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Li X, Liao P, Zhou W, Yang X, Ye B. Molecular characteristics of Echinococcus multilocularis FABP1 and its regulatory functions on murine macrophages. Acta Trop 2024; 255:107247. [PMID: 38729330 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2024.107247] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2024] [Revised: 04/09/2024] [Accepted: 05/07/2024] [Indexed: 05/12/2024]
Abstract
Fatty acid binding proteins (FABPs) have emerged as attractive vaccination candidates for several platyhelminth species. To explore the physiological functions of Echinococcus multilocularis (E. multilocularis) FABP, the molecular characteristics of EmFABP1 were analyzed by online software, and the regulatory roles of rEmFABP1 protein in murine macrophages were further investigated. The emfabp1 gene encodes 133 amino acids with the characteristic β-barrel shape of the cytoplasmic FABP family. Natural EmFABP1 protein is predominantly expressed in protoscoleces tegument and germinal layer cells and is also detected in cyst fluid and exosomes of E. multilocularis. rEmFABP1 protein demonstrated a notable suppression of phagocytic activity and nitric oxide production in murine macrophages. Additionally, the protein was observed to promote apoptosis and regulate cytokine expression in macrophages. These findings suggested that E. multilocularis FABP1 is critical in modifying macrophage physiological processes and that this protein may have immunomodulatory roles during infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiang Li
- Department of Pathogen Biology, College of Basic Medicine, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China
| | - Peng Liao
- Department of Pathogen Biology, College of Basic Medicine, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China
| | - Wenjing Zhou
- Department of Pathogen Biology, College of Basic Medicine, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China
| | - Xinqi Yang
- Department of Pathogen Biology, College of Basic Medicine, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China
| | - Bin Ye
- Department of Pathogen Biology, College of Basic Medicine, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China.
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2
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Pérez MG, Rego N, Spiliotis M, Brehm K, Rosenzvit MC. Transcriptional effects of electroporation on Echinococcus multilocularis primary cell culture. Parasitol Res. [DOI: 10.1007/s00436-022-07427-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2021] [Accepted: 01/05/2022] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
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3
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Parreira de Aquino G, Mendes Gomes MA, Köpke Salinas R, Laranjeira-Silva MF. Lipid and fatty acid metabolism in trypanosomatids. Microb Cell 2021; 8:262-275. [PMID: 34782859 PMCID: PMC8561143 DOI: 10.15698/mic2021.11.764] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2021] [Revised: 09/03/2021] [Accepted: 09/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Trypanosomiases and leishmaniases are neglected tropical diseases that have been spreading to previously non-affected areas in recent years. Identification of new chemotherapeutics is needed as there are no vaccines and the currently available treatment options are highly toxic and often ineffective. The causative agents for these diseases are the protozoan parasites of the Trypanosomatidae family, and they alternate between invertebrate and vertebrate hosts during their life cycles. Hence, these parasites must be able to adapt to different environments and compete with their hosts for several essential compounds, such as amino acids, vitamins, ions, carbohydrates, and lipids. Among these nutrients, lipids and fatty acids (FAs) are essential for parasite survival. Trypanosomatids require massive amounts of FAs, and they can either synthesize FAs de novo or scavenge them from the host. Moreover, FAs are the major energy source during specific life cycle stages of T. brucei, T. cruzi, and Leishmania. Therefore, considering the distinctive features of FAs metabolism in trypanosomatids, these pathways could be exploited for the development of novel antiparasitic drugs. In this review, we highlight specific aspects of lipid and FA metabolism in the protozoan parasites T. brucei, T. cruzi, and Leishmania spp., as well as the pathways that have been explored for the development of new chemotherapies.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Roberto Köpke Salinas
- Department of Biochemistry, Institute of Chemistry, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
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4
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Yu M, Zhu Y, Li Y, Chen Z, Sha T, Li Z, Zhang F, Ding J. Design of a Novel Multi-Epitope Vaccine Against Echinococcus granulosus in Immunoinformatics. Front Immunol 2021; 12:668492. [PMID: 34456902 PMCID: PMC8388843 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.668492] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2021] [Accepted: 07/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
All the time, echinococcosis is a global zoonotic disease which seriously endangers public health all over the world. In order to speed up the development process of anti-Echinococcus granulosus vaccine, at the same time, it can also save economic cost. In this study, immunoinformatics tools and molecular docking methods were used to predict and screen the antigen epitopes of Echinococcus granulosus, to design a multi-epitope vaccine containing B- and T-cell epitopes. The multi-epitope vaccine could activate B lymphocytes to produce specific antibodies theoretically, which could protect the human body against Echinococcus granulosus infection. It also could activate T lymphocytes and clear the infected parasites in the body. In this study, four CD8+ T-cell epitopes, three CD4+ T-cell epitopes and four B-cell epitopes of Protein EgTeg were identified by immunoinformatics methods. Meanwhile, three CD8+ T-cell epitopes, two CD4+ T-cell epitopes and four B-cell epitopes of Protein EgFABP1 were identified. We constructed the multi-epitope vaccine using linker proteins. The study based on the traditional methods of antigen epitope prediction, further optimized the prediction results combined with molecular docking technology and improved the precision and accuracy of the results. Finally, in vivo and in vitro experiments had verified that the vaccine designed in this study had good antigenicity and immunogenicity.
