scholarly journals A long non-coding RNA controls parasite differentiation in African trypanosomes

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
F. Guegan ◽  
F. Bento ◽  
D. Neves ◽  
M. Sequeira ◽  
C. Notredame ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cell Differentiation ◽  
Rna Binding ◽  
Parasite Load ◽  
Mammalian Host ◽  
Gene Repertoire ◽  
Lncrna Gene ◽  
African Trypanosomes ◽  
Host Interactions ◽  
Stumpy Form

Trypanosoma brucei causes African sleeping sickness, a fatal human disease. Its differentiation from replicative slender form into quiescent stumpy form promotes host survival and parasite transmission. Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) are known to regulate cell differentiation. To determine whether lncRNAs are involved in parasite differentiation we used RNAseq to survey the T. brucei lncRNA gene repertoire, identifying 1,428 previously uncharacterized lncRNA genes. We analysed grumpy, a lncRNA located immediately upstream of an RNA-binding protein that is a key differentiation regulator. Grumpy over-expression resulted in premature parasite differentiation into the quiescent stumpy form, and subsequent impairment of in vivo infection, decreasing parasite load in the mammalian host, and increasing host survival. Our analyses suggest Grumpy is one of many lncRNA that modulate parasite-host interactions, and lncRNA roles in cell differentiation are probably commonplace in T. brucei.

scholarly journals Activation of Endocytosis as an Adaptation to the Mammalian Host by Trypanosomes

2007 ◽  
Vol 6 (11) ◽  
pp. 2029-2037 ◽  
Author(s):  
Senthil Kumar A. Natesan ◽  
Lori Peacock ◽  
Keith Matthews ◽  
Wendy Gibson ◽  
Mark C. Field
Keyword(s):  
Antigenic Variation ◽  
Subsequent Development ◽  
Tsetse Fly ◽  
Mammalian Host ◽  
Surface Coat ◽  
Down Regulation ◽  
African Trypanosomes ◽  
Endocytic Activity

ABSTRACT Immune evasion in African trypanosomes is principally mediated by antigenic variation, but rapid internalization of surface-bound immune factors may contribute to survival. Endocytosis is upregulated approximately 10-fold in bloodstream compared to procyclic forms, and surface coat remodeling accompanies transition between these life stages. Here we examined expression of endocytosis markers in tsetse fly stages in vivo and monitored modulation during transition from bloodstream to procyclic forms in vitro. Among bloodstream stages nonproliferative stumpy forms have endocytic activity similar to that seen with rapidly dividing slender forms, while differentiation of stumpy forms to procyclic forms is accompanied by rapid down-regulation of Rab11 and clathrin, suggesting that modulation of endocytic and recycling systems accompanies this differentiation event. Significantly, rapid down-regulation of endocytic markers occurs upon entering the insect midgut and expression of Rab11 and clathrin remains low throughout subsequent development, which suggests that high endocytic activity is not required for remodeling the parasite surface or for survival within the fly. However, salivary gland metacyclic forms dramatically increase expression of clathrin and Rab11, indicating that emergence of mammalian infective forms is coupled to reacquisition of a high-activity endocytic-recycling system. These data suggest that high-level endocytosis in Trypanosoma brucei is an adaptation required for viability in the mammalian host.

scholarly journals Protein tyrosine phosphatase TbPTP1: a molecular switch controlling life cycle differentiation in trypanosomes

2006 ◽  
Vol 175 (2) ◽  
pp. 293-303 ◽  
Author(s):  
Balázs Szöőr ◽  
Jude Wilson ◽  
Helen McElhinney ◽  
Lydia Tabernero ◽  
Keith R. Matthews
Keyword(s):  
Life Cycle ◽  
Trypanosoma Brucei ◽  
Protein Tyrosine Phosphatase ◽  
Tyrosine Phosphatase ◽  
Tsetse Fly ◽  
Mammalian Host ◽  
African Trypanosomes ◽  
Protein Tyrosine ◽  
Ptp1b Inhibitors ◽  
Stumpy Form

