Review
Immunology
Chanjin Yoon, Yu Seong Ham, Woo Jin Gil, Chul-Su Yang
Summary: This review article provides an overview of the activation and specific role of the NLRP3 inflammasome in Toxoplasma gondii infection. It points out that the role of NLRP3 inflammasome in T. gondii infection is still uncertain and the mechanisms of its activation in different cell types are still unknown.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Cell Biology
Lijun Zhu, Wanjun Qi, Guang Yang, Yurong Yang, Yuwen Wang, Lulu Zheng, Yongfeng Fu, Xunjia Cheng
Summary: This study found that a Toxoplasma gondii secreted protein, rhoptry protein 7 (ROP7), can promote inflammasome activation and lead to inflammasome hyperactivation through the IL-1 beta/NF-kappa B/NLRP3 feedback loop. The loss of ROP7 attenuates parasite-induced inflammatory activity.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Dylan Valleau, Saima M. Sidik, Luiz C. Godoy, Yamilex Acevedo-Sanchez, Charisse Flerida A. Pasaje, My-Hang Huynh, Vern B. Carruthers, Jacquin C. Niles, Sebastian Lourido
Summary: The microneme protein CLAMP, along with the invasion-associated SPATR and a previously uncharacterized protein CLAMP-linked invasion protein (CLIP), forms a complex that is essential for rhoptry discharge following host-cell contact. Phylogenetic analysis suggests that the essential complex components are present across apicomplexans.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Li-Juan Zhou, Jiao Peng, Min Chen, Li-Jie Yao, Wei-Hao Zou, Cynthia Y. He, Hong-Juan Peng
Summary: TgSAG1 is a crucial surface protein of tachyzoites that plays a role in parasite invasion and host immune regulation by interacting with S100A6. This interaction affects the invasion process and host cell response, ultimately leading to the secretion of TNF-alpha through specific signaling pathways.
Article
Microbiology
Alessia Possenti, Manlio Di Cristina, Chiara Nicastro, Matteo Lunghi, Valeria Messina, Federica Piro, Lorenzo Tramontana, Simona Cherchi, Mario Falchi, Lucia Bertuccini, Furio Spano
Summary: This study identifies and characterizes two thrombospondin-related proteins, RDF1 and RDF2, in Toxoplasma gondii, showing their key roles in controlling rhoptry discharge, and uncovers a compensatory mechanism contributing to phenotypic plasticity in T. gondii.
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Parasitology
Yang Wang, Chengjian Han, Rongsheng Zhou, Jinjin Zhu, Famin Zhang, Jingyang Li, Qingli Luo, Jian Du, Deyong Chu, Yihong Cai, Jilong Shen, Li Yu
Summary: The study revealed significant differences in the protein level of TgMIC1 between the high-virulence strain TgCtwh3 and low-virulence strain TgCtwh6, with the TgMIC1 polyclonal antibody inhibiting the invasion and proliferation of TgCtwh3. These findings suggest that the differential expression of TgMIC1 may partly explain the virulence mechanism in this atypical genotype.
PARASITES & VECTORS
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
Qiang-Qiang Wang, Ming Sun, Tao Tang, De-Hua Lai, Jing Liu, Sanjay Maity, Kai He, Xi-Ting Wu, Jiong Yang, Yue-Bao Li, Xiao-Yan Tang, Hui-Yong Ding, Geoff Hide, Mark Distefano, Zhao-Rong Lun, Xing-Quan Zhu, Shaojun Long
Summary: By studying the model apicomplexan Toxoplasma gondii, it was found that protein prenylation is associated with endocytic trafficking. Four non-classical endocytic proteins were identified to be involved in regulating endocytic transport in T. gondii, revealing their important role in the process.
Article
Immunology
Rajesh Mani, Mohamed H. Abdelaziz, Eri Ochiai, Qila Sa, Barbara A. Fox, David J. Bzik, Yasuhiro Suzuki
Summary: Toxoplasma gondii establishes chronic infection through tissue cyst formation. A small portion of cysts can persist in the presence of anti-cyst CD8(+) T cells, and this persistence is associated with increased mRNA levels of specific proteins.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Hugo Bisio, Aarti Krishnan, Jean-Baptiste Marq, Dominique Soldati-Favre
Summary: This study identifies the role of a type P4-ATPase and its chaperone CDC50 in regulating microneme exocytosis in apicomplexan parasites. The researchers found that this protein complex is responsible for maintaining the asymmetric distribution of phosphatidylserine in the parasite plasma membrane, which is crucial for microneme fusion with the plasma membrane. These findings highlight the importance of membrane homeostasis and lipid composition in controlling microneme secretion.
