scholarly journals Dissecting the Transcriptomes of Multiple Metronidazole-Resistant and Sensitive Trichomonas vaginalis Strains Identified Distinct Genes and Pathways Associated with Drug Resistance and Cell Death

Biomedicines ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (12) ◽  
pp. 1817
Author(s):  
Po-Jung Huang ◽  
Ching-Yun Huang ◽  
Yu-Xuan Li ◽  
Yi-Chung Liu ◽  
Lichieh-Julie Chu ◽  
...  

Trichomonas vaginalis is the causative agent of trichomoniasis, the most prevalent non-viral sexually transmitted infection worldwide. Metronidazole (MTZ) is the mainstay of anti-trichomonal chemotherapy; however, drug resistance has become an increasingly worrying issue. Additionally, the molecular events of MTZ-induced cell death in T. vaginalis remain elusive. To gain insight into the differential expression of genes related to MTZ resistance and cell death, we conducted RNA-sequencing of three paired MTZ-resistant (MTZ-R) and MTZ-sensitive (MTZ-S) T. vaginalis strains treated with or without MTZ. Comparative transcriptomes analysis identified that several putative drug-resistant genes were exclusively upregulated in different MTZ-R strains, such as ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporters and multidrug resistance pumps. Additionally, several shared upregulated genes among all the MTZ-R transcriptomes were not previously identified in T. vaginalis, such as 5′-nucleotidase surE and Na+-driven multidrug efflux pump, which are a potential stress response protein and a multidrug and toxic compound extrusion (MATE)-like protein, respectively. Functional enrichment analysis revealed that purine and pyrimidine metabolisms were suppressed in MTZ-S parasites upon drug treatment, whereas the endoplasmic reticulum-associated degradation (ERAD) pathway, proteasome, and ubiquitin-mediated proteolysis were strikingly activated, highlighting the novel pathways responsible for drug-induced stress. Our work presents the most detailed analysis of the transcriptional changes and the regulatory networks associated with MTZ resistance and MTZ-induced signaling, providing insights into MTZ resistance and cell death mechanisms in trichomonads.

mBio ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Meinan Lyu ◽  
Mitchell A. Moseng ◽  
Jennifer L. Reimche ◽  
Concerta L. Holley ◽  
Vijaya Dhulipala ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT Neisseria gonorrhoeae is an obligate human pathogen and causative agent of the sexually transmitted infection (STI) gonorrhea. The most predominant and clinically important multidrug efflux system in N. gonorrhoeae is the multiple transferrable resistance (Mtr) pump, which mediates resistance to a number of different classes of structurally diverse antimicrobial agents, including clinically used antibiotics (e.g., β-lactams and macrolides), dyes, detergents and host-derived antimicrobials (e.g., cationic antimicrobial peptides and bile salts). Recently, it has been found that gonococci bearing mosaic-like sequences within the mtrD gene can result in amino acid changes that increase the MtrD multidrug efflux pump activity, probably by influencing antimicrobial recognition and/or extrusion to elevate the level of antibiotic resistance. Here, we report drug-bound solution structures of the MtrD multidrug efflux pump carrying a mosaic-like sequence using single-particle cryo-electron microscopy, with the antibiotics bound deeply inside the periplasmic domain of the pump. Through this structural approach coupled with genetic studies, we identify critical amino acids that are important for drug resistance and propose a mechanism for proton translocation. IMPORTANCE Neisseria gonorrhoeae has become a highly antimicrobial-resistant Gram-negative pathogen. Multidrug efflux is a major mechanism that N. gonorrhoeae uses to counteract the action of multiple classes of antibiotics. It appears that gonococci bearing mosaic-like sequences within the gene mtrD, encoding the most predominant and clinically important transporter of any gonococcal multidrug efflux pump, significantly elevate drug resistance and enhance transport function. Here, we report cryo-electron microscopy (EM) structures of N. gonorrhoeae MtrD carrying a mosaic-like sequence that allow us to understand the mechanism of drug recognition. Our work will ultimately inform structure-guided drug design for inhibiting these critical multidrug efflux pumps.