Differentiation in African trypanosomes (Trypanosoma brucei) entails passage between a mammalian host, where parasites exist as a proliferative slender form or a G0-arrested stumpy form, and the tsetse fly. Stumpy forms arise at the peak of each parasitaemia and are committed to differentiation to procyclic forms that inhabit the tsetse midgut. We have identified a protein tyrosine phosphatase (TbPTP1) that inhibits trypanosome differentiation. Consistent with a tyrosine phosphatase, recombinant TbPTP1 exhibits the anticipated substrate and inhibitor profile, and its activity is impaired by reversible oxidation. TbPTP1 inactivation in monomorphic bloodstream trypanosomes by RNA interference or pharmacological inhibition triggers spontaneous differentiation to procyclic forms in a subset of committed cells. Consistent with this observation, homogeneous populations of stumpy forms synchronously differentiate to procyclic forms when tyrosine phosphatase activity is inhibited. Our data invoke a new model for trypanosome development in which differentiation to procyclic forms is prevented in the bloodstream by tyrosine dephosphorylation. It may be possible to use PTP1B inhibitors to block trypanosomatid transmission.

scholarly journals RBM4 down-regulates PTB and antagonizes its activity in muscle cell–specific alternative splicing

2011 ◽  
Vol 193 (3) ◽  
pp. 509-520 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jung-Chun Lin ◽  
Woan-Yuh Tarn
Keyword(s):  
Alternative Splicing ◽  
Cell Differentiation ◽  
Muscle Cell ◽  
Rna Binding ◽  
Exon Skipping ◽  
Mrna Isoforms ◽  
Functional Specification ◽  
Nonsense Mediated Mrna Decay ◽  
Specific Alternative

Alternative splicing contributes largely to cell differentiation and functional specification. We previously reported that the RNA-binding protein RBM4 antagonizes the activity of splicing factor PTB to modulate muscle cell–specific exon selection of α-tropomyosin. Here we show that down-regulation of PTB and its neuronal analogue nPTB during muscle cell differentiation may involve alternative splicing-coupled nonsense-mediated mRNA decay. RBM4 regulates PTB/nPTB expression by activating exon skipping of their transcripts during myogenesis. Moreover, RBM4 and PTB target a common set of transcripts that undergo muscle cell–specific alternative splicing. Overexpression of RBM4 invariably promoted expression of muscle cell–specific isoforms, which recapitulated in vivo alternative splicing changes during muscle differentiation, whereas PTB acted oppositely to RBM4 in expression of mRNA isoforms specific for late-stage differentiation. Therefore, RBM4 may synergize its effect on muscle cell–specific alternative splicing by down-regulating PTB expression and antagonizing the activity of PTB in exon selection, which highlights a hierarchical role for RBM4 in a splicing cascade that regulates myogenesis.

scholarly journals Gene Co-Expression Network Analysis of Trypanosoma brucei in Tsetse Fly Vector

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kennedy W. Mwangi ◽  
Rosaline W. Macharia ◽  
Joel L. Bargul
Keyword(s):  
Trypanosoma Brucei ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Rna Binding ◽  
Protein Biosynthesis ◽  
Regulatory Elements ◽  
Tsetse Fly ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Mammalian Host ◽  
African Trypanosomes ◽  
Gene Modules

