1
|
Camicia F, Vaca HR, Guarnaschelli I, Koziol U, Mortensen OV, Fontana ACK. Molecular characterization of the serotonergic transporter from the cestode Echinococcus granulosus: pharmacology and potential role in the nervous system. Parasitol Res 2022; 121:1329-1343. [PMID: 35169884 PMCID: PMC9487190 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-022-07466-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2021] [Accepted: 02/08/2022] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
Echinococcus granulosus, the etiological agent of human cystic echinococcosis (formerly known as hydatid disease), represents a serious worldwide public health problem with limited treatment options. The essential role played by the neuromuscular system in parasite survival and the relevance of serotonin (5-HT) in parasite movement and development make the serotonergic system an attractive source of drug targets. In this study, we cloned and sequenced a cDNA coding for the serotonin transporter from E. granulosus (EgSERT). Bioinformatic analyses suggest that EgSERT has twelve transmembrane domains with highly conserved ligand and ionic binding sites but a less conserved allosteric site compared with the human orthologue (HsSERT). Modeling studies also suggest a good degree of conservation of the overall structure compared with HsSERT. Functional and pharmacological studies performed on the cloned EgSERT confirm that this protein is indeed a serotonin transporter. EgSERT is specific for 5-HT and does not transport other neurotransmitters. Typical monoamine transport inhibitors also displayed inhibitory activities towards EgSERT, but with lower affinity than for the human SERT (HsSERT), suggesting a high divergence of the cestode transporter compared with HsSERT. In situ hybridization studies performed in the larval protoscolex stage suggest that EgSERT is located in discrete regions that are compatible with the major ganglia of the serotonergic nervous system. The pharmacological properties, the amino acidic substitutions at important functional regions compared with the HsSERT, and the putative role of EgSERT in the nervous system suggest that it could be an important target for pharmacological intervention.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Federico Camicia
- Laboratorio de Toxinopatología, Centro de Patología Experimental y Aplicada, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Buenos Aires (UBA), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Hugo R Vaca
- Departamento de Microbiología, Parasitología e Inmunología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Buenos Aires (UBA), Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina.,Universidad de Buenos Aires (UBA), CONICET, Instituto de Investigaciones en Microbiología y Parasitología Médica (IMPaM), Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Ines Guarnaschelli
- Sección Biología Celular, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Uriel Koziol
- Sección Biología Celular, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Ole V Mortensen
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, 19102, USA
| | - Andreia C K Fontana
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, 19102, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Vaca HR, Celentano AM, Toscanini MA, Hauser AT, Macchiaroli N, Cuestas ML, Nusblat AD, Sippl W, Elissondo MC, Jung M, Camicia F, Rosenzvit MC. Identification and characterization of sirtuin enzymes in cestodes and evaluation of sirtuin inhibitors as new cestocidal molecules. Int J Parasitol 2022; 52:317-329. [PMID: 35150663 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpara.2021.12.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2021] [Revised: 12/14/2021] [Accepted: 12/14/2021] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
Anti-parasitic treatment of neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) caused by cestodes such as echinococcosis and cysticercosis relies on a small number of approved anthelmintic drugs. Furthermore, the treatment is usually prolonged and often partially effective and not well tolerated by some patients. Therefore, the identification of novel drug targets and their associated compounds is critical. In this study, we identified and characterized sirtuin (SIRT) enzymes in cestodes and evaluated the cestocidal potential of SIRT inhibitors. SIRTs are a highly conserved family of nicotinamide-adenine dinucleotide (NAD+)-lysine deacylases involved in multiple cellular functions. Here, we described the full repertoire of SIRT-encoding genes in several cestode species. We identified six SIRT-encoding genes that were classified into SIRTs Class I (SIRT1, SIRT2, and SIRT3), Class III (SIRT5), and Class IV (SIRT6 and SIRT7). In Echinococcus spp., SIRT genes showed transcriptional expression throughout several developmental stages, SIRT2 being the most expressed. To evaluate the potential of SIRT inhibitors as new cestocidal molecules, we determined the in vitro effect of several Class I SIRT inhibitors by motility assay. Of those, the selective SIRT2 inhibitor Mz25 showed a strong cestocidal activity in Mesocestoides vogae (syn. Mesocestoides corti) tetrathyridia at various concentrations. The Mz25 cestocidal activity was time- and dose-dependent with a half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) value significantly lower than that of albendazole. Additionally, Mz25 induced extensive damage in the general morphology with marked alterations in the tegument and ultrastructural features. By homology modeling, we found that cestode SIRT2s showed a high conservation of the canonical SIRT structure as well as in the residues related to Mz25 binding. Interestingly, some non-conservative mutations were found on the selectivity pocket (an Mz25-induced structural rearrangement on the active site), which represent a promising lead for developing selective cestode SIRT2 inhibitors derived from Mz25. Nevertheless, the Mz25 molecular target in M. vogae is unknown and remains to be determined. This report provides the basis for further studies of SIRTs to understand their roles in cestode biology and to develop selective SIRT inhibitors to treat these parasitic NTDs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hugo Rolando Vaca
