scholarly journals Probing the Peculiarity of EhRabX10, a pseudoRab GTPase, from the Enteric Parasite Entamoeba histolytica through In Silico Modeling and Docking Studies

2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 ◽  
pp. 1-13
Author(s):  
Mrinalini Roy ◽  
Sanket Kaushik ◽  
Anupam Jyoti ◽  
Vijay Kumar Srivastava
Keyword(s):  
Entamoeba Histolytica ◽  
In Silico ◽  
Secretory Pathway ◽  
3D Structure ◽  
Cysteine Proteases ◽  
Physicochemical Analysis ◽  
Small Gtpases ◽  
Host Cells ◽  
Rab Gtpases ◽  
Tissue Invasion

Entamoeba histolytica (Eh) is a pathogenic eukaryote that often resides silently in humans under asymptomatic stages. Upon indeterminate stimulus, it develops into fulminant amoebiasis that causes severe hepatic abscesses with 50% mortality. This neglected tropical pathogen relies massively on membrane modulation to flourish and cause disease; these modulations range from the phagocytic mode for food acquisition to a complex trogocytosis mechanism for tissue invasion. Rab GTPases form the largest branch of the Ras-like small GTPases, with a diverse set of roles across the eukaryotic kingdom. Rab GTPases are vital for the orchestration of membrane transport and the secretory pathway responsible for transporting the pathogenic effectors, such as cysteine proteases (EhCPs) which help in tissue invasion. Rab GTPases thus play a crucial role in executing the cytolytic effect of E. histolytica. First, they interact with Gal/Nac lectins required for adhering to the host cells, and then, they assist in the secretion of EhCPs. Additionally, amoebic Rab GTPases are vital for encystation because substantial vesicular trafficking is required to create dormant amoebic cysts. These cysts are the infective agent and help to spread the disease. The absence of a “bonafide” vesicular transport machinery in Eh and the existence of a diverse repertoire of amoebic Rab GTPases (EhRab) hint at their contribution in supporting this atypical machinery. Here, we provide insights into a pseudoRab GTPase, EhRabX10, by performing physicochemical analysis, predictive 3D structure modeling, protein-protein interaction studies, and in silico molecular docking. Our group is the first one to classify EhRabX10 as a pseudoRab GTPase with four nonconserved G-motifs. It possesses the basic fold of the P-loop containing nucleotide hydrolases. Through this in silico study, we provide an introduction to the characterization of the atypical EhRabX10 and set the stage for future explorations into the mechanisms of nucleotide recognition, binding, and hydrolysis employed by the pseudoEhRab GTPase family.

scholarly journals Queuine is a nutritional regulator of Entamoeba histolytica response to oxidative stress and a virulence attenuator

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shruti Nagaraja ◽  
Maggi W. Cai ◽  
Jingjing Sun ◽  
Hugo Varet ◽  
Lotem Sarid ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Oxidative Stress ◽  
Entamoeba Histolytica ◽  
Cysteine Proteases ◽  
Small Gtpases ◽  
Cytoskeletal Proteins ◽  
Transfer Rnas ◽  
Amebic Dysentery ◽  
Naturally Occurring ◽  
Expression Of Genes ◽  
Negative Effect

Queuosine is a naturally occurring modified ribonucleoside found in the first position of the anticodon of the transfer RNAs for Asp, Asn, His and Tyr. Eukaryotes lack pathways to synthesize queuine, the nucleobase precursor to queuosine, and must obtain it from diet or gut microbiota. Here we describe the effects of queuine on the physiology of the eukaryotic parasite, Entamoeba histolytica, the causative agent of amebic dysentery. Queuine is efficiently incorporated into E. histolytica tRNAs by a tRNA-guanine transglycosylase (EhTGT) and this incorporation stimulates the methylation of C38 in tRNAAspGUC. Queuine protects the parasite against oxidative stress (OS) and antagonizes the negative effect that oxidation has on translation by inducing the expression of genes involved in OS response, such as heat shock protein 70 (Hsp 70), antioxidant enzymes, and enzymes involved in DNA repair. On the other hand, queuine impairs E. histolytica virulence by downregulating the expression of genes previously associated with virulence, including cysteine proteases, cytoskeletal proteins, and small GTPases. Silencing of EhTGT prevents incorporation of queuine into tRNAs and strongly impairs methylation of C38 in tRNAAspGUC, parasite growth, resistance to OS, and cytopathic activity. Overall, our data reveal that queuine plays a dual role in promoting OS resistance and reducing parasite virulence.

scholarly journals The Ypt1 GTPase is essential for the first two steps of the yeast secretory pathway.

