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Bertolini MS, Cline SE, Chiurillo MA, Mantilla BS, Eidex A, Crowe LP, Qiu D, Jessen HJ, Saiardi A, Docampo R. Generation of inositol polyphosphates through a phospholipase C-independent pathway involving carbohydrate and sphingolipid metabolism in Trypanosoma cruzi. mBio 2025; 16:e0331824. [PMID: 40172212 PMCID: PMC12077091 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.03318-24] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2024] [Accepted: 03/04/2025] [Indexed: 04/04/2025] Open
Abstract
Inositol phosphates are involved in a myriad of biological roles and activities such as Ca2+ signaling, phosphate homeostasis, energy metabolism, and disease pathogenicity. In Saccharomyces cerevisiae, synthesis of inositol phosphates occurs through the phosphoinositide phospholipase C (PLC)-catalyzed hydrolysis of phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (PIP2) into inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP3) and diacylglycerol and further IP3 phosphorylation by additional kinases that leads to the formation of highly phosphorylated inositol derivatives, known as inositol pyrophosphates. Inositol-tetrakisphosphate 1-kinase (ITPK1) is an enzyme that mediates a PLC-independent inositol polyphosphate synthesis through phosphorylation of inositol monophosphates and other intermediates in the cytosol. In this work, we identified and characterized a Trypanosoma cruzi ITPK1 (TcITPK1) homolog. The ability of TcITPK1 to act as the mediator for this alternative pathway was established through plc1Δ and plc1Δ isc1Δ yeast complementation assays and SAX-HPLC analyses of radioactively labeled inositol. TcITPK1 localizes to the cytosol, and knockout attempts of TcITPK1 revealed that only one allele was replaced by the DNA donor cassette at the specific locus, suggesting that null alleles may have lethal effects in epimastigotes. Ablation of T. cruzi phosphoinositide phospholipase C 1 (TcPI-PLC1) affected the synthesis of IP3 from glucose 6-phosphate but did not affect the synthesis of inositol polyphosphates, while ablation of inositol phosphosphingolipid phospholipase (TcISC1) affected the synthesis of inositol polyphosphates, thus revealing that the PLC-independent pathway using either glucose 6-phosphate or inositol phosphoceramide is involved in the synthesis of inositol polyphosphates, while the PLC-dependent pathway is involved in IP3 formation needed for Ca2+ signaling. IMPORTANCE Millions of people are infected with Trypanosoma cruzi, and the current treatment is not satisfactory. Inositol pyrophosphates have been established as important signaling molecules. Our work demonstrates the presence of a phospholipase C-independent pathway for the synthesis of inositol pyrophosphates in T. cruzi. Furthermore, we demonstrate that this pathway starts with the synthesis of inositol monophosphates from glucose 6-phosphate or from inositol phosphoceramide, linking it to carbohydrate and sphingolipid metabolism. The essentiality of the pathway for the survival of T. cruzi infective stages makes it an ideal drug target for treating American trypanosomiasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mayara S. Bertolini
- Department of Cellular Biology, Center for Tropical and Emerging Global Diseases, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, USA
| | - Sabrina E. Cline
- Department of Cellular Biology, Center for Tropical and Emerging Global Diseases, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, USA
| | - Miguel A. Chiurillo
- Department of Cellular Biology, Center for Tropical and Emerging Global Diseases, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, USA
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
| | - Brian S. Mantilla
- Department of Cellular Biology, Center for Tropical and Emerging Global Diseases, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, USA
- School of Chemistry, University of Leeds, Leeds, England, United Kingdom
| | - Aharon Eidex
- Department of Cellular Biology, Center for Tropical and Emerging Global Diseases, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, USA
| | - Logan P. Crowe
- Department of Cellular Biology, Center for Tropical and Emerging Global Diseases, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, USA
| | - Danye Qiu
- Institute of Organic Chemistry & CIBSS-Centre for Integrative Biological Signalling Studies, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Baden-Württemberg, Germany
| | - Henning J. Jessen
- Institute of Organic Chemistry & CIBSS-Centre for Integrative Biological Signalling Studies, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Baden-Württemberg, Germany
| | - Adolfo Saiardi
- Medical Research Council Laboratory for Cell Biology, University College London, London, England, United Kingdom
| | - Roberto Docampo
- Department of Cellular Biology, Center for Tropical and Emerging Global Diseases, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, USA
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Gdovinova I, Descoteaux A. VAPA mediates lipid exchange between Leishmania amazonensis and host macrophages. PLoS Pathog 2025; 21:e1012636. [PMID: 40163521 PMCID: PMC11981147 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1012636] [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: 10/01/2024] [Revised: 04/09/2025] [Accepted: 03/03/2025] [Indexed: 04/02/2025] Open
Abstract
Leishmania is a vacuolar pathogen that replicates within parasitophorous vacuoles inside host phagocytes. To promote its replication, Leishmania relies on a panoply of strategies to acquire macromolecules such as lipids from host macrophages. In this study, we have evaluated the role of VAPA, an endoplasmic reticulum-resident membrane protein involved in inter-organellar lipid transport, in macrophages infected with L. amazonensis. Following infection of bone marrow-derived macrophages with L. amazonensis metacyclic promastigotes, we observed that VAPA gradually associates with communal parasitophorous vacuoles. Knockdown of VAPA prevented the replication of L. amazonensis, which was accompanied by an impaired parasitophorous vacuole expansion. Using fluorescent ceramide, we established that VAPA is required for the transport of sphingolipids to the parasitophorous vacuoles and for its acquisition by L. amazonensis amastigotes. Proximity-ligation assays revealed that L. amazonensis hijacks VAPA by disrupting its interactions with the host cell lipid transfer proteins CERT and ORP1L. Finally, we found that VAPA is essential for the transfer of the Leishmania virulence glycolipid lipophosphoglycan from the parasitophorous vacuoles to the host cell endoplasmic reticulum. We propose that VAPA contributes to the ability of L. amazonensis to colonize macrophages by mediating bi-directional transfer of lipids essential for parasite replication and virulence between the parasitophorous vacuoles and the host cell endoplasmic reticulum.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ilona Gdovinova
- INRS- Centre Armand-Frappier Santé Biotechnologie, Laval, Québec, Canada
- Infectiopôle INRS, Laval, Québec, Canada
| | - Albert Descoteaux
- INRS- Centre Armand-Frappier Santé Biotechnologie, Laval, Québec, Canada
- Infectiopôle INRS, Laval, Québec, Canada
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Aminzadeh M, Bahrami F, Piryaei Z, Vasighi M, Kalantari Z, Arjmand M, Ajdary S. Unraveling Leishmania major Metacyclogenesis: A Comprehensive Analysis of Transcriptomic
and Metabolomic Profiles. IRANIAN BIOMEDICAL JOURNAL 2025; 29:68-81. [PMID: 40223480 PMCID: PMC12040638 DOI: 10.61186/ibj.4899] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2024] [Accepted: 12/25/2024] [Indexed: 04/17/2025]
Abstract
Background Metacyclogenesis is a critical developmental process in the life cycle of Leishmania parasites, particularly in their transition from non-infective procyclic to infective metacyclic promastigotes. This transformation is closely linked to the metabolic adaptation of the parasite, optimizing its survival and study, we integrated metabolomics and transcriptomics data to gain deeper molecular mechanisms of Leishmania major metacyclogenesis. Methods The metabolic profiles of procyclic and metacyclic promastigotes were first identified using ¹H-NMR spectroscopy. Multivariate statistical analysis conducted to distinguish different metabolites between the two forms. Metabolic pathway analysis was performed using the KEGG database to identify the metabolic pathways that significantly altered and overrepresented in the metabolomic profile. Finally, the differential gene expression and pathway enrichment analyses were conducted on transcriptomic data retrieved from public repositories. Result Multivariate statistical analysis revealed that 44 metabolites and ten pathways were significantly different between the two forms. Transcriptome genes during metacyclogenesis. These genes underwent GO and KEGG pathway analyses, revealing upregulated GO categories in the metacyclic phase, including protein phosphorylation, ion transport, signal transduction, and phosphorylation reactions, as well as several downregulated GO categories. Integrating metabolomic and transcriptomic data demonstrated seven significantly different KEGG pathways between procyclic and metacyclic forms, including fructose and mannose, galactose, ascorbate and aldarate, arginine and proline, histidine, inositol phosphate, and pyruvate metabolism. Conclusion Our findings suggest distinct metabolic profiles and changes in gene expression associated with the transition from procyclic to metacyclic promastigotes. By integrating diverse omics data, we could identify more reliable altered pathways and biomarkers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mansour Aminzadeh
- Metabolomics Lab, Department of Biochemistry, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
- Department of Immunology, Pasteur Institute of Iran,Tehran, Iran
| | - Fariborz Bahrami
- Department of Immunology, Pasteur Institute of Iran,Tehran, Iran
| | - Zeynab Piryaei
- Department of Bioinformatics, Kish International Campus, University of Tehran, Kish, Iran
| | - Mahdi Vasighi
- Department of Computer Sciences, Institute for Advanced Studies in Basic Sciences, Zanjan, Iran
| | - Zahra Kalantari
- Iran Polymer and Petrochemical Institute. Department of Polymerization Engineering, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mohammad Arjmand
- Metabolomics Lab, Department of Biochemistry, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Soheila Ajdary
- Department of Immunology, Pasteur Institute of Iran,Tehran, Iran
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Sannigrahi A, Ghosh S, Pradhan S, Jana P, Jawed JJ, Majumdar S, Roy S, Karmakar S, Mukherjee B, Chattopadhyay K. Leishmania protein KMP-11 modulates cholesterol transport and membrane fluidity to facilitate host cell invasion. EMBO Rep 2024; 25:5561-5598. [PMID: 39482488 PMCID: PMC11624268 DOI: 10.1038/s44319-024-00302-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2024] [Revised: 09/23/2024] [Accepted: 09/27/2024] [Indexed: 11/03/2024] Open
Abstract
The first step of successful infection by any intracellular pathogen relies on its ability to invade its host cell membrane. However, the detailed structural and molecular understanding underlying lipid membrane modification during pathogenic invasion remains unclear. In this study, we show that a specific Leishmania donovani (LD) protein, KMP-11, forms oligomers that bridge LD and host macrophage (MΦ) membranes. This KMP-11 induced interaction between LD and MΦ depends on the variations in cholesterol (CHOL) and ergosterol (ERG) contents in their respective membranes. These variations are crucial for the subsequent steps of invasion, including (a) the initial attachment, (b) CHOL transport from MΦ to LD, and (c) detachment of LD from the initial point of contact through a liquid ordered (Lo) to liquid disordered (Ld) membrane-phase transition. To validate the importance of KMP-11, we generate KMP-11 depleted LD, which failed to attach and invade host MΦ. Through tryptophan-scanning mutagenesis and synthesized peptides, we develop a generalized mathematical model, which demonstrates that the hydrophobic moment and the symmetry sequence code at the membrane interacting protein domain are key factors in facilitating the membrane phase transition and, consequently, the host cell infection process by Leishmania parasites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Achinta Sannigrahi
- Structural Biology & Bio-Informatics Division, CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Biology, 4, Raja S. C. Mallick Road, Kolkata, West Bengal, 700032, India
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, 5323 Harry Hines Blvd, Dallas, TX, 75390, USA
| | - Souradeepa Ghosh
- School of Medical Science and Technology, IIT-Kharagpur, Kharagpur, West Bengal, 721302, India
| | - Supratim Pradhan
- School of Medical Science and Technology, IIT-Kharagpur, Kharagpur, West Bengal, 721302, India
| | - Pulak Jana
- Structural Biology & Bio-Informatics Division, CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Biology, 4, Raja S. C. Mallick Road, Kolkata, West Bengal, 700032, India
| | - Junaid Jibran Jawed
- Department of Life Sciences, Presidency University, Kolkata, West Bengal, 700156, India
| | - Subrata Majumdar
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Bose Institute, Kolkata, West Bengal, 700054, India
| | - Syamal Roy
- Infectious Diseases and Immunology, CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Biology, 4, Raja S. C. Mallick Road, Kolkata, West Bengal, 700032, India
- INSA Senior Scientist, Indian Association for the Cultivation of Science, Kolkata, West Bengal, 700032, India
| | - Sanat Karmakar
- Department of Physics, Jadavpur University, 188, Raja S. C. Mallick Road, Kolkata, West Bengal, 700032, India
| | - Budhaditya Mukherjee
- School of Medical Science and Technology, IIT-Kharagpur, Kharagpur, West Bengal, 721302, India.
| | - Krishnananda Chattopadhyay
- Structural Biology & Bio-Informatics Division, CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Biology, 4, Raja S. C. Mallick Road, Kolkata, West Bengal, 700032, India.
