Structural and immunological characterization of sulphatides: relevance of sulphate moieties in Trypanosoma cruzi glycoconjugates.

Sulphoglycosphingolipids, present on the surface of diverse cells, participate in the regulation of various cellular events. However, little is known about the structure and the role of sulphoglycosphingolipids in trypanosomatids. Herein, sulphated dihexosylceramide structures - composed mainly of sphingosine as the long chain base acylated with stearic acid - have been determined for the first time in Trypanosoma cruzi epimastigotes by UV-MALDI-TOF-MS analysis. Interestingly, inhibition ELISA assays using cruzipain as antigen and polyclonal rabbit antibodies specific for cruzipain, the major cysteine proteinase of T. cruzi, or for its C-terminal domain, have demonstrated (i) that sulphate epitopes are shared between cruzipain and sulphatides of T. cruzi, (ii) that cross-reactivity maps to the C-terminal domain and (iii) the existence of other antigenic determinants in the glycolipidic structures. These features provide evidence that sulphate groups are antigenic in sulphate-containing parasite glycoconjugates. Furthermore, IgG2 antibody levels inversely correlate with disease severity in chronic Chagas disease patients, suggesting that IgG2 antibodies specific for sulphated epitopes might be associated with protective immunity and might be considered as potential surrogates of the course of chronic Chagas disease.

A striking common O-linked N-acetylglucosaminyl moiety between cruzipain and myosin.

Single units of O-linked N-acetylglucosamine (GlcNAc), usually components of nuclear and cytoplasmatic proteins, are present at the C-terminal domain of cruzipain (Cz), a lysosomal major antigen from Trypanosoma cruzi. On the other hand, antibodies directed against some self-antigens like myosin are associated with Chagas heart disease. The participation of O-GlcNAc moieties in the molecular antigenicity of Cz was determined using GlcNAc linked to aprotinin by ELISA. The immune cross-reactivity between Cz and myosin is mainly focused in the C-T domain. ELISA inhibition assays using rabbit sera specific for Cz and C-T in conjunction with immune-gold electron microscopy analysis of heart tissues from mice immunized with C-T confronted with polyclonal rabbit sera specific for Cz and C-T prior and after myosin adsorption provided evidence which indicates that O-GlcNAc moieties constitute a common epitope between Cz and either myosin or other cardiac O-GlcNAc-containing proteins, showing a new insight into the molecular immune pathogenesis of Chagas heart disease.

Molecular characterization of a putative sucrose:fructan 6-fructosyltransferase (6-SFT) of the cold-resistant Patagonian grass Bromus pictus associated with fructan accumulation under low temperatures.

Fructans are fructose polymers synthesized from sucrose in the plant vacuole. They represent short- and long-term carbohydrate reserves and have been associated with abiotic stress tolerance in graminean species. We report the isolation and characterization of a putative sucrose:fructan 6-fructosyltransferase (6-SFT) gene from a Patagonian grass species, Bromus pictus, tolerant to drought and cold temperatures. Structural and functional analyses of this gene were performed by Southern and Northern blot. Sugar content, quality and fructosyltransferase activity were studied using HPAEC-PAD (high-pH anion-exchange chromatography with pulsed amperometric detection), enzymatic and colorimetric assays. The putative 6-SFT gene had all the conserved motifs of fructosyl-transferase and showed 90% identity at the amino acid level with other 6-SFTs from winter cereals. Expression studies, and determination of sugar content and fructosyl-transferase activity were performed on five sections of the leaf. Bp6-SFT was expressed predominantly in leaf bases, where fructosyltransferase activity and fructan content are higher. Bp6-SFT expression and accumulation of fructans showed different patterns in the evaluated leaf sections during a 7 d time course experiment under chilling treatment. The transcriptional pattern suggests that the B. pictus 6-SFT gene is highly expressed in basal leaf sections even under control temperate conditions, in contrast to previous reports in other graminean species. Low temperatures caused an increase in Bp6-SFT expression and fructan accumulation in leaf bases. This is the first study of the isolation and molecular characterization of a fructosyltransferase in a native species from the Patagonian region. Expression in heterologous systems will confirm the functionality, allowing future developments in generation of functional markers for assisted breeding or biotechnological applications.