2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maryam Heidari ◽  
Abbas Pakdel ◽  
Mohammad Reza Bakhtiarizadeh ◽  
Fariba Dehghanian

Johne’s disease is a chronic infection of ruminants that burdens dairy herds with a significant economic loss. The pathogenesis of the disease has not been revealed clearly due to its complex nature. In order to achieve deeper biological insights into molecular mechanisms involved in MAP infection resulting in Johne’s disease, a system biology approach was used. As far as is known, this is the first study that considers lncRNAs, TFs, and mRNAs, simultaneously, to construct an integrated gene regulatory network involved in MAP infection. Weighted gene coexpression network analysis (WGCNA) and functional enrichment analysis were conducted to explore coexpression modules from which nonpreserved modules had altered connectivity patterns. After identification of hub and hub-hub genes as well as TFs and lncRNAs in the nonpreserved modules, integrated networks of lncRNA-mRNA-TF were constructed, and cis and trans targets of lncRNAs were identified. Both cis and trans targets of lncRNAs were found in eight nonpreserved modules. Twenty-one of 47 nonpreserved modules showed significant biological processes related to the immune system and MAP infection. Some of the MAP infection’s related pathways in the most important nonpreserved modules comprise “positive regulation of cytokine-mediated signaling pathway,” “negative regulation of leukocyte migration,” “T-cell differentiation,” “neutrophil activation,” and “defense response.” Furthermore, several genes were identified in these modules, including SLC11A1, MAPK8IP1, HMGCR, IFNGR1, CMPK2, CORO1A, IRF1, LDLR, BOLA-DMB, and BOLA-DMA, which are potentially associated with MAP pathogenesis. This study not only enhanced our knowledge of molecular mechanisms behind MAP infection but also highlighted several promising hub and hub-hub genes involved in macrophage-pathogen interaction.


2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Haoran Jia ◽  
Zibo Zhang ◽  
Ehsan Sadeghnezhad ◽  
Qianqian Pang ◽  
Shangyun Li ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Grape buds and leaves are directly associated with the physiology and metabolic activities of the plant, which is monitored by epigenetic modifications induced by environment and endogenous factors. Methylation is one of the epigenetic regulators that could be involved in DNA levels and affect gene expression in response to stimuli. Therefore, changes of gene expression profile in leaves and bud through inhibitors of DNA methylation provide a deep understanding of epigenetic effects in regulatory networks. Results In this study, we carried out a transcriptome analysis of ‘Kyoho’ buds and leaves under 5-azacytidine (5-azaC) exposure and screened a large number of differentially expressed genes (DEGs). GO and KEGG annotations showed that they are mainly involved in photosynthesis, flavonoid synthesis, glutathione metabolism, and other metabolic processes. Functional enrichment analysis also provided a holistic perspective on the transcriptome profile when 5-azaC bound to methyltransferase and induced demethylation. Enrichment analysis of transcription factors (TFs) also showed that the MYB, C2H2, and bHLH families are involved in the regulation of responsive genes under epigenetic changes. Furthermore, hormone-related genes have also undergone significant changes, especially gibberellin (GA) and abscisic acid (ABA)-related genes that responded to bud germination. We also used protein-protein interaction network to determine hub proteins in response to demethylation. Conclusions These findings provide new insights into the establishment of molecular regulatory networks according to how methylation as an epigenetic modification alters transcriptome patterns in bud and leaves of grape.


1998 ◽  
Vol 16 (11) ◽  
pp. 3674-3690 ◽  
Author(s):  
D M Bradshaw ◽  
R J Arceci

For cytotoxic agents to have an effect on tumor cells, drugs must first be transported into the cell, potentially be metabolized to an active form, and interact appropriately with target molecules. A final common pathway of cytotoxic agents is usually the initiation of programmed cell death, or apoptosis. Tumor cells overcome the effects of cytotoxic agents at one or more of these levels. The classic multidrug-resistance (MDR) phenotype, as mediated by the drug efflux pump, P-glycoprotein, is one of the most extensively studied mechanisms of drug resistance. Additional drug transporters, such as the multidrug resistance-associated proteins (MRPs), have also been identified and can convey drug-resistance phenotypes. Important questions remain as to how and whether such transport systems can be specifically measured and effectively targeted to improve therapeutic outcomes. Furthermore, alterations in drug targets, drug metabolism, repair of DNA damage caused by drugs, and the inability to initiate programmed cell death can all contribute to drug resistance and must be ultimately considered in the explanation of tumor-cell resistance to therapy. Continued exploration of the pharmacologic methods to circumvent drug resistance, as well as strategies that involve targeted therapy and immunomodulation, should increase the specificity and efficacy of treatments for patients with cancer.


