1
|
Hair M, Moreira-Leite F, Ferguson DJP, Zeeshan M, Tewari R, Vaughan S. Atypical flagella assembly and haploid genome coiling during male gamete formation in Plasmodium. Nat Commun 2023; 14:8263. [PMID: 38092766 PMCID: PMC10719364 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-43877-w] [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] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2023] [Accepted: 11/22/2023] [Indexed: 12/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Gametogenesis in Plasmodium spp. occurs within the Anopheles mosquito and is essential for sexual reproduction / differentiation and onwards transmission to mammalian hosts. To better understand the 3D organisation of male gametogenesis, we used serial block face scanning electron microscopy (SBF-SEM) and serial-section cellular electron tomography (ssET) of P. berghei microgametocytes to examine key structures during male gamete formation. Our data reveals an elaborate organisation of axonemes coiling around the nucleus in opposite directions forming a central axonemal band in microgametocytes. Furthermore, we discover the nucleus of microgametes to be tightly coiled around the axoneme in a complex structure whose formation starts before microgamete emergence during exflagellation. Our discoveries of the detailed 3D organisation of the flagellated microgamete and the haploid genome highlight some of the atypical mechanisms of axoneme assembly and haploid genome organisation during male gamete formation in the malaria parasite.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Molly Hair
- Department of Biological and Medical Sciences, Oxford Brookes University, Gipsy Lane, Oxford, OX3 0BP, UK
| | - Flávia Moreira-Leite
- Department of Biological and Medical Sciences, Oxford Brookes University, Gipsy Lane, Oxford, OX3 0BP, UK
| | - David J P Ferguson
- Department of Biological and Medical Sciences, Oxford Brookes University, Gipsy Lane, Oxford, OX3 0BP, UK
| | - Mohammad Zeeshan
- School of Life Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, NG7 2UH, UK
| | - Rita Tewari
- School of Life Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, NG7 2UH, UK.
| | - Sue Vaughan
- Department of Biological and Medical Sciences, Oxford Brookes University, Gipsy Lane, Oxford, OX3 0BP, UK.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Tsebriy O, Khomiak A, Miguel-Blanco C, Sparkes PC, Gioli M, Santelli M, Whitley E, Gamo FJ, Delves MJ. Machine learning-based phenotypic imaging to characterise the targetable biology of Plasmodium falciparum male gametocytes for the development of transmission-blocking antimalarials. PLoS Pathog 2023; 19:e1011711. [PMID: 37801466 PMCID: PMC10584170 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1011711] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2023] [Revised: 10/18/2023] [Accepted: 09/25/2023] [Indexed: 10/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Preventing parasite transmission from humans to mosquitoes is recognised to be critical for achieving elimination and eradication of malaria. Consequently developing new antimalarial drugs with transmission-blocking properties is a priority. Large screening campaigns have identified many new transmission-blocking molecules, however little is known about how they target the mosquito-transmissible Plasmodium falciparum stage V gametocytes, or how they affect their underlying cell biology. To respond to this knowledge gap, we have developed a machine learning image analysis pipeline to characterise and compare the cellular phenotypes generated by transmission-blocking molecules during male gametogenesis. Using this approach, we studied 40 molecules, categorising their activity based upon timing of action and visual effects on the organisation of tubulin and DNA within the cell. Our data both proposes new modes of action and corroborates existing modes of action of identified transmission-blocking molecules. Furthermore, the characterised molecules provide a new armoury of tool compounds to probe gametocyte cell biology and the generated imaging dataset provides a new reference for researchers to correlate molecular target or gene deletion to specific cellular phenotype. Our analysis pipeline is not optimised for a specific organism and could be applied to any fluorescence microscopy dataset containing cells delineated by bounding boxes, and so is potentially extendible to any disease model.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Penny C. Sparkes
- Department of Infection Biology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London, United Kingdom
| | | | | | - Edgar Whitley
- Department of Management, London School of Economics and Political Science, London, United Kingdom
| | | | - Michael J. Delves
- Department of Infection Biology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London, United Kingdom
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Ouologuem DT, Dara A, Kone A, Ouattara A, Djimde AA. Plasmodium falciparum Development from Gametocyte to Oocyst: Insight from Functional Studies. Microorganisms 2023; 11:1966. [PMID: 37630530 PMCID: PMC10460021 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms11081966] [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] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2023] [Revised: 07/06/2023] [Accepted: 07/14/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Malaria elimination may never succeed without the implementation of transmission-blocking strategies. The transmission of Plasmodium spp. parasites from the human host to the mosquito vector depends on circulating gametocytes in the peripheral blood of the vertebrate host. Once ingested by the mosquito during blood meals, these sexual forms undergo a series of radical morphological and metabolic changes to survive and progress from the gut to the salivary glands, where they will be waiting to be injected into the vertebrate host. The design of effective transmission-blocking strategies requires a thorough understanding of all the mechanisms that drive the development of gametocytes, gametes, sexual reproduction, and subsequent differentiation within the mosquito. The drastic changes in Plasmodium falciparum shape and function throughout its life cycle rely on the tight regulation of stage-specific gene expression. This review outlines the mechanisms involved in Plasmodium falciparum sexual stage development in both the human and mosquito vector, and zygote to oocyst differentiation. Functional studies unravel mechanisms employed by P. falciparum to orchestrate the expression of stage-specific functional products required to succeed in its complex life cycle, thus providing us with potential targets for developing new therapeutics. These mechanisms are based on studies conducted with various Plasmodium species, including predominantly P. falciparum and the rodent malaria parasites P. berghei. However, the great potential of epigenetics, genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, and functional genetic studies to improve the understanding of malaria as a disease remains partly untapped because of limitations in studies using human malaria parasites and field isolates.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dinkorma T. Ouologuem
- Malaria Research and Training Center, Faculty of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Sciences, Techniques, and Technologies of Bamako, Bamako 1805, Mali
| | - Antoine Dara
- Malaria Research and Training Center, Faculty of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Sciences, Techniques, and Technologies of Bamako, Bamako 1805, Mali
| | - Aminatou Kone
- Malaria Research and Training Center, Faculty of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Sciences, Techniques, and Technologies of Bamako, Bamako 1805, Mali
| | - Amed Ouattara
- Malaria Research Program, Center for Vaccine Development and Global Health, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
| | - Abdoulaye A. Djimde
- Malaria Research and Training Center, Faculty of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Sciences, Techniques, and Technologies of Bamako, Bamako 1805, Mali
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Morrissette N, Abbaali I, Ramakrishnan C, Hehl AB. The Tubulin Superfamily in Apicomplexan Parasites. Microorganisms 2023; 11:microorganisms11030706. [PMID: 36985278 PMCID: PMC10056924 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms11030706] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2023] [Revised: 03/03/2023] [Accepted: 03/06/2023] [Indexed: 03/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Microtubules and specialized microtubule-containing structures are assembled from tubulins, an ancient superfamily of essential eukaryotic proteins. Here, we use bioinformatic approaches to analyze features of tubulins in organisms from the phylum Apicomplexa. Apicomplexans are protozoan parasites that cause a variety of human and animal infectious diseases. Individual species harbor one to four genes each for α- and β-tubulin isotypes. These may specify highly similar proteins, suggesting functional redundancy, or exhibit key differences, consistent with specialized roles. Some, but not all apicomplexans harbor genes for δ- and ε-tubulins, which are found in organisms that construct appendage-containing basal bodies. Critical roles for apicomplexan δ- and ε-tubulin are likely to be limited to microgametes, consistent with a restricted requirement for flagella in a single developmental stage. Sequence divergence or the loss of δ- and ε-tubulin genes in other apicomplexans appears to be associated with diminished requirements for centrioles, basal bodies, and axonemes. Finally, because spindle microtubules and flagellar structures have been proposed as targets for anti-parasitic therapies and transmission-blocking strategies, we discuss these ideas in the context of tubulin-based structures and tubulin superfamily properties.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Naomi Morrissette
- Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA 92697, USA
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-949-824-9243
| | - Izra Abbaali
- Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA 92697, USA
| | - Chandra Ramakrishnan
- Institute for Parasitology, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 266a, 8057 Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Adrian B. Hehl
- Institute for Parasitology, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 266a, 8057 Zürich, Switzerland
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
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] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [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
|
6
|
Abstract
The malaria parasite life cycle alternates between two hosts: a vertebrate and the female Anopheles mosquito vector. Cell division, proliferation, and invasion are essential for parasite development, transmission, and survival. Most research has focused on Plasmodium development in the vertebrate, which causes disease; however, knowledge of malaria parasite development in the mosquito (the sexual and transmission stages) is now rapidly accumulating, gathered largely through investigation of the rodent malaria model, with Plasmodium berghei. In this review, we discuss the seminal genome-wide screens that have uncovered key regulators of cell proliferation, invasion, and transmission during Plasmodium sexual development. Our focus is on the roles of transcription factors, reversible protein phosphorylation, and molecular motors. We also emphasize the still-unanswered important questions around key pathways in cell division during the vector transmission stages and how they may be targeted in future studies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- David S Guttery
- School of Life Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom; ,
- Leicester Cancer Research Centre, University of Leicester, Leicester, United Kingdom;
| | - Mohammad Zeeshan
- School of Life Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom; ,
| | - David J P Ferguson
- Nuffield Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences and John Radcliffe Hospital, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom;
- Department of Biological and Medical Sciences, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Oxford Brookes University, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Anthony A Holder
- Malaria Parasitology Laboratory, Francis Crick Institute, London, United Kingdom;
| | - Rita Tewari
- School of Life Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom; ,
