RESUMO
Human cysticercosis by Taenia solium is the major cause of neurological illness in countries of Africa, Southeast Asia, and the Americas. Publication of four cestode genomes (T. solium, Echinococcus multilocularis, E. granulosus and Hymenolepis microstoma) in the last decade, marked the advent of novel approaches on the study of the host-parasite molecular crosstalk for cestode parasites of importance for human and animal health. Taenia crassiceps is another cestode parasite, closely related to T. solium, which has been used in numerous studies as an animal model for human cysticercosis. Therefore, characterization of the T. crassiceps genome will also contribute to the understanding of the human infection. Here, we report the genome of T. crassiceps WFU strain, reconstructed to a noncontiguous finished resolution and performed a genomic and differential expression comparison analysis against ORF strain. Both strain genomes were sequenced using Oxford Nanopore (MinION) and Illumina technologies, achieving high quality assemblies of about 107 Mb for both strains. Dotplot comparison between WFU and ORF demonstrated that both genomes were extremely similar. Additionally, karyotyping results for both strains failed to demonstrate a difference in chromosome composition. Therefore, our results strongly support the concept that the absence of scolex in the ORF strain of T. crassiceps was not the result of a chromosomal loss as proposed elsewhere. Instead, it appears to be the result of subtle and extensive differences in the regulation of gene expression. Analysis of variants between the two strains identified 2,487 sites with changes distributed in 31 of 65 scaffolds. The differential expression analysis revealed that genes related to development and morphogenesis in the ORF strain might be involved in the lack of scolex formation.
Assuntos
Cisticercose , Taenia solium , África , Animais , Cisticercose/veterinária , Modelos Animais de Doenças , Genômica , Humanos , Taenia solium/genéticaRESUMO
NETosis is a neutrophil process involving sequential steps from pathogen detection to the release of DNA harboring antimicrobial proteins, including the central generation of NADPH oxidase dependent or independent ROS. Previously, we reported that NETosis triggered by Entamoeba histolytica trophozoites is independent of NADPH oxidase activity in neutrophils, but dependent on the viability of the parasites and no ROS source was identified. Here, we explored the possibility that E. histolytica trophozoites serve as the ROS source for NETosis. NET quantitation was performed using SYTOX® Green assay in the presence of selective inhibitors and scavengers. We observed that respiratory burst in neutrophils was inhibited by trophozoites in a dose dependent manner. Mitochondrial ROS was not also necessary, as the mitochondrial scavenger mitoTEMPO did not affect the process. Surprisingly, ROS-deficient amoebas obtained by pre-treatment with pyrocatechol were less likely to induce NETs. Additionally, we detected the presence of MPO on the cell surface of trophozoites after the interaction with neutrophils and found that luminol and isoluminol, intracellular and extracellular scavengers for MPO derived ROS reduced the amount of NET triggered by amoebas. These data suggest that ROS generated by trophozoites and processed by the extracellular MPO during the contact with neutrophils are required for E. histolytica induced NETosis.
RESUMO
Herein is presented the synthesis, characterization, electrochemical studies, DFT calculations and in vitro evaluation of amoebicidal activity in trophozoites of Entamoeba histolytica of twenty ruthenium (II) mixed compounds with general formulae: [Ru(pdto)(E-E)]Clx (E-E bidentate, either neutral or negatively charged ligands). For compounds under study, O-O, N-O and N-N auxiliary donor ligands demonstrate to have a crucial impact on the electronic properties and that it is possible to modulate the antiparasitic activity. Among analyzed complexes, only four present a better performance compared to typically used metronidazole drug (IC50 < 6.80 µmol/L) to treat amebiasis disease. For studied compounds, structure-activity relationships are strongly determined by either the redox potential (E1/2) of RuII/RuIII and calculated molar volume (V) of the complexes.
