Apicomplexans pulling the strings: manipulation of the host cell cytoskeleton dynamics

Parasitology ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 143 (8) ◽  
pp. 957-970 ◽  
Author(s):  
RITA CARDOSO ◽  
HELENA SOARES ◽  
ANDREW HEMPHILL ◽  
ALEXANDRE LEITÃO
Keyword(s):  
Host Cell ◽  
Life Cycle Stage ◽  
Effector Proteins ◽  
Cell Physiology ◽  
Apicomplexan Parasites ◽  
Cell Cytoskeleton ◽  
Cytoskeletal Filament ◽  
Associated Proteins ◽  
Organelle Trafficking ◽  
Cytoskeleton Dynamics

SUMMARYInvasive stages of apicomplexan parasites require a host cell to survive, proliferate and advance to the next life cycle stage. Once invasion is achieved, apicomplexans interact closely with the host cell cytoskeleton, but in many cases the different species have evolved distinct mechanisms and pathways to modulate the structural organization of cytoskeletal filaments. The host cell cytoskeleton is a complex network, largely, but not exclusively, composed of microtubules, actin microfilaments and intermediate filaments, all of which are modulated by associated proteins, and it is involved in diverse functions including maintenance of cell morphology and mechanical support, migration, signal transduction, nutrient uptake, membrane and organelle trafficking and cell division. The ability of apicomplexans to modulate the cytoskeleton to their own advantage is clearly beneficial. We here review different aspects of the interactions of apicomplexans with the three main cytoskeletal filament types, provide information on the currently known parasite effector proteins and respective host cell targets involved, and how these interactions modulate the host cell physiology. Some of these findings could provide novel targets that could be exploited for the development of preventive and/or therapeutic strategies.

scholarly journals Perturbation of host autophagy by the Irish potato famine pathogen

2014 ◽  
Vol 70 (a1) ◽  
pp. C826-C826
Author(s):  
Abbas Maqbool ◽  
Richard Richard ◽  
Tolga Bozkurt ◽  
Yasin Dagdas ◽  
Khaoula Belhai ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Host Cell ◽  
Plant Cells ◽  
Irish Potato ◽  
Effector Proteins ◽  
Host Cells ◽  
Cell Physiology ◽  
Biochemical Basis ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Potato Famine ◽  
Irish Potato Famine

Autophagy is a catabolic process involving degradation of dysfunctional cytoplasmic components to ensure cellular survival under starvation conditions. The process involves formation of double-membrane vesicles called autophagosomes and delivery of the inner constituents to lytic compartments. It can also target invading pathogens, such as intracellular bacteria, for destruction and is thus implicated in innate immune pathways [1]. In response, certain mammalian pathogens deliver effector proteins into host cells that inhibit autophagy and contribute to enabling parasitic infection [2]. Pyhtophthora infestans, the Irish potato famine pathogen, is a causative agent of late blight disease in potato and tomato crops. It delivers a plethora of modular effector proteins into plant cells to promote infection. Once inside the cell, RXLR-type effector proteins engage with host cell proteins, to manipulate host cell physiology for the benefit of the pathogen. As plants lack an adaptive immune system, this provides a robust mechanism for pathogens to circumvent host defense. PexRD54 is an intracellular RXLR-type effector protein produced by P. infestans. PexRD54 interacts with potato homologues of autophagy protein ATG8 in plant cells. We have been investigating the structural and biochemical basis of the PexRD54/ATG8 interaction in vitro. We have purified PexRD54 and ATG8 independently and in complex from E. coli. Using protein/protein interaction studies we have shown that PexRD54 binds ATG8 with sub-micromolar affinity. We have also determined the structure of PexRD54 in the presence of ATG8. This crystal structure provides key insights into how the previously reported WY-fold of oomycete RXLR-type effectors [3] can be organized in multiple repeats. The structural data also provides insights into the interaction between PexRD54 and ATG8, suggesting further experiments to understand the impact of this interaction on host cell physiology and how this benefits the pathogen.