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Zeeshan M, Brady D, Markus R, Vaughan S, Ferguson D, Holder AA, Tewari R. Plasmodium SAS4: basal body component of male cell which is dispensable for parasite transmission. Life Sci Alliance 2022; 5:e202101329. [PMID: 35550346 PMCID: PMC9098390 DOI: 10.26508/lsa.202101329] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [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: 12/06/2021] [Revised: 04/28/2022] [Accepted: 04/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The centriole/basal body (CBB) is an evolutionarily conserved organelle acting as a microtubule organising centre (MTOC) to nucleate cilia, flagella, and the centrosome. SAS4/CPAP is a conserved component associated with BB biogenesis in many model flagellated cells. Plasmodium, a divergent unicellular eukaryote and causative agent of malaria, displays an atypical, closed mitosis with an MTOC (or centriolar plaque), reminiscent of an acentriolar MTOC, embedded in the nuclear membrane. Mitosis during male gamete formation is accompanied by flagella formation. There are two MTOCs in male gametocytes: the acentriolar nuclear envelope MTOC for the mitotic spindle and an outer centriolar MTOC (the basal body) that organises flagella assembly in the cytoplasm. We show the coordinated location, association and assembly of SAS4 with the BB component, kinesin-8B, but no association with the kinetochore protein, NDC80, indicating that SAS4 is part of the BB and outer centriolar MTOC in the cytoplasm. Deletion of the SAS4 gene produced no phenotype, indicating that it is not essential for either male gamete formation or parasite transmission.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad Zeeshan
- School of Life Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
- Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Declan Brady
- School of Life Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
| | - Robert Markus
- School of Life Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
| | - Sue Vaughan
- Department of Biological and Medical Sciences, Faculty of Health and Life Science, Oxford Brookes University, Oxford, UK
| | - David Ferguson
- Department of Biological and Medical Sciences, Faculty of Health and Life Science, Oxford Brookes University, Oxford, UK
| | - Anthony A Holder
- Malaria Parasitology Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London, UK
| | - Rita Tewari
- School of Life Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Zeeshan M, Rashpa R, Ferguson DJP, Abel S, Chahine Z, Brady D, Vaughan S, Moores CA, Le Roch KG, Brochet M, Holder AA, Tewari R. Genome-wide functional analysis reveals key roles for kinesins in the mammalian and mosquito stages of the malaria parasite life cycle. PLoS Biol 2022; 20:e3001704. [PMID: 35900985 PMCID: PMC9333250 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pbio.3001704] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [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: 03/15/2022] [Accepted: 06/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Kinesins are microtubule (MT)-based motors important in cell division, motility, polarity, and intracellular transport in many eukaryotes. However, they are poorly studied in the divergent eukaryotic pathogens Plasmodium spp., the causative agents of malaria, which manifest atypical aspects of cell division and plasticity of morphology throughout the life cycle in both mammalian and mosquito hosts. Here, we describe a genome-wide screen of Plasmodium kinesins, revealing diverse subcellular locations and functions in spindle assembly, axoneme formation, and cell morphology. Surprisingly, only kinesin-13 is essential for growth in the mammalian host while the other 8 kinesins are required during the proliferative and invasive stages of parasite transmission through the mosquito vector. In-depth analyses of kinesin-13 and kinesin-20 revealed functions in MT dynamics during apical cell polarity formation, spindle assembly, and axoneme biogenesis. These findings help us to understand the importance of MT motors and may be exploited to discover new therapeutic interventions against malaria. A comprehensive study reveals that kinesins in the malaria parasite Plasmodium have diverse cellular roles and locations, including functions in spindle assembly during proliferation, axoneme formation in flagellum biogenesis, and determining the apical morphology of the cell.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad Zeeshan
- University of Nottingham, School of Life Sciences, Nottingham, United Kingdom
- * E-mail: (MZ); (RT)
| | - Ravish Rashpa
- University of Geneva, Faculty of Medicine, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - David J. P. 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
| | - Steven Abel
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Systems Biology, University of California Riverside, Riverside, California, United States of America
| | - Zeinab Chahine
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Systems Biology, University of California Riverside, Riverside, California, United States of America
| | - Declan Brady
- University of Nottingham, School of Life Sciences, Nottingham, United Kingdom
| | - Sue Vaughan
- Oxford Brookes University, Department of Biological and Medical Sciences, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Carolyn A. Moores
- Institute of Structural and Molecular Biology, Department of Biological Sciences, Birkbeck College, London, United Kingdom
| | - Karine G. Le Roch
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Systems Biology, University of California Riverside, Riverside, California, United States of America
| | - Mathieu Brochet
- University of Geneva, Faculty of Medicine, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Anthony A. Holder
- The Francis Crick Institute, Malaria Parasitology Laboratory, London, United Kingdom
| | - Rita Tewari
- University of Nottingham, School of Life Sciences, Nottingham, United Kingdom
- * E-mail: (MZ); (RT)
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
van der Watt ME, Reader J, Birkholtz LM. Adapt or Die: Targeting Unique Transmission-Stage Biology for Malaria Elimination. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2022; 12:901971. [PMID: 35755845 PMCID: PMC9218253 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2022.901971] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2022] [Accepted: 05/06/2022] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Plasmodium parasites have a complex life cycle that includes development in the human host as well as the Anopheles vector. Successful transmission of the parasite between its host and vector therefore requires the parasite to balance its investments in asexual replication and sexual reproduction, varying the frequency of sexual commitment to persist within the human host and generate future opportunities for transmission. The transmission window is extended further by the ability of stage V gametocytes to circulate in peripheral blood for weeks, whereas immature stage I to IV gametocytes sequester in the bone marrow and spleen until final maturation. Due to the low gametocyte numbers in blood circulation and with the ease of targeting such life cycle bottlenecks, transmission represents an efficient target for therapeutic intervention. The biological process of Plasmodium transmission is a multistage, multifaceted process and the past decade has seen a much deeper understanding of the molecular mechanisms and regulators involved. Clearly, specific and divergent processes are used during transmission compared to asexual proliferation, which both poses challenges but also opportunities for discovery of transmission-blocking antimalarials. This review therefore presents an update of our molecular understanding of gametocyte and gamete biology as well as the status of transmission-blocking activities of current antimalarials and lead development compounds. By defining the biological components associated with transmission, considerations for the development of new transmission-blocking drugs to target such untapped but unique biology is suggested as an important, main driver for transmission-blocking drug discovery.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mariëtte E van der Watt
- Institute for Sustainable Malaria Control, School of Health Systems and Public Health, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Janette Reader
- Institute for Sustainable Malaria Control, School of Health Systems and Public Health, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa.,Department of Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Lyn-Marié Birkholtz
- Institute for Sustainable Malaria Control, School of Health Systems and Public Health, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa.,Department of Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Cruz-Bustos T, Feix AS, Ruttkowski B, Joachim A. Sexual Development in Non-Human Parasitic Apicomplexa: Just Biology or Targets for Control? Animals (Basel) 2021; 11:ani11102891. [PMID: 34679913 PMCID: PMC8532714 DOI: 10.3390/ani11102891] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2021] [Revised: 09/30/2021] [Accepted: 10/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Cellular reproduction is a key part of the apicomplexan life cycle, and both mitotic (asexual) and meiotic (sexual) cell divisions produce new individual cells. Sexual reproduction in most eukaryotic taxa indicates that it has had considerable success during evolution, and it must confer profound benefits, considering its significant costs. The phylum Apicomplexa consists of almost exclusively parasitic single-celled eukaryotic organisms that can affect a wide host range of animals from invertebrates to mammals. Their development is characterized by complex steps in which asexual and sexual replication alternate and the fertilization of a macrogamete by a microgamete results in the formation of a zygote that undergoes meiosis, thus forming a new generation of asexual stages. In apicomplexans, sex is assumed to be induced by the (stressful) condition of having to leave the host, and either gametes or zygotes (or stages arising from it) are transmitted to a new host. Therefore, sex and meiosis are linked to parasite transmission, and consequently dissemination, which are key to the parasitic lifestyle. We hypothesize that improved knowledge of the sexual biology of the Apicomplexa will be essential to design and implement effective transmission-blocking strategies for the control of the major parasites of this group. Abstract The phylum Apicomplexa is a major group of protozoan parasites including gregarines, coccidia, haemogregarines, haemosporidia and piroplasms, with more than 6000 named species. Three of these subgroups, the coccidia, hemosporidia, and piroplasms, contain parasites that cause important diseases of humans and animals worldwide. All of them have complex life cycles involving a switch between asexual and sexual reproduction, which is key to their development. Fertilization (i.e., fusion of female and male cells) results in the formation of a zygote that undergoes meiosis, forming a new generation of asexual stages. In eukaryotes, sexual reproduction is the predominant mode of recombination and segregation of DNA. Sex is well documented in many protist groups, and together with meiosis, is frequently linked with transmission to new hosts. Apicomplexan sexual stages constitute a bottleneck in the life cycle of these parasites, as they are obligatory for the development of new transmissible stages. Consequently, the sexual stages represent attractive targets for vaccination. Detailed understanding of apicomplexan sexual biology will pave the way for the design and implementation of effective transmission-blocking strategies for parasite control. This article reviews the current knowledge on the sexual development of Apicomplexa and the progress in transmission-blocking vaccines for their control, their advantages and limitations and outstanding questions for the future.
Collapse
|
11
|
Zeeshan M, Pandey R, Subudhi AK, Ferguson DJP, Kaur G, Rashpa R, Nugmanova R, Brady D, Bottrill AR, Vaughan S, Brochet M, Bollen M, Pain A, Holder AA, Guttery DS, Tewari R. Protein phosphatase 1 regulates atypical mitotic and meiotic division in Plasmodium sexual stages. Commun Biol 2021; 4:760. [PMID: 34145386 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-021-02273-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2021] [Accepted: 05/25/2021] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
PP1 is a conserved eukaryotic serine/threonine phosphatase that regulates many aspects of mitosis and meiosis, often working in concert with other phosphatases, such as CDC14 and CDC25. The proliferative stages of the malaria parasite life cycle include sexual development within the mosquito vector, with male gamete formation characterized by an atypical rapid mitosis, consisting of three rounds of DNA synthesis, successive spindle formation with clustered kinetochores, and a meiotic stage during zygote to ookinete development following fertilization. It is unclear how PP1 is involved in these unusual processes. Using real-time live-cell and ultrastructural imaging, conditional gene knockdown, RNA-seq and proteomic approaches, we show that Plasmodium PP1 is implicated in both mitotic exit and, potentially, establishing cell polarity during zygote development in the mosquito midgut, suggesting that small molecule inhibitors of PP1 should be explored for blocking parasite transmission.