Assuntos
Antiparasitários/farmacologia , Entamoeba histolytica/efeitos dos fármacos , Entamebíase/tratamento farmacológico , Compostos Organometálicos/farmacologia , Rutênio/química , Antiparasitários/química , Eletroquímica , Entamebíase/parasitologia , Compostos Organometálicos/química , Relação Estrutura-AtividadeRESUMO
Amoebiasis is a parasitic disease caused by Entamoeba histolytica (E. histolytica), an extracellular enteric protozoan. This infection mainly affects people from developing countries with limited hygiene conditions, where it is endemic. Infective cysts are transmitted by the fecal-oral route, excysting in the terminal ileum and producing invasive trophozoites (amoebae). E. histolytica mainly lives in the large intestine without causing symptoms; however, possibly as a result of so far unknown signals, the amoebae invade the mucosa and epithelium causing intestinal amoebiasis. E. histolytica possesses different mechanisms of pathogenicity for the adherence to the intestinal epithelium and for degrading extracellular matrix proteins, producing tissue lesions that progress to abscesses and a host acute inflammatory response. Much information has been obtained regarding the virulence factors, metabolism, mechanisms of pathogenicity, and the host immune response against this parasite; in addition, alternative treatments to metronidazole are continually emerging. An accesible and low-cost diagnostic method that can distinguish E. histolytica from the most nonpathogenic amoebae and an effective vaccine are necessary for protecting against amoebiasis. However, research about the disease and its prevention has been a challenge due to the relationship between E. histolytica and the host during the distinct stages of the disease is multifaceted. In this review, we analyze the interaction between the parasite, the human host, and the colon microbiota or pathogenic microorganisms, which together give rise to intestinal amoebiasis.
Assuntos
Amebíase/parasitologia , Países em Desenvolvimento , Disenteria Amebiana/parasitologia , Intestinos/parasitologia , Saúde Pública , Amebíase/tratamento farmacológico , Amebíase/epidemiologia , Animais , Antiprotozoários/uso terapêutico , Disenteria Amebiana/epidemiologia , Entamoeba histolytica/imunologia , Entamoeba histolytica/patogenicidade , Fezes/parasitologia , Microbioma Gastrointestinal , Interações Hospedeiro-Patógeno , Humanos , Intestinos/microbiologia , Metronidazol/uso terapêutico , Camundongos , VirulênciaRESUMO
Leishmania major, a protozoan parasite that diverged early from the main eukaryotic lineage, exhibits unusual mechanisms of gene expression. Little is known in this organism about the transcription factors involved in the synthesis of tRNA, 5S rRNA, and snRNAs, transcribed by RNA Polymerase III (Pol III). Here we identify and characterize the TFIIIB subunit Bdp1 in L. major (LmBdp1). Bdp1 plays key roles in Pol III transcription initiation in other organisms, as it participates in Pol III recruitment and promoter opening. In silico analysis showed that LmBdp1 contains the typical extended SANT domain as well as other Bdp1 conserved regions. Nevertheless, LmBdp1 also displays distinctive features, including the presence of only one aromatic residue in the N-linker region. We were not able to produce null mutants of LmBdp1 by homologous recombination, as the obtained double replacement cell line contained an extra copy of LmBdp1, indicating that LmBdp1 is essential for the viability of L. major promastigotes. Notably, the mutant cell line showed reduced levels of the LmBdp1 protein, and its growth was significantly decreased in relation to wild-type cells. Nuclear run-on assays demonstrated that Pol III transcription was affected in the mutant cell line, and ChIP experiments showed that LmBdp1 binds to 5S rRNA, tRNA, and snRNA genes. Thus, our results indicate that LmBdp1 is an essential protein required for Pol III transcription in L. major.
Assuntos
Leishmania major/genética , RNA Polimerase III/genética , Fator de Transcrição TFIIIB/genética , Transcrição Gênica , Simulação por Computador , Sequência Conservada/genética , Regulação da Expressão Gênica/genética , Recombinação Homóloga/genética , Proteínas Mutantes/genética , Regiões Promotoras Genéticas , Domínios Proteicos/genética , Subunidades Proteicas/genética , RNA Ribossômico 5S/biossíntese , RNA Nuclear Pequeno/biossíntese , RNA de Transferência/biossínteseRESUMO
Amoebiasis is an infection of global importance, caused by the eukaryotic parasite Entamoeba histolytica. Pathogenic E. histolytica is associated worldwide with over a million cases of amoebic dysentery, colitis, and amoebic liver abscess. In contrast, the nonpathogenic Entamoeba dispar does not cause these diseases, although it is commonly found in the same areas as pathogenic amoeba. Entamoeba histolytica infection is usually associated with infiltrating neutrophils. These neutrophils appear to play a defensive role against this parasite, by mechanisms not completely understood. Recently, our group reported that neutrophil extracellular traps (NET) are produced in response to E. histolytica trophozoites. But, there is no information on whether nonpathogenic E. dispar can also induce NET formation. In this report, we explored the possibility that E. dispar leads to NET formation. Neutrophils were stimulated by E. histolytica trophozoites or by E. dispar trophozoites, and NET formation was assessed by video microscopy. NET induced by E. histolytica were important for trapping and killing amoebas. In contrast, E. dispar did not induce NET formation in any condition. Also E. dispar did not induce neutrophil degranulation or reactive oxygen species production. In addition, E. histolytica-induced NET formation required alive amoebas and it was inhibited by galactose, N-acetylgalactosamine, and lactose. These data show that only alive pathogenic E. histolytica activates neutrophils to produce NET, and suggest that recognition of the parasite involves a carbohydrate with an axial HO- group at carbon 4 of a hexose.
