1
|
Zeeshan M, Rashpa R, Ferguson DJ, Mckeown G, Nugmanova R, Subudhi AK, Beyeler R, Pashley SL, Markus R, Brady D, Roques M, Bottrill AR, Fry AM, Pain A, Vaughan S, Holder AA, Tromer EC, Brochet M, Tewari R. Plasmodium NEK1 coordinates MTOC organisation and kinetochore attachment during rapid mitosis in male gamete formation. PLoS Biol 2024; 22:e3002802. [PMID: 39255311 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pbio.3002802] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2024] [Accepted: 08/13/2024] [Indexed: 09/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Mitosis is an important process in the cell cycle required for cells to divide. Never in mitosis (NIMA)-like kinases (NEKs) are regulators of mitotic functions in diverse organisms. Plasmodium spp., the causative agent of malaria is a divergent unicellular haploid eukaryote with some unusual features in terms of its mitotic and nuclear division cycle that presumably facilitate proliferation in varied environments. For example, during the sexual stage of male gametogenesis that occurs within the mosquito host, an atypical rapid closed endomitosis is observed. Three rounds of genome replication from 1N to 8N and successive cycles of multiple spindle formation and chromosome segregation occur within 8 min followed by karyokinesis to generate haploid gametes. Our previous Plasmodium berghei kinome screen identified 4 Nek genes, of which 2, NEK2 and NEK4, are required for meiosis. NEK1 is likely to be essential for mitosis in asexual blood stage schizogony in the vertebrate host, but its function during male gametogenesis is unknown. Here, we study NEK1 location and function, using live cell imaging, ultrastructure expansion microscopy (U-ExM), and electron microscopy, together with conditional gene knockdown and proteomic approaches. We report spatiotemporal NEK1 location in real-time, coordinated with microtubule organising centre (MTOC) dynamics during the unusual mitoses at various stages of the Plasmodium spp. life cycle. Knockdown studies reveal NEK1 to be an essential component of the MTOC in male cell differentiation, associated with rapid mitosis, spindle formation, and kinetochore attachment. These data suggest that P. berghei NEK1 kinase is an important component of MTOC organisation and essential regulator of chromosome segregation during male gamete formation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad Zeeshan
- University of Nottingham, School of Life Sciences, Nottingham, United Kingdom
| | - Ravish Rashpa
- University of Geneva, Faculty of Medicine, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - David J Ferguson
- Oxford Brookes University, Department of Biological and Medical Sciences, Oxford, United Kingdom
- University of Oxford, John Radcliffe Hospital, Nuffield Department of Clinical Laboratory Science, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - George Mckeown
- University of Nottingham, School of Life Sciences, Nottingham, United Kingdom
| | - Raushan Nugmanova
- Pathogen Genomics Group, Bioscience Program, BESE Division, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
| | - Amit K Subudhi
- Pathogen Genomics Group, Bioscience Program, BESE Division, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
| | - Raphael Beyeler
- Institute of Cell Biology, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Sarah L Pashley
- University of Nottingham, School of Life Sciences, Nottingham, United Kingdom
| | - Robert Markus
- University of Nottingham, School of Life Sciences, Nottingham, United Kingdom
| | - Declan Brady
- University of Nottingham, School of Life Sciences, Nottingham, United Kingdom
| | - Magali Roques
- Institute of Cell Biology, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Andrew R Bottrill
- School of Life Sciences, Gibbet Hill Campus, University of Warwick, Coventry, United Kingdom
| | - Andrew M Fry
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Leicester, Leicester, United Kingdom
| | - Arnab Pain
- Pathogen Genomics Group, Bioscience Program, BESE Division, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
| | - Sue Vaughan
- Oxford Brookes University, Department of Biological and Medical Sciences, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Anthony A Holder
- Malaria Parasitology Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London, United Kingdom
| | - Eelco C Tromer
- Cell Biochemistry, Groningen Biomolecular Sciences and Biotechnology Institute, Faculty of Science and Engineering, University of Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Mathieu Brochet
- University of Geneva, Faculty of Medicine, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Rita Tewari
- University of Nottingham, School of Life Sciences, Nottingham, United Kingdom