Collapse
|
12
|
Ramakrishnan C, Smith NC. Recent achievements and doors opened for coccidian parasite research and development through transcriptomics of enteric sexual stages. Mol Biochem Parasitol 2021; 243:111373. [PMID: 33961917 DOI: 10.1016/j.molbiopara.2021.111373] [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] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2020] [Revised: 04/29/2021] [Accepted: 05/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The Coccidia is the largest group of parasites within the Apicomplexa, a phylum of unicellular, obligate parasites characterized by the possession of an apical complex of organelles and structures in the asexual stages of their life cycles, as well as by a sexual reproductive phase that occurs enterically in host animals. Coccidian sexual reproduction involves morphologically distinct microgametes and macrogametes that combine to form a diploid zygote and, ultimately, following meiosis and mitosis, haploid, infectious sporozoites, inside sporocysts within an oocyst. Recent transcriptomic analyses have identified genes involved in coccidian sexual stage development and reproduction, including genes encoding for microgamete- and macrogamete-specific proteins with roles in gamete motility, fusion and fertilization, and in the formation of the resilient oocyst wall that allows coccidians to persist for long periods in the environment. Transcriptomics has also provided important clues about the regulation of gene expression in the transformation of parasites from one developmental stage to the next, a complex sequence of events that may involve transcription factors such as the apicomplexan Apetala2 (ApiAP2) family, alternative splicing, regulatory RNAs and MORC (a microrchida homologue and regulator of sexual stage development in Toxoplasma gondii). The molecular dissection of coccidian sexual development and reproduction by transcriptomic analyses may lead to the development of novel transmission-blocking strategies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chandra Ramakrishnan
- Institute of Parasitology, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 266a, CH-8057, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Nicholas C Smith
- School of Life Sciences, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, NSW 2007, Australia; Research School of Biology, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT 0200, Australia.
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Kubo-Irie M, Hirai M, Irie M, Mohri H. Postulated Process of Axoneme Organization in the Male Gametogenesis of Malaria Parasite Plasmodium berghei. Zoolog Sci 2021; 38:187-192. [PMID: 33812358 DOI: 10.2108/zs200064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [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: 04/26/2020] [Accepted: 09/13/2020] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
The ultrastructural features of axoneme organization within the cytoplasm and exflagellation were investigated in detail in microgametes of a malaria parasite, Plasmodium berghei, by electron and fluorescence microscopy. The kinetosomes (basal bodies) of the microgamete were characterized by an electron dense mass in which singlet microtubules (MTs) were embedded. Around the kinetosomes, several singlet and doublet MTs were recognized in transverse sections. Incomplete doublets with growing B-tubule were also observed. As precursors of the axoneme, arrays of over three doublets showed a tendency to encircle the central pair MTs. Some of the doublet MTs were already equipped with inner and outer dynein arms. In the microgamete, which lacks an intraflagellar transport (IFT) system, self-assembly of microtubular and associated components appeared to proceed stepwise from singlet MTs through arrays of one to nine doublet MTs, surrounding the central pair, to form the complete axoneme in a quite short time. At exflagellation, some extra doublets were occasionally included between the axoneme and the flagellar membrane. At high magnification, the outer dynein arm of the Plasmodium microgamete had a pistol-like shape representing a three-headed dynein molecule like that of other Alveolata.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Miyoko Kubo-Irie
- Biological Laboratory, The Open University of Japan, Wakaba, Mihama-ku, Chiba 261-8506, Japan,
| | - Makoto Hirai
- Department of Tropical Medicine and Parasitology, School of Medicine, Juntendo University, Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8421, Japan
| | - Masaru Irie
- Department of Computer Science, Waseda University, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 169-8555, Japan
| | - Hideo Mohri
- Department of Biological Science, Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, the University of Tokyo, Komaba, Meguro-ku, Tokyo 153-8902, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Garcia CHS, Depoix D, Carvalho PC, Bastos IMD, Ricart CAO, de Sousa MV, Ferguson DJP, Santana JM, Grellier P, Charneau S. Comparative proteomic analysis of kinesin-8B deficient Plasmodium berghei during gametogenesis. J Proteomics 2021; 236:104118. [PMID: 33486016 DOI: 10.1016/j.jprot.2021.104118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2020] [Revised: 12/13/2020] [Accepted: 01/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Plasmodium blood stages, responsible for human to vector transmission, termed gametocytes, are the precursor cells that develop into gametes in the mosquito. Male gametogenesis works as a bottleneck for the parasite life cycle, where, during a peculiar and rapid exflagellation, a male gametocyte produces 8 intracellular axonemes that generate by budding 8 motile gametes. Understanding the molecular mechanisms of gametogenesis is key to design strategies for controlling malaria transmission. In the rodent P. berghei, the microtubule-based motor kinesin-8B (PbKIN8B) is essential for flagellum assembly during male gametogenesis and its gene disruption impacts on completion of the parasitic life cycle. In efforts to improve our knowledge about male gametogenesis, we performed an iTRAQ-based quantitative proteomic comparison of P. berghei mutants with disrupted kinesin-8B gene (ΔPbkin8B) and wild type parasites. During the 15 min of gametogenesis, ΔPbkin8B parasites exhibited important motor protein dysregulation that suggests an essential role of PbKIN8B for the correct interaction or integration of axonemal proteins within the growing axoneme. The energy metabolism of ΔPbkin8B mutants was further affected, as well as the response to stress proteins, protein synthesis, as well as chromatin organisation and DNA processes, although endomitoses seemed to occur. SIGNIFICANCE: Malaria continues to be a global scourge, mainly in subtropical and tropical areas. The disease is caused by parasites from the Plasmodium genus. Plasmodium life cycle alternates between female Anopheles mosquitoes and vertebrate hosts through bites. Gametocytes are the parasite blood forms responsible for transmission from vertebrates to vectors. Inside the mosquito midgut, after stimulation, male and female gametocytes transform into gametes resulting in fertilization. During male gametogenesis, one gametocyte generates eight intracytoplasmic axonemes that generate, by budding, flagellated motile gametes involving a process termed exflagellation. Sexual development has a central role in ensuring malaria transmission. However, molecular data on male gametogenesis and particularly on intracytoplasmic axoneme assembly are still lacking. Since rodent malaria parasites permit the combination of in vivo and in vitro experiments and reverse genetic studies, our group investigated the molecular events in rodent P. berghei gametogenesis. The P. berghei motor ATPase kinesin-8B is proposed as an important component for male gametogenesis. We generated Pbkin8B gene-disrupted gametocytes (ΔPbkin8B) that were morphologically similar to the wild- type (WT) parasites. However, in mutants, male gametogenesis is impaired, male gametocytes are disabled in their ability to assemble axonemes and to exflagellate to release gametes, reducing fertilization drastically. Using a comparative quantitative proteomic analysis, we associated the nonfunctional axoneme of the mutants with the abnormal differential expression of proteins essential to axoneme organisation and stability. We also observed a differential dysregulation of proteins involved in protein biosynthesis and degradation, chromatin organisation and DNA processes in ΔPbkin8B parasites, although DNA condensation, mitotic spindle formation and endomitoses seem to occur. This is the first functional proteomic study of a kinesin gene-disrupted Plasmodium parasite providing new insights into Plasmodium male gametogenesis.
Collapse
|
15
|
Singh M, Suryanshu, Kanika, Singh G, Dubey A, Chaitanya RK. Plasmodium's journey through the Anopheles mosquito: A comprehensive review. Biochimie 2021; 181:176-90. [PMID: 33346039 DOI: 10.1016/j.biochi.2020.12.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2020] [Revised: 12/13/2020] [Accepted: 12/14/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The malaria parasite has an extraordinary ability to evade the immune system due to which the development of a malaria vaccine is a challenging task. Extensive research on malarial infection in the human host particularly during the liver stage has resulted in the discovery of potential candidate vaccines including RTS,S/AS01 and R21. However, complete elimination of malaria would require a holistic multi-component approach. In line with this, under the World Health Organization's PATH Malaria Vaccine Initiative (MVI), the research focus has shifted towards the sexual stages of malaria in the mosquito host. Last two decades of scientific research obtained seminal information regarding the sexual/mosquito stages of the malaria. This updated and comprehensive review would provide the basis for consolidated understanding of cellular, biochemical, molecular and immunological aspects of parasite transmission right from the sexual stage commitment in the human host to the sporozoite delivery back into subsequent vertebrate host by the female Anopheles mosquito.
Collapse
|
16
|
Jarrell ZR, Ahammad MU, Sweeney K, Wilson JL, Benson AP. Characterization of sperm-associated antigen 6 expression in the reproductive tract of the domestic rooster (Gallus domesticus) and its impact on sperm mobility. Poult Sci 2020; 99:6188-6195. [PMID: 33142536 PMCID: PMC7647847 DOI: 10.1016/j.psj.2020.08.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [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: 01/22/2020] [Revised: 07/27/2020] [Accepted: 08/06/2020] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Sperm mobility is a major determinant of sperm quality in the domesticated chicken (Gallus domesticus) and is therefore an area of interest for improving fertility. Sperm-associated antigen 6 (SPAG6) is an important flagellar protein implicated to be necessary for flagellar function but negatively associated with rooster fertility. This study was aimed to characterize the expression of SPAG6 and investigate its utility as a protein biomarker of sperm mobility. By western analysis, relative SPAG6 abundances were compared between the testicular, epididymal, and vasal tissues and in sequentially maturing sperm. Immunocytochemistry techniques were used to detect localization of SPAG6 in chicken sperm. Last, western analysis was used to compare relative SPAG6 abundances in sperm of differing mobility. SPAG6 was found in higher abundance in epididymal tissues and in highest abundance in vasal tissues, relative to that of the testis. SPAG6 was also found to sequentially increase in abundance in maturing sperm. SPAG6 localizes between the axonemal central pair of microtubules in the sperm flagella, but it is also found in lower concentration in the acrosomal region. SPAG6 was not a significant predictor of sperm mobility. SPAG6 abundance, alone, is not a strong predictor of sperm mobility. Its impact on rooster fertility is likely unrelated to its impact on sperm mobility.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Z R Jarrell
- The Department of Poultry Science, University of Georgia, Athens, GA
| | - M U Ahammad
- The Department of Poultry Science, University of Georgia, Athens, GA
| | - K Sweeney
- The Department of Poultry Science, University of Georgia, Athens, GA
| | - J L Wilson
- The Department of Poultry Science, University of Georgia, Athens, GA
| | - A P Benson
- The Department of Poultry Science, University of Georgia, Athens, GA.