scholarly journals Potential Sabotage of Host Cell Physiology by Apicomplexan Parasites for Their Survival Benefits

2017 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shalini Chakraborty ◽  
Sonti Roy ◽  
Hiral Uday Mistry ◽  
Shweta Murthy ◽  
Neena George ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Host Cell ◽  
Cell Physiology ◽  
Apicomplexan Parasites

scholarly journals The Modes of Action of MARTX Toxin Effector Domains

Toxins ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (12) ◽  
pp. 507 ◽  
Author(s):  
Byoung Kim
Keyword(s):  
Host Cell ◽  
Structural Features ◽  
Effector Proteins ◽  
Host Cells ◽  
Cell Physiology ◽  
Cytotoxic Activities ◽  
Human Pathogens ◽  
Secretion Systems ◽  
Gram Negative ◽  
Effector Domains

Many Gram-negative bacterial pathogens directly deliver numerous effector proteins from the bacterium to the host cell, thereby altering the target cell physiology. The already well-characterized effector delivery systems are type III, type IV, and type VI secretion systems. Multifunctional autoprocessing repeats-in-toxin (MARTX) toxins are another effector delivery platform employed by some genera of Gram-negative bacteria. These single polypeptide exotoxins possess up to five effector domains in a modular fashion in their central regions. Upon binding to the host cell plasma membrane, MARTX toxins form a pore using amino- and carboxyl-terminal repeat-containing arms and translocate the effector domains into the cells. Consequently, MARTX toxins affect the integrity of the host cells and often induce cell death. Thus, they have been characterized as crucial virulence factors of certain human pathogens. This review covers how each of the MARTX toxin effector domains exhibits cytopathic and/or cytotoxic activities in cells, with their structural features revealed recently. In addition, future directions for the comprehensive understanding of MARTX toxin-mediated pathogenesis are discussed.

scholarly journals Toxoplasma DJ-1 Regulates Organelle Secretion by a Direct Interaction with Calcium-Dependent Protein Kinase 1

mBio ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Matthew A. Child ◽  
Megan Garland ◽  
Ian Foe ◽  
Peter Madzelan ◽  
Moritz Treeck ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Host Cell ◽  
Kinase Activity ◽  
Effector Proteins ◽  
Apicomplexan Parasites ◽  
Obligate Intracellular ◽  
Calcium Dependent ◽  
Intracellular Parasites ◽  
Dependent Protein ◽  
Protective Environment ◽  
Calcium Dependent Protein Kinases

ABSTRACT Human DJ-1 is a highly conserved and yet functionally enigmatic protein associated with a heritable form of Parkinson’s disease. It has been suggested to be a redox-dependent regulatory scaffold, binding to proteins to modulate their function. Here we present the X-ray crystal structure of the Toxoplasma orthologue Toxoplasma gondii DJ-1 (TgDJ-1) at 2.1-Å resolution and show that it directly associates with calcium-dependent protein kinase 1 (CDPK1). The TgDJ-1 structure identifies an orthologously conserved arginine dyad that acts as a phospho-gatekeeper motif to control complex formation. We determined that the binding of TgDJ-1 to CDPK1 is sensitive to oxidation and calcium, and that this interaction potentiates CDPK1 kinase activity. Finally, we show that genetic deletion of TgDJ-1 results in upregulation of CDPK1 expression and that disruption of the CDPK1/TgDJ-1 complex in vivo prevents normal exocytosis of parasite virulence-associated organelles called micronemes. Overall, our data suggest that TgDJ-1 functions as a noncanonical kinase-regulatory scaffold that integrates multiple intracellular signals to tune microneme exocytosis in T. gondii. IMPORTANCE Apicomplexan parasites such as Toxoplasma and Plasmodium are obligate intracellular parasites that require the protective environment of a host cell in order to replicate and survive within a host organism. These parasites secrete effector proteins from specialized apical organelles to select and invade a chosen host cell. The secretion of these organelles is a tightly regulated process coordinated by endogenous small molecules and calcium-dependent protein kinases. We previously identified the Toxoplasma orthologue of the highly conserved protein DJ-1 as a regulator of microneme secretion, but the molecular basis for this was not known. We have now identified the molecular mechanism for how TgDJ-1 regulates microneme secretion. TgDJ-1 interacts with the kinase responsible for the secretion of these organelles (calcium-dependent kinase 1) and synergizes with calcium to potentiate kinase activity. This interaction is direct, phosphodependent, and necessary for the normal secretion of these important organelles. IMPORTANCE Apicomplexan parasites such as Toxoplasma and Plasmodium are obligate intracellular parasites that require the protective environment of a host cell in order to replicate and survive within a host organism. These parasites secrete effector proteins from specialized apical organelles to select and invade a chosen host cell. The secretion of these organelles is a tightly regulated process coordinated by endogenous small molecules and calcium-dependent protein kinases. We previously identified the Toxoplasma orthologue of the highly conserved protein DJ-1 as a regulator of microneme secretion, but the molecular basis for this was not known. We have now identified the molecular mechanism for how TgDJ-1 regulates microneme secretion. TgDJ-1 interacts with the kinase responsible for the secretion of these organelles (calcium-dependent kinase 1) and synergizes with calcium to potentiate kinase activity. This interaction is direct, phosphodependent, and necessary for the normal secretion of these important organelles.

