1
|
Thiele PJ, Mela-Lopez R, Blandin SA, Klug D. Let it glow: genetically encoded fluorescent reporters in Plasmodium. Malar J 2024; 23:114. [PMID: 38643106 PMCID: PMC11032601 DOI: 10.1186/s12936-024-04936-9] [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: 01/10/2024] [Accepted: 04/06/2024] [Indexed: 04/22/2024] Open
Abstract
The use of fluorescent proteins (FPs) in Plasmodium parasites has been key to understand the biology of this obligate intracellular protozoon. FPs like the green fluorescent protein (GFP) enabled to explore protein localization, promoter activity as well as dynamic processes like protein export and endocytosis. Furthermore, FP biosensors have provided detailed information on physiological parameters at the subcellular level, and fluorescent reporter lines greatly extended the malariology toolbox. Still, in order to achieve optimal results, it is crucial to know exactly the properties of the FP of choice and the genetic scenario in which it will be used. This review highlights advantages and disadvantages of available landing sites and promoters that have been successfully applied for the ectopic expression of FPs in Plasmodium berghei and Plasmodium falciparum. Furthermore, the properties of newly developed FPs beyond DsRed and EGFP, in the visualization of cells and cellular structures as well as in the sensing of small molecules are discussed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Pia J Thiele
- Inserm, CNRS, Université de Strasbourg, UPR9022/U1257, Mosquito Immune Responses (MIR), IBMC, F-67000, Strasbourg, France
| | - Raquel Mela-Lopez
- Inserm, CNRS, Université de Strasbourg, UPR9022/U1257, Mosquito Immune Responses (MIR), IBMC, F-67000, Strasbourg, France
| | - Stéphanie A Blandin
- Inserm, CNRS, Université de Strasbourg, UPR9022/U1257, Mosquito Immune Responses (MIR), IBMC, F-67000, Strasbourg, France
| | - Dennis Klug
- Inserm, CNRS, Université de Strasbourg, UPR9022/U1257, Mosquito Immune Responses (MIR), IBMC, F-67000, Strasbourg, France.
- Institute of Physiology and Pathophysiology, Department of Molecular Cell Physiology, Philipps University Marburg, 35037, Marburg, Germany.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Parres-Mercader M, Pance A, Gómez-Díaz E. Novel systems to study vector-pathogen interactions in malaria. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2023; 13:1146030. [PMID: 37305421 PMCID: PMC10253182 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2023.1146030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2023] [Accepted: 04/04/2023] [Indexed: 06/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Some parasitic diseases, such as malaria, require two hosts to complete their lifecycle: a human and an insect vector. Although most malaria research has focused on parasite development in the human host, the life cycle within the vector is critical for the propagation of the disease. The mosquito stage of the Plasmodium lifecycle represents a major demographic bottleneck, crucial for transmission blocking strategies. Furthermore, it is in the vector, where sexual recombination occurs generating "de novo" genetic diversity, which can favor the spread of drug resistance and hinder effective vaccine development. However, understanding of vector-parasite interactions is hampered by the lack of experimental systems that mimic the natural environment while allowing to control and standardize the complexity of the interactions. The breakthrough in stem cell technologies has provided new insights into human-pathogen interactions, but these advances have not been translated into insect models. Here, we review in vivo and in vitro systems that have been used so far to study malaria in the mosquito. We also highlight the relevance of single-cell technologies to progress understanding of these interactions with higher resolution and depth. Finally, we emphasize the necessity to develop robust and accessible ex vivo systems (tissues and organs) to enable investigation of the molecular mechanisms of parasite-vector interactions providing new targets for malaria control.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Marina Parres-Mercader
- Instituto de Parasitología y Biomedicina López-Neyra, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (IPBLN, CSIC), Granada, Spain
| | - Alena Pance
- School of Life and Medical Sciences, University of Hertfordshire, Hatfield, United Kingdom
| | - Elena Gómez-Díaz
- Instituto de Parasitología y Biomedicina López-Neyra, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (IPBLN, CSIC), Granada, Spain
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Dans MG, Piirainen H, Nguyen W, Khurana S, Mehra S, Razook Z, Geoghegan ND, Dawson AT, Das S, Parkyn Schneider M, Jonsdottir TK, Gabriela M, Gancheva MR, Tonkin CJ, Mollard V, Goodman CD, McFadden GI, Wilson DW, Rogers KL, Barry AE, Crabb BS, de Koning-Ward TF, Sleebs BE, Kursula I, Gilson PR. Sulfonylpiperazine compounds prevent Plasmodium falciparum invasion of red blood cells through interference with actin-1/profilin dynamics. PLoS Biol 2023; 21:e3002066. [PMID: 37053271 PMCID: PMC10128974 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pbio.3002066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2022] [Revised: 04/25/2023] [Accepted: 03/06/2023] [Indexed: 04/15/2023] Open
Abstract