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Andreadaki M, Pace T, Grasso F, Siden‐Kiamos I, Mochi S, Picci L, Bertuccini L, Ponzi M, Currà C. Plasmodium berghei
Gamete Egress Protein is required for fertility of both genders. Microbiologyopen 2020; 9:e1038. [PMID: 32352241 PMCID: PMC7349110 DOI: 10.1002/mbo3.1038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2019] [Revised: 03/17/2020] [Accepted: 03/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Male and female Plasmodium gametocytes ingested by the Anopheles mosquitoes during a blood meal egress from the red blood cells by rupturing the two surrounding membranes, the parasitophorous vacuole and the red blood cell membranes. Proteins of the so‐called osmiophilic bodies, (OBs), secretory organelles resident in the cytoplasm, are important players in this process. Once gametes emerge, the female is ready to be fertilized while the male develops into motile flagellar gametes. Here, we describe the function(s) of PBANKA_1115200, which we named Gamete Egress Protein (GEP), a protein specific to malaria parasites. GEP is restricted to gametocytes, expressed in gametocytes of both genders and partly localizes to the OBs. A mutant lacking the protein shows aberrant rupture of the two surrounding membranes, while OBs discharge is delayed but not aborted. Moreover, we identified a second function of GEP during exflagellation since the axonemes of the male flagellar gametes were not motile. Genetic crossing experiments reveal that both genders are unable to establish infections in mosquitoes and thus the lack of GEP leads to a complete block in Plasmodium transmission from mice to mosquitoes. The combination of our results reveals essential and pleiotropic functions of GEP in Plasmodium gametogenesis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Maria Andreadaki
- FORTH Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology Heraklion Greece
| | - Tomasino Pace
- Dipartimento di Malattie Infettive Istituto Superiore di Sanità Roma Italy
| | - Felicia Grasso
- Dipartimento di Malattie Infettive Istituto Superiore di Sanità Roma Italy
| | - Inga Siden‐Kiamos
- FORTH Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology Heraklion Greece
| | - Stefania Mochi
- Dipartimento di Malattie Infettive Istituto Superiore di Sanità Roma Italy
| | - Leonardo Picci
- Dipartimento di Malattie Infettive Istituto Superiore di Sanità Roma Italy
| | | | - Marta Ponzi
- Dipartimento di Malattie Infettive Istituto Superiore di Sanità Roma Italy
| | - Chiara Currà
- FORTH Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology Heraklion Greece
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Amlabu E, Ilani P, Opoku G, Nyarko PB, Quansah E, Thiam LG, Anim M, Ayivor-Djanie R, Akuh OA, Mensah-Brown H, Rayner JC, Awandare GA. Molecular Characterization and Immuno-Reactivity Patterns of a Novel Plasmodium falciparum Armadillo-Type Repeat Protein, PfATRP. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2020; 10:114. [PMID: 32266165 PMCID: PMC7100384 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2020.00114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2019] [Accepted: 03/02/2020] [Indexed: 01/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Nearly half of the genes in the Plasmodium falciparum genome have not yet been functionally investigated. We used homology-based structural modeling to identify multiple copies of Armadillo repeats within one uncharacterized gene expressed during the intraerythrocytic stages, PF3D7_0410600, subsequently referred to as P. falciparum Armadillo-Type Repeat Protein (PfATRP). Soluble recombinant PfATRP was expressed in a bacterial expression system, purified to apparent homogeneity and the identity of the recombinant PfATRP was confirmed by mass spectrometry. Affinity-purified α-PfATRP rabbit antibodies specifically recognized the recombinant protein. Immunofluorescence assays revealed that α-PfATRP rabbit antibodies reacted with P. falciparum schizonts. Anti-PfATRP antibody exhibited peripheral staining patterns around the merozoites. Given the localization of PfATRP in merozoites, we tested for an egress phenotype during schizont arrest assays and demonstrated that native PfATRP is inaccessible on the surface of merozoites in intact schizonts. Dual immunofluorescence assays with markers for the inner membrane complex (IMC) and microtubules suggest partial colocalization in both asexual and sexual stage parasites. Using the soluble recombinant PfATRP in a screen of plasma samples revealed that malaria-infected children have naturally acquired PfATRP-specific antibodies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Emmanuel Amlabu
- West African Center for Cell Biology of Infectious Pathogens, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana
- Department of Biochemistry, Kogi State University, Anyigba, Nigeria
| | - Philip Ilani
- West African Center for Cell Biology of Infectious Pathogens, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana
| | - Grace Opoku
- West African Center for Cell Biology of Infectious Pathogens, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana
| | - Prince B. Nyarko
- West African Center for Cell Biology of Infectious Pathogens, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana
| | - Evelyn Quansah
- West African Center for Cell Biology of Infectious Pathogens, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana
| | - Laty G. Thiam
- West African Center for Cell Biology of Infectious Pathogens, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana
| | - Manfred Anim
- West African Center for Cell Biology of Infectious Pathogens, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana
| | - Reuben Ayivor-Djanie
- West African Center for Cell Biology of Infectious Pathogens, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, SBBS, University of Health and Allied Sciences, Ho, Ghana
| | - Ojo-ajogu Akuh
- West African Center for Cell Biology of Infectious Pathogens, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana
| | - Henrietta Mensah-Brown
- West African Center for Cell Biology of Infectious Pathogens, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana
| | - Julian C. Rayner
- Cambridge Institute for Medical Research, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Gordon A. Awandare
- West African Center for Cell Biology of Infectious Pathogens, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana
- Department of Biochemistry, Cell and Molecular Biology, College of Basic and Applied Sciences, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Farhat DC, Swale C, Dard C, Cannella D, Ortet P, Barakat M, Sindikubwabo F, Belmudes L, De Bock PJ, Couté Y, Bougdour A, Hakimi MA. A MORC-driven transcriptional switch controls Toxoplasma developmental trajectories and sexual commitment. Nat Microbiol 2020; 5:570-83. [PMID: 32094587 DOI: 10.1038/s41564-020-0674-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2019] [Accepted: 01/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii has a complex life cycle that is typified by asexual development that takes place in vertebrates, and sexual reproduction, which occurs exclusively in felids and is therefore less studied. The developmental transitions rely on changes in the patterns of gene expression, and recent studies have assigned roles for chromatin shapers, including histone modifications, in establishing specific epigenetic programs for each given stage. Here, we identified the T. gondii microrchidia (MORC) protein as an upstream transcriptional repressor of sexual commitment. MORC, in a complex with Apetala 2 (AP2) transcription factors, was shown to recruit the histone deacetylase HDAC3, thereby impeding the accessibility of chromatin at the genes that are exclusively expressed during sexual stages. We found that MORC-depleted cells underwent marked transcriptional changes, resulting in the expression of a specific repertoire of genes, and revealing a shift from asexual proliferation to sexual differentiation. MORC acts as a master regulator that directs the hierarchical expression of secondary AP2 transcription factors, and these transcription factors potentially contribute to the unidirectionality of the life cycle. Thus, MORC plays a cardinal role in the T. gondii life cycle, and its conditional depletion offers a method to study the sexual development of the parasite in vitro, and is proposed as an alternative to the requirement of T. gondii infections in cats.
Collapse
|
20
|
Liu Y, Zhang L, Li W, Li Y, Liu J, Zhang S, Pin G, Song S, Ray PF, Arnoult C, Cho C, Garcia-Reyes B, Knippschild U, Strauss JF, Zhang Z. The sperm-associated antigen 6 interactome and its role in spermatogenesis. Reproduction 2019; 158:181-197. [PMID: 31146259 PMCID: PMC7368494 DOI: 10.1530/rep-18-0522] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2018] [Accepted: 05/30/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Mammalian SPAG6, the orthologue of Chlamydomonas reinhardtii PF16, is a component of the central apparatus of the '9 + 2' axoneme that controls ciliary/flagellar motility, including sperm motility. Recent studies revealed that SPAG6 has functions beyond its role in the central apparatus. Hence, we reexamined the role of SPAG6 in male fertility. In wild-type mice, SPAG6 was present in cytoplasmic vesicles in spermatocytes, the acrosome of round and elongating spermatids and the manchette of elongating spermatids. Spag6-deficient testes showed abnormal spermatogenesis, with abnormalities in male germ cell morphology consistent with the multi-compartment pattern of SPAG6 localization. The armadillo repeat domain of mouse SPAG6 was used as a bait in a yeast two-hybrid screen, and several proteins with diverse functions appeared multiple times, including Snapin, SPINK2 and COPS5. Snapin has a similar localization to SPAG6 in male germ cells, and SPINK2, a key protein in acrosome biogenesis, was dramatically reduced in Spag6-deficient mice which have defective acrosomes. SPAG16L, another SPAG6-binding partner, lost its localization to the manchette in Spag6-deficient mice. Our findings demonstrate that SPAG6 is a multi-functional protein that not only regulates sperm motility, but also plays roles in spermatogenesis in multiple cellular compartments involving multiple protein partners.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yunhao Liu
- School of Public Health, Hubei Province Key Laboratory of Occupational Hazard Identification and Control, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, 430065
| | - Ling Zhang
- School of Public Health, Hubei Province Key Laboratory of Occupational Hazard Identification and Control, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, 430065
| | - Wei Li
- Department of Physiology, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, 48201
| | - Yuhong Li
- School of Public Health, Hubei Province Key Laboratory of Occupational Hazard Identification and Control, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, 430065
| | - Junpin Liu
- School of Public Health, Hubei Province Key Laboratory of Occupational Hazard Identification and Control, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, 430065
| | - Shiyang Zhang
- School of Public Health, Hubei Province Key Laboratory of Occupational Hazard Identification and Control, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, 430065
| | - Guanglun Pin
- School of Public Health, Hubei Province Key Laboratory of Occupational Hazard Identification and Control, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, 430065
| | - Shizhen Song
- School of Public Health, Hubei Province Key Laboratory of Occupational Hazard Identification and Control, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, 430065
| | - Pierre F Ray
- Genetic Epigenetic and Therapies of Infertility, Institute for Advanced Biosciences, Inserm U1209, CNRS UMR 5309, Université Grenoble Alpes, Grenoble, France
| | - Christophe Arnoult
- Genetic Epigenetic and Therapies of Infertility, Institute for Advanced Biosciences, Inserm U1209, CNRS UMR 5309, Université Grenoble Alpes, Grenoble, France
| | - Chunghee Cho
- School of Life Sciences, Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology, Gwangju 500-712, Korea
| | - Balbina Garcia-Reyes
- Department of General and Visceral Surgery, Ulm University, Albert-Einstein-Allee 23, D-89081, Ulm, Germany
| | - Uwe Knippschild
- Department of General and Visceral Surgery, Ulm University, Albert-Einstein-Allee 23, D-89081, Ulm, Germany
| | - Jerome F. Strauss
- Department of Obstetrics/Gynecology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, 23298
| | - Zhibing Zhang
- Department of Physiology, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, 48201
- Department of Obstetrics/Gynecology, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, 48201