scholarly journals Role of Autocleavage in the Function of a Type III Secretion Specificity Switch Protein in Salmonella enterica Serovar Typhimurium

mBio ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 6 (5) ◽  
Author(s):  
Julia V. Monjarás Feria ◽  
Matthew D. Lefebre ◽  
York-Dieter Stierhof ◽  
Jorge E. Galán ◽  
Samuel Wagner
Keyword(s):  
Host Cell ◽  
Type Iii Secretion ◽  
Effector Proteins ◽  
Switching Function ◽  
Gram Negative Bacteria ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Gram Negative ◽  
Type Iii ◽  
Autocatalytic Cleavage ◽  
Serovar Typhimurium

ABSTRACTType III secretion systems (T3SSs) are multiprotein machines employed by many Gram-negative bacteria to inject bacterial effector proteins into eukaryotic host cells to promote bacterial survival and colonization. The core unit of T3SSs is the needle complex, a supramolecular structure that mediates the passage of the secreted proteins through the bacterial envelope. A distinct feature of the T3SS is that protein export occurs in a strictly hierarchical manner in which proteins destined to form the needle complex filament and associated structures are secreted first, followed by the secretion of effectors and the proteins that will facilitate their translocation through the target host cell membrane. The secretion hierarchy is established by complex mechanisms that involve several T3SS-associated components, including the “switch protein,” a highly conserved, inner membrane protease that undergoes autocatalytic cleavage. It has been proposed that the autocleavage of the switch protein is the trigger for substrate switching. We show here that autocleavage of theSalmonella entericaserovar Typhimurium switch protein SpaS is an unregulated process that occurs after its folding and before its incorporation into the needle complex. Needle complexes assembled with a precleaved form of SpaS function in a manner indistinguishable from that of the wild-type form. Furthermore, an engineered mutant of SpaS that is processed by an external protease also displays wild-type function. These results demonstrate that the cleavage eventper sedoes not provide a signal for substrate switching but support the hypothesis that cleavage allows the proper conformation of SpaS to render it competent for its switching function.IMPORTANCEBacterial interaction with eukaryotic hosts often involves complex molecular machines for targeted delivery of bacterial effector proteins. One such machine, the type III secretion system of some Gram-negative bacteria, serves to inject a multitude of structurally diverse bacterial proteins into the host cell. Critical to the function of these systems is their ability to secrete proteins in a strict hierarchical order, but it is unclear how the mechanism of switching works. Central to the switching mechanism is a highly conserved inner membrane protease that undergoes autocatalytic cleavage. Although it has been suggested previously that the autocleavage event is the trigger for substrate switching, we show here that this is not the case. Rather, our results show that cleavage allows the proper conformation of the protein to render it competent for its switching function. These findings may help develop inhibitors of type III secretion machines that offer novel therapeutic avenues to treat various infectious diseases.