With emerging resistance to frontline treatments, it is vital that new antimalarial drugs are identified to target Plasmodium falciparum. We have recently described a compound, MMV020291, as a specific inhibitor of red blood cell (RBC) invasion, and have generated analogues with improved potency. Here, we generated resistance to MMV020291 and performed whole genome sequencing of 3 MMV020291-resistant populations. This revealed 3 nonsynonymous single nucleotide polymorphisms in 2 genes; 2 in profilin (N154Y, K124N) and a third one in actin-1 (M356L). Using CRISPR-Cas9, we engineered these mutations into wild-type parasites, which rendered them resistant to MMV020291. We demonstrate that MMV020291 reduces actin polymerisation that is required by the merozoite stage parasites to invade RBCs. Additionally, the series inhibits the actin-1-dependent process of apicoplast segregation, leading to a delayed death phenotype. In vitro cosedimentation experiments using recombinant P. falciparum proteins indicate that potent MMV020291 analogues disrupt the formation of filamentous actin in the presence of profilin. Altogether, this study identifies the first compound series interfering with the actin-1/profilin interaction in P. falciparum and paves the way for future antimalarial development against the highly dynamic process of actin polymerisation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Madeline G Dans
- Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- School of Medicine and Institute for Mental and Physical Health and Clinical Translation, Deakin University, Waurn Ponds, Victoria, Australia
- Walter and Eliza Hall Institute, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Henni Piirainen
- Faculty of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland
| | - William Nguyen
- Walter and Eliza Hall Institute, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Sachin Khurana
- Walter and Eliza Hall Institute, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Somya Mehra
- Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Zahra Razook
- Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- School of Medicine and Institute for Mental and Physical Health and Clinical Translation, Deakin University, Waurn Ponds, Victoria, Australia
| | | | | | - Sujaan Das
- Ludwig Maximilian University, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Munich, Germany
| | | | - Thorey K Jonsdottir
- Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Mikha Gabriela
- Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- School of Medicine and Institute for Mental and Physical Health and Clinical Translation, Deakin University, Waurn Ponds, Victoria, Australia
| | - Maria R Gancheva
- Research Centre for Infectious Diseases, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, Australia
| | | | - Vanessa Mollard
- School of Biosciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | | | - Geoffrey I McFadden
- School of Biosciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Danny W Wilson
- Research Centre for Infectious Diseases, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, Australia
| | - Kelly L Rogers
- Walter and Eliza Hall Institute, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Alyssa E Barry
- Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- School of Medicine and Institute for Mental and Physical Health and Clinical Translation, Deakin University, Waurn Ponds, Victoria, Australia
| | - Brendan S Crabb
- Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Tania F de Koning-Ward
- School of Medicine and Institute for Mental and Physical Health and Clinical Translation, Deakin University, Waurn Ponds, Victoria, Australia
| | - Brad E Sleebs
- Walter and Eliza Hall Institute, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Inari Kursula
- Faculty of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland
- Department of Biomedicine, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Paul R Gilson
- Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Yee M, Walther T, Frischknecht F, Douglas RG. Divergent Plasmodium actin residues are essential for filament localization, mosquito salivary gland invasion and malaria transmission. PLoS Pathog 2022; 18:e1010779. [PMID: 35998188 PMCID: PMC9439217 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1010779] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2022] [Revised: 09/02/2022] [Accepted: 07/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Actin is one of the most conserved and ubiquitous proteins in eukaryotes. Its sequence has been highly conserved for its monomers to self-assemble into filaments that mediate essential cell functions such as trafficking, cell shape and motility. The malaria-causing parasite, Plasmodium, expresses a highly sequence divergent actin that is critical for its rapid motility at different stages within its mammalian and mosquito hosts. Each of Plasmodium actin’s four subdomains have divergent regions compared to canonical vertebrate actins. We previously identified subdomains 2 and 3 as providing critical contributions for parasite actin function as these regions could not be replaced by subdomains of vertebrate actins. Here we probed the contributions of individual divergent amino acid residues in these subdomains on parasite motility and progression. Non-lethal