Novel cysteine proteinase in Trypanosoma cruzi metacyclogenesis.

With the aim to study proteinases released to the culture medium during Trypanosoma cruzi metacyclogenesis, the presence of cysteine proteinases (CPs) was analysed in culture supernatants obtained throughout the differentiation induced by stimulation of epimastigotes with Triatoma infestans hindgut homogenate. In SDS-gelatin containing gels, an important endopeptidase activity with apparent molecular weight range between 97 and 116 kDa was encountered at pH 6, which was abolished by the specific cysteine proteinase inhibitor E-64 and TLCK, but not by pepstatin, 1,10 phenantroline or PMSF. This novel CP, named TcCPmet, showed affinity to cystatin-Sepharose, denoting its thiol-proteinase character as well as to ConA-Sepharose, indicating it contains N-linked oligosaccharides. However, it presented a different elution pattern on ConA-Sepharose than cruzipain and, in addition, it was not recognized by anti-cruzipain serum, facts that strongly suggest the different nature of both CPs. Moroever, evidence is presented indicating that TcCPmet was able to hydrolyse the same chromogenic peptides as cruzipain at optimal alkaline pH values, although with a different order of effectiveness. Our results indicate the presence of a novel CP secreted by metacyclic trypomastigotes and reinforces the important role of these enzymes in metacyclogenesis.

Limonene arrests parasite development and inhibits isoprenylation of proteins in Plasmodium falciparum.

Isoprenylation is an essential protein modification in eukaryotic cells. Herein, we report that in Plasmodium falciparum, a number of proteins were labeled upon incubation of intraerythrocytic forms with either [(3)H]farnesyl pyrophosphate or [(3)H]geranylgeranyl pyrophosphate. By thin-layer chromatography, we showed that attached isoprenoids are partially modified to dolichol and other, uncharacterized, residues, confirming active isoprenoid metabolism in this parasite. Incubation of blood-stage P. falciparum treated with the isoprenylation inhibitor limonene significantly decreased the parasites' progression from the ring stage to the trophozoite stage and at 1.22 mM, 50% of the parasites died after the first cycle. Using Ras- and Rap-specific monoclonal antibodies, putative Rap and Ras proteins of P. falciparum were immunoprecipitated. Upon treatment with 0.5 mM limonene, isoprenylation of these proteins was significantly decreased, possibly explaining the observed arrest of parasite development.

Lipids shed into the culture medium by trypomastigotes of Trypanosoma cruzi.

Trypomastigote forms of Trypanosoma cruzi were metabolically labeled with [14C]-ethanolamine and [3H]-palmitic acid. Lipids shed to the culture medium were analyzed and compared with the parasite components. Phosphatidylcholine and lysophosphatidylcholine accounted for 53% of the total incorporated precursor. Interestingly, phosphatidylethanolamine and its lyso derivative lysophosphatidylethanolamine, although present in significant amounts in the parasites, could not be detected in the shed material. Shed lipids were highly enriched in the desaturated fatty acids C16:1 and C18:1 when compared to the total fatty acid pool isolated from the parasites.

