Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Daniela Sparvoli, Jason Delabre, Diana Marcela Penarete-Vargas, Shrawan Kumar Mageswaran, Lev M. Tsypin, Justine Heckendorn, Liam Theveny, Marjorie Maynadier, Marta Mendonca Cova, Laurence Berry-Sterkers, Amandine Guerin, Jean-Francois Dubremetz, Serge Urbach, Boris Striepen, Aaron P. Turkewitz, Yi-Wei Chang, Maryse Lebrun
Summary: A membrane-bound protein complex called CRMPs has been discovered to play a crucial role in rhoptry secretion and invasion in Toxoplasma. Unlike previously described rhoptry exocytic factors, TgCRMPs are not essential for the assembly of the rhoptry secretion machinery and only transiently associate with the exocytic site prior to invasion. The CRMP complex seems to act as a host-molecular sensor to ensure rhoptry exocytosis occurs when the parasite contacts the host cell.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Asma S. Khelifa, Cecilia Guillen Sanchez, Kevin M. Lesage, Ludovic Huot, Thomas Mouveaux, Pierre Pericard, Nicolas Barois, Helene Touzet, Guillemette Marot, Emmanuel Roger, Mathieu Gissot
Summary: Khelifa et al. identified a key transcriptional regulator, TgAP2IX-5, in the model Apicomplexan Toxoplasma gondii, which controls the timing of daughter cell emergence and regulates the expression of necessary transcription factors for completion of the budding cycle. Additionally, TgAP2IX-5 acts as a limiting factor by promoting the inhibition of the differentiation pathway, ensuring the continuation of asexual proliferation.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Alessandro D. Uboldi, Mary-Louise Wilde, Stefanie M. Bader, Christopher J. Tonkin
Summary: Toxoplasma and other apicomplexan parasites rely on a unique form of cellular locomotion called gliding motility. Understanding how environmental cues activate gliding motility and regulate the machinery involved in this process is crucial for parasite survival and dissemination. Research progress in this area not only sheds light on Toxoplasma, but also has broader implications for the understanding of gliding motility in other Apicomplexa parasites.
MOLECULAR MICROBIOLOGY
(2021)
Review
Cell Biology
Rachel A. Howard-Till, Usha Pallabi Kar, Amy S. Fabritius, Mark Winey
Summary: Ciliates, a group of unicellular eukaryotes, have been studied to understand the adaptations and evolutionary processes in other organisms. Recent research on ciliate models has revealed gene scrambling and mating type determination similar to other life kingdoms, and advancements in cryo-electron microscopy and tomography for studying complex macromolecules.
ANNUAL REVIEW OF CELL AND DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Antonija Kulas, Vesna Gulin, Renata Matonickin Kepcija, Petar Zutinic, Mirela Sertic Peric, Sandi Orlic, Katarina Kajan, Thorsten Stoeck, Guillaume Lentendu, Ivan Canjevac, Ivan Martinic, Marija Gligora Udovic
Summary: This study investigated the ciliate community structure in the Krka River, Croatia, and found that the environmental DNA (eDNA) method can accurately detect the diversity and structure of ciliate taxa. Hydrological parameters and saprobiological classifications were identified as the main structuring factors for the ciliate community.
ECOLOGICAL INDICATORS
(2021)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Benedito M. Dos Santos, Jude M. Przyborski, Celia R. S. Garcia
Summary: English Summary: The GPCR-like SR25 in Plasmodium falciparum, a species of apicomplexan parasites, is activated by a shift in potassium concentration, allowing the parasite to take advantage of its development by sensing different ionic concentrations in the external milieu. This pathway involves the activation of phospholipase C and an increase in cytosolic calcium. This report summarizes the role of potassium ions during parasite development based on available literature, contributing to our understanding of the cell cycle of Plasmodium spp.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Review
Genetics & Heredity
Hongan Long, Parul Johri, Jean-Francois Gout, Jiahao Ni, Yue Hao, Timothy Licknack, Yaohai Wang, Jiao Pan, Berenice Jimenez-Marin, Michael Lynch
Summary: The ciliate genus Paramecium has played an important role in microbial eukaryotic genetics, contributing significantly to the understanding of various phenomena. Recent progress in comparative and population genomics has shed light on the unique genetic environment of Paramecium species, which allows for efficient selection. The streamlined genomes of Paramecium and its ancient species complex provide a valuable platform for studying the fate of duplicate genes.
