scholarly journals The extracellular milieu of Toxoplasma’s lytic cycle drives lab-adaptation and promotes changes in lipid metabolism primarily driven by transcriptional reprogramming

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vincent A. Primo ◽  
Yasaman Rezvani ◽  
Andrew Farrell ◽  
Amir Vajdi ◽  
Gabor T. Marth ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Fatty Acid Biosynthesis ◽  
Lytic Cycle ◽  
Myb Transcription Factor ◽  
Synonymous Mutations ◽  
Transcriptional Signature ◽  
Extracellular Milieu ◽  
Transcriptional Reprogramming ◽  
Genomic Tool ◽  
Profile Changes

AbstractTo map host-independent in vitro virulence traits of Toxoplasma gondii, evolve and resequencing (E&R) during the lab-adaption was applied. Phenotypic assessments of the lytic cycle revealed that only traits needed in the extracellular milieu evolved. Surprisingly, only non-synonymous mutations in a P4 flippase fixed in two populations. However, dramatic changes in the transcriptional signature of extracellular parasites revealed a “pro-tachyzoite” profile as well as upregulation of fatty acid biosynthesis (FASII) pathway genes. More general, a set of 300 genes which expression profile changes during evolution mapped to specific traits. Validation of a select number of genes in this set by knock-outs indeed confirmed their role in lab-adaptation. Finally, assembly of an ApiAP2 and Myb transcription factor network revealed the transcriptional program underlying the adapting extracellular state. Overall, E&R is a new genomic tool successfully applied to map the development of polygenic traits underlying in vitro virulence of T. gondii.

scholarly journals The Extracellular Milieu of Toxoplasma 's Lytic Cycle Drives Lab Adaptation, Primarily by Transcriptional Reprogramming

mSystems ◽  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vincent A. Primo ◽  
Yasaman Rezvani ◽  
Andrew Farrell ◽  
Connor Q. Murphy ◽  
Jingjing Lou ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Toxoplasma Gondii ◽  
Host Cell ◽  
Virulence Factors ◽  
Lytic Cycle ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Extracellular Milieu ◽  
Transcriptional Reprogramming

It has been well established that prolonged in vitro cultivation of Toxoplasma gondii augments progression of the lytic cycle. This lab adaptation results in increased capacities to divide, migrate, and survive outside a host cell, all of which are considered host-independent virulence factors.

scholarly journals Epstein-Barr Virus Exploits the Secretory Pathway to Release Virions

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (5) ◽  
pp. 729
Author(s):  
Asuka Nanbo
Keyword(s):  
Epstein Barr Virus ◽  
Secretory Pathway ◽  
Lytic Cycle ◽  
Rab Gtpase ◽  
Rab Gtpases ◽  
Extracellular Milieu ◽  
Barr Virus ◽  
Intracellular Compartments ◽  
Epstein Barr

Herpesvirus egress mechanisms are strongly associated with intracellular compartment remodeling processes. Previously, we and other groups have described that intracellular compartments derived from the Golgi apparatus are the maturation sites of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) virions. However, the mechanism by which these virions are released from the host cell to the extracellular milieu is poorly understood. Here, I adapted two independent induction systems of the EBV lytic cycle in vitro, in the context of Rab GTPase silencing, to characterize the EBV release pathway. Immunofluorescence staining revealed that p350/220, the major EBV glycoprotein, partially co-localized with three Rab GTPases: Rab8a, Rab10, and Rab11a. Furthermore, the knockdown of these Rab GTPases promoted the intracellular accumulation of viral structural proteins by inhibiting its distribution to the plasma membrane. Finally, the knockdown of the Rab8a, Rab10, and Rab11a proteins suppressed the release of EBV infectious virions. Taken together, these findings support the hypothesis that mature EBV virions are released from infected cells to the extracellular milieu via the secretory pathway, as well as providing new insights into the EBV life cycle.

scholarly journals TAMI-06. PRECLINICAL MODELS REVEAL BRAIN-MICROENVIRONMENT SPECIFIC METABOLIC DEPENDENCIES IN GLIOBLASTOMA