Article
Parasitology
Fumiaki Ihara, Yoshifumi Nishikawa
Summary: Toxoplasma gondii secretes various effector molecules to manipulate host cell signaling pathways, favoring its survival and replication within the host.
PARASITOLOGY INTERNATIONAL
(2021)
Review
Microbiology
Jinjin Zhu, Yang Wang, Yuanyuan Cao, Jilong Shen, Li Yu
Summary: Research on Toxoplasma gondii microneme proteins (MICs) has shown their important role in host cell attachment, invasion, motility, and pathogenesis. Specifically focusing on the TgMIC1/4/6 complex can help improve understanding of T. gondii infection and provide a basis for effective control strategies.
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(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
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Matthew L. Blank, Jing Xia, Mary M. Morcos, Mai Sun, Pamela S. Cantrell, Yang Liu, Xuemei Zeng, Cameron J. Powell, Nathan Yates, Martin J. Boulanger, Jon P. Boyle
Summary: Research identified interactions between a single parasite effector and multiple target host proteins at the interface between the Toxoplasma gondii vacuole and the host mitochondria, some of which are critical for the HMA phenotype itself.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Min Chen, Lijie Yao, Lijuan Zhou, Pei Yang, Weihao Zou, Liqing Xu, Shengmin Li, Hongjuan Peng
Summary: TgROP18(I) inhibits type I interferon responses to facilitate parasitic replication in various host cells.
Article
Microbiology
Jingwen Zhang, Fuqiang Fan, Lihong Zhang, Bang Shen
Summary: The transcription factor TgAP2X-4 plays a crucial role in the growth and life cycle progression of Toxoplasma gondii. It regulates the expression of cell cycle-regulated genes and genes involved in the development of chronic infection. Inactivation of TgAP2X-4 severely impairs parasite growth, attenuates virulence, and prevents the formation of chronic infection.
MICROBIOLOGY SPECTRUM
(2022)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Youssef Bacila Sade, Camila Silva Goncalves, Sandra Mara Naressi Scapin, Guilherme Luiz Pinheiro, Roberto Becht Flatschart, Wanderley de Souza, Norton Heise, Ednildo de Alcantara Machado
Summary: This study reports the identification and characterization of a novel endoglucanase AfEG66 from the snail Achatina fulica, which shows high activity and stability against polysaccharide substrates, contributing to the improvement of production efficiency of green fuels.
BIOENERGY RESEARCH
(2022)
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
Infectious Diseases
Elias M. Rivera, Guillermo Moscatelli, Griselda Ballering, Agustina Ganuza, Andres M. Alonso, Samanta Moroni, Marina Clemente, Jaime Altcheh, Sergio O. Angel
Summary: The performance of Toxoplasma rGra8, rMic1, and the chimeric rGra4-Gra7 antigens for early congenital toxoplasmosis (CT) diagnosis was evaluated. Sera from CT patients showed high IgG reactivity to rMic1, rGra8, and rGra4-Gra7. The seroreactivity of samples from uninfected infants was lost within 2 months of age.
DIAGNOSTIC MICROBIOLOGY AND INFECTIOUS DISEASE
(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
Parasitology
Tatiana Guinancio de Souza, Gustavo Benaim, Wanderley de Souza, Marlene Benchimol
Summary: Trichomonas vaginalis is a common sexually transmitted infection that affects millions of people worldwide. The current treatment, metronidazole, can have severe side effects and is not recommended for pregnant women. This study found that amiodarone and related compounds have anti-parasite activity against T. vaginalis, suggesting their potential as alternative drugs. The compounds induced cell death and morphological changes in the parasites.
PARASITOLOGY RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Parasitology
Roberta Verissimo F. Oliveira, Wanderley de Souza, Katharina Voegerl, Franz Bracher, Marlene Benchimol, Ana Paula R. Gadelha
Summary: This study evaluated the effects of a new KDAC inhibitor on G. intestinalis growth, cytoskeleton, and ultrastructure organization, showing that the compound decreased parasite proliferation and viability. The results suggest that the compound has potential as a new therapeutic option for treating giardiasis.