ANNUAL REVIEW OF GENETICS
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Marlyn Weimer, Peter Vd'acny, Matthias Wolf
Summary: By applying an RNA sequence-structure approach, this study aims to increase the accuracy and robustness of phylogenetic trees. The study finds that the ITS2 molecule in Paramecium consists of three helices, contrary to previous literature which stated four helices. A well-supported tree is reconstructed based on a combined data set (ITS2+18S rDNA), which is in general agreement with previous multi-gene analyses. The study demonstrates the usefulness of incorporating sequence-structure data in phylogenetic tree reconstruction.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF SYSTEMATIC AND EVOLUTIONARY MICROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Hazel N. Farthing, Jiamei Jiang, Alexandra J. Henwood, Andy Fenton, Trent W. J. Garner, David R. Daversa, Matthew C. Fisher, David J. S. Montagnes
Summary: The study shows that free-living eukaryotic microbes may reduce animal diseases by controlling pathogens. Among them, the ciliate Tetrahymena pyriformis was found to grow at near its maximum rate and consume the pathogen at the highest ingestion rate.
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Cell Biology
Einar B. Olafsson, Arne L. ten Hoeve, Xiaoze Li-Wang, Linda Westermark, Manuel Varas-Godoy, Antonio Barragan
Summary: The study demonstrates that two pathways activated by infection converge on Ras-Erk MAPK signaling to promote migration of parasitized dendritic cells (DCs) infected with Toxoplasma gondii. Signaling through the receptor tyrosine kinase Met and voltage-gated Ca2+ channel (VGCC) activate the GTPase Ras to drive Erk1 and Erk2 phosphorylation, leading to hypermotility of T. gondii-infected DCs.
JOURNAL OF CELL SCIENCE
(2021)
Review
Parasitology
Rajshekhar Y. Gaji, Amanda K. Sharp, Anne M. Brown
Summary: Toxoplasma gondii is a life-threatening intracellular pathogen that depends on protein kinases for its life cycle. Research on Toxoplasma kinases aims to understand their functions and potentially develop therapeutics against this parasite.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL FOR PARASITOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Biology
Amit Kumar, Oscar Vadas, Nicolas Dos Santos Pacheco, Xu Zhang, Kin Chao, Nicolas Darvill, Helena O. Rasmussen, Yingqi Xu, Gloria Meng-Hsuan Lin, Fisentzos A. Stylianou, Jan Skov Pedersen, Sarah L. Rouse, Marc L. Morgan, Dominique Soldati-Favre, Stephen Matthews
Summary: The intracellular parasites belonging to the phylum of Apicomplexa employ substrate-dependent gliding motility to invade host cells. The glideosome-associated connector (GAC), a conserved protein, plays a crucial role in this process. The crystal structure of Toxoplasma gondii GAC reveals a unique armadillo repeat region that adopts a closed ring conformation. The properties of GAC suggest that it can adopt multiple conformations from closed to open and extended, and a multi-conformational model is proposed for its assembly and regulation within the glideosome.
Article
Microbiology
Shikha Shikha, Mariana Ferreira Silva, Lilach Sheiner
Summary: Mitochondrial ribosomes are crucial for the function and survival of eukaryotes, but different lineages have evolved divergent features in their mitochondrial ribosomes. The study of apicomplexan mitochondrial ribosomes, which are essential for the parasites, is still limited due to the unknown composition. In this study, the components of the mitoribosomal large subunit in the model apicomplexan Toxoplasma gondii were identified and validated to facilitate further research.
