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Chen YJ, Wu KY, Lin SF, Huang SH, Hsu HC, Hsu HM. PIP2 regulating calcium signal modulates actin cytoskeleton-dependent cytoadherence and cytolytic capacity in the protozoan parasite Trichomonas vaginalis. PLoS Pathog 2023; 19:e1011891. [PMID: 38109416 PMCID: PMC10758264 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1011891] [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: 08/05/2023] [Revised: 01/01/2024] [Accepted: 12/08/2023] [Indexed: 12/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Trichomonas vaginalis is a prevalent causative agent that causes trichomoniasis leading to uropathogenic inflammation in the host. The crucial role of the actin cytoskeleton in T. vaginalis cytoadherence has been established but the associated signaling has not been fully elucidated. The present study revealed that the T. vaginalis second messenger PIP2 is located in the recurrent flagellum of the less adherent isolate and is more abundant around the cell membrane of the adherent isolates. The T. vaginalis phosphatidylinositol-4-phosphate 5-kinase (TvPI4P5K) with conserved activity phosphorylating PI(4)P to PI(4, 5)P2 was highly expressed in the adherent isolate and partially colocalized with PIP2 on the plasma membrane but with discrete punctate signals in the cytoplasm. Plasma membrane PIP2 degradation by phospholipase C (PLC)-dependent pathway concomitant with increasing intracellular calcium during flagellate-amoeboid morphogenesis. This could be inhibited by Edelfosine or BAPTA simultaneously repressing parasite actin assembly, morphogenesis, and cytoadherence with inhibitory effects similar to the iron-depleted parasite, supporting the significance of PIP2 and iron in T. vaginalis colonization. Intriguingly, iron is required for the optimal expression and cell membrane trafficking of TvPI4P5K for in situ PIP2 production, which was diminished in the iron-depleted parasites. TvPI4P5K-mediated PIP2 signaling may coordinate with iron to modulate T. vaginalis contact-dependent cytolysis to influence host cell viability. These observations provide novel insights into T. vaginalis cytopathogenesis during the host-parasite interaction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yen-Ju Chen
- Department of Tropical Medicine and Parasitology, National Taiwan University College of Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Kuan-Yi Wu
- Department of Tropical Medicine and Parasitology, National Taiwan University College of Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Shu-Fan Lin
- Department of Tropical Medicine and Parasitology, National Taiwan University College of Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Sung-Hsi Huang
- Department of Tropical Medicine and Parasitology, National Taiwan University College of Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan
- Department of Internal Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital Hsin-Chu Branch, Hsinchu, Taiwan
| | - Heng-Cheng Hsu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, National Taiwan University Hospital and National Taiwan University College of Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan
- Department of Surgery, National Taiwan University Cancer Center, Taipei, Taiwan
- Graduate Institute of Clinical Medicine, National Taiwan University College of Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Hong-Ming Hsu
- Department of Tropical Medicine and Parasitology, National Taiwan University College of Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan
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Ortiz SFDN, Verdan R, Fortes FDSDA, Benchimol M. Trichomonas vaginalis: Monolayer and Cluster Formation-Ultrastructural Aspects Using High-Resolution Scanning Electron Microscopy. Pathogens 2023; 12:1381. [PMID: 38133266 PMCID: PMC10747464 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens12121381] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2023] [Revised: 11/12/2023] [Accepted: 11/20/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Trichomonas vaginalis is an extracellular protozoan parasite that causes human trichomoniasis, a sexually transmitted infection (STI) that affects approximately 270 million people worldwide. The phenomenon of T. vaginalis adhesion to inert substrates has been described in several reports. Still, very few studies on cluster formation have been conducted, and more detailed analyses of the contact regions between the parasites' membranes in these aggregate formations have not been carried out. The present study aims to show that T. vaginalis forms a tight monolayer, similar to an epithelium, with parasites firmly adhered to the culture flask bottom by interdigitations and in the absence of host cells. In addition, we analyzed and compared the formation of the clusters, focusing on parasite aggregates that float in the culture flasks. We employed various imaging techniques, including high-resolution scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, cytochemistry, TEM tomography, and dye injection. We analyzed whether the monolayer behaves as an epithelium, analyzing cell junctions, cell communication, and ultrastructural aspects, and concluded that monolayer formation differs from cluster formation in many aspects. The monolayers form strong adhesion, whereas the clusters have fragile attachments. We did not find fusion or the passage of molecules between neighbor-attached cells; there is no need for different strains to form filopodia, cytonemes, and extracellular vesicles during cluster and monolayer formation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sharmila Fiama das Neves Ortiz
- Laboratório de Ultraestrutura Celular Hertha Meyer, Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Centro de Pesquisa em Medicina de Precisão, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 21941-901, Brazil; (S.F.d.N.O.); (R.V.)
