Multidomain Adhesion Research Articles

Identification of three members of the multidomain adhesion CCp family in Babesia gibsoni

Babesia gibsoni is an intraerythrocytic apicomplexan parasite transmitted by Haemaphysalis longicornis and causes canine babesiosis. Within the tick, the Babesia parasite undergoes sexual conjugation and the sporogony process of its life cycle. To control B. gibsoni infection, prompt and effective treatment of acute infections and curing chronic carriers are urgently needed. Gene disruption of Plasmodium CCps resulted in blocking the transition of sporozoites from the mosquito midgut to the salivary glands, showing that these proteins are potential targets for the development of a transmission-blocking vaccine. In this study, we described the identification and characterization of three members of the CCp family in B. gibsoni, named CCp1, CCp2, and CCp3. The B. gibsoni sexual stages were induced in vitro by exposing parasites to xanthurenic acid (XA), dithiothreitol (DTT), and tris (2-carboxyethyl) phosphine (TCEP) at serial concentrations. Among them, 100 µM XA-exposed and cultured at 27 °C without CO2B. gibsoni presented diverse morphologies, including parasites with long projections, gradually increased free merozoites, and aggregated and round forms, indicative of sexual stage induction. Then, the expression of CCp proteins of induced parasites was confirmed by real-time reverse transcription PCR, immunofluorescence, and western blot. The results showed that BgCCp genes were highly significantly increased at 24 h post-sexual stage induction (p < 0.01). The induced parasites were recognized by anti-CCp mouse antisera and anti-CCp 1, 2, and 3 antibodies weakly reacted with sexual stage proteins of expected molecular weights of 179.4, 169.8, and 140.0 KDa, respectively. Our observations on morphological changes and confirmation of sexual stage protein expression will advance elemental biological research and lay the foundation for the development of transmission-blocking vaccines against canine babesiosis.

Identification of CCp5 and FNPA as Novel Non-canonical Members of the CCp Protein Family in Babesia bovis.

Bovine babesiosis, caused by Babesia bovis, is an economically significant tick-borne disease that imposes restrictions to livestock production worldwide. Current methods to control bovine babesiosis have severe limitations and novel approaches, including transmission-blocking vaccines, are needed. Members of the widely conserved CCp family are multidomain adhesion proteins containing LCCL motifs, which are differentially expressed on gametocytes of apicomplexans, including Babesia spp. and Plasmodium spp. While Plasmodium parasites contain 6 distinct CCp genes, only three members (CCp 1-3) were previously identified in B. bovis. In this study, we describe the identification and characterization of two novel non-canonical members of the CCp gene family in B. bovis, named CCp5 and FNPA. The genes were identified in silico by TBLASTN using P. falciparum CCp family domains as queries. Unlike CCp1-3, the B. bovis CCp5 and FNPA proteins lack the LCCL canonical domain but contain other typical multidomain adhesion motifs which are present in classical CCp proteins. In addition, the B. bovis CCp5 and FNPA are in synteny with known CCp genes in related apicomplexans. Sequence analysis of these two proteins demonstrated high sequence conservation among B. bovis different isolates. Transcription, immunoblot, and immunofluorescence analyses demonstrated expression of CCp5 and FNPA in blood and in vitro induced sexual stages of B. bovis. The FNPA, in contrast to CCp5, has a predicted transmembrane domain, suggesting that it might be expressed in the surface of sexual stage parasites. Altogether, finding of this study support FNPA as a possible target of a transmission-blocking vaccine against B. bovis.

Differential Expression of Three Members of the Multidomain Adhesion CCp Family in Babesia bigemina, Babesia bovis and Theileria equi

Members of the CCp protein family have been previously described to be expressed on gametocytes of apicomplexan Plasmodium parasites. Knocking out Plasmodium CCp genes blocks the development of the parasite in the mosquito vector, making the CCp proteins potential targets for the development of a transmission-blocking vaccine. Apicomplexans Babesia bovis and Babesia bigemina are the causative agents of bovine babesiosis, and apicomplexan Theileria equi causes equine piroplasmosis. Bovine babesiosis and equine piroplasmosis are the most economically important parasite diseases that affect worldwide cattle and equine industries, respectively. The recent sequencing of the B. bovis and T. equi genomes has provided the opportunity to identify novel genes involved in parasite biology. Here we characterize three members of the CCp family, named CCp1, CCp2 and CCp3, in B. bigemina, B. bovis and T. equi. Using B. bigemina as an in vitro model, expression of all three CCp genes and proteins was demonstrated in temperature-induced sexual stages. Transcripts for all three CCp genes were found in vivo in blood stages of T. equi, and transcripts for CCp3 were detected in vivo in blood stages of B. bovis. However, no protein expression was detected in T. equi blood stages or B. bovis blood stages or B. bovis tick stages. Collectively, the data demonstrated a differential pattern of expression of three orthologous genes of the multidomain adhesion CCp family by B. bigemina, B. bovis and T. equi. The novel CCp members represent potential targets for innovative approaches to control bovine babesiosis and equine piroplasmosis.