- Departamento de Microbiología, Parasitología e Inmunología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Buenos Aires (UBA), Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina; Universidad de Buenos Aires (UBA), CONICET, Instituto de Investigaciones en Microbiología y Parasitología Médica (IMPaM), Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Ana María Celentano
- Departamento de Microbiología, Parasitología e Inmunología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Buenos Aires (UBA), Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina; Universidad de Buenos Aires (UBA), CONICET, Instituto de Investigaciones en Microbiología y Parasitología Médica (IMPaM), Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - María Agustina Toscanini
- Departamento de Microbiología, Parasitología e Inmunología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Buenos Aires (UBA), Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina; Universidad de Buenos Aires (UBA), CONICET, Instituto de Investigaciones en Microbiología y Parasitología Médica (IMPaM), Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina; Universidad de Buenos Aires (UBA), CONICET, Instituto de Nanobiotecnología (NANOBIOTEC), Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | | | - Natalia Macchiaroli
- Laboratorio de Genómica y Bioinformática de Patógenos, Instituto de Biociencias, Biotecnología y Biología Traslacional (iB3), Departamento de Fisiología y Biología Molecular y Celular, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Buenos Aires (UBA), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - María Luján Cuestas
- Departamento de Microbiología, Parasitología e Inmunología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Buenos Aires (UBA), Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina; Universidad de Buenos Aires (UBA), CONICET, Instituto de Investigaciones en Microbiología y Parasitología Médica (IMPaM), Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Alejandro David Nusblat
- Universidad de Buenos Aires (UBA), CONICET, Instituto de Nanobiotecnología (NANOBIOTEC), Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Wolfgang Sippl
- Institute of Pharmacy, Martin-Luther-University of Halle-Wittenberg, Halle(Saale), Germany
| | - María Celina Elissondo
- Instituto de Investigaciones en Producción Sanidad y Ambiente (IIPROSAM CONICET-UNMdP), Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales - UNMdP, Centro Científico Tecnológico Mar del Plata - CONICET, Centro de Asociación Simple CIC PBA, Mar del Plata, Argentina; Laboratorio de Zoonosis Parasitarias, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata, Mar del Plata, Argentina
| | - Manfred Jung
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Federico Camicia
- Laboratorio de Toxinopatología, Centro de Patología Experimental y Aplicada, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Buenos Aires (UBA), Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina.
| | - Mara Cecilia Rosenzvit
- Departamento de Microbiología, Parasitología e Inmunología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Buenos Aires (UBA), Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina; Universidad de Buenos Aires (UBA), CONICET, Instituto de Investigaciones en Microbiología y Parasitología Médica (IMPaM), Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Vaca HR, Celentano AM, Toscanini MA, Heimburg T, Ghazy E, Zeyen P, Hauser AT, Oliveira G, Elissondo MC, Jung M, Sippl W, Camicia F, Rosenzvit MC. The potential for histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors as cestocidal drugs. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2021; 15:e0009226. [PMID: 33657105 PMCID: PMC7959350 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0009226] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [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: 07/20/2020] [Revised: 03/15/2021] [Accepted: 02/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Echinococcosis and cysticercosis are neglected tropical diseases caused by cestode parasites (family Taeniidae). Not only there is a small number of approved anthelmintics for the treatment of these cestodiases, but also some of them are not highly effective against larval stages, such that identifying novel drug targets and their associated compounds is critical. Histone deacetylase (HDAC) enzymes are validated drug targets in cancers and other diseases, and have been gaining relevance for developing new potential anti-parasitic treatments in the last years. Here, we present the anthelmintic profile for a panel of recently developed HDAC inhibitors against the model cestode Mesocestoides vogae (syn. M. corti). Methodology/Principal findings Phenotypic screening was