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Ferreira GR, Emond-Rheault JG, Alves L, Leprohon P, Smith MA, Papadopoulou B. Evolutionary divergent clusters of transcribed extinct truncated retroposons drive low mRNA expression and developmental regulation in the protozoan Leishmania. BMC Biol 2024; 22:249. [PMID: 39468514 PMCID: PMC11520807 DOI: 10.1186/s12915-024-02051-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2024] [Accepted: 10/21/2024] [Indexed: 10/30/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The Leishmania genome harbors formerly active short interspersed degenerated retroposons (SIDERs) representing the largest family of repetitive elements among trypanosomatids. Their substantial expansion in Leishmania is a strong predictor of important biological functions. In this study, we combined multilevel bioinformatic predictions with high-throughput genomic and transcriptomic analyses to gain novel insights into the diversified roles retroposons of the SIDER2 subfamily play in Leishmania genome evolution and expression. RESULTS We show that SIDER2 retroposons form various evolutionary divergent clusters, each harboring homologous SIDER2 sequences usually located nearby in the linear sequence of chromosomes. This intriguing genomic organization underscores the importance of SIDER2 proximity in shaping chromosome dynamics and co-regulation. Accordingly, we show that transcripts belonging to the same SIDER2 cluster can display similar levels of expression. SIDER2 retroposons are mostly transcribed as part of 3'UTRs and account for 13% of the Leishmania transcriptome. Genome-wide expression profiling studies underscore SIDER2 association generally with low mRNA expression. The remarkable link of SIDER2 retroposons with downregulation of gene expression supports their co-option as major regulators of mRNA abundance. SIDER2 sequences also add to the diversification of the Leishmania gene expression repertoire since ~ 35% of SIDER2-containing transcripts can be differentially regulated throughout the parasite development, with a few encoding key virulence factors. In addition, we provide evidence for a functional bias of SIDER2-containing transcripts with protein kinase and transmembrane transporter activities being most represented. CONCLUSIONS Altogether, these findings provide important conceptual advances into evolutionary innovations of transcribed extinct retroposons acting as major RNA cis-regulators.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriel Reis Ferreira
- Research Center in Infectious Diseases and Axis of Infectious and Immune Diseases, Research Center of the Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Québec-Université Laval, QC, Quebec, Canada
- Department of Microbiology, Infectious Disease and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University Laval, Quebec, QC, G1V 4G2, Canada
| | - Jean-Guillaume Emond-Rheault
- Research Center in Infectious Diseases and Axis of Infectious and Immune Diseases, Research Center of the Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Québec-Université Laval, QC, Quebec, Canada
- Department of Microbiology, Infectious Disease and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University Laval, Quebec, QC, G1V 4G2, Canada
| | - Lysangela Alves
- Research Center in Infectious Diseases and Axis of Infectious and Immune Diseases, Research Center of the Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Québec-Université Laval, QC, Quebec, Canada
- , Rua Prof. Algacyr Munhoz Mader 3775, Curitiba/PR, CIC, 81310-020, Brazil
| | - Philippe Leprohon
- Research Center in Infectious Diseases and Axis of Infectious and Immune Diseases, Research Center of the Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Québec-Université Laval, QC, Quebec, Canada
- Department of Microbiology, Infectious Disease and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University Laval, Quebec, QC, G1V 4G2, Canada
| | - Martin A Smith
- CHU Sainte-Justine Research Centre, Montreal, QC, H3T 1C5, Canada
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Montreal, QC, Montreal, H3T 1J4, Canada
- School of Biotechnology and Molecular Bioscience, Faculty of Science, UNSW Sydney, NSW, Sydney, 2052, Australia
| | - Barbara Papadopoulou
- Research Center in Infectious Diseases and Axis of Infectious and Immune Diseases, Research Center of the Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Québec-Université Laval, QC, Quebec, Canada.
- Department of Microbiology, Infectious Disease and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University Laval, Quebec, QC, G1V 4G2, Canada.
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6
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Ning Y, Basu S, Hsu FF, Feng M, Wang MZ, Zhang K. Molecular Characterization of Sterol C4-Methyl Oxidase in Leishmania major. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:10908. [PMID: 39456689 PMCID: PMC11507432 DOI: 10.3390/ijms252010908] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2024] [Revised: 10/04/2024] [Accepted: 10/07/2024] [Indexed: 10/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Sterol biosynthesis requires the oxidative removal of two methyl groups from the C-4 position by sterol C-4-demethylase and one methyl group from the C-14 position by sterol C-14-demethylase. In Leishmania donovani, a CYP5122A1 (Cytochrome P450 family 5122A1) protein was recently identified as the bona fide sterol C-4 methyl oxidase catalyzing the initial steps of C-4-demethylation. Besides CYP5122A1, Leishmania parasites possess orthologs to ERG25 (ergosterol pathway gene 25), the canonical sterol C-4 methyl oxidase in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. To determine the contribution of CYP5122A1 and ERG25 in sterol biosynthesis, we assessed the essentiality of these genes in Leishmania major, which causes cutaneous leishmaniasis. Like in L. donovani, CYP5122A1 in L. major could only be deleted in the presence of a complementing episome. Even with strong negative selection, L. major chromosomal CYP5122A1-null mutants retained the complementing episome in both promastigote and amastigote stages, demonstrating its essentiality. In contrast, the L. major ERG25-null mutants were fully viable and replicative in culture and virulent in mice. Deletion and overexpression of ERG25 did not affect the sterol composition, indicating that ERG25 is not required for C-4-demethylation. These findings suggest that CYP5122A1 is the dominant and possibly only sterol C-4 methyl oxidase in Leishmania, and inhibitors of CYP5122A1 may have strong therapeutic potential against multiple Leishmania species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Ning
- Department of Biological Sciences, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX 79409, USA; (Y.N.); (S.B.)
| | - Somrita Basu
- Department of Biological Sciences, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX 79409, USA; (Y.N.); (S.B.)
| | - Fong-fu Hsu
- Mass Spectrometry Resource, Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes, Metabolism, and Lipid Research, Department of Internal Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA;
| | - Mei Feng
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, The University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS 66047, USA; (M.F.); (M.Z.W.)
| | - Michael Zhuo Wang
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, The University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS 66047, USA; (M.F.); (M.Z.W.)
| | - Kai Zhang
- Department of Biological Sciences, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX 79409, USA; (Y.N.); (S.B.)
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Shi J, Zeng X, Cui P, Yan C, Chen H. Alarming situation of emerging H5 and H7 avian influenza and effective control strategies. Emerg Microbes Infect 2023; 12:2155072. [PMID: 36458831 DOI: 10.1080/22221751.2022.2155072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 136] [Impact Index Per Article: 68.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/03/2022]
Abstract
Avian influenza viruses continue to present challenges to animal and human health. Viruses bearing the hemagglutinin (HA) gene of the H5 subtype and H7 subtype have caused 2634 human cases around the world, including more than 1000 deaths. These viruses have caused numerous disease outbreaks in wild birds and domestic poultry, and are responsible for the loss of at least 422 million domestic birds since 2005. The H5 influenza viruses are spread by migratory wild birds and have caused three waves of influenza outbreaks across multiple continents, and the third wave that started in 2020 is ongoing. Many countries in Europe and North America control highly pathogenic avian influenza by culling alone, whereas some countries, including China, have adopted a "cull plus vaccination" strategy. As the largest poultry-producing country in the world, China lost relatively few poultry during the three waves of global H5 avian influenza outbreaks, and nearly eliminated the pervasive H7N9 viruses that emerged in 2013. In this review, we briefly summarize the damages the H5 and H7 influenza viruses have caused to the global poultry industry and public health, analyze the origin, evolution, and spread of the H5 viruses that caused the waves, and discuss how and why the vaccination strategy in China has been a success. Given that the H5N1 viruses are widely circulating in wild birds and causing problems in domestic poultry around the world, we recommend that any unnecessary obstacles to vaccination strategies should be removed immediately and forever.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianzhong Shi
- Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China.,State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Biotechnology, Harbin Veterinary Research Institute, CAAS, Harbin, People's Republic of China
| | - Xianying Zeng
- State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Biotechnology, Harbin Veterinary Research Institute, CAAS, Harbin, People's Republic of China
| | - Pengfei Cui
- State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Biotechnology, Harbin Veterinary Research Institute, CAAS, Harbin, People's Republic of China
| | - Cheng Yan
- State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Biotechnology, Harbin Veterinary Research Institute, CAAS, Harbin, People's Republic of China
| | - Hualan Chen
- Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China.,State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Biotechnology, Harbin Veterinary Research Institute, CAAS, Harbin, People's Republic of China
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8
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Mirolo M, Pohlmann A, Ahrens AK, Kühl B, Rubio-Garcìa A, Kramer K, Meinfelder U, Rosenberger T, Morito HL, Beer M, Ludlow M, Wohlsein P, Baumgärtner W, Harder T, Osterhaus A. Highly pathogenic avian influenza A virus (HPAIV) H5N1 infection in two European grey seals ( Halichoerus grypus) with encephalitis. Emerg Microbes Infect 2023; 12:e2257810. [PMID: 37682060 PMCID: PMC10768861 DOI: 10.1080/22221751.2023.2257810] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2023] [Accepted: 09/06/2023] [Indexed: 09/09/2023]
Abstract
ABSTRACTRecent reports documenting sporadic infections in carnivorous mammals worldwide with highly pathogenic avian influenza virus (HPAIV) H5N1 clade 2.3.4.4b have raised concerns about the potential risk of adaptation to sustained transmission in mammals, including humans. We report H5N1 clade 2.3.4.4b infection of two grey seals (Halichoerus grypus) from coastal waters of The Netherlands and Germany in December 2022 and February 2023, respectively. Histological and immunohistochemical investigations showed in both animals a non-suppurative and necrotising encephalitis with viral antigen restricted to the neuroparenchyma. Whole genome sequencing showed the presence of HPAIV H5N1 clade 2.3.4.4b strains in brain tissue, which were closely related to sympatric avian influenza viruses. Viral RNA was also detected in the lung of the seal from Germany by real-time quantitative PCR. No other organs tested positive. The mammalian adaptation PB2-E627K mutation was identified in approximately 40% of the virus population present in the brain tissue of the German seal. Retrospective screening for nucleoprotein-specific antibodies, of sera collected from 251 seals sampled in this region from 2020 to 2023, did not show evidence of influenza A virus-specific antibodies. Similarly, screening by reverse transcription PCR of tissues of 101 seals that had died along the Dutch coast in the period 2020-2021, did not show evidence of influenza virus infection. Collectively, these results indicate that individual seals are sporadically infected with HPAIV-H5N1 clade 2.3.4.4b, resulting in an encephalitis in the absence of a systemic infection, and with no evidence thus far of onward spread between seals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monica Mirolo
- Research Center for Emerging Infections and Zoonoses, University of Veterinary Medicine, Foundation, Hannover, Germany
| | - Anne Pohlmann
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institute, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
| | | | - Bianca Kühl
- Department of Pathology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Foundation, Hannover, Germany
| | | | | | | | | | - Hannah Leah Morito
- Research Center for Emerging Infections and Zoonoses, University of Veterinary Medicine, Foundation, Hannover, Germany
| | - Martin Beer
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institute, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Martin Ludlow
- Research Center for Emerging Infections and Zoonoses, University of Veterinary Medicine, Foundation, Hannover, Germany
| | - Peter Wohlsein
- Department of Pathology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Foundation, Hannover, Germany
| | - Wolfgang Baumgärtner
- Department of Pathology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Foundation, Hannover, Germany
| | - Timm Harder
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institute, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Albert Osterhaus
- Research Center for Emerging Infections and Zoonoses, University of Veterinary Medicine, Foundation, Hannover, Germany
- Sealcentre Pieterburen, Pieterburen, Netherlands
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9
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Yang B, Li J, Yan J, Zhang K, Ouyang Z, Lu Y, Wei H, Li Q, Yao X, Lu S, Hong Y, Wang X, Guo L. Non-specific phospholipase C4 hydrolyzes phosphosphingolipids and phosphoglycerolipids and promotes rapeseed growth and yield. JOURNAL OF INTEGRATIVE PLANT BIOLOGY 2023; 65:2421-2436. [PMID: 37642157 DOI: 10.1111/jipb.13560] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2023] [Accepted: 08/28/2023] [Indexed: 08/31/2023]
Abstract
Phosphorus is a major nutrient vital for plant growth and development, with a substantial amount of cellular phosphorus being used for the biosynthesis of membrane phospholipids. Here, we report that NON-SPECIFIC PHOSPHOLIPASE C4 (NPC4) in rapeseed (Brassica napus) releases phosphate from phospholipids to promote growth and seed yield, as plants with altered NPC4 levels showed significant changes in seed production under different phosphate conditions. Clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeat (CRISPR)/CRISPR-associated nuclease 9 (Cas9)-mediated knockout of BnaNPC4 led to elevated accumulation of phospholipids and decreased growth, whereas overexpression (OE) of BnaNPC4 resulted in lower phospholipid contents and increased plant growth and seed production. We demonstrate that BnaNPC4 hydrolyzes phosphosphingolipids and phosphoglycerolipids in vitro, and plants with altered BnaNPC4 function displayed changes in their sphingolipid and glycerolipid contents in roots, with a greater change in glycerolipids than sphingolipids in leaves, particularly under phosphate deficiency conditions. In addition, BnaNPC4-OE plants led to the upregulation of genes involved in lipid metabolism, phosphate release, and phosphate transport and an increase in free inorganic phosphate in leaves. These results indicate that BnaNPC4 hydrolyzes phosphosphingolipids and phosphoglycerolipids in rapeseed to enhance phosphate release from membrane phospholipids and promote growth and seed production.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bao Yang