Metabolitos con actividad antiviral aislados de Curvularia pallescens / Antiviral activity metabolites isolated from Curvularia pallescens

The strain BAFC 2336 of Curvularia pallescens is a hyphomycete isolated from internal fungi present in leaves and stems of Baccharis coridifolia. Three compounds designated B, D1 and D2 which inhibited the replication of vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) and herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) in tissue cultures were isolated from fluid cultures of Curvularia pallescens. The purification procedure of the compounds consisted first in an organic solvent extraction followed by chromatography through a silica gel column. Fractions eluted from the column with antiviral activity were pooled and then subjected to thin layer chromatography (TLC) in silica gel plates. Three isolated bands were recognized with Rf of 0.63, 0.36 y 0.33 for B, D1 and D2, respectively. The chromatographic characteristics of the isolated metabolites were determined by TLC and HPLC and their chemical structure by means of spectroscopic methods. Analysis of the data obtained indicated that compound D2 (MW: 280 Da) is identical with Brefeldin A a macrolide with antiviral activity isolated from other fungi but not reported to be present in Curvularia pallescens. Compound D1 is similar in structure to compound D2; however, the low amount obtained after purification unabled us to obtain complete structural characterization. Compound B (MW: 332 Da) has an aromatic ring and a chemical structure related to curvularins, a generic name for certain metabolites from Curvularia. This compound appears to be a novel compound with antiviral potency similar to Brefeldin A, but less toxic.

Active isoprenoid pathway in the intra-erythrocytic stages of Plasmodium falciparum: presence of dolichols of 11 and 12 isoprene units.

N-glycosylation of proteins is required for the intra-erythrocytic schizogony of Plasmodium falciparum. In eukaryotic cells, this process involves the transfer of oligosaccharides from a dolichyl pyrophosphate derivative to asparagine residues. We have identified dolichol, dolichyl phosphate and dolichyl pyrophosphate species of 11 and 12 isoprenoid residues by metabolic labelling with [(3)H]farnesyl pyrophosphate, [(3)H]geranylgeranyl pyrophosphate and [(14)C]acetate in the different intra-erythrocytic stages of P. falciparum. This is the first demonstration of short-chain dolichols in the phylum Apicomplexa. The results demonstrate the presence of an active isoprenoid pathway in the intra-erythrocytic stages of P. falciparum. Parasites treated with mevastatin, a 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA reductase inhibitor, show depressed biosynthesis of dolichol, dolichyl phosphate and isoprenoid pyrophosphate. This effect is observed in all intra-erythrocytic stages of the parasite life cycle, but is most pronounced in the ring stage. N-linked glycosylation of proteins was inhibited in the ring and young-trophozoite stages after mevastatin treatment of parasite cultures. Therefore the isoprenoid pathway may represent a different approach to the development of new anti-malarial drugs.

[Antiviral activity metabolites isolated from Curvularia pallescens]. / Metabolitos con actividad antiviral aislados de Curvularia pallescens.

The strain BAFC 2336 of Curvularia pallescens is a hyphomycete isolated from internal fungi present in leaves and stems of Baccharis coridifolia. Three compounds designated B, D1 and D2 which inhibited the replication of vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) and herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) in tissue cultures were isolated from fluid cultures of Curvularia pallescens. The purification procedure of the compounds consisted first in an organic solvent extraction followed by chromatography through a silica gel column. Fractions eluted from the column with antiviral activity were pooled and then subjected to thin layer chromatography (TLC) in silica gel plates. Three isolated bands were recognized with Rf of 0.63, 0.36 y 0.33 for B, D1 and D2, respectively. The chromatographic characteristics of the isolated metabolites were determined by TLC and HPLC and their chemical structure by means of spectroscopic methods. Analysis of the data obtained indicated that compound D2 (MW: 280 Da) is identical with Brefeldin A a macrolide with antiviral activity isolated from other fungi but not reported to be present in Curvularia pallescens. Compound D1 is similar in structure to compound D2; however, the low amount obtained after purification unabled us to obtain complete structural characterization. Compound B (MW: 332 Da) has an aromatic ring and a chemical structure related to curvularins, a generic name for certain metabolites from Curvularia. This compound appears to be a novel compound with antiviral potency similar to Brefeldin A, but less toxic.

Structure of the glycosylphosphatidylinositol-anchor of the trans-sialidase from Trypanosoma cruzi metacyclic trypomastigote forms.

