scholarly journals Cryptosporidium parvum Genes Containing Thrombospondin Type 1 Domains

2002 ◽  
Vol 70 (12) ◽  
pp. 6987-6995 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mingqi Deng ◽  
Thomas J. Templeton ◽  
Nicole R. London ◽  
Carrey Bauer ◽  
Alison A. Schroeder ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT Cryptosporidium parvum is recognized as an enteropathogen of great worldwide medical and veterinary importance, yet understanding of its pathogenesis has been hampered in part by limited knowledge of the invasion machinery of this parasite. Recently, genes containing thrombospondin type 1 (TSP1) domains have been identified in several genera of apicomplexans, including thrombospondin-related adhesive proteins (TRAPs) that have been implicated as key molecules for parasite motility and adhesion onto host cell surfaces. Previously, a large-scale random survey of the C. parvum genome conducted in our laboratory revealed the presence of multiple genomic DNA sequences with a high degree of similarity to known apicomplexan TRAP genes. In the present study, TBLASTN screening of available C. parvum genomic sequences by using TSP1 domains as queries identified a total of 12 genes possessing TSP1-like domains. All genes have putative signal peptide sequences, one or more TSP1-like domains, plus additional extracellular protein modules such as Kringle, epidermal growth factor, and Apple domains. Two genes, putative paralogs CpTSP8 and CpTSP9, contain predicted introns near their amino termini, which were verified by comparing PCR products from cDNA versus genomic DNA templates. Reverse transcription-PCR analysis of transcript levels reveals that C. parvum TSP genes were developmentally regulated with distinct patterns of expression during in vitro infection. TRAPC1, CpTSP3, and CpTSP11 were expressed at high levels during both early and late stages of infection, whereas CpTSP2, CpTSP5, CpTSP6, CpTSP8, and CpTSP9 were maximally expressed during the late stages of infection. Only CpTSP4 was highly expressed solely at an early stage of infection.

2019 ◽  
Vol 201 (17) ◽  
Author(s):  
Dragutin J. Savic ◽  
Scott V. Nguyen ◽  
Kimberly McCullor ◽  
W. Michael McShan

ABSTRACTA large-scale genomic inversion encompassing 0.79 Mb of the 1.816-Mb-longStreptococcus pyogenesserotype M49 strain NZ131 chromosome spontaneously occurs in a minor subpopulation of cells, and in this report genetic selection was used to obtain a stable lineage with this chromosomal rearrangement. This inversion, which drastically displaces theorisite relative to the terminus, changes the relative length of the replication arms so that one replichore is approximately 0.41 Mb while the other is about 1.40 Mb in length. Genomic reversion to the original chromosome constellation is not observed in PCR-monitored analyses after 180 generations of growth in rich medium. Compared to the parental strain, the inversion surprisingly demonstrates a nearly identical growth pattern in the first phase of the exponential phase, but differences do occur when resources in the medium become limited. When cultured separately in rich medium during prolonged stationary phase or in an experimental acute infection animal model (Galleria mellonella), the parental strain and the invertant have equivalent survival rates. However, when they are coincubated together, bothin vitroandin vivo, the survival of the invertant declines relative to the level for the parental strain. The accompanying aspect of the study suggests that inversions taking place nearoriCalways happen to secure the linkage oforiCto DNA sequences responsible for chromosome partition. The biological relevance of large-scale inversions is also discussed.IMPORTANCEBased on our previous work, we created to our knowledge the largest asymmetric inversion, covering 43.5% of theS. pyogenesgenome. In spite of a drastic replacement of origin of replication and the unbalanced size of replichores (1.4 Mb versus 0.41 Mb), the invertant, when not challenged with its progenitor, showed impressive vitality for growthin vitroand in pathogenesis assays. The mutant supports the existing idea that slightly deleterious mutations can provide the setting for secondary adaptive changes. Furthermore, comparative analysis of the mutant with previously published data strongly indicates that even large genomic rearrangements survive provided that the integrity of theoriCand the chromosome partition cluster is preserved.


2013 ◽  
Vol 113 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Xuan Guan ◽  
David L Mack ◽  
Claudia M Moreno ◽  
Fernando Santana ◽  
Charles E Murry ◽  
...  