Article
Microbiology
Maksim Melekhin, Yulia Yakovleva, Natalia Lebedeva, Irina Nekrasova, Liubov Nikitashina, Michele Castelli, Rosaura Mayen-Estrada, Anna E. Romanovich, Giulio Petroni, Alexey Potekhin
Summary: Paramecium systematics is well studied, but molecular analyses have revealed higher species diversity with uncertain statuses of potential cryptic species. This study describes two new Paramecium species, one of which is a potential sister species and the other can only be distinguished by molecular methods. The number and structure of micronuclei are not reliable features for species identification. The geographic distribution does not show defined patterns, and future discoveries of new species can be predicted from molecular data, while morphological characteristics are unstable and overlapping in some species.
Article
Evolutionary Biology
Natalia Sawka-Gadek, Alexey Potekhin, Deepankar Pratap Singh, Inessa Grevtseva, Olivier Arnaiz, Simon Penel, Linda Sperling, Sebastian Tarcz, Laurent Duret, Irina Nekrasova, Eric Meyer
Summary: Studies on the Paramecium aurelia complex have shown diversity in the mating-type systems among different species, with various genetic determinations and inheritance modes, all specifying mating type through mtA gene expression. These findings highlight the diverse molecular solutions explored among sibling species to maintain essential mating-type polymorphism in cell populations.
GENOME BIOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
Maira Turiel-Silva, Camila Wendt, Edilene O. Silva, Ana Paula Drummond Rodrigues, Wanderley de Souza, Kildare Miranda, Jose A. P. Diniz
Summary: This study utilized electron microscopy and tomography to reconstruct the three-dimensional structure of C. lignieresi-infected red blood cells, revealing the remodeling of erythrocytes induced by the parasite and providing new insights into its parasitic mechanism.
JOURNAL OF EUKARYOTIC MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Microscopy
Marcia Attias, Juliana C. Vidal, Carmem S. A. Takata, Marta Campaner, Erney P. Camargo, Marta M. G. Teixeira, Wanderley De Souza
Summary: The ultrastructural study of a new trypanosome isolated from a toad in Brazil revealed unique features such as a complex cytostome-cytopharynx structure and abundant organelles, making it a potential model for research on endocytosis and lipid storage.
Article
Parasitology
A. A. Alves, C. L. Alcantara, M. V. A. Dantas-Jr, J. D. Sunter, W. De Souza, N. L. Cunha-e-Silva
Summary: The study investigated the dynamics of the orphan myosin MyoF in Trypanosoma cruzi, finding changes in localization during the cell cycle and metacyclogenesis. Detergent fractionation and immunolocalization experiments indicated MyoF's presence in the SPC microtubules. The data suggest that MyoF may have a role throughout the endocytic pathway, not just at the cargo entry site.
PARASITOLOGY INTERNATIONAL
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Giulia Maria Pires dos Santos, Luana Pereira Borba-Santos, Taissa Vila, Isabella Dib Ferreira Gremiao, Sandro Antonio Pereira, Wanderley De Souza, Sonia Rozental
Summary: Sporotrichosis is a common subcutaneous fungal infection caused by direct inoculation of Sporothrix spp. from soil to the skin. Cats play an important role in the zoonotic transmission of sporotrichosis in hot-spot endemic areas like Brazil. Biofilms formed by Sporothrix yeasts contribute to the recurrence of infection and resistance to antifungal drugs like itraconazole. Miltefosine shows potential as an off-label alternative to itraconazole by demonstrating antibiofilm activity against Sporothrix biofilms.
Article
Microbiology
Allan C. de Azevedo-Martins, Kary Ocana, Wanderley de Souza, Ana Tereza Ribeiro de Vasconcelos, Marta M. G. Teixeira, Erney P. Camargo, Joao M. P. Alves, Maria Cristina M. Motta
Summary: The symbiotic relationship between trypanosomatids and bacteria involves extensive metabolic exchanges, with the bacteria providing essential metabolic pathways for the protozoan. An in-silico study found that most genes involved in glycerophospholipid production are only present in the Symbiont Harboring Trypanosomatids (SHTs) and not in the bacteria. The bacterium has specific sequences and genes related to phosphatidylglycerol and phosphatidic acid production, which likely enhance SHT phosphatidic acid production. Phylogenetic analysis suggests that enzymes involved in the glycerophospholipid pathway have eukaryotic characteristics, indicating no gene transfers from the bacterium to the SHT nucleus. Overall, the data indicate that the symbiont plays a limited role in glycerophospholipid production, acquiring most of these molecules from the SHT.