Both, culture-derived and metacyclic trypomastigotes of Trypanosoma cruzi shed a glycoprotein, the shed acute phase antigen, that is responsible for the trans-sialidase activity. In the present work the structure of the glycosylphosphatidylinositol membrane anchor of the trans-sialidase isolated from metacyclic forms was determined. Parasites were metabolically labelled with [9, 10(n)3H]-palmitic acid and the glycoprotein was purified by immunoprecipitation with a monoclonal antibody directed against the repetitive aminoacid sequence. Treatment of the glycoprotein with phosphatidylinositol phospholipase C (PI-PLC) from Bacillus thuringiensis rendered a lipid that comigrated in TLC with a standard of ceramide. No alkylglycerol was detected in contrast with the results previously obtained for the trans-sialidase isolated from culture-derived trypomastigotes where both lipids were found. Chemical and chromatographic analysis showed that the lipid moiety is palmitoyldihydrosphingosine with a minor amount of stearoyldihydrosphingosine. The glycan constituent of the glycosylphosphatidylinositol-anchor was analysed by nitrous acid deamination of the aqueous phase of the PI-PLC treatment, followed by reduction with NaBH4 and hydrolysis of the phosphodiester with aqueous hydrofluoric acid. A major oligosaccharide was obtained and enzymatic treatment with exoglycosidases and further chromatography in a high pH anion exchange system showed that the trimannosyl core backbone is substituted by an alpha-galactose. A comparison between the lipid constituent of the glycosylphosphatidylinositol anchor of several proteins and their spontaneous shedding by the action of an endogenous PI-PLC was made.

The trans-sialidase of Trypanosoma cruzi is anchored by two different lipids.

The trans-sialidase from the trypomastigote stage of Trypanosoma cruzi was metabolically labeled with [3H]-palmitic acid and purified by immunoprecipitation with a monoclonal antibody. The action of PI-PLC on the immunoprecipitate released a lipid that was analyzed by TLC. Lyso-1-O-hexadecylglycerol and N-palmitoyl-sphinganine were obtained in a 1:3 ratio. A comparison with the GPI anchors present in the different stages of T. cruzi was made.

Trypanosoma cruzi: nitrogenous-base-containing phosphatides in trypomastigote forms--isolation and chemical analysis.

In trypanosomatids, little is known about the biosynthetic pathways involved in the metabolism of ethanolamine. In an attempt to clarify this point, an exhaustive analysis of the chloroform:methanol extract of T. cruzi trypomastigotes metabolically labeled with [14C]ethanolamine, in comparison with the lipids from [3H]palmitic acid-incorporated parasites, was performed. In both cases, phosphatidylethanolamine and lysophosphatidylethanolamine were detected, while phosphatidylcholine and lysophosphatidylcholine were only labeled with the fatty acid precursor. However, dimethylphosphatidylethanolamine was isolated from parasites labeled with the base precursor, indicating the ability of trypanosomes to methylate phosphatidylethanolamine to dimethylphosphatidylethanolamine. Fatty acids of the labeled phospholipids were analyzed by reverse-phase thin-layer chromatography and fluorography. Interestingly, phospholipids from the trypomastigote stage show palmitic acid (C16:0) and stearic acid (C18:0) as the only labeled components. The same saturated fatty acids were found free and as components of the radioactive triglycerides. No unsaturated fatty acids were detected, in accordance with the results obtained with inositolphospholipids. Conversely, when the fatty acids of phospholipids purified from nonlabeled parasites were analyzed by gas-liquid chromatography and gas-liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry, C18:1 was also detected. A striking finding was the presence of a considerable amount of free lignoceric acid (C24:0). Also, the C24:0 fatty acid was identified in the triglyceride fraction and as a component of phosphatidylcholine. The limited capacity of trypomastigote forms to elongate fatty acids was determined. In contrast with the results reported for other noninfective forms of the parasite, the absence of unsaturated fatty acids due to a low activity of desaturases was observed.