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Tell I Puig A, Soldati-Favre D. Roles of the tubulin-based cytoskeleton in the Toxoplasma gondii apical complex. Trends Parasitol 2024; 40:401-415. [PMID: 38531711 DOI: 10.1016/j.pt.2024.02.010] [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] [Received: 01/08/2024] [Revised: 02/26/2024] [Accepted: 02/28/2024] [Indexed: 03/28/2024]
Abstract
Microtubules (MTs) play a vital role as key components of the eukaryotic cytoskeleton. The phylum Apicomplexa comprises eukaryotic unicellular parasitic organisms defined by the presence of an apical complex which consists of specialized secretory organelles and tubulin-based cytoskeletal elements. One apicomplexan parasite, Toxoplasma gondii, is an omnipresent opportunistic pathogen with significant medical and veterinary implications. To ensure successful infection and widespread dissemination, T. gondii heavily relies on the tubulin structures present in the apical complex. Recent advances in high-resolution imaging, coupled with reverse genetics, have offered deeper insights into the composition, functionality, and dynamics of these tubulin-based structures. The apicomplexan tubulins differ from those of their mammalian hosts, endowing them with unique attributes and susceptibility to specific classes of inhibitory compounds.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Albert Tell I Puig
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Medicine, CMU, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland.
| | - Dominique Soldati-Favre
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Medicine, CMU, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Liffner B, Absalon S. Expansion microscopy of apicomplexan parasites. Mol Microbiol 2024; 121:619-635. [PMID: 37571814 DOI: 10.1111/mmi.15135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2023] [Revised: 07/15/2023] [Accepted: 07/20/2023] [Indexed: 08/13/2023]
Abstract
Apicomplexan parasites comprise significant pathogens of humans, livestock and wildlife, but also represent a diverse group of eukaryotes with interesting and unique cell biology. The study of cell biology in apicomplexan parasites is complicated by their small size, and historically this has required the application of cutting-edge microscopy techniques to investigate fundamental processes like mitosis or cell division in these organisms. Recently, a technique called expansion microscopy has been developed, which rather than increasing instrument resolution like most imaging modalities, physically expands a biological sample. In only a few years since its development, a derivative of expansion microscopy known as ultrastructure-expansion microscopy (U-ExM) has been widely adopted and proven extremely useful for studying cell biology of Apicomplexa. Here, we review the insights into apicomplexan cell biology that have been enabled through the use of U-ExM, with a specific focus on Plasmodium, Toxoplasma and Cryptosporidium. Further, we summarize emerging expansion microscopy modifications and modalities and forecast how these may influence the field of parasite cell biology in future.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin Liffner
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
| | - Sabrina Absalon
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Guttery DS, Zeeshan M, Holder AA, Tromer EC, Tewari R. Meiosis in Plasmodium: how does it work? Trends Parasitol 2023; 39:812-821. [PMID: 37541799 DOI: 10.1016/j.pt.2023.07.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2023] [Revised: 07/06/2023] [Accepted: 07/06/2023] [Indexed: 08/06/2023]
Abstract
Meiosis is sexual cell division, a process in eukaryotes whereby haploid gametes are produced. Compared to canonical model eukaryotes, meiosis in apicomplexan parasites appears to diverge from the process with respect to the molecular mechanisms involved; the biology of Plasmodium meiosis, and its regulation by means of post-translational modification, are largely unexplored. Here, we discuss the impact of technological advances in cell biology, evolutionary bioinformatics, and genome-wide functional studies on our understanding of meiosis in the Apicomplexa. These parasites, including Plasmodium falciparum, Toxoplasma gondii, and Eimeria spp., have significant socioeconomic impact on human and animal health. Understanding this key stage during the parasite's life cycle may well reveal attractive targets for therapeutic intervention.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- David S Guttery
- School of Life Sciences, Queen's Medical Centre, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK; Department of Genetics and Genome Biology, College of Life Sciences, University of Leicester, Leicester, UK.