Assuntos
Degranulação Celular/imunologia , Entamoeba histolytica/imunologia , Armadilhas Extracelulares/imunologia , Ativação de Neutrófilo , Neutrófilos/imunologia , Trofozoítos/imunologia , Adulto , Feminino , Humanos , Masculino , Espécies Reativas de Oxigênio/imunologiaRESUMO
Amoebiasis, the disease caused by Entamoeba histolytica is the third leading cause of human deaths among parasite infections. E. histolytica was reported associated with around 100 million cases of amoebic dysentery, colitis and amoebic liver abscess that lead to almost 50,000 fatalities worldwide in 2010. E. histolytica infection is associated with the induction of inflammation characterized by a large number of infiltrating neutrophils. These neutrophils have been implicated in defense against this parasite, by mechanisms not completely described. The neutrophil antimicrobial mechanisms include phagocytosis, degranulation, and formation of neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs). Recently, our group reported that NETs are also produced in response to E. histolytica trophozoites. But, the mechanism for NETs induction remains unknown. In this report we explored the possibility that E. histolytica leads to NETs formation via a signaling pathway similar to the pathways activated by PMA or the Fc receptor FcγRIIIb. Neutrophils were stimulated by E. histolytica trophozoites and the effect of various pharmacological inhibitors on amoeba-induced NETs formation was assessed. Selective inhibitors of Raf, MEK, and NF-κB prevented E. histolytica-induced NET formation. In contrast, inhibitors of PKC, TAK1, and NADPH-oxidase did not block E. histolytica-induced NETs formation. E. histolytica induced phosphorylation of ERK in a Raf and MEK dependent manner. These data show that E. histolytica activates a signaling pathway to induce NETs formation, that involves Raf/MEK/ERK, but it is independent of PKC, TAK1, and reactive oxygen species (ROS). Thus, amoebas activate neutrophils via a different pathway from the pathways activated by PMA or the IgG receptor FcγRIIIb.
Assuntos
Entamoeba histolytica/imunologia , MAP Quinases Reguladas por Sinal Extracelular/metabolismo , Armadilhas Extracelulares/metabolismo , Interações Hospedeiro-Patógeno , Quinases de Proteína Quinase Ativadas por Mitógeno/metabolismo , Transdução de Sinais , Quinases raf/metabolismo , Humanos , Trofozoítos/imunologiaRESUMO
Neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) are DNA fibers decorated with histones and antimicrobial proteins from cytoplasmic granules released into the extracellular space in a process denominated NETosis. The molecular pathways involved in NETosis have not been completely understood. Classical NETosis mechanisms involve the neutrophil elastase (NE) translocation to nucleus due to the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) by NADPH oxidase (NOX2) or the peptidyl arginine deiminase 4 (PAD4) activation in response to an increase in extracellular calcium influx; both mechanisms result in DNA decondensation. Previously, we reported that trophozoites and lipopeptidophosphoglycan from Entamoeba histolytica trigger NET release in human neutrophils. Here, we demonstrated in a quantitative manner that NETs were rapidly form upon treatment with amoebic trophozoites and involved both nuclear and mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA). NETs formation depended on amoeba viability as heat-inactivated or paraformaldehyde-fixed amoebas were not able to induce NETs. Interestingly, ROS were not detected in neutrophils during their interaction with amoebas, which could explain why NOX2 inhibition using apocynin did not affect this NETosis. Surprisingly, whereas calcium chelation reduced NET release induced by amoebas, PAD4 inhibition by GSK484 failed to block DNA extrusion but, as expected, abolished NETosis induced by the calcium ionophore A23187. Additionally, NE translocation to the nucleus and serine-protease activity were necessary for NET release caused by amoeba. These data support the idea that E. histolytica trophozoites trigger NETosis by a rapid non-classical mechanism and that different mechanisms of NETs release exist depending on the stimuli used.