2018 ◽  
Vol 5 (02) ◽  
pp. e61-e67
Author(s):  
Chika Yamawaki ◽  
Yoshihiro Yamaguchi ◽  
Akira Ogita ◽  
Toshio Tanaka ◽  
Ken-ichi Fujita

AbstractDrug resistance in fungal infections has been a more frequent occurrence with the increasing number of immunocompromised patients. In efforts to overcome the problem of fungal drug resistance, we focused on the phenolic compound dehydrozingerone, which is isolated from Zingiber officinale. The effectiveness of this compound on the model yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae has not been reported. In our study, dehydrozingerone showed a weak antifungal activity against the yeast, but demonstrated a synergistic effect in combination with dodecanol, which typically only restricts cell growth transiently. Efflux of rhodamine 6G through the multidrug efflux pumps was significantly restricted by dehydrozingerone. The transcription level of PDR5, encoding a primary multidrug efflux pump in S. cerevisiae, was enhanced with dodecanol treatment, whereas the level was reduced by dehydrozingerone. These results suggest that dehydrozingerone may be effective for potentiating antifungal activity of other drugs that are expelled from fungi by multidrug transporters like Pdr5p.


2022 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xingfa Han ◽  
Xu Xia ◽  
Yong Zhuo ◽  
Lun Hua ◽  
Guozhi Yu ◽  
...  

Abstract Backgroud: Salivary gland degeneration and dysfunction are common symptoms that occur after sex hormone deprivation, but the underlying mechanisms remain largely unknown. Additionally, immunocastration, which causes drop of sex hormones, has been developed as an alternative to surgical castration, however whether it exerts similar effects as surgical castration on the salivary glands is unknown. Through histological and RNA-seq analysis, we assessed changes in morphology and transcriptome of submaxillary gland (SMG) in response to immunocastration (IM) versus surgical castration (bilateral orchiectomy, ORC). Results: Compared to intact males (EM), ORC caused a dramatical degeneration of SMG in rats, as evidenced by both decreased (P < 0.01) SMG weight and organ index, and by decreased (P < 0.01) quantity of SMG acini and ducts. IM had minimal effects (P > 0.05) on SMG weight and organ index, but it still caused degeneration (P < 0.05) of the acini and ducts. Even though, the quantity of both SMG acini and ducts was much higher (P < 0.001) in IM than in ORC. Functional enrichment analysis of the common regulated genes by ORC/IM revealed disrupted epithelial cell development, angiogenesis, anatomical structure morphogenesis and enhanced cell death are associated with SMG degeneration in deprivation of androgens. Integrated data analysis shown that there existed a selective hyperfunction of SMG ribosome and mitochondrion in ORC but not in IM, which might be associated with more severe degeneration of SMG in ORC than in IM. Conclusions: Our findings suggested that both surgical castration and immunocastration caused SMG degeneration by disrupting epithelial cell development, angiogenesis, anatomical structure morphogenesis and enhancing cell death. But, surgical castration selectively induced hyperfunction of SMG ribosome and mitochondrion, thus causing more severe degeneration of SMG than immunocastration.


PeerJ ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
pp. e10529
Author(s):  
Yueqi Li ◽  
Wudi Wei ◽  
Sanqi An ◽  
Junjun Jiang ◽  
Jinhao He ◽  
...  