Article
Oncology
Carolina Moura Costa Catta-Preta, Allan Cezar de Azevedo-Martins, Wanderley de Souza, Maria Cristina Machado Motta
Summary: This study investigated the effects of the antibiotic tunicamycin on the association between Angomonas deanei and its symbiotic bacterium. The cells treated with tunicamycin showed decreased proliferation, enlargement of the ER and Golgi cisternae, and increased distance between the symbiont and the ER. Changes in protein composition, particularly the increased expression of the Hsp90 chaperone, were observed in the host protozoan. These findings highlight the importance of the ER in the adaptation and maintenance of symbiotic associations between prokaryotes and eukaryotes.
EXPERIMENTAL CELL RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Jose Aleixo De Azevedo-Franca, Emile Barrias, Chris Hebert Jesus Franco, Wilmer Villarreal, Eduardo Guimaraes Vieira, Ana Maria Da Costa Ferreira, Wanderley de Souza, Maribel Navarro
Summary: A series of new transition metal coordination polymers were synthesized and their structures were elucidated. These coordination polymers exhibited promising anti-parasitic activity, surpassing the free azole drug. Therefore, they are potential candidates for the treatment of Chagas disease.
JOURNAL OF INORGANIC BIOCHEMISTRY
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Sara Teixeira de Macedo-Silva, Gonzalo Visbal, Gabrielle Frizzo Souza, Mayara Roncaglia dos Santos, Simon B. Cammerer, Wanderley de Souza, Juliany Cola Fernandes Rodrigues
Summary: This study found that benzylamines have anti-parasitic activity against Leishmania amazonensis and affect the structure of the cell membrane and mitochondria by blocking the sterol synthesis pathway. These results suggest that benzylamines may be promising pharmaceutical leads for the treatment of leishmaniasis.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2022)
Article
Biology
Luis Diambra, Andres M. Alonso, Silvia Sookoian, Carlos J. Pirola
Summary: This study used single-cell RNA sequencing to analyze ciliated cells from patients with mild/moderate and severe COVID-19, and found upregulation of gene expression signatures associated with mitochondrial function, misfolded proteins, and membrane permeability in mild/moderate cases, as well as downregulation of epigenetic mechanisms in severe cases. Additionally, the study identified miRNAs that may be involved in histone methylation regulation and share similarities with SARS-CoV-2 miRNAs.
COMPUTERS IN BIOLOGY AND MEDICINE
(2022)
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
Microbiology
Agnieszka Lis, Carlos Gustavo Baptista, Kelsey Dahlgren, Maria M. Corvi, Ira J. Blader
Summary: Toxoplasma gondii, an obligate intracellular parasite, has metabolic and cellular pathways designed for its survival within host cells. Under extracellular stress, the elongation phase of protein synthesis is regulated by the oxygen-sensing protein PHYb. The parasite kinase CDPK3, highly homologous to yeast eEF2 kinase RCK2, is responsible for the phosphorylation of eEF2. Loss of CDPK3 in stressed parasites leads to enhanced elongation rates. Furthermore, CDPK3 and eEF2 interact in stressed parasites through the relocalization of CDPK3 to the cytosol.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Jonathan Munera Lopez, Andres Mariano Alonso, Maria Julia Figueras, Ana Maria Saldarriaga Cartagena, Miryam A. Hortua A. Triana, Luis Diambra, Laura Vanagas, Bin Deng, Silvia N. J. Moreno, Sergio Oscar Angel
Summary: Toxoplasma gondii is an intracellular parasite that causes toxoplasmosis. The ability of T. gondii to rapidly divide and infect different cell types is crucial for its dissemination and pathogenicity. A heat shock protein, Tgj1, has been identified as playing an important role in the tachyzoite lytic cycle, and its interaction with various proteins suggests its involvement in multiple biological pathways, including translation, protein folding, energy metabolism, membrane transport, invasion/pathogenesis, cell signaling, chromatin and transcription regulation, and cell redox homeostasis.
