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Costa-Oliveira CND, Paiva-Cavalcanti MD, Barros MDS, Nakazawa M, Melo MGND, Pessoa-E-Silva R, Torres DJL, Oliveira KKDS, Moreira LR, Morais RCSD, Goes TCD, Oliveira GMDA, Júnior WDO, Silva MMDME, Batista FP, Montenegro D, Lorena VMBD. Outbreak of Chagas disease in Brazil: Validation of a molecular diagnostic method. Exp Parasitol 2023; 247:108478. [PMID: 36731642 DOI: 10.1016/j.exppara.2023.108478] [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: 10/05/2021] [Revised: 01/24/2023] [Accepted: 01/26/2023] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
Chagas disease (CD), caused by the protozoan Trypanosoma cruzi (T. cruzi), affects millions of people worldwide. Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) and real-time quantitative PCR (qPCR) have been used as tools to monitor parasitic levels in the bloodstream of individuals exposed to infection, thus enabling the monitoring of relapses and the effectiveness of therapy, for example. The aim of this study was to evaluate the TcSAT-IAM system, developed by our research group, on samples from patients with suspected Chagas disease infection. Initially, primer systems were developed for the detection of the nuclear DNA (SAT-DNA) from T. cruzi (TcSAT-IAM). The Cruzi system, predicted in the literature, and TcSAT-IAM were then evaluated in relation to their analytical sensitivity, specificity and efficiency. Afterwards, the applicability of the qPCR technique using both systems (separately) for the diagnosis of acute CD was evaluated in samples from 77 individuals exposed to the outbreak that occurred in Pernambuco-Brazil, relating the results obtained to those of the classical diagnostic methods recommended for this stage of the infection. TcSAT-IAM and Cruzi had a detection limit of 1 fg of target DNA (0,003 parasites). Thirty-eight cases were recorded, 28 by laboratory criteria and 10 by clinical and epidemiological criteria. Blood samples from 77 subjects were submitted to qPCR by both systems, reaching an agreement of 89.61% between them. After analyzes between systems and diagnostic criteria, the TcSAT-IAM showed sensitivity and specificity of 52.36% (CI 37.26-67.52) and 92.31% (CI 79.68-97.35), respectively, accuracy of 72.73% and moderate agreement. The TcSAT-IAM showed an accuracy of 72.58% and 75% in relation to parasitological and serological tests (IgM anti-T. cruzi), respectively. Therefore, quantitative PCR should be incorporated into the diagnosis of suspected acute cases of Chagas disease.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Filipe Prohaska Batista
- University Hospital Oswaldo Cruz (HUOC) - Pernambuco University (UPE), Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil
| | - Demetrius Montenegro
- University Hospital Oswaldo Cruz (HUOC) - Pernambuco University (UPE), Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil
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2
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Mosquillo MF, Bilbao L, Hernández F, Tissot F, Gambino D, Garat B, Pérez-Díaz L. Trypanosoma cruzibiochemical changes and cell death induced by an organometallic platinum-based compound. Chem Biol Drug Des 2018; 92:1657-1669. [DOI: 10.1111/cbdd.13332] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2018] [Revised: 03/23/2018] [Accepted: 04/21/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- M. Florencia Mosquillo
- Laboratorio de Interacciones Moleculares; Facultad de Ciencias; Universidad de la República; Montevideo Uruguay
| | - Lucía Bilbao
- Laboratorio de Interacciones Moleculares; Facultad de Ciencias; Universidad de la República; Montevideo Uruguay