Assuntos
Entamoeba histolytica/metabolismo , Entamebíase/metabolismo , Armadilhas Extracelulares/metabolismo , NADPH Oxidases/metabolismo , Desiminases de Arginina em Proteínas/metabolismo , Espécies Reativas de Oxigênio/metabolismo , Trofozoítos/metabolismo , Acetofenonas/antagonistas & inibidores , Apoptose , Cálcio/metabolismo , DNA/efeitos dos fármacos , DNA/metabolismo , DNA Mitocondrial/efeitos dos fármacos , DNA Mitocondrial/metabolismo , Entamebíase/parasitologia , Armadilhas Extracelulares/parasitologia , Humanos , Elastase de Leucócito/metabolismo , Viabilidade Microbiana , Mitocôndrias/genética , Mitocôndrias/metabolismo , NADPH Oxidases/efeitos dos fármacos , Necrose , Neutrófilos/metabolismo , Neutrófilos/parasitologia , Oxirredução/efeitos dos fármacos , Peptidoglicano/metabolismo , Fosfolipídeos/metabolismo , Proteína-Arginina Desiminase do Tipo 4 , Inibidores de Serina Proteinase/metabolismo , Trofozoítos/genéticaRESUMO
Three water-soluble Ru(II) chiral heteroleptic coordination compounds [Ru(en)(pdto)]Cl2 (1), [Ru(gly)(pdto)]Cl (2), and [Ru(acac)(pdto)]Cl (3), where pdto = 2,2'-[1,2-ethanediylbis-(sulfanediyl-2,1-ethanediyl)]dipyridine, en = ethylendiamine, gly = glycinate, and acac = acetylacetonate, have been synthezised and fully characterized. The crystal structures of compounds 1-3 are described. The IC50 values for compounds 1-3 are within nanomolar range (14, 12, and 6 nM, respectively). The cytotoxicity for human peripheral blood lymphocytes is extremely low (>100 µM). Selectivity indexes for Ru(II) compounds are in the range 700-1300. Trophozoites exposed to Ru(II) compounds die through an apoptotic pathway triggered by ROS production. The orally administration to infected mice induces a total elimination of the parasite charge in mice faeces 1-2-fold faster than metronidazole. Besides, all compounds inhibit the trophozoite proliferation in amoebic liver abscess induced in hamster. All our results lead us to propose these compounds as promising candidates as antiparasitic agents.
Assuntos
Antiprotozoários/farmacologia , Entamoeba histolytica/efeitos dos fármacos , Compostos de Rutênio/farmacologia , Animais , Antiprotozoários/química , Antiprotozoários/uso terapêutico , Apoptose/efeitos dos fármacos , Células Cultivadas , Cricetinae , Cristalografia por Raios X , Humanos , Concentração Inibidora 50 , Abscesso Hepático Amebiano/tratamento farmacológico , Camundongos , Espécies Reativas de Oxigênio/metabolismo , Compostos de Rutênio/química , Compostos de Rutênio/uso terapêutico , EstereoisomerismoRESUMO
Flatworms are one of the most diverse groups within Lophotrochozoa with more than 20,000 known species, distributed worldwide in different ecosystems, from the free-living organisms in the seas and lakes to highly specialized parasites living in a variety of hosts, including humans. Several infections caused by flatworms are considered major neglected diseases affecting countries in the Americas, Asia, and Africa. For several decades, a particular interest on free-living flatworms was due to their ability to regenerate considerable portions of the body, implying the presence of germ cells that could be important for medicine. The relevance of reverse genetics for this group is clear; understanding the phenotypic characteristics of specific genes will shed light on developmental traits of free-living and parasite worms. The genetic manipulation of flatworms will allow learning more about the mechanisms for tissue regeneration, designing new and more effective anthelmintic drugs, and explaining the host-parasite molecular crosstalk so far partially inaccessible for experimentation. In this review, availability of transfection techniques is analyzed across flatworms, from the initial transient achievements to the stable manipulations now developed for free-living and parasite species.