scholarly journals Live Cell Imaging Reveals Novel Functions of Salmonella enterica SPI2-T3SS Effector Proteins in Remodeling of the Host Cell Endosomal System

PLoS ONE ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 9 (12) ◽  
pp. e115423 ◽  
Author(s):  
Roopa Rajashekar ◽  
David Liebl ◽  
Deepak Chikkaballi ◽  
Viktoria Liss ◽  
Michael Hensel
Keyword(s):  
Host Cell ◽  
Salmonella Enterica ◽  
Live Cell Imaging ◽  
Cell Imaging ◽  
Effector Proteins ◽  
Live Cell ◽  
T3ss Effector ◽  
Endosomal System

scholarly journals Actin Cytoskeleton Manipulation by Effector Proteins Secreted by DiarrheagenicEscherichia coliPathotypes

2013 ◽  
Vol 2013 ◽  
pp. 1-22 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fernando Navarro-Garcia ◽  
Antonio Serapio-Palacios ◽  
Paul Ugalde-Silva ◽  
Gabriela Tapia-Pastrana ◽  
Lucia Chavez-Dueñas
Keyword(s):  
Actin Cytoskeleton ◽  
Host Cell ◽  
Virulence Factors ◽  
Cell Biology ◽  
Bacterial Species ◽  
Effector Proteins ◽  
Actin Binding ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Tissue Organization ◽  
Epithelial Barriers

The actin cytoskeleton is a dynamic structure necessary for cell and tissue organization, including the maintenance of epithelial barriers. Disruption of the epithelial barrier coincides with alterations of the actin cytoskeleton in several disease states. These disruptions primarily affect the paracellular space, which is normally regulated by tight junctions. Thereby, the actin cytoskeleton is a common and recurring target of bacterial virulence factors. In order to manipulate the actin cytoskeleton, bacteria secrete and inject toxins and effectors to hijack the host cell machinery, which interferes with host-cell pathways and with a number of actin binding proteins. An interesting model to study actin manipulation by bacterial effectors isEscherichia colisince due to its genome plasticity it has acquired diverse genetic mobile elements, which allow having differentE. colivarieties in one bacterial species. TheseE. colipathotypes, including intracellular and extracellular bacteria, interact with epithelial cells, and their interactions depend on a specific combination of virulence factors. In this paper we focus onE. colieffectors that mimic host cell proteins to manipulate the actin cytoskeleton. The study of bacterial effector-cytoskeleton interaction will contribute not only to the comprehension of the molecular causes of infectious diseases but also to increase our knowledge of cell biology.

scholarly journals Hijacking of Lipid Droplets by Hepatitis C, Dengue and Zika Viruses—From Viral Protein Moonlighting to Extracellular Release

2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (21) ◽  
pp. 7901 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexandra P.M. Cloherty ◽  
Andrea D. Olmstead ◽  
Carla M.S. Ribeiro ◽  
François Jean
Keyword(s):  
Hepatitis C ◽  
Viral Infection ◽  
Host Cell ◽  
Lipid Droplets ◽  
Viral Proteins ◽  
Biological Properties ◽  
Protein Functions ◽  
Associated Proteins ◽  
Viral Lifecycle ◽  
Moonlighting Functions

Hijacking and manipulation of host cell biosynthetic pathways by human enveloped viruses are essential for the viral lifecycle. Flaviviridae members, including hepatitis C, dengue and Zika viruses, extensively manipulate host lipid metabolism, underlining the importance of lipid droplets (LDs) in viral infection. LDs are dynamic cytoplasmic organelles that can act as sequestration platforms for a unique subset of host and viral proteins. Transient recruitment and mobilization of proteins to LDs during viral infection impacts host-cell biological properties, LD functionality and canonical protein functions. Notably, recent studies identified LDs in the nucleus and also identified that LDs are transported extracellularly via an autophagy-mediated mechanism, indicating a novel role for autophagy in Flaviviridae infections. These developments underline an unsuspected diversity and localization of LDs and potential moonlighting functions of LD-associated proteins during infection. This review summarizes recent breakthroughs concerning the LD hijacking activities of hepatitis C, dengue and Zika viruses and potential roles of cytoplasmic, nuclear and extracellular LD-associated viral proteins during infection.

