alveolin domain, we implemented unnatural amino acid photoreactive crosslinking to the alveolin domain and identified multiple binding interfaces between IMC6 and two other cytoskeletal proteins - IMC3 and ILP1. To our knowledge, this provides the first direct evidence of protein-protein interactions in the alveolin domain and supports the long-held hypothesis that the alveolin domain is responsible for filament formation. Collectively, our study features the conserved alveolin proteins as critical components that maintain the parasite's structural integrity and highlights the alveolin domain as a key mediator of SPN architecture.
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Yu H, Wang Q, Tang J, Dong L, Dai G, Zhang T, Zhang G, Xie K, Wang H, Zhao Z. Comprehensive analysis of gut microbiome and host transcriptome in chickens after Eimeria tenella infection. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2023; 13:1191939. [PMID: 37346030 PMCID: PMC10279956 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2023.1191939] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2023] [Accepted: 05/18/2023] [Indexed: 06/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Coccidiosis is an intestinal parasitic disease caused by Eimeria protozoa, which endangers the health and growth of animals, and causes huge economic losses to the poultry industry worldwide every year. Studies have shown that poultry gut microbiota plays an important role in preventing the colonization of pathogens and maintaining the health of the host. Coccidia infection also affects host gene expression. However, the underlying potential relationship between gut microbiome and host transcriptome during E. tenella infection in chickens remain unclear. Methods In this study, metagenomic and transcriptome sequencing were applied to identify microbiota and genes in cecal contents and cecal tissues of infected (JS) and control (JC) chickens on day 4.5 postinfection (pi), respectively. Results First, microbial sequencing results of cecal contents showed that the abundance of Lactobacillus, Roseburia sp. and Faecalibacterium sp decreased significantly after E. tenella infection (P < 0.05), while the abundance of Alistipes and Prevotella pectinovora increased significantly (P < 0.05). Second, transcriptome sequencing results showed that a total of 434 differentially expressed mRNAs were identified, including 196 up-regulated and 238 down-regulated genes. These differentially expressed genes related to inflammation and immunity, such as GAMA, FABP1, F2RL1 and RSAD2, may play an important role in the process of host resistance to coccidia infection. Functional studies showed that the enriched pathways of differentially expressed genes included the TGF-beta signaling pathway and the ErbB signaling pathways. Finally, the integrated analysis of gut microbiome and host transcriptome suggested that Prevotella pectinovora associated with FABP1, Butyricicoccus porcorum and Colidextribacter sp. associated with RSAD2 were involved in the immune response upon E. tenella infection. Conclusion In conclusion, this study provides valuable information on the microbiota and key immune genes after chicken E. tenella infection, with the aim of providing reference for the impact of coccidia infection on cecal microbiome and host.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hailiang Yu
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
| | - Qi Wang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
| | - Jianqiang Tang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
| | - Liyue Dong
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
| | - Guojun Dai
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
| | - Tao Zhang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
| | - Genxi Zhang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
| | - Kaizhou Xie
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
| | - Hongsheng Wang
- Technical Research Department, Jiangsu Jinghai Poultry Group Co., Ltd., Haimen, China
| | - Zhenhua Zhao
- Poultry Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Yangzhou, China
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5
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Back PS, Moon AS, Pasquarelli RR, Bell HN, Torres JA, Chen AL, Sha J, Vashisht AA, Wohlschlegel JA, Bradley PJ. IMC29 Plays an Important Role in Toxoplasma Endodyogeny and Reveals New Components of the Daughter-Enriched IMC Proteome. mBio 2023; 14:e0304222. [PMID: 36622147 PMCID: PMC9973257 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.03042-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2022] [Accepted: 12/07/2022] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
The Toxoplasma inner membrane complex (IMC) is a unique organelle that plays critical roles in parasite motility, invasion, egress, and replication. The IMC is delineated into the apical, body, and basal regions, defined by proteins that localize to these distinct subcompartments. The IMC can be further segregated by proteins that localize specifically to the maternal IMC, the daughter bud IMC, or both. While the function of the maternal IMC has been better characterized, the precise roles of most daughter IMC components remain poorly understood. Here, we demonstrate that the daughter protein IMC29 plays an important role in parasite replication. We show that Δimc29 parasites exhibit severe replication defects, resulting in substantial growth defects and loss of virulence. Deletion analyses revealed that IMC29 localization is largely dependent on the N-terminal half of the protein containing four predicted coiled-coil domains while IMC29 function requires a short C-terminal helical region. Using proximity labeling, we identify eight novel IMC proteins enriched in daughter buds, significantly expanding the daughter IMC proteome. We additionally report four novel proteins with unique localizations to the interface between two parasites or to the outer face of the IMC, exposing new subregions of the organelle. Together, this work establishes IMC29 as an important early daughter bud component of replication and uncovers an array of new IMC proteins that provides important insights into this organelle. IMPORTANCE The inner membrane complex (IMC) is a conserved structure across the Apicomplexa phylum, which includes obligate intracellular parasites that cause toxoplasmosis, malaria, and cryptosporidiosis. The IMC is critical for the parasite to maintain its intracellular lifestyle, particularly in providing a scaffold for daughter bud formation during parasite replication. While many IMC proteins in the later stages of division have been identified, components of the early stages of division remain unknown. Here, we focus on the early daughter protein IMC29, demonstrating that it is crucial for faithful parasite replication and identifying specific regions of the protein that are important for its localization and function. We additionally use proximity labeling to reveal a suite of daughter-enriched IMC proteins, which represent promising candidates to further explore this IMC subcompartment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter S. Back
- Molecular Biology Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Andy S. Moon
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, University of California, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | | | - Hannah N. Bell
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, University of California, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Juan A. Torres
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, University of California, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Allan L. Chen
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, University of California, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Jihui Sha
- Department of Biological Chemistry, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Ajay A. Vashisht
- Department of Biological Chemistry, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - James A. Wohlschlegel
- Department of Biological Chemistry, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Peter J. Bradley