- National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement, Hubei Hongshan Laboratory, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China
| | - Jianwu Li
- Department of Biology, University of Missouri, St. Louis, MO, 63121, USA
- Donald Danforth Plant Science Center, St. Louis, MO, 63132, USA
| | - Jiayu Yan
- National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement, Hubei Hongshan Laboratory, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China
| | - Ke Zhang
- Department of Biology, University of Missouri, St. Louis, MO, 63121, USA
- Donald Danforth Plant Science Center, St. Louis, MO, 63132, USA
| | - Zhewen Ouyang
- National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement, Hubei Hongshan Laboratory, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China
| | - Yefei Lu
- National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement, Hubei Hongshan Laboratory, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China
| | - Huili Wei
- National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement, Hubei Hongshan Laboratory, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China
| | - Qing Li
- National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement, Hubei Hongshan Laboratory, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China
- Yazhouwan National Laboratory, Sanya, 572025, China
| | - Xuan Yao
- National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement, Hubei Hongshan Laboratory, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China
- Yazhouwan National Laboratory, Sanya, 572025, China
| | - Shaoping Lu
- National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement, Hubei Hongshan Laboratory, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China
| | - Yueyun Hong
- National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement, Hubei Hongshan Laboratory, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China
| | - Xuemin Wang
- Department of Biology, University of Missouri, St. Louis, MO, 63121, USA
- Donald Danforth Plant Science Center, St. Louis, MO, 63132, USA
| | - Liang Guo
- National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement, Hubei Hongshan Laboratory, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China
- Yazhouwan National Laboratory, Sanya, 572025, China
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10
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Haram CS, Moitra S, Keane R, Kuhlmann FM, Frankfater C, Hsu FF, Beverley SM, Zhang K, Keyel PA. The sphingolipids ceramide and inositol phosphorylceramide protect the Leishmania major membrane from sterol-specific toxins. J Biol Chem 2023; 299:104745. [PMID: 37094699 PMCID: PMC10209034 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2023.104745] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2023] [Revised: 04/19/2023] [Accepted: 04/21/2023] [Indexed: 04/26/2023] Open
Abstract
The accessibility of sterols in mammalian cells to exogenous sterol-binding agents has been well-described previously, but sterol accessibility in distantly related protozoa is unclear. The human pathogen Leishmania major uses sterols and sphingolipids distinct from those used in mammals. Sterols in mammalian cells can be sheltered from sterol-binding agents by membrane components, including sphingolipids, but the surface exposure of ergosterol in Leishmania remains unknown. Here, we used flow cytometry to test the ability of the Leishmania major sphingolipids inositol phosphorylceramide (IPC), and ceramide to shelter ergosterol by preventing binding of the sterol-specific toxins streptolysin O and perfringolysin O and subsequent cytotoxicity. In contrast to mammalian systems, we found that Leishmania sphingolipids did not preclude toxin binding to sterols in the membrane. However, we show that IPC reduced cytotoxicity, and that ceramide reduced perfringolysin O-, but not streptolysin O-, mediated cytotoxicity in cells. Furthermore, we demonstrate ceramide sensing was controlled by the toxin L3 loop, and that ceramide was sufficient to protect L. major promastigotes from the anti-leishmaniasis drug amphotericin B. Based on these results, we propose a mechanism whereby pore-forming toxins engage additional lipids like ceramide to determine the optimal environment to sustain pore formation. Thus, L. major could serve as a genetically tractable protozoan model organism for understanding toxin-membrane interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chaitanya S Haram
- Department of Biological Sciences, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX 79409
| | - Samrat Moitra
- Department of Biological Sciences, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX 79409
| | - Rilee Keane
- Department of Biological Sciences, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX 79409
| | - F Matthew Kuhlmann
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110
| | - Cheryl Frankfater
- Mass Spectrometry Resource, Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism, and Lipid Research, Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110
| | - Fong-Fu Hsu
- Mass Spectrometry Resource, Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism, and Lipid Research, Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110
| | - Stephen M Beverley
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110
| | - Kai Zhang
- Department of Biological Sciences, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX 79409
| | - Peter A Keyel
- Department of Biological Sciences, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX 79409.
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11
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Martinković F, Popović M, Smolec O, Mrljak V, Eckersall PD, Horvatić A. Data Independent Acquisition Reveals In-Depth Serum Proteome Changes in Canine Leishmaniosis. Metabolites 2023; 13:metabo13030365. [PMID: 36984805 PMCID: PMC10059658 DOI: 10.3390/metabo13030365] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2023] [Revised: 02/19/2023] [Accepted: 02/26/2023] [Indexed: 03/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Comprehensive profiling of serum proteome provides valuable clues of health status and pathophysiological processes, making it the main strategy in biomarker discovery. However, the high dynamic range significantly decreases the number of detectable proteins, obstructing the insights into the underlying biological processes. To circumvent various serum enrichment methods, obtain high-quality proteome wide information using the next-generation proteomic, and study host response in canine leishmaniosis, we applied data-independent acquisition mass spectrometry (DIA-MS) for deep proteomic profiling of clinical samples. The non-depleted serum samples of healthy and naturally Leishmania-infected dogs were analyzed using the label-free 60-min gradient sequential window acquisition of all theoretical mass spectra (SWATH-MS) method. As a result, we identified 554 proteins, 140 of which differed significantly in abundance. Those were included in lipid metabolism, hematological abnormalities, immune response, and oxidative stress, providing valuable information about the complex molecular basis of the clinical and pathological landscape in canine leishmaniosis. Our results show that DIA-MS is a method of choice for understanding complex pathophysiological processes in serum and serum biomarker development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Franjo Martinković
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zagreb, Heinzelova 55, HR-10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Marin Popović
- Department of Safety and Protection, Karlovac University of Applied Sciences, Trg Josipa Juraja Strossmayera 9, HR-47000 Karlovac, Croatia
| | - Ozren Smolec
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zagreb, Heinzelova 55, HR-10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Vladimir Mrljak
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zagreb, Heinzelova 55, HR-10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Peter David Eckersall
- School of Biodiversity, One Health and Veterinary Medicine, University of Glasgow, Bearsden Rd, Glasgow G61 1QH, UK
- Interdisciplinary Laboratory of Clinical Analysis of the University of Murcia (Interlab-UMU), Department of Animal Medicine and Surgery, Veterinary School, University of Murcia, 30100 Murcia, Spain
| | - Anita Horvatić
- Faculty of Food Technology and Biotechnology, University of Zagreb, Pierottijeva 6, HR-10000 Zagreb, Croatia
- Correspondence:
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12
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Cerone M, Roberts M, Smith TK. The lipidome of Crithidia fasiculataand its plasticity. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2022; 12:945750. [DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2022.945750] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2022] [Accepted: 09/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Crithidia fasiculata belongs to the trypanosomatidae order of protozoan parasites, bearing close relation to other kinetoplastid parasites such as Trypanosoma brucei and Leishmania spp. As an early diverging lineage of eukaryotes, the study of kinetoplastid parasites has provided unique insights into alternative mechanisms to traditional eukaryotic metabolic pathways. Crithidia are a monogenetic parasite for mosquito species and have two distinct lifecycle stages both taking place in the mosquito gut. These consist of a motile choanomastigote form and an immotile amastigote form morphologically similar to amastigotes in Leishmania. Owing to their close relation to Leishmania, Crithidia are a growing research tool, with continuing interest in its use as a model organism for kinetoplastid research with the added benefit that they are non-pathogenic to humans and can be grown with no special equipment or requirements for biological containment. Although comparatively little research has taken place on Crithidia, similarities to other kinetoplast species has been shown in terms of energy metabolism and genetics. Crithidia also show similarities to kinetoplastids in their production of the monosaccharide D-arabinopyranose similar to Leishmania, which is incorporated into a lipoarabinogalactan a major cell surface GPI-anchored molecule. Additionally, Crithidia have been used as a eukaryotic expression system to express proteins from other kinetoplastids and potentially other eukaryotes including human proteins allowing various co- and post-translational protein modifications to the recombinant proteins. Despite the obvious usefulness and potential of this organism very little is known about its lipid metabolism. Here we describe a detailed lipidomic analyses and demonstrate the possible placidity of Crithidia’s lipid metabolis. This could have important implications for biotechnology approaches and how other kinetoplastids interact with, and scavenge nutrients from their hosts.
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13
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Kuhlmann FM, Key PN, Hickerson SM, Turk J, Hsu FF, Beverley SM. Inositol phosphorylceramide synthase null Leishmania are viable and virulent in animal infections where salvage of host sphingomyelin predominates. J Biol Chem 2022; 298:102522. [PMID: 36162499 PMCID: PMC9637897 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2022.102522] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2022] [Revised: 09/14/2022] [Accepted: 09/16/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Many pathogens synthesize inositol phosphorylceramide (IPC) as the major sphingolipid (SL), differing from the mammalian host where sphingomyelin (SM) or more complex SLs predominate. The divergence between IPC synthase and mammalian SL synthases has prompted interest as a potential drug target. However, in the trypanosomatid protozoan Leishmania, cultured insect stage promastigotes lack de novo SL synthesis (Δspt2-) and SLs survive and remain virulent, as infective amastigotes salvage host SLs and continue to produce IPC. To further understand the role of IPC, we generated null IPCS mutants in Leishmania major (Δipcs-). Unexpectedly and unlike fungi where IPCS is essential, Δipcs- was remarkably normal in culture and highly virulent in mouse infections. Both IPCS activity and IPC were absent in Δipcs- promastigotes and amastigotes, arguing against an alternative route of IPC synthesis. Notably, salvaged mammalian SM was highly abundant in purified amastigotes from both WT and Δipcs-, and salvaged SLs could be further metabolized into IPC. SM was about 7-fold more abundant than IPC in WT amastigotes, establishing that SM is the dominant amastigote SL, thereby rendering IPC partially redundant. These data suggest that SM salvage likely plays key roles in the survival and virulence of both WT and Δipcs- parasites in the infected host, confirmation of which will require the development of methods or mutants deficient in host SL/SM uptake in the future. Our findings call into question the suitability of IPCS as a target for chemotherapy, instead suggesting that approaches targeting SM/SL uptake or catabolism may warrant further emphasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- F. Matthew Kuhlmann
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, Missouri, USA,Department of Internal Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Phillip N. Key
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Suzanne M. Hickerson
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - John Turk
- Department of Internal Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Fong-Fu Hsu
- Department of Internal Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Stephen M. Beverley
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, Missouri, USA,For correspondence: Stephen M. Beverley
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14
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Abstract
Leishmaniasis is a zoonotic and vector-borne infectious disease that is caused by the genus Leishmania belonging to the trypanosomatid family. The protozoan parasite has a digenetic life cycle involving a mammalian host and an insect vector. Leishmaniasisis is a worldwide public health problem falling under the neglected tropical disease category, with over 90 endemic countries, and approximately 1 million new cases and 20,000 deaths annually. Leishmania infection can progress toward the development of species–specific pathologic disorders, ranging in severity from self-healing cutaneous lesions to disseminating muco-cutaneous and fatal visceral manifestations. The severity and the outcome of leishmaniasis is determined by the parasite’s antigenic epitope characteristics, the vector physiology, and most importantly, the immune response and immune status of the host. This review examines the nature of host–pathogen interaction in leishmaniasis, innate and adaptive immune responses, and various strategies that have been employed for vaccine development.
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15
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Zhang K. Balancing de novo synthesis and salvage of lipids by Leishmania amastigotes. Curr Opin Microbiol 2021; 63:98-103. [PMID: 34311265 PMCID: PMC8463422 DOI: 10.1016/j.mib.2021.07.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2021] [Revised: 06/30/2021] [Accepted: 07/05/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Leishmania parasites replicate as flagellated, extracellular promastigotes in the sand fly vector and then differentiate into non-flagellated, intracellular amastigotes in the vertebrate host. Promastigotes rely on de novo synthesis to produce the majority of their lipids including glycerophospholipids, sterols and sphingolipids. In contrast, amastigotes acquire most of their lipids from the host although they retain some capacity for de novo synthesis. The switch from de novo synthesis to salvage reflects the transition of Leishmania from fast-replicating promastigotes to slow-growing, metabolically quiescent amastigotes. Future studies will reveal the uptake and remodeling of host lipids by amastigotes at the cellular and molecular levels. Blocking the lipid transfer from host to parasites may present a novel strategy to control Leishmania growth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kai Zhang
- Department of Biological Sciences, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX 79409, USA.