scholarly journals Biogenesis of the Spacious Coxiella-Containing Vacuole Depends on Host Transcription Factors TFEB and TFE3

2019 ◽  
Vol 88 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Bhavna Padmanabhan ◽  
Laura F. Fielden ◽  
Abderrahman Hachani ◽  
Patrice Newton ◽  
David R. Thomas ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Transcription Factors ◽  
Host Cell ◽  
Isotope Labeling ◽  
Nuclear Translocation ◽  
Bacterial Pathogen ◽  
Effector Proteins ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Cellular Processes ◽  
Type Iv ◽  
Lysosome Biogenesis

ABSTRACT Coxiella burnetii is an obligate intracellular bacterial pathogen that replicates inside the lysosome-derived Coxiella-containing vacuole (CCV). To establish this unique niche, C. burnetii requires the Dot/Icm type IV secretion system (T4SS) to translocate a cohort of effector proteins into the host cell, which modulate multiple cellular processes. To characterize the host-pathogen interactions that occur during C. burnetii infection, stable-isotope labeling by amino acids in cell culture (SILAC)-based proteomics was used to identify changes in the host proteome during infection of a human-derived macrophage cell line. These data revealed that the abundances of many proteins involved in host cell autophagy and lysosome biogenesis were increased in infected cells. Thus, the role of the host transcription factors TFEB and TFE3, which regulate the expression of a network of genes involved in autophagy and lysosomal biogenesis, were examined in the context of C. burnetii infection. During infection with C. burnetii, both TFEB and TFE3 were activated, as demonstrated by the transport of these proteins from the cytoplasm into the nucleus. The nuclear translocation of these transcription factors was shown to be dependent on the T4SS, as a Dot/Icm mutant showed reduced nuclear translocation of TFEB and TFE3. This was supported by the observation that blocking bacterial translation with chloramphenicol resulted in the movement of TFEB and TFE3 back into the cytoplasm. Silencing of the TFEB and TFE3 genes, alone or in combination, significantly reduced the size of the CCV, which indicates that these host transcription factors facilitate the expansion and maintenance of the organelle that supports C. burnetii intracellular replication.

scholarly journals Microtubule Retrograde Motors and Their Role in Retroviral Transport

Viruses ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (4) ◽  
pp. 483
Author(s):  
Gianfranco Pietrantoni ◽  
Rodrigo Ibarra-Karmy ◽  
Gloria Arriagada
Keyword(s):  
Host Cell ◽  
Reverse Transcription ◽  
Eukaryotic Cell ◽  
Chromosomal Dna ◽  
Viral Dna ◽  
Preintegration Complex ◽  
Retrograde Trafficking ◽  
Microtubule Associated Proteins ◽  
Associated Proteins ◽  
Crowded Environment

Following entry into the host cell, retroviruses generate a dsDNA copy of their genomes via reverse transcription, and this viral DNA is subsequently integrated into the chromosomal DNA of the host cell. Before integration can occur, however, retroviral DNA must be transported to the nucleus as part of a ‘preintegration complex’ (PIC). Transporting the PIC through the crowded environment of the cytoplasm is challenging, and retroviruses have evolved different mechanisms to accomplish this feat. Within a eukaryotic cell, microtubules act as the roads, while the microtubule-associated proteins dynein and kinesin are the vehicles that viruses exploit to achieve retrograde and anterograde trafficking. This review will examine the various mechanisms retroviruses have evolved in order to achieve retrograde trafficking, confirming that each retrovirus has its own strategy to functionally subvert microtubule associated proteins.

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