Introduction: Human somatic cells can be reprogrammed into primitive stem cells, termed induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs). These iPSCs can be extensively expanded in vitro and differentiated into multiple functional cell types, enabling faithful preservation of individual’s genotype and large scale production of disease targeted cellular components. These unique cellular reagents thus hold tremendous potential in disease mechanism study, drugs screening and cell replacement therapy. Due to the genetic mutation of the protein dystrophin, many DMD patients develop fatal cardiomyopathy with no effective treatment. The underlying pathogenesis has not been fully elucidated. Hypothesis: We tested the hypothesis that iPSCs could be generated from DMD patients’ urine samples and differentiated into cardiomyocytes, recapitulating the dystrophic phenotype. Methods: iPSCs generation was achieved by introducing a lentiviral vector expressing Oct4, Sox2, c-Myc and Klf4 into cells derived from patient’s (n=1) and healthy volunteers’ (n=3) urine. Cardiomyocytes were derived by sequentially treating iPSCs with GSK3 inhibitor CHIR99021 and Wnt inhibitor IWP4. Differentiated cardiomyocytes were subjected to calcium imaging, electrophysiology recording, Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) analysis, and immunostaining. Results: iPSCs were efficiently generated from human urine samples and further forced to differentiate into contracting cardiomyocytes. PCR analysis and immunostaining confirmed the expression of a panel of cardiac markers. Both normal and patient iPSC derived cardiomyocytes exhibited spontaneous and field stimulated calcium transients (up to 2Hz), as well as action potentials with ventricular-like and nodal-like characteristics. Anti-dystrophin antibodies stained normal iPSC-derived cardiomyocyte membranes but did not react against DMD iPSC-derived cardiomyocytes. Conclusions: Cardiomyocytes can be efficiently generated from human urine, through the cellular reprogramming technology. DMD cardiomyocytes retained the patient’s genetic information and manifested a dystrophin-null phenotype. Functional assessments are underway to determine differences that may exist between genotypes.


Author(s):  
Pei Guo ◽  
Sik Lok Lam

Abstract Spinocerebellar ataxia type 10 (SCA10) is a progressive genetic disorder caused by ATTCT pentanucleotide repeat expansions in intron 9 of the ATXN10 gene. ATTCT repeats have been reported to form unwound secondary structures which are likely linked to large-scale repeat expansions. In this study, we performed high-resolution nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopic investigations on DNA sequences containing two to five ATTCT repeats. Strikingly, we found the first two repeats of all these sequences well folded into highly compact minidumbbell (MDB) structures. The 3D solution structure of the sequence containing two ATTCT repeats was successfully determined, revealing the MDB comprises a regular TTCTA and a quasi TTCT/A pentaloops with extensive stabilizing loop-loop interactions. We further carried out in vitro primer extension assays to examine if the MDB formed in the primer could escape from the proofreading function of DNA polymerase. Results showed that when the MDB was formed at 5-bp or farther away from the priming site, it was able to escape from the proofreading by Klenow fragment of DNA polymerase I and thus retained in the primer. The intriguing structural findings bring about new insights into the origin of genetic instability in SCA10.


1987 ◽  
Vol 7 (5) ◽  
pp. 1894-1899 ◽  
Author(s):  
R Padmanabhan ◽  
T H Howard ◽  
B H Howard

We used HeLa cells as recipients in a gene transfer assay to characterize DNA sequences that negatively regulate mammalian cell growth. In this assay, genomic DNA from quiescent human embryo fibroblasts was more inhibitory for HeLa replication than was DNA from either Escherichia coli or HeLa cells. Surprisingly, growth inhibitory activity depended on the growth state of the cells from which genomic DNA was prepared; it was strongest in DNA prepared from serum-deprived, quiescent embryo fibroblasts. This latter observation implies a role for DNA modification(s) in regulating the activity of the inhibitory sequences detected in our assay. The level of the observed growth inhibitory activity was sometimes high, suggesting that the relevant sequences may be abundantly represented in the mammalian genome. We speculate that these findings may provide new insights into the molecular mechanisms involved in cellular quiescence and in vitro senescence.


2001 ◽  
Vol 357 (3) ◽  
pp. 875-880 ◽  
Author(s):  
Qiang HAO ◽  
Willy J. PEUMANS ◽  
Els J. M. van DAMME

The capacity of IRIP, a type-1 ribosome-inactivating protein (RIP) isolated from the bulbs of Iris hollandica, to bind specific DNA sequences from a mixture of approx. 200bp (average length) fragments of total genomic DNA from Iris genome was studied. Fragments that were preferentially bound by IRIP were enriched by several cycles of affinity binding and PCR, and were cloned and sequenced. The selected DNA fragments do not share conserved sequences, indicating that IRIP does not bind DNA fragments in a strictly sequence-specific manner. According to sequence analysis, most IRIP-bound fragments contain one or more possible free energy-stable hairpin structure(s) in their secondary structure, which may be the basis for recognition between IRIP and these DNA fragments. Some, but not all, DNA fragments moderately lower the RNA N-glycosidase activity of IRIP towards rabbit reticulocyte lysate ribosomes. IRIP does not remove adenines from the binding fragments, which implies that it does not act as a polynucleotide:adenosine glycosidase towards these DNA fragments. The selective binding of IRIP to conspecific DNA fragments is also discussed in view of the novel concept that RIPs may act as DNA-binding proteins with a regulatory activity on gene expression.