| | - Fabricio Hernández
- Laboratorio de Interacciones Moleculares; Facultad de Ciencias; Universidad de la República; Montevideo Uruguay
| | - Florencia Tissot
- Cátedra de Química Analítica; Facultad de Química; Universidad de la República; Montevideo Uruguay
| | - Dinorah Gambino
- Cátedra de Química Inorgánica; Facultad de Química; Universidad de la República; Montevideo Uruguay
| | - Beatriz Garat
- Laboratorio de Interacciones Moleculares; Facultad de Ciencias; Universidad de la República; Montevideo Uruguay
| | - Leticia Pérez-Díaz
- Laboratorio de Interacciones Moleculares; Facultad de Ciencias; Universidad de la República; Montevideo Uruguay
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3
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Aysanoa E, Mayor P, Mendoza AP, Zariquiey CM, Morales EA, Pérez JG, Bowler M, Ventocilla JA, González C, Baldeviano GC, Lescano AG. Molecular Epidemiology of Trypanosomatids and Trypanosoma cruzi in Primates from Peru. ECOHEALTH 2017; 14:732-742. [PMID: 29098492 PMCID: PMC5818207 DOI: 10.1007/s10393-017-1271-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2017] [Revised: 06/16/2017] [Accepted: 07/07/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
We determined the prevalence rate and risk of infection of Trypanosoma cruzi and other trypanosomatids in Peruvian non-human primates (NHPs) in the wild (n = 126) and in different captive conditions (n = 183). Blood samples were collected on filter paper, FTA cards, or EDTA tubes and tested using a nested PCR protocol targeting the 24Sα rRNA gene. Main risk factors associated with trypanosomatid and T. cruzi infection were genus and the human-animal context (wild vs captive animals). Wild NHPs had higher prevalence of both trypanosomatids (64.3 vs 27.9%, P < 0.001) and T. cruzi (8.7 vs 3.3%, P = 0.057), compared to captive NHPs, suggesting that parasite transmission in NHPs occurs more actively in the sylvatic cycle. In terms of primate family, Pitheciidae had the highest trypanosomatid prevalence (20/22, 90.9%) and Cebidae had the highest T. cruzi prevalence (15/117, 12.8%). T. cruzi and trypanosomatids are common in Peruvian NHPs and could pose a health risk to human and animals that has not been properly studied.
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Affiliation(s)
- Esar Aysanoa
- Department of Parasitology, U.S. Naval Medical Research Unit No. 6 (NAMRU-6), Venezuela Ave. Block 36 Bellavista, Callao, Peru
| | - Pedro Mayor
- Departament de Sanitat i Antomia Animals, Faculty of Veterinary, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Barcelona, Spain
| | | | | | - E Angelo Morales
- Department of Parasitology, U.S. Naval Medical Research Unit No. 6 (NAMRU-6), Venezuela Ave. Block 36 Bellavista, Callao, Peru
| | | | - Mark Bowler
- San Diego Zoo Global, Institute for Conservation Research, Escondido, CA, USA
| | - Julio A Ventocilla
- Department of Parasitology, U.S. Naval Medical Research Unit No. 6 (NAMRU-6), Venezuela Ave. Block 36 Bellavista, Callao, Peru
| | - Carlos González
- Departament de Medicina i Cirurgia Animals, Servei d' Ecopatologia de Fauna Salvatge (SEFaS), Faculty of Veterinary, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Barcelona, Spain
| | - G Christian Baldeviano
- Department of Parasitology, U.S. Naval Medical Research Unit No. 6 (NAMRU-6), Venezuela Ave. Block 36 Bellavista, Callao, Peru
| | - Andrés G Lescano
- Department of Parasitology, U.S. Naval Medical Research Unit No. 6 (NAMRU-6), Venezuela Ave. Block 36 Bellavista, Callao, Peru.
- Emerge, Emerging Diseases and Climate Change Research Unit, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima, Peru.