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, University of California, Los Angeles, California, USA
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6
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Sparvoli D, Delabre J, Penarete-Vargas DM, Kumar Mageswaran S, Tsypin LM, Heckendorn J, Theveny L, Maynadier M, Mendonça Cova M, Berry-Sterkers L, Guérin A, Dubremetz JF, Urbach S, Striepen B, Turkewitz AP, Chang YW, Lebrun M. An apical membrane complex for triggering rhoptry exocytosis and invasion in Toxoplasma. EMBO J 2022; 41:e111158. [PMID: 36245278 PMCID: PMC9670195 DOI: 10.15252/embj.2022111158] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2022] [Revised: 09/13/2022] [Accepted: 09/19/2022] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Apicomplexan parasites possess secretory organelles called rhoptries that undergo regulated exocytosis upon contact with the host. This process is essential for the parasitic lifestyle of these pathogens and relies on an exocytic machinery sharing structural features and molecular components with free-living ciliates. However, how the parasites coordinate exocytosis with host interaction is unknown. Here, we performed a Tetrahymena-based transcriptomic screen to uncover novel exocytic factors in Ciliata and conserved in Apicomplexa. We identified membrane-bound proteins, named CRMPs, forming part of a large complex essential for rhoptry secretion and invasion in Toxoplasma. Using cutting-edge imaging tools, including expansion microscopy and cryo-electron tomography, we show that, unlike previously described rhoptry exocytic factors, TgCRMPs are not required for the assembly of the rhoptry secretion machinery and only transiently associate with the exocytic site-prior to the invasion. CRMPs and their partners contain putative host cell-binding domains, and CRMPa shares similarities with GPCR proteins. Collectively our data imply that the CRMP complex acts as a host-molecular sensor to ensure that rhoptry exocytosis occurs when the parasite contacts the host cell.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniela Sparvoli
- Laboratory of Pathogen Host Interactions, UMR 5235 CNRS, Université de Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - Jason Delabre
- Laboratory of Pathogen Host Interactions, UMR 5235 CNRS, Université de Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | | | - Shrawan Kumar Mageswaran
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Lev M Tsypin
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Cell Biology, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Justine Heckendorn
- Laboratory of Pathogen Host Interactions, UMR 5235 CNRS, Université de Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - Liam Theveny
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Marjorie Maynadier
- Laboratory of Pathogen Host Interactions, UMR 5235 CNRS, Université de Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - Marta Mendonça Cova
- Laboratory of Pathogen Host Interactions, UMR 5235 CNRS, Université de Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - Laurence Berry-Sterkers
- Laboratory of Pathogen Host Interactions, UMR 5235 CNRS, Université de Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - Amandine Guérin
- Department of Pathobiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Jean-François Dubremetz
- Laboratory of Pathogen Host Interactions, UMR 5235 CNRS, Université de Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - Serge Urbach
- IGF, Université de Montpellier, CNRS, INSERM, Montpellier, France
| | - Boris Striepen
- Department of Pathobiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Aaron P Turkewitz
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Cell Biology, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Yi-Wei Chang
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Maryse Lebrun
- Laboratory of Pathogen Host Interactions, UMR 5235 CNRS, Université de Montpellier, Montpellier, France
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7
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Lu J, Chu R, Yin Y, Yu H, Xu Q, Yang B, Sun Y, Song J, Wang Q, Xu J, Lu F, Cheng Y. Glycosylphosphatidylinositol-anchored micronemal antigen (GAMA) interacts with the band 3 receptor to promote erythrocyte invasion by malaria parasites. J Biol Chem 2022; 298:101765. [PMID: 35202655 PMCID: PMC8931436 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2022.101765] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2021] [Revised: 02/09/2022] [Accepted: 02/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Glycosylphosphatidylinositol-anchored micronemal antigen (GAMA) is an erythrocyte binding protein known to be involved in malarial parasite invasion. Although anti-GAMA antibodies have been shown to block GAMA attachment to the erythrocyte surface and subsequently inhibit parasite invasion, little is known about the molecular mechanisms by which GAMA promotes the invasion process. In this study, LC-MS analysis was performed on the erythrocyte membrane to identify the specific receptor that interacts with GAMA. We found that ankyrin 1 and the band 3 membrane protein showed affinity for GAMA, and characterization of their binding specificity indicated that both Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium vivax GAMA bound to the same extracellular loop of band 3 (loop 5). In addition, we show the interaction between GAMA and band 3 was sensitive to chymotrypsin. Furthermore, antibodies against band 3 loop 5 were able to reduce the binding activity of GAMA to erythrocytes and inhibit the invasion of P. falciparum merozoites into human erythrocytes, whereas antibodies against P. falciparum GAMA (PfGAMA)-Tr3 only slightly reduced P. falciparum invasion. The identification and characterization of the erythrocyte GAMA receptor is a novel finding that identifies an essential mechanism of parasite invasion of host erythrocytes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiachen Lu
- Laboratory of Pathogen Infection and Immunity, Department of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Wuxi School of Medicine, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu, China
| | - Ruilin Chu
- Laboratory of Pathogen Infection and Immunity, Department of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Wuxi School of Medicine, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu, China; Department of Infectious Disease Control and Prevention, Shanghai Municipal Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Shanghai, China
| | - Yi Yin
- Department of Pathogen Biology and Immunology, School of Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Huijie Yu
- Laboratory of Pathogen Infection and Immunity, Department of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Wuxi School of Medicine, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu, China
| | - Qinwen Xu
- Laboratory of Pathogen Infection and Immunity, Department of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Wuxi School of Medicine, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu, China
| | - Bo Yang
- Laboratory of Pathogen Infection and Immunity, Department of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Wuxi School of Medicine, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu, China
| | - Yifan Sun
- Laboratory of Pathogen Infection and Immunity, Department of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Wuxi School of Medicine, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu, China
| | - Jing Song
- Department of Gynecology, Affiliated Hospital of Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu, China
| | - Qiubo Wang
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Wuxi 9th Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Wuxi, Jiangsu, China
| | - Jiahui Xu
- Department of Pathogen Biology and Immunology, School of Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Feng Lu
- Department of Pathogen Biology and Immunology, School of Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Yang Cheng
- Laboratory of Pathogen Infection and Immunity, Department of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Wuxi School of Medicine, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu, China.