performed on M. vogae by motility measurements and optical microscopic observations. Some HDAC inhibitors showed potent anthelmintic activities; three of them -entinostat, TH65, and TH92- had pronounced anthelmintic effects, reducing parasite viability by ~100% at concentrations of ≤ 20 μM. These compounds were selected for further characterization and showed anthelmintic effects in the micromolar range and in a time- and dose-dependent manner. Moreover, these compounds induced major alterations on the morphology and ultrastructural features of M. vogae. The potencies of these compounds were higher than albendazole and the anthelmintic effects were irreversible. Additionally, we evaluated pairwise drug combinations of these HDAC inhibitors and albendazole. The results suggested a positive interaction in the anthelmintic effect for individual pairs of compounds. Due to the maximum dose approved for entinostat, adjustments in the dose regime and/or combinations with currently-used anthelmintic drugs are needed, and the selectivity of TH65 and TH92 towards parasite targets should be assessed. Conclusion, significance The results presented here suggest that HDAC inhibitors represent novel and potent drug candidates against cestodes and pave the way to understanding the roles of HDACs in these parasites. Neglected tropical diseases, such as echinococcosis and cysticercosis, which are caused by taeniid cestodes (tapeworms), represent serious public health problems in many countries around the world. Given that there is only a small number of approved anthelmintics for the treatment of cestodiases, and that most of them are not highly effective against larval stages, identifying novel drug targets and their associated compounds is critical. Histone deacetylases (HDACs) are enzymes that produce epigenetic modifications of chromatin, thus modifying cellular gene expression. In this study, we evaluate and characterize a number of HDAC inhibitors on the model cestode Mesocestoides vogae and report the anthelmintic profile of these compounds. Some of the HDAC inhibitors tested showed potent anthelmintic effects, particularly entinostat, TH65 and TH92. These compounds were selected as the most promising candidates due to their high potencies, which were superior to the commercially-available anthelmintic drug albendazole. We also evaluated pairwise drug combinations of HDAC inhibitors and albendazole. The findings of this study provide a starting point for the development of new HDAC-based cestocidal compounds.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hugo Rolando Vaca
- Instituto de Microbiología y Parasitología Médica, Universidad de Buenos Aires-Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Tecnológicas (IMPaM, UBA-CONICET). Facultad de Medicina, Paraguay 2155, piso 13, C1121ABG, Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Laboratorio de Zoonosis Parasitarias, Instituto de Investigaciones en Producción, Sanidad y Ambiente (IIPROSAM), Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales (FCEyN), Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata (UNMdP), Mar del Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina; Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Ana María Celentano
- Instituto de Microbiología y Parasitología Médica, Universidad de Buenos Aires-Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Tecnológicas (IMPaM, UBA-CONICET). Facultad de Medicina, Paraguay 2155, piso 13, C1121ABG, Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Departamento de Microbiología, Parasitología e Inmunología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Buenos Aires (UBA), Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - María Agustina Toscanini
- Instituto de Microbiología y Parasitología Médica, Universidad de Buenos Aires-Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Tecnológicas (IMPaM, UBA-CONICET). Facultad de Medicina, Paraguay 2155, piso 13, C1121ABG, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Tino Heimburg
- Institute of Pharmacy, Martin-Luther-University of Halle-Wittenberg, Halle(Saale), Germany
| | - Ehab Ghazy
- Institute of Pharmacy, Martin-Luther-University of Halle-Wittenberg, Halle(Saale), Germany
| | - Patrik Zeyen
- Institute of Pharmacy, Martin-Luther-University of Halle-Wittenberg, Halle(Saale), Germany
| | | | | | - María Celina Elissondo
- Laboratorio de Zoonosis Parasitarias, Instituto de Investigaciones en Producción, Sanidad y Ambiente (IIPROSAM), Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales (FCEyN), Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata (UNMdP), Mar del Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina; Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Manfred Jung
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Wolfgang Sippl
- Institute of Pharmacy, Martin-Luther-University of Halle-Wittenberg, Halle(Saale), Germany
| | - Federico Camicia
- Instituto de Microbiología y Parasitología Médica, Universidad de Buenos Aires-Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Tecnológicas (IMPaM, UBA-CONICET). Facultad de Medicina, Paraguay 2155, piso 13, C1121ABG, Buenos Aires, Argentina
- * E-mail: (FC); (MCR)
| | - Mara Cecilia Rosenzvit
- Instituto de Microbiología y Parasitología Médica, Universidad de Buenos Aires-Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Tecnológicas (IMPaM, UBA-CONICET). Facultad de Medicina, Paraguay 2155, piso 13, C1121ABG, Buenos Aires, Argentina
- * E-mail: (FC); (MCR)