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4
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Pech-Canul ÁDLC, Monteón V, Solís-Oviedo RL. A Brief View of the Surface Membrane Proteins from Trypanosoma cruzi. J Parasitol Res 2017; 2017:3751403. [PMID: 28656101 PMCID: PMC5474541 DOI: 10.1155/2017/3751403] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2017] [Revised: 03/31/2017] [Accepted: 04/27/2017] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Trypanosoma cruzi is the causal agent of Chagas' disease which affects millions of people around the world mostly in Central and South America. T. cruzi expresses a wide variety of proteins on its surface membrane which has an important role in the biology of these parasites. Surface molecules of the parasites are the result of the environment to which the parasites are exposed during their life cycle. Hence, T. cruzi displays several modifications when they move from one host to another. Due to the complexity of this parasite's cell surface, this review presents some membrane proteins organized as large families, as they are the most abundant and/or relevant throughout the T. cruzi membrane.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ángel de la Cruz Pech-Canul
- Centre for Biomolecular Sciences, The University of Nottingham, University Park, University Blvd, Nottingham NG7 2RD, UK
| | - Victor Monteón
- Investigaciones Biomédicas, Universidad Autónoma de Campeche, Av. Patricio Trueba s/n, Col. Lindavista, 24039 Campeche, CAM, Mexico
| | - Rosa-Lidia Solís-Oviedo
- Centre for Biomolecular Sciences, The University of Nottingham, University Park, University Blvd, Nottingham NG7 2RD, UK
- Investigaciones Biomédicas, Universidad Autónoma de Campeche, Av. Patricio Trueba s/n, Col. Lindavista, 24039 Campeche, CAM, Mexico
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5
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Seiringer P, Pritsch M, Flores-Chavez M, Marchisio E, Helfrich K, Mengele C, Hohnerlein S, Bretzel G, Löscher T, Hoelscher M, Berens-Riha N. Comparison of four PCR methods for efficient detection of Trypanosoma cruzi in routine diagnostics. Diagn Microbiol Infect Dis 2017; 88:225-232. [PMID: 28456430 DOI: 10.1016/j.diagmicrobio.2017.04.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2016] [Revised: 03/06/2017] [Accepted: 04/04/2017] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Due to increased migration, Chagas disease has become an international health problem. Reliable diagnosis of chronically infected people is crucial for prevention of non-vectorial transmission as well as treatment. This study compared four distinct PCR methods for detection of Trypanosoma cruzi DNA for the use in well-equipped routine diagnostic laboratories. DNA was extracted of T. cruzi-positive and negative patients' blood samples and cultured T. cruzi, T. rangeli as well as Leishmania spp. One conventional and two real-time PCR methods targeting a repetitive Sat-DNA sequence as well as one conventional PCR method targeting the variable region of the kDNA minicircle were compared for sensitivity, intra- and interassay precision, limit of detection, specificity and cross-reactivity. Considering the performance, costs and ease of use, an algorithm for PCR-diagnosis of patients with a positive serology for T. cruzi antibodies was developed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter Seiringer
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine, Medical Center of the University of Munich (LMU), Leopoldstr. 5, 80802 Munich, Germany; German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), partner site Munich, Munich, Germany.
| | - Michael Pritsch
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine, Medical Center of the University of Munich (LMU), Leopoldstr. 5, 80802 Munich, Germany; German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), partner site Munich, Munich, Germany.
| | - María Flores-Chavez
- Servicio de Parasitología, Centro Nacional de Microbiología, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Ctra. Majadahonda-Pozuelo km 2, Madrid, Spain.
| | - Edoardo Marchisio
- Dia.Pro Diagnostic BioProbes srl, Via Giosuè n°27, 20099 Sesto San Giovanni, Milan, Italy.
| | - Kerstin Helfrich
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine, Medical Center of the University of Munich (LMU), Leopoldstr. 5, 80802 Munich, Germany.
| | - Carolin Mengele
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine, Medical Center of the University of Munich (LMU), Leopoldstr. 5, 80802 Munich, Germany.
| | - Stefan Hohnerlein
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine, Medical Center of the University of Munich (LMU), Leopoldstr. 5, 80802 Munich, Germany.
| | - Gisela Bretzel
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine, Medical Center of the University of Munich (LMU), Leopoldstr. 5, 80802 Munich, Germany.
| | - Thomas Löscher
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine, Medical Center of the University of Munich (LMU), Leopoldstr. 5, 80802 Munich, Germany.
| | - Michael Hoelscher
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine, Medical Center of the University of Munich (LMU), Leopoldstr. 5, 80802 Munich, Germany; German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), partner site Munich, Munich, Germany.
| | - Nicole Berens-Riha
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine, Medical Center of the University of Munich (LMU), Leopoldstr. 5, 80802 Munich, Germany.