Assuntos
Helmintos/genética , Platelmintos/genética , Medicina Regenerativa , Transfecção , Animais , Helmintos/fisiologia , Humanos , Platelmintos/fisiologiaRESUMO
Chemokines are small proteins that primarily regulate the traffic of leukocytes under homeostatic conditions and during specific immune responses. The chemokine-chemokine receptor system comprises almost 50 chemokines and approximately 20 chemokine receptors; thus, there is no unique ligand for each receptor and the binding of different chemokines to the same receptor might have disparate effects. Complicating the system further, these effects depend on the cellular milieu. In cancer, although chemokines are associated primarily with the generation of a protumoral microenvironment and organ-directed metastasis, they also mediate other phenomena related to disease progression, such as angiogenesis and even chemoresistance. Therefore, the chemokine system is becoming a target in cancer therapeutics. We review the emerging data and correlations between chemokines/chemokine receptors and breast cancer, their implications in cancer progression, and possible therapeutic strategies that exploit the chemokine system.
Assuntos
Neoplasias da Mama/metabolismo , Neoplasias da Mama/patologia , Quimiocinas/metabolismo , Animais , Antineoplásicos/farmacologia , Antineoplásicos/uso terapêutico , Neoplasias da Mama/tratamento farmacológico , Proliferação de Células , Quimiocinas/antagonistas & inibidores , Feminino , Humanos , Terapia de Alvo Molecular , Metástase Neoplásica , Neovascularização Patológica/metabolismo , Carga Tumoral , Microambiente TumoralRESUMO
Several studies have shown circadian variations in the response of the immune system suggesting a role of the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN). Here we show that lipopolysaccharide (LPS) administration in the beginning of the active period induced more severe responses in temperature and cytokines than LPS given in the rest period. Moreover night administered LPS increased SCN basal neuronal activity indicating a direct influence of inflammation on the SCN. Bilateral lesions of the SCN resulted in an increased inflammatory response to LPS demonstrating that an interaction between the SCN and the immune system modulates the intensity of the inflammatory response.
Assuntos
Sistema Imunitário/efeitos dos fármacos , Inflamação/metabolismo , Lipopolissacarídeos/farmacologia , Núcleo Supraquiasmático/efeitos dos fármacos , Adjuvantes Imunológicos/farmacologia , Animais , Temperatura Corporal/efeitos dos fármacos , Contagem de Células , Ritmo Circadiano/efeitos dos fármacos , Citocinas/metabolismo , Relação Dose-Resposta a Droga , Inflamação/induzido quimicamente , Inflamação/patologia , Masculino , Neurônios/efeitos dos fármacos , Proteínas Proto-Oncogênicas c-fos/metabolismo , Ratos , Ratos Wistar , Núcleo Supraquiasmático/citologia , Núcleo Supraquiasmático/metabolismo , Fatores de TempoRESUMO
The fatty acid-binding proteins (FABPs) comprise a family of proteins that are widely expressed in animal cells and perform a variety of vital functions. Here, we report the identification, characterization, recombinant expression, tissue localization and protective potential of a Taenia solium FABP (TsFABP1). The TsFABP1 primary structure showed all the conserved residues characteristic of the subfamily iv of the intracellular Lipid-Binding Proteins (iLBPs), including those involved in the binding stabilization of the fatty acid molecule. Through a competitive binding assay we found that TsFABP1 is able to bind at least six different fatty acids with preference toward palmitic and stearic acid, suggesting that TsFABP1 is a member of the iLBP subfamily iv. Immunolocalization assays carried out on larval and adult tissues of four species of taeniids using anti-TsFABP1 hyperimmune sera produced in mice and rabbit, showed intense labeling in the tegument of the spiral canal and in subtegumental cytons of the larvae. These findings suggest that the spiral canal might be a major place for FA uptake in the developing scolex. In contrast, only subtegumental cytons in the adult worms stained positive. We propose that TsFABP1 is involved in the mechanism to mobilize fatty acids between compartments in the extensive syncytial tissue of taeniids. Protection assays carried out in a murine model of cysticercosis showed that subcutaneous immunization with TsFABP1 resulted in about 45% reduction of parasite load against an intraperitoneal challenge with Taenia crassiceps cysts. This reduction in parasite load correlated with the level of cellular and humoral immune responses against TsFABP1, as determined in spleen lymphocyte proliferation and ELISA testing.
