Degrade to survive: the intricate world of piroplasmid proteases

Florín-Christensen, Mónica; Sojka, Daniel; Ganzinelli, Sabrina; Šnebergerová, Pavla; Suárez, Carlos E.; Schnittger, Leonhard

doi:10.1016/j.pt.2023.04.010

Cited by 5 publications

(2 citation statements)

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“…In addition, in parasites, they can also participate in immune evasion, invasion, and egress from host cells; tissue penetration; degradation of host proteins destined for nutrition; and other processes. Given their essential roles, several proteases have been proposed as chemotherapeutic targets or vaccine candidates against different pathogenic microorganisms [41,42]. Proteases identified in this study include a secreted metalloprotease belonging to the family M16, which is a homologue of T. gondii toxolysin 1.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Discovery of Antigens and Cellular Mechanisms in the Protozoan Parasite Sarcocystis aucheniae Using Immunoproteomics

Wieser,

Decker-Franco,

de Alba

et al. 2023

Parasitologia

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Sarcocystis aucheniae is a coccidian parasite that produces macroscopic sarcocysts in South American camelid (SAC) muscles and causes a disease known as SAC sarcocystosis. This parasitosis hampers the commercialization of llama and alpaca meat, a vital economic activity in the Andean regions. No control or prevention methods are available, and diagnosis is based on postmortem visual inspection of carcasses. The aim of this study was to identify S. aucheniae B-cell epitopes suitable for the development of diagnostic methods for SAC sarcocystosis. To this end, sarcocyst immunoreactive protein bands were analyzed via mass spectrometry, and proteins in each band were identified in silico by searching in the parasite transcriptome. Five highly antigenic, hydrophilic B-cell epitopes, predicted not to cross-react with antibodies against other coccidia, were selected for future development of peptide-based serological tests. In addition, conserved domains present in the identified proteins allowed us to unravel metabolic pathways and mechanisms active in the parasitic stages present in sarcocysts, including aerobic respiration, antioxidant activity, signal transduction, protein synthesis and processing, and host–pathogen interactions. This study provides novel information on the biology of S. aucheniae, as well as new protein sequences that can be used for the development of diagnostic tests and chemotherapeutic approaches for SAC sarcocystosis.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Discovery of Antigens and Cellular Mechanisms in the Protozoan Parasite Sarcocystis aucheniae Using Immunoproteomics

Wieser,

Decker-Franco,

de Alba

et al. 2023

Parasitologia

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“…Other proteins, associated with the specialized secretory organelles of apicomplexans (rhoptries, micronemes, and dense granules) or involved in the process of gliding motility, are expected to be present in the infective stage of the bradyzoite [ 59 ]. The aforementioned studies also identified several proteases that can be hypothesized to play essential roles in S. aucheniae biology based on what is known about their homologs in other microorganisms [ 59 , 84 ]. Importantly, many of these newly identified parasite proteins represent attractive chemotherapeutic and/or vaccine candidates [ 59 ].…”

Section: Parasite Biology and Host-pathogen Interactionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Sarcocystis spp. of New and Old World Camelids: Ancient Origin, Present Challenges

Wieser,

Giuliano,

Reategui Ordoñez

et al. 2024

Pathogens

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Sarcocystis spp. are coccidian protozoans belonging to the Apicomplexa phylum. As with other members of this phylum, they are obligate intracellular parasites with complex cellular machinery for the invasion of host cells. Sarcocystis spp. display dixenous life cycles, involving a predator and a prey as definitive and intermediate hosts, respectively. Specifically, these parasites develop sarcocysts in the tissues of their intermediate hosts, ranging in size from microscopic to visible to the naked eye, depending on the species. When definitive hosts consume sarcocysts, infective forms are produced in the digestive system and discharged into the environment via feces. Consumption of oocyst-contaminated water and pasture by the intermediate host completes the parasitic cycle. More than 200 Sarcocystis spp. have been described to infect wildlife, domestic animals, and humans, some of which are of economic or public health importance. Interestingly, Old World camelids (dromedary, domestic Bactrian camel, and wild Bactrian camel) and New World or South American camelids (llama, alpaca, guanaco, and vicuña) can each be infected by two different Sarcocystis spp: Old World camelids by S. cameli (producing micro- and macroscopic cysts) and S. ippeni (microscopic cysts); and South American camelids by S. aucheniae (macroscopic cysts) and S. masoni (microscopic cysts). Large numbers of Old and New World camelids are bred for meat production, but the finding of macroscopic sarcocysts in carcasses significantly hampers meat commercialization. This review tries to compile the information that is currently accessible regarding the biology, epidemiology, phylogeny, and diagnosis of Sarcocystis spp. that infect Old and New World camelids. In addition, knowledge gaps will be identified to encourage research that will lead to the control of these parasites.

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Protistology

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Degrade to survive: the intricate world of piroplasmid proteases

Cited by 5 publications

References 89 publications

Discovery of Antigens and Cellular Mechanisms in the Protozoan Parasite Sarcocystis aucheniae Using Immunoproteomics

Discovery of Antigens and Cellular Mechanisms in the Protozoan Parasite Sarcocystis aucheniae Using Immunoproteomics

Sarcocystis spp. of New and Old World Camelids: Ancient Origin, Present Challenges

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