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6
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Souza RT, Lima FM, Barros RM, Cortez DR, Santos MF, Cordero EM, Ruiz JC, Goldenberg S, Teixeira MMG, da Silveira JF. Genome size, karyotype polymorphism and chromosomal evolution in Trypanosoma cruzi. PLoS One 2011; 6:e23042. [PMID: 21857989 PMCID: PMC3155523 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0023042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2011] [Accepted: 07/04/2011] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Background The Trypanosoma cruzi genome was sequenced from a hybrid strain (CL Brener). However, high allelic variation and the repetitive nature of the genome have prevented the complete linear sequence of chromosomes being determined. Determining the full complement of chromosomes and establishing syntenic groups will be important in defining the structure of T. cruzi chromosomes. A large amount of information is now available for T. cruzi and Trypanosoma brucei, providing the opportunity to compare and describe the overall patterns of chromosomal evolution in these parasites. Methodology/Principal Findings The genome sizes, repetitive DNA contents, and the numbers and sizes of chromosomes of nine strains of T. cruzi from four lineages (TcI, TcII, TcV and TcVI) were determined. The genome of the TcI group was statistically smaller than other lineages, with the exception of the TcI isolate Tc1161 (José-IMT). Satellite DNA content was correlated with genome size for all isolates, but this was not accompanied by simultaneous amplification of retrotransposons. Regardless of chromosomal polymorphism, large syntenic groups are conserved among T. cruzi lineages. Duplicated chromosome-sized regions were identified and could be retained as paralogous loci, increasing the dosage of several genes. By comparing T. cruzi and T. brucei chromosomes, homologous chromosomal regions in T. brucei were identified. Chromosomes Tb9 and Tb11 of T. brucei share regions of syntenic homology with three and six T. cruzi chromosomal bands, respectively. Conclusions Despite genome size variation and karyotype polymorphism, T. cruzi lineages exhibit conservation of chromosome structure. Several syntenic groups are conserved among all isolates analyzed in this study. The syntenic regions are larger than expected if rearrangements occur randomly, suggesting that they are conserved owing to positive selection. Mapping of the syntenic regions on T. cruzi chromosomal bands provides evidence for the occurrence of fusion and split events involving T. brucei and T. cruzi chromosomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Renata T. Souza
- Departamento de Microbiologia, Imunologia e Parasitologia, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Fábio M. Lima
- Departamento de Microbiologia, Imunologia e Parasitologia, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Roberto Moraes Barros
- Departamento de Microbiologia, Imunologia e Parasitologia, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Danielle R. Cortez
- Departamento de Microbiologia, Imunologia e Parasitologia, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Michele F. Santos
- Departamento de Microbiologia, Imunologia e Parasitologia, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Esteban M. Cordero
- Departamento de Microbiologia, Imunologia e Parasitologia, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | | | - Marta M. G. Teixeira
- Departamento de Parasitologia, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - José Franco da Silveira
- Departamento de Microbiologia, Imunologia e Parasitologia, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
- * E-mail:
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7
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Songthamwat D, Kajihara K, Kikuchi M, Uemura H, Tran SPM, Yanagi T, Higo H, Hirayama K. Structure and expression of three gp82 gene subfamilies of Trypanosoma cruzi. Parasitol Int 2007; 56:273-80. [PMID: 17644397 DOI: 10.1016/j.parint.2007.05.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2007] [Revised: 05/06/2007] [Accepted: 05/29/2007] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