1995 ◽  
Vol 131 (3) ◽  
pp. 583-590 ◽  
Author(s):  
G Jedd ◽  
C Richardson ◽  
R Litt ◽  
N Segev
Keyword(s):  
Mammalian Cells ◽  
Secretory Pathway ◽  
Small Gtpases ◽  
Rab Proteins ◽  
Restrictive Temperature ◽  
Rab Gtpases ◽  
Curr Opin Cell Biol ◽  
Rab Family ◽  
One Step ◽  
Mutant Cells

Small GTPases of the rab family are involved in the regulation of vesicular transport. The restricted distribution of each of these proteins in mammalian cells has led to the suggestion that different rab proteins act at different steps of transport (Pryer, N. K., L. J. Wuestehube, and R. Sheckman. 1992. Annu Rev. Biochem. 61:471-516; Zerial, M., and H. Stenmark. 1993. Curr. Opin. Cell Biol. 5:613-620). However, in this report we show that the Ypt1-GTPase, a member of the rab family, is essential for more than one step of the yeast secretory pathway. We determined the secretory defect conferred by a novel ypt1 mutation by comparing the processing of several transported glycoproteins in wild-type and mutant cells. The ypt1-A136D mutant has a change in an amino acid that is conserved among rab GTPases. This mutation leads to a rapid and tight secretory block upon a shift to the restrictive temperature, and allows for the identification of the specific steps in the secretory pathway that directly require Ypt1 protein (Ypt1p). The ypt1-A136D mutant exhibits tight blocks in two secretory steps, ER to cis-Golgi and cis- to medial-Golgi, but later steps are unaffected. Thus, it is unlikely that Ypt1p functions as the sole determinant of fusion specificity. Our results are more consistent with a role for Ypt1/rab proteins in determining the directionality or fidelity of protein sorting.

scholarly journals Queuine Is a Nutritional Regulator of Entamoeba histolytica Response to Oxidative Stress and a Virulence Attenuator

mBio ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Shruti Nagaraja ◽  
Maggi W. Cai ◽  
Jingjing Sun ◽  
Hugo Varet ◽  
Lotem Sarid ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Oxidative Stress ◽  
Entamoeba Histolytica ◽  
Cysteine Proteases ◽  
Small Gtpases ◽  
Cytoskeletal Proteins ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Transfer Rnas ◽  
Amebic Dysentery ◽  
Expression Of Genes ◽  
Negative Effect

ABSTRACT Queuosine is a naturally occurring modified ribonucleoside found in the first position of the anticodon of the transfer RNAs for Asp, Asn, His, and Tyr. Eukaryotes lack pathways to synthesize queuine, the nucleobase precursor to queuosine, and must obtain it from diet or gut microbiota. Here, we describe the effects of queuine on the physiology of the eukaryotic parasite Entamoeba histolytica, the causative agent of amebic dysentery. Queuine is efficiently incorporated into E. histolytica tRNAs by a tRNA-guanine transglycosylase (EhTGT) and this incorporation stimulates the methylation of C38 in tRNAGUCAsp. Queuine protects the parasite against oxidative stress (OS) and antagonizes the negative effect that oxidation has on translation by inducing the expression of genes involved in the OS response, such as heat shock protein 70 (Hsp70), antioxidant enzymes, and enzymes involved in DNA repair. On the other hand, queuine impairs E. histolytica virulence by downregulating the expression of genes previously associated with virulence, including cysteine proteases, cytoskeletal proteins, and small GTPases. Silencing of EhTGT prevents incorporation of queuine into tRNAs and strongly impairs methylation of C38 in tRNAGUCAsp, parasite growth, resistance to OS, and cytopathic activity. Overall, our data reveal that queuine plays a dual role in promoting OS resistance and reducing parasite virulence. IMPORTANCE Entamoeba histolytica is a unicellular parasite that causes amebiasis. The parasite resides in the colon and feeds on the colonic microbiota. The gut flora is implicated in the onset of symptomatic amebiasis due to alterations in the composition of bacteria. These bacteria modulate the physiology of the parasite and affect the virulence of the parasite through unknown mechanisms. Queuine, a modified nucleobase of queuosine, is exclusively produced by the gut bacteria and leads to tRNA modification at the anticodon loops of specific tRNAs. We found that queuine induces mild oxidative stress resistance in the parasite and attenuates its virulence. Our study highlights the importance of bacterially derived products in shaping the physiology of the parasite. The fact that queuine inhibits the virulence of E. histolytica may lead to new strategies for preventing and/or treating amebiasis by providing to the host queuine directly or via probiotics.

scholarly journals Chitinase Secretion by Encysting Entamoeba invadensand Transfected Entamoeba histolytica Trophozoites: Localization of Secretory Vesicles, Endoplasmic Reticulum, and Golgi Apparatus

