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Tagliazucchi L, Pinetti D, Genovese F, Malpezzi G, Perea Martinez A, Manzano JI, García-Hernández R, Cole AR, Kwon BR, Aiello D, Brooks BW, Thoré ESJ, Bertram MG, Gamarro F, Costi MP. Deciphering Host-Parasite Interplay in Leishmania Infection through a One Health View of Proteomics Studies on Drug Resistance. ACS Infect Dis 2024; 10:3202-3221. [PMID: 39088331 DOI: 10.1021/acsinfecdis.4c00185] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/03/2024]
Abstract
Recent efforts in the study of vector-borne parasitic diseases (VBPDs) have emphasized an increased consideration for preventing drug resistance and promoting the environmental safety of drugs, from the beginning of the drug discovery pipeline. The intensive use of the few available antileishmanial drugs has led to the spreading of hyper-resistant Leishmania infantum strains, resulting in a chronic burden of the disease. In the present work, we have investigated the biochemical mechanisms of resistance to antimonials, paromomycin, and miltefosine in three drug-resistant parasitic strains from human clinical isolates, using a whole-cell mass spectrometry proteomics approach. We identified 14 differentially expressed proteins that were validated with their transcripts. Next, we employed functional association networks to identify parasite-specific proteins as potential targets for novel drug discovery studies. We used SeqAPASS analysis to predict susceptibility based on the evolutionary conservation of protein drug targets across species. MATH-domain-containing protein, adenosine triphosphate (ATP)-binding cassette B2, histone H4, calpain-like cysteine peptidase, and trypanothione reductase emerged as top candidates. Overall, this work identifies new biological targets for designing drugs to prevent the development of Leishmania drug resistance, while aligning with One Health principles that emphasize the interconnected health of people, animals, and ecosystems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lorenzo Tagliazucchi
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Via Campi 103, 41125 Modena, Italy
- Clinical and Experimental Medicine (CEM) PhD Program, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Via Campi 287, 41125 Modena, Italy
| | - Diego Pinetti
- Centro Interdipartimentale Grandi Strumenti (CIGS), University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Via Campi 213/A, 41125 Modena, Italy
| | - Filippo Genovese
- Centro Interdipartimentale Grandi Strumenti (CIGS), University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Via Campi 213/A, 41125 Modena, Italy
| | - Giulia Malpezzi
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Via Campi 103, 41125 Modena, Italy
- Clinical and Experimental Medicine (CEM) PhD Program, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Via Campi 287, 41125 Modena, Italy
| | - Ana Perea Martinez
- Instituto de Parasitología y Biomedicina "Lopez-Neyra (IPBLN-CSIC)", Avda. del Conocimiento 17, 18016 Armilla, Granada, Spain
| | - José I Manzano
- Instituto de Parasitología y Biomedicina "Lopez-Neyra (IPBLN-CSIC)", Avda. del Conocimiento 17, 18016 Armilla, Granada, Spain
| | - Raquel García-Hernández
- Instituto de Parasitología y Biomedicina "Lopez-Neyra (IPBLN-CSIC)", Avda. del Conocimiento 17, 18016 Armilla, Granada, Spain
| | - Alexander R Cole
- Environmental Health Science Program, Department of Environmental Science, Baylor University, One Bear Place, Waco, Texas 97344, United States
| | - Ba Reum Kwon
- Environmental Health Science Program, Department of Environmental Science, Baylor University, One Bear Place, Waco, Texas 97344, United States
| | - Daniele Aiello
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Via Campi 103, 41125 Modena, Italy
| | - Bryan W Brooks
- Environmental Health Science Program, Department of Environmental Science, Baylor University, One Bear Place, Waco, Texas 97344, United States
| | - Eli S J Thoré
- Department of Wildlife, Fish, and Environmental Studies, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Skogsmarksgränd 17, 907 36 Umeå, Sweden
- TRANSfarm-Science, Engineering, & Technology Group, KU Leuven, Bijzondereweg 12, 3360 Lovenjoel, Belgium
| | - Michael G Bertram
- Department of Wildlife, Fish, and Environmental Studies, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Skogsmarksgränd 17, 907 36 Umeå, Sweden
- Department of Zoology, Stockholm University, Svante Arrhenius väg 18b, 114 18 Stockholm, Sweden
- School of Biological Sciences, Monash University, 25 Rainforest Walk, 3800 Melbourne, Australia
| | - Francisco Gamarro
- Instituto de Parasitología y Biomedicina "Lopez-Neyra (IPBLN-CSIC)", Avda. del Conocimiento 17, 18016 Armilla, Granada, Spain
| | - Maria Paola Costi
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Via Campi 103, 41125 Modena, Italy