The glycoprotein gp82 is a GPI-anchored cell surface protein of Trypanosoma cruzi and is involved in cell invasion. Gp82 is encoded by multiple genes. To investigate the genetic basis of its biological function, we analyzed structure and expression of gp82 multigene family members in the Peruvian and Guatemalan strains. Three major groups of gp82 genes (A, B and C) were categorized by analyzing multiple DNA clones from the genomic PCR products. Within each group, 95-97% homology was observed, whereas between the groups, homology was 67-79%. The copy numbers of groups A, B and C as determined by real-time PCR were 18, 8 and 7 copies, respectively, in the Peru-2 strain. Significant elevation of the mRNA expression levels (5-10 times more) of all the subfamily genes was observed in the metacyclic stage compared with the epimastigote stage. When we focused on the binding motif sequence reported previously, we found substantial difference between that of A and C. However, the peptide inhibition invasion assay showed no functional difference. Taken together, we demonstrated that three subfamilies of gp82 were in the genome of T. cruzi and maintained their functional structure, and that the mRNA expressions of those genes were equally controlled in a stage-specific manner.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dujdow Songthamwat
- Department of Immunogenetics, Institute of Tropical Medicine (NEKKEN), Nagasaki University, 1-12-4 Sakamoto, Nagasaki 852-8523, Japan
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8
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Obado SO, Taylor MC, Wilkinson SR, Bromley EV, Kelly JM. Functional mapping of a trypanosome centromere by chromosome fragmentation identifies a 16-kb GC-rich transcriptional "strand-switch" domain as a major feature. Genome Res 2005; 15:36-43. [PMID: 15632088 PMCID: PMC540271 DOI: 10.1101/gr.2895105] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2004] [Accepted: 10/21/2004] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Trypanosomatids are an ancient family that diverged from the main eukaryotic lineage early in evolution, which display several unique features of gene organization and expression. Although genome sequencing is now complete, the nature of centromeres in these and other parasitic protozoa has not been resolved. Here, we report the functional mapping of a centromere in the American trypanosome, Trypanosoma cruzi, a parasite with an unusual mechanism of genetic exchange that involves the generation of aneuploidy by nuclear hybridization. Using a telomere-associated chromosome fragmentation approach, we show that the region required for the mitotic stability of chromosome 3 encompasses a transcriptional "strand-switch" domain constituted by a 16-kb GC-rich island. The domain contains several degenerate retrotransposon-like insertions, but atypically, lacks the arrays of satellite repeats normally associated with centromeric regions. This unusual type of organization may represent a paradigm for centromeres in T. cruzi and other primitive eukaryotes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samson O Obado
- Department of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London WC1E 7HT, United Kingdom
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9
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Ghedin E, Bringaud F, Peterson J, Myler P, Berriman M, Ivens A, Andersson B, Bontempi E, Eisen J, Angiuoli S, Wanless D, Von Arx A, Murphy L, Lennard N, Salzberg S, Adams MD, White O, Hall N, Stuart K, Fraser CM, El-Sayed NMA. Gene synteny and evolution of genome architecture in trypanosomatids. Mol Biochem Parasitol 2004; 134:183-91. [PMID: 15003838 DOI: 10.1016/j.molbiopara.2003.11.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 75] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2003] [Accepted: 11/12/2003] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
The trypanosomatid protozoa Trypanosoma brucei, Trypanosoma cruzi and Leishmania major are related human pathogens that cause markedly distinct diseases. Using information from genome sequencing projects currently underway, we have compared the sequences of large chromosomal fragments from each species. Despite high levels of divergence at the sequence level, these three species exhibit a striking conservation of gene order, suggesting that selection has maintained gene order among the trypanosomatids over hundreds of millions of years of evolution. The few sites of genome rearrangement between these species are marked by the presence of retrotransposon-like elements, suggesting that retrotransposons may have played an important role in shaping trypanosomatid genome organization. A degenerate retroelement was identified in L. major by examining the regions near breakage points of the synteny. This is the first such element found in L. major suggesting that retroelements were found in the common ancestor of all three species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elodie Ghedin
- Parasity Genomics, The Institute for Genomics Research, 9712 Medical Center Dr. Rockville, MD 20850, USA
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10