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Vaca HR, Celentano AM, Macchiaroli N, Kamenetzky L, Camicia F, Rosenzvit MC. Histone deacetylase enzymes as potential drug targets of Neglected Tropical Diseases caused by cestodes. Int J Parasitol Drugs Drug Resist 2019; 9:120-132. [PMID: 30897528 PMCID: PMC6426703 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpddr.2019.02.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [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: 12/14/2018] [Revised: 02/14/2019] [Accepted: 02/18/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Cestode parasites cause neglected diseases, such as echinococcosis and cysticercosis, which represent a significant problem in human and animal health. Benzimidazoles and praziquantel are the only available drugs for chemotherapy and it is therefore important to identify new alternative drugs against cestode parasites. Histone deacetylases (HDACs) are validated drug targets for the treatment of cancer and other diseases, including neglected diseases. However, knowledge of HDACs in cestodes is very scarce. In this work, we investigated cestode HDACs as potential drug targets to develop new therapies against neglected diseases caused by cestodes. Here we showed the full repertoire of HDAC coding genes in several members of the class Cestoda. Between 6 and 7 zinc-dependent HDAC coding genes were identified in the genomes of species from Echinococcus, Taenia, Mesocestoides and Hymenolepis genera. We classified them as Class I and II HDACs and analyzed their transcriptional expression levels throughout developmental stages of Echinococcus spp. We confirmed for the first time the complete HDAC8 nucleotide sequences from Echinococcus canadensis G7 and Mesocestoides corti. Homology models for these proteins showed particular structural features which differentiate them from HDAC8 from Homo sapiens. Furthermore, we showed that Trichostatin A (TSA), a pan-HDAC inhibitor, decreases the viability of M. corti, alters its tegument and morphology and produces an increment of the total amount of acetylated proteins, including acetylated histone H4. These results suggest that HDAC from cestodes are functional and might play important roles on survival and development. The particular structural features observed in cestode HDAC8 proteins suggest that these enzymes could be selectively targeted. This report provides the basis for further studies on cestode HDAC enzymes and for discovery of new HDAC inhibitors for the treatment of neglected diseases caused by cestode parasites.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hugo R Vaca
- Instituto de Investigaciones en Microbiología y Parasitología Médica (IMPaM, UBA-CONICET), Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Buenos Aires (UBA), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Piso 13, Paraguay 2155, CP1121, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Ana M Celentano
- Instituto de Investigaciones en Microbiología y Parasitología Médica (IMPaM, UBA-CONICET), Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Buenos Aires (UBA), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Piso 13, Paraguay 2155, CP1121, Buenos Aires, Argentina; Departamento de Microbiología, Parasitología e Inmunología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Buenos Aires (UBA), Piso 13, Paraguay 2155, CP1121, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Natalia Macchiaroli
- Instituto de Investigaciones en Microbiología y Parasitología Médica (IMPaM, UBA-CONICET), Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Buenos Aires (UBA), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Piso 13, Paraguay 2155, CP1121, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Laura Kamenetzky
- Instituto de Investigaciones en Microbiología y Parasitología Médica (IMPaM, UBA-CONICET), Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Buenos Aires (UBA), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Piso 13, Paraguay 2155, CP1121, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Federico Camicia
- Instituto de Investigaciones en Microbiología y Parasitología Médica (IMPaM, UBA-CONICET), Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Buenos Aires (UBA), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Piso 13, Paraguay 2155, CP1121, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
| | - Mara C Rosenzvit
- Instituto de Investigaciones en Microbiología y Parasitología Médica (IMPaM, UBA-CONICET), Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Buenos Aires (UBA), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Piso 13, Paraguay 2155, CP1121, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Camicia F, Celentano AM, Johns ME, Chan JD, Maldonado L, Vaca H, Di Siervi N, Kamentezky L, Gamo AM, Ortega-Gutierrez S, Martin-Fontecha M, Davio C, Marchant JS, Rosenzvit MC. Unique pharmacological properties of serotoninergic G-protein coupled receptors from cestodes. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2018; 12:e0006267. [PMID: 29425245 PMCID: PMC5823469 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0006267] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [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: 10/31/2017] [Revised: 02/22/2018] [Accepted: 01/24/2018] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Cestodes are a diverse group of parasites, some of them being agents of neglected diseases. In cestodes, little is known about the functional properties of G protein coupled receptors (GPCRs) which have proved to be highly druggable targets in other organisms. Notably, serotoninergic G-protein coupled receptors (5-HT GPCRs) play major roles in key functions like movement, development and reproduction in parasites. Methodology/Principal findings Three 5-HT GPCRs from Echinococcus granulosus and Mesocestoides corti were cloned, sequenced, bioinformatically analyzed and functionally characterized. Multiple sequence alignment with other GPCRs showed the presence of seven transmembrane segments and conserved motifs but interesting differences were also observed. Phylogenetic analysis grouped these new sequences within the 5-HT7 clade of GPCRs. Molecular modeling showed a striking resemblance in the spatial localization of key residues with their mammalian counterparts. Expression analysis using available RNAseq data showed that both E. granulosus sequences are expressed in larval and adult stages. Localization studies performed in E. granulosus larvae with a fluorescent probe produced a punctiform pattern concentrated in suckers. E. granulosus and M. corti larvae showed an increase in motility in response to serotonin. Heterologous expression revealed elevated levels of cAMP production in response to 5-HT and two of the GPCRs showed extremely high sensitivity to 5-HT (picomolar range). While each of these GPCRs was activated by 5-HT, they exhibit distinct pharmacological properties (5-HT sensitivity, differential responsiveness to ligands). Conclusions/Significance These data provide the first functional report of GPCRs in parasitic cestodes. The serotoninergic GPCRs characterized here may represent novel druggable targets for antiparasitic intervention. Cestode parasites are flatworms with the ability to parasitize almost every vertebrate species. Several of these parasites are etiological agents of neglected diseases prioritized by WHO, such as hydatid disease, or hydatidosis, a zoonosis caused by species of the genus Echinococcus that affects millions of people worldwide. Due to the scarcity of anthelmintic drugs available and the emergence of resistant parasites, the discovery of new anthelmintic drugs is mandatory. Neuromuscular function has been the target of commonly used drugs against parasitic diseases to impact movement, parasite development and reproduction. Here we describe three new proteins, some of them highly expressed in cestodes which could be relevant for motility. Using different approaches, the three proteins were identified as G protein coupled receptors for serotonin, an important neurotransmitter and a known modulator of cestode motility. These new receptors exhibit unique characteristics including a particular sensitivity to serotonin as well as a distinctive pharmacology, which will assist their targeting for chemotherapeutic intervention.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Federico Camicia
- Universidad de Buenos Aires, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, Instituto de Investigaciones en Microbiología y Parasitología Médica (IMPAM-UBA-CONICET), Facultad de Medicina, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Ana M. Celentano
- Universidad de Buenos Aires, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, Instituto de Investigaciones en Microbiología y Parasitología Médica (IMPAM-UBA-CONICET), Facultad de Medicina, Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Universidad de Buenos Aires, Facultad de Medicina, Departamento de Microbiología, Parasitología e Inmunología, Paraguay, CABA, Argentina
| | - Malcolm E. Johns
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States of America
| | - John D. Chan
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa, United States of America
| | - Lucas Maldonado
- Universidad de Buenos Aires, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, Instituto de Investigaciones en Microbiología y Parasitología Médica (IMPAM-UBA-CONICET), Facultad de Medicina, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Hugo Vaca
- Universidad de Buenos Aires, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, Instituto de Investigaciones en Microbiología y Parasitología Médica (IMPAM-UBA-CONICET), Facultad de Medicina, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Nicolás Di Siervi
- Universidad de Buenos Aires, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, Instituto de Investigaciones Farmacológicas (ININFA-UBA-CONICET), Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Laura Kamentezky
- Universidad de Buenos Aires, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, Instituto de Investigaciones en Microbiología y Parasitología Médica (IMPAM-UBA-CONICET), Facultad de Medicina, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Ana M. Gamo
- Departamento de Química Orgánica I, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Silvia Ortega-Gutierrez
- Departamento de Química Orgánica I, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Mar Martin-Fontecha
- Departamento de Química Orgánica I, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Carlos Davio
- Universidad de Buenos Aires, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, Instituto de Investigaciones Farmacológicas (ININFA-UBA-CONICET), Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Jonathan S. Marchant
- Department of Cell Biology, Neurobiology & Anatomy; Medical College of Wisconsin; Watertown Plank Road; Milwaukee; WI; United States of America
- * E-mail: (MCR); (JSM)
| | - Mara C. Rosenzvit