2009 ◽  
Vol 8 (4) ◽  
pp. 470-477 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jane W. Wanyiri ◽  
Patsharaporn Techasintana ◽  
Roberta M. O'Connor ◽  
Michael J. Blackman ◽  
Kami Kim ◽  
...  

ABSTRACTThe apicomplexan parasiteCryptosporidiumis a significant cause of diarrheal disease worldwide. Previously, we reported that aCryptosporidium parvumsubtilisin-like serine protease activity with furin-type specificity cleaves gp40/15, a glycoprotein that is proteolytically processed into gp40 and gp15, which are implicated in mediating infection of host cells. Neither the enzyme(s) responsible for the protease activity inC. parvumlysates nor those that process gp40/15 are known. There are no furin or other proprotein convertase genes in theC. parvumgenome. However, a gene encoding CpSUB1, a subtilisin-like serine protease, is present. In this study, we cloned the CpSUB1 genomic sequence and expressed and purified the recombinant prodomain. Reverse transcriptase PCR analysis of RNA fromC. parvum-infected HCT-8 cells revealed that CpSUB1 is expressed throughout infection in vitro. In immunoblots, antiserum to the recombinant CpSUB1 prodomain revealed two major bands, of ∼64 kDa and ∼48 kDa, forC. parvumlysates and proteins “shed” during excystation. In immunofluorescence assays, the antiserum reacted with the apical region of sporozoites and merozoites. The recombinant prodomain inhibited protease activity and processing of recombinant gp40/15 byC. parvumlysates but not by furin. Since prodomains are often selective inhibitors of their cognate enzymes, these results suggest that CpSUB1 may be a likely candidate for the protease activity inC. parvumand for processing of gp40/15. Importantly, the recombinant prodomain inhibitedC. parvuminfection of HCT-8 cells. These studies indicate that CpSUB1 plays a significant role in infection of host cells by the parasite and suggest that this enzyme may serve as a target for intervention.


Blood ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 132 (Supplement 1) ◽  
pp. 2320-2320
Author(s):  
Chong Yang ◽  
Toshio Suda ◽  
Xiaoxuan Lin ◽  
Mitsuhiro Endo

Abstract Adult erythropoiesis involves a series of well-coordinated events resulting in the production of mature red blood cells. One of such events is the mitochondria clearance, which is known to occur cell-autonomously via autophagy-dependent mechanisms. Interestingly, we identified a sequential changes in the transcriptional pattern during terminal erythroid differentiation based on the expression of several macroautophagy (e.g. Atg3, Atg5, Atg7 and Atg10) and non-canonical mitophagy (e.g. Pink1, Park2, Bnip3l/Nix, P62 and Ulk1) genes. Hence we hypothesize that the progressive reduction in mitochondria during terminal erythroid differentiation is directed by distinct transcriptionally-regulated programs. Notably, we revealed a gradual reduction of the expression of lysosome related genes (e.g. Lamp1, CD63, and Atp6v) and lysosomal activities from early to late stages of terminal differentiation. On the other hand, P62-Pink1-Parkin mediated ubiquitin proteasome degradation of mitochondria proteins seems to be more prominent during late stage erythropoiesis. Hence our data suggest that mitochondria clearance is predominantly mediated by canonical autophagy during early stages of terminal differentiation, whereas non-canonical mitophagy pathway seem to play a more predominant role to regulate late stages erythroid maturation. Next, we discovered mitochondria transfer activities from erythroblasts to their niche. In the context of erythropoiesis, macrophages are known to interact closely with erythroblasts to provide a specialized niche for erythroid precursors to proliferate, differentiate and enucleate. We showed defective erythropoiesis after macrophage depletion in the bone marrow. Subsequently, we identified a tendency for early erythroblasts to associate with macrophages and isolated those erythroblasts from mito-dendra2 mice with trackable mitochondria to establish a murine primary cell co-culture system. Then we report mitochondria transfer activities in the erythroid niche via different modes including direct uptake, micro-vesicle transfer and tunnelling nanotubes (TNT). Interestingly, interchangeable structures between micro-vesicles and TNTs have been observed, suggesting an interplay between cytoskeleton and membrane lipid molecules in the mitochondria transfer mechanisms. Furthermore, mitochondria transfer activities have also been observed in the co-culture of mito-dendra2 erythroid cells with a macrophage cell line, RAW cells, and are significantly enhanced by the activation of the RAW cells via Tfe3 activation. In summary, our findings may provide insight into the mitochondria clearance machineries that mediates erythroid maturation to fulfil the clinical demand for large scale transfusable blood cell production in vitro. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.


