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Amwoma JG, Kituyi S, Wakoli DM, Ochora DO, Chemwor G, Maisiba R, Okore W, Opot B, Juma D, Muok EM, Garges EC, Egbo TE, Nyabuga FN, Andagalu B, Akala HM. Comparative analysis of peripheral whole blood transcriptome from asymptomatic carriers reveals upregulation of subsets of surface proteins implicated in Plasmodium falciparum phenotypic plasticity. Biochem Biophys Rep 2024; 37:101596. [PMID: 38146350 PMCID: PMC10749222 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrep.2023.101596] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2023] [Revised: 11/17/2023] [Accepted: 11/27/2023] [Indexed: 12/27/2023] Open
Abstract
The molecular mechanism underlying Plasmodium falciparum's persistence in the asymptomatic phase of infection remains largely unknown. However, large-scale shifts in the parasites' gene expression during asymptomatic infections may enhance phenotypic plasticity, maximizing their fitness and leading to the persistence of the asymptomatic infections. To uncover these mechanisms, we aimed to identify parasite genetic factors implicated in asymptomatic infections through whole transcriptome analysis. We analyzed publicly available transcriptome datasets containing asymptomatic malaria (ASM), uncomplicated malaria (SM), and malaria-naïve (NSM) samples from 35 subjects for differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and long noncoding RNAs. Our analysis identified 755 and 1773 DEGs in ASM vs SM and NSM, respectively. These DEGs revealed sets of genes coding for proteins of unknown functions (PUFs) upregulated in ASM vs SM and ASM, suggesting their role in underlying fundamental molecular mechanisms during asymptomatic infections. Upregulated genes in ASM vs SM revealed a subset of 24 clonal variant genes (CVGs) involved in host-parasite and symbiotic interactions and modulation of the symbiont of host erythrocyte aggregation pathways. Moreover, we identified 237 differentially expressed noncoding RNAs in ASM vs SM, of which 11 were found to interact with CVGs, suggesting their possible role in regulating the expression of CVGs. Our results suggest that P. falciparum utilizes phenotypic plasticity as an adaptive mechanism during asymptomatic infections by upregulating clonal variant genes, with long noncoding RNAs possibly playing a crucial role in their regulation. Thus, our study provides insights into the parasites' genetic factors that confer a fitness advantage during asymptomatic infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph G. Amwoma
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Embu, Kenya
- United States Army Medical Research Directorate-Africa (USAMRD-A), Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI), Kisumu, Kenya
| | - Sarah Kituyi
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Embu, Kenya
- Forgarty International Center of the National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Dancan M. Wakoli
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Egerton University, Kenya
| | - Douglas O. Ochora
- Department of Biological Sciences, School of Pure and Applied Sciences, Kisii University, Kenya
- DSI/NWU, Preclinical Drug Development Platform, Faculty of Health Sciences, North-West University, Potchefstroom, South Africa
| | - Gladys Chemwor
- United States Army Medical Research Directorate-Africa (USAMRD-A), Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI), Kisumu, Kenya
| | - Risper Maisiba
- United States Army Medical Research Directorate-Africa (USAMRD-A), Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI), Kisumu, Kenya
| | - Winnie Okore
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Technology, Maseno University, Kenya
| | - Benjamin Opot
- United States Army Medical Research Directorate-Africa (USAMRD-A), Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI), Kisumu, Kenya
| | - Dennis Juma
- United States Army Medical Research Directorate-Africa (USAMRD-A), Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI), Kisumu, Kenya
| | - Eric M.O. Muok
- Center for Global Health Research, Kenya Medical Research Institute, Kisumu, Kenya
| | - Eric C. Garges
- United States Army Medical Research Directorate-Africa (USAMRD-A), Kenya
| | - Timothy E. Egbo
- United States Army Medical Research Directorate-Africa (USAMRD-A), Kenya
| | | | - Ben Andagalu
- United States Army Medical Research Directorate-Africa (USAMRD-A), Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI), Kisumu, Kenya
| | - Hoseah M. Akala
- United States Army Medical Research Directorate-Africa (USAMRD-A), Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI), Kisumu, Kenya
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Kiplimo D, Mugweru J, Kituyi S, Kipnyargis A, Mwirichia R. Diversity of esterase and lipase producing haloalkaliphilic bacteria from Lake Magadi in Kenya. J Basic Microbiol 2019; 59:1173-1184. [PMID: 31621083 DOI: 10.1002/jobm.201900353] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [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: 07/03/2019] [Revised: 09/11/2019] [Accepted: 09/29/2019] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
Lipids are hydrocarbons comprised of long-chain fatty acids and are found in all living things. In the environment, microorganisms degrade them to obtain energy using esterases and lipases. These enzymes are nowadays used in different industrial applications. We report isolation of 24 bacteria with esteresic and lipolytic activity from Lake Magadi, Kenya. The isolates were characterised using morphological, biochemical, and molecular methods. Isolates grew at an optimum salt concentration of 5-8% (w/v), pH range of 8.0-9.0, and temperature range of 35-40°C. The isolates were positive for esterase and lipase assay as well as other extracellular enzymes. Phylogenetic analysis of the 16S ribosomal RNA gene showed that the isolates were affiliated to the genus Bacillus, Alkalibacterium, Staphylococcus, Micrococcus, Halomonas, and Alkalilimnicola. None of the bacterial isolates produced antimicrobial agents, and all of them were resistant to trimethoprim and nalidixic acid but susceptible to streptomycin, amoxillin, chloramphenicol, and cefotaxime. Growth at elevated pH, salt, and temperature is an indicator that the enzymes from these organisms could function well under haloalkaline conditions. Therefore, Lake Magadi could be a good source of isolates with the potential to produce unique biocatalysts for the biotechnology industry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Denis Kiplimo
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Embu, Embu, Kenya
| | - Julius Mugweru
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Embu, Embu, Kenya
| | - Sarah Kituyi
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Embu, Embu, Kenya
| | - Alex Kipnyargis
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Embu, Embu, Kenya
| | - Romano Mwirichia
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Embu, Embu, Kenya
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