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Macedo AM, Machado CR, Oliveira RP, Pena SDJ. Trypanosoma cruzi: genetic structure of populations and relevance of genetic variability to the pathogenesis of chagas disease. Mem Inst Oswaldo Cruz 2004; 99:1-12. [PMID: 15057339 DOI: 10.1590/s0074-02762004000100001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 213] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Chagas disease, caused by the protozoan Trypanosoma cruzi, has a variable clinical course, ranging from symptomless infection to severe chronic disease with cardiovascular or gastrointestinal involvement or, occasionally, overwhelming acute episodes. The factors influencing this clinical variability have not been elucidated, but it is likely that the genetic variability of both the host and the parasite are of importance. In this work we review the the genetic structure of T. cruzi populations and analyze the importance of genetic variation of the parasite in the pathogenesis of the disease under the light of the histotropic-clonal model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andréa M Macedo
- Departamento de Bioquímica e Imunologia, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, 30161-970, Brasil
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11
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Pedroso A, Cupolillo E, Zingales B. Evaluation of Trypanosoma cruzi hybrid stocks based on chromosomal size variation. Mol Biochem Parasitol 2003; 129:79-90. [PMID: 12798509 DOI: 10.1016/s0166-6851(03)00096-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
Although all classical lines of evidence point to the fact that Trypanosoma cruzi has a predominantly clonal evolution, accumulating data show that some T. cruzi stocks are the result of hybridisation events. We evaluated whether chromosomal polymorphism would give evolutionary information on hybrid isolates. Twenty-three coding sequences were mapped on the chromosomes of nine parasite stocks, four of which are putative hybrids (CL Brener and rDNA group 1/2). Phenetic analyses of karyotype data were based on the absolute chromosomal size difference index (aCSDI), a method that assumes that the genomic distance between two organisms is the sum of the size differences between their homologous chromosomes. aCSDI-based dendrograms obtained from a variable number of probes (3-18 probes) defined in all the cases three clusters: two corresponding, respectively, to T. cruzi I and T. cruzi II groups; and a third one, to rDNA group 1/2. CL Brener was alternatively positioned in T. cruzi II or rDNA group 1/2 clusters. Three clusters were also observed in the dendrogram constructed with restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) data from 18 probes. The topology of the chromosome and RFLP dendrograms is similar, with a significant correlation coefficient (r=0.86062; P<0.0001), supporting a strong structuring of the clusters. This study also revealed that hybrid stocks have a larger proportion of two different-sized homologous chromosomes, as compared with non-hybrid strains. Overall, our results show that chromosomes are valuable characters for identification of evolutionary groups, in particular, T. cruzi hybrid organisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aurélio Pedroso
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Instituto de Química, Universidade de São Paulo, Avenida Professor Lineu Prestes, 748, CEP 05508-000, São Paulo SP, Brazil
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12
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Porcile PE, Santos MRM, Souza RT, Verbisck NV, Brandão A, Urmenyi T, Silva R, Rondinelli E, Lorenzi H, Levin MJ, Degrave W, Franco da Silveira J. A refined molecular karyotype for the reference strain of the Trypanosoma cruzi genome project (clone CL Brener) by assignment of chromosome markers. Gene 2003; 308:53-65. [PMID: 12711390 DOI: 10.1016/s0378-1119(03)00489-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
We present a useful refinement of the molecular karyotype of clone CL Brener, the reference clone of the Trypanosoma cruzi Genome Project. The assignment of 210 genetic markers (142 expressed sequence tags (ESTs), seven cDNAs, 32 protein-coding genes, eight sequence tagged sites (STSs), 21 repetitive sequences) to the chromosomal bands separated by pulsed field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) identified 61 chromosome-specific markers, two size-polymorphic chromosomes and seven linkage groups. Fourteen new repetitive elements were isolated in this work and mapped to the chromosomal bands. We found that at least ten repetitive elements can be mapped to each chromosomal band, which may render the whole genome sequence assembly a difficult task. To construct the integrated map of chromosomal band XX, we used yeast artificial chromosome (YAC) overlapping clones and a variety of probes (i.e. known gene sequences, ESTs, STSs generated from the YAC ends). The total length covered by the YAC contig was approximately 1.3 Mb, covering 37% of the entire chromosome. We found some degree of polymorphism among YACs derived from band XX. These results are in agreement with data from phylogenetic analysis of T. cruzi which suggest that clone CL Brener is a hybrid genotype [Mol. Biochem. Parasitol. 