2020 ◽  
Vol 22 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. ii214-ii214
Author(s):  
Jenna Minami ◽  
Nicholas Bayley ◽  
Christopher Tse ◽  
Henan Zhu ◽  
Danielle Morrow ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Tumor Microenvironment ◽  
Cultured Cells ◽  
Tumor Biology ◽  
Metabolic Reprogramming ◽  
Neoplastic Progression ◽  
Extracellular Milieu ◽  
Metabolic Defects ◽  
Metabolic Heterogeneity

Abstract Metabolic reprogramming is a hallmark of cancer, and malignant cells must acquire metabolic adaptations to fuel neoplastic progression. Mutations or changes in metabolic gene expression can impose nutrient dependencies in tumors, and even in the absence of metabolic defects, cancer cells can become auxotrophic for particular nutrients or metabolic byproducts generated by other cells in the tumor microenvironment (TME). Conventional cell lines do not recapitulate the metabolic heterogeneity of glioblastoma (GBM), while primary cultured cells do not account for the influences of the microenvironment and the blood brain barrier on tumor biology. Additionally, these systems are under strong selective pressure divergent from that in vivo, leading to reduced heterogeneity between cultured tumor cells. Here, we describe a biobank of direct-from-patient derived orthotopic xenografts (GliomaPDOX) and gliomaspheres that reveal a subset of gliomas that, while able to form in vivo, cannot survive in vitro. RNA sequencing of tumors that can form both in vivo and in vitro (termed “TME-Indifferent”) compared to that of tumors that can only form in vivo (termed “TME-Dependent”) revealed transcriptional changes associated with altered nutrient availability, emphasizing the unique metabolic programs impacted by the tumor microenvironment. Furthermore, TME-dependent tumors lack metabolic signatures associated with nutrient biosynthesis, thus indicating a potential dependency of these tumors on scavenging specific nutrients from the extracellular milieu. Collectively, these data emphasize the metabolic heterogeneity within GBM, and reveal a subset of gliomas that lack metabolic plasticity, indicating a potential brain-microenvironment specific metabolic dependency that can be targeted for therapy.

scholarly journals Mutation in Plasmodium falciparum BTB/POZ domain of K13 protein confers artemisinin resistance

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lucie Paloque ◽  
Romain Coppée ◽  
Barbara H. Stokes ◽  
Nina F. Gnädig ◽  
Karamoko Niaré ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Plasmodium Falciparum ◽  
Artemisinin Resistance ◽  
Parasite Clearance ◽  
West African ◽  
Whole Genome Sequence ◽  
Drug Pressure ◽  
Synonymous Mutations ◽  
Survival Assay ◽  
One Year

Partial artemisinin resistance, defined in patients as a delayed parasite clearance following artemisinin-based treatment, is conferred by non-synonymous mutations in the Kelch beta-propeller domain of the Plasmodium falciparum k13 ( pfk13 ) gene. Here, we carried out in vitro selection over a one-year period on a West African P. falciparum strain isolated from Kolle (Mali) under a dose-escalating artemisinin regimen. After 18 cycles of sequential drug pressure, the selected parasites exhibited enhanced survival to dihydroartemisinin in the ring-stage survival assay (RSA 0-3h = 9.2%). Sanger and whole-genome sequence analyses identified the PfK13 P413A mutation, localized in the BTB/POZ domain, upstream of the propeller domain. This mutation was sufficient to confer in vitro artemisinin resistance when introduced into the PfK13 coding sequence of the parasite strain Dd2 by CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing. These results together with structural studies of the protein demonstrate that the propeller domain is not the sole in vitro mediator of PfK13-mediated artemisinin resistance, and highlight the importance of monitoring for mutations throughout PfK13.

scholarly journals Identification of novel mutations contributing to azole tolerance of Aspergillus fumigatus through in vitro exposure to tebuconazole