- Universidad de Buenos Aires, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, Instituto de Investigaciones en Microbiología y Parasitología Médica (IMPAM-UBA-CONICET), Facultad de Medicina, Buenos Aires, Argentina
- * E-mail: (MCR); (JSM)
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Arrabal JP, Avila HG, Rivero MR, Camicia F, Salas MM, Costa SA, Nocera CG, Rosenzvit MC, Kamenetzky L. Echinococcus oligarthrus in the subtropical region of Argentina: First integration of morphological and molecular analyses determines two distinct populations. Vet Parasitol 2017; 240:60-67. [PMID: 28433410 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2017.03.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2016] [Revised: 03/22/2017] [Accepted: 03/23/2017] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Echinococcosis is a parasitic zoonosis that is considered as a neglected disease by the World Health Organization. The species Echinococcus oligarthrus is one of the causative agents of Neotropical echinococcosis, which is a poorly understood disease that requires a complex medical examination, may threaten human life, and is frequently associated with a low socioeconomic status. Morphological and genetic diversity in E. oligarthrus remains unknown. The aim of this work is to identify and characterize E. oligarthrus infections in sylvatic animals from the Upper Paraná Atlantic Forest in the province of Misiones, Argentina, by following an integrative approach that links morphological, genetic and ecological aspects. This study demonstrates, for the first time, one of the complete life cycles of E. oligarthrus in an important ecoregion. The Upper Paraná Atlantic Forest constitutes the largest remnant continuous forest of the Atlantic Forest, representing 7% of the world's biodiversity. This is the first molecular determination of E. oligarthrus in Argentina. In addition, the agouti (Dasyprocta azarae), the ocelot (Leopardus pardalis) and the puma (Puma concolor) were identified as sylvatic hosts of Neotropical echinococcosis caused by E. oligarthrus. Mitochondrial and nuclear molecular marker analyses showed a high genetic diversity in E. oligarthrus. Moreover, the genetic distance found among E. oligarthrus isolates is higher than the one observed among Echinococcus granulosus genotypes, which clearly indicates that there are at least two different E. oligarthrus populations in Argentina. This study provides valuable information to understand the underlying conditions that favour the maintenance of E. oligarthrus in sylvatic cycles and to evaluate its zoonotic significance for devising preventive measures for human and animal wellbeing.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Juan Pablo Arrabal
- INMet, Instituto Nacional de Medicina Tropical, Neuquén y Jujuy s/n (3370), Puerto Iguazú, Misiones, Argentina
| | - Hector Gabriel Avila
- IMPAM-UBA-CONICET, Instituto de Investigaciones en Microbiología y Parasitología Médica, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Paraguay 2155, piso 13 (1121), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Maria Romina Rivero
- INMet, Instituto Nacional de Medicina Tropical, Neuquén y Jujuy s/n (3370), Puerto Iguazú, Misiones, Argentina
| | - Federico Camicia
- IMPAM-UBA-CONICET, Instituto de Investigaciones en Microbiología y Parasitología Médica, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Paraguay 2155, piso 13 (1121), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Martin Miguel Salas
- INMet, Instituto Nacional de Medicina Tropical, Neuquén y Jujuy s/n (3370), Puerto Iguazú, Misiones, Argentina
| | - Sebastián A Costa
- INMet, Instituto Nacional de Medicina Tropical, Neuquén y Jujuy s/n (3370), Puerto Iguazú, Misiones, Argentina
| | - Carlos G Nocera
- Histomarket Laboratorios, Lautaro 361 (1406), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Mara C Rosenzvit
- IMPAM-UBA-CONICET, Instituto de Investigaciones en Microbiología y Parasitología Médica, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Paraguay 2155, piso 13 (1121), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Laura Kamenetzky
- IMPAM-UBA-CONICET, Instituto de Investigaciones en Microbiología y Parasitología Médica, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Paraguay 2155, piso 13 (1121), Buenos Aires, Argentina.
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Maldonado LL, Assis J, Araújo FMG, Salim ACM, Macchiaroli N, Cucher M, Camicia F, Fox A, Rosenzvit M, Oliveira G, Kamenetzky L. The Echinococcus canadensis (G7) genome: a key knowledge of parasitic platyhelminth human diseases. BMC Genomics 2017; 18:204. [PMID: 28241794 PMCID: PMC5327563 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-017-3574-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [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: 05/21/2016] [Accepted: 02/09/2017] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The parasite Echinococcus canadensis (G7) (phylum Platyhelminthes, class Cestoda) is one of the causative agents of echinococcosis. Echinococcosis is a worldwide chronic zoonosis affecting humans as well as domestic and wild mammals, which has been reported as a prioritized neglected disease by the World Health Organisation. No genomic data, comparative genomic analyses or efficient therapeutic and diagnostic tools are available for this severe disease. The information presented in this study will help to understand the peculiar biological characters and to design species-specific control tools. RESULTS We sequenced, assembled and annotated the 115-Mb