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16
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Yang B, Li M, Phillips A, Li L, Ali U, Li Q, Lu S, Hong Y, Wang X, Guo L. Nonspecific phospholipase C4 hydrolyzes phosphosphingolipids and sustains plant root growth during phosphate deficiency. THE PLANT CELL 2021; 33:766-780. [PMID: 33955494 PMCID: PMC8136900 DOI: 10.1093/plcell/koaa054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2020] [Accepted: 11/23/2020] [Indexed: 05/07/2023]
Abstract
Phosphate is a vital macronutrient for plant growth, and its availability in soil is critical for agricultural sustainability and productivity. A substantial amount of cellular phosphate is used to synthesize phospholipids for cell membranes. Here, we identify a key enzyme, nonspecific phospholipase C4 (NPC4) that is involved in phosphosphingolipid hydrolysis and remodeling in Arabidopsis during phosphate starvation. The level of glycosylinositolphosphorylceramide (GIPC), the most abundant sphingolipid in Arabidopsis thaliana, decreased upon phosphate starvation. NPC4 was highly induced by phosphate deficiency, and NPC4 knockouts in Arabidopsis decreased the loss of GIPC and impeded root growth during phosphate starvation. Enzymatic analysis showed that NPC4 hydrolyzed GIPC and displayed a higher activity toward GIPC as a substrate than toward the common glycerophospholipid phosphatidylcholine. NPC4 was associated with the plasma membrane lipid rafts in which GIPC is highly enriched. These results indicate that NPC4 uses GIPC as a substrate in planta and the NPC4-mediated sphingolipid remodeling plays a positive role in root growth in Arabidopsis response to phosphate deficiency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bao Yang
- National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Maoyin Li
- Department of Biology, University of Missouri-St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
- Donald Danforth Plant Science Center, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Anne Phillips
- Donald Danforth Plant Science Center, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Long Li
- National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Usman Ali
- National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Qing Li
- National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Shaoping Lu
- National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Yueyun Hong
- National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Xuemin Wang
- Department of Biology, University of Missouri-St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
- Donald Danforth Plant Science Center, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
- Author for correspondence: (L.G) and (X.W.)
| | - Liang Guo
- National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei, China
- Author for correspondence: (L.G) and (X.W.)
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17
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Mina JGM, Charlton RL, Alpizar-Sosa E, Escrivani DO, Brown C, Alqaisi A, Borsodi MPG, Figueiredo CP, de Lima EV, Dickie EA, Wei W, Coutinho-Silva R, Merritt A, Smith TK, Barrett MP, Rossi-Bergmann B, Denny PW, Steel PG. Antileishmanial Chemotherapy through Clemastine Fumarate Mediated Inhibition of the Leishmania Inositol Phosphorylceramide Synthase. ACS Infect Dis 2021; 7:47-63. [PMID: 33291887 PMCID: PMC7802075 DOI: 10.1021/acsinfecdis.0c00546] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Current chemotherapeutics for leishmaniasis have multiple deficiencies, and there is a need for new safe, efficacious, and affordable medicines. This study describes a successful drug repurposing approach that identifies the over-the-counter antihistamine, clemastine fumarate, as a potential antileishmanial drug candidate. The screening for inhibitors of the sphingolipid synthase (inositol phosphorylceramide synthase, IPCS) afforded, following secondary screening against Leishmania major (Lmj) promastigotes, 16 active compounds. Further refinement through the dose response against LmjIPCS and intramacrophage L. major amastigotes identified clemastine fumarate with good activity and selectivity with respect to the host macrophage. On target engagement was supported by diminished sensitivity in a sphingolipid-deficient L. major mutant (ΔLmjLCB2) and altered phospholipid and sphingolipid profiles upon treatment with clemastine fumarate. The drug also induced an enhanced host cell response to infection indicative of polypharmacology. The activity was sustained across a panel of Old and New World Leishmania species, displaying an in vivo activity equivalent to the currently used drug, glucantime, in a mouse model of L. amazonensis infection. Overall, these data validate IPCS as an antileishmanial drug target and indicate that clemastine fumarate is a candidate for repurposing for the treatment of leishmaniasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- John G. M. Mina
- Departments of Chemistry, University of Durham, Science Laboratories, South Road, Durham DH1 3LE, United Kingdom
| | - Rebecca L. Charlton
- Departments of Chemistry, University of Durham, Science Laboratories, South Road, Durham DH1 3LE, United Kingdom
- Institute of Biophysics Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, 21941-902 Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Edubiel Alpizar-Sosa
- Department of Biosciences, University of Durham, South Road, Durham DH1 3LE, United Kingdom
- Wellcome Centre for Integrative Parasitology and Glasgow Polyomics, Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8TA, United Kingdom
| | - Douglas O. Escrivani
- Departments of Chemistry, University of Durham, Science Laboratories, South Road, Durham DH1 3LE, United Kingdom
- Institute of Biophysics Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, 21941-902 Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Christopher Brown
- Departments of Chemistry, University of Durham, Science Laboratories, South Road, Durham DH1 3LE, United Kingdom
| | - Amjed Alqaisi
- Department of Biosciences, University of Durham, South Road, Durham DH1 3LE, United Kingdom
- Department of Biology, College of Science, University of Baghdad, Baghdad 10071, Iraq
| | - Maria Paula G. Borsodi
- Institute of Biophysics Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, 21941-902 Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Claudia P. Figueiredo
- School of Pharmacy, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, 21944-590 Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Emanuelle V. de Lima
- School of Pharmacy, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, 21944-590 Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Emily A. Dickie
- Wellcome Centre for Integrative Parasitology and Glasgow Polyomics, Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8TA, United Kingdom
| | - Wenbin Wei
- Department of Biosciences, University of Durham, South Road, Durham DH1 3LE, United Kingdom
| | - Robson Coutinho-Silva
- Institute of Biophysics Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, 21941-902 Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Andy Merritt
- LifeArc, Open Innovation Campus, Stevenage SG1 2FX, United Kingdom
| | - Terry K. Smith
- BSRC, Schools of Biology and Chemistry, University of St Andrews, North Haugh, St Andrews KY16 9ST, United Kingdom
| | - Michael P. Barrett
- Wellcome Centre for Integrative Parasitology and Glasgow Polyomics, Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8TA, United Kingdom
| | - Bartira Rossi-Bergmann
- Institute of Biophysics Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, 21941-902 Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Paul W. Denny
- Department of Biosciences, University of Durham, South Road, Durham DH1 3LE, United Kingdom
| | - Patrick G. Steel
- Departments of Chemistry, University of Durham, Science Laboratories, South Road, Durham DH1 3LE, United Kingdom
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18
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Alsultan M, Morriss J, Contaifer D, Kumar NG, Wijesinghe DS. Host Lipid Response in Tropical Diseases. CURRENT TREATMENT OPTIONS IN INFECTIOUS DISEASES 2020. [DOI: 10.1007/s40506-020-00222-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
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19
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Comparative mitochondrial proteomics of Leishmania tropica clinical isolates resistant and sensitive to meglumine antimoniate. Parasitol Res 2020; 119:1857-1871. [DOI: 10.1007/s00436-020-06671-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2019] [Accepted: 03/18/2020] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
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20
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Hasi RY, Miyagi M, Kida T, Fukuta T, Kogure K, Hayashi J, Kawakami R, Kanemaru K, Tanaka T. Quantitative Analysis of Glycosylinositol Phosphoceramide and Phytoceramide 1-Phosphate in Vegetables. J Nutr Sci Vitaminol (Tokyo) 2020; 65:S175-S179. [PMID: 31619623 DOI: 10.3177/jnsv.65.s175] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Previously, we found an unidentified sphingolipid in cabbage, and determined it as phytoceramide 1-phosphate (PC1P). PC1P is found to be produced from glycosylinositol phosphoceramide (GIPC) by the action of phospholipase D (PLD) activity. Although GIPC is abundant sphingolipid, especially in cruciferous vegetables, amount of daily intake, digestibility and nutritional activity of GIPC are not well understood. Here, we investigated amounts of GIPC and PC1P in vegetables. GIPC was found in all vegetables examined (13 kinds) at levels 3-20 mg/100 g (wet weight). On the other hand, PC1P was present in limited vegetables which show higher GIPC-PLD activity, such as inner cabbage leaves (5.2 mg/100 g). Because PC1P is formed during homogenization by activated GIPC-PLD, level of PC1P in boiled cabbage leaves was very low. Although digestibility of GIPC is unknown at present, a portion of dietary GIPC is considered to be converted to PC1P during mastication by plant-derived GIPC-PLD activity in some vegetables.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Makoto Miyagi
- Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Tokushima University
| | - Takashi Kida
- Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Tokushima University
| | - Tatsuya Fukuta
- Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Tokushima University
| | - Kentaro Kogure
- Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Tokushima University
| | - Junji Hayashi
- Graduate School of Technology, Industrial and Social Sciences, Tokushima University
| | - Ryushi Kawakami
- Graduate School of Technology, Industrial and Social Sciences, Tokushima University
| | - Kaori Kanemaru
- Graduate School of Technology, Industrial and Social Sciences, Tokushima University
| | - Tamotsu Tanaka
- Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Tokushima University.,Graduate School of Technology, Industrial and Social Sciences, Tokushima University
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21
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Martínez CR, Ruiz CJ. Alterations in Host Lipid Metabolism Produced During Visceral Leishmaniasis Infections. CURRENT TROPICAL MEDICINE REPORTS 2019. [DOI: 10.1007/s40475-019-00187-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
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22
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Duarte TT, Ellis CC, Grajeda BI, De Chatterjee A, Almeida IC, Das S. A Targeted Mass Spectrometric Analysis Reveals the Presence of a Reduced but Dynamic Sphingolipid Metabolic Pathway in an Ancient Protozoan, Giardia lamblia. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2019; 9:245. [PMID: 31396488 PMCID: PMC6668603 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2019.00245] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2019] [Accepted: 06/24/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Giardia lamblia, a single-celled eukaryote, colonizes and thrives in the small intestine of humans. Because of its compact and reduced genome, Giardia has adapted a “minimalistic” life style, as it becomes dependent on available resources of the small intestine. Because Giardia expresses fewer sphingolipid (SL) genes—and glycosphingolipids are critical for encystation—we investigated the SL metabolic cycle in this parasite. A tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) analysis reveals that major SLs in Giardia include sphingomyelins, sphingoid bases, ceramides, and glycosylceramides. Many of these lipids are obtained by Giardia from the growth medium, remodeled at their fatty acyl chains and end up in the spent medium. For instance, ceramide-1-phosphate, a proinflammatory molecule that is not present in the culture medium, is generated from sphingosine (abundant in the culture medium) possibly by remodeling reactions. It is then subsequently released into the spent medium. Thus, the secretion of ceramide-1-phospate and other SL derivatives by Giardia could be associated with inflammatory bowel disease observed in acute giardiasis. Additionally, we found that the levels of SLs increase in encysting Giardia and are differentially regulated throughout the encystation cycle. We propose that SL metabolism is important for this parasite and, could serve as potential targets for developing novel anti-giardial agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Trevor T Duarte
- Department of Biological Sciences, Border Biomedical Research Center, University of Texas at El Paso, El Paso, TX, United States
| | - Cameron C Ellis
- Department of Biological Sciences, Border Biomedical Research Center, University of Texas at El Paso, El Paso, TX, United States
| | - Brian I Grajeda
- Department of Biological Sciences, Border Biomedical Research Center, University of Texas at El Paso, El Paso, TX, United States
| | - Atasi De Chatterjee
- Department of Biological Sciences, Border Biomedical Research Center, University of Texas at El Paso, El Paso, TX, United States
| | - Igor C Almeida
- Department of Biological Sciences, Border Biomedical Research Center, University of Texas at El Paso, El Paso, TX, United States.,Infectious Disease and Immunology Cluster, Border Biomedical Research Center, University of Texas at El Paso, El Paso, TX, United States
| | - Siddhartha Das
- Department of Biological Sciences, Border Biomedical Research Center, University of Texas at El Paso, El Paso, TX, United States.,Infectious Disease and Immunology Cluster, Border Biomedical Research Center, University of Texas at El Paso, El Paso, TX, United States
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23
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Moitra S, Pawlowic MC, Hsu FF, Zhang K. Phosphatidylcholine synthesis through cholinephosphate cytidylyltransferase is dispensable in Leishmania major. Sci Rep 2019; 9:7602. [PMID: 31110206 PMCID: PMC6527706 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-44086-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2018] [Accepted: 05/09/2019] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Phosphatidylcholine (PC) is a major cell membrane constituent and precursor of important second messengers. In Leishmania parasites, PC synthesis can occur via the choline branch of the Kennedy pathway, the N-methylation of phosphatidylethanolamine (PE), or the remodeling of exogenous phospholipids. To investigate the role of de novo PC synthesis in Leishmania major, we focused on the cholinephosphate cytidylyltransferase (CPCT) which catalyzes the formation of CDP-choline, a key intermediate in the choline branch of the Kennedy pathway. Without CPCT, L. major parasites cannot incorporate choline into PC, yet the CPCT-null mutants contain similar levels of PC and PE as wild type parasites. Loss of CPCT does not affect the growth of parasites in complete medium or their virulence in mice. These results suggest that other mechanisms of PC synthesis can compensate the loss of CPCT. Importantly, CPCT-null parasites exhibited severe growth defects when ethanolamine and exogenous lipids became limited or when they were co-cultured with certain bacteria that are known to be members of sandfly midgut microbiota. These findings suggest that Leishmania employ multiple PC synthesis pathways to utilize a diverse pool of nutrients, which may be crucial for their survival and development in the sandfly.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samrat Moitra
- Department of Biological Sciences, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX, 79409, USA
| | - Mattie C Pawlowic
- Department of Biological Sciences, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX, 79409, USA
- Wellcome Centre for Anti-Infectives Research (WCAIR), Division of Biological Chemistry and Drug Discovery, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee, DD1 5EH, UK
| | - Fong-Fu Hsu
- Department of Internal Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, 660S. Euclid Ave., Saint Louis, MO, 63110, USA
| | - Kai Zhang
- Department of Biological Sciences, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX, 79409, USA.