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MESH Headings
- Adolescent
- Adult
- Animals
- Antibodies, Helminth/blood
- Antigens, Helminth/immunology
- Antigens, Helminth/pharmacology
- B-Lymphocytes/immunology
- B-Lymphocytes/parasitology
- Cells, Cultured
- Computer-Aided Design
- Disease Models, Animal
- Drug Design
- Echinococcosis/blood
- Echinococcosis/immunology
- Echinococcosis/parasitology
- Echinococcosis/prevention & control
- Echinococcus granulosus/immunology
- Epitopes, B-Lymphocyte/immunology
- Epitopes, T-Lymphocyte/immunology
- Fatty Acid-Binding Proteins/immunology
- Fatty Acid-Binding Proteins/pharmacology
- Humans
- Immunity, Humoral
- Immunogenicity, Vaccine
- Lymphocyte Activation
- Mice, Inbred BALB C
- Middle Aged
- Molecular Docking Simulation
- T-Lymphocytes/immunology
- T-Lymphocytes/parasitology
- Vaccines, DNA/immunology
- Vaccines, DNA/pharmacology
- Vaccines, Subunit/immunology
- Vaccines, Subunit/pharmacology
- Young Adult
- Mice
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Affiliation(s)
- Mingkai Yu
- Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi, China
| | - Yuejie Zhu
- Reproductive Medicine Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi, China
| | - Yujiao Li
- Department of Blood Transfusion, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi, China
| | - Zhiqiang Chen
- Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi, China
| | - Tong Sha
- Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi, China
| | - Zhiwei Li
- Clinical Laboratory Center, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region People's Hospital, Urumqi, China
| | - Fengbo Zhang
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi, China
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogenesis, Prevention, Treatment of Central Asian High Incidence Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi, China
| | - Jianbing Ding
- Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi, China
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogenesis, Prevention, Treatment of Central Asian High Incidence Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi, China
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5
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Bélgamo JA, Alberca LN, Pórfido JL, Romero FNC, Rodriguez S, Talevi A, Córsico B, Franchini GR. Application of target repositioning and in silico screening to exploit fatty acid binding proteins (FABPs) from Echinococcus multilocularis as possible drug targets. J Comput Aided Mol Des 2020; 34:1275-1288. [PMID: 33067653 DOI: 10.1007/s10822-020-00352-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2020] [Accepted: 10/09/2020] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
Fatty acid binding proteins (FABPs) are small intracellular proteins that reversibly bind fatty acids and other hydrophobic ligands. In cestodes, due to their inability to synthesise fatty acids and cholesterol de novo, FABPs, together with other lipid binding proteins, have been proposed as essential, involved in the trafficking and delivery of such lipophilic metabolites. Pharmacological agents that modify specific parasite FABP function may provide control of lipid signalling pathways, inflammatory responses and metabolic regulation that could be of crucial importance for the parasite development and survival. Echinococcus multilocularis and Echinococcus granulosus are, respectively, the causative agents of alveolar and cystic echinococcosis (or hydatidosis). These diseases are included in the World Health Organization's list of priority neglected tropical diseases. Here, we explore the potential of FABPs from cestodes as drug targets. To this end, we have applied a target repurposing approach to identify novel inhibitors of Echinococcus spp. FABPs. An ensemble of computational models was developed and applied in a virtual screening campaign of DrugBank library. 21 hits belonging to the applicability domain of the ensemble models were identified, and 3 of the hits were assayed against purified E. multilocularis FABP, experimentally confirming the model's predictions. Noteworthy, this is to our best knowledge the first report on isolation and purification of such four FABP, for which initial structural and functional characterization is reported here.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julián A Bélgamo
- Instituto de Investigaciones Bioquímicas de La Plata (INIBIOLP), Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Universidad Nacional de La Plata (UNLP)-Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), La Plata, Argentina.,Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Lucas N Alberca