changes in these subdomains did not affect parasite development in the mammalian host but strongly affected progression through the mosquito with striking differences in transmission to and through the insect. Live visualization of actin filaments showed that divergent amino acid residues in subdomains 2 and 4 enhanced localization associated with filaments, while those in subdomain 3 negatively affected actin filaments. This suggests that finely tuned actin dynamics are essential for efficient organ entry in the mosquito vector affecting malaria transmission. This work provides residue level insight on the fundamental requirements of actin in highly motile cells. Actin is one of the most abundant and conserved proteins known. Actin monomers can join together to form long filaments. The malaria-causing parasite is transmitted by mosquitoes and needs actin to move very rapidly. An actin from the parasite is different to other actins: its amino acid sequence has relatively high amounts of changes compared to animal species and the actin tends to form only short filaments. We previously identified two large parts of the protein that were critical for the parasite since these large parts could not be exchanged with the equivalent regions of other species. In this study, we focused in on these regions by making more discrete mutations. Most mutations of the actin sequence were tolerated by the parasite in the blood stages. However, these mutants has striking defects in progressing through mosquitoes, especially in invading its salivary glands. We used a new filament labeler to visualize how these mutations affect the actin filaments and found surprisingly different effects. Taken together, small changes to the sequence can have large consequences for the parasite, which ultimately affects its ability to transmit to a new host.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Michelle Yee
- Integrative Parasitology, Center for Infectious Diseases, Heidelberg University Medical School, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Tobias Walther
- Integrative Parasitology, Center for Infectious Diseases, Heidelberg University Medical School, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Friedrich Frischknecht
- Integrative Parasitology, Center for Infectious Diseases, Heidelberg University Medical School, Heidelberg, Germany
- German Centre for Infection Research, DZIF, partner site Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
- * E-mail: (FF); (RGD)
| | - Ross G. Douglas
- Integrative Parasitology, Center for Infectious Diseases, Heidelberg University Medical School, Heidelberg, Germany
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Interdisciplinary Research Centre and Molecular Infection Biology, Biomedical Research Centre Seltersberg, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
- * E-mail: (FF); (RGD)
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Kehrer J, Formaglio P, Muthinja JM, Weber S, Baltissen D, Lance C, Ripp J, Grech J, Meissner M, Funaya C, Amino R, Frischknecht F. Plasmodium
sporozoite disintegration during skin passage limits malaria parasite transmission. EMBO Rep 2022; 23:e54719. [PMID: 35403820 PMCID: PMC9253755 DOI: 10.15252/embr.202254719] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2022] [Revised: 03/17/2022] [Accepted: 03/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
During transmission of malaria‐causing parasites from mosquitoes to mammals, Plasmodium sporozoites migrate rapidly in the skin to search for a blood vessel. The high migratory speed and narrow passages taken by the parasites suggest considerable strain on the sporozoites to maintain their shape. Here, we show that the membrane‐associated protein, concavin, is important for the maintenance of the Plasmodium sporozoite shape inside salivary glands of mosquitoes and during migration in the skin. Concavin‐GFP localizes at the cytoplasmic periphery and concavin(−) sporozoites progressively round up upon entry of salivary glands. Rounded concavin(−) sporozoites fail to pass through the narrow salivary ducts and are rarely ejected by mosquitoes, while normally shaped concavin(−) sporozoites are transmitted. Strikingly, motile concavin(−) sporozoites disintegrate while migrating through the skin leading to parasite arrest or death and decreased transmission efficiency. Collectively, we suggest that concavin contributes to cell shape maintenance by riveting the plasma membrane to the subtending inner membrane complex. Interfering with cell shape maintenance pathways might hence provide a new strategy to prevent a malaria infection.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jessica Kehrer
- Integrative Parasitology Center for Infectious Diseases Heidelberg University Medical School Heidelberg Germany
- Infectious Diseases Imaging Platform Center for Infectious Diseases Heidelberg University Medical School Heidelberg Germany
| | - Pauline Formaglio
- Malaria Infection and Immunity Unit Department of Parasites and Insect Vectors Institut Pasteur Paris France
| | - Julianne Mendi Muthinja
- Integrative Parasitology Center for Infectious Diseases Heidelberg University Medical School Heidelberg Germany
| | - Sebastian Weber
- Electron Microscopy Core Facility Heidelberg University Heidelberg Germany
| | - Danny Baltissen