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24
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Abstract
The kinetoplastid parasite Trypanosoma brucei causes African trypanosomiasis in both humans and animals. Infections place a significant health and economic burden on developing nations in sub-Saharan Africa, but few effective anti-parasitic treatments are currently available. Hence, there is an urgent need to identify new leads for drug development. The T. brucei neutral sphingomyelinase (TbnSMase) was previously established as essential to parasite survival, consequently being identified as a potential drug target. This enzyme may catalyse the single route to sphingolipid catabolism outside the T. brucei lysosome. To obtain new insight into parasite sphingolipid catabolism, the substrate specificity of TbnSMase was investigated using electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (ESI-MS/MS). Recombinant TbnSMase was shown to degrade sphingomyelin, inositol-phosphoceramide and ethanolamine-phosphoceramide sphingolipid substrates, consistent with the sphingolipid complement of the parasites. TbnSMase also catabolized ceramide-1-phosphate, but was inactive towards sphingosine-1-phosphate. The broad-range specificity of this enzyme towards sphingolipid species is a unique feature of TbnSMase. Additionally, ESI-MS/MS analysis revealed previously uncharacterized activity towards lyso-phosphatidylcholine despite the enzyme's inability to degrade phosphatidylcholine. Collectively, these data underline the enzyme's importance in choline homoeostasis and the turnover of sphingolipids in T. brucei.
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25
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He J, Huang F, Zhang J, Chen H, Chen Q, Zhang J, Li J, Zheng Z, Chen D, Chen J. DNA prime-protein boost vaccine encoding HLA-A2, HLA-A24 and HLA-DR1 restricted epitopes of CaNA2 against visceral leishmaniasis. Immunology 2018; 156:94-108. [PMID: 30285279 DOI: 10.1111/imm.13007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2018] [Revised: 09/09/2018] [Accepted: 09/26/2018] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Visceral leishmaniasis is a tropical and neglected disease with an estimated 200 000-400 000 cases and 60 000 deaths worldwide each year. Currently, no clinically valid vaccine is available for this disease. In this study, we formulated DNA and protein vaccines encoding HLA-A2, HLA-A24 and HLA-DR1 restricted epitopes of CaNA2 against visceral leishmaniasis. We predicted the secondary and tertiary structures, surface properties, subcellular localization, potential binding sites and HLA-A2, HLA-A24 and HLA-DR1 restricted epitopes of CaNA2. The best candidate CpG ODN (2395, M362, D-SL03 or 685) was screened out as a DNA vaccine adjuvant. We also prepared Kmp-11 and Kmp-11/CaNA2 DNA and protein vaccines, respectively, for comparison. BALB/c mice were immunized with a DNA prime-protein boost immunization strategy and challenged with a newly isolated Leishmania strain from an individual with visceral leishmaniasis. The IgG antibody titers showed that our vaccine had strong immunogenicity with a long duration, especially cellular immunity. The spleen parasite burden of each group demonstrated that the CaNA2 vaccine had a certain immune protective effect on visceral leishmaniasis in BALB/c mice, and the amastigote reduction rate reached 76%. Preliminary safety tests confirmed the safety of the vaccine. Our work demonstrates that the HLA-A2, HLA-A24 and HLA-DR1 restricted epitope CaNA2 DNA prime-protein boost vaccine may be a safe and effective epitope vaccine candidate against visceral leishmaniasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinlei He
- Department of Parasitology, West China School of Basic Medical Sciences and Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Fan Huang
- Surgical Department, Chengdu Shuangliu Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Jianhui Zhang
- Department of Parasitology, West China School of Basic Medical Sciences and Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Han Chen
- Department of Parasitology, West China School of Basic Medical Sciences and Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Qiwei Chen
- Department of Parasitology, West China School of Basic Medical Sciences and Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Junrong Zhang
- Department of Parasitology, West China School of Basic Medical Sciences and Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Jiao Li
- Department of Parasitology, West China School of Basic Medical Sciences and Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Zhiwan Zheng
- Department of Parasitology, West China School of Basic Medical Sciences and Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Dali Chen
- Department of Parasitology, West China School of Basic Medical Sciences and Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Jianping Chen
- Department of Parasitology, West China School of Basic Medical Sciences and Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China.,Animal Disease Prevention and Food Safety Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
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26
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Armitage EG, Alqaisi AQI, Godzien J, Peña I, Mbekeani AJ, Alonso-Herranz V, López-Gonzálvez Á, Martín J, Gabarro R, Denny PW, Barrett MP, Barbas C. Complex Interplay between Sphingolipid and Sterol Metabolism Revealed by Perturbations to the Leishmania Metabolome Caused by Miltefosine. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2018; 62:e02095-17. [PMID: 29463533 PMCID: PMC5923112 DOI: 10.1128/aac.02095-17] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2017] [Accepted: 01/21/2018] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
With the World Health Organization reporting over 30,000 deaths and 200,000 to 400,000 new cases annually, visceral leishmaniasis is a serious disease affecting some of the world's poorest people. As drug resistance continues to rise, there is a huge unmet need to improve treatment. Miltefosine remains one of the main treatments for leishmaniasis, yet its mode of action (MoA) is still unknown. Understanding the MoA of this drug and parasite response to treatment could help pave the way for new and more successful treatments for leishmaniasis. A novel method has been devised to study the metabolome and lipidome of Leishmania donovani axenic amastigotes treated with miltefosine. Miltefosine caused a dramatic decrease in many membrane phospholipids (PLs), in addition to amino acid pools, while sphingolipids (SLs) and sterols increased. Leishmania major promastigotes devoid of SL biosynthesis through loss of the serine palmitoyl transferase gene (ΔLCB2) were 3-fold less sensitive to miltefosine than wild-type (WT) parasites. Changes in the metabolome and lipidome of miltefosine-treated L. major mirrored those of L. donovani A lack of SLs in the ΔLCB2 mutant was matched by substantial alterations in sterol content. Together, these data indicate that SLs and ergosterol are important for miltefosine sensitivity and, perhaps, MoA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily G Armitage
- Centre for Metabolomics and Bioanalysis (CEMBIO), Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad CEU San Pablo, Campus Montepríncipe, Boadilla del Monte, Madrid, Spain
- GSK I+D Diseases of the Developing World (DDW), Parque Tecnológico de Madrid, Tres Cantos, Madrid, Spain
- Wellcome Centre for Molecular Parasitology, Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences & Glasgow Polyomics, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Amjed Q I Alqaisi
- Department of Biosciences, Durham University, Lower Mountjoy, Durham, United Kingdom
- University of Baghdad, College of Science, Biology Department, Baghdad, Iraq
| | - Joanna Godzien
- Centre for Metabolomics and Bioanalysis (CEMBIO), Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad CEU San Pablo, Campus Montepríncipe, Boadilla del Monte, Madrid, Spain
| | - Imanol Peña
- GSK I+D Diseases of the Developing World (DDW), Parque Tecnológico de Madrid, Tres Cantos, Madrid, Spain
| | - Alison J Mbekeani
- Department of Biosciences, Durham University, Lower Mountjoy, Durham, United Kingdom
| | - Vanesa Alonso-Herranz
- Centre for Metabolomics and Bioanalysis (CEMBIO), Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad CEU San Pablo, Campus Montepríncipe, Boadilla del Monte, Madrid, Spain
| | - Ángeles López-Gonzálvez
- Centre for Metabolomics and Bioanalysis (CEMBIO), Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad CEU San Pablo, Campus Montepríncipe, Boadilla del Monte, Madrid, Spain
| | - Julio Martín
- GSK I+D Diseases of the Developing World (DDW), Parque Tecnológico de Madrid, Tres Cantos, Madrid, Spain
| | - Raquel Gabarro
- GSK I+D Diseases of the Developing World (DDW), Parque Tecnológico de Madrid, Tres Cantos, Madrid, Spain
| | - Paul W Denny
- Department of Biosciences, Durham University, Lower Mountjoy, Durham, United Kingdom
| | - Michael P Barrett
- Wellcome Centre for Molecular Parasitology, Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences & Glasgow Polyomics, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Coral Barbas
- Centre for Metabolomics and Bioanalysis (CEMBIO), Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad CEU San Pablo, Campus Montepríncipe, Boadilla del Monte, Madrid, Spain
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27
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Jardim A, Hardie DB, Boitz J, Borchers CH. Proteomic Profiling of Leishmania donovani Promastigote Subcellular Organelles. J Proteome Res 2018; 17:1194-1215. [PMID: 29332401 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jproteome.7b00817] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
To facilitate a greater understanding of the biological processes in the medically important Leishmania donovani parasite, a combination of differential and density-gradient ultracentrifugation techniques were used to achieve a comprehensive subcellular fractionation of the promastigote stage. An in-depth label-free proteomic LC-MS/MS analysis of the density gradients resulted in the identification of ∼50% of the Leishmania proteome (3883 proteins detected), which included ∼645 integral membrane proteins and 1737 uncharacterized proteins. Clustering and subcellular localization of proteins was based on a subset of training Leishmania proteins with known subcellular localizations that had been determined using biochemical, confocal microscopy, or immunoelectron microscopy approaches. This subcellular map will be a valuable resource that will help dissect the cell biology and metabolic processes associated with specific organelles of Leishmania and related kinetoplastids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Armando Jardim
- Institute of Parasitology, Macdonald Campus, McGill University , 21111 Lakeshore Road, Saine-Anne-de-Bellevue, Québec H9X 3V9, Canada
| | - Darryl B Hardie
- University of Victoria -Genome British Columbia Proteomics Centre , #3101-4464 Markham Street, Vancouver Island Technology Park, Victoria, British Columbia V8Z7X8, Canada
| | - Jan Boitz
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Oregon Health & Science University , Portland, Oregon 97239, United States
| | - Christoph H Borchers
- University of Victoria -Genome British Columbia Proteomics Centre , #3101-4464 Markham Street, Vancouver Island Technology Park, Victoria, British Columbia V8Z7X8, Canada.,Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of North Carolina , 120 Mason Farm Road, Campus Box 7260 Third Floor, Genetic Medicine Building, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, United States.,Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, University of Victoria , Petch Building, Room 270d, 3800 Finnerty Road, Victoria, British Columbia V8P 5C2, Canada.,Gerald Bronfman Department of Oncology, Jewish General Hospital, McGill University , 3755 Côte Ste-Catherine Road, Montreal, Quebec H3T 1E2, Canada.,Proteomics Centre, Segal Cancer Centre, Lady Davis Institute, Jewish General Hospital, McGill University , 3755 Côte Ste-Catherine Road, Montreal, Quebec H3T 1E2, Canada
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28
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Lee S, Cheung-See-Kit M, Williams TA, Yamout N, Zufferey R. The glycosomal alkyl-dihydroxyacetonephosphate synthase TbADS is essential for the synthesis of ether glycerophospholipids in procyclic trypanosomes. Exp Parasitol 2018; 185:71-78. [PMID: 29355496 DOI: 10.1016/j.exppara.2018.01.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2017] [Revised: 12/30/2017] [Accepted: 01/14/2018] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
Glycerophospholipids are the main constituents of the biological membranes in Trypanosoma brucei, which causes sleeping sickness in humans. The present work reports the characterization of the alkyl-dihydroxyacetonephosphate synthase TbADS that catalyzes the committed step in ether glycerophospholipid biosynthesis. TbADS localizes to the glycosomal lumen. TbADS complemented a null mutant of Leishmania major lacking alkyl-dihydroxyacetonephosphate synthase activity and restored the formation of normal form of the ether lipid based virulence factor lipophosphoglycan. Despite lacking alkyl-dihydroxyacetonephosphate synthase activity, a null mutant of TbADS in procyclic trypanosomes remained viable and exhibited normal growth. Comprehensive analysis of cellular glycerophospholipids showed that TbADS was involved in the biosynthesis of all ether glycerophospholipid species, primarily found in the PE and PC classes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sungsu Lee
- Department of Biological Sciences, St John's University, 8000 Utopia Parkway, Jamaica, NY 11439, USA
| | - Melanie Cheung-See-Kit
- Department of Biological Sciences, St John's University, 8000 Utopia Parkway, Jamaica, NY 11439, USA
| | - Tyler A Williams
- Department of Biological Sciences, St John's University, 8000 Utopia Parkway, Jamaica, NY 11439, USA
| | - Nader Yamout
- Department of Biological Sciences, St John's University, 8000 Utopia Parkway, Jamaica, NY 11439, USA
| | - Rachel Zufferey
- Department of Biological Sciences, St John's University, 8000 Utopia Parkway, Jamaica, NY 11439, USA.
