Molecular and cellular characterization of apoptosis in flat oyster a key mechanisms at the heart of host-parasite interactions

Avian blood parasites are remarkably diverse and frequently occur in co-infections, which predominate in wildlife. This makes wildlife pathogen research challenging, particularly if they belong to closely related groups, resulting in diagnostic problems and poor knowledge about such infections as well as the patterns of their co-occurrence and interactions. This is particularly true due to the periodicity (circadian rhythms) of parasitemia, which means that different parasitemia and parasite stages might be found throughout the day. We analysed blood samples from a Eurasian blackbird (Turdus merula) and a Song thrush (Turdus philomelos). This study aimed to describe a new avian Lankesterella species and molecularly characterize and redescribe Splendidofilaria mavis, a common avian filarioid nematode. Additionally, it was possible to investigate the circadian rhythms of the avian blood parasites belonging to Plasmodium, Haemoproteus, Leucocytozoon, and Trypanosoma, which occurred in co-infection in the same avian host individuals. Different circadian rhythms were seen in different parasites, with Plasmodium sp. peaks occurring at midday, Leucocytozoon spp. peaks mainly during the evening and night, and Trypanosoma spp. and microfilariae peaks at midnight. No periodicity was seen in Haemoproteus and Lankesterella species infections. The time of parasitemia peaks most likely coincides with the time of vectors’ activity, and this should be beneficial for transmission. Knowledge about the circadian rhythms is needed for better understanding patterns in host-parasite interactions and disease transmission.

Download Full-text

Identification, characterization of functional candidate genes for host–parasite interactions in entomopathogenetic nematode Steinernema carpocapsae by suppressive subtractive hybridization

Parasitology Research ◽

10.1007/s00436-008-1030-4 ◽

2008 ◽

Vol 103 (3) ◽

pp. 671-683 ◽

Cited By ~ 15

Author(s):

You-Jin Hao ◽

Rafael Montiel ◽

Gisela Nascimento ◽

Duarte Toubarro ◽

Nelson Simoes

Keyword(s):

Candidate Genes ◽

Subtractive Hybridization ◽

Steinernema Carpocapsae ◽

Suppressive Subtractive Hybridization ◽

Host Parasite Interactions ◽

Host Parasite

Download Full-text

E-NTPDases: Possible Roles on Host-Parasite Interactions and Therapeutic Opportunities

Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology ◽

10.3389/fcimb.2021.769922 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 ◽

Author(s):

Lisvane Paes-Vieira ◽

André Luiz Gomes-Vieira ◽

José Roberto Meyer-Fernandes

Keyword(s):

Trichomonas Vaginalis ◽

Biochemical Characterization ◽

Divalent Cations ◽

Parasite Clearance ◽

Nucleoside Triphosphate ◽

Host Parasite Interactions ◽

Antiparasitic Drugs ◽

Host Parasite ◽

Hydrolysis Of

Belonging to the GDA1/CD39 protein superfamily, nucleoside triphosphate diphosphohydrolases (NTPDases) catalyze the hydrolysis of ATP and ADP to the monophosphate form (AMP) and inorganic phosphate (Pi). Several NTPDase isoforms have been described in different cells, from pathogenic organisms to animals and plants. Biochemical characterization of nucleotidases/NTPDases has revealed the existence of isoforms with different specificities regarding divalent cations (such as calcium and magnesium) and substrates. In mammals, NTPDases have been implicated in the regulation of thrombosis and inflammation. In parasites, such as Trichomonas vaginalis, Trypanosoma spp., Leishmania spp., Schistosoma spp. and Toxoplasma gondii, NTPDases were found on the surface of the cell, and important processes like growth, infectivity, and virulence seem to depend on their activity. For instance, experimental evidence has indicated that parasite NTPDases can regulate the levels of ATP and Adenosine (Ado) of the host cell, leading to the modulation of the host immune response. In this work, we provide a comprehensive review showing the involvement of the nucleotidases/NTPDases in parasites infectivity and virulence, and how inhibition of NTPDases contributes to parasite clearance and the development of new antiparasitic drugs.

Download Full-text

Structural characterization of Asparagine Synthase A from Trypanosoma cruzi

Acta Crystallographica Section A Foundations and Advances ◽

10.1107/s205327331409158x ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 70 (a1) ◽

pp. C841-C841

Author(s):

Ana Valéria Weiler ◽

Aline Santana ◽

Marco Aurélio Krieger ◽

Nilson Zanchin ◽

Mario Murakami ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Trypanosoma Cruzi ◽

Structural Characterization ◽

Quaternary Structure ◽

Chronic Phase ◽

Extracellular Proteins ◽

Parasite Life Cycle ◽

Post Translational Modifications ◽

Host Parasite Interactions ◽

Host Parasite

In the Americas, 7.6 million people are infected with Trypanosoma cruzi, causative agent of Chagas disease. Although the parasite life cycle was determined in 1909, the drugs developed to eliminate T. cruzi have low efficacy and high toxicity, especially when the disease is in the chronic phase. Extracellular proteins secreted by protozoan parasites are key mediators in host-parasite interactions. Proteomic approaches have been used to investigate protein secreted by parasites intra-and extra-cellular and these studies led to the identification of a large number of proteins directly involved in fundamental processes of host-parasite interactions. There is evidence that the enzyme Asparagine synthase A from Trypanosoma cruzi is secreted during parasite invasion. This enzyme produces asparagine, glutamate, AMP and pyrophosphate in the presence of aspartate, ATP and glutamine or NH3. Although asparagine is of vital importance for the correct synthesis of proteins and post-translational modifications such as N-glycosylation, there is no structural characterization of this enzyme. In this work, the protein asparagine synthase A of T. cruzi was recombinantly-produced and purified. SAXS and DLS indicate changes in quaternary structure dependent on pH. Those modifications influence protein thermal stability. Structural analysis indicates the determinants of oligomerization and indicate potential sites of inhibition of this protein.

Download Full-text

Not so sterile after all: The endomicrobiome of plerocercoids of the cestode parasiteSchistocephalus solidusand changes to the microbiome of its Threespine Stickleback host

10.1101/290015 ◽

2018 ◽

Author(s):

Megan Hahn ◽

Nolwenn Dheilly

Keyword(s):

Horizontal Transmission ◽

Body Cavity ◽

The Body ◽

Schistocephalus Solidus ◽

Host Parasite Interactions ◽

Host Parasite ◽

First Time ◽

Host Tissues

AbstractDespite the growing recognition of the role of bacteria in animal biology, the microbiome of parasites remains largely unexplored. In particular, the presence of bacteria in tapeworms has never been investigated and parasites that exit the intestine would be considered sterile. We characterized for the first time the microbiome of a tapeworm.Schistocephalus solidusplerocercoids, collected from the body cavity of its stickleback host, were found to harbor a complex microbiome. The most abundant and the most prevalent bacteria wasPolynucleobacter sp.. In addition,S. solidusinfection was associated significant changes in the stickleback host gut microbiome with an increase in microbial load and changes in diversity and composition. Finally, the same bacteria were often found inS. solidusand the stomach and intestine of the corresponding hosts, a result that highlights the importance of characterizing the microbiome of host tissues and parasites from the same individuals to assess the potential for horizontal transmission of microbes. This study clearly emphasizes the need for further characterization of the microbiome of a broad range of parasites and for studies to determine the ecological, evolutionary and functional role that microbes play in host-parasite interactions.

Download Full-text