| | - Mohammad Zeeshan
- School of Life Sciences, Queen's Medical Centre, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
| | - Anthony A Holder
- Malaria Parasitology Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London, UK
| | - Eelco C Tromer
- Cell Biochemistry, Groningen Biomolecular Sciences and Biotechnology Institute, Faculty of Science and Engineering, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Rita Tewari
- School of Life Sciences, Queen's Medical Centre, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Nascimento IJDS, Cavalcanti MDAT, de Moura RO. Exploring N-myristoyltransferase as a promising drug target against parasitic neglected tropical diseases. Eur J Med Chem 2023; 258:115550. [PMID: 37336067 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2023.115550] [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: 05/15/2023] [Revised: 06/04/2023] [Accepted: 06/06/2023] [Indexed: 06/21/2023]
Abstract
Neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) constitute a group of approximately 20 infectious diseases that mainly affect the impoverished population without basic sanitation in tropical countries. These diseases are responsible for many deaths worldwide, costing billions of dollars in public health investment to treat and control these infections. Among them are the diseases caused by protozoa of the Trypanosomatid family, which constitute Trypanosoma cruzi (Chagas disease), Trypanosoma brucei (sleeping sickness), and Leishmaniasis. In addition, there is a classification of other diseases, called the big three, AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria, which are endemic in countries with tropical conditions. Despite the high mortality rates, there is still a gap in the treatment. The drugs have a high incidence of side effects and protozoan resistance, justifying the investment in developing new alternatives. In fact, the Target-Based Drug Design (TBDD) approach is responsible for identifying several promising compounds, and among the targets explored through this approach, N-myristoyltransferase (NMT) stands out. It is an enzyme related to the co-translational myristoylation of N-terminal glycine in various peptides. The myristoylation process is a co-translation that occurs after removing the initiator methionine. This process regulates the assembly of protein complexes and stability, which justifies its potential as a drug target. In order to propose NMT as a potential target for parasitic diseases, this review will address the entire structure and function of this enzyme and the primary studies demonstrating its promising potential against Leishmaniasis, T. cruzi, T. brucei, and malaria. We hope our information can help researchers worldwide search for potential drugs against these diseases that have been threatening the health of the world's population.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Igor José Dos Santos Nascimento
- Postgraduate Program in Pharmaceutical Sciences, State University of Paraíba, Campina Grande, 58429-500, Brazil; Cesmac University Center, Pharmacy Departament, Maceió, Brazil; Drug Development and Synthesis Laboratory, Department of Pharmacy, State University of Paraíba, Campina Grande, 58429-500, Brazil.
