scholarly journals Transport mechanisms at the malaria parasite-host cell interface

2021 ◽  
Vol 17 (4) ◽  
pp. e1009394
Author(s):  
Josh R. Beck ◽  
Chi-Min Ho
Keyword(s):  
Host Cell ◽  
Malaria Parasite ◽  
Protein Translocation ◽  
Effector Protein ◽  
Transport Mechanisms ◽  
Parasite Survival ◽  
Molecule Transport ◽  
Cell Cytosol ◽  
Membrane Spanning ◽  
Small Molecule Transport

Obligate intracellular malaria parasites reside within a vacuolar compartment generated during invasion which is the principal interface between pathogen and host. To subvert their host cell and support their metabolism, these parasites coordinate a range of transport activities at this membrane interface that are critically important to parasite survival and virulence, including nutrient import, waste efflux, effector protein export, and uptake of host cell cytosol. Here, we review our current understanding of the transport mechanisms acting at the malaria parasite vacuole during the blood and liver-stages of development with a particular focus on recent advances in our understanding of effector protein translocation into the host cell by the Plasmodium Translocon of EXported proteins (PTEX) and small molecule transport by the PTEX membrane-spanning pore EXP2. Comparison to Toxoplasma gondii and other related apicomplexans is provided to highlight how similar and divergent mechanisms are employed to fulfill analogous transport activities.

scholarly journals Host Cell Phosphatidylcholine Is a Key Mediator of Malaria Parasite Survival during Liver Stage Infection

2014 ◽  
Vol 16 (6) ◽  
pp. 778-786 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maurice A. Itoe ◽  
Júlio L. Sampaio ◽  
Ghislain G. Cabal ◽  
Eliana Real ◽  
Vanessa Zuzarte-Luis ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Host Cell ◽  
Malaria Parasite ◽  
Liver Stage ◽  
Parasite Survival ◽  
Stage Infection

scholarly journals The Campylobacter jejuni CiaD effector co-opts the host cell protein IQGAP1 to promote cell entry

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicholas M. Negretti ◽  
Christopher R. Gourley ◽  
Prabhat K. Talukdar ◽  
Geremy Clair ◽  
Courtney M. Klappenbach ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Host Cell ◽  
Campylobacter Jejuni ◽  
Foodborne Pathogen ◽  
Small Gtpase ◽  
Host Cells ◽  
Cell Protein ◽  
Host Cell Protein ◽  
Cell Binding ◽  
Actin Reorganization ◽  
Cell Cytosol

AbstractCampylobacter jejuni is a foodborne pathogen that binds to and invades the epithelial cells lining the human intestinal tract. Maximal invasion of host cells by C. jejuni requires cell binding as well as delivery of the Cia proteins (Campylobacter invasion antigens) to the host cell cytosol via the flagellum. Here, we show that CiaD binds to the host cell protein IQGAP1 (a Ras GTPase-activating-like protein), thus displacing RacGAP1 from the IQGAP1 complex. This, in turn, leads to the unconstrained activity of the small GTPase Rac1, which is known to have roles in actin reorganization and internalization of C. jejuni. Our results represent the identification of a host cell protein targeted by a flagellar secreted effector protein and demonstrate that C. jejuni-stimulated Rac signaling is dependent on IQGAP1.

scholarly journals Pathogen induced subversion of NAD+ metabolism mediating host cell death: a target for development of chemotherapeutics

2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ayushi Chaurasiya ◽  
Swati Garg ◽  
Ashish Khanna ◽  
Chintam Narayana ◽  
Ved Prakash Dwivedi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cell Death ◽  
Host Cell ◽  
Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide ◽  
Malaria Parasite ◽  
Host Cells ◽  
Nicotinamide Adenine ◽  
Targeted Therapeutics ◽  
Nad Metabolism ◽  
Host Cell Death ◽  
Nanomolar Range

AbstractHijacking of host metabolic status by a pathogen for its regulated dissemination from the host is prerequisite for the propagation of infection. M. tuberculosis secretes an NAD+-glycohydrolase, TNT, to induce host necroptosis by hydrolyzing Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+). Herein, we expressed TNT in macrophages and erythrocytes; the host cells for M. tuberculosis and the malaria parasite respectively, and found that it reduced the NAD+ levels and thereby induced necroptosis and eryptosis resulting in premature dissemination of pathogen. Targeting TNT in M. tuberculosis or induced eryptosis in malaria parasite interferes with pathogen dissemination and reduction in the propagation of infection. Building upon our discovery that inhibition of pathogen-mediated host NAD+ modulation is a way forward for regulation of infection, we synthesized and screened some novel compounds that showed inhibition of NAD+-glycohydrolase activity and pathogen infection in the nanomolar range. Overall this study highlights the fundamental importance of pathogen-mediated modulation of host NAD+ homeostasis for its infection propagation and novel inhibitors as leads for host-targeted therapeutics.

scholarly journals Multi-Scale Modeling of Aqueous-Phase Methane Diffusion in Silicate Channels

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tom Pace ◽  
Hadi Rahmaninejad ◽  
Bin Sun ◽  
Peter Kekenes-Huskey
Keyword(s):  
Molecular Dynamics ◽  
Multi Scale ◽  
Relative Contribution ◽  
Kinetic Information ◽  
Two Factors ◽  
Molecule Transport ◽  
Potentials Of Mean Force ◽  
Methane Diffusion ◽  
Dynamics Simulations ◽  
Small Molecule Transport

Silica-based materials including zeolites are commonly used for wide ranging applications including separations and catalysis.<br>Substrate transport rates in these materials often significantly influence the efficiency of such applications.<br>Two factors that contribute to transport rates include<br>1) the porosity of the silicate matrix and<br>2) non-bonding interactions between the diffusing species and the silicate surface.<br>Here, we utilize computer simulation to resolve the relative contribution of these factors to effective methane transport rates in a silicate channel.<br>Specifically, we develop a `homogenized' model of methane transport valid at micron and longer length scales that incorporates atomistic-scale kinetic information.<br>The atomistic-scale data are obtained from extensive molecular dynamics simulations that yield local diffusion coefficients and potentials of mean force.<br>With this model, we demonstrate how nuances in silicate hydration and silica/methane interactions impact 'macroscale' methane diffusion rates in bulk silicate materials.<br>This hybrid homogenization/molecular dynamics approach will be of general use for describing small molecule transport in materials with detailed molecular interactions.<br><br>

scholarly journals The Plasmodium falciparum var gene switching rate, switching mechanism and patterns of parasite recrudescence described by mathematical modelling

Parasitology ◽  
2002 ◽  
Vol 124 (3) ◽  
pp. 225-235 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. PAGET-MCNICOL ◽  
M. GATTON ◽  
I. HASTINGS ◽  
A. SAUL
Keyword(s):  
Plasmodium Falciparum ◽  
Chronic Infection ◽  
Malaria Parasite ◽  
Gene Repertoire ◽  
Switching Rate ◽  
Specific Immunity ◽  
Parasite Survival ◽  
Gene Switching ◽  
Variant Antigen ◽  
Var Gene

Recrudescing Plasmodium falciparum parasitaemia is attributed to the switching of PfEMP1, a variant antigen family encoded by the var gene repertoire, and the host's immune response. We have developed a mathematical model which incorporates var gene switching, and variant specific, non-variant specific and non-specific immunity. By conducting a sensitivity analysis of the model we have defined the parameter limits which produce chronic and recrudescing infections. We explore 3 switching mechanisms: ordered, random and uncoupled switching. We show that if var genes switch on and off independently at variable rates through the repertoire a chronic clinical infection is predicted. The fastest switching-on rate that produces a chronic infection is 0·03% per generation. The model predicts that non-variant specific immunity plays an important role in reducing disease severity. This work illustrates the complex relationship between the malaria parasite and its host and shows that var gene switching at rates substantially slower than 2% are essential for parasite survival.

Parasitophorous vacuoles of Leishmania mexicana acquire macromolecules from the host cell cytosol via two independent routes

1999 ◽  
Vol 112 (5) ◽  
pp. 681-693
Author(s):  
U.E. Schaible ◽  
P.H. Schlesinger ◽  
T.H. Steinberg ◽  
W.F. Mangel ◽  
T. Kobayashi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Host Cell ◽  
Lucifer Yellow ◽  
Cysteine Proteinase ◽  
Organic Anion ◽  
Organic Anion Transporter ◽  
Anion Transporter ◽  
Infected Cells ◽  
Lysobisphosphatidic Acid ◽  
Cell Cytosol ◽  
Host Cell Cytosol

The intracellular parasite Leishmania survives and proliferates in host macrophages. In this study we show that parasitophorous vacuoles of L. mexicana gain access to cytosolic material via two different routes. (1) Small anionic molecules such as Lucifer Yellow are rapidly transported into the vacuoles by an active transport mechanism that is sensitive to inhibitors of the host cell's organic anion transporter. (2) Larger molecules such as fluorescent dextrans introduced into the host cell cytosol are also delivered to parasitophorous vacuoles. This transport is slower and sensitive to modulators of autophagy. Infected macrophages were examined by two novel assays to visualize and quantify this process. Immunoelectron microscopy of cells loaded with digoxigenin-dextran revealed label in multivesicular endosomes, which appeared to fuse with parasitophorous vacuoles. The inner membranes of the multivesicular vesicles label strongly with antibodies against lysobisphosphatidic acid, suggesting that they represent a point of confluence between the endosomal and autophagosomal pathways. Although the rate of autophagous transfer was comparable in infected and uninfected cells, infected cells retained hydrolyzed cysteine proteinase substrate to a greater degree. These data suggest that L. mexicana-containing vacuoles have access to potential nutrients in the host cell cytosol via at least two independent mechanisms.

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