- Laboratory of Bioactive Research and Development (LIDeB), Faculty of Exact Sciences, Universidad Nacional de La Plata (UNLP), Buenos Aires, Argentina.,Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Jorge L Pórfido
- Instituto de Investigaciones Bioquímicas de La Plata (INIBIOLP), Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Universidad Nacional de La Plata (UNLP)-Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), La Plata, Argentina.,Institut Pasteur Montevideo, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Franco N Caram Romero
- Laboratory of Bioactive Research and Development (LIDeB), Faculty of Exact Sciences, Universidad Nacional de La Plata (UNLP), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Santiago Rodriguez
- Instituto de Investigaciones Bioquímicas de La Plata (INIBIOLP), Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Universidad Nacional de La Plata (UNLP)-Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), La Plata, Argentina.,Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Alan Talevi
- Laboratory of Bioactive Research and Development (LIDeB), Faculty of Exact Sciences, Universidad Nacional de La Plata (UNLP), Buenos Aires, Argentina.,Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Betina Córsico
- Instituto de Investigaciones Bioquímicas de La Plata (INIBIOLP), Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Universidad Nacional de La Plata (UNLP)-Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), La Plata, Argentina.,Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Gisela R Franchini
- Instituto de Investigaciones Bioquímicas de La Plata (INIBIOLP), Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Universidad Nacional de La Plata (UNLP)-Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), La Plata, Argentina. .,Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina.
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6
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Pórfido JL, Herz M, Kiss F, Kamenetzky L, Brehm K, Rosenzvit MC, Córsico B, Franchini GR. Fatty acid-binding proteins in Echinococcus spp.: the family has grown. Parasitol Res 2020; 119:1401-8. [DOI: 10.1007/s00436-020-06631-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2019] [Accepted: 02/18/2020] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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7
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Barletta GP, Franchini G, Corsico B, Fernandez-Alberti S. Fatty Acid and Retinol-Binding Protein: Unusual Protein Conformational and Cavity Changes Dictated by Ligand Fluctuations. J Chem Inf Model 2019; 59:3545-3555. [PMID: 31365253 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jcim.9b00364] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
Lipid-binding proteins (LBPs) are soluble proteins responsible for the uptake, transport, and storage of a large variety of hydrophobic lipophilic molecules including fatty acids, steroids, and other lipids in the cellular environment. Among the LBPs, fatty acid binding proteins (FABPs) present preferential binding affinities for long-chain fatty acids. While most of FABPs in vertebrates and invertebrates present similar β-barrel structures with ligands accommodated in their central cavity, parasitic nematode worms exhibit additional unusual α-helix rich fatty acid- and retinol-binding proteins (FAR). Herein, we report the comparison of extended molecular dynamics (MD) simulations performed on the ligand-free and palmitic acid-bond states of the Necator americanus FAR-1 (Na-FAR-1) with respect to other classical β-barrel FABPs. Principal component analysis (PCA) has been used to identify the different conformations adopted by each system during MD simulations. The α-helix fold encompasses a complex internal ligand-binding cavity with a remarkable conformational plasticity that allows reversible switching between distinct states in the holo-Na-FAR-1. The cavity can change up to one-third of its size affected by conformational changes of the protein-ligand complex. Besides, the ligand inside the cavity is not fixed but experiences large conformational changes between bent and stretched conformations. These changes in the ligand conformation follow changes in the cavity size dictated by the transient protein conformation. On the contrary, protein-ligand complex in β-barrel FABPs fluctuates around a unique conformation. The significantly more flexible holo-Na-FAR-1 ligand-cavity explains its larger ligand multiplicity respect to β-barrel FABPs.