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Rooholamini Z, Dianat-Moghadam H, Esmaeilifallah M, Khanahmad H. From classical approaches to new developments in genetic engineering of live attenuated vaccine against cutaneous leishmaniasis: potential and immunization. Front Public Health 2024; 12:1382996. [PMID: 39035184 PMCID: PMC11257927 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2024.1382996] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2024] [Accepted: 06/07/2024] [Indexed: 07/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Despite the development of a vaccine against cutaneous leishmaniasis in preclinical and clinical studies, we still do not have a safe and effective vaccine for human use. Given this situation, the search for a new prophylactic alternative to control leishmaniasis should be a global priority. A first-generation vaccine strategy-leishmanization, in which live Leishmania major parasites are inoculated into the skin to protect against reinfection, is taking advantage of this situation. Live attenuated Leishmania vaccine candidates are promising alternatives due to their robust protective immune responses. Importantly, they do not cause disease and could provide long-term protection following challenges with a virulent strain. In addition to physical and chemical methods, genetic tools, including the Cre-loxP system, have enabled the selection of safer null mutant live attenuated Leishmania parasites obtained by gene disruption. This was followed by the discovery and introduction of CRISPR/Cas-based gene editing tools, which can be easily and precisely used to modify genes. Here, we briefly review the immunopathology of L. major parasites and then present the classical methods and their limitations for the production of live attenuated vaccines. We then discuss the potential of current genetic engineering tools to generate live attenuated vaccine strains by targeting key genes involved in L. major pathogenesis and then discuss their discovery and implications for immune responses to control leishmaniasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zahra Rooholamini
- Department of Genetics and Molecular Biology, School of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Hassan Dianat-Moghadam
- Department of Genetics and Molecular Biology, School of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
- Pediatric Inherited Diseases Research Center, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Mahsa Esmaeilifallah
- Department of Genetics and Molecular Biology, School of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
- Department of Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Hossein Khanahmad
- Department of Genetics and Molecular Biology, School of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
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Myburgh E, Geoghegan V, Alves-Ferreira EV, Nievas YR, Grewal JS, Brown E, McLuskey K, Mottram JC. TORC1 is an essential regulator of nutrient-controlled proliferation and differentiation in Leishmania. EMBO Rep 2024; 25:1075-1105. [PMID: 38396206 PMCID: PMC10933368 DOI: 10.1038/s44319-024-00084-y] [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: 01/16/2023] [Revised: 01/19/2024] [Accepted: 01/25/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Leishmania parasites undergo differentiation between various proliferating and non-dividing forms to adapt to changing host environments. The mechanisms that link environmental cues with the parasite's developmental changes remain elusive. Here, we report that Leishmania TORC1 is a key environmental sensor for parasite proliferation and differentiation in the sand fly-stage promastigotes and for replication of mammalian-stage amastigotes. We show that Leishmania RPTOR1, interacts with TOR1 and LST8, and identify new parasite-specific proteins that interact in this complex. We investigate TORC1 function by conditional deletion of RPTOR1, where under nutrient-rich conditions RPTOR1 depletion results in decreased protein synthesis and growth, G1 cell cycle arrest and premature differentiation from proliferative promastigotes to non-dividing mammalian-infective metacyclic forms. These parasites are unable to respond to nutrients to differentiate into proliferative retroleptomonads, which are required for their blood-meal induced amplification in sand flies and enhanced mammalian infectivity. We additionally show that RPTOR1-/- metacyclic promastigotes develop into amastigotes but do not proliferate in the mammalian host to cause pathology. RPTOR1-dependent TORC1 functionality represents a critical mechanism for driving parasite growth and proliferation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elmarie Myburgh
- York Biomedical Research Institute, Hull York Medical School, University of York, York, YO10 5DD, UK.