- Integrative Parasitology Center for Infectious Diseases Heidelberg University Medical School Heidelberg Germany
| | - Christopher Lance
- Integrative Parasitology Center for Infectious Diseases Heidelberg University Medical School Heidelberg Germany
| | - Johanna Ripp
- Integrative Parasitology Center for Infectious Diseases Heidelberg University Medical School Heidelberg Germany
| | - Janessa Grech
- Experimental Parasitology Ludwig Maximilian University Munich Planegg‐Martinsried Germany
| | - Markus Meissner
- Experimental Parasitology Ludwig Maximilian University Munich Planegg‐Martinsried Germany
| | - Charlotta Funaya
- Electron Microscopy Core Facility Heidelberg University Heidelberg Germany
| | - Rogerio Amino
- Malaria Infection and Immunity Unit Department of Parasites and Insect Vectors Institut Pasteur Paris France
| | - Friedrich Frischknecht
- Integrative Parasitology Center for Infectious Diseases Heidelberg University Medical School Heidelberg Germany
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Heidelberg Heidelberg Germany
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Ripp J, Smyrnakou X, Neuhoff M, Hentzschel F, Frischknecht F. Phosphorylation of myosin A regulates gliding motility and is essential for
Plasmodium
transmission. EMBO Rep 2022; 23:e54857. [PMID: 35506479 PMCID: PMC9253774 DOI: 10.15252/embr.202254857] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2022] [Revised: 04/06/2022] [Accepted: 04/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Malaria‐causing parasites rely on an actin–myosin‐based motor for the invasion of different host cells and tissue traversal in mosquitoes and vertebrates. The unusual myosin A of Plasmodium spp. has a unique N‐terminal extension, which is important for red blood cell invasion by P. falciparum merozoites in vitro and harbors a phosphorylation site at serine 19. Here, using the rodent‐infecting P. berghei we show that phosphorylation of serine 19 increases ookinete but not sporozoite motility and is essential for efficient transmission of Plasmodium by mosquitoes as S19A mutants show defects in mosquito salivary gland entry. S19A along with E6R mutations slow ookinetes and salivary gland sporozoites in both 2D and 3D environments. In contrast to data from purified proteins, both E6R and S19D mutations lower force generation by sporozoites. Our data show that the phosphorylation cycle of S19 influences parasite migration and force generation and is critical for optimal migration of parasites during transmission from and to the mosquito.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Johanna Ripp
- Integrative Parasitology Center for Infectious Diseases University of Heidelberg Medical School Heidelberg Germany
| | - Xanthoula Smyrnakou
- Integrative Parasitology Center for Infectious Diseases University of Heidelberg Medical School Heidelberg Germany
| | - Marie‐Therese Neuhoff
- Integrative Parasitology Center for Infectious Diseases University of Heidelberg Medical School Heidelberg Germany
| | - Franziska Hentzschel
- Integrative Parasitology Center for Infectious Diseases University of Heidelberg Medical School Heidelberg Germany
- German Center for Infection Research DZIF Partner Site Heidelberg Heidelberg Germany
| | - Friedrich Frischknecht
- Integrative Parasitology Center for Infectious Diseases University of Heidelberg Medical School Heidelberg Germany
- German Center for Infection Research DZIF Partner Site Heidelberg Heidelberg Germany
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Transcending Dimensions in Apicomplexan Research: from Two-Dimensional to Three-Dimensional In Vitro Cultures. Microbiol Mol Biol Rev 2022; 86:e0002522. [PMID: 35412359 PMCID: PMC9199416 DOI: 10.1128/mmbr.00025-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Parasites belonging to the Apicomplexa phylum are among the most successful pathogens known in nature. They can infect a wide range of hosts, often remain undetected by the immune system, and cause acute and chronic illness. In this phylum, we can find parasites of human and veterinary health relevance, such as Toxoplasma, Plasmodium, Cryptosporidium, and Eimeria. There are still many unknowns about the biology of these pathogens due to the ethical and practical issues of performing research in their natural hosts. Animal models are often difficult or nonexistent, and as a result, there are apicomplexan life cycle stages that have not been studied. One recent alternative has been the use of three-dimensional (3D) systems such as organoids, 3D scaffolds with different matrices, microfluidic devices, organs-on-a-chip, and other tissue culture models. These 3D systems have facilitated and expanded the research of apicomplexans, allowing us to explore life stages that were previously out of reach and experimental procedures that were practically impossible to perform in animal models. Human- and animal-derived 3D systems can be obtained from different organs, allowing us to model host-pathogen interactions for diagnostic methods and vaccine development, drug testing, exploratory biology, and other applications. In this review, we summarize the most recent advances in the use of 3D systems applied to apicomplexans. We show the wide array of strategies that have been successfully used so far and apply them to explore other organisms that have been less studied.