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8
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Dos Santos Pacheco N, Tosetti N, Krishnan A, Haase R, Maco B, Suarez C, Ren B, Soldati-Favre D. Revisiting the Role of Toxoplasma gondii ERK7 in the Maintenance and Stability of the Apical Complex. mBio 2021; 12:e0205721. [PMID: 34607461 PMCID: PMC8546650 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.02057-21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2021] [Accepted: 09/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii extracellular signal-regulated kinase 7 (ERK7) is known to contribute to the integrity of the apical complex and to participate in the final step of conoid biogenesis. In the absence of ERK7, mature parasites lose their conoid complex and are unable to glide, invade, or egress from host cells. In contrast to a previous report, we show here that the depletion of ERK7 phenocopies the depletion of the apical cap protein AC9 or AC10. The absence of ERK7 leads to the loss of the apical polar ring (APR), the disorganization of the basket of subpellicular microtubules (SPMTs), and a severe impairment in microneme secretion. Ultrastructure expansion microscopy (U-ExM), coupled to N-hydroxysuccinimide ester (NHS-ester) staining on intracellular parasites, offers an unprecedented level of resolution and highlights the disorganization of the rhoptries as well as the dilated plasma membrane at the apical pole in the absence of ERK7. Comparative proteomics analysis of wild-type and ERK7-depleted parasites confirmed the disappearance of known apical complex proteins, including markers of the apical polar ring and a new apical cap named AC11. Concomitantly, the absence of ERK7 led to an accumulation of microneme proteins, resulting from the defect in the exocytosis of the organelles. AC9-depleted parasites were included as controls and exhibited an increase in inner membrane complex proteins, with two new proteins assigned to this compartment, namely, IMC33 and IMC34. IMPORTANCE The conoid is an enigmatic, dynamic organelle positioned at the apical tip of the coccidian subgroup of the Apicomplexa, close to the apical polar ring (APR) from which the subpellicular microtubules (SPMTs) emerge and through which the secretory organelles (micronemes and rhoptries) reach the plasma membrane for exocytosis. In Toxoplasma gondii, the conoid protrudes concomitantly with microneme secretion, during egress, motility, and invasion. The conditional depletion of the apical cap structural protein AC9 or AC10 leads to a disorganization of SPMTs as well as the loss of the APR and conoid, resulting in a microneme secretion defect and a block in motility, invasion, and egress. We show here that the depletion of the kinase ERK7 phenocopies AC9 and AC10 mutants. The combination of ultrastructure expansion microscopy and NHS-ester staining revealed that ERK7-depleted parasites exhibit a dilated apical plasma membrane and an altered positioning of the rhoptries, while electron microscopy images unambiguously highlight the loss of the APR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicolas Dos Santos Pacheco
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Nicolò Tosetti
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Aarti Krishnan
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Romuald Haase
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Bohumil Maco
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Catherine Suarez
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Bingjian Ren
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Dominique Soldati-Favre
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
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9
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A Novel Toxoplasma Inner Membrane Complex Suture-Associated Protein Regulates Suture Protein Targeting and Colocalizes with Membrane Trafficking Machinery. mBio 2021; 12:e0245521. [PMID: 34634933 PMCID: PMC8510555 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.02455-21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The cytoskeleton of Toxoplasma gondii is composed of the inner membrane complex (IMC) and an array of underlying microtubules that provide support at the periphery of the parasite. Specific subregions of the IMC carry out distinct roles in replication, motility, and host cell invasion. Building on our previous in vivo biotinylation (BioID) experiments of the IMC, we identified here a novel protein that localizes to discrete puncta that are embedded in the parasite’s cytoskeleton along the IMC sutures. Gene knockout analysis showed that loss of the protein results in defects in cytoskeletal suture protein targeting, cytoskeletal integrity, parasite morphology, and host cell invasion. We then used deletion analyses to identify a domain in the N terminus of the protein that is critical for both localization and function. Finally, we used the protein as bait for in vivo biotinylation, which identified several other proteins that colocalize in similar spot-like patterns. These putative interactors include several proteins that are implicated in membrane trafficking and are also associated with the cytoskeleton. Together, these data reveal an unexpected link between the IMC sutures and membrane trafficking elements of the parasite and suggest that the suture puncta are likely a portal for trafficking cargo across the IMC.