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29
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Comparative sphingolipidomics of disease-causing trypanosomatids reveal unique lifecycle- and taxonomy-specific lipid chemistries. Sci Rep 2017; 7:13617. [PMID: 29051559 PMCID: PMC5648825 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-13931-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2017] [Accepted: 10/03/2017] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Trypanosomatids are parasitic protozoa which cause a spectrum of diseases, including trypanosomiasis and leishmaniasis, affecting millions of humans and animals worldwide. The surface of most protozoan parasites is heavily decorated with lipids and lipid-anchored molecules, forming protective barriers and acting as virulence factors during infection. Sphingolipids (SP) are major components of eukaryotic biomembranes, which play important roles in structural integrity, energy homeostasis and signaling. However, the precise chemical composition of SP in pathogens as well as their biochemical pathways and functions remain poorly characterized. Here, we present the first system-scale analyses of SP found in a panel of 7 trypanosomatids, including Leishmania donovani, Trypanosoma brucei and Trypanosoma cruzi. We characterized the structure of aminoethylphosphonate-containing ceramides, which are found exclusively in stercorarian Trypanosoma. Employing the sensitive and semi-quantitative sphingolipidomics approach that we developed, we report the detection of over 300 molecular species of SP, and identified unique metabolic signatures which serve as discriminants of the pathogens based on their taxonomy and lifecycle stages. The deep sphingolipidome presented here is an important biochemical and technological resource for future works to dissect SP metabolism and functions in these medically and agriculturally relevant systems.
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30
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Biagiotti M, Dominguez S, Yamout N, Zufferey R. Lipidomics and anti-trypanosomatid chemotherapy. Clin Transl Med 2017; 6:27. [PMID: 28766182 PMCID: PMC5539062 DOI: 10.1186/s40169-017-0160-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2017] [Accepted: 07/26/2017] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Trypanosomatids such as Leishmania, Trypanosoma brucei and Trypanosoma cruzi belong to the order Kinetoplastida and are the source of many significant human and animal diseases. Current treatment is unsatisfactory and is compromised by the rising appearance of drug resistant parasites. Novel and more effective chemotherapeutics are urgently needed to treat and prevent these devastating diseases, which relies on the identification of essential, parasite specific targets that are absent in the host. Lipids constitute essential components of the cell and carry out multiple critical functions from building blocks of biological membranes to regulatory roles in signal transduction, organellar biogenesis, energy storage, and virulence. The recent technological advances of lipidomics has facilitated the broadening of our knowledge in the field of cellular lipid content, structure, functions, and metabolic pathways. MAIN BODY This review highlights the application of lipidomics (i) in the characterization of the lipidome of kinetoplastid parasites or of their subcellular structure(s), (ii) in the identification of unique lipid species or metabolic pathways that can be targeted for novel drug therapies, (iii) as an analytic tool to gain a deeper insight into the roles of specific enzymes in lipid metabolism using genetically modified microorganisms, and (iv) in deciphering the mechanism of action of anti-microbial drugs on lipid metabolism. Lastly, an outlook stating where the field is evolving is presented. CONCLUSION Lipidomics has contributed to the expanding knowledge related to lipid metabolism, mechanism of drug action and resistance, and pathogen-host interaction of trypanosomatids, which provides a solid basis for the development of better anti-parasitic pharmaceuticals.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Nader Yamout
- St John's University, 8000 Utopia Parkway, Queens, NY, 11439, USA
| | - Rachel Zufferey
- St John's University, 8000 Utopia Parkway, Queens, NY, 11439, USA.
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31
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Bouazizi-Ben Messaoud H, Guichard M, Lawton P, Delton I, Azzouz-Maache S. Changes in Lipid and Fatty Acid Composition During Intramacrophagic Transformation of Leishmania donovani Complex Promastigotes into Amastigotes. Lipids 2017; 52:433-441. [PMID: 28161835 PMCID: PMC5427136 DOI: 10.1007/s11745-017-4233-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2016] [Accepted: 01/10/2017] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Leishmania sp., are trypanosomatid parasites that are phagocytized by human and animal macrophages. Transformation from the vector promastigote stage to the intracellular amastigote host cell stage is mandatory, since development in the host depends on the internalization of the parasite. We identified and analyzed the lipids involved in the promastigote to amastigote transformation process in the Leishmania donovani complex. Four lipid classes, phospholipids, free fatty acids, triglycerides and sterols were studied. The derivatization method of Bligh and Dyer was used to establish the fatty acid composition in each stage of the parasite. To stay within the context of Leishmania infection, we used amastigotes extracted from macrophages after experimental in vitro infection. The purification process was checked by electronic microscopy, the absence of major contamination by host-cell debris and a correct purification yield validated our experimental model. Our results show that free fatty acids and cholesterol increased, whereas triglycerides and ergosterol decreased during the transition between promastigotes to amastigotes. With respect to phospholipid classes, we found increased proportion of sphingomyelin and phosphatidylserine and lowered proportion of phosphatidylinositol and lysophosphatidylethanolamine. Regarding fatty acid composition, a significant increase of n-7 fatty acids was observed in amastigotes. Overall, the total n-6 fatty acids were decreased in PL. Several of the changes were also observed in TG and free fatty acids. Particularly, n-7 fatty acids and 20:4n-6 were highly increased, whereas n-9 fatty acid and n-6 precursors decreased.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hana Bouazizi-Ben Messaoud
- Institut de recherche pour le développement (IRD), UMR InterTryp IRD/CIRAD, campus international de Baillarguet, Montpellier, France.,Department of Parasitology and Medical Mycology, Lyon University, Lyon, France.,Inserm U1060 CarMeN Laboratory, INSA-Lyon, Villeurbanne, France
| | - Marion Guichard
- Institut de recherche pour le développement (IRD), UMR InterTryp IRD/CIRAD, campus international de Baillarguet, Montpellier, France.,Department of Parasitology and Medical Mycology, Lyon University, Lyon, France
| | - Philippe Lawton
- Institut de recherche pour le développement (IRD), UMR InterTryp IRD/CIRAD, campus international de Baillarguet, Montpellier, France.,Department of Parasitology and Medical Mycology, Lyon University, Lyon, France
| | - Isabelle Delton
- Inserm U1060 CarMeN Laboratory, INSA-Lyon, Villeurbanne, France
| | - Samira Azzouz-Maache
- Institut de recherche pour le développement (IRD), UMR InterTryp IRD/CIRAD, campus international de Baillarguet, Montpellier, France. .,Department of Parasitology and Medical Mycology, Lyon University, Lyon, France.
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32
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Negrão F, Abánades DR, Jaeeger CF, Rocha DFO, Belaz KRA, Giorgio S, Eberlin MN, Angolini CFF. Lipidomic alterations of in vitro macrophage infection by L. infantum and L. amazonensis. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2017; 13:2401-2406. [DOI: 10.1039/c7mb00381a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Lipidomics ofLeishmaniahas been demonstrated and related to its adaptation mechanisms during host-cells infection and its different clinical manifestations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fernanda Negrão
- ThoMSon Mass Spectrometry Laboratory
- Institute of Chemistry
- University of Campinas
- UNICAMP 13083-970 Campinas – SP
- Brazil
| | - Daniel R. Abánades
- Laboratory of Leishmaniasis
- Department of Animal Biology
- Institute of Biology
- University of Campinas
- UNICAMP 13083-970 Campinas – SP
| | - Caroline F. Jaeeger
- ThoMSon Mass Spectrometry Laboratory
- Institute of Chemistry
- University of Campinas
- UNICAMP 13083-970 Campinas – SP
- Brazil
| | - Daniele F. O. Rocha
- ThoMSon Mass Spectrometry Laboratory
- Institute of Chemistry
- University of Campinas
- UNICAMP 13083-970 Campinas – SP
- Brazil
| | - Katia R. A. Belaz
- ThoMSon Mass Spectrometry Laboratory
- Institute of Chemistry
- University of Campinas
- UNICAMP 13083-970 Campinas – SP
- Brazil
| | - Selma Giorgio
- Laboratory of Leishmaniasis
- Department of Animal Biology
- Institute of Biology
- University of Campinas
- UNICAMP 13083-970 Campinas – SP
| | - Marcos N. Eberlin
- ThoMSon Mass Spectrometry Laboratory
- Institute of Chemistry
- University of Campinas
- UNICAMP 13083-970 Campinas – SP
- Brazil
| | - Célio F. F. Angolini
- ThoMSon Mass Spectrometry Laboratory
- Institute of Chemistry
- University of Campinas
- UNICAMP 13083-970 Campinas – SP
- Brazil
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33
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Pawlowic M, Hsu FF, Moitra S, Biyani N, Zhang K. Plasmenylethanolamine synthesis in Leishmania major. Mol Microbiol 2016; 101:238-49. [PMID: 27062077 PMCID: PMC4935589 DOI: 10.1111/mmi.13387] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/28/2016] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Ethanolamine glycerophospholipids are ubiquitous cell membrane components. Trypanosomatid parasites of the genus Leishmania synthesize the majority of their ethanolamine glycerophospholipids as 1-O-alk-1'-enyl-2-acyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphoethanolamine or plasmenylethanolamine (PME) through the Kennedy pathway. PME is a subtype of ether phospholipids also known as ethanolamine plasmalogen whose functions are not well characterized. In this study, we investigated the role of PME synthesis in Leishmania major through the characterization of an ethanolamine phosphotransferase (EPT) mutant. EPT-null parasites are largely devoid of PME and fully viable in regular medium but fail to proliferate in the absence of fetal bovine serum. They exhibit significant abnormalities in the synthesis and localization of GPI-anchored surface molecules. EPT-null mutants also show attenuated virulence in BALB/c mice. Furthermore, in addition to PME synthesis, ethanolamine also contributes to the production of phosphatidylcholine, the most abundant class of lipids in Leishmania. Together, these findings suggest that ethanolamine production is likely required for Leishmania promastigotes to generate bulk phospholipids, to handle stress, and to control the expression of membrane bound virulence factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mattie Pawlowic
- Department of Biological Sciences, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX 79409, USA
| | - Fong-fu Hsu
- Department of Internal Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, 660 S. Euclid Ave., Saint Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Samrat Moitra
- Department of Biological Sciences, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX 79409, USA
| | - Neha Biyani
- Department of Biological Sciences, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX 79409, USA
| | - Kai Zhang
- Department of Biological Sciences, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX 79409, USA
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Role of Inositol Phosphosphingolipid Phospholipase C1, the Yeast Homolog of Neutral Sphingomyelinases in DNA Damage Response and Diseases. J Lipids 2015; 2015:161392. [PMID: 26346287 PMCID: PMC4544949 DOI: 10.1155/2015/161392] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2015] [Revised: 07/25/2015] [Accepted: 07/29/2015] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Sphingolipids play a very crucial role in many diseases and are well-known as signaling mediators in many pathways. Sphingolipids are produced during the de novo process in the ER (endoplasmic reticulum) from the nonsphingolipid precursor and comprise both structural and bioactive lipids. Ceramide is the central core of the sphingolipid pathway, and its production has been observed following various treatments that can induce several different cellular effects including growth arrest, DNA damage, apoptosis, differentiation, and senescence. Ceramides are generally produced through the sphingomyelin hydrolysis and catalyzed by the enzyme sphingomyelinase (SMase) in mammals. Presently, there are many known SMases and they are categorized into three groups acid SMases (aSMases), alkaline SMases (alk-SMASES), and neutral SMases (nSMases). The yeast homolog of mammalians neutral SMases is inositol phosphosphingolipid phospholipase C. Yeasts generally have inositol phosphosphingolipids instead of sphingomyelin, which may act as a homolog of mammalian sphingomyelin. In this review, we shall explain the structure and function of inositol phosphosphingolipid phospholipase C1, its localization inside the cells, mechanisms, and its roles in various cell responses during replication stresses and diseases. This review will also give a new basis for our understanding for the mechanisms and nature of the inositol phosphosphingolipid phospholipase C1/nSMase.