| | - Raphael Verdan
- Laboratório de Ultraestrutura Celular Hertha Meyer, Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Centro de Pesquisa em Medicina de Precisão, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 21941-901, Brazil; (S.F.d.N.O.); (R.V.)
| | - Fabio da Silva de Azevedo Fortes
- BIOTRANS-CAXIAS Campus, Universidade do Grande Rio, UNIGRANRIO, Rio de Janeiro 96200-000, Brazil;
- Laboratório de Terapia e Fisiologia Celular e Molecular, Departamento de Biologia, Faculdade de Ciências Biológicas e Saúde, Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 23070-200, Brazil
| | - Marlene Benchimol
- BIOTRANS-CAXIAS Campus, Universidade do Grande Rio, UNIGRANRIO, Rio de Janeiro 96200-000, Brazil;
- Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia em Biologia Estrutural e Bioimagens e Centro Nacional de Biologia Estrutural e Bioimagens, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 21941-901, Brazil
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Enan G, Abdel-Shafi S, El-Nemr M, Shehab W, Osman A, Sitohy M, Sitohy B. Controlling bacterial biofilm formation by native and methylated lupine 11S globulins. Front Microbiol 2023; 14:1259334. [PMID: 37822740 PMCID: PMC10562546 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1259334] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2023] [Accepted: 09/01/2023] [Indexed: 10/13/2023] Open
Abstract
The antibacterial and anti-biofilm activities of the 11S globulins isolated from lupin seeds (Lupinus termis), and its methylated derivative (M11S), were investigated against seven pathogenic gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria. The MIC of 11S ranged from 0.1 to 4.0 μg/ml against 0.025 to 0.50 μg/ml for M11S, excelling some specific antibiotics. The MICs of M11S were 40-80 times lower than some specific antibiotics against gram-positive bacteria and 2-60 times lower than some specific antibiotics against gram-negative bacteria. One MIC of 11S and M11S highly reduced the liquid growth of all tested bacteria during 24 h at 37°C. They also inhibited biofilm formation by 80%-86% and 85%-94%, respectively (gram-positive), and 29%-44% and 43%-50%, respectively (gram-negative). M11S prevented biofilm formation by gram-positive bacteria at minimum biofilm inhibitory concentration (MBIC), 0.025-0.1 μg/ml against 0.1-0.5 μg/ml for gram-negative bacteria, i.e., 4-20 times and 4-7 times anti-biofilm inhibitory action compared with 11S, respectively. Biofilm formation of two bacteria revealed no adhered cells on glass slides for 24 h at 37°C, i.e., was entirely prevented by one MBIC of 11S and M11S. Scanning electron microscopy indicated microbial biofilm deformation under the action of 11S and M11S, indicating their broad specificity and cell membrane-targeted action.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gamal Enan
- Department of Botany and Microbiology, Faculty of Science, Zagazig University, Zagazig, Egypt
| | - Seham Abdel-Shafi
- Department of Botany and Microbiology, Faculty of Science, Zagazig University, Zagazig, Egypt
| | - Mona El-Nemr
- Department of Botany and Microbiology, Faculty of Science, Zagazig University, Zagazig, Egypt
| | - Wesam Shehab
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Zagazig University, Zagazig, Egypt
| | - Ali Osman
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Agriculture, Zagazig University, Zagazig, Egypt
| | - Mahmoud Sitohy
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Agriculture, Zagazig University, Zagazig, Egypt
| | - Basel Sitohy
- Department of Clinical Microbiology, Infection and Immunology, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
- Department of Radiation Sciences, Oncology, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