| | - Misael de Azevedo Teotônio Cavalcanti
- Postgraduate Program in Pharmaceutical Sciences, State University of Paraíba, Campina Grande, 58429-500, Brazil; Drug Development and Synthesis Laboratory, Department of Pharmacy, State University of Paraíba, Campina Grande, 58429-500, Brazil
| | - Ricardo Olimpio de Moura
- Postgraduate Program in Pharmaceutical Sciences, State University of Paraíba, Campina Grande, 58429-500, Brazil; Drug Development and Synthesis Laboratory, Department of Pharmacy, State University of Paraíba, Campina Grande, 58429-500, Brazil
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Liu T, Shilliday F, Cook AD, Zeeshan M, Brady D, Tewari R, Sutherland CJ, Roberts AJ, Moores CA. Mechanochemical tuning of a kinesin motor essential for malaria parasite transmission. Nat Commun 2022; 13:6988. [PMID: 36384964 PMCID: PMC9669022 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-34710-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2022] [Accepted: 11/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Plasmodium species cause malaria and kill hundreds of thousands annually. The microtubule-based motor kinesin-8B is required for development of the flagellated Plasmodium male gamete, and its absence completely blocks parasite transmission. To understand the molecular basis of kinesin-8B's essential role, we characterised the in vitro properties of kinesin-8B motor domains from P. berghei and P. falciparum. Both motors drive ATP-dependent microtubule gliding, but also catalyse ATP-dependent microtubule depolymerisation. We determined these motors' microtubule-bound structures using cryo-electron microscopy, which showed very similar modes of microtubule interaction in which Plasmodium-distinct sequences at the microtubule-kinesin interface influence motor function. Intriguingly however, P. berghei kinesin-8B exhibits a non-canonical structural response to ATP analogue binding such that neck linker docking is not induced. Nevertheless, the neck linker region is required for motility and depolymerisation activities of these motors. These data suggest that the mechanochemistry of Plasmodium kinesin-8Bs is functionally tuned to support flagella formation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tianyang Liu
- Institute of Structural and Molecular Biology, Birkbeck College, London, WC1E 7HX, UK
| | - Fiona Shilliday
- Institute of Structural and Molecular Biology, Birkbeck College, London, WC1E 7HX, UK
| | - Alexander D Cook
- Institute of Structural and Molecular Biology, Birkbeck College, London, WC1E 7HX, UK
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX1 3QU, UK
| | - Mohammad Zeeshan
- School of Life Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, NG7 2UH, UK
| | - Declan Brady
- School of Life Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, NG7 2UH, UK
| | - Rita Tewari
- School of Life Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, NG7 2UH, UK
| | - Colin J Sutherland
- Department of Infection Biology, Faculty of Infectious & Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London, WC1E 7HT, UK
| | - Anthony J Roberts
- Institute of Structural and Molecular Biology, Birkbeck College, London, WC1E 7HX, UK
| | - Carolyn A Moores
- Institute of Structural and Molecular Biology, Birkbeck College, London, WC1E 7HX, UK.
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
PfSRPK1 Regulates Asexual Blood Stage Schizogony and Is Essential for Male Gamete Formation. Microbiol Spectr 2022; 10:e0214122. [PMID: 36094218 PMCID: PMC9602455 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.02141-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Serine/arginine-rich protein kinases (SRPKs) are cell cycle-regulated serine/threonine protein kinases and are important regulators of splicing factors. In this study, we functionally characterize SRPK1 of the human malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum. P. falciparum SRPK1 (PfSRPK1) was expressed in asexual blood-stage and sexual-stage gametocytes. Pfsrpk1- parasites formed asexual schizonts that generated far fewer merozoites than wild-type parasites, causing reduced replication rates. Pfsrpk1- parasites also showed a severe defect in the differentiation of male gametes, causing a complete block in parasite transmission to mosquitoes. RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) analysis of wild-type PfNF54 and Pfsrpk1- stage V gametocytes suggested a role for PfSRPK1 in regulating transcript splicing and transcript abundance of genes coding for (i) microtubule/cilium morphogenesis-related proteins, (ii) proteins involved in cyclic nucleotide metabolic processes, (iii) proteins involved in signaling such as PfMAP2, (iv) lipid metabolism enzymes, (v) proteins of osmophilic bodies, and (vi) crystalloid components. Our study reveals an essential role for PfSRPK1 in parasite cell morphogenesis and suggests this kinase as a target to prevent malaria transmission from humans to mosquitoes. IMPORTANCE Plasmodium sexual stages represent a critical bottleneck in the parasite life cycle. Gametocytes taken up in an infectious blood meal by female anopheline mosquito get activated to form gametes and fuse to form short-lived zygotes, which transform into ookinetes to infect mosquitoes. In the present study, we demonstrate that PfSRPK1 is important for merozoite formation and critical for male gametogenesis and is involved in transcript homeostasis for numerous parasite genes. Targeting PfSRPK1 and its downstream pathways may reduce parasite replication and help achieve effective malaria transmission-blocking strategies.
Collapse
|