Assuntos
Cisticercose/parasitologia , Proteínas de Ligação a Ácido Graxo/metabolismo , Proteínas de Helminto/metabolismo , Taenia solium/metabolismo , Sequência de Aminoácidos , Animais , Cisticercose/imunologia , Cisticercose/prevenção & controle , Modelos Animais de Doenças , Proteínas de Ligação a Ácido Graxo/genética , Proteínas de Ligação a Ácido Graxo/imunologia , Ácidos Graxos/metabolismo , Feminino , Ordem dos Genes , Genoma Helmíntico , Proteínas de Helminto/genética , Proteínas de Helminto/imunologia , Humanos , Imunidade Humoral , Imunização , Camundongos , Dados de Sequência Molecular , Ligação Proteica , Proteínas Recombinantes/genética , Proteínas Recombinantes/imunologia , Proteínas Recombinantes/metabolismo , Alinhamento de Sequência , Taenia solium/genética , Taenia solium/imunologiaRESUMO
We report herein the complete coding sequence of a Taenia solium cytosolic malate dehydrogenase (TscMDH). The cDNA fragment, identified from the T. solium genome project database, encodes a protein of 332 amino acid residues with an estimated molecular weight of 36517Da. For recombinant expression, the full length coding sequence was cloned into pET23a. After successful expression and enzyme purification, isoelectrofocusing gel electrophoresis allowed to confirm the calculated pI value at 8.1, as deduced from the amino acid sequence. The recombinant protein (r-TscMDH) showed MDH activity of 409U/mg in the reduction of oxaloacetate, with neither lactate dehydrogenase activity nor NADPH selectivity. Optimum pH for enzyme activity was 7.6 for oxaloacetate reduction and 9.6 for malate oxidation. K(cat) values for oxaloacetate, malate, NAD, and NADH were 665, 47, 385, and 962s(-1), respectively. Additionally, a partial characterization of TsMDH gene structure after analysis of a 1.56Kb genomic contig assembly is also reported.
Assuntos
Malato Desidrogenase/genética , Taenia solium/enzimologia , Sequência de Aminoácidos , Animais , Sequência de Bases , Dicroísmo Circular , Clonagem Molecular , Citosol/enzimologia , DNA Complementar/química , Estabilidade Enzimática , Regulação Enzimológica da Expressão Gênica , Concentração de Íons de Hidrogênio , Focalização Isoelétrica , Cinética , Malato Desidrogenase/química , Malato Desidrogenase/isolamento & purificação , Malato Desidrogenase/metabolismo , Dados de Sequência Molecular , NAD/metabolismo , Proteínas Recombinantes/química , Proteínas Recombinantes/genética , Proteínas Recombinantes/isolamento & purificação , Proteínas Recombinantes/metabolismo , Alinhamento de Sequência , Análise de Sequência , Taenia solium/genética , TemperaturaRESUMO
This study presents morphological and biochemical evidence of programmed cell death (PCD) in Entamoeba histolytica induced by exposure of trophozoites to the aminoglycoside antibiotic G418. Morphological characteristics of PCD, including cell shrinkage, reduced cellular volume, nuclear condensation, DNA fragmentation and vacuolization were observed, with preservation of trophozoite membrane integrity. PCD is orchestrated biochemically by alterations in intracellular ion fluxes. In G418-treated trophozoites, overproduction of reactive oxygen species (ROS), decreased intracellular K+, increased cytosolic calcium, and decreased intracellular pH levels were observed. However, externalization of phosphatidylserine was not detected. These results suggest that amoebae can undergo PCD under stress conditions, and that this PCD shares several properties with PCD reported in mammals and in a variety of unicellular organisms.