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Zeeshan M, Ferguson DJ, Abel S, Burrrell A, Rea E, Brady D, Daniel E, Delves M, Vaughan S, Holder AA, Le Roch KG, Moores CA, Tewari R. Kinesin-8B controls basal body function and flagellum formation and is key to malaria transmission. Life Sci Alliance 2019; 2:e201900488. [PMID: 31409625 PMCID: PMC6696982 DOI: 10.26508/lsa.201900488] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [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: 07/17/2019] [Revised: 08/05/2019] [Accepted: 08/06/2019] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Eukaryotic flagella are conserved microtubule-based organelles that drive cell motility. Plasmodium, the causative agent of malaria, has a single flagellate stage: the male gamete in the mosquito. Three rounds of endomitotic division in male gametocyte together with an unusual mode of flagellum assembly rapidly produce eight motile gametes. These processes are tightly coordinated, but their regulation is poorly understood. To understand this important developmental stage, we studied the function and location of the microtubule-based motor kinesin-8B, using gene-targeting, electron microscopy, and live cell imaging. Deletion of the kinesin-8B gene showed no effect on mitosis but disrupted 9+2 axoneme assembly and flagellum formation during male gamete development and also completely ablated parasite transmission. Live cell imaging showed that kinesin-8B-GFP did not co-localise with kinetochores in the nucleus but instead revealed a dynamic, cytoplasmic localisation with the basal bodies and the assembling axoneme during flagellum formation. We, thus, uncovered an unexpected role for kinesin-8B in parasite flagellum formation that is vital for the parasite life cycle.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad Zeeshan
- School of Life Sciences, Queens Medical Centre, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
| | - David Jp Ferguson
- Department of Biological and Medical Sciences, Faculty of Health and Life Science, Oxford Brookes University, Oxford, UK
| | - Steven Abel
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Systems Biology, University of California Riverside, Riverside, CA, USA
| | - Alana Burrrell
- Department of Biological and Medical Sciences, Faculty of Health and Life Science, Oxford Brookes University, Oxford, UK
| | - Edward Rea
- School of Life Sciences, Queens Medical Centre, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
| | - Declan Brady
- School of Life Sciences, Queens Medical Centre, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
| | - Emilie Daniel
- School of Life Sciences, Queens Medical Centre, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
| | - Michael Delves
- London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Keppel, London, UK
| | - Sue Vaughan
- Department of Biological and Medical Sciences, Faculty of Health and Life Science, Oxford Brookes University, Oxford, UK
| | - Anthony A Holder
- Malaria Parasitology Laboratory, Francis Crick Institute, London, UK
| | - Karine G Le Roch
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Systems Biology, University of California Riverside, Riverside, CA, USA
| | - Carolyn A Moores
- Institute of Structural and Molecular Biology, Department of Biological Sciences, Birkbeck College, London, UK
| | - Rita Tewari
- School of Life Sciences, Queens Medical Centre, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Ramakrishnan C, Maier S, Walker RA, Rehrauer H, Joekel DE, Winiger RR, Basso WU, Grigg ME, Hehl AB, Deplazes P, Smith NC. An experimental genetically attenuated live vaccine to prevent transmission of Toxoplasma gondii by cats. Sci Rep 2019; 9:1474. [PMID: 30728393 PMCID: PMC6365665 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-37671-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 85] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2018] [Accepted: 12/11/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Almost any warm-blooded creature can be an intermediate host for Toxoplasma gondii. However, sexual reproduction of T. gondii occurs only in felids, wherein fertilisation of haploid macrogametes by haploid microgametes, results in diploid zygotes, around which a protective wall develops, forming unsporulated oocysts. Unsporulated oocysts are shed in the faeces of cats and meiosis gives rise to haploid sporozoites within the oocysts. These, now infectious, sporulated oocysts contaminate the environment as a source of infection for people and their livestock. RNA-Seq analysis of cat enteric stages of T. gondii uncovered genes expressed uniquely in microgametes and macrogametes. A CRISPR/Cas9 strategy was used to create a T. gondii strain that exhibits defective fertilisation, decreased fecundity and generates oocysts that fail to produce sporozoites. Inoculation of cats with this engineered parasite strain totally prevented oocyst excretion following infection with wild-type T. gondii, demonstrating that this mutant is an attenuated, live, transmission-blocking vaccine.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chandra Ramakrishnan
- Institute of Parasitology, University of Zürich, Winterthurerstrasse 266a, 8057, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Simone Maier
- Institute of Parasitology, University of Zürich, Winterthurerstrasse 266a, 8057, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Robert A Walker
- Institute of Parasitology, University of Zürich, Winterthurerstrasse 266a, 8057, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Hubert Rehrauer
- Functional Genomics Center Zürich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, 8057, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Deborah E Joekel
- Institute of Parasitology, University of Zürich, Winterthurerstrasse 266a, 8057, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Rahel R Winiger
- Institute of Parasitology, University of Zürich, Winterthurerstrasse 266a, 8057, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Walter U Basso
- Institute of Parasitology, University of Zürich, Winterthurerstrasse 266a, 8057, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Michael E Grigg
- Molecular Parasitology Section, Laboratory of Parasitic Diseases, NIAID, NIH, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Adrian B Hehl
- Institute of Parasitology, University of Zürich, Winterthurerstrasse 266a, 8057, Zürich, Switzerland.
| | - Peter Deplazes
- Institute of Parasitology, University of Zürich, Winterthurerstrasse 266a, 8057, Zürich, Switzerland.
| | - Nicholas C Smith
- Research School of Biology, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, 0200, Australia. .,School of Science and Health, Western Sydney University, Parramatta South Campus, Sydney, NSW, 2116, Australia.
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
Su S, Hou Z, Liu D, Jia C, Wang L, Xu J, Tao J. Comparative transcriptome analysis of Eimeria necatrix third-generation merozoites and gametocytes reveals genes involved in sexual differentiation and gametocyte development. Vet Parasitol 2018; 252:35-46. [PMID: 29559148 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2018.01.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [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: 10/18/2017] [Revised: 01/20/2018] [Accepted: 01/22/2018] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Eimeria necatrix is one of the most pathogenic parasites causing high mortality in chicken older than 8 weeks. Eimeria spp. possess a coccidian lifecycle including both sexual and asexual stages. Sexual differentiation and development occupies a central place in the life cycle of the Eimeria parasite. However, our knowledge of the sexual differentiation and gametocyte development of Eimeria is very limited. Here using RNA sequencing, we conducted a comparative transcriptome analysis between third-generation merozoites (MZ-3) and gametocytes (GAM) of E. necatrix to identify genes with functions related to sexual differentiation and gametocyte development. Approximately 4267 genes were differentially expressed between MZ-3 and GAM. Compared with MZ-3, 2789 genes were upregulated and 1478 genes were downregulated in GAM. Approximately 329 genes in MZ-3 and 1289 genes in GAM were further analyzed in the evaluation of stage-specific genes. Gene Ontology (GO) classification and KEGG analysis revealed that 953 upregulated gametocyte genes were annotated with 170 GO assignments, and 405 upregulated genes were associated with 231 signaling pathways. We also predicted a further 83 upregulated gametocyte genes, of which 53 were involved in the biosynthesis of the oocyst wall, and 30 were involved in microgametocyte development. This information offers insights into the mechanisms governing the sexual development of E. necatrix and may potentially allow the identification of targets for blocking parasite transmission.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shijie Su
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China; Jiangsu Co-innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China; Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Zoonosis, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China
| | - Zhaofeng Hou
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China; Jiangsu Co-innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China; Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Zoonosis, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China
| | - Dandan Liu
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China; Jiangsu Co-innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China; Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Zoonosis, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China
| | - Chuanli Jia
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China; Jiangsu Co-innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China; Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Zoonosis, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China
| | - Lele Wang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China; Jiangsu Co-innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China; Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Zoonosis, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China
| | - Jinjun Xu
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China; Jiangsu Co-innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China; Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Zoonosis, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China
| | - Jianping Tao
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China; Jiangsu Co-innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China; Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Zoonosis, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China.
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
Gul IS, Hulpiau P, Saeys Y, van Roy F. Metazoan evolution of the armadillo repeat superfamily. Cell Mol Life Sci 2016; 74:525-541. [PMID: 27497926 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-016-2319-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [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: 04/14/2016] [Revised: 07/05/2016] [Accepted: 07/25/2016] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
The superfamily of armadillo repeat proteins is a fascinating archetype of modular-binding proteins involved in various fundamental cellular processes, including cell-cell adhesion, cytoskeletal organization, nuclear import, and molecular signaling. Despite their diverse functions, they all share tandem armadillo (ARM) repeats, which stack together to form a conserved three-dimensional structure. This superhelical armadillo structure enables them to interact with distinct partners by wrapping around them. Despite the important functional roles of this superfamily, a comprehensive analysis of the composition, classification, and phylogeny of this protein superfamily has not been reported. Furthermore, relatively little is known about a subset of ARM proteins, and some of the current annotations of armadillo repeats are incomplete or incorrect, often due to high similarity with HEAT repeats. We identified the entire armadillo repeat superfamily repertoire in the human genome, annotated each armadillo repeat, and performed an extensive evolutionary analysis of the armadillo repeat proteins in both metazoan and premetazoan species. Phylogenetic analyses of the superfamily classified them into several discrete branches with members showing significant sequence homology, and often also related functions. Interestingly, the phylogenetic structure of the superfamily revealed that about 30 % of the members predate metazoans and represent an ancient subset, which is gradually evolving to acquire complex and highly diverse functions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ismail Sahin Gul
- Inflammation Research Center (IRC), VIB, Ghent, Belgium.,Department of Biomedical Molecular Biology, Ghent University, FSVM Building, Technologiepark 927, 9052, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Paco Hulpiau
- Inflammation Research Center (IRC), VIB, Ghent, Belgium.,Department of Biomedical Molecular Biology, Ghent University, FSVM Building, Technologiepark 927, 9052, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Yvan Saeys
- Inflammation Research Center (IRC), VIB, Ghent, Belgium.,Department of Respiratory Medicine, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Frans van Roy
- Inflammation Research Center (IRC), VIB, Ghent, Belgium. .,Department of Biomedical Molecular Biology, Ghent University, FSVM Building, Technologiepark 927, 9052, Ghent, Belgium.