Background Competitive endogenous RNA (ceRNA) reveals new mechanisms for interactions between RNAs, which have been considered to play a significant role in pathogen-host innate immune response. However, knowledge of ceRNA regulatory networks in Talaromyces marneffei (TM)-macrophages is still limited. Methods Next-generation sequencing technology (NGS) was used to obtain mRNA, miRNA and lncRNA expression profiles in TM-infected macrophages. The R package DESeq2 was used to identify differentially expressed lncRNA, miRNA and mRNA. The R package GOseq was used for Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analysis, and the ceRNA network of lncRNA–miRNA–mRNA interaction was constructed in Cytoscape. Similarly, functional enrichment analysis on mRNA in the ceRNA network. Finally, two mRNAs and four lncRNAs in the ceRNA network were randomly selected to verify the expression using qRT-PCR. Results In total, 119 lncRNAs, 28 miRNAs and 208 mRNAs were identified as differentially expressed RNAs in TM-infected macrophages. The constructed ceRNA network contains 38 lncRNAs, 10 miRNAs and 45 mRNAs. GO and KEGG analysis of mRNA in the ceRNA network indicated that activated pathways in TM-infected macrophages were related to immunity, inflammation and metabolism. The quantitative validation of the expression of four randomly selected differentially expressed lncRNAs, AC006252.1, AC090197.1, IL6R-AS1, LINC02009 and two mRNAs, CSF1, NR4A3 showed that the expression levels were consistent with those in the RNA-sequencing. Conclusions The ceRNA network related to immunity, inflammation and metabolism plays an important role in TM-macrophage interaction. This study may provide effective and novel insights for further understanding the underlying mechanism of TM infection.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tong Sun ◽  
Haiyang Yu ◽  
Jianhua Fu

Abstract Background: Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) remains a severe respiratory complication of preterm infants in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs). However, its pathogenesis has been unclear. Bioinformatics analysis, which can help us explore genetic alternations and recognize latent diagnostic biomarkers, has recently promoted the comprehension of the molecular mechanisms underlying disease occurrence and development. Methods: In this study, we identified key genes and miRNA-mRNA regulatory networks in BPD in preterm infants to elucidate the pathogenesis of BPD. We downloaded and analyzed miRNA and gene expression microarray datasets from the Gene Expression Omnibus database (GEO). Differentially expressed miRNA (DEMs) and differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were obtained through NetworkAnalyst. We performed pathway enrichment analysis using the Database for Annotation, Visualization and Integrated Discovery program (DAVID), Gene Ontology (GO), and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG). Then we used the STRING to establish protein–protein interactions and the Cytoscape tool to establish miRNA–mRNA regulatory networks. Results: We identified 19 significant DEMs and 140 and 33 significantly upregulated and downregulated DEGs, respectively. Functional enrichment analysis indicated that significant DEGs were associated with the antigen processing and presentation, and B-cell receptor signaling pathways in BPD. Key DEGs, such as CD19, CD79B, MS4A1, and FCGR2B were selected as hub genes in PPI networks. Conclusions: In this study, we screened out 19 DEMs that might play important roles in the regulatory networks of BPD. Higher expression of miRNAs such as miR-15b-5p, hsa-miR-32-5p, miR-3613-3p, and miR-33a-5p and lower expression of miRNAs such as miR-3960, miR-425-5p, and miR-3202 might be correlated with the process of BPD.


2021 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ningyuan Chen ◽  
Liu Miao ◽  
Wei Lin ◽  
Donghua Zou ◽  
Ling Huang ◽  
...  

Background: To explore the association of DNA methylation and gene expression in the pathology of obesity.Methods: (1) Genomic DNA methylation and mRNA expression profile of visceral adipose tissue (VAT) were performed in a comprehensive database of gene expression in obese and normal subjects. (2) Functional enrichment analysis and construction of differential methylation gene regulatory networks were performed. (3) Validation of the two different methylation sites and corresponding gene expression was done in a separate microarray dataset. (4) Correlation analysis was performed on DNA methylation and mRNA expression data.Results: A total of 77 differentially expressed mRNAs matched with differentially methylated genes. Analysis revealed two different methylation sites corresponding to two unique genes—s100a8-cg09174555 and s100a9-cg03165378. Through the verification test of two interesting different expression positions [differentially methylated positions (DMPs)] and their corresponding gene expression, we found that methylation in these genes was negatively correlated to gene expression in the obesity group. Higher S100A8 and S100A9 expressions in obese subjects were validated in a separate microarray dataset.Conclusion: This study confirmed the relationship between DNA methylation and gene expression and emphasized the important role of S100A8 and S100A9 in the pathogenesis of obesity.


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