| | - Vincent Geoghegan
- York Biomedical Research Institute, Department of Biology, University of York, York, YO10 5DD, UK
| | - Eliza Vc Alves-Ferreira
- York Biomedical Research Institute, Department of Biology, University of York, York, YO10 5DD, UK
| | - Y Romina Nievas
- York Biomedical Research Institute, Department of Biology, University of York, York, YO10 5DD, UK
| | - Jaspreet S Grewal
- York Biomedical Research Institute, Department of Biology, University of York, York, YO10 5DD, UK
| | - Elaine Brown
- York Biomedical Research Institute, Department of Biology, University of York, York, YO10 5DD, UK
| | - Karen McLuskey
- Wellcome Centre for Integrative Parasitology, Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, G12 8TA, UK
| | - Jeremy C Mottram
- York Biomedical Research Institute, Department of Biology, University of York, York, YO10 5DD, UK
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4
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Halliday C, de Liz LV, Vaughan S, Sunter JD. Disruption of Leishmania flagellum attachment zone architecture causes flagellum loss. Mol Microbiol 2024; 121:53-68. [PMID: 38010644 PMCID: PMC10953051 DOI: 10.1111/mmi.15199] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2023] [Revised: 11/10/2023] [Accepted: 11/13/2023] [Indexed: 11/29/2023]
Abstract
Leishmania are flagellated eukaryotic parasites that cause leishmaniasis and are closely related to the other kinetoplastid parasites such as Trypanosoma brucei. In all these parasites there is a cell membrane invagination at the base of the flagellum called the flagellar pocket, which is tightly associated with and sculpted by cytoskeletal structures including the flagellum attachment zone (FAZ). The FAZ is a complex interconnected structure linking the flagellum to the cell body and has critical roles in cell morphogenesis, function and pathogenicity. However, this structure varies dramatically in size and organisation between these different parasites, suggesting changes in protein localisation and function. Here, we screened the localisation and function of the Leishmania orthologues of T. brucei FAZ proteins identified in the genome-wide protein tagging project TrypTag. We identified 27 FAZ proteins and our deletion analysis showed that deletion of two FAZ proteins in the flagellum, FAZ27 and FAZ34 resulted in a reduction in cell body size, and flagellum loss in some cells. Furthermore, after null mutant generation, we observed distinct and reproducible changes to cell shape, demonstrating the ability of the parasite to adapt to morphological perturbations resulting from gene deletion. This process of adaptation has important implications for the study of Leishmania mutants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clare Halliday
- Department of Biological and Medical SciencesOxford Brookes UniversityOxfordUK
| | - Laryssa Vanessa de Liz
- Department of Biological and Medical SciencesOxford Brookes UniversityOxfordUK
- Departamento de Microbiologia, Imunologia e ParasitologiaUniversidade Federal de Santa CatarinaFlorianópolisSCBrazil
| | - Sue Vaughan
- Department of Biological and Medical SciencesOxford Brookes UniversityOxfordUK
| | - Jack D. Sunter
- Department of Biological and Medical SciencesOxford Brookes UniversityOxfordUK
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Bose P, Baron N, Pullaiahgari D, Ben-Zvi A, Shapira M. LeishIF3d is a non-canonical cap-binding protein in Leishmania. Front Mol Biosci 2023; 10:1191934. [PMID: 37325473 PMCID: PMC10266417 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2023.1191934] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2023] [Accepted: 05/15/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Translation of most cellular mRNAs in eukaryotes proceeds through a cap-dependent pathway, whereby the cap-binding complex, eIF4F, anchors the pre-initiation complex at the 5' end of mRNAs driving translation initiation. The genome of Leishmania encodes a large repertoire of cap-binding complexes that fulfill a variety of functions possibly involved in survival along the life cycle. However, most of these complexes function in the promastigote life form that resides in the sand fly vector and decrease their activity in amastigotes, the