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Swann J, Jamshidi N, Lewis NE, Winzeler EA. Systems analysis of host-parasite interactions. WILEY INTERDISCIPLINARY REVIEWS-SYSTEMS BIOLOGY AND MEDICINE 2015; 7:381-400. [PMID: 26306749 PMCID: PMC4679367 DOI: 10.1002/wsbm.1311] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2015] [Revised: 06/25/2015] [Accepted: 06/29/2015] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Parasitic diseases caused by protozoan pathogens lead to hundreds of thousands of deaths per year in addition to substantial suffering and socioeconomic decline for millions of people worldwide. The lack of effective vaccines coupled with the widespread emergence of drug‐resistant parasites necessitates that the research community take an active role in understanding host–parasite infection biology in order to develop improved therapeutics. Recent advances in next‐generation sequencing and the rapid development of publicly accessible genomic databases for many human pathogens have facilitated the application of systems biology to the study of host–parasite interactions. Over the past decade, these technologies have led to the discovery of many important biological processes governing parasitic disease. The integration and interpretation of high‐throughput ‐omic data will undoubtedly generate extraordinary insight into host–parasite interaction networks essential to navigate the intricacies of these complex systems. As systems analysis continues to build the foundation for our understanding of host–parasite biology, this will provide the framework necessary to drive drug discovery research forward and accelerate the development of new antiparasitic therapies. WIREs Syst Biol Med 2015, 7:381–400. doi: 10.1002/wsbm.1311 For further resources related to this article, please visit the WIREs website.
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Affiliation(s)
- Justine Swann
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Neema Jamshidi
- Department of Radiological Sciences, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA.,Institute of Engineering in Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Nathan E Lewis
- Department of Pediatrics and Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Biosustainability, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Elizabeth A Winzeler
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
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Kloehn J, Saunders EC, O’Callaghan S, Dagley MJ, McConville MJ. Characterization of metabolically quiescent Leishmania parasites in murine lesions using heavy water labeling. PLoS Pathog 2015; 11:e1004683. [PMID: 25714830 PMCID: PMC4340956 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1004683] [Citation(s) in RCA: 100] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2014] [Accepted: 01/14/2015] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Information on the growth rate and metabolism of microbial pathogens that cause long-term chronic infections is limited, reflecting the absence of suitable tools for measuring these parameters in vivo. Here, we have measured the replication and physiological state of Leishmania mexicana parasites in murine inflammatory lesions using 2H2O labeling. Infected BALB/c mice were labeled with 2H2O for up to 4 months, and the turnover of parasite DNA, RNA, protein and membrane lipids estimated from the rate of deuterium enrichment in constituent pentose sugars, amino acids, and fatty acids, respectively. We show that the replication rate of parasite stages in these tissues is very slow (doubling time of ~12 days), but remarkably constant throughout lesion development. Lesion parasites also exhibit markedly lower rates of RNA synthesis, protein turnover and membrane lipid synthesis than parasite stages isolated from ex vivo infected macrophages or cultured in vitro, suggesting that formation of lesions induces parasites to enter a semi-quiescent physiological state. Significantly, the determined parasite growth rate accounts for the overall increase in parasite burden indicating that parasite death and turnover of infected host cells in these lesions is minimal. We propose that the Leishmania response to lesion formation is an important adaptive strategy that minimizes macrophage activation, providing a permissive environment that supports progressive expansion of parasite burden. This labeling approach can be used to measure the dynamics of other host-microbe interactions in situ. Microbial pathogens can adapt to changing conditions in their hosts by switching between different growth and physiological states. However, current methods for measuring microbial physiology in vivo are limited, hampering detailed dissection of host-pathogen interactions. Here we have used heavy water labeling to measure the growth rate and physiological state of Leishmania parasites in murine lesions. Based on the rate of in situ labeling of parasite DNA, RNA, protein, and lipids, we show that the growth rate of intracellular parasite stages is very slow, and that these stages enter a semi-quiescent state characterized by very low rates of RNA, protein, and membrane turnover. These changes in parasite growth and physiology are more pronounced than in in vitro differentiated parasites, suggesting that they are induced in part by the lesion environment. Despite their slow growth, the parasite burden in these lesions progressively increases as a result of low rates of parasite death and host cell turnover. We propose that these changes in Leishmania growth and physiology contribute to the development of a relatively benign tissue environment that is permissive for long term parasite expansion. This approach is suitable for studying the dynamics of other host-pathogen systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joachim Kloehn
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Bio21 Institute of Molecular Science and Biotechnology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Eleanor C. Saunders
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Bio21 Institute of Molecular Science and Biotechnology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Sean O’Callaghan
- Metabolomics Australia, Bio21 Institute of Molecular Science and Biotechnology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Michael J. Dagley
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Bio21 Institute of Molecular Science and Biotechnology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Malcolm J. McConville
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Bio21 Institute of Molecular Science and Biotechnology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
- Metabolomics Australia, Bio21 Institute of Molecular Science and Biotechnology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
- * E-mail:
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Xu W, Hsu FF, Baykal E, Huang J, Zhang K. Sterol biosynthesis is required for heat resistance but not extracellular survival in leishmania. PLoS Pathog 2014; 10:e1004427. [PMID: 25340392 PMCID: PMC4207814 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1004427] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2014] [Accepted: 08/27/2014] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Sterol biosynthesis is a crucial pathway in eukaryotes leading to the production of cholesterol in animals and various C24-alkyl sterols (ergostane-based sterols) in fungi, plants, and trypanosomatid protozoa. Sterols are important membrane components and precursors for the synthesis of powerful bioactive molecules, including steroid hormones in mammals. Their functions in pathogenic protozoa are not well characterized, which limits the development of sterol synthesis inhibitors as drugs. Here we investigated the role of sterol C14α-demethylase (C14DM) in Leishmania parasites. C14DM is a cytochrome P450 enzyme and the primary target of azole drugs. In Leishmania, genetic or chemical inactivation of C14DM led to a complete loss of ergostane-based sterols and accumulation of 14-methylated sterols. Despite the drastic change in lipid composition, C14DM-null mutants (c14dm(-)) were surprisingly viable and replicative in culture. They did exhibit remarkable defects including increased membrane fluidity, failure to maintain detergent resistant membrane fraction, and hypersensitivity to heat stress. These c14dm(-) mutants showed severely reduced virulence in mice but were highly resistant to itraconazole and amphotericin B, two drugs targeting sterol synthesis. Our findings suggest that the accumulation of toxic sterol intermediates in c14dm(-) causes strong membrane perturbation and significant vulnerability to stress. The new knowledge may help improve the efficacy of current drugs against pathogenic protozoa by exploiting the fitness loss associated with drug resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Xu
- Department of Biological Sciences, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas, United States of America
| | - Fong-Fu Hsu
- Department of Internal Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, Missouri, United States of America
| | - Eda Baykal
- Department of Physics, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas, United States of America
| | - Juyang Huang
- Department of Physics, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas, United States of America
| | - Kai Zhang
- Department of Biological Sciences, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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Zhang O, Hsu FF, Xu W, Pawlowic M, Zhang K. Sphingosine kinase A is a pleiotropic and essential enzyme for Leishmania survival and virulence. Mol Microbiol 2013; 90:489-501. [PMID: 23980754 PMCID: PMC3938578 DOI: 10.1111/mmi.12378] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/24/2013] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Sphingosine kinase is a key enzyme in sphingolipid metabolism, catalysing the conversion of sphingosine or dihydrosphingosine into sphingosine-1-phosphate or dihydrosphingosine-1-phosphate respectively. In mammals, sphingosine-1-phosphate is a powerful signalling molecule regulating cell growth, differentiation, apoptosis and immunity. Functions of sphingosine kinase or sphingosine-1-phosphate in pathogenic protozoans are virtually unknown. While most organisms possess two closely related sphingosine kinases, only one sphingosine kinase homologue (SKa) can be identified in Leishmania, which are vector-borne protozoan parasites responsible for leishmaniasis. Leishmania SKa is a large, cytoplasmic enzyme capable of phosphorylating both sphingosine and dihydrosphingosine. Remarkably, deletion of SKa leads to catastrophic defects in both the insect stage and mammalian stage of Leishmania parasites. Genetic and biochemical analyses demonstrate that proper expression of SKa is essential for Leishmania parasites to remove toxic metabolites, to survive stressful conditions, and to cause disease in mice. Therefore, SKa is a pleiotropic enzyme with vital roles throughout the life cycle of Leishmania. The essentiality of SKa and its apparent divergence from mammalian counterparts suggests that this enzyme can be selectively targeted to reduce Leishmania infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ou Zhang
- Department of Biological Sciences, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX 79409, USA
| | - Fong-Fu Hsu
- Department of Internal Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, 660 S. Euclid Ave., Saint Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Wei Xu
- Department of Biological Sciences, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX 79409, USA
| | - Mattie Pawlowic
- Department of Biological Sciences, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX 79409, USA
| | - Kai Zhang
- Department of Biological Sciences, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX 79409, USA
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de Azevedo AF, Dutra JLDL, Santos MLB, Santos DDA, Alves PB, de Moura TR, de Almeida RP, Fernandes MF, Scher R, Fernandes RPM. Fatty acid profiles in Leishmania spp. isolates with natural resistance to nitric oxide and trivalent antimony. Parasitol Res 2013; 113:19-27. [PMID: 24096610 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-013-3621-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2013] [Accepted: 09/23/2013] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Fatty acids, especially those from phospholipids (PLFA), are essential membrane components that are present in relatively constant proportions in biological membranes under natural conditions. However, under harmful growth conditions, such as diseases, environmental changes, and chemical exposure, the fatty acid proportions might vary. If such changes could be identified and revealed to be specific for adverse situations, they could be used as biomarkers. Such biomarkers could facilitate the identification of virulence and resistance mechanisms to particular chemotherapeutic agents. Therefore, specific biomarkers could lead to better therapeutic decisions that would, in turn, enhance treatment effectiveness. The objective of this study was to compare the fatty acid profiles of trivalent antimony and nitric oxide (NO)-resistant and -sensitive Leishmania chagasi and Leishmania amazonensis isolates. Fatty acid methyl esters (FAMEs) were obtained from total lipids (MIDI), ester-linked lipids (ELFA), and ester-linked phospholipids (PLFA). FAMEs were analyzed by chromatography and mass spectrometry. Species- or resistance-associated differences in FAME profiles were assessed by nonmetric multidimensional scaling, multiresponse permutation procedures, and indicator species analyses. The isolate groups had different MIDI-FAME profiles. However, neither the ELFA nor PLFA profiles differed between the sensitive and resistant isolates. Levels of the fatty acid 18:1 Δ9c were increased in sensitive isolates (p < 0,001), whereas the fatty acid 20:4 Δ5,8,11,14 showed the opposite trend (p < 0.01). We conclude that these two fatty acids are potential biomarkers for NO and antimony resistance in L. chagasi and L. amazonensis and that they could be helpful in therapeutic diagnoses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alana Freire de Azevedo
- Departamento de Fisiologia, Universidade Federal de Sergipe (UFS), Av. Marechal Rondon, S/N, 49100-000, São Cristóvão, Sergipe, Brazil
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40
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Tanaka T, Kida T, Imai H, Morishige JI, Yamashita R, Matsuoka H, Uozumi S, Satouchi K, Nagano M, Tokumura A. Identification of a sphingolipid-specific phospholipase D activity associated with the generation of phytoceramide-1-phosphate in cabbage leaves. FEBS J 2013; 280:3797-809. [PMID: 23738625 DOI: 10.1111/febs.12374] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2013] [Revised: 05/29/2013] [Accepted: 05/30/2013] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
The structure and biosynthetic route for an unidentified lipid (lipid X) detected by TLC of cabbage (Brassica oleracea) lipids was determined. Lipid X is a phospholipid that is resistant to mild alkali and detectable by MALDI-TOF MS as an adduct with Phos-tag, a phosphate-capture zinc complex. Various α-hydroxy fatty acids (16:0, 22:0, 24:0 and 24:1) were detected by GC-MS of fatty acid methyl esters prepared from lipid X. The deacyl derivative of lipid X was determined to be 4-hydroxysphingenine (dehydrophytosphingosine)-1-phosphate by MALDI-TOF MS with Phos-tag. From these results, lipid X was determined to be phytoceramide-1-phosphate (PC1P) with an α-hydroxy fatty acid. When cabbage homogenates were incubated, PC1P was formed, with a concomitant decrease in the amount of glycosylinositol phosphoceramide (GIPC). The formation of PC1P from GIPC was confirmed by treatment of purified cabbage GIPC with a membrane fraction of cabbage homogenates. Using a partially purified enzyme fraction, we found that the enzyme hydrolyzes GIPC specifically, but not glycerophospholipids and sphingomyelin. Arabidopsis thaliana also had this enzyme activity. From these results, we conclude that a previously uncharacterized phospholipase D activity that specifically hydrolyzes GIPC produces PC1P in brassicaceous plants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tamotsu Tanaka
- Institute of Health Biosciences, University of Tokushima Graduate School, Tokushima, Japan.