Altered follicle stimulating hormone isoforms in female galactosaemia patients.

UNLABELLED: Many women affected with galactosaemia suffer from ovarian dysfunction and have elevated serum levels of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH). We have analysed FSH-glycoprotein isoforms from four galactosaemic and five healthy women. Besides the commonly found FSH species with a median isoelectric point (pI) of 4-5, the sera of the female galactosaemic patients contained qualitatively abnormal FSH isoforms with a pI close to neutral (6.4-7.0). The generally reduced galactosylation in patient samples was confirmed because sera of galactosaemic patients could incorporate 1.7 times more UDP-(14C)galactose than did healthy subjects. CONCLUSION: Our data indicate that the terminal disaccharides of FSH (a glycoprotein), galactose and sialic acid were partially deficient in three galactosaemic female patients with no galactose-1-phosphate uridyl transferase (GALT) activity in red cells. However, from a female patient with a residual GALT activity (a mild form of galactosaemia), no distinctive deficiency was observed. This again suggest an importance of GALT in retaining a correct FSH structure. Therefore the abundance of neutral FSH isoforms, which was described to have a higher binding affinity to its receptor and no capacity to activate cyclic adenosine mono-phosphate (cAMP), may cause a hormonal dysfunction in classical galactosaemia.

N-linked glycoproteins are related to schizogony of the intraerythrocytic stage in Plasmodium falciparum.

Although the existence of O-linked oligosaccharide residues in glycoproteins of Plasmodium falciparum has been shown, the existence of N-linked glycoproteins is still a matter of controversy and skepticism. This report demonstrates the unequivocal presence of N-linked glycoproteins in P. falciparum, principally in the ring and young trophozoite stages of the intraerythrocytic cycle. These glycoproteins lose their capacity to bind to concanavalin A-Sepharose after treatment of cultures with tunicamycin under conditions that do not affect protein synthesis. When the glycoproteins were treated with N-Glycanase(R), oligosaccharides were released. It was possible to identify an N-linked glycoprotein of >200 kDa in the ring stage and also N-linked glycoproteins in the range of 200-30 kDa in the trophozoite stage. Treatment of trophozoites with 12 microM tunicamycin inhibited differentiation to the schizont stage. To our knowledge, this is the first report in the literature unequivocally showing N-linked glycoproteins in trophozoites of P. falciparum as well as their importance for the differentiation of the intraerythrocytic stages of this parasite.

Characterization of inositolphospholipids in Trypanosoma cruzi trypomastigote forms.

In vivo labeling experiments with [3H]palmitic acid, [3H]inositol, and [3H]glucose allowed the identification of two main classes of inositolphospholipids (IPLs) from the trypomastigote stage of Trypanosoma cruzi. Purification of these compounds was achieved by ion-exchange chromatography, high performance liquid chromatography and thin layer chromatography. Specific phosphatidyl-inositol phospholipase C digestion, dephosphorylation and acid methanolysis showed a ceramide structure for the lower migrating IPL1. Palmitoyldihydrosphingosine and palmitoylsphingosine were detected by reverse-phase thin-layer chromatography. On the other hand, IPL2 showed to be a mixture of diacylglycero- and alkylacylglycero-phospholipids in a 1:1 ratio. After PI-PLC digestion, the lipids were separated by preparative TLC and individually analysed. The diacylglycerol contained mainly C18:0 fatty acid together with a low amount of C16:0. Hexadecylglycerol esterified with the C18:0 fatty acid was the only alkylacylglycerol detected. The C18:2 and C18:1 fatty acids, preponderant in the PI molecules of epimastigote forms, were not detected in trypomastigote forms. This is the first report on inositol phospholipids, putative precursors of lipid anchors in the infective stage of T. cruzi.

Trypanosoma cruzi: the Tc-85 surface glycoprotein shed by trypomastigotes bears a modified glycosylphosphatidylinositol anchor.