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10
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Bamra T, Shafi T, Das S, Kumar M, Dikhit MR, Kumar A, Kumar A, Abhishek K, Pandey K, Sen A, Das P. Leishmania donovani Secretory Mevalonate Kinase Regulates Host Immune Response and Facilitates Phagocytosis. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2021; 11:641985. [PMID: 33981628 PMCID: PMC8110032 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2021.641985] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2020] [Accepted: 03/31/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Leishmania secretes over 151 proteins during in vitro cultivation. Cellular functions of one such novel protein: mevalonate kinase is discussed here; signifying its importance in Leishmania infection. Visceral Leishmaniasis is a persistent infection, caused by Leishmania donovani in Indian subcontinent. This persistence is partly due to phagocytosis and evasion of host immune response. The underlying mechanism involves secretory proteins of Leishmania parasite; however, related studies are meagre. We have identified a novel secretory Leishmania donovani glycoprotein, Mevalonate kinase (MVK), and shown its importance in parasite internalization and immuno-modulation. In our studies, MVK was found to be secreted maximum after 1 h temperature stress at 37°C. Its secretion was increased by 6.5-fold in phagolysosome-like condition (pH ~5.5, 37°C) than at pH ~7.4 and 25°C. Treatment with MVK modulated host immune system by inducing interleukin-10 and interleukin-4 secretion, suppressing host’s ability to kill the parasite. Peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC)-derived macrophages infected with mevalonate kinase-overexpressing parasites showed an increase in intracellular parasite burden in comparison to infection with vector control parasites. Mechanism behind the increase in phagocytosis and immunosuppression was found to be phosphorylation of mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase pathway protein, Extracellular signal-regulated kinases-1/2, and actin scaffold protein, cortactin. Thus, we conclude that Leishmania donovani Mevalonate kinase aids in parasite engulfment and subvert the immune system by interfering with signal transduction pathways in host cells, which causes suppression of the protective response and facilitates their persistence in the host. Our work elucidates the involvement of Leishmania in the process of phagocytosis which is thought to be dependent largely on macrophages and contributes towards better understanding of host pathogen interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tanvir Bamra
- Department of Molecular Biology, ICMR-Rajendra Memorial Research Institute of Medical Sciences, Patna, India
| | - Taj Shafi
- Department of Molecular Biology, ICMR-Rajendra Memorial Research Institute of Medical Sciences, Patna, India
| | | | - Manjay Kumar
- Department of Molecular Biology, ICMR-Rajendra Memorial Research Institute of Medical Sciences, Patna, India
| | - Manas Ranjan Dikhit
- Department of Molecular Biology, ICMR-Rajendra Memorial Research Institute of Medical Sciences, Patna, India
| | - Ajay Kumar
- Department of Molecular Biology, ICMR-Rajendra Memorial Research Institute of Medical Sciences, Patna, India
| | - Ashish Kumar
- Department of Molecular Biology, ICMR-Rajendra Memorial Research Institute of Medical Sciences, Patna, India
| | - Kumar Abhishek
- Department of Molecular Biology, ICMR-Rajendra Memorial Research Institute of Medical Sciences, Patna, India
| | - Krishna Pandey
- Department of Molecular Biology, ICMR-Rajendra Memorial Research Institute of Medical Sciences, Patna, India
| | - Abhik Sen
- Department of Molecular Biology, ICMR-Rajendra Memorial Research Institute of Medical Sciences, Patna, India
| | - Pradeep Das
- Department of Molecular Biology, ICMR-Rajendra Memorial Research Institute of Medical Sciences, Patna, India
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11
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Amlabu E, Nyarko PB, Opoku G, Ibrahim-Dey D, Ilani P, Mensah-Brown H, Akporh GA, Akuh OA, Ayugane EA, Amoh-Boateng D, Kusi KA, Awandare GA. Localization and function of a Plasmodium falciparum protein (PF3D7_1459400) during erythrocyte invasion. Exp Biol Med (Maywood) 2020; 246:10-19. [PMID: 33019810 DOI: 10.1177/1535370220961764] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
IMPACT STATEMENT Plasmodium falciparum malaria is a global health problem. Erythrocyte invasion by P. falciparum merozoites appears to be a promising target to curb malaria. We have identified and characterized a novel protein that is involved in erythrocyte invasion. Our data on protein subcellular localization, stage-specific protein expression pattern, and merozoite invasion inhibition by α-peptide antibodies suggest a role for PF3D7_1459400 protein during P. falciparum erythrocyte invasion. Even more, the human immunoepidemiology data present PF3D7_1459400 protein as an immunogenic antigen which could be further exploited for the development of new anti-infective therapy against malaria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emmanuel Amlabu
- West African Centre for Cell Biology of Infectious Pathogens, Department of Biochemistry, Cell and Molecular Biology, College of Basic and Applied Sciences, University of Ghana, Accra LG 54, Ghana.,Department of Biochemistry, Kogi State University, Anyigba P.M.B 1007, Nigeria
| | - Prince B Nyarko
- West African Centre for Cell Biology of Infectious Pathogens, Department of Biochemistry, Cell and Molecular Biology, College of Basic and Applied Sciences, University of Ghana, Accra LG 54, Ghana
| | - Grace Opoku
- West African Centre for Cell Biology of Infectious Pathogens, Department of Biochemistry, Cell and Molecular Biology, College of Basic and Applied Sciences, University of Ghana, Accra LG 54, Ghana
| | - Damata Ibrahim-Dey
- West African Centre for Cell Biology of Infectious Pathogens, Department of Biochemistry, Cell and Molecular Biology, College of Basic and Applied Sciences, University of Ghana, Accra LG 54, Ghana
| | - Philip Ilani
- West African Centre for Cell Biology of Infectious Pathogens, Department of Biochemistry, Cell and Molecular Biology, College of Basic and Applied Sciences, University of Ghana, Accra LG 54, Ghana
| | - Henrietta Mensah-Brown
- West African Centre for Cell Biology of Infectious Pathogens, Department of Biochemistry, Cell and Molecular Biology, College of Basic and Applied Sciences, University of Ghana, Accra LG 54, Ghana
| | - Grace A Akporh
- West African Centre for Cell Biology of Infectious Pathogens, Department of Biochemistry, Cell and Molecular Biology, College of Basic and Applied Sciences, University of Ghana, Accra LG 54, Ghana
| | - Ojo-Ajogu Akuh
- West African Centre for Cell Biology of Infectious Pathogens, Department of Biochemistry, Cell and Molecular Biology, College of Basic and Applied Sciences, University of Ghana, Accra LG 54, Ghana
| | - Evelyn A Ayugane
- West African Centre for Cell Biology of Infectious Pathogens, Department of Biochemistry, Cell and Molecular Biology, College of Basic and Applied Sciences, University of Ghana, Accra LG 54, Ghana
| | - David Amoh-Boateng
- West African Centre for Cell Biology of Infectious Pathogens, Department of Biochemistry, Cell and Molecular Biology, College of Basic and Applied Sciences, University of Ghana, Accra LG 54, Ghana
| | - Kwadwo A Kusi