Abstract BackgroundTrypanosoma brucei species are motile protozoan parasites that are cyclically transmitted by tsetse fly (genus Glossina) causing human sleeping sickness and nagana in livestock in sub-Saharan Africa. African trypanosomes display digenetic life cycle stages in the tsetse fly vector and in their mammalian host. Experimental work on insect-stage trypanosomes is challenging due to the difficulty in setting up successful in vitro cultures. Therefore, there is limited knowledge on the trypanosome biology during its development in the tsetse fly. Consequently, this limits the development of new strategies for blocking parasite transmission in the tsetse fly. MethodsIn this study, RNA-Seq data of insect-stage trypanosomes were used to construct a T. brucei gene co-expression network using weighted gene co-expression analysis (WGCNA) method. The study identified significant enriched modules for genes that play key roles during the parasite’s development in tsetse fly. Further, potential 3’ untranslated region (UTR) regulatory elements for genes that clustered in the same module were identified using Finding Informative Regulatory Elements (FIRE) tool.ResultsA fraction of gene modules (12 out of 27 modules) in the constructed network were found to be enriched in functional roles associated with cell division, protein biosynthesis, mitochondrion, and cell surface. Additionally, 12 hub genes encoding proteins such as RNA-binding protein 6 (RBP6), Arginine kinase 1 (AK1), brucei alanine rich protein (BARP), among others, were identified for the 12 significantly enriched gene modules. In addition, the potential regulatory elements located in the 3’ untranslated regions of genes within the same module were predicted. ConclusionsThe constructed gene co-expression network provides a useful resource for network-based data mining to identify candidate genes for functional studies. This will enhance understanding of the molecular mechanisms that underlie important biological processes during parasite’s development in tsetse fly. Ultimately, these findings will be key in the identification of potential molecular targets for disease control.

scholarly journals Humanized Mouse Models for the Study of Hepatitis C and Host Interactions

Cells ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (6) ◽  
pp. 604 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kylie Su Mei Yong ◽  
Zhisheng Her ◽  
Qingfeng Chen
Keyword(s):  
Hepatitis C ◽  
Drug Testing ◽  
Humanized Mice ◽  
In Vivo Studies ◽  
Mammalian Host ◽  
Humanized Mouse ◽  
Host Tropism ◽  
Host Interactions ◽  
Humanized Mouse Models

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is commonly attributed as a major cause of chronic hepatotropic diseases, such as, steatosis, cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. As HCV infects only humans and primates, its narrow host tropism hampers in vivo studies of HCV-mammalian host interactions and the development of effective therapeutics and vaccines. In this context, we will focus our discussion on humanized mice in HCV research. Here, these humanized mice are defined as animal models that encompass either only human hepatocytes or both human liver and immune cells. Aspects related to immunopathogenesis, anti-viral interventions, drug testing and perspectives of these models for future HCV research will be discussed.

scholarly journals Gene co-expression network analysis of Trypanosoma brucei in tsetse fly vector

2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kennedy W. Mwangi ◽  
Rosaline W. Macharia ◽  
Joel L. Bargul
Keyword(s):  
Trypanosoma Brucei ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Rna Binding ◽  
Protein Biosynthesis ◽  
Regulatory Elements ◽  
Tsetse Fly ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Mammalian Host ◽  
African Trypanosomes ◽  
Gene Modules

Abstract Background Trypanosoma brucei species are motile protozoan parasites that are cyclically transmitted by tsetse fly (genus Glossina) causing human sleeping sickness and nagana in livestock in sub-Saharan Africa. African trypanosomes display digenetic life cycle stages in the tsetse fly vector and in their mammalian host. Experimental work on insect-stage trypanosomes is challenging because of the difficulty in setting up successful in vitro cultures. Therefore, there is limited knowledge on the trypanosome biology during its development in the tsetse fly. Consequently, this limits the development of new strategies for blocking parasite transmission in the tsetse fly. Methods In this study, RNA-Seq data of insect-stage trypanosomes were used to construct a T. brucei gene co-expression network using the weighted gene co-expression analysis (WGCNA) method. The study identified significant enriched modules for genes that play key roles during the parasite’s development in tsetse fly. Furthermore, potential 3′ untranslated region (UTR) regulatory elements for genes that clustered in the same module were identified using the Finding Informative Regulatory Elements (FIRE) tool. Results A fraction of gene modules (12 out of 27 modules) in the constructed network were found to be enriched in functional roles associated with the cell division, protein biosynthesis, mitochondrion, and cell surface. Additionally, 12 hub genes encoding proteins such as RNA-binding protein 6 (RBP6), arginine kinase 1 (AK1), brucei alanine-rich protein (BARP), among others, were identified for the 12 significantly enriched gene modules. In addition, the potential regulatory elements located in the 3′ untranslated regions of genes within the same module were predicted. Conclusions The constructed gene co-expression network provides a useful resource for network-based data mining to identify candidate genes for functional studies. This will enhance understanding of the molecular mechanisms that underlie important biological processes during parasite’s development in tsetse fly. Ultimately, these findings will be key in the identification of potential molecular targets for disease control.