Article
Fisheries
Alan Marin, Andres M. Alonso, Tomas H. Delgadin, Edgar A. Lopez-Landavery, Lise Jara Cometivos, Anaid Saavedra-Flores, Lorenzo E. Reyes-Flores, Carmen G. Yzasiga-Barrera, Juan I. Fernandino, Eliana Zelada-Mazmela
Summary: Differences in body size within a fish population pose challenges in aquaculture, especially in terms of increased production costs. This study explores the molecular basis of size differences in the fine flounder Paralichthys adspersus and identifies a variant of the growth hormone receptor 1 (ghr1tr) as a potential modulator of growth dimorphism. The expression analysis shows that ghr1tr is less expressed in larger individuals, suggesting its potential role in fine flounder breeding improvement.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Trang Van Tran, Hoa Nguyen, Luyen Vu, ChangWoo Lee
Summary: Glutaredoxin 3 (Grx3) is a redox protein that maintains structural integrity and glutathione (GSH) binding capabilities across different temperatures. This study investigates the roles of specific bonds in Grx3's structure and function, and how psychrophilic Grx3 variants adapt to cold environments. The highly conserved Arg51-Asp69 salt bridge and Gln56-His63 hydrogen bond are crucial for stabilizing the structure and catalytic activity of Grx3. Psychrophilic variants of Grx3 have adapted to cold environments by reducing GSH binding and increasing structural flexibility.
BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-PROTEINS AND PROTEOMICS
(2024)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Amanda Lais de Souza Coto, Arthur Alexandre Pereira, Sabrina Dorta Oliveira, Milene Nobrega de Oliveira Moritz, Arthur Moraes Franco da Rocha, Paulo Roberto Dores-Silva, Noeli Soares Melo da Silva, Ana Rita de Araujo Nogueira, Lisandra Marques Gava, Thiago Vagas Seraphim, Julio Cesar Borges
Summary: J-domain proteins form a large molecular chaperone family involved in proteostasis processes, with hDjC20 playing a vital role in mitochondria and being heavily influenced by the presence of Zn+2.
BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-PROTEINS AND PROTEOMICS
(2024)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Meiling Zhang, Jiaxiang Zhang, Yan Liang, Shicheng Tian, Shuyang Xie, Tong Zhou, Qin Wang
Summary: This study determined the crystal structures of RGLG2 VWA domain in Arabidopsis thaliana, revealing that Ca2+ ions act as regulators and affect the conformational change of RGLG2-VWA domain.
BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-PROTEINS AND PROTEOMICS
(2024)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Alexandra Bork, Sander H. J. Smits, Lutz Schmitt
Summary: This study reveals the structure and calcium ion binding properties of CBL1 protein, and proposes a binding model of CBL1 for Ca2+. Additionally, it provides preliminary insights into the formation of the dimer interface of CBL1.
BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-PROTEINS AND PROTEOMICS
(2024)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Evgeniia V. Leisi, Andrey V. Moiseenko, Sofia S. Kudryavtseva, Denis V. Pozdyshev, Vladimir I. Muronetz, Lidia P. Kurochkina
Summary: The pathogenesis of prion diseases involves the transformation of prion protein into an insoluble form. This study found that two phage chaperonins can promote the fibrillation of prion protein in an ATP-dependent manner, resulting in the formation of less toxic large clusters. These fibrils differ in morphology and properties from those formed spontaneously in acidic pH with denaturants.
BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-PROTEINS AND PROTEOMICS
(2024)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Gaurab Chowdhury, Saroj Biswas, Yuthika Dholey, Puja Panja, Sumit Das, Subrata Adak
Summary: Magnesium is an important divalent cation for regulating enzyme activity. The binding of Mg2+ through the PAS domain inhibits phosphoglycerate kinase (PGK) activity in LmPAS-PGK at neutral pH, but PGK activity is derepressed at acidic pH. Mutation studies revealed that the Asp-4 residue is crucial for Mg2+ binding at neutral pH.
BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-PROTEINS AND PROTEOMICS
(2024)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Shima Ghaedizadeh, Majid Zeinali, Bahareh Dabirmanesh, Behnam Rasekh, Khosrow Khajeh, Ali Mohammad Banaei-Moghaddam
Summary: Implementing hyperthermostable carbonic anhydrases into CO2 capture and storage technologies can increase the rate of CO2 absorption from industrial flue gases. This study successfully improved the thermostability of a known hyperthermostable carbonic anhydrase through rational engineering of a single-point mutation.
BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-PROTEINS AND PROTEOMICS
(2024)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Khaled A. Elnahriry, Dorothy C. C. Wai, Lauren M. Ashwood, Muhammad Umair Naseem, Tibor G. Szanto, Shaodong Guo, Gyorgy Panyi, Peter J. Prentis, Raymond S. Norton
Summary: Sea anemone venom contains a peptide called Tst2, which shows sequence similarity to peptides that interact with various ion channels. Recombinant Tst2 was successfully produced and its structure and function were studied. The results showed that Tst2 is an inhibitor of the TRPV1 channel.
BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-PROTEINS AND PROTEOMICS
(2024)