mammalian life form. Here we examined the possibility that LeishIF3d drives translation in Leishmania using alternative pathways. We describe a non-canonical cap-binding activity of LeishIF3d and examine its potential role in driving translation. LeishIF3d is required for translation, as reducing its expression by a hemizygous deletion reduces the translation activity of the LeishIF3d(+/-) mutant cells. Proteomic analysis of the mutant cells highlights the reduced expression of flagellar and cytoskeletal proteins, as reflected in the morphological changes observed in the mutant cells. Targeted mutations in two predicted alpha helices diminish the cap-binding activity of LeishIF3d. Overall, LeishIF3d could serve as a driving force for alternative translation pathways, although it does not seem to offer an alternative pathway for translation in amastigotes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Priyanka Bose
- Department of Life Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheva, Israel
| | - Nofar Baron
- Department of Life Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheva, Israel
| | | | - Anat Ben-Zvi
- Department of Life Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheva, Israel
| | - Michal Shapira
- Department of Life Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheva, Israel
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Moreira POL, Nogueira PM, Monte-Neto RL. Next-Generation Leishmanization: Revisiting Molecular Targets for Selecting Genetically Engineered Live-Attenuated Leishmania. Microorganisms 2023; 11:microorganisms11041043. [PMID: 37110466 PMCID: PMC10145799 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms11041043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2023] [Revised: 04/07/2023] [Accepted: 04/14/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Despite decades of research devoted to finding a vaccine against leishmaniasis, we are still lacking a safe and effective vaccine for humans. Given this scenario, the search for a new prophylaxis alternative for controlling leishmaniasis should be a global priority. Inspired by leishmanization-a first generation vaccine strategy where live L. major parasites are inoculated in the skin to protect against reinfection-live-attenuated Leishmania vaccine candidates are promising alternatives due to their robust elicited protective immune response. In addition, they do not cause disease and could provide long-term protection upon challenge with a virulent strain. The discovery of a precise and easy way to perform CRISPR/Cas-based gene editing allowed the selection of safer null mutant live-attenuated Leishmania parasites obtained by gene disruption. Here, we revisited molecular targets associated with the selection of live-attenuated vaccinal strains, discussing their function, their limiting factors and the ideal candidate for the next generation of genetically engineered live-attenuated Leishmania vaccines to control leishmaniasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paulo O L Moreira
- Biotechnology Applied to Pathogens (BAP), Instituto René Rachou, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Fiocruz Minas, Belo Horizonte 30190-009, Brazil
| | - Paula M Nogueira
- Biotechnology Applied to Pathogens (BAP), Instituto René Rachou, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Fiocruz Minas, Belo Horizonte 30190-009, Brazil
| | - Rubens L Monte-Neto
- Biotechnology Applied to Pathogens (BAP), Instituto René Rachou, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Fiocruz Minas, Belo Horizonte 30190-009, Brazil
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Vats K, Tandon R, Roshanara, Beg MA, Corrales RM, Yagoubat A, Reyaz E, Wani TH, Baig MS, Chaudhury A, Krishnan A, Puri N, Salotra P, Sterkers Y, Selvapandiyan A. Interaction of novel proteins, centrin4 and protein of centriole in Leishmania parasite and their effects on the parasite growth. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA. MOLECULAR CELL RESEARCH 2023; 1870:119416. [PMID: 36623775 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamcr.2022.119416] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2022] [Revised: 12/07/2022] [Accepted: 12/14/2022] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Centrins are cytoskeletal proteins associated with the centrosomes or basal bodies in the eukaryotes. We previously reported the involvement of Centrin 1-3 proteins in cell division in the protozoan parasites Leishmania donovani and Trypanosoma brucei. Centrin4 and 5, unique to such parasites, had never been characterized in Leishmania parasite. In the current study, we addressed the function of centrin4 (LdCen4) in Leishmania. By dominant-negative study, the episomal expression of C-terminal truncated LdCen4 in the parasite reduced the parasite growth. LdCen4 double allele gene deletion by either homologous recombination or CRISPR-Cas9 was not successful in L. donovani. However, CRISPR-Cas9-based deletion of the homologous gene was possible in L. mexicana, which attenuated the parasite growth in vitro, but not ex vivo in the macrophages. LdCen4 also interacts with endogenous and overexpressed LdPOC protein, a homolog of centrin reacting human POC (protein of centriole) in a calcium sensitive manner. LdCen4 and LdPOC binding has also been confirmed through in silico analysis by protein structural docking and validated by co-immunoprecipitation. By immunofluorescence studies, we found that both the proteins share a common localization at the basal bodies. Thus, for the first time, this article describes novel centrin4 and its binding protein in the protozoan parasites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kavita Vats
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Jamia Hamdard, New Delhi 110062, India; Department of Bio & Nano Technology, Bio & Nano Technology Centre, Guru Jambheshwar University of Science and Technology, Hisar 125001, India; MiVEGEC, University of Montpellier, CNRS, IRD, Academic Hospital (CHU) of Montpellier, Montpellier 34295, France
| | - Rati Tandon
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Jamia Hamdard, New Delhi 110062, India
| | - Roshanara
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Jamia Hamdard, New Delhi 110062, India
| | - Mirza A Beg
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Jamia Hamdard, New Delhi 110062, India
| | - Rosa M Corrales
- MiVEGEC, University of Montpellier, CNRS, IRD, Academic Hospital (CHU) of Montpellier, Montpellier 34295, France
| | - Akila Yagoubat
- MiVEGEC, University of Montpellier, CNRS, IRD, Academic Hospital (CHU) of Montpellier, Montpellier 34295, France
| | - Enam Reyaz
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Jamia Hamdard, New Delhi 110062, India
| | - Tasaduq H Wani
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Jamia Hamdard, New Delhi 110062, India
| | - Mirza S Baig
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Jamia Hamdard, New Delhi 110062, India
| | - Ashok Chaudhury
- Department of Bio & Nano Technology, Bio & Nano Technology Centre, Guru Jambheshwar University of Science and Technology, Hisar 125001, India
| | - Anuja Krishnan
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Jamia Hamdard, New Delhi 110062, India
| | - Niti Puri
- School of Life Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi 110067, India
| | - Poonam Salotra
- ICMR-National Institute of Pathology, Safdarjung Hospital Campus, New Delhi 110029, India
| | - Yvon Sterkers
- MiVEGEC, University of Montpellier, CNRS, IRD, Academic Hospital (CHU) of Montpellier, Montpellier 34295, France
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New Vistas in the Biology of the Flagellum—Leishmania Parasites. Pathogens 2022; 11:pathogens11040447. [PMID: 35456123 PMCID: PMC9024700 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens11040447] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2022] [Revised: 04/04/2022] [Accepted: 04/05/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Like other kinetoplastid protozoa, the flagellum in Leishmania parasites plays central roles throughout the life cycle. Discoveries over the past decade have begun to elucidate flagellar functions at the molecular level in both the insect vector stage promastigotes and intra-macrophage amastigotes. This focused review will highlight recent advances that contribute to understanding flagellar function in the various biological contexts encountered by Leishmania parasites.
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