1999 ◽  
Vol 67 (6) ◽  
pp. 3073-3081 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sudip K. Ghosh ◽  
Jessica Field ◽  
Marta Frisardi ◽  
Benjamin Rosenthal ◽  
Zhiming Mai ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Endoplasmic Reticulum ◽  
Golgi Apparatus ◽  
Entamoeba Histolytica ◽  
Secretory Pathway ◽  
Signal Sequence ◽  
Gene Promoter ◽  
Brefeldin A ◽  
Host Cells ◽  
Secretory Vesicles ◽  
Fluorescent Substrate

ABSTRACT Entamoeba histolytica, the protozoan parasite that phagocytoses bacteria and host cells, has a vesicle/vacuole-filled cytosol like that of macrophages. In contrast, the infectious cyst form has four nuclei and a chitin wall. Here, anti-chitinase antibodies identified hundreds of small secretory vesicles in encysting E. invadens parasites and in E. histolytica trophozoites overexpressing chitinase under an actin gene promoter. Abundant small secretory vesicles were also identified with antibodies to the surface antigen Ariel and with a fluorescent substrate of cysteine proteinases. Removal of an N-terminal signal sequence directed chitinase to the cytosol. Addition of a C-terminal KDEL peptide, identified on amebic BiP, retained chitinase in a putative endoplasmic reticulum, which was composed of a few vesicles of mixed sizes. A putative Golgi apparatus, which was Brefeldin A sensitive and composed of a few large, perinuclear vesicles, was identified with antibodies to ADP-ribosylating factor and to ɛ-COP. We conclude that the amebic secretory pathway is similar to those of other eukaryotic cells, even if its appearance is somewhat different.

scholarly journals Hijacking Components of the Cellular Secretory Pathway for Replication of Poliovirus RNA

2006 ◽  
Vol 81 (2) ◽  
pp. 558-567 ◽  
Author(s):  
George A. Belov ◽  
Nihal Altan-Bonnet ◽  
Gennadiy Kovtunovych ◽  
Catherine L. Jackson ◽  
Jennifer Lippincott-Schwartz ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Secretory Pathway ◽  
Brefeldin A ◽  
Rna Replication ◽  
Bound State ◽  
Small Gtpases ◽  
Nucleotide Exchange ◽  
Virus Growth ◽  
Guanine Nucleotide Exchange ◽  
Membrane Reorganization

ABSTRACT Infection of cells with poliovirus induces a massive intracellular membrane reorganization to form vesicle-like structures where viral RNA replication occurs. The mechanism of membrane remodeling remains unknown, although some observations have implicated components of the cellular secretory and/or autophagy pathways. Recently, we showed that some members of the Arf family of small GTPases, which control secretory trafficking, became membrane-bound after the synthesis of poliovirus proteins in vitro and associated with newly formed membranous RNA replication complexes in infected cells. The recruitment of Arfs to specific target membranes is mediated by a group of guanine nucleotide exchange factors (GEFs) that recycle Arf from its inactive, GDP-bound state to an active GTP-bound form. Here we show that two different viral proteins independently recruit different Arf GEFs (GBF1 and BIG1/2) to the new structures that support virus replication. Intracellular Arf-GTP levels increase ∼4-fold during poliovirus infection. The requirement for these GEFs explains the sensitivity of virus growth to brefeldin A, which can be rescued by the overexpression of GBF1. The recruitment of Arf to membranes via specific GEFs by poliovirus proteins provides an important clue toward identifying cellular pathways utilized by the virus to form its membranous replication complex.

scholarly journals Elucidating Binding Sites and Affinities of ERα Agonist and Antagonist to Human Alpha-Fetoprotein by in silico Modeling and Point Mutagenesis

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nurbubu T. Moldogazieva ◽  
Daria S. Ostroverkhova ◽  
Nikolai N. Kuzmich ◽  
Vladimir V. Kadochnikov ◽  
Alexander A. Terentiev ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Binding Sites ◽  
In Silico ◽  
Disulfide Bonds ◽  
Electrostatic Interactions ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
3D Structure ◽  
Scoring Function ◽  
Alpha Fetoprotein ◽  
Ligand Interaction ◽  
Ligand Interactions

Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) is a major embryo- and tumor-associated protein capable of binding and transporting variety of hydrophobic ligands including estrogens. AFP has been shown to inhibit estrogen receptor (ER)-positive tumor growth and this can be attributed to its estrogen-binding ability. Despite AFP has long been investigated, its three-dimensional (3D) structure has not been experimentally resolved and molecular mechanisms underlying AFP-ligand interaction remain obscure. In our study we constructed homology-based 3D model of human AFP (HAFP) with the purpose to perform docking of ERα ligands, three agonists (17β-estradiol, estrone and diethylstilbestrol) and three antagonists (tamoxifen, afimoxifene and endoxifen) into the obtained structure. Based on ligand docked scoring function, we identified three putative estrogen- and antiestrogen-binding sites with different ligand binding affinities. Two high-affinity sites were located in (i) a tunnel formed within HAFP subdomains IB and IIA and (ii) opposite side of the molecule in a groove originating from cavity formed between domains I and III, while (iii) the third low-affinity site was found at the bottom of the cavity. 100 ns MD simulation allowed studying their geometries and showed that HAFP-estrogen interactions occur due to van der Waals forces, while both hydrophobic and electrostatic interactions were almost equally involved in HAFP-antiestrogen binding. MM/GBSA rescoring method estimated binding free energies (ΔGbind) and showed that antiestrogens have higher affinities to HAFP as compared to estrogens. We performed in silico point substitutions of amino acid residues to confirm their roles in HAFP-ligand interactions and showed that Thr132, Leu138, His170, Phe172, Ser217, Gln221, His266, His316, Lys453, and Asp478 residues along two disulfide bonds, Cys224-Cys270 and Cys269-Cys277 have key roles in both HAFP-estrogen and HAFP-antiestrogen binding. Data obtained in our study contribute to understanding mechanisms underlying protein-ligand interactions and anti-cancer therapy strategies based on ER-binding ligands.

scholarly journals IDENTIFIKASI SENYAWA ANTIDIABETES SECARA in Silico PADA Carica pubescens Lenne & K. Koch

el–Hayah ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 5 (4) ◽  
pp. 135
Author(s):  
Ainun Nikmati Laily ◽  
Ahmad Nuruddin Khoiri
Keyword(s):  
In Silico ◽  
Raw Materials ◽  
Iridoid Glycosides ◽  
Cysteine Proteases ◽  
Central Java ◽  
Chemical Content ◽  
Plateau Central ◽  
Sugar Levels ◽  
Carica Pubescens

<em>Carica pubescens Lenne &amp; K. Koch is one of the typical highland crops in Indonesia. This plant can be found in the region of Cangar and Bromo in East Java, as well as the Dieng Plateau, Central Java Wonosobo-Banjarnegara. Morphological, chemical content, and analysis of protein banding pattern of the Carica pubescens has been done, but more about the use of active compounds for pharmaceutical raw materials, in Diabetes Mellitus type 2 have not been studied. One therapeutic approach to lowering blood sugar levels posprandial is to slow down or inhibit the absorption of glucose through inhibition of the carbohydrates hidrolitic enzyme such as α-amylase and α-glucosidase. This study aims to identify antidiabetic compounds in silico. Antidiabetic compounds were analyzed by methods of docking. The results showed that papain and cysteine protease in C. pubescens have better binding affinity to α-amylase and α-glucosidase compared to iridoid glycosides. Papain and cysteine proteases isolated from C. pubescens are potential to be developed as an antidiabetic.</em>

scholarly journals Homology Modeling and Characterization of Novel Stress Inducing Genes and their Split Sites Recognition in the Genome of Zebra Fish (Danio Rario) by Employing Special Consensus Pattern Matching Algorithms- using an in-Silico Method.

2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 6715-6720
Keyword(s):  
Transcription Factor ◽  
Heat Shock ◽  
Pattern Matching ◽  
Binding Sites ◽  
In Silico ◽  
3D Structure ◽  
Transcription Factor Binding Sites ◽  
Heat Shock Transcription Factor ◽  
Zebra Fish ◽  
Transcription Factor 1

Zebra fish has long been considered to be as a strong animal model in biology and modern genetics; however now a days its gaining lot of importance in environmental studies as well. The readily availability of entire genome sequences made to permit carrying out in silico studies at Genomic level. As everyone is known that stress is much more complex and complicated process that involves so much of gene regulations known as up regulation and down regulation, the corresponding stress proteins, broadly known as heat shock proteins. In the current study, the potential transcription factor binding sites were traced out by using bioinformatics tools and about 50 heat shock protein genes were predicted by using special alogorithms using pattern matching and position weight matrices. The 3D structure of DNA-binding domain of HSTF-1 ( Heat Shock Transcription factor-1) which is crucial for regulating heat shot proteins was traced out and builted by using homology modelling methods. The 3D structure of the heat shock transcription factor-1 and together with predicted transcription factor binding sites may be validated in future experimental works which would help us in understanding the complex responsive stress mechanisms lying in Zebra fish.

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