genome of E. canadensis (G7). Comparative genomic analyses using whole genome data of three Echinococcus species not only confirmed the status of E. canadensis (G7) as a separate species but also demonstrated a high nucleotide sequences divergence in relation to E. granulosus (G1). The E. canadensis (G7) genome contains 11,449 genes with a core set of 881 orthologs shared among five cestode species. Comparative genomics revealed that there are more single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) between E. canadensis (G7) and E. granulosus (G1) than between E. canadensis (G7) and E. multilocularis. This result was unexpected since E. canadensis (G7) and E. granulosus (G1) were considered to belong to the species complex E. granulosus sensu lato. We described SNPs in known drug targets and metabolism genes in the E. canadensis (G7) genome. Regarding gene regulation, we analysed three particular features: CpG island distribution along the three Echinococcus genomes, DNA methylation system and small RNA pathway. The results suggest the occurrence of yet unknown gene regulation mechanisms in Echinococcus. CONCLUSIONS This is the first work that addresses Echinococcus comparative genomics. The resources presented here will promote the study of mechanisms of parasite development as well as new tools for drug discovery. The availability of a high-quality genome assembly is critical for fully exploring the biology of a pathogenic organism. The E. canadensis (G7) genome presented in this study provides a unique opportunity to address the genetic diversity among the genus Echinococcus and its particular developmental features. At present, there is no unequivocal taxonomic classification of Echinococcus species; however, the genome-wide SNPs analysis performed here revealed the phylogenetic distance among these three Echinococcus species. Additional cestode genomes need to be sequenced to be able to resolve their phylogeny.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lucas L. Maldonado
- IMPaM, CONICET, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Juliana Assis
- Genomics and Computational Biology Group, René Rachou Research Center, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Flávio M. Gomes Araújo
- Genomics and Computational Biology Group, René Rachou Research Center, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Anna C. M. Salim
- Genomics and Computational Biology Group, René Rachou Research Center, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Natalia Macchiaroli
- IMPaM, CONICET, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Marcela Cucher
- IMPaM, CONICET, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Federico Camicia
- IMPaM, CONICET, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Adolfo Fox
- IMPaM, CONICET, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Mara Rosenzvit
- IMPaM, CONICET, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Guilherme Oliveira
- Genomics and Computational Biology Group, René Rachou Research Center, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
- Instituto Tecnológico Vale, Belém, Brazil
| | - Laura Kamenetzky
- IMPaM, CONICET, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Cucher MA, Macchiaroli N, Baldi G, Camicia F, Prada L, Maldonado L, Avila HG, Fox A, Gutiérrez A, Negro P, López R, Jensen O, Rosenzvit M, Kamenetzky L. Cystic echinococcosis in South America: systematic review of species and genotypes ofEchinococcus granulosus sensu latoin humans and natural domestic hosts. Trop Med Int Health 2015; 21:166-75. [DOI: 10.1111/tmi.12647] [Citation(s) in RCA: 93] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Marcela Alejandra Cucher
- Instituto de Investigaciones en Microbiología y Parasitología Médica (IMPaM); Universidad de Buenos Aires (UBA)-Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Tecnológicas (CONICET); Buenos Aires Argentina
| | - Natalia Macchiaroli
- Instituto de Investigaciones en Microbiología y Parasitología Médica (IMPaM); Universidad de Buenos Aires (UBA)-Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Tecnológicas (CONICET); Buenos Aires Argentina
| | - Germán Baldi
- Estudios Ambientales; Instituto de Matemática Aplicada de San Luis UNSL-CONICET; San Luis Argentina
| | - Federico Camicia
- Instituto de Investigaciones en Microbiología y Parasitología Médica (IMPaM); Universidad de Buenos Aires (UBA)-Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Tecnológicas (CONICET); Buenos Aires Argentina
| | - Laura Prada
- Instituto de Investigaciones en Microbiología y Parasitología Médica (IMPaM); Universidad de Buenos Aires (UBA)-Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Tecnológicas (CONICET); Buenos Aires Argentina
| | - Lucas Maldonado
- Instituto de Investigaciones en Microbiología y Parasitología Médica (IMPaM); Universidad de Buenos Aires (UBA)-Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Tecnológicas (CONICET); Buenos Aires Argentina
| | - Héctor Gabriel Avila
- Instituto de Investigaciones en Microbiología y Parasitología Médica (IMPaM); Universidad de Buenos Aires (UBA)-Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Tecnológicas (CONICET); Buenos Aires Argentina
- Centro de Investigación en Zoonosis; Ministerio de Salud Ministerio de Desarrollo Territorial y Sectores Productivos; Chubut Argentina
| | | | - Ariana Gutiérrez
- ANLIS-“Dr Carlos G Malbrán” Instituto Nacional de Enfermedades Infecciosas; Buenos Aires Argentina
| | - Perla Negro