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Wang KH, Chang JY, Li FA, Wu KY, Hsu SH, Chen YJ, Chu TL, Lin J, Hsu HM. An Atypical F-Actin Capping Protein Modulates Cytoskeleton Behaviors Crucial for Trichomonas vaginalis Colonization. Microbiol Spectr 2023; 11:e0059623. [PMID: 37310229 PMCID: PMC10434240 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.00596-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2023] [Accepted: 05/22/2023] [Indexed: 06/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Cytoadherence and migration are crucial for pathogens to establish colonization in the host. In contrast to a nonadherent isolate of Trichomonas vaginalis, an adherent one expresses more actin-related machinery proteins with more active flagellate-amoeboid morphogenesis, amoeba migration, and cytoadherence, activities that were abrogated by an actin assembly blocker. By immunoprecipitation coupled with label-free quantitative proteomics, an F-actin capping protein (T. vaginalis F-actin capping protein subunit α [TvFACPα]) was identified from the actin-centric interactome. His-TvFACPα was detected at the barbed end of a growing F-actin filament, which inhibited elongation and possessed atypical activity in binding G-actin in in vitro assays. TvFACPα partially colocalized with F-actin at the parasite pseudopod protrusion and formed a protein complex with α-actin through its C-terminal domain. Meanwhile, TvFACPα overexpression suppressed F-actin polymerization, amoeboid morphogenesis, and cytoadherence in this parasite. Ser2 phosphorylation of TvFACPα enriched in the amoeboid stage of adhered trophozoites was reduced by a casein kinase II (CKII) inhibitor. Site-directed mutagenesis and CKII inhibitor treatment revealed that Ser2 phosphorylation acts as a switching signal to alter TvFACPα actin-binding activity and the consequent actin cytoskeleton behaviors. Through CKII signaling, TvFACPα also controls the conversion of adherent trophozoites from amoeboid migration to the flagellate form with axonemal motility. Together, CKII-dependent Ser2 phosphorylation regulates TvFACPα binding to actin to fine-tune cytoskeleton dynamics and drive crucial behaviors underlying host colonization by T. vaginalis. IMPORTANCE Trichomoniasis is one of the most prevalent nonviral sexually transmitted diseases. T. vaginalis cytoadherence to urogenital epithelium cells is the first step in the colonization of the host. However, studies on the mechanisms of cytoadherence have focused mainly on the role of adhesion molecules, and their effects are limited when analyzed by loss- or gain-of-function assays. This study proposes an extra pathway in which the actin cytoskeleton mediated by a capping protein α-subunit may play roles in parasite morphogenesis, cytoadherence, and motility, which are crucial for colonization. Once the origin of the cytoskeleton dynamics could be manipulated, the consequent activities would be controlled as well. This mechanism may provide new potential therapeutic targets to impair this parasite infection and relieve the increasing impact of drug resistance on clinical and public health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kai-Hsuan Wang
- Department of Tropical Medicine and Parasitology, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Jing-Yang Chang
- Department of Tropical Medicine and Parasitology, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Fu-An Li
- The Proteomic Core, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Kuan-Yi Wu
- Department of Tropical Medicine and Parasitology, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Shu-Hao Hsu
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Yen-Ju Chen
- Department of Tropical Medicine and Parasitology, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | | | - Jessica Lin
- Taipei First Girls High School, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Hong-Ming Hsu
- Department of Tropical Medicine and Parasitology, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
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