Article
Cell Biology
Juliana C. Vidal, Wanderley De Souza
Summary: In this study, we used FIB-SEM to analyze the three-dimensional organization of epimastigotes SPMT and found that certain microtubules end earlier than their neighboring ones. This suggests the presence of treadmill/catastrophe events that have not yet been described in trypanosomatids.
BIOLOGY OF THE CELL
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Luana P. Borba-Santos, Caroline Deckmann Nicoletti, Taissa Vila, Patricia Garcia Ferreira, Carlos Fernando Araujo-Lima, Barbara Verena Dias Galvao, Israel Felzenszwalb, Wanderley de Souza, Fernando de Carvalho da Silva, Vitor Francisco Ferreira, Debora Omena Futuro, Sonia Rozental
Summary: The silver salt of naphthoquinone 5 was found to possess potent antifungal activity against the main agents of sporotrichosis, inhibiting biofilm formation and causing mitochondrial and plasma membrane damage in fungal cells. Combination with itraconazole enhanced its inhibitory activity, and it showed a high selectivity towards fungal cells. These findings suggest that naphthoquinone 5 is a promising candidate for the development of new antifungal agents.
BRAZILIAN JOURNAL OF MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Parasitology
Duclecio Mendonca Lopes, Aluizio Fonseca Provencano, Cicero Brasileiro Mello, Denise Feder, Jose Mauricio Albuquerque Albuquerque Cunha, Nadir Francisca Sant'Anna, Guilherme Curty Lechuga, Saulo Cabral Bourguignon, Wanderley de Souza, Eloi de Souza Garcia, Evelize Folly, Patricia Azambuja, Marcelo Salabert Gonzalez
Summary: This study investigated the effects of azadirachtin treatment, ecdysone supplementation, and ecdysone therapy on the ultrastructural organization of the rectum in Rhodnius prolixus nymphs and the attachment behavior of Trypanosoma cruzi. The results suggest that ecdysone may play a significant role in the modulation of rectal ultrastructural arrangement and parasite attachment.
EXPERIMENTAL PARASITOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Jarlene A. Lopes, Federica Collino, Clara Rodrigues-Ferreira, Luzia da Silva Sampaio, Gloria Costa-Sarmento, Camila H. C. Wendt, Fernando P. Almeida, Kildare R. Miranda, Tais H. Kasai-Brunswick, Rafael S. Lindoso, Adalberto Vieyra
Summary: This study investigated whether extracellular vesicles secreted by adipose tissue mesenchymal cells (EVs) can suppress the excessive production of mitochondrial O-2(center dot-) caused by acute kidney injury (AKI). The results showed that administration of EVs can decrease mitochondrial O-2(center dot-) formation and promote the recovery of renal structures and functions.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Luana Pereira Borba-Santos, Rodrigo Rollin-Pinheiro, Yasmin da Silva Fontes, Giulia Maria Pires dos Santos, Glauber Ribeiro de Sousa Araujo, Anderson Messias Rodrigues, Allan J. Guimaraes, Wanderley de Souza, Susana Frases, Antonio Ferreira-Pereira, Eliana Barreto-Bergter, Sonia Rozental
Summary: High-content screening of compounds from the Pandemic Response Box library identified olorofim as a promising new antifungal drug against Sporothrix pathogenic species. Olorofim showed inhibitory and lethal effects on several Sporothrix species at lower concentrations than itraconazole, and it also displayed antibiofilm activity. The drug induced significant alterations on the cell surface and cell cycle arrest in Sporothrix yeasts, impairing their ability to adhere to keratinocytes.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Cassiano Cunha de Souza, Jose Aleixo de Azevedo-Franca, Emile Barrias, Stephany C. F. Cavalcante, Eduardo Guimaraes Vieira, Ana Maria Da Costa Ferreira, Wanderley de Souza, Maribel Navarro
Summary: Four novel metal-BZN complexes were synthesized and characterized in this study. The IC50 values of these complexes in inhibiting parasite proliferation stages are five to ten times lower than benznidazole itself. The cytotoxicity in human cells is lower for these complexes compared to BZN, indicating higher selectivity.
