Transcriptional ups and downs: patterns of gene expression in the life cycle of Toxoplasma gondii

Sharma, Janak; Rodriguez, Paula; Roy, Proyasha; Guiton, Pascale S.

doi:10.1016/j.micinf.2020.09.001

Cited by 18 publications

(18 citation statements)

References 63 publications

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“…During the progression from asexual to sexual stages in in vitro culture, we identified orthologues of 12 genes coding for proteins found specifically in bradyzoites of T. gondii, involved in tissue cyst wall formation 67 , 68 , an orthologue of the bradyzote antigen 1 21 , a Myb-like transcription factor 69 , two heat shock proteins and one serpin found in this stage (Table S4 ). The existence of bradyzoites as persisting intracellular stages has never been demonstrated in C. suis, neither in vivo 70 nor in vitro .…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

The transcriptome from asexual to sexual in vitro development of Cystoisospora suis (Apicomplexa: Coccidia)

Cruz‐Bustos

Feix

Lyrakis

et al. 2022

Sci Rep

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The apicomplexan parasite Cystoisospora suis is an enteropathogen of suckling piglets with woldwide distribution. As with all coccidian parasites, its lifecycle is characterized by asexual multiplication followed by sexual development with two morphologically distinct cell types that presumably fuse to form a zygote from which the oocyst arises. However, knowledge of the sexual development of C. suis is still limited. To complement previous in vitro studies, we analysed transcriptional profiles at three different time points of development (corresponding to asexual, immature and mature sexual stages) in vitro via RNASeq. Overall, transcription of genes encoding proteins with important roles in gametes biology, oocyst wall biosynthesis, DNA replication and axonema formation as well as proteins with important roles in merozoite biology was identified. A homologue of an oocyst wall tyrosine rich protein of Toxoplasma gondii was expressed in macrogametes and oocysts of C. suis. We evaluated inhibition of sexual development in a host-free culture for C. suis by antiserum specific to this protein to evaluate whether it could be exploited as a candidate for control strategies against C. suis. Based on these data, targets can be defined for future strategies to interrupt parasite transmission during sexual development.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

The transcriptome from asexual to sexual in vitro development of Cystoisospora suis (Apicomplexa: Coccidia)

Cruz‐Bustos

Feix

Lyrakis

et al. 2022

Sci Rep

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“…Although the main part of the ropk family is transcriptionally regulated, some differences may be observed at the protein level. Indeed, post-transcriptional modifications and translational control are frequent in Apicomplexa (for a recent review [ 33 ]). Proteomic data on E. tenella are scarce.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Genome-Wide Expression Patterns of Rhoptry Kinases during the Eimeria tenella Life-Cycle

et al. 2021

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Kinome from apicomplexan parasites is composed of eukaryotic protein kinases and Apicomplexa specific kinases, such as rhoptry kinases (ROPK). Ropk is a gene family that is known to play important roles in host–pathogen interaction in Toxoplasma gondii but is still poorly described in Eimeria tenella, the parasite responsible for avian coccidiosis worldwide. In the E. tenella genome, 28 ropk genes are predicted and could be classified as active (n = 7), inactive (incomplete catalytic triad, n = 12), and non-canonical kinases (active kinase with a modified catalytic triad, n = 9). We characterized the ropk gene expression patterns by real-time quantitative RT-PCR, normalized by parasite housekeeping genes, during the E. tenella life-cycle. Analyzed stages were: non-sporulated oocysts, sporulated oocysts, extracellular and intracellular sporozoites, immature and mature schizonts I, first- and second-generation merozoites, and gametes. Transcription of all those predicted ropk was confirmed. The mean intensity of transcription was higher in extracellular stages and 7–9 ropk were specifically transcribed in merozoites in comparison with sporozoites. Transcriptional profiles of intracellular stages were closely related to each other, suggesting a probable common role of ROPKs in hijacking signaling pathways and immune responses in infected cells. These results provide a solid basis for future functional analysis of ROPK from E. tenella.

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“…They carry a domain with similarity to an Apetala2/ethylene response factor (AP2/ERF) integrase DNA binding domain, present in plants. ApiAP2 TFs play critical roles in for parasite differentiation, development, and virulence [18,[106][107][108][109][110][111][112]. Most of these studies were in Plasmodium and Toxoplasma spp.…”

Section: Transcripts Characteristic Of Mature Oocystsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Dynamically expressed genes provide candidate viability biomarkers in a model coccidian

et al. 2021

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Eimeria parasites cause enteric disease in livestock and the closely related Cyclospora cayetanensis causes human disease. Oocysts of these coccidian parasites undergo maturation (sporulation) before becoming infectious. Here, we assessed transcription in maturing oocysts of Eimeria acervulina, a widespread chicken parasite, predicted gene functions, and determined which of these genes also occur in C. cayetanensis. RNA-Sequencing yielded ~2 billion paired-end reads, 92% of which mapped to the E. acervulina genome. The ~6,900 annotated genes underwent temporally-coordinated patterns of gene expression. Fifty-three genes each contributed >1,000 transcripts per million (TPM) throughout the study interval, including cation-transporting ATPases, an oocyst wall protein, a palmitoyltransferase, membrane proteins, and hypothetical proteins. These genes were enriched for 285 gene ontology (GO) terms and 13 genes were ascribed to 17 KEGG pathways, defining housekeeping processes and functions important throughout sporulation. Expression differed in mature and immature oocysts for 40% (2,928) of all genes; of these, nearly two-thirds (1,843) increased their expression over time. Eight genes expressed most in immature oocysts, encoding proteins promoting oocyst maturation and development, were assigned to 37 GO terms and 5 KEGG pathways. Fifty-six genes underwent significant upregulation in mature oocysts, each contributing at least 1,000 TPM. Of these, 40 were annotated by 215 GO assignments and 9 were associated with 18 KEGG pathways, encoding products involved in respiration, carbon fixation, energy utilization, invasion, motility, and stress and detoxification responses. Sporulation orchestrates coordinated changes in the expression of many genes, most especially those governing metabolic activity. Establishing the long-term fate of these transcripts in sporulated oocysts and in senescent and deceased oocysts will further elucidate the biology of coccidian development, and may provide tools to assay infectiousness of parasite cohorts. Moreover, because many of these genes have homologues in C. cayetanensis, they may prove useful as biomarkers for risk.

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Transcriptional ups and downs: patterns of gene expression in the life cycle of Toxoplasma gondii

Cited by 18 publications

References 63 publications

The transcriptome from asexual to sexual in vitro development of Cystoisospora suis (Apicomplexa: Coccidia)

The transcriptome from asexual to sexual in vitro development of Cystoisospora suis (Apicomplexa: Coccidia)

Genome-Wide Expression Patterns of Rhoptry Kinases during the Eimeria tenella Life-Cycle

Dynamically expressed genes provide candidate viability biomarkers in a model coccidian

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