- West African Centre for Cell Biology of Infectious Pathogens, Department of Biochemistry, Cell and Molecular Biology, College of Basic and Applied Sciences, University of Ghana, Accra LG 54, Ghana.,Immunology Department, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, Accra LG581, Ghana
| | - Gordon A Awandare
- West African Centre for Cell Biology of Infectious Pathogens, Department of Biochemistry, Cell and Molecular Biology, College of Basic and Applied Sciences, University of Ghana, Accra LG 54, Ghana
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12
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Lacombe A, Maclean AE, Ovciarikova J, Tottey J, Mühleip A, Fernandes P, Sheiner L. Identification of the
Toxoplasma gondii
mitochondrial ribosome, and characterisation of a protein essential for mitochondrial translation. Mol Microbiol 2019; 112:1235-1252. [PMID: 31339607 PMCID: PMC6851545 DOI: 10.1111/mmi.14357] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/21/2019] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
Apicomplexan parasites cause diseases such as malaria and toxoplasmosis. The apicomplexan mitochondrion shows striking differences from common model organisms, including fundamental processes such as mitochondrial translation. Despite evidence that mitochondrial translation is essential for parasite survival, it is largely understudied. Progress has been restricted by the absence of functional assays to detect apicomplexan mitochondrial translation, a lack of knowledge of proteins involved in the process and the inability to identify and detect mitoribosomes. We report the localization of 12 new mitochondrial proteins, including 6 putative mitoribosomal proteins. We demonstrate the integration of three mitoribosomal proteins in macromolecular complexes, and provide evidence suggesting these are apicomplexan mitoribosomal subunits, detected here for the first time. Finally, a new analytical pipeline detected defects in mitochondrial translation upon depletion of the small subunit protein 35 (TgmS35), while other mitochondrial functions remain unaffected. Our work lays a foundation for the study of apicomplexan mitochondrial translation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alice Lacombe
- Wellcome Centre for Integrative Parasitology University of Glasgow 120 University Place GlasgowG12 8TAUK
| | - Andrew E. Maclean
- Wellcome Centre for Integrative Parasitology University of Glasgow 120 University Place GlasgowG12 8TAUK
| | - Jana Ovciarikova
- Wellcome Centre for Integrative Parasitology University of Glasgow 120 University Place GlasgowG12 8TAUK
| | - Julie Tottey
- Wellcome Centre for Integrative Parasitology University of Glasgow 120 University Place GlasgowG12 8TAUK
- UMR 1282 ISP INRA‐Université François Rabelais de Tours Nouzilly France
| | - Alexander Mühleip
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics Stockholm University Stockholm Sweden
| | - Paula Fernandes
- Wellcome Centre for Integrative Parasitology University of Glasgow 120 University Place GlasgowG12 8TAUK
| | - Lilach Sheiner
- Wellcome Centre for Integrative Parasitology University of Glasgow 120 University Place GlasgowG12 8TAUK
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13
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Bandini G, Leon DR, Hoppe CM, Zhang Y, Agop-Nersesian C, Shears MJ, Mahal LK, Routier FH, Costello CE, Samuelson J. O-Fucosylation of thrombospondin-like repeats is required for processing of microneme protein 2 and for efficient host cell invasion by Toxoplasma gondii tachyzoites. J Biol Chem 2018; 294:1967-1983. [PMID: 30538131 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.ra118.005179] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2018] [Revised: 12/10/2018] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii is an intracellular parasite that causes disseminated infections that can produce neurological damage in fetuses and immunocompromised individuals. Microneme protein 2 (MIC2), a member of the thrombospondin-related anonymous protein (TRAP) family, is a secreted protein important for T. gondii motility, host cell attachment, invasion, and egress. MIC2 contains six thrombospondin type I repeats (TSRs) that are modified by C-mannose and O-fucose in Plasmodium spp. and mammals. Here, using MS analysis, we found that the four TSRs in T. gondii MIC2 with protein O-fucosyltransferase 2 (POFUT2) acceptor sites are modified by a dHexHex disaccharide, whereas Trp residues within three TSRs are also modified with C-mannose. Disruption of genes encoding either POFUT2 or the putative GDP-fucose transporter (NST2) resulted in loss of MIC2 O-fucosylation, as detected by an antibody against the GlcFuc disaccharide, and in markedly reduced cellular levels of MIC2. Furthermore, in 10-15% of the Δpofut2 or Δnst2 vacuoles, MIC2 accumulated earlier in the secretory pathway rather than localizing to micronemes. Dissemination of tachyzoites in human foreskin fibroblasts was reduced for these knockouts, which both exhibited defects in attachment to and invasion of host cells comparable with the Δmic2 phenotype. These results, indicating that O-fucosylation of TSRs is required for efficient processing of MIC2 and for normal parasite invasion, are consistent with the recent demonstration that Plasmodium falciparum Δpofut2 strain has decreased virulence and also support a conserved role for this glycosylation pathway in quality control of TSR-containing proteins in eukaryotes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giulia Bandini
- From the Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, Boston University Goldman School of Dental Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts 02118
| | - Deborah R Leon
- the Department of Biochemistry, Center for Biomedical Mass Spectrometry, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts 02118
| | - Carolin M Hoppe
- the Department of Clinical Biochemistry OE4340, Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany
| | - Yue Zhang
- the Department of Chemistry, Biomedical Chemistry Institute, New York University, New York, New York 10003, and
| | - Carolina Agop-Nersesian
- From the Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, Boston University Goldman School of Dental Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts 02118
| | - Melanie J Shears
- the Johns Hopkins Malaria Research Institute and Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland 21205
| | - Lara K Mahal
- the Department of Chemistry, Biomedical Chemistry Institute, New York University, New York, New York 10003, and
| | - Françoise H Routier
- the Department of Clinical Biochemistry OE4340, Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany
| | - Catherine E Costello
- the Department of Biochemistry, Center for Biomedical Mass Spectrometry, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts 02118
| | - John Samuelson
- From the Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, Boston University Goldman School of Dental Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts 02118,
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14
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Morlon-Guyot J, El Hajj H, Martin K, Fois A, Carrillo A, Berry L, Burchmore R, Meissner M, Lebrun M, Daher W. A proteomic analysis unravels novel CORVET and HOPS proteins involved in Toxoplasma gondii
secretory organelles biogenesis. Cell Microbiol 2018; 20:e12870. [DOI: 10.1111/cmi.12870] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2018] [Revised: 05/23/2018] [Accepted: 06/05/2018] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Juliette Morlon-Guyot