92 (1998) 253; Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 98 (2001) 7396]. The physical map of the chromosomal bands, together with the isolation of specific chromosomal markers, will contribute in the global effort to sequence the nuclear genome of this parasite.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patricio E Porcile
- Departamento de Microbiologia, Imunologia e Parasitologia, Escola Paulista de Medicina, UNIFESP, R. Botucatu 862, CEP 04023-062, São Paulo, Brazil
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Lorenzi HA, Vázquez MP, Levin MJ. The genes for a DEAH RNA helicase, a NifU like protein and the translation factor eIF6 constitute the SZ5 locus of Trypanosoma cruzi. Mol Biochem Parasitol 2000; 111:207-11. [PMID: 11087930 DOI: 10.1016/s0166-6851(00)00297-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- H A Lorenzi
- Laboratorio de Biología Molecular de la Enfermedad de Chagas, Instituto de Investigaciones en Ingeniería Genética y Biología Molecular (INGEBI)-CONICET, University of Buenos Aires, Vuelta de Obligado 2490, 2P., 1428, Buenos Aires, Argentina
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15
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Morel CM. Chagas disease, from discovery to control - and beyond: history, myths and lessons to take home. Mem Inst Oswaldo Cruz 2000; 94 Suppl 1:3-16. [PMID: 10677688 DOI: 10.1590/s0074-02761999000700002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- C M Morel
- World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland.
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16
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Carmo MS, Araya JE, Ramirez MI, Boscardin S, Cano MI, Baida RP, Ruiz RC, Santos MR, Chiurillo MA, Ramirez JL, Yoshida N, Silveira JF. Organization and expression of a multigene family encoding the surface glycoproteins of Trypanosoma cruzi metacyclic trypomastigotes involved in the cell invasion. Mem Inst Oswaldo Cruz 2000; 94 Suppl 1:169-71. [PMID: 10677708 DOI: 10.1590/s0074-02761999000700022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- M S Carmo
- Departamento de Micro, Imuno e Parasitologia, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Unifesp, São Paulo, Brasil
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17
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Santos MR, Lorenzi H, Porcile P, Carmo MS, Schijman A, Brandão A, Araya JE, Gomes HB, Chiurillo MA, Ramirez JL, Degrave WM, Levin MJ, da Silveira JF. Physical mapping of a 670-kb region of chromosomes XVI and XVII from the human protozoan parasite Trypanosoma cruzi encompassing the genes for two immunodominant antigens. Genome Res 1999; 9:1268-76. [PMID: 10613849 PMCID: PMC311010 DOI: 10.1101/gr.9.12.1268] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
As part of the Trypanosoma cruzi Genome Initiative, we have mapped a large portion of the chromosomal bands XVI (2.3 Mb) and XVII (2.6 Mb) containing the highly repetitive and immunodominant antigenic gene families h49 and jl8. Restriction mapping of the isolated chromosomal bands and hybridization with chromosome specific gene probes showed that genes h49 and jl8 are located in a pair of size-polymorphic homologous chromosomes. To construct the integrated map of the chromosomes harboring the h49 and jl8 loci, we used YAC, cosmid, and lambda phage overlapping clones, and long range restriction analysis using a variety of probes (i.e., known gene sequences, ESTs, polymorphic repetitive sequences, anonymous sequences, STSs generated from the YAC ends). The total length covered by the YAC contig was approximately 670 kb, and its map agreed and was complementary to the one obtained by long-range restriction fragment analysis. Average genetic marker spacing in a 105 kb region around h49 and jl8 genes was estimated to be 6.2 kb/marker. We have detected some polymorphism in the H49/JL8 antigens-encoding chromosomes, affecting also the coding regions. The physical map of this region, together with the isolation of specific chromosome markers, will contribute in the global effort to sequence the nuclear genome of this parasite.