Collapse
|
8
|
Abstract
Plasmodium malaria parasites use a unique substrate-dependent locomotion, termed gliding motility, to migrate through tissues and invade cells. Previously, it was thought that the small labile invasive stages that invade erythrocytes, merozoites, use this motility solely to penetrate target erythrocytes. Here we reveal that merozoites use gliding motility for translocation across host cells prior to invasion. This forms an important preinvasion step that is powered by a conserved actomyosin motor and is regulated by a complex signaling pathway. This work broadens our understanding of the role of gliding motility and invasion in the blood and will have a significant impact on our understanding of blood stage host–pathogen interactions and parasite biology, with implications for interventions targeting erythrocyte invasion. Plasmodium malaria parasites are obligate intracellular protozoans that use a unique form of locomotion, termed gliding motility, to move through host tissues and invade cells. The process is substrate dependent and powered by an actomyosin motor that drives the posterior translocation of extracellular adhesins which, in turn, propel the parasite forward. Gliding motility is essential for tissue translocation in the sporozoite and ookinete stages; however, the short-lived erythrocyte-invading merozoite stage has never been observed to undergo gliding movement. Here we show Plasmodium merozoites possess the ability to undergo gliding motility in vitro and that this mechanism is likely an important precursor step for successful parasite invasion. We demonstrate that two human infective species, Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium knowlesi, have distinct merozoite motility profiles which may reflect distinct invasion strategies. Additionally, we develop and validate a higher throughput assay to evaluate the effects of genetic and pharmacological perturbations on both the molecular motor and the complex signaling cascade that regulates motility in merozoites. The discovery of merozoite motility provides a model to study the glideosome and adds a dimension for work aiming to develop treatments targeting the blood stage invasion pathways.
Collapse
|
9
|
Beyer K, Kracht S, Kehrer J, Singer M, Klug D, Frischknecht F. Limited Plasmodium sporozoite gliding motility in the absence of TRAP family adhesins. Malar J 2021; 20:430. [PMID: 34717635 PMCID: PMC8557484 DOI: 10.1186/s12936-021-03960-3] [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: 05/27/2021] [Accepted: 10/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Plasmodium sporozoites are the highly motile forms of malaria-causing parasites that are transmitted by the mosquito to the vertebrate host. Sporozoites need to enter and cross several cellular and tissue barriers for which they employ a set of surface proteins. Three of these proteins are members of the thrombospondin related anonymous protein (TRAP) family. Here, potential additive, synergistic or antagonistic roles of these adhesion proteins were investigated. Methods Four transgenic Plasmodium berghei parasite lines that lacked two or all three of the TRAP family adhesins TRAP, TLP and TREP were generated using positive–negative selection. The parasite lines were investigated for their capacity to attach to and move on glass, their ability to egress from oocysts and their capacity to enter mosquito salivary glands. One strain was in addition interrogated for its capacity to infect mice. Results The major phenotype of the TRAP single gene deletion dominates additional gene deletion phenotypes. All parasite lines including the one lacking all three proteins were able to conduct some form of active, if unproductive movement. Conclusions The individual TRAP-family adhesins appear to play functionally distinct roles during motility and infection. Other proteins must contribute to substrate adhesion and gliding motility. Graphical Abstract ![]()
Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12936-021-03960-3.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Konrad Beyer
- Integrative Parasitology, Center for Infectious Diseases, Heidelberg University Medical School, Im Neuenheimer Feld 344, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Simon Kracht
- Integrative Parasitology, Center for Infectious Diseases, Heidelberg University Medical School, Im Neuenheimer Feld 344, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Jessica Kehrer
- Integrative Parasitology, Center for Infectious Diseases, Heidelberg University Medical School, Im Neuenheimer Feld 344, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany.,German Center for Infection Research, Partner Site Heidelberg, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Mirko Singer
- Integrative Parasitology, Center for Infectious Diseases, Heidelberg University Medical School, Im Neuenheimer Feld 344, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany.,Experimental Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Lena-Christ-Straße 48, Planegg, 82152, Munich, Germany
| | - Dennis Klug
- Integrative Parasitology, Center for Infectious Diseases, Heidelberg University Medical School, Im Neuenheimer Feld 344, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany.,Université de Strasbourg, CNRS UPR9022, INSERM U963, Institut de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire, 67000, Strasbourg, France
| | - Friedrich Frischknecht
- Integrative Parasitology, Center for Infectious Diseases, Heidelberg University Medical School, Im Neuenheimer Feld 344, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany. .,German Center for Infection Research, Partner Site Heidelberg, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany.