- Dynamique des Interactions Membranaires Normales et Pathologiques, UMR5235 CNRS, INSERM; Université de Montpellier; Montpellier France
| | - Hiba El Hajj
- Departments of Internal Medicine and Experimental Pathology, Immunology and Microbiology; American University of Beirut; Beirut Lebanon
| | - Kevin Martin
- Dynamique des Interactions Membranaires Normales et Pathologiques, UMR5235 CNRS, INSERM; Université de Montpellier; Montpellier France
| | - Adrien Fois
- Dynamique des Interactions Membranaires Normales et Pathologiques, UMR5235 CNRS, INSERM; Université de Montpellier; Montpellier France
| | - Amandine Carrillo
- Dynamique des Interactions Membranaires Normales et Pathologiques, UMR5235 CNRS, INSERM; Université de Montpellier; Montpellier France
| | - Laurence Berry
- Dynamique des Interactions Membranaires Normales et Pathologiques, UMR5235 CNRS, INSERM; Université de Montpellier; Montpellier France
| | | | - Markus Meissner
- Wellcome Centre for Molecular Parasitology; University of Glasgow; Glasgow UK
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, Experimental Parasitology; Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München; Munich Germany
| | - Maryse Lebrun
- Dynamique des Interactions Membranaires Normales et Pathologiques, UMR5235 CNRS, INSERM; Université de Montpellier; Montpellier France
| | - Wassim Daher
- Dynamique des Interactions Membranaires Normales et Pathologiques, UMR5235 CNRS, INSERM; Université de Montpellier; Montpellier France
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15
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McGovern OL, Rivera-Cuevas Y, Kannan G, Narwold AJ, Carruthers VB. Intersection of endocytic and exocytic systems in Toxoplasma gondii. Traffic 2018; 19:336-353. [PMID: 29437275 DOI: 10.1111/tra.12556] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2017] [Revised: 02/09/2018] [Accepted: 02/10/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Host cytosolic proteins are endocytosed by Toxoplasma gondii and degraded in its lysosome-like compartment, the vacuolar compartment (VAC), but the dynamics and route of endocytic trafficking remain undefined. Conserved endocytic components and plant-like features suggest T. gondii endocytic trafficking involves transit through early and late endosome-like compartments (ELCs) and potentially the trans-Golgi network (TGN) as in plants. However, exocytic trafficking to regulated secretory organelles, micronemes and rhoptries, also proceeds through ELCs and requires classical endocytic components, including a dynamin-related protein, DrpB. Here, we show that host cytosolic proteins are endocytosed within 7 minutes post-invasion, trafficked through ELCs en route to the VAC, and degraded within 30 minutes. We could not definitively interpret if ingested protein is trafficked through the TGN. We also found that parasites ingest material from the host cytosol throughout the parasite cell cycle. Ingested host proteins colocalize with immature microneme proteins, proM2AP and proMIC5, in transit to the micronemes, but not with the immature rhoptry protein proRON4, indicating that endocytic trafficking of ingested protein intersects with exocytic trafficking of microneme proteins. Finally, we show that conditional expression of a DrpB dominant negative mutant increases T. gondii ingestion of host-derived proteins, suggesting that DrpB is not required for parasite endocytosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olivia L McGovern
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Michigan School of Medicine, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - Yolanda Rivera-Cuevas
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Michigan School of Medicine, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - Geetha Kannan
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Michigan School of Medicine, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - Andrew J Narwold
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Michigan School of Medicine, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - Vern B Carruthers
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Michigan School of Medicine, Ann Arbor, Michigan
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16
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Baquero LA, Moreno-Pérez DA, Garzón-Ospina D, Forero-Rodríguez J, Ortiz-Suárez HD, Patarroyo MA. PvGAMA reticulocyte binding activity: predicting conserved functional regions by natural selection analysis. Parasit Vectors 2017; 10:251. [PMID: 28526096 PMCID: PMC5438544 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-017-2183-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2016] [Accepted: 05/10/2017] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Adhesin proteins are used by Plasmodium parasites to bind and invade target cells. Hence, characterising molecules that participate in reticulocyte interaction is key to understanding the molecular basis of Plasmodium vivax invasion. This study focused on predicting functionally restricted regions of the P. vivax GPI-anchored micronemal antigen (PvGAMA) and characterising their reticulocyte binding activity. Results The pvgama gene was initially found in P. vivax VCG-I strain schizonts. According to the genetic diversity analysis, PvGAMA displayed a size polymorphism very common for antigenic P. vivax proteins. Two regions along the antigen sequence were highly conserved among species, having a negative natural selection signal. Interestingly, these regions revealed a functional role regarding preferential target cell adhesion. Conclusions To our knowledge, this study describes PvGAMA reticulocyte binding properties for the first time. Conserved functional regions were predicted according to natural selection analysis and their binding ability was confirmed. These findings support the notion that PvGAMA may have an important role in P. vivax merozoite adhesion to its target cells. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13071-017-2183-8) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luis A Baquero
- Molecular Biology and Immunology Department, Fundación Instituto de Inmunología de Colombia (FIDIC), Carrera 50 No. 26-20, Bogotá DC, Colombia
| | - Darwin A Moreno-Pérez
- Molecular Biology and Immunology Department, Fundación Instituto de Inmunología de Colombia (FIDIC), Carrera 50 No. 26-20, Bogotá DC, Colombia.,PhD Programme in Biomedical and Biological Sciences, Universidad del Rosario, Carrera 24 No. 63C-69, Bogotá DC, Colombia
| | - Diego Garzón-Ospina
- Molecular Biology and Immunology Department, Fundación Instituto de Inmunología de Colombia (FIDIC), Carrera 50 No. 26-20, Bogotá DC, Colombia.,PhD Programme in Biomedical and Biological Sciences, Universidad del Rosario, Carrera 24 No. 63C-69, Bogotá DC, Colombia
| | - Johanna Forero-Rodríguez
- Molecular Biology and Immunology Department, Fundación Instituto de Inmunología de Colombia (FIDIC), Carrera 50 No. 26-20, Bogotá DC, Colombia
| | - Heidy D Ortiz-Suárez
- Molecular Biology and Immunology Department, Fundación Instituto de Inmunología de Colombia (FIDIC), Carrera 50 No. 26-20, Bogotá DC, Colombia
| | - Manuel A Patarroyo
- Molecular Biology and Immunology Department, Fundación Instituto de Inmunología de Colombia (FIDIC), Carrera 50 No. 26-20, Bogotá DC, Colombia. .,Basic Sciences Department, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universidad del Rosario, Carrera 24 No. 63C-69, Bogotá DC, Colombia.