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Affiliation(s)
- M R Santos
- Departamento de Microbiologia, Imunologia e Parasitologia, Escola Paulista de Medicina, UNIFESP, Rua Botucatu 862, CEP 04023-062, S. Paulo, Brasil
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18
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Vázquez M, Lorenzi H, Schijman AG, Ben-Dov C, Levin MJ. Analysis of the distribution of SIRE in the nuclear genome of Trypanosoma cruzi. Gene 1999; 239:207-16. [PMID: 10548721 DOI: 10.1016/s0378-1119(99)00387-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
The short interspersed repetitive element (SIRE) of the nuclear genome of Trypanosoma cruzi was first detected when comparing the sequences of loci that encode the TcP2beta genes. The present study was designed to assess its distribution and organization in the nuclear genome of the parasite. Southern blots of genomic DNA from different strains demonstrated that each one possesses a defined and characteristic pattern of SIRE distribution. The conservation of the SIRE sequence in T. cruzi strains allowed the development of a rapid inter-SIRE PCR reaction that yields strain-specific amplicon profiles. In the T. cruzi CL Brener clone, we found 1500 copies of the element distributed in all chromosomes. 16 genomic fragments containing SIRE (SZs) were isolated and characterized. In fragments SZ10, SZ12 and SZ31, SIRE was linked to TcRel, a novel repeated sequence that constitutes the 3' end of vp85 genes. SIRE was also linked to an unknown open reading frame in fragments SZ14 and SZ23 which might be related to the subtelomeric regions of T. cruzi chromosomes. Further sequencing of SZ fragments revealed that SIRE was also linked to protein coding genes that have not yet been described in kinetoplastids such as the one coding for PRP22 helicase and a thimet oligopeptidase. To allow the rapid-generation genetic markers associated with SIRE, we developed a SIRE-bubble PCR reaction that provided several such markers for the construction of the physical map of chromosome XVI. The results herein demonstrate that SIRE-associated sites (SAS) may be of great help in physical mapping and interpretation of T. cruzi genomic sequence data.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Vázquez
- Instituto de Investigaciones en Ingeniería Genética y Biología Molecular (INGEBI) - CONICET, University of Buenos Aires, Vuelta de Obligado 2490 2P, 1428, Buenos Aires, Argentina
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Abstract
Despite the advances of modern medicine, the threat of chronic illness, disfigurement, or death that can result from parasitic infection still affects the majority of the world population, retarding economic development. For most parasitic diseases, current therapeutics often leave much to be desired in terms of administration regime, toxicity, or effectiveness and potential vaccines are a long way from market. Our best prospects for identifying new targets for drug, vaccine, and diagnostics development and for dissecting the biological basis of drug resistance, antigenic diversity, infectivity and pathology lie in parasite genome analysis, and international mapping and gene discovery initiatives are under way for a variety of protozoan and helminth parasites. These are far from ideal experimental organisms, and the influence of biological and genomic characteristics on experimental approaches is discussed, progress is reviewed and future prospects are examined.
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Affiliation(s)
- D A Johnston
- Department of Zoology, Natural History Museum, London, United Kingdom
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Degrave W, Levin MJ, da Silveira JF, Morel CM. Parasite genome projects and the Trypanosoma cruzi genome initiative. Mem Inst Oswaldo Cruz 1997; 92:859-62. [PMID: 9566219 DOI: 10.1590/s0074-02761997000600023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Since the start of the human genome project, a great number of genome projects on other "model" organism have been initiated, some of them already completed. Several initiatives have also been started on parasite genomes, mainly through support from WHO/TDR, involving North-South and South-South collaborations, and great hopes are vested in that these initiatives will lead to new tools for disease control and prevention, as well as to the establishment of genomic research technology in developing countries. The Trypanosoma cruzi genome project, using the clone CL-Brener as starting point, has made considerable progress through the concerted action of more than 20 laboratories, most of them in the South. A brief overview of the current state of the project is given.
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Affiliation(s)
- W Degrave
- Departamento de Bioquímica e Biologia Molecular, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brasil.
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