In-vitro- und In-vivo-Wirkung von Schilddrüsenhormon auf das Wachstum von Neuroblastomzellen

1990 ◽  
Vol 29 (03) ◽  
pp. 120-124
Author(s):  
R. P. Baum ◽  
E. Rohrbach ◽  
G. Hör ◽  
B. Kornhuber ◽  
E. Busse
Keyword(s):  
Cell Differentiation ◽  
Neuroblastoma Cells ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Initial Value ◽  
Initial Rise ◽  
Biphasic Effect ◽  
Contrast Microscopy ◽  
Morphological Sign

The effect of triiodothyronine (T3) on the differentiation of cultured neuroblastoma (NB) cells was studied after 9 days of treatment with a dose of 10-4 M/106 cells per day. Using phase contrast microscopy, 30-50% of NB cells showed formation of neurites as a morphological sign of cellular differentiation. The initial rise of the mitosis rate was followed by a plateau. Changes in cyclic nucleotide content, in the triphosphates and in the activity of the enzyme ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) were assessed in 2 human and 2 murine cell lines to serve as biochemical parameters of the cell differentiation induced by T3. Whereas the cAMP level increased significantly (3 to 7 fold compared with its initial value), the cGMP value dropped to 30 to 50% of that of the control group. ATP and GTP increased about 200%, the ODC showed a decrease of about 50%. The present studies show a biphasic effect of T3 on neuroblastoma cells: the initial rise of mitotic activity is followed by increased cell differentiation starting from day 4 of the treatment.

Polyamines and Related Nitrogen Compounds in the Chemotherapy of Neglected Diseases Caused by Kinetoplastids

2018 ◽  
Vol 18 (5) ◽  
pp. 321-368 ◽  
Author(s):  
Juan A. Bisceglia ◽  
Maria C. Mollo ◽  
Nadia Gruber ◽  
Liliana R. Orelli
Keyword(s):  
Drug Targets ◽  
Redox Homeostasis ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Structural Features ◽  
Mammalian Host ◽  
Neglected Diseases ◽  
Nitrogen Compounds ◽  
Chemical Structures

Neglected diseases due to the parasitic protozoa Leishmania and Trypanosoma (kinetoplastids) affect millions of people worldwide, and the lack of suitable treatments has promoted an ongoing drug discovery effort to identify novel nontoxic and cost-effective chemotherapies. Polyamines are ubiquitous small organic molecules that play key roles in kinetoplastid parasites metabolism, redox homeostasis and in the normal progression of cell cycles, which differ from those found in the mammalian host. These features make polyamines attractive in terms of antiparasitic drug development. The present work provides a comprehensive insight on the use of polyamine derivatives and related nitrogen compounds in the chemotherapy of kinetoplastid diseases. The amount of literature on this subject is considerable, and a classification considering drug targets and chemical structures were made. Polyamines, aminoalcohols and basic heterocycles designed to target the relevant parasitic enzyme trypanothione reductase are discussed in the first section, followed by compounds directed to less common targets, like parasite SOD and the aminopurine P2 transporter. Finally, the third section comprises nitrogen compounds structurally derived from antimalaric agents. References on the chemical synthesis of the selected compounds are reported together with their in vivo and/or in vitro IC50 values, and structureactivity relationships within each group are analyzed. Some favourable structural features were identified from the SAR analyses comprising protonable sites, hydrophobic groups and optimum distances between them. The importance of certain pharmacophoric groups or amino acid residues in the bioactivity of polyamine derived compounds is also discussed.

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