PfCCp proteins of Plasmodium falciparum: Gametocyte-specific expression and role in complement-mediated inhibition of exflagellation

The sexual phase of the malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum is essential for transmission of the disease and is accompanied by the co-ordinated expression of sexual stage proteins. Six of these proteins belong to a highly conserved apicomplexan family of multi-domain adhesion proteins, termed PfCCps. PfCCp1, PfCCp2 and PfCCp3 are co-dependently expressed in the parasitophorous vacuole associated with the gametocyte plasma membrane. PfCCp2 and PfCCp3 also play an essential role for parasite development in the mosquito. We show that the six PfCCp proteins are expressed in stages II–V of gametocytogenesis as well as during early gamete formation. The proteins are expressed in association with the surface of both male and female gametocytes and macrogametes, but are not present in exflagellating microgametes. Further, the newly described protein PfCCp4 co-localizes with the transmission blocking candidate Pfs230, with which it forms a protein complex. In contrast to the phenotypes that are observed following targeted gene disruption of PfCCp2, PfCCp3 or Pfs230, the lack of PfCCp4 expression does not inhibit parasite development in the mosquito vector. This indicates a non-essential role for this protein during parasite transmission. Exflagellation assays revealed that antibodies directed against distinct domains of PfCCp1 through PfCCp4 and PfFNPA support a complement-mediated decrease in gametocyte emergence. We conclude that the six PfCCp proteins are specifically expressed during gametocytogenesis and gamete formation, and that select members may represent prospective candidates for transmission blocking vaccines.

Lifetime Measurements Reveal Kinetic Differences between Homophilic Cadherin Bonds

Cadherins are multidomain adhesion proteins whose interactions direct cell sorting during histogenesis. They determine cell adhesion specificity, but prior studies failed to identify physical differences that could underlie cell sorting. These single molecule studies identify kinetic and strength differences between different cadherins. They further demonstrate that the modular extracellular architecture of cleavage stage C-cadherin supports a multistate binding mechanism. These multiple bonds exhibit a kinetic hierarchy of strengths that map to the different cadherin domains. The outer two N-terminal domains of C-cadherin form two bound states with dissociation rates of 3.9 and 0.02 s −1. The latter is 25-fold slower than between the corresponding epithelial cadherin segments. In addition to the two fast bonds, the five-domain fragment (CEC1-5) forms two additional stronger, longer-lived bonds with dissociation rates of 0.00039 and 0.00001 s −1. We further quantified the lifetimes of bonds subject to a constant force, and thus identified multiple dissociation events with rates that agree quantitatively with the force spectroscopy data. The qualitative features are similar to those reported for epithelial cadherin. However, the significant differences in the dissociation rates of the outer domains, which include the specificity-determining region, suggest that kinetic differences may determine cadherin discrimination, rather than adhesion energies.

A multidomain adhesion protein family expressed in Plasmodium falciparum is essential for transmission to the mosquito.

The recent sequencing of several apicomplexan genomes has provided the opportunity to characterize novel antigens essential for the parasite life cycle that might lead to the development of new diagnostic and therapeutic markers. Here we have screened the Plasmodium falciparum genome sequence for genes encoding extracellular multidomain putative adhesive proteins. Three of these identified genes, named PfCCp1, PfCCp2, and PfCCp3, have multiple adhesive modules including a common Limulus coagulation factor C domain also found in two additional Plasmodium genes. Orthologues were identified in the Cryptosporidium parvum genome sequence, indicating an evolutionary conserved function. Transcript and protein expression analysis shows sexual stage–specific expression of PfCCp1, PfCCp2, and PfCCp3, and cellular localization studies revealed plasma membrane–associated expression in mature gametocytes. During gametogenesis, PfCCps are released and localize surrounding complexes of newly emerged microgametes and macrogametes. PfCCp expression markedly decreased after formation of zygotes. To begin to address PfCCp function, the PfCCp2 and PfCCp3 gene loci were disrupted by homologous recombination, resulting in parasites capable of forming oocyst sporozoites but blocked in the salivary gland transition. Our results describe members of a conserved apicomplexan protein family expressed in sexual stage Plasmodium parasites that may represent candidates for subunits of a transmission-blocking vaccine.

Structure and function of the epidermal growth factor domain of P-selectin.

P-selectin is a multidomain adhesion protein on the surface of activated platelets and endothelial cells that functions in the recruitment of leukocytes to the site of inflammation. The amino-terminal lectin and EGF domains constitute the ligand recognition unit. We have produced a synthetic 40-residue P-selectin EGF domain (P-sel:EGF) to examine the structure and function of this domain independent of P-selectin. The peptide was folded in vitro and exhibited the same disulfide bonding pattern as other EGF-like domains. P-sel:EGF did not inhibit P-selectin-mediated cellular adhesion assays, indicating that the lectin domain is also required. We undertook the study of the P-selectin EGF by 1H NMR to determine its structure independent of the lectin domain and to compare its structure to that of E-selectin determined crystallographically [Graves et al. (1994) Nature 367, 532]. Although the binding of P-selectin to its carbohydrate ligand is calcium dependent, and some EGF domains have calcium binding sites, addition of calcium had no effect on the NMR spectrum or on the pH-induced changes. Nearly complete resonance assignments were made from 2D 1H NMR spectra at pH 6.0. Two sections of antiparallel beta-sheet were identified on the basis of the pattern of long-range NOEs, 3JHN alpha coupling constants, and slowly exchanging amides. The solution structure of the peptide backbone was determined using distance geometry and simulated annealing calculations. The backbone RMSD to the geometric average for 19 final structures is 0.64 +/- 0.17 A. The resulting fold closely resembles that of other EGF-like peptides, including the E-selectin EGF domain (RMSD approximately 1.08 A). However, compared to the E-selectin EGF structure which also contains the lectin domain, some residues from 1-11 are less ordered, and novel contacts occur between the amino terminus and the core beta-sheet. Despite marked structural homology of the selectin polypeptide backbones, the selectin EGF surfaces show unique distributions of charged residues, a feature that likely correlates to the functional differences.

Noncollagenous (NC1) Domain of Collagen VII Resembles Multidomain Adhesion Proteins Involved in Tissue-Specific Organization of Extracellular Matrix

Type VII collagen (C7) is a stratified squamous epithelial basement membrane protein composed of three identical alpha chains, each consisting of a 145-kDa amino-terminal noncollagenous (NC1