Assuntos
Amebicidas/farmacologia , Apoptose , Entamoeba histolytica/efeitos dos fármacos , Entamoeba histolytica/fisiologia , Gentamicinas/farmacologia , Animais , Cálcio/metabolismo , Fragmentação do DNA , Entamoeba histolytica/crescimento & desenvolvimento , Entamoeba histolytica/ultraestrutura , Concentração de Íons de Hidrogênio , Estresse Oxidativo , Potássio/metabolismo , Espécies Reativas de Oxigênio , Trofozoítos/efeitos dos fármacos , Trofozoítos/fisiologiaRESUMO
We have constituted a consortium of key laboratories at the National Autonomous University of Mexico to carry out a genomic project for Taenia solium. This project will provide powerful resources for the study of taeniasis/cysticercosis, and, in conjunction with the Echinococcus granulosus and Echinococcus multilocularis genome project of expressed sequence tags (ESTs), will mark the advent of genomics for cestode parasites. Our project is planned in two consecutive stages. The first stage is being carried out to determine some basic parameters of the T. solium genome. Afterwards, we will evaluate the best strategy for the second stage, a full blown genome project. We have estimated the T. solium genome size by two different approaches: cytofluorometry on isolated cyton nuclei, as well as a probabilistic calculation based on approximately 2000 sequenced genomic clones, approximately 3000 ESTs, resulting in size estimates of 270 and 251 Mb, respectively. In terms of sequencing, our goal for the first stage is to characterize several thousand EST's (from adult worm and cysticerci cDNA libraries) and genomic clones. Results obtained so far from about 16,000 sequenced ESTs from the adult stage, show that only about 40% of the T. solium coding sequences have a previously sequenced homologue. Many of the best hits are found with mammalian genes, especially with humans. However, 1.5% of the hits lack homologues in humans, making these genes immediate candidates for investigation on pharmaco-therapy, diagnostics and vaccination. Most T. solium ESTs are related to gene regulation, and signal transduction. Other important functions are housekeeping, metabolism, cell division, cytoskeleton, proteases, vacuolar transport, hormone response, and extracellular matrix activities. Preliminary results also suggest that the genome of T. solium is not highly repetitive.
Assuntos
Genoma Helmíntico , Genômica , Taenia solium/genética , Animais , Cisticercose/parasitologia , Cysticercus , Humanos , Taenia solium/crescimento & desenvolvimentoRESUMO
In vitro exposure of Entamoeba histolytica trophozoites to the sex steroids 17beta-estradiol, progesterone, and dehydrotestosterone had little effect on parasite viability or proliferation. However, treatment with the adrenal steroid dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) markedly inhibited parasite proliferation, adherence and motility, and at a certain dose it induced trophozoite lysis. The opposite effect on proliferation was found when the trophozoites were exposed to cortisol. Moreover, DHEA decreased while cortisol increased the parasite's DNA synthesis determined by 3H-thymidine incorporation. Trophozoite lysis by DHEA appeared to be caused by a necrotic rather than an apoptotic process, as observed in propidium iodide and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated biotinylated UTP nick end labeling assays. A possible mechanisms of action was derived from experiments demonstrating that the activity of a putative 3-hydroxy-3-methyl glutaryl CoA reductase detected in trophozoite extracts was inhibited in the presence of DHEA. Contrary to its in vitro inhibitory effect, in vivo administration of DHEA to infected hamsters resulted in exacerbation of the amebic liver abscesses. These results demonstrated that androgen steroids act directly upon E. histolytica growth and viability, and may shed new light on some age and gender differences in disease progression, as well as finding application in the drug treatment of human amebiasis.
Assuntos
Desidroepiandrosterona/farmacologia , Entamoeba histolytica/efeitos dos fármacos , Entamoeba histolytica/crescimento & desenvolvimento , Hormônios Esteroides Gonadais/farmacologia , Hidrocortisona/farmacologia , Animais , Cricetinae , Entamoeba histolytica/patogenicidade , Entamebíase/parasitologia , Entamebíase/fisiopatologia , Masculino , MesocricetusRESUMO
Cyclosporin A (CsA) inhibits the proliferation of several protozoan parasites through blocking the activity of calcineurin (Cn) or P-glycoproteins (Pgp). We report here, that inhibition of the proliferation of Entamoeba histolytica trophozoites, the causal agent of human amebiasis, is due to interference of the phosphatase activity of Cn, in a similar fashion to the effect of this immunosuppressive drug on T lymphocytes. The non-immunosuppressive CsA analog PSC-833, which binds Pgp without interfering the function of Cn, did not inhibit the proliferation of HM1:IMSS trophozoites. Moreover, phosphatase activity of amebic Cn, detected using the phosphopeptide RII, was drastically affected by incubation with CsA, but not with PSC-833. On the other hand, both drugs were also tested on clone C2 trophozoites, which grow in the presence of emetine due to over-expression of Pgp. The effect of CsA was similar to that observed on HM1:IMSS trophozoites, whereas PSC-833 only affected the proliferation and viability of clone C2 when the trophozoites were grown in the presence of 40 microM of emetine, suggesting an interference of the Pgp activity. This suggestion was confirmed by results from experiments of Pgp-dependent effux of rhodamine from pre-loaded trophozoites, in the presence of either of these drugs. Therefore, CsA inhibition of E. histolytica trophozoite proliferation is more likely due to Cn than Pgp activity inhibition.