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Takahito Toyotome ◽  
Kenji Onishi ◽  
Mio Sato ◽  
Yoko Kusuya ◽  
Daisuke Hagiwara ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Aspergillus Fumigatus ◽  
Parental Strain ◽  
Resistance Mechanisms ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Genome Sequences ◽  
Novel Mutations ◽  
Mutant Selection ◽  
Synonymous Mutations ◽  
Azole Tolerance

AbstractAzole resistance of Aspergillus fumigatus is a global problem. The major resistant mechanism is a cyp51A alteration such as mutation(s) in the gene and the acquisition of a tandem repeat in the promoter. Although other azole tolerances and resistant mechanisms such as hmg1 mutation are known, few reports describe studies elucidating non-cyp51A resistance mechanisms. This study explored genes contributing to azole tolerance in A. fumigatus by in vitro mutant selection with tebuconazole, an azole fungicide. After three-round selection, we obtained four isolates with low susceptibility to tebuconazole. These isolates also showed low susceptibility to itraconazole and voriconazole. Comparison of the genome sequences of the obtained isolates and the parental strain revealed a non-synonymous mutation in MfsD (Afu1g11820, R337L mutation) in all isolates. Furthermore, non-synonymous mutations in AgcA (Afu7g05220, E535Stop mutation), UbcD (Afu3g06030, T98K mutation), AbcJ (Afu3g12220, G297E mutation), and RttA (Afu7g04740, A83T mutation), a protein responsible for tebuconazole tolerance, were found in at least one isolate. Clarification by constructing the MfsD R337L mutant suggests that the mutation contributes to azole tolerance. Disruption of the agcA gene and reconstruction of the A83T point mutation in RttA led to decreased susceptibility to azoles. The reversion of T98K mutation to wild type in UbcD led to the level of azole susceptibility comparable to the parental strain. These results suggest that these mutations contribute to lowered susceptibility to medical azoles and to agricultural azole fungicides.

Abstract 20134: Transcriptional Profiling Identifies Candidate Regulators of Neonatal Heart Regeneration

Circulation ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 130 (suppl_2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Caitlin O’Meara ◽  
Joseph Wamstad ◽  
Laurie Boyer ◽  
Richard T Lee
Keyword(s):  
Cell Cycle ◽  
Transcriptional Profiling ◽  
Cardiac Regeneration ◽  
Heart Regeneration ◽  
Transcriptional Signature ◽  
Adult Mice ◽  
Neonatal Heart ◽  
Sirna Knockdown

Some higher organisms, such as zebrafish and neonatal mice, are capable of complete and sufficient regeneration of the myocardium following injury, which is thought to occur primarily by proliferation of pre-existing cardiomyocytes. Although adult humans and adult mice lack this cardiac regeneration potential, there is great interest in understanding how regeneration can occur in the heart so that we can activate this process in humans suffering from heart failure. The aim of our study was to identify mechanisms by which mature, post-mitotic adult cardiomyocytes can re-enter the cell cycle to ultimately facilitate heart regeneration following injury. We derived a core transcriptional signature of injury-induced cardiomyocyte regeneration in mouse by comparing global transcriptional programs in a dynamic model of in vitro and in vivo cardiomyocyte differentiation and in an in vitro cardiomyocyte explant model, as well as a neonatal heart resection model. We identified a panel of transcription factors, growth factors, and cytokines, whose expression significantly correlated with the differentiated state of the cell in all datasets examined, suggesting that these factors play a role in regulating cardiomyocyte cell state. Furthermore, potential upstream regulators of core differentially expressed networks were identified using Ingenuity Pathway Analysis and we found that one predicted regulator, interleukin-13 (IL13), significantly induced cardiomyocyte cell cycle activity and STAT6/STAT3 signaling in vitro. siRNA knockdown experiments demonstrated that STAT3/periostin and STAT6 signaling are critical for cardiomyocyte cell cycle activity in response to IL13. These data reveal novel insights into the transcriptional regulation of mammalian heart regeneration and provide the founding circuitry for identifying potential regulators for stimulating cardiomyocyte cell cycle activity.