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Ripp J, Kehrer J, Smyrnakou X, Tisch N, Tavares J, Amino R, Ruiz de Almodovar C, Frischknecht F. Malaria parasites differentially sense environmental elasticity during transmission. EMBO Mol Med 2021; 13:e13933. [PMID: 33666362 PMCID: PMC8033522 DOI: 10.15252/emmm.202113933] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2021] [Revised: 01/28/2021] [Accepted: 01/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Transmission of malaria-causing parasites to and by the mosquito relies on active parasite migration and constitutes bottlenecks in the Plasmodium life cycle. Parasite adaption to the biochemically and physically different environments must hence be a key evolutionary driver for transmission efficiency. To probe how subtle but physiologically relevant changes in environmental elasticity impact parasite migration, we introduce 2D and 3D polyacrylamide gels to study ookinetes, the parasite forms emigrating from the mosquito blood meal and sporozoites, the forms transmitted to the vertebrate host. We show that ookinetes adapt their migratory path but not their speed to environmental elasticity and are motile for over 24 h on soft substrates. In contrast, sporozoites evolved more short-lived rapid gliding motility for rapidly crossing the skin. Strikingly, sporozoites are highly sensitive to substrate elasticity possibly to avoid adhesion to soft endothelial cells on their long way to the liver. Hence, the two migratory stages of Plasmodium evolved different strategies to overcome the physical challenges posed by the respective environments and barriers they encounter.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Johanna Ripp
- Integrative ParasitologyCenter for Infectious DiseasesHeidelberg University Medical SchoolHeidelbergGermany
| | - Jessica Kehrer
- Integrative ParasitologyCenter for Infectious DiseasesHeidelberg University Medical SchoolHeidelbergGermany
| | - Xanthoula Smyrnakou
- Integrative ParasitologyCenter for Infectious DiseasesHeidelberg University Medical SchoolHeidelbergGermany
- Gene Therapy for Hearing Impairment and DeafnessDepartment of OtolaryngologyHead & Neck SurgeryUniversity of Tübingen Medical CenterTübingenGermany
| | - Nathalie Tisch
- Biochemistry CenterHeidelberg UniversityHeidelbergGermany
- European Center for Angioscience (ECAS)Medical Faculty MannheimHeidelberg UniversityMannheimGermany
| | - Joana Tavares
- IBMC‐Institute for Molecular and Cell Biologyi3S ‐ Institute for Research and Innovation in HealthUniversity of PortoPortoPortugal
- Malaria Infection and Immunity UnitDepartment of Parasites and Insect VectorsInstitut PasteurParisFrance
| | - Rogerio Amino
- Malaria Infection and Immunity UnitDepartment of Parasites and Insect VectorsInstitut PasteurParisFrance
| | - Carmen Ruiz de Almodovar
- Biochemistry CenterHeidelberg UniversityHeidelbergGermany
- European Center for Angioscience (ECAS)Medical Faculty MannheimHeidelberg UniversityMannheimGermany
| | - Friedrich Frischknecht
- Integrative ParasitologyCenter for Infectious DiseasesHeidelberg University Medical SchoolHeidelbergGermany
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Vaughan A. Motile mosquito stage malaria parasites: ready for their close-up. EMBO Mol Med 2021; 13:e13975. [PMID: 33787077 PMCID: PMC8033511 DOI: 10.15252/emmm.202113975] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2021] [Accepted: 03/04/2021] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Many stages of the complex Plasmodium parasite life cycle, the eukaryotic pathogen that causes malaria, are extracellular and motile. This motility is essential for life cycle progression, and two studies in this issue of EMBO Molecular Medicine (Hopp et al, 2021; Ripp et al, 2021) examine the motility of two of these life cycle stages. These are the ookinete, which develops in the midgut of an infected mosquito vector, and the sporozoite, which is injected into the skin of an unsuspecting host by an infected mosquito, initiating the parasite life cycle in the human. Therapeutic targeting of the ookinete and sporozoite (Duffy & Patrick Gorres, 2020), which are profound bottlenecks in the life cycle, has recently received a great deal of attention in our battle to prevent the 400,000 deaths from malaria that occur every year (WHO, 2020).
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ashley Vaughan
- Center for Global Infectious Disease ResearchSeattle Children's Research InstituteSeattleWAUSA
| |
Collapse
|