- Parasitología y Enfermedades Parasitarias; Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias; Universidad Nacional de Rosario; Santa Fe Argentina
| | - Raúl López
- División Zoonosis; Ministerio de Salud y Acción Social; Catamarca Argentina
| | - Oscar Jensen
- Centro de Investigación en Zoonosis; Ministerio de Salud Ministerio de Desarrollo Territorial y Sectores Productivos; Chubut Argentina
| | - Mara Rosenzvit
- Instituto de Investigaciones en Microbiología y Parasitología Médica (IMPaM); Universidad de Buenos Aires (UBA)-Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Tecnológicas (CONICET); Buenos Aires Argentina
| | - Laura Kamenetzky
- Instituto de Investigaciones en Microbiología y Parasitología Médica (IMPaM); Universidad de Buenos Aires (UBA)-Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Tecnológicas (CONICET); Buenos Aires Argentina
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Camicia F, Herz M, Prada L, Kamenetzky L, Simonetta S, Cucher M, Bianchi J, Fernández C, Brehm K, Rosenzvit M. The nervous and prenervous roles of serotonin in Echinococcus spp. Int J Parasitol 2013; 43:647-59. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpara.2013.03.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2013] [Revised: 03/14/2013] [Accepted: 03/17/2013] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
|
10
|
Vizcaychipi KA, Sosa S, Camicia F, Santillán G, Casalins M, Nigro MDC. [Retroperitoneal hydatidosis secondary to hepatic hydatid cyst]. Rev Argent Microbiol 2012; 44:278-282. [PMID: 23267626] [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] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Hydatid disease is a worldwide zoonosis. It is caused by a parasitic platyhelminth of the genus Echinococcus. We present a patient with a fluctuating lumbar tumor in the retroperitoneal space, secondary to a hepatic cyst. the initial diagnosis was made by identification of rostellar hooks from protoscoleces in the fluid aspirated from the abscess. We herein describe the clinical manifestations, diagnosis and medical and surgical treatment of this unusual case and conclude that the development of an accurate diagnosis requires a proper analysis of the patient's epidemiological history, clinical manifestations, imaging studies and laboratory tests. a multidisciplinary approach and differential diagnosis is paramount to be able to establish a cause of the disease to deliver appropriate treatment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Katherina A Vizcaychipi
- Departamento de Parasitología, INEI-ANLIS "Dr. Carlos G. Malbrán". Av. Vélez Sarsfield 563 (1281) Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires.
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
11
|
Cucher M, Prada L, Mourglia-Ettlin G, Dematteis S, Camicia F, Asurmendi S, Rosenzvit M. Identification of Echinococcus granulosus microRNAs and their expression in different life cycle stages and parasite genotypes. Int J Parasitol 2011; 41:439-48. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpara.2010.11.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 74] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2010] [Revised: 11/10/2010] [Accepted: 11/12/2010] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
|
12
|
Camicia F, Paredes R, Chalar C, Galanti N, Kamenetzky L, Gutierrez A, Rosenzvit MC. Sequencing, bioinformatic characterization and expression pattern of a putative amino acid transporter from the parasitic cestode Echinococcus granulosus. Gene 2008; 411:1-9. [DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2007.11.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2007] [Revised: 11/27/2007] [Accepted: 11/29/2007] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
|
13
|
Rosenzvit MC, Camicia F, Kamenetzky L, Muzulin PM, Gutierrez AM. Identification and intra-specific variability analysis of secreted and membrane-bound proteins from Echinococcus granulosus. Parasitol Int 2005; 55 Suppl:S63-7. [PMID: 16368261 DOI: 10.1016/j.parint.2005.11.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Echinococcus granulosus, the etiological agent of cystic hydatid disease, exists as a series of strains or genotypes, differing in biological features. Many of the secreted and membrane-bound proteins (S/M) from helminth parasites are involved in the host-parasite interplay and constitute potential targets for diagnosis, anti-parasitic drugs and vaccines. A number of E. granulosus S/M proteins were identified using the signal sequence trap technique. Six out of seven cDNA fragments of these newly identified proteins showed nucleotide and amino acid sequence variation. Inter-strain variation was reported for other characterized S/M proteins as the vaccine target EG95 and the major hydatid cyst fluid antigen, Antigen B (AgB). AgB is highly polymorphic, 101 different sequences related to AgB were reported so far and were grouped in 5 genes (EgB1-EgB5) and one pseudogene (EgB2p) exclusive of G5, G6/G7 genotypes. The significance of AgB polymorphism and possible consequences in diagnostic performance are discussed. The diagnostic value of the new protein variants detected in E. granulosus strains could be determined through standardized inter-laboratory studies as the recently done by the South American Network for Hydatid Serology.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mara C Rosenzvit
- Departamento de Parasitología, Instituto Nacional de Enfermedades Infecciosas ANLIS Dr. Carlos G. Malbrán Av. Velez Sarsfield 563, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|