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Affiliation(s)
- G P Barletta
- Universidad Nacional de Quilmes/CONICET , Roque Saenz Peña 352 , B1876BXD Bernal , Argentina
| | - G Franchini
- Instituto de Investigaciones Bioquímicas de La Plata , CONICET-UNLP, Facultad de Ciencias Médicas , calles 60 y 120 s/n , 1900 La Plata , Argentina
| | - B Corsico
- Instituto de Investigaciones Bioquímicas de La Plata , CONICET-UNLP, Facultad de Ciencias Médicas , calles 60 y 120 s/n , 1900 La Plata , Argentina
| | - S Fernandez-Alberti
- Universidad Nacional de Quilmes/CONICET , Roque Saenz Peña 352 , B1876BXD Bernal , Argentina
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8
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Pourseif MM, Moghaddam G, Saeedi N, Barzegari A, Dehghani J, Omidi Y. Current status and future prospective of vaccine development against Echinococcus granulosus. Biologicals 2018; 51:1-11. [PMID: 29100669 DOI: 10.1016/j.biologicals.2017.10.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2017] [Revised: 07/15/2017] [Accepted: 10/17/2017] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Cystic echinococcosis (CE) is one of the most important zoonotic parasite diseases in human, livestock, and wildlife worldwide. Development of effective vaccines against CE appears to be the most promising strategy to control this infectious disease. Use of potential livestock and canine vaccines against the larval and adult stage of E. granulosus life cycle may be the key to the production of powerful vaccines. Some progress has been accomplished in the development of vaccines against hydatidosis using empirical approaches, while such immunotherapies often fail to induce adequate immune responses. Therefore, it is of great interest to identify antigens (Ags) with high immunogenicity and develop effective vaccines and adjuvant constructs against CE. To this end, various tools can be applied, including immune-based genomics and proteomics, immunoinformatics, systems vaccinology and mathematical/computational modeling. In this review, we aimed to provide comprehensive insights upon the current status of vaccination trials against E. granulosus, and also articulate some perspectives on the production of novel anti-CE vaccines. Use of novel prospective technologies is also discussed to highlight the importance of development and advancement of the next generation vaccines against E. granulosus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad Mostafa Pourseif
- Research Center for Pharmaceutical Nanotechnology, Biomedicine Institute, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran; Department of Animal Sciences, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Tabriz, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Gholamali Moghaddam
- Department of Animal Sciences, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Tabriz, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Nazli Saeedi
- Research Center for Pharmaceutical Nanotechnology, Biomedicine Institute, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Abolfazl Barzegari
- Research Center for Pharmaceutical Nanotechnology, Biomedicine Institute, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran; School of Advanced Biomedical Sciences, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Jaber Dehghani
- Research Center for Pharmaceutical Nanotechnology, Biomedicine Institute, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Yadollah Omidi
- Research Center for Pharmaceutical Nanotechnology, Biomedicine Institute, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran; School of Advanced Biomedical Sciences, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran; Department of Pharmaceutics, Faculty of Pharmacy, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.
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9
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Sripa J, Laha T, Sripa B. Characterization and functional analysis of fatty acid binding protein from the carcinogenic liver fluke, Opisthorchis viverrini. Parasitol Int 2017; 66:419-25. [DOI: 10.1016/j.parint.2016.04.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2015] [Revised: 03/27/2016] [Accepted: 04/29/2016] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
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Abstract
The potentially lethal zoonotic diseases alveolar and cystic echinococcosis are caused by the metacestode larval stages of the tapeworms Echinococcus multilocularis and Echinococcus granulosus, respectively. In both cases, metacestode growth and proliferation occurs within the inner organs of mammalian hosts, which is associated with complex molecular host-parasite interactions that regulate nutrient uptake by the parasite as well as metacestode persistence and development. Using in vitro cultivation systems for parasite larvae, and informed by recently released, comprehensive genome and transcriptome data for both parasites, these molecular host-parasite interactions have been subject to significant research during recent years. In this review, we discuss progress in this field, with emphasis on parasite development and proliferation. We review host-parasite interaction mechanisms that occur early during an infection, when the invading oncosphere stage undergoes a metamorphosis towards the metacestode, and outline the decisive role of parasite stem cells during this process. We also discuss special features of metacestode morphology, and how this parasite stage takes up nutrients from the host, utilizing newly evolved or expanded gene families. We comprehensively review mechanisms of host-parasite cross-communication via evolutionarily conserved signalling systems and how the parasite signalling systems might be exploited for the development of novel chemotherapeutics. Finally, we point to an urgent need for the development of functional genomic techniques in this parasite, which will be imperative for hypothesis-driven analyses into Echinococcus stem cell biology, developmental mechanisms and immunomodulatory activities, which are all highly relevant for the development of anti-infective measures.