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17
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Guiton PS, Sagawa JM, Fritz HM, Boothroyd JC. An in vitro model of intestinal infection reveals a developmentally regulated transcriptome of Toxoplasma sporozoites and a NF-κB-like signature in infected host cells. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0173018. [PMID: 28362800 PMCID: PMC5376300 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0173018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2016] [Accepted: 02/12/2017] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Toxoplasmosis is a zoonotic infection affecting approximately 30% of the world’s human population. After sexual reproduction in the definitive feline host, Toxoplasma oocysts, each containing 8 sporozoites, are shed into the environment where they can go on to infect humans and other warm-blooded intermediate hosts. Here, we use an in vitro model to assess host transcriptomic changes that occur in the earliest stages of such infections. We show that infection of rat intestinal epithelial cells with mature sporozoites primarily results in higher expression of genes associated with Tumor Necrosis Factor alpha (TNFα) signaling via NF-κB. Furthermore, we find that, consistent with their biology, these mature, invaded sporozoites display a transcriptome intermediate between the previously reported day 10 oocysts and that of their tachyzoite counterparts. Thus, this study uncovers novel host and pathogen factors that may be critical for the establishment of a successful intracellular niche following sporozoite-initiated infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pascale S. Guiton
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, United States of America
| | - Janelle M. Sagawa
- Department of Veterinary Microbiology and Pathology, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington, United States of America
| | - Heather M. Fritz
- Department of Veterinary Microbiology and Pathology, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington, United States of America
| | - John C. Boothroyd
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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18
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Shrestha A, Palmieri N, Abd-Elfattah A, Ruttkowski B, Pagès M, Joachim A. Cloning, expression and molecular characterization of a Cystoisospora suis specific uncharacterized merozoite protein. Parasit Vectors 2017; 10:68. [PMID: 28173829 PMCID: PMC5297187 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-017-2003-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2016] [Accepted: 01/26/2017] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Background The genome of the apicomplexan parasite Cystoisospora suis (syn. Isospora suis) has recently been sequenced and annotated, opening the possibility for the identification of novel therapeutic targets against cystoisosporosis. It was previously proposed that a 42 kDa uncharacterized merozoite protein, encoded by gene CSUI_005805, might be a relevant vaccine candidate due to its high immunogenic score, high expression level and species-specificity as determined in silico. Methods The 1170 bp coding sequence of the CSUI_005805 gene was PCR amplified and cloned into the bacterial expression vector pQE-31. The specificity of the expressed recombinant protein was evaluated in an immunoblot, and relative levels of expression in different developmental stages and subcellular localization were determined by quantitative real-time PCR and indirect immunofluorescence assay, respectively. Results The CSUI_005805 gene encoded for a 389 amino acid protein containing a histidine-rich region. Quantitative RT-PCR showed that CSUI_005805 was differentially expressed during the early development of C. suis in vitro, with higher transcript levels in merozoites compared to sporozoites. The recombinant protein was specifically recognized by sera from chicken immunized with recombinant CSUI_005805 protein and sera from piglets experimentally infected with C. suis, all of which suggested that despite prokaryotic expression, the recombinant CSUI_005805 protein maintained antigenic determinants and could elicit an immune response in the host. Immunofluorescence labelling and confocal microscopy revealed localization primarily at the surface of the parasite. Conclusions The results suggest that CSUI_005805 is highly expressed in merozoites and might thus be critical for their survival and establishment inside host cells. Owing to its specificity, localization and expression pattern, CSUI_005805 could be exploited as an attractive candidate for alternative control strategies against C. suis such as vaccines. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13071-017-2003-1) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aruna Shrestha
- Institute of Parasitology, Department of Pathobiology, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Veterinaerplatz 1, Vienna, A-1210, Austria
| | - Nicola Palmieri
- Institute of Parasitology, Department of Pathobiology, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Veterinaerplatz 1, Vienna, A-1210, Austria
| | - Ahmed Abd-Elfattah
- Institute of Parasitology, Department of Pathobiology, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Veterinaerplatz 1, Vienna, A-1210, Austria
| | - Bärbel Ruttkowski
- Institute of Parasitology, Department of Pathobiology, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Veterinaerplatz 1, Vienna, A-1210, Austria
| | | | - Anja Joachim
- Institute of Parasitology, Department of Pathobiology, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Veterinaerplatz 1, Vienna, A-1210, Austria.