Tc-85, an 85-kDa surface glycoprotein specific for the trypomastigote stage of Trypanosoma cruzi, has been implicated in the invasion of host cells by the parasite. Radioactive palmitic acid was incorporated into Tc-85 immunoprecipitated from the culture medium with the H1A10 monoclonal antibody, suggesting that shedding occurs with Tc-85 bearing its GPI anchor. In contrast to the glycoprotein remaining in the parasites, the glycosylphosphatidylinositol moiety in shed Tc-85 is resistant to phosphatidylinositol phospholipase C and becomes susceptible to the enzyme following alkali treatment. An alkylglycerol was identified by thin layer chromatography of an ether extract after the enzymatic reaction. Resistance to cleavage by phospholipase C is due to fatty acid esterification of the inositol residue in shed Tc-85. This is the first example of inositol modification in anchors from a glycoprotein of Trypanosoma cruzi.

Effects of toxin Ts-gamma and tityustoxin purified from Tityus serrulatus scorpion venom on isolated rat atria.

The effects of toxin Ts-gamma and tityustoxin purified from Tityus serrulatus scorpion venom were investigated on isolated rat atria. Rat atria were placed in an organ bath containing Krebs-Ringer solution, 30 degrees C, pH 7.4, and bubbled with a gas mixture of 95% O2 and 5% CO2. The atrial rate and contractile force were simultaneously recorded. Addition of toxin Ts-gamma to the bath (0.14 microM) evoked an initial reduction of both atrial rate and contractile force, followed by a small increase in force and a decrease in rate, and finally a long reduction of rate and force. Addition of an identical dose of Ts-gamma 30 or 60 min later did not evoke any effect. Addition of tityustoxin to the bath (0.14 microM) induced an increase of atrial rate and force. Addition of an identical dose of tityustoxin 30 min later evoked similar effects. The negative chronotropic and inotropic effects induced by Ts-gamma were abolished by tetrodotoxin (TTX, 1 microM) or atropine (1.5 microM), whereas the positive effects observed in the presence of atropine were prevented by TTX (1 microM) or alprenolol (10 microM). The negative chronotropic effect of 0.14 microM tityustoxin was only observed in the presence of physostigmine (0.3 microM). This negative effect was abolished by TTX (1 microM) or atropine (1.5 microM). The positive inotropic effect of tityustoxin was decreased by TTX (1 microM and 10 microM), but was totally prevented by guanethidine (10 microM) or alprenolol (10 microM).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

The glycosylphosphatidylinositol anchor of the trypomastigote-specific Tc-85 glycoprotein from Trypanosoma cruzi. Metabolic-labeling and structural studies.

The Tc-85 glycoprotein, specific for the infective stage of Trypanosoma cruzi, is anchored via glycosylphosphatidylinositol. The protein was purified from parasites, labeled metabolically with palmitic acid, by immunoprecipitation with the H1A10 monoclonal antibody or by affinity column chromatography on wheat germ agglutinin. Antisera to the soluble form of the variant surface glycoprotein of Trypanosoma brucei brucei cross-reacted with Tc-85 when the immunoprecipitate was analysed by Western blotting. The reaction was intensified upon previous incubation of the glycoprotein with phosphatidylinositol-specific phospholipase C. Such recognition was abolished when the cyclic phosphate was opened by mild acid treatment. The lipid cleaved by phospholipase C digestion, was identified as 1-O-hexadecylglycerol by reverse-phase thin-layer chromatography. The glycan core was deaminated and chemically labeled by reduction with NaB3H4. The labeled glycoprotein was exhaustively treated with pronase and dephosphorylated with 50% HF. Although microheterogeneity of the oligosaccharide moiety was apparent, by thin layer chromatography, a main spot coincident with Man(alpha 1-2) Man(alpha 1-6) Man(alpha 1-4) anhydromannitol was shown, consistent with the conserved core structure of all glycosylphosphatidylinositol anchors analysed to date.