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Affiliation(s)
- K Brehm
- University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - U Koziol
- University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany; Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay
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11
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Silva-Álvarez V, Franchini GR, Pórfido JL, Kennedy MW, Ferreira AM, Córsico B. Lipid-free antigen B subunits from echinococcus granulosus: oligomerization, ligand binding, and membrane interaction properties. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2015; 9:e0003552. [PMID: 25768648 PMCID: PMC4358968 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0003552] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2014] [Accepted: 01/21/2015] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Background The hydatid disease parasite Echinococcus granulosus has a restricted lipid metabolism, and needs to harvest essential lipids from the host. Antigen B (EgAgB), an abundant lipoprotein of the larval stage (hydatid cyst), is thought to be important in lipid storage and transport. It contains a wide variety of lipid classes, from highly hydrophobic compounds to phospholipids. Its protein component belongs to the cestode-specific Hydrophobic Ligand Binding Protein family, which includes five 8-kDa isoforms encoded by a multigene family (EgAgB1-EgAgB5). How lipid and protein components are assembled into EgAgB particles remains unknown. EgAgB apolipoproteins self-associate into large oligomers, but the functional contribution of lipids to oligomerization is uncertain. Furthermore, binding of fatty acids to some EgAgB subunits has been reported, but their ability to bind other lipids and transfer them to acceptor membranes has not been studied. Methodology/Principal Findings Lipid-free EgAgB subunits obtained by reverse-phase HPLC were used to analyse their oligomerization, ligand binding and membrane interaction properties. Size exclusion chromatography and cross-linking experiments showed that EgAgB8/2 and EgAgB8/3 can self-associate, suggesting that lipids are not required for oligomerization. Furthermore, using fluorescent probes, both subunits were found to bind fatty acids, but not cholesterol analogues. Analysis of fatty acid transfer to phospholipid vesicles demonstrated that EgAgB8/2 and EgAgB8/3 are potentially capable of transferring fatty acids to membranes, and that the efficiency of transfer is dependent on the surface charge of the vesicles. Conclusions/Significance We show that EgAgB apolipoproteins can oligomerize in the absence of lipids, and can bind and transfer fatty acids to phospholipid membranes. Since imported fatty acids are essential for Echinococcus granulosus, these findings provide a mechanism whereby EgAgB could engage in lipid acquisition and/or transport between parasite tissues. These results may therefore indicate vulnerabilities open to targeting by new types of drugs for hydatidosis therapy. Echinococcus granulosus is a causative agent of hydatidosis, a parasitic disease that affects humans and livestock with significant economic and public health impact worldwide. Antigen B (EgAgB), an abundant product of E. granulosus larvae, is a lipoprotein that carries a wide variety of lipids, including fatty acids and cholesterol. As E. granulosus is unable to synthesize these lipids, EgAgB likely plays an important role in parasite metabolism, participating in both the acquisition of host lipids and their distribution between parasite tissues. The protein component of EgAgB consists of 8 kDa subunits encoded by separate genes. However, the biochemical properties of EgAgB subunits, particularly their ability to bind and transfer lipids, are poorly known. Herein, using in vitro assays, we found that EgAgB subunits were capable of oligomerizing in the absence of lipids and to bind fatty acids, but not cholesterol. Moreover, EgAgB subunits showed the ability to transfer fatty acids to artificial phospholipid membranes. These results indicate new points of attack at which the parasite might be vulnerable to drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valeria Silva-Álvarez
- Instituto de Investigaciones Bioquímicas de La Plata (INIBIOLP) (UNLP-CONICET), Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Universidad Nacional de La Plata (UNLP), La Plata, Argentina
- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Gisela R. Franchini
- Instituto de Investigaciones Bioquímicas de La Plata (INIBIOLP) (UNLP-CONICET), Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Universidad Nacional de La Plata (UNLP), La Plata, Argentina
- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Jorge L. Pórfido
- Instituto de Investigaciones Bioquímicas de La Plata (INIBIOLP) (UNLP-CONICET), Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Universidad Nacional de La Plata (UNLP), La Plata, Argentina
- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Malcolm W. Kennedy
- Institute of Molecular, Cell and Systems Biology, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, Scotland, United Kingdom
| | - Ana M. Ferreira
- Cátedra de Inmunología, Facultad de Ciencias/Facultad de Química, Universidad de la República (UdelaR), Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Betina Córsico
- Instituto de Investigaciones Bioquímicas de La Plata (INIBIOLP) (UNLP-CONICET), Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Universidad Nacional de La Plata (UNLP), La Plata, Argentina
- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina
- * E-mail:
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12
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Franchini GR, Pórfido JL, Ibáñez Shimabukuro M, Rey Burusco MF, Bélgamo JA, Smith BO, Kennedy MW, Córsico B. The unusual lipid binding proteins of parasitic helminths and their potential roles in parasitism and as therapeutic targets. Prostaglandins Leukot Essent Fatty Acids 2015; 93:31-6. [PMID: 25282399 DOI: 10.1016/j.plefa.2014.08.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2014] [Revised: 08/17/2014] [Accepted: 08/19/2014] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
In this review paper we aim at presenting the current knowledge on structural aspects of soluble lipid binding proteins (LBPs) found in parasitic helminths and to discuss their potential role as novel drug targets. Helminth parasites produce and secrete a great variety of LBPs that may participate in the acquisition of nutrients from their host, such as fatty acids and cholesterol. It is also postulated that LBPs might interfere in the regulation of the host׳s immune response by sequestering lipidic intermediates or delivering bioactive lipids. A detailed comprehension of the structure of these proteins, as well as their interactions with ligands and membranes, is important to understand host-parasite relationships that they may mediate. This information could also contribute to determining the role that these proteins may play in the biology of parasitic helminths and how they modulate the immune systems of their hosts, and also towards the development of new therapeutics and prevention of the diseases caused by these highly pathogenic parasites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gisela R Franchini
- INIBIOLP, Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Universidad Nacional de La Plata, Calle 60 y 120, 1900 La Plata, Argentina.
| | - Jorge L Pórfido
- INIBIOLP, Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Universidad Nacional de La Plata, Calle 60 y 120, 1900 La Plata, Argentina
| | - Marina Ibáñez Shimabukuro
- INIBIOLP, Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Universidad Nacional de La Plata, Calle 60 y 120, 1900 La Plata, Argentina
| | - María F Rey Burusco
- INIBIOLP, Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Universidad Nacional de La Plata, Calle 60 y 120, 1900 La Plata, Argentina
| | - Julián A Bélgamo
- INIBIOLP, Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Universidad Nacional de La Plata, Calle 60 y 120, 1900 La Plata, Argentina
| | - Brian O Smith
- Institute of Molecular, Cell and Systems Biology & School of Life Sciences, College of Medical, Veterinary & Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8QQ, Scotland, UK
| | - Malcolm W Kennedy
- Institute of Molecular, Cell and Systems Biology & School of Life Sciences, College of Medical, Veterinary & Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8QQ, Scotland, UK
| | - Betina Córsico
- INIBIOLP, Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Universidad Nacional de La Plata, Calle 60 y 120, 1900 La Plata, Argentina
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Valieva Z, Sarsembaeva N, Valdovska A, Ussenbayev AE. Impact of echinococcosis on quality of sheep meat in the South eastern Kazakhstan. Asian-Australas J Anim Sci 2014; 27:391-7. [PMID: 25049966 PMCID: PMC4093268 DOI: 10.5713/ajas.2013.13386] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2013] [Revised: 11/04/2013] [Accepted: 09/29/2013] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
A survey of 2,123 slaughtered adult sheep in markets of the south-east Kazakhstan established that the average contamination of animals by Echinococcus granulosus is 9.1% with primary localization of cysts in livers and lungs. The histologic structure of the muscle tissue of infected sheep displayed destructive changes with a prevalence of granular dystrophy. The amount of protein, fat, calcium and energetical value of such meat considerably decreased. Besides in the muscle tissue of the animals infected with echinococcosis there was a substantial increase of humidity and amount of ash as well as qualitative and quantitative changes of the amino acids profile. Along with damage to the synthesis of proteins and sharp insufficiency of vitamins A, E, B1, and B2 there was a shift in a lipidic exchange that was expressed as a noticeable reduction in the level of monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids. The data support the conclusion that the meat from the sheep infected with echinococcosis is of inferior quality and quantity compared to that of healthy animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Z Valieva
- Latvia University of Agriculture, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, K. Helmana street 8, Jelgava, LV-3001, Latvia
| | - N Sarsembaeva
- Latvia University of Agriculture, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, K. Helmana street 8, Jelgava, LV-3001, Latvia
| | - A Valdovska
- Latvia University of Agriculture, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, K. Helmana street 8, Jelgava, LV-3001, Latvia
| | - A E Ussenbayev
- Latvia University of Agriculture, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, K. Helmana street 8, Jelgava, LV-3001, Latvia
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