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19
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Cheng Y, Lu F, Wang B, Li J, Han JH, Ito D, Kong DH, Jiang L, Wu J, Ha KS, Takashima E, Sattabongkot J, Cao J, Nyunt MH, Kyaw MP, Desai SA, Miller LH, Tsuboi T, Han ET. Plasmodium vivax GPI-anchored micronemal antigen (PvGAMA) binds human erythrocytes independent of Duffy antigen status. Sci Rep 2016; 6:35581. [PMID: 27759110 PMCID: PMC5069673 DOI: 10.1038/srep35581] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2016] [Accepted: 10/04/2016] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Plasmodium vivax, a major agent of malaria in both temperate and tropical climates, has been thought to be unable to infect humans lacking the Duffy (Fy) blood group antigen because this receptor is critical for erythrocyte invasion. Recent surveys in various endemic regions, however, have reported P. vivax infections in Duffy-negative individuals, suggesting that the parasite may utilize alternative receptor-ligand pairs to complete the erythrocyte invasion. Here, we identified and characterized a novel parasite ligand, Plasmodium vivax GPI-anchored micronemal antigen (PvGAMA), that bound human erythrocytes regardless of Duffy antigen status. PvGAMA was localized at the microneme in the mature schizont-stage parasites. The antibodies against PvGAMA fragments inhibited PvGAMA binding to erythrocytes in a dose-dependent manner. The erythrocyte-specific binding activities of PvGAMA were significantly reduced by chymotrypsin treatment. Thus, PvGAMA may be an adhesion molecule for the invasion of Duffy-positive and -negative human erythrocytes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Cheng
- Department of Medical Environmental Biology and Tropical Medicine, School of Medicine, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon, Gangwon-do 200-701, Republic of Korea.,Department of Parasitology, Wuxi Medical School, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214122, China.,Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research (LMVR), National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), National Institutes of Health (NIH), Rockville, MD 20852, USA
| | - Feng Lu
- Department of Medical Environmental Biology and Tropical Medicine, School of Medicine, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon, Gangwon-do 200-701, Republic of Korea.,Jiangsu Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Wuxi, Jiangsu, People's China
| | - Bo Wang
- Department of Medical Environmental Biology and Tropical Medicine, School of Medicine, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon, Gangwon-do 200-701, Republic of Korea.,Department of Clinical Laboratory, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Jian Li
- Department of Medical Environmental Biology and Tropical Medicine, School of Medicine, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon, Gangwon-do 200-701, Republic of Korea.,Department of Parasitology, College of Basic Medicine, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan, Hubei, China
| | - Jin-Hee Han
- Department of Medical Environmental Biology and Tropical Medicine, School of Medicine, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon, Gangwon-do 200-701, Republic of Korea
| | - Daisuke Ito
- Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research (LMVR), National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), National Institutes of Health (NIH), Rockville, MD 20852, USA.,Division of Malaria Research, Proteo-Science Center, Ehime University, Matsuyama, Ehime 790-8577, Japan
| | - Deok-Hoon Kong
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry, School of Medicine, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon, Gangwon-do 200-701, Republic of Korea
| | - Lubin Jiang
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Virology and Immunology, Unit of Human Parasite Molecular and Cell Biology, Institut Pasteur of Shanghai, Shanghai 200031, China
| | - Jian Wu
- Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research (LMVR), National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), National Institutes of Health (NIH), Rockville, MD 20852, USA
| | - Kwon-Soo Ha
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry, School of Medicine, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon, Gangwon-do 200-701, Republic of Korea
| | - Eizo Takashima
- Division of Malaria Research, Proteo-Science Center, Ehime University, Matsuyama, Ehime 790-8577, Japan
| | - Jetsumon Sattabongkot
- Mahidol Vivax Research Unit, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10400, Thailand
| | - Jun Cao
- Jiangsu Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Wuxi, Jiangsu, People's China
| | - Myat Htut Nyunt
- Department of Medical Environmental Biology and Tropical Medicine, School of Medicine, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon, Gangwon-do 200-701, Republic of Korea.,Department of Medical Research, Yangon, Myanmar
| | | | - Sanjay A Desai
- Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research (LMVR), National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), National Institutes of Health (NIH), Rockville, MD 20852, USA
| | - Louis H Miller
- Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research (LMVR), National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), National Institutes of Health (NIH), Rockville, MD 20852, USA
| | - Takafumi Tsuboi
- Division of Malaria Research, Proteo-Science Center, Ehime University, Matsuyama, Ehime 790-8577, Japan
| | - Eun-Taek Han
- Department of Medical Environmental Biology and Tropical Medicine, School of Medicine, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon, Gangwon-do 200-701, Republic of Korea
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Fernández C, Jaimes J, Ortiz MC, Ramírez JD. Host and Toxoplasma gondii genetic and non-genetic factors influencing the development of ocular toxoplasmosis: A systematic review. INFECTION GENETICS AND EVOLUTION 2016; 44:199-209. [PMID: 27389360 DOI: 10.1016/j.meegid.2016.06.053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2016] [Revised: 06/29/2016] [Accepted: 06/30/2016] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Toxoplasmosis is a cosmopolitan infection caused by the apicomplexan parasite Toxoplasma gondii. This infectious disease is widely distributed across the world where cats play an important role in its spread. The symptomatology caused by this parasite is diverse but the ocular affectation emerges as the most important clinical phenotype. Therefore, we conducted a systematic review of the current knowledge of ocular toxoplasmosis from the genetic diversity of the pathogen towards the treatment available for this infection. This review represents an update to the scientific community regarding the genetic diversity of the parasite, the genetic factors of the host, the molecular pathogenesis and its association with disease, the available diagnostic tools and the available treatment of patients undergoing ocular toxoplamosis. This review will be an update for the scientific community in order to encourage researchers to deploy cutting-edge investigation across this field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carolina Fernández
- Escuela de Medicina y Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad del Rosario, Bogotá, Colombia; Grupo de Investigaciones Microbiológicas - UR (GIMUR), Programa de Biología, Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Matemáticas, Universidad del Rosario, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Jesús Jaimes
- Escuela de Medicina y Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad del Rosario, Bogotá, Colombia; Grupo de Investigaciones Microbiológicas - UR (GIMUR), Programa de Biología, Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Matemáticas, Universidad del Rosario, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - María Camila Ortiz
- Escuela de Medicina y Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad del Rosario, Bogotá, Colombia; Grupo de Investigaciones Microbiológicas - UR (GIMUR), Programa de Biología, Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Matemáticas, Universidad del Rosario, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Juan David Ramírez
- Grupo de Investigaciones Microbiológicas - UR (GIMUR), Programa de Biología, Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Matemáticas, Universidad del Rosario, Bogotá, Colombia.
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