JOURNAL OF INORGANIC BIOCHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Aline Araujo Zuma, Wanderley de Souza
Summary: Fexinidazole has been found to have potential against Trypanosoma cruzi, the causative agent of Chagas disease. It can inhibit parasite proliferation and cause significant alterations in cellular structures.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Wendell Girard-Dias, Ingrid Augusto, Tacio V. A. Fernandes, Pedro G. Pascutti, Wanderley de Souza, Kildare Miranda
Summary: In this study, the three-dimensional distribution of diffusible elements within acidocalcisomes in Trypanosoma cruzi was mapped using advanced electron microscopy techniques. The existence of nanodomains with specific element distribution patterns was discovered. These findings have significant implications for understanding nanophysiology of organelles.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Anna L. S. Barreto, Ariadne N. Alonso, Daniel C. De Moraes, Jose A. R. Curvelo, Kildare Miranda, Maristela B. Portela, Antonio Ferreira-Pereira, Thais Souto-Padron, Rosangela Maria De A. Soares
Summary: The search for new therapeutic strategies for leishmaniasis treatment is essential. The aqueous extract of the marine sponge Dercitus (Stoeba) latex displayed antileishmanial activity and moderate toxicity against peritonial macrophages. This study suggests that Dercitus (Stoeba) latex may be a potential source of drugs for the treatment of L. amazonensis infections.
ANAIS DA ACADEMIA BRASILEIRA DE CIENCIAS
(2022)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Jhon Jhamilton Artunduaga Bonilla, Leandro Honorato, Allan J. Guimaraes, Kildare Miranda, Leonardo Nimrichter
Summary: This research focuses on the green synthesis of chitosan-functionalized silver nanoparticles (AgNPs@Chi) and their potential applications in combating sporotrichosis. The results demonstrate that AgNPs@Chi exhibit low toxicity, inhibitory effects on fungal growth, and stimulating effects on cell growth and tissue repair. These nanocomposites have the potential to be a non-toxic and efficient alternative for sporotrichosis treatment.
FRONTIERS IN NANOTECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Cell Biology
Dominic Tscherrig, Rajesh Bhardwaj, Daniel Biner, Jan Dernic, Daniela Ross-Kaschitza, Christine Peinelt, Matthias A. Hediger, Martin Lochner
Summary: Changes in Ca2+ levels regulate many physiological functions, and the endoplasmic reticulum is the major Ca2+ store in cells. Store-operated calcium entry (SOCE) is a refilling process that involves protein-protein interactions between Ca2+ sensing STIM in the ER and Orai proteins in the plasma membrane, forming selective Ca2+ channels. Abnormal SOCE is associated with diseases and cancers, making STIM and Orai important therapeutic targets. Novel GSK-7975A-based molecular probes have been developed for studying SOCE in different cells and settings.
Article
Cell Biology
Nicola Fameli, Cornelis van Breemen, Klaus Groschner
Summary: The study provides evidence for the importance of junctional membrane architecture in cellular function. Through modeling and prediction, it is shown that nano-scale membrane spacing plays a crucial role in junctional ER Ca2+ refilling and signaling efficiency. Additionally, interactions between Ca2+ and the phospholipid membrane surface are suggested to support interfacial Ca2+ transport and receptor targeting. This research introduces a new concept in pathophysiology.
Article
Cell Biology
Satomi Ohtsuka, Yumi Miyai, Hiroyuki Mima, Masaki Magari, Yoichi Chiba, Futoshi Suizu, Hiroyuki Sakagami, Masaki Ueno, Hiroshi Tokumitsu
Summary: This study characterized the splice variants of mouse CaMKKI3/2 and found that CaMKKI3-3 and I3-3x were functionally active and likely to be bona fide CaMKIV kinases involved in the regulation of spermiogenesis.