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Rub A, Arish M, Husain SA, Ahmed N, Akhter Y. Host-lipidome as a potential target of protozoan parasites. Microbes Infect 2013; 15:649-60. [PMID: 23811020 DOI: 10.1016/j.micinf.2013.06.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2013] [Revised: 04/13/2013] [Accepted: 06/18/2013] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Host-lipidome caters parasite interaction by acting as first line of recognition, attachment on the cell surface, intracellular trafficking, and survival of the parasite inside the host cell. Here, we summarize how protozoan parasites exploit host-lipidome by suppressing, augmenting, engulfing, remodeling and metabolizing lipids to achieve successful parasitism inside the host.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abdur Rub
- Infection and Immunity Lab, Department of Biotechnology, Jamia Millia Islamia (A Central University), New Delhi 110025, India.
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Expression, immunolocalization, and serological reactivity of a novel sphingomyelin phosphodiesterase-like protein, an excretory/secretory antigen from Clonorchis sinensis. Parasitol Res 2013; 112:2197-206. [DOI: 10.1007/s00436-013-3388-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2012] [Accepted: 03/01/2013] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
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Sphingolipid degradation in Leishmania (Leishmania) amazonensis. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2012; 6:e1944. [PMID: 23285302 PMCID: PMC3527339 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0001944] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2012] [Accepted: 10/24/2012] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Human leishmaniasis is caused by more than 20 Leishmania species and has a wide range of symptoms. Our recent studies have demonstrated the essential role of sphingolipid degradation in the virulence of Leishmania (Leishmania) major, a species responsible for localized cutaneous leishmaniasis in the Old World. In this study, we investigated the function of sphingolipid degradation in Leishmania (Leishmania) amazonensis, an etiological agent of localized and diffuse cutaneous leishmaniasis in South America. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS First, we identified the enzyme LaISCL which is responsible for sphingolipid degradation in L. amazonensis. Primarily localized in the mitochondrion, LaISCL shows increased expression as promastigotes progress from replicative log phase to non-replicative stationary phase. To study its function, null mutants of LaISCL (Laiscl(-)) were generated by targeted gene deletion and complemented through episomal gene add-back. In culture, loss of LaISCL leads to hypersensitivity to acidic pH and poor survival in murine macrophages. In animals, Laiscl(-) mutants exhibit severely attenuated virulence towards C57BL6 mice but are fully infective towards BALB/c mice. This is drastically different from wild type L. amazonensis which cause severe pathology in both BALB/c and C57BL 6 mice. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE A single enzyme LaISCL is responsible for the turnover of sphingolipids in L. amazonensis. LaISCL exhibits similar expression profile and biochemical property as its ortholog in L. major. Deletion of LaISCL reduces the virulence of L. amazonensis and the outcome of Laiscl(-)-infection is highly dependent on the host's genetic background. Therefore, compared to L. major, the role of sphingolipid degradation in virulence is substantially different in L. amazonensis. Future studies may reveal whether sphingolipid degradation is required for L. amazonensis to cause diffuse cutaneous infections in humans.
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Pawlowic MC, Zhang K. Leishmania parasites possess a platelet-activating factor acetylhydrolase important for virulence. Mol Biochem Parasitol 2012; 186:11-20. [PMID: 22954769 DOI: 10.1016/j.molbiopara.2012.08.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2012] [Revised: 08/20/2012] [Accepted: 08/21/2012] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Leishmania parasites are intracellular protozoans capable of salvaging and remodeling lipids from the host. To understand the role of lipid metabolism in Leishmania virulence, it is necessary to characterize the enzymes involved in the uptake and turnover of phospholipids. This study focuses on a putative phospholipase A2 (PLA2)/platelet-activating factor acetylhydrolase (PAF-AH) in Leishmania major. In mammals, PAF-AH is a subgroup of PLA2 catalyzing the hydrolysis/inactivation of platelet-activating factor (PAF), a potent mediator of many leukocyte functions. By immunofluorescence microscopy, L. major PLA2/PAF-AH is predominantly localized in the ER. While wild type L. major parasites are able to hydrolyze PAF, this activity is completely absent in the PLA2/PAF-AH-null mutants. Meanwhile, deletion of PLA2/PAF-AH had no significant effect on the turnover of common glycerophospholipids such as phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylserine, and phosphatidylglycerol. PLA2/PAF-AH is not required for the growth of L. major parasites in culture, or the production of GPI-anchored virulence factors. Nonetheless, it does play a key role in the mammalian host as the PLA2/PAF-AH null mutants exhibit attenuated virulence in BALB/c mice. In conclusion, these data suggest that Leishmania parasites possess a functional PAF-AH and the degradation of PAF or PAF-like lipids is an important step in infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mattie C Pawlowic
- Department of Biological Sciences, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX 79409, USA
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45
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Goñi FM, Montes LR, Alonso A. Phospholipases C and sphingomyelinases: Lipids as substrates and modulators of enzyme activity. Prog Lipid Res 2012; 51:238-66. [DOI: 10.1016/j.plipres.2012.03.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2012] [Revised: 03/23/2012] [Accepted: 03/26/2012] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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Tripathi K, Mor V, Bairwa NK, Del Poeta M, Mohanty BK. Hydroxyurea treatment inhibits proliferation of Cryptococcus neoformans in mice. Front Microbiol 2012; 3:187. [PMID: 22783238 PMCID: PMC3390589 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2012.00187] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2012] [Accepted: 05/08/2012] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
The fungal pathogen Cryptococcus neoformans (Cn) is a serious threat to immunocompromised individuals, especially for HIV patients who develop meningoencephalitis. For effective cryptococcal treatment, novel antifungal drugs or innovative combination therapies are needed. Recently, sphingolipids have emerged as important bioactive molecules in the regulation of microbial pathogenesis. Previously we reported that the sphingolipid pathway gene, ISC1, which is responsible for ceramide production, is a major virulence factor in Cn infection. Here we report our studies of the role of ISC1 during genotoxic stress induced by the antineoplastic hydroxyurea (HU) and methyl methanesulfonate (MMS), which affect DNA replication and genome integrity. We observed that Cn cells lacking ISC1 are highly sensitive to HU and MMS in a rich culture medium. HU affected cell division of Cn cells lacking the ISC1 gene, resulting in cell clusters. Cn ISC1, when expressed in a Saccharomyces cerevisiae (Sc) strain lacking its own ISC1 gene, restored HU resistance. In macrophage-like cells, although HU affected the proliferation of wild type (WT) Cn cells by 50% at the concentration tested, HU completely inhibited Cn isc1Δ cell proliferation. Interestingly, our preliminary data show that mice infected with WT or Cn isc1Δ cells and subsequently treated with HU had longer lifespans than untreated, infected control mice. Our work suggests that the sphingolipid pathway gene, ISC1, is a likely target for combination therapy with traditional drugs such as HU.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaushlendra Tripathi
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
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Soong L. Subversion and Utilization of Host Innate Defense by Leishmania amazonensis. Front Immunol 2012; 3:58. [PMID: 22566939 PMCID: PMC3342205 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2012.00058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2012] [Accepted: 03/06/2012] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Infection with Leishmania amazonensis and other members of the Leishmania mexicana complex can lead to diverse clinical manifestations, some of which are relatively difficult to control, even with standard chemotherapy. Diffuse cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) is a rare but severe form, and its clinical hallmark is excessive parasitic growth in infected cells accompanied by profound impairments in host immune responses to the parasites. Since these parasites also cause non-healing CL in most inbred strains of mice, these animals are valuable models for dissecting the mechanisms of persistent infection and disease pathogenesis. In comparison to other Leishmania species, L. amazonensis infections are most remarkable for their ability to repress the activation and effector functions of macrophages, dendritic cells, and CD4(+) T cells, implying discrete mechanisms at work. In addition to this multilateral suppression of host innate and adaptive immunity, the activation of types I and II interferon-mediated responses and autophagic/lipid metabolic pathways actually promotes rather than restrains L. amazonensis infection. These seemingly contradictory findings reflect the remarkable adaptation of the parasites to the ancient defense machinery of the host, as well as the complex parasite-host interactions at different stages of infection, which collectively contribute to non-healing leishmaniasis in the New World. This review article highlights new evidence that reveals the strategies utilized by L. amazonensis parasites to subvert or modulate host innate defense machinery in neutrophils and macrophages, as well as the regulatory roles of host innate responses in promoting parasite survival and replication within the huge parasitophorous vacuoles. A better understanding of unique features in host responses to these parasites at early and late stages of infection is important for the rational design of control strategies for non-healing leishmaniasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lynn Soong
- Center for Tropical Diseases, Sealy Center for Vaccine Development, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The University of Texas Medical Branch Galveston, TX, USA
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48
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Sphingolipid and ceramide homeostasis: potential therapeutic targets. Biochem Res Int 2012; 2012:248135. [PMID: 22400113 PMCID: PMC3286894 DOI: 10.1155/2012/248135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2011] [Accepted: 10/20/2011] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Sphingolipids are ubiquitous in eukaryotic cells where they have been attributed a plethora of functions from the formation of structural domains to polarized cellular trafficking and signal transduction. Recent research has identified and characterised many of the key enzymes involved in sphingolipid metabolism and this has led to a heightened interest in the possibility of targeting these processes for therapies against cancers, Alzheimer's disease, and numerous important human pathogens. In this paper we outline the major pathways in eukaryotic sphingolipid metabolism and discuss these in relation to disease and therapy for both chronic and infectious conditions.
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49
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Zhang O, Xu W, Balakrishna Pillai A, Zhang K. Developmentally regulated sphingolipid degradation in Leishmania major. PLoS One 2012; 7:e31059. [PMID: 22299050 PMCID: PMC3267774 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0031059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2011] [Accepted: 01/01/2012] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Leishmania parasites alternate between extracellular promastigotes in sandflies and intracellular amastigotes in mammals. These protozoans acquire sphingolipids (SLs) through de novo synthesis (to produce inositol phosphorylceramide) and salvage (to obtain sphingomyelin from the host). A single ISCL (Inositol phosphoSphingolipid phospholipase C-Like) enzyme is responsible for the degradation of both inositol phosphorylceramide (the IPC hydrolase or IPCase activity) and sphingomyelin (the SMase activity). Recent studies of a L. major ISCL-null mutant (iscl−) indicate that SL degradation is required for promastigote survival in stationary phase, especially under acidic pH. ISCL is also essential for L. major proliferation in mammals. To further understand the role of ISCL in Leishmania growth and virulence, we introduced a sole IPCase or a sole SMase into the iscl− mutant. Results showed that restoration of IPCase only complemented the acid resistance defect in iscl− promastigotes and improved their survival in macrophages, but failed to recover virulence in mice. In contrast, a sole SMase fully restored parasite infectivity in mice but was unable to reverse the promastigote defects in iscl−. These findings suggest that SL degradation in Leishmania possesses separate roles in different stages: while the IPCase activity is important for promastigote survival and acid tolerance, the SMase activity is required for amastigote proliferation in mammals. Consistent with these findings, ISCL was preferentially expressed in stationary phase promastigotes and amastigotes. Together, our results indicate that SL degradation by Leishmania is critical for parasites to establish and sustain infection in the mammalian host.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ou Zhang
- Department of Biological Sciences, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas, United States of America
| | - Wei Xu
- Department of Biological Sciences, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas, United States of America
| | | | - Kai Zhang
- Department of Biological Sciences, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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McConville MJ, Naderer T. Metabolic pathways required for the intracellular survival of Leishmania. Annu Rev Microbiol 2012; 65:543-61. [PMID: 21721937 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-micro-090110-102913] [Citation(s) in RCA: 107] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Leishmania spp. are sandfly-transmitted parasitic protozoa that cause a spectrum of important diseases and lifelong chronic infections in humans. In the mammalian host, these parasites proliferate within acidified vacuoles in several phagocytic host cells, including macrophages, dendritic cells, and neutrophils. In this review, we discuss recent progress that has been made in defining the nutrient composition of the Leishmania parasitophorous vacuole, as well as metabolic pathways required by these parasites for virulence. Analysis of the virulence phenotype of Leishmania mutants has been particularly useful in defining carbon sources and nutrient salvage pathways that are essential for parasite persistence and/or induction of pathology. We also review data suggesting that intracellular parasite stages modulate metabolic processes in their host cells in order to generate a more permissive niche.
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Affiliation(s)
- Malcolm J McConville
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Melbourne, Bio21 Institute of Molecular Science and Biotechnology, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia.
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