2012 ◽  
Vol 80 (8) ◽  
pp. 2948-2955 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yun Sun ◽  
Wen-Jiang Zheng ◽  
Yong-Hua Hu ◽  
Bo-Guang Sun ◽  
Li Sun

ABSTRACTEdwardsiella tarda, a Gram-negative bacterium, is a severe fish pathogen that can also infect humans. In this study, we identified, viain vivo-induced antigen technology, anE. tardaantigen, Eta1, and analyzed its function in a Japanese flounder (Paralichthys olivaceus) model. Eta1 is composed of 226 residues and shares homology with putative bacterial adhesins. Quantitative real-time reverse transcriptase (RT)-PCR analysis indicated that when culturedin vitro,eta1expression was growth phase dependent and reached maximum at mid-logarithmic phase. During infection of flounder lymphocytes,eta1expression was drastically increased at the early stage of infection. Compared to the wild type, theeta1-defective mutant, TXeta1, was unaffected in growth but exhibited attenuated overall virulence, reduced tissue dissemination and colonization capacity, and impaired ability to invade flounder lymphocytes and to block the immune response of host cells. The lost virulence of TXeta1 was restored when a functionaleta1gene was reintroduced into the strain. Western blot and immunodetection analyses showed that Eta1 is localized to the outer membrane and exposed on the surface ofE. tardaand that recombinant Eta1 (rEta1) was able to interact with flounder lymphocytes. Consistent with these observations, antibody blocking of Eta1 inhibitedE. tardainfection at the cellular level. Furthermore, when used as a subunit vaccine, rEta1 induced strong protective immunity in flounder against lethalE. tardachallenge. Taken together, these results indicate that Eta1 is anin vivo-induced antigen that mediates pathogen-host interaction and, as a result, is required for optimal bacterial infection.


2000 ◽  
Vol 68 (5) ◽  
pp. 2663-2670 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kara Lukin ◽  
Mary Cosyns ◽  
Tom Mitchell ◽  
Milton Saffry ◽  
Anthony Hayward

ABSTRACT CD154 is necessary for mice to clear a Cryptosporidium parvum infection, but whether this ligand has to be expressed on T cells with specificity for C. parvum has not been determined. We infected DO11.10 (ovalbumin specific) T-cell receptor transgenic mice that had been bred to a RAG−/− background with C. parvum and found that the infection was cleared within 6 weeks, while RAG−/− controls were unable to clear C. parvum infection. Recovery was accompanied by an increase in the number of splenic T cells with the CD44highphenotype that characterizes memory cells. To determine whether aC. parvum-infected environment sufficed to activate transgenic T cells, we reconstituted C. parvum-infected BALB/c SCID mice with DO11.10 RAG−/− splenocytes. Fecal excretion of C. parvum antigen ceased in the 12 weeks following the adoptive transfer, unless the mice were also injected with tolerizing doses of ovalbumin. DO11.10 T cells were found in the submucosa of C. parvum-infected, but not uninfected, BALB/c SCID hosts within 48 h of injection. The transferred DO11.10 T cells divided and acquired a CD44high memory phenotype inC. parvum-infected, but not uninfected, recipients. DO11.10 splenocytes from CD154 knockout donors failed to clear a C. parvum infection, confirming a requirement for CD154 in recovery. In vitro, the DO11.10 cells did not proliferate in response to C. parvum antigen, and a tBlast GenBank search revealed no matches between the ovalbumin peptide and C. parvum DNA sequences.C. parvum-infected SCID mice given RAG−/−CD8+ T cells with a Listeria-specific transgene did not recover from C. parvum infection. Our data suggest that antigen-nonspecific CD4+ T-cell effector mechanisms in combination with the innate arm of the immune system are sufficient for the eradication of C. parvum infection.


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