scholarly journals Scoring functions for drug-effect similarity

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephan Struckmann ◽  
Mathias Ernst ◽  
Sarah Fischer ◽  
Nancy Mah ◽  
Georg Fuellen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cell Line ◽  
Drug Effect ◽  
Pearson Correlation ◽  
Source Code ◽  
New Drugs ◽  
Supplementary Information ◽  
Disease Genes ◽  
Scoring Functions ◽  
Profile Changes

Abstract Motivation The difficulty to find new drugs and bring them to the market has led to an increased interest to find new applications for known compounds. Biological samples from many disease contexts have been extensively profiled by transcriptomics, and, intuitively, this motivates to search for compounds with a reversing effect on the expression of characteristic disease genes. However, disease effects may be cell line-specific and also depend on other factors, such as genetics and environment. Transcription profile changes between healthy and diseased cells relate in complex ways to profile changes gathered from cell lines upon stimulation with a drug. Despite these differences, we expect that there will be some similarity in the gene regulatory networks at play in both situations. The challenge is to match transcriptomes for both diseases and drugs alike, even though the exact molecular pathology/pharmacogenomics may not be known. Results We substitute the challenge to match a drug effect to a disease effect with the challenge to match a drug effect to the effect of the same drug at another concentration or in another cell line. This is welldefined, reproducible in vitro and in silico and extendable with external data. Based on the Connectivity Map (CMap) dataset, we combined 26 different similarity scores with six different heuristics to reduce the number of genes in the model. Such gene filters may also utilize external knowledge e.g. from biological networks. We found that no similarity score always outperforms all others for all drugs, but the Pearson correlation finds the same drug with the highest reliability. Results are improved by filtering for highly expressed genes and to a lesser degree for genes with large fold changes. Also a network-based reduction of contributing transcripts was beneficial, here implemented by the FocusHeuristics. We found no drop in prediction accuracy when reducing the whole transcriptome to the set of 1000 landmark genes of the CMap’s successor project Library of Integrated Network-based Cellular Signatures. All source code to re-analyze and extend the CMap data, the source code of heuristics, filters and their evaluation are available to propel the development of new methods for drug repurposing. Availability https://bitbucket.org/ibima/moldrugeffectsdb Contact [email protected] Supplementary information Supplementary data are available at Briefings in Bioinformatics online.

scholarly journals A kinetic rationale for functional redundancy in fatty acid biosynthesis

2020 ◽  
Vol 117 (38) ◽  
pp. 23557-23564
Author(s):  
Alex Ruppe ◽  
Kathryn Mains ◽  
Jerome M. Fox
Keyword(s):  
Fatty Acids ◽  
Fatty Acid ◽  
Fatty Acid Synthase ◽  
Unsaturated Fatty Acids ◽  
Fatty Acid Biosynthesis ◽  
Average Length ◽  
Functional Redundancy ◽  
Experimental Investigations ◽  
Total Production

Cells build fatty acids with biocatalytic assembly lines in which a subset of enzymes often exhibit overlapping activities (e.g., two enzymes catalyze one or more identical reactions). Although the discrete enzymes that make up fatty acid pathways are well characterized, the importance of catalytic overlap between them is poorly understood. We developed a detailed kinetic model of the fatty acid synthase (FAS) ofEscherichia coliand paired that model with a fully reconstituted in vitro system to examine the capabilities afforded by functional redundancy in fatty acid synthesis. The model captures—and helps explain—the effects of experimental perturbations to FAS systems and provides a powerful tool for guiding experimental investigations of fatty acid assembly. Compositional analyses carried out in silico and in vitro indicate that FASs with multiple partially redundant enzymes enable tighter (i.e., more independent and/or broader range) control of distinct biochemical objectives—the total production, unsaturated fraction, and average length of fatty acids—than FASs with only a single multifunctional version of each enzyme (i.e., one enzyme with the catalytic capabilities of two partially redundant enzymes). Maximal production of unsaturated fatty acids, for example, requires a second dehydratase that is not essential for their synthesis. This work provides a kinetic, control-theoretic rationale for the inclusion of partially redundant enzymes in fatty acid pathways and supplies a valuable framework for carrying out detailed studies of FAS kinetics.

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