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
Bennink S, Kiesow MJ, Pradel G. The development of malaria parasites in the mosquito midgut. Cell Microbiol 2016; 18:905-18. [PMID: 27111866 PMCID: PMC5089571 DOI: 10.1111/cmi.12604] [Citation(s) in RCA: 109] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/29/2016] [Revised: 04/13/2016] [Accepted: 04/20/2016] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
The mosquito midgut stages of malaria parasites are crucial for establishing an infection in the insect vector and to thus ensure further spread of the pathogen. Parasite development in the midgut starts with the activation of the intraerythrocytic gametocytes immediately after take‐up and ends with traversal of the midgut epithelium by the invasive ookinetes less than 24 h later. During this time period, the plasmodia undergo two processes of stage conversion, from gametocytes to gametes and from zygotes to ookinetes, both accompanied by dramatic morphological changes. Further, gamete formation requires parasite egress from the enveloping erythrocytes, rendering them vulnerable to the aggressive factors of the insect gut, like components of the human blood meal. The mosquito midgut stages of malaria parasites are unprecedented objects to study a variety of cell biological aspects, including signal perception, cell conversion, parasite/host co‐adaptation and immune evasion. This review highlights recent insights into the molecules involved in gametocyte activation and gamete formation as well as in zygote‐to‐ookinete conversion and ookinete midgut exit; it further discusses factors that can harm the extracellular midgut stages as well as the measures of the parasites to protect themselves from any damage.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sandra Bennink
- Division of Cellular and Applied Infection Biology, Institute of Zoology, RWTH Aachen University, Worringerweg 1, 52074, Aachen, Germany
| | - Meike J Kiesow
- Division of Cellular and Applied Infection Biology, Institute of Zoology, RWTH Aachen University, Worringerweg 1, 52074, Aachen, Germany
| | - Gabriele Pradel
- Division of Cellular and Applied Infection Biology, Institute of Zoology, RWTH Aachen University, Worringerweg 1, 52074, Aachen, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
Balaich JN, Mathias DK, Torto B, Jackson BT, Tao D, Ebrahimi B, Tarimo BB, Cheseto X, Foster WA, Dinglasan RR. The Nonartemisinin Sesquiterpene Lactones Parthenin and Parthenolide Block Plasmodium falciparum Sexual Stage Transmission. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2016; 60:2108-17. [PMID: 26787692 DOI: 10.1128/AAC.02002-15] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2015] [Accepted: 01/11/2016] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Parthenin and parthenolide are natural products that are closely related in structure to artemisinin, which is also a sesquiterpene lactone (SQL) and one of the most important antimalarial drugs available. Parthenin, like artemisinin, has an effect onPlasmodiumblood stage development. We extended the evaluation of parthenin as a potential therapeutic for the transmissible stages ofPlasmodium falciparumas it transitions between human and mosquito, with the aim of gaining potential mechanistic insight into the inhibitory activity of this compound. We posited that if parthenin targets different biological pathways in the parasite, this in turn could pave the way for the development of druggable compounds that could prevent the spread of artemisinin-resistant parasites. We examined parthenin's effect on male gamete activation and the ookinete-to-oocyst transition in the mosquito as well as on stage V gametocytes that are present in peripheral blood. Parthenin arrested parasite development for each of the stages tested. The broad inhibitory properties of parthenin on the evaluated parasite stages may suggest different mechanisms of action between parthenin and artemisinin. Parthenin's cytotoxicity notwithstanding, its demonstrated activity in this study suggests that structurally related SQLs with a better safety profile deserve further exploration. We used our battery of assays to test parthenolide, which has a more compelling safety profile. Parthenolide demonstrated activity nearly identical to that of parthenin againstP. falciparum, highlighting its potential as a possible transmission-blocking drug scaffold. We discuss the context of the evidence with respect to the next steps toward expanding the current antimalarial arsenal.
Collapse
|
27
|
Eliáš M, Klimeš V, Derelle R, Petrželková R, Tachezy J. A paneukaryotic genomic analysis of the small GTPase RABL2 underscores the significance of recurrent gene loss in eukaryote evolution. Biol Direct 2016; 11:5. [PMID: 26832778 DOI: 10.1186/s13062-016-0107-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2015] [Accepted: 01/27/2016] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The cilium (flagellum) is a complex cellular structure inherited from the last eukaryotic common ancestor (LECA). A large number of ciliary proteins have been characterized in a few model organisms, but their evolutionary history often remains unexplored. One such protein is the small GTPase RABL2, recently implicated in the assembly of the sperm tail in mammals. Results Using the wealth of currently available genome and transcriptome sequences, including data from our on-going sequencing projects, we systematically analyzed the phylogenetic distribution and evolutionary history of RABL2 orthologs. Our dense taxonomic sampling revealed the presence of RABL2 genes in nearly all major eukaryotic lineages, including small “obscure” taxa such as breviates, ancyromonads, malawimonads, jakobids, picozoans, or palpitomonads. The phyletic pattern of RABL2 genes indicates that it was present already in the LECA. However, some organisms lack RABL2 as a result of secondary loss and our present sampling predicts well over 30 such independent events during the eukaryote evolution. The distribution of RABL2 genes correlates with the presence/absence of cilia: not a single well-established cilium-lacking species has retained a RABL2 ortholog. However, several ciliated taxa, most notably nematodes, some arthropods and platyhelminths, diplomonads, and ciliated subgroups of apicomplexans and embryophytes, lack RABL2 as well, suggesting some simplification in their cilium-associated functions. On the other hand, several algae currently unknown to form cilia, e.g., the “prasinophytes” of the genus Prasinoderma or the ochrophytes Pelagococcus subviridis and Pinguiococcus pyrenoidosus, turned out to encode not only RABL2, but also homologs of some hallmark ciliary proteins, suggesting the existence of a cryptic flagellated stage in their life cycles. We additionally obtained insights into the evolution of the RABL2 gene architecture, which seems to have ancestrally consisted of eight exons subsequently modified not only by lineage-specific intron loss and gain, but also by recurrent loss of the terminal exon encoding a poorly conserved C-terminal extension. Conclusions Our comparative analysis supports the notion that RABL2 is an ancestral component of the eukaryotic cilium and underscores the still underappreciated magnitude of recurrent gene loss, or reductive evolution in general, in the history of eukaryotic genomes and cells. Reviewers This article was reviewed by Berend Snel and James O. McInerney. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13062-016-0107-8) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
Collapse
|
28
|
Mitra P, Gupta ED, Sahar T, Pandey AK, Dangi P, Reddy KS, Chauhan VS, Gaur D. Evidence for the Nucleo-Apical Shuttling of a Beta-Catenin Like Plasmodium falciparum Armadillo Repeat Containing Protein. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0148446. [PMID: 26828945 PMCID: PMC4734682 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0148446] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2015] [Accepted: 01/18/2016] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Eukaryotic Armadillo (ARM) repeat proteins are multifaceted with prominent roles in cell-cell adhesion, cytoskeletal regulation and intracellular signaling among many others. One such ARM repeat containing protein, ARM Repeats Only (ARO), has recently been demonstrated in both Toxoplasma (TgARO) and Plasmodium (PfARO) parasites to be targeted to the rhoptries during the late asexual stages. TgARO has been implicated to play an important role in rhoptry positioning i.e. directing the rhoptry towards the apical end of the parasite. Here, we report for the first time that PfARO exhibits a DNA binding property and a dynamic sub-cellular localization between the nucleus (early schizont) and rhoptry (late schizont) during the different stages of the asexual blood-stage life cycle. PfARO possesses a putative nuclear export signal (NES) and the nucleo-apical shuttling was sensitive to Leptomycin B (LMB) suggesting that the nuclear export was mediated by CRM1. Importantly, PfARO specifically bound an A-T rich DNA sequence of the P. falciparum Gyrase A (PfgyrA) gene, suggesting that the DNA binding specificity of PfARO is likely due to the AT-richness of the probe. This is a novel functional characteristic that has not been reported previously for any P. falciparum ARM containing protein and suggests a putative role for PfARO in gene regulation. This study describes for the first time a conserved P. falciparum ARM repeat protein with a high degree of functional versatility.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Pallabi Mitra
- Malaria Group, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), New Delhi, India
| | - Enna Dogra Gupta
- Malaria Group, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), New Delhi, India
| | - Tajali Sahar
- Malaria Group, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), New Delhi, India
| | - Alok K. Pandey
- Malaria Group, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), New Delhi, India
| | - Poonam Dangi
- Malaria Group, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), New Delhi, India
| | - K. Sony Reddy
- Malaria Group, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), New Delhi, India
| | - Virander Singh Chauhan
- Malaria Group, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), New Delhi, India
- * E-mail: (DG); (VSC)
| | - Deepak Gaur
- Laboratory of Malaria and Vaccine Research, School of Biotechnology, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, India
- * E-mail: (DG); (VSC)
| |
Collapse
|
29
|
Li W, Mukherjee A, Wu J, Zhang L, Teves ME, Li H, Nambiar S, Henderson SC, Horwitz AR, Strauss JF, Fang X, Zhang Z. Sperm Associated Antigen 6 (SPAG6) Regulates Fibroblast Cell Growth, Morphology, Migration and Ciliogenesis. Sci Rep 2015; 5:16506. [PMID: 26585507 PMCID: PMC4653743 DOI: 10.1038/srep16506] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2015] [Accepted: 10/15/2015] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Mammalian Spag6 is the orthologue of Chlamydomonas PF16, which encodes a protein localized in the axoneme central apparatus, and regulates flagella/cilia motility. Most Spag6-deficient mice are smaller in size than their littermates. Because SPAG6 decorates microtubules, we hypothesized that SPAG6 has other roles related to microtubule function besides regulating flagellar/cilia motility. Mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs) were isolated from Spag6-deficient and wild-type embryos for these studies. Both primary and immortalized Spag6-deficient MEFs proliferated at a much slower rate than the wild-type MEFs, and they had a larger surface area. Re-expression of SPAG6 in the Spag6-deficient MEFs rescued the abnormal cell morphology. Spag6-deficient MEFs were less motile than wild-type MEFs, as shown by both chemotactic analysis and wound-healing assays. Spag6-deficient MEFs also showed reduced adhesion associated with a non-polarized F-actin distribution. Multiple centrosomes were observed in the Spag6-deficient MEF cultures. The percentage of cells with primary cilia was significantly reduced compared to the wild-type MEFs, and some Spag6-deficient MEFs developed multiple cilia. Furthermore, SPAG6 selectively increased expression of acetylated tubulin, a microtubule stability marker. The Spag6-deficient MEFs were more sensitive to paclitaxel, a microtubule stabilizer. Our studies reveal new roles for SPAG6 in modulation of cell morphology, proliferation, migration, and ciliogenesis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Wei Li
- Department of Obstetrics &Gynecology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, 23298
| | - Abir Mukherjee
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, 23298
| | - Jinhua Wu
- Department of Obstetrics &Gynecology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, 23298
| | - Ling Zhang
- Department of Obstetrics &Gynecology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, 23298.,School of Public Health, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430065, China
| | - Maria E Teves
- Department of Obstetrics &Gynecology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, 23298
| | - Hongfei Li
- Department of Obstetrics &Gynecology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, 23298
| | - Shanti Nambiar
- Department of Obstetrics &Gynecology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, 23298
| | - Scott C Henderson
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, 23298
| | - Alan R Horwitz
- Department of Cell Biology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA
| | - Jerome F Strauss
- Department of Obstetrics &Gynecology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, 23298.,Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, 23298
| | - Xianjun Fang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, 23298
| | - Zhibing Zhang
- Department of Obstetrics &Gynecology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, 23298.,Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, 23298
| |
Collapse
|
30
|
Guttery DS, Roques M, Holder AA, Tewari R. Commit and Transmit: Molecular Players in Plasmodium Sexual Development and Zygote Differentiation. Trends Parasitol 2015; 31:676-685. [PMID: 26440790 DOI: 10.1016/j.pt.2015.08.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2015] [Revised: 08/04/2015] [Accepted: 08/06/2015] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
During each cycle of asexual endomitotic division in erythrocytes, the malaria parasite makes a fundamental and crucial decision: to continue to invade and proliferate or to differentiate into gametocytes ready for continuation of sexual development. The proteins and regulatory pathways involved in Plasmodium sexual development have been of great interest in recent years as targets for blocking malaria transmission. However, the 'Holy Grail', the master switch orchestrating asexual-to-sexual commitment and further differentiation, has remained elusive - until now. Here we highlight the recent studies identifying the epigenetic and transcriptional master regulators of sexual commitment and discuss the key players in reversible phosphorylation pathways involved in sexual and zygote differentiation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- David S Guttery
- Cell and Developmental Biology Group, School of Life Sciences, Queens Medical Centre, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG2 7UH, UK; Department of Cancer Studies and Cancer Research UK Leicester Centre, University of Leicester, Robert Kilpatrick Building, Leicester Royal Infirmary, Leicester LE2 7LX, UK
| | - Magali Roques
- Cell and Developmental Biology Group, School of Life Sciences, Queens Medical Centre, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG2 7UH, UK
| | - Anthony A Holder
- Mill Hill Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, The Ridgeway, Mill Hill, London NW7 1AA, UK
| | - Rita Tewari
- Cell and Developmental Biology Group, School of Life Sciences, Queens Medical Centre, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG2 7UH, UK.
| |
Collapse
|
31
|
Abstract
The motility of eukaryotic cilia and flagella is modulated in response to several extracellular stimuli. Ca(2+) is the most critical intracellular factor for these changes in motility, directly acting on the axonemes and altering flagellar asymmetry. Calaxin is an opisthokont-specific neuronal calcium sensor protein first described in the sperm of the ascidian Ciona intestinalis. It binds to a heavy chain of two-headed outer arm dynein in a Ca(2+)-dependent manner and regulates 'asymmetric' wave propagation at high concentrations of Ca(2+). A Ca(2+)-binding subunit of outer arm dynein in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii, the light chain 4 (LC4), which is a Ca(2+)-sensor phylogenetically different from calaxin, shows Ca(2+)-dependent binding to a heavy chain of three-headed outer arm dynein. However, LC4 appears to participate in 'symmetric' wave propagation at high concentrations of Ca(2+). LC4-type dynein light chain is present in bikonts, except for some subclasses of the Excavata. Thus, flagellar asymmetry-symmetry conversion in response to Ca(2+) concentration represents a 'mirror image' relationship between Ciona and Chlamydomonas. Phylogenetic analyses indicate the duplication, divergence, and loss of heavy chain and Ca(2+)-sensors of outer arm dynein among excavate species. These features imply a divergence point with respect to Ca(2+)-dependent regulation of outer arm dynein in cilia and flagella during the evolution of eukaryotic supergroups.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kazuo Inaba
- Shimoda Marine Research Center, University of Tsukuba, 5-10-1 Shimoda, Shizuoka, 415-0025 Japan
| |
Collapse
|
32
|
Walker RA, Sharman PA, Miller CM, Lippuner C, Okoniewski M, Eichenberger RM, Ramakrishnan C, Brossier F, Deplazes P, Hehl AB, Smith NC. RNA Seq analysis of the Eimeria tenella gametocyte transcriptome reveals clues about the molecular basis for sexual reproduction and oocyst biogenesis. BMC Genomics 2015; 16:94. [PMID: 25765081 PMCID: PMC4345034 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-015-1298-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 84] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2014] [Accepted: 01/29/2015] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Background The protozoan Eimeria tenella is a common parasite of chickens, causing avian coccidiosis, a disease of on-going concern to agricultural industries. The high prevalence of E. tenella can be attributed to the resilient oocyst stage, which is transmitted between hosts in the environment. As in related Coccidia, development of the eimerian oocyst appears to be dependent on completion of the parasite’s sexual cycle. RNA Seq transcriptome profiling offers insights into the mechanisms governing the biology of E. tenella sexual stages (gametocytes) and the potential to identify targets for blocking parasite transmission. Results Comparisons between the sequenced transcriptomes of E. tenella gametocytes and two asexual developmental stages, merozoites and sporozoites, revealed upregulated gametocyte transcription of 863 genes. Many of these genes code for proteins involved in coccidian sexual biology, such as oocyst wall biosynthesis and fertilisation, and some of these were characterised in more depth. Thus, macrogametocyte-specific expression and localisation was confirmed for two proteins destined for incorporation into the oocyst wall, as well as for a subtilisin protease and an oxidoreductase. Homologues of an oocyst wall protein and oxidoreductase were found in the related coccidian, Toxoplasma gondii, and shown to be macrogametocyte-specific. In addition, a microgametocyte gamete fusion protein, EtHAP2, was discovered. Conclusions The need for novel vaccine candidates capable of controlling coccidiosis is rising and this panel of gametocyte targets represents an invaluable resource for development of future strategies to interrupt parasite transmission, not just in Eimeria but in other Coccidia, including Toxoplasma, where transmission blocking is a relatively unexplored strategy. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12864-015-1298-6) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Robert A Walker
- Queensland Tropical Health Alliance Research Laboratory, Australian Institute of Tropical Health and Medicine, James Cook University, Cairns Campus, McGregor Road, Smithfield, QLD, 4878, Australia. .,Institute of Parasitology, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 266a, CH-8057, Zürich, Switzerland.
| | - Philippa A Sharman
- College of Public Health, Medical and Veterinary Sciences, James Cook University, Cairns Campus, McGregor Road, Smithfield, QLD, 4878, Australia.
| | - Catherine M Miller
- College of Public Health, Medical and Veterinary Sciences, James Cook University, Cairns Campus, McGregor Road, Smithfield, QLD, 4878, Australia.
| | - Christoph Lippuner
- Institute of Parasitology, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 266a, CH-8057, Zürich, Switzerland. .,Department of Farm Animal, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse, CH-8057, Zürich, Switzerland.
| | - Michal Okoniewski
- Functional Genomics Center Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse, CH-8057, Zürich, Switzerland.
| | - Ramon M Eichenberger
- Institute of Parasitology, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 266a, CH-8057, Zürich, Switzerland.
| | - Chandra Ramakrishnan
- Institute of Parasitology, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 266a, CH-8057, Zürich, Switzerland.
| | - Fabien Brossier
- Apicomplexes et Immunité Mucosale, INRA, UMR1282, Infectiologie et Santé Publique, F-37380, Nouzilly, France. .,Université François Rabelais de Tours, UMR1282, Infectiologie et Santé Publique, F-37000, Tours, France.
| | - Peter Deplazes
- Institute of Parasitology, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 266a, CH-8057, Zürich, Switzerland.
| | - Adrian B Hehl
- Institute of Parasitology, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 266a, CH-8057, Zürich, Switzerland.
| | - Nicholas C Smith
- Queensland Tropical Health Alliance Research Laboratory, Australian Institute of Tropical Health and Medicine, James Cook University, Cairns Campus, McGregor Road, Smithfield, QLD, 4878, Australia.
| |
Collapse
|
33
|
Sinden RE. The cell biology of malaria infection of mosquito: advances and opportunities. Cell Microbiol 2015; 17:451-66. [PMID: 25557077 PMCID: PMC4409862 DOI: 10.1111/cmi.12413] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2014] [Revised: 12/12/2014] [Accepted: 12/24/2014] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Recent reviews (Feachem et al.; Alonso et al.) have concluded that in order to have a sustainable impact on the global burden of malaria, it is essential that we knowingly reduce the global incidence of infected persons. To achieve this we must reduce the basic reproductive rate of the parasites to < 1 in diverse epidemiological settings. This can be achieved by impacting combinations of the following parameters: the number of mosquitoes relative to the number of persons, the mosquito/human biting rate, the proportion of mosquitoes carrying infectious sporozoites, the daily survival rate of the infectious mosquito and the ability of malaria-infected persons to infect mosquito vectors. This paper focuses on our understanding of parasite biology underpinning the last of these terms: infection of the mosquito. The article attempts to highlight central issues that require further study to assist in the discovery of useful transmission-blocking measures.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- R E Sinden
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London and the Jenner Institute, The University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| |
Collapse
|
34
|
Teves ME, Sears PR, Li W, Zhang Z, Tang W, van Reesema L, Costanzo RM, Davis CW, Knowles MR, Strauss JF, Zhang Z. Sperm-associated antigen 6 (SPAG6) deficiency and defects in ciliogenesis and cilia function: polarity, density, and beat. PLoS One 2014; 9:e107271. [PMID: 25333478 PMCID: PMC4204823 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0107271] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [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: 01/03/2014] [Accepted: 08/14/2014] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
SPAG6, an axoneme central apparatus protein, is essential for function of ependymal cell cilia and sperm flagella. A significant number of Spag6-deficient mice die with hydrocephalus, and surviving males are sterile because of sperm motility defects. In further exploring the ciliary dysfunction in Spag6-null mice, we discovered that cilia beat frequency was significantly reduced in tracheal epithelial cells, and that the beat was not synchronized. There was also a significant reduction in cilia density in both brain ependymal and trachea epithelial cells, and cilia arrays were disorganized. The orientation of basal feet, which determines the direction of axoneme orientation, was apparently random in Spag6-deficient mice, and there were reduced numbers of basal feet, consistent with reduced cilia density. The polarized epithelial cell morphology and distribution of intracellular mucin, α-tubulin, and the planar cell polarity protein, Vangl2, were lost in Spag6-deficient tracheal epithelial cells. Polarized epithelial cell morphology and polarized distribution of α-tubulin in tracheal epithelial cells was observed in one-week old wild-type mice, but not in the Spag6-deficient mice of the same age. Thus, the cilia and polarity defects appear prior to 7 days post-partum. These findings suggest that SPAG6 not only regulates cilia/flagellar motility, but that in its absence, ciliogenesis, axoneme orientation, and tracheal epithelial cell polarity are altered.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Maria E. Teves
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia, United States of America
| | - Patrick R. Sears
- Cystic Fibrosis Center, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Wei Li
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia, United States of America
| | - Zhengang Zhang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia, United States of America
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Waixing Tang
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Lauren van Reesema
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia, United States of America
| | - Richard M. Costanzo
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia, United States of America
| | - C. William Davis
- Department of Cell & Molecular Physiology of Medicine, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Michael R. Knowles
- Department of Cell & Molecular Physiology of Medicine, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Jerome F. Strauss
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia, United States of America
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia, United States of America
| | - Zhibing Zhang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia, United States of America
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| |
Collapse
|
35
|
Robideau GP, Rodrigue N, André Lévesque C. Codon-based phylogenetics introduces novel flagellar gene markers to oomycete systematics. Mol Phylogenet Evol 2014; 79:279-91. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ympev.2014.04.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2014] [Revised: 04/01/2014] [Accepted: 04/07/2014] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
|
36
|
Talman AM, Prieto JH, Marques S, Ubaida-Mohien C, Lawniczak M, Wass MN, Xu T, Frank R, Ecker A, Stanway RS, Krishna S, Sternberg MJE, Christophides GK, Graham DR, Dinglasan RR, Yates JR, Sinden RE. Proteomic analysis of the Plasmodium male gamete reveals the key role for glycolysis in flagellar motility. Malar J 2014; 13:315. [PMID: 25124718 PMCID: PMC4150949 DOI: 10.1186/1475-2875-13-315] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2014] [Accepted: 07/28/2014] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Gametogenesis and fertilization play crucial roles in malaria transmission. While male gametes are thought to be amongst the simplest eukaryotic cells and are proven targets of transmission blocking immunity, little is known about their molecular organization. For example, the pathway of energy metabolism that power motility, a feature that facilitates gamete encounter and fertilization, is unknown. Methods Plasmodium berghei microgametes were purified and analysed by whole-cell proteomic analysis for the first time. Data are available via ProteomeXchange with identifier PXD001163. Results 615 proteins were recovered, they included all male gamete proteins described thus far. Amongst them were the 11 enzymes of the glycolytic pathway. The hexose transporter was localized to the gamete plasma membrane and it was shown that microgamete motility can be suppressed effectively by inhibitors of this transporter and of the glycolytic pathway. Conclusions This study describes the first whole-cell proteomic analysis of the malaria male gamete. It identifies glycolysis as the likely exclusive source of energy for flagellar beat, and provides new insights in original features of Plasmodium flagellar organization. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/1475-2875-13-315) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Arthur M Talman
- Division of Cell and Molecular Biology, Imperial College, London, UK.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
37
|
Wilson LG, Carter LM, Reece SE. High-speed holographic microscopy of malaria parasites reveals ambidextrous flagellar waveforms. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2013; 110:18769-74. [PMID: 24194551 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1309934110] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Axonemes form the core of eukaryotic flagella and cilia, performing tasks ranging from transporting fluid in developing embryos to the propulsion of sperm. Despite their abundance across the eukaryotic domain, the mechanisms that regulate the beating action of axonemes remain unknown. The flagellar waveforms are 3D in general, but current understanding of how axoneme components interact stems from 2D data; comprehensive measurements of flagellar shape are beyond conventional microscopy. Moreover, current flagellar model systems (e.g., sea urchin, human sperm) contain accessory structures that impose mechanical constraints on movement, obscuring the "native" axoneme behavior. We address both problems by developing a high-speed holographic imaging scheme and applying it to the (male) microgametes of malaria (Plasmodium) parasites. These isolated flagella are a unique, mathematically tractable model system for the physics of microswimmers. We reveal the 3D flagellar waveforms of these microorganisms and map the differential shear between microtubules in their axonemes. Furthermore, we overturn claims that chirality in the structure of the axoneme governs the beat pattern [Hirokawa N, et al. (2009) Ann Rev Fluid Mech 41:53-72], because microgametes display a left- or right-handed character on alternate beats. This breaks the link between structural chirality in the axoneme and larger scale symmetry breaking (e.g., in developing embryos), leading us to conclude that accessory structures play a critical role in shaping the flagellar beat.
Collapse
|
38
|
Abstract
SUMMARYEimeriais a common genus of apicomplexan parasites that infect diverse vertebrates, most notably poultry, causing serious disease and economic loss. Like all apicomplexans, eimerians have a complex life cycle characterized by asexual divisions that amplify the parasite population in preparation for sexual reproduction. This can be divided into three events: gametocytogenesis, producing gametocytes from merozoites; gametogenesis, producing microgametes and macrogametes from gametocytes; and fertilization of macrogametes by microgametes, producing diploid zygotes with ensuing meiosis completing the sexual phase. Sexual development inEimeriadepends on the differential expression of stage-specific genes, rather than presence or absence of sex chromosomes. Thus, it involves the generation of specific structures and, implicitly, storage of proteins and regulation of protein expression in macrogametes, in preparation for fertilization. InEimeria, the formation of a unique, resilient structure, the oocyst wall, is essential for completion of the sexual phase and parasite transmission. In this review, we piece together the molecular events that underpin sexual reproduction inEimeriaand use additional details from analogous events inPlasmodiumto fill current knowledge gaps. The mechanisms governing sexual stage formation and subsequent fertilization may represent targets for counteracting parasite transmission.
Collapse
|
39
|
Abstract
After two decades of stardom, one would think that β-catenin has revealed all of its most intimate details. Yet the essence of its duality has remained mysterious--how can a single protein both be the core link between cadherins and the cytoskeleton, and the nuclear messenger for Wnt signalling? On the basis of the available evidence and on molecular and evolutionary considerations, I propose that β-catenin was a born nuclear transport receptor, which by interacting with adhesion molecules acquired the property to coordinate nuclear functions with cell-cell adhesion. While Wnt signalling diverted this activity, the original pathway might still function in modern eukaryotes.
Collapse
|
40
|
Das S, Basu H, Korde R, Tewari R, Sharma S. Arrest of nuclear division in Plasmodium through blockage of erythrocyte surface exposed ribosomal protein P2. PLoS Pathog 2012; 8:e1002858. [PMID: 22912579 PMCID: PMC3415463 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1002858] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [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: 02/14/2012] [Accepted: 06/27/2012] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Malaria parasites reside inside erythrocytes and the disease manifestations are linked to the growth inside infected erythrocytes (IE). The growth of the parasite is mostly confined to the trophozoite stage during which nuclear division occurs followed by the formation of cell bodies (schizogony). The mechanism and regulation of schizogony are poorly understood. Here we show a novel role for a Plasmodium falciparum 60S stalk ribosomal acidic protein P2 (PfP2) (PFC0400w), which gets exported to the IE surface for 6-8 hrs during early schizogony, starting around 26-28 hrs post-merozoite invasion. The surface exposure is demonstrated using multiple PfP2-specific monoclonal antibodies, and is confirmed through transfection using PfP2-GFP. The IE surface-exposed PfP2-protein occurs mainly as SDS-resistant P2-homo-tetramers. Treatment with anti-PfP2 monoclonals causes arrest of IEs at the first nuclear division. Upon removal of the antibodies, about 80-85% of synchronized parasites can be released even after 24 hrs of antibody treatment. It has been reported that a tubovesicular network (TVN) is set up in early trophozoites which is used for nutrient import. Anti-P2 monoclonal antibodies cause a complete fragmentation of TVN by 36 hrs, and impairs lipid import in IEs. These may be downstream causes for the cell-cycle arrest. Upon antibody removal, the TVN is reconstituted, and the cell division progresses. Each of the above properties is observed in the rodent malaria parasite species P. yoelii and P. berghei. The translocation of the P2 protein to the IE surface is therefore likely to be of fundamental importance in Plasmodium cell division.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sudipta Das
- Department of Biological Sciences, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Mumbai, India
| | - Himanish Basu
- Department of Biological Sciences, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Mumbai, India
| | - Reshma Korde
- Department of Biological Sciences, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Mumbai, India
| | - Rita Tewari
- Centre for Genetics and Genomics, Queen's Medical Centre, The University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom
| | - Shobhona Sharma
- Department of Biological Sciences, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Mumbai, India
- * E-mail:
| |
Collapse
|
41
|
Wass MN, Stanway R, Blagborough AM, Lal K, Prieto JH, Raine D, Sternberg MJ, Talman AM, Tomley F, Yates J 3rd, Sinden RE. Proteomic analysis of Plasmodium in the mosquito: progress and pitfalls. Parasitology 2012; 139:1131-45. [PMID: 22336136 DOI: 10.1017/S0031182012000133] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Here we discuss proteomic analyses of whole cell preparations of the mosquito stages of malaria parasite development (i.e. gametocytes, microgamete, ookinete, oocyst and sporozoite) of Plasmodium berghei. We also include critiques of the proteomes of two cell fractions from the purified ookinete, namely the micronemes and cell surface. Whereas we summarise key biological interpretations of the data, we also try to identify key methodological constraints we have met, only some of which we were able to resolve. Recognising the need to translate the potential of current genome sequencing into functional understanding, we report our efforts to develop more powerful combinations of methods for the in silico prediction of protein function and location. We have applied this analysis to the proteome of the male gamete, a cell whose very simple structural organisation facilitated interpretation of data. Some of the in silico predictions made have now been supported by ongoing protein tagging and genetic knockout studies. We hope this discussion may assist future studies.
Collapse
|
42
|
Affiliation(s)
- David S. Guttery
- Centre for Genetics and Genomics, School of Biology, Queens Medical Centre, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom
| | - Anthony A. Holder
- Division of Parasitology, MRC National Institute for Medical Research, Mill Hill, London, United Kingdom
| | - Rita Tewari
- Centre for Genetics and Genomics, School of Biology, Queens Medical Centre, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom
- * E-mail:
| |
Collapse
|