mTOR signaling inhibition decreases lysosome migration and impairs the success of Trypanosoma cruzi infection and replication in cardiomyocytes

Alvim, Juliana Morais; Venturini, Gabriela; Oliveira, Theo G. M.; Seidman, Jonathan G.; Seidman, Christine E.; Krieger, José Eduardo; Pereira, Alexandre C.

doi:10.1016/j.actatropica.2023.106845

“…T. cruzi parasites were efficiently detected 48 h.p.i. ( Figure 1A ), as described previously [50]. Corroborating our initial data, we observed a 70% downregulation of ST8Sia2 mRNA in T. cruzi- infected hiPSC-CM using qRT-PCR ( Figure 1B ).…”

Section: Resultssupporting

confidence: 90%

ST8Sia2 polysialyltransferase protects against infection byTrypanosoma cruzi

Barboza,

Macedo-da-Silva,

Trajano Silva

et al. 2023

Preprint

0

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Glycosylation is one of the most structurally and functionally diverse co- and post-translational modifications in a cell. Addition and removal of glycans, especially to proteins and lipids, characterize this process which have important implications in several biological processes. In mammals, the repeated enzymatic addition of a sialic acid unit to underlying sialic acids (Sia) by polysialyltransferases, including ST8Sia2, leads to the formation of a sugar polymer called polysialic acid (polySia). The functional relevance of polySia has been extensively demonstrated in the nervous system. However, the role of polysialylation in infection is still poorly explored. Previous reports have shown thatTrypanosoma cruzi(T. cruzi), a flagellated parasite that causes Chagas disease (CD), changes host sialylation of glycoproteins. To understand the role of host polySia duringT. cruziinfection, we used a combination ofin silicoand experimental tools. We observed thatT. cruzireduces both the expression of the ST8Sia2 and the polysialylation of target substrates. We also found that chemical and genetic inhibition of host ST8Sia2 increased the parasite load in mammalian cells. These findings suggest a novel approach to interfere with parasite infections through modulation of host polysialylation.AUTHOR SUMMARYGlycosylation is a co- and/or post-translational modification regulated by the addition and removal of glycans. This process shapes the cellular glycome, which in turn, holds significant implications in various biological processes.Trypanosoma cruzi(T. cruzi), the etiological agent of Chagas disease, a globally concerning neglected tropical disease affecting 6 to 8 million individuals worldwide, exerts a profound influence on host glycoprotein sialylation. Remarkably,T. cruziis incapable of synthesizing sialic acid (Sia) and relies on acquiring it from host glycoconjugates. In mammals, the formation of polysialic acid (polySia) is mediated by polysialyltransferases, such as ST8Sia2. The functional relevance of polySia has been extensively documented in the nervous system. Nevertheless, its role within the context of infectious processes remains largely unexplored. Herein, we demonstrate that inT. cruzi-infected host cells, the expression of the ST8Sia2 enzyme is downregulated, resulting in diminished levels of polysialylation. Furthermore, a reduction in the levels of NCAM1 and SCN5A was observed, which can be attributed to the decreased host polysialylation. Moreover, enzymatic removal of polySia, along with chemical inhibition and genetic silencing of ST8Sia2, led to a marked increase in the number of intracellular parasites. We posit that ST8Sia2 inhibition favorsT. cruziinfection, thereby elucidating novel avenues for understanding the mechanisms associated with Chagas disease pathogenesis, prominently featuring the pivotal role of host polysialylation.

show abstract

Subversion strategies of lysosomal killing by intracellular pathogens

Teixeira,

Tavares

et al. 2023

Microbiological Research

4

0

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

ST8Sia2 polysialyltransferase protects against infection by Trypanosoma cruzi

Barboza,

Macedo-da-Silva,

Silva

et al. 2024

PLoS Negl Trop Dis

0

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Glycosylation is one of the most structurally and functionally diverse co- and post-translational modifications in a cell. Addition and removal of glycans, especially to proteins and lipids, characterize this process which has important implications in several biological processes. In mammals, the repeated enzymatic addition of a sialic acid unit to underlying sialic acids (Sia) by polysialyltransferases, including ST8Sia2, leads to the formation of a sugar polymer called polysialic acid (polySia). The functional relevance of polySia has been extensively demonstrated in the nervous system. However, the role of polysialylation in infection is still poorly explored. Previous reports have shown that Trypanosoma cruzi (T. cruzi), a flagellated parasite that causes Chagas disease (CD), changes host sialylation of glycoproteins. To understand the role of host polySia during T. cruzi infection, we used a combination of in silico and experimental tools. We observed that T. cruzi reduces both the expression of the ST8Sia2 and the polysialylation of target substrates. We also found that chemical and genetic inhibition of host ST8Sia2 increased the parasite load in mammalian cells. We found that modulating host polysialylation may induce oxidative stress, creating a microenvironment that favors T. cruzi survival and infection. These findings suggest a novel approach to interfere with parasite infections through modulation of host polysialylation.

show abstract

mTOR signaling inhibition decreases lysosome migration and impairs the success of Trypanosoma cruzi infection and replication in cardiomyocytes

Cited by 3 publications

References 61 publications

ST8Sia2 polysialyltransferase protects against infection byTrypanosoma cruzi

ST8Sia2 polysialyltransferase protects against infection byTrypanosoma cruzi

Subversion strategies of lysosomal killing by intracellular pathogens

ST8Sia2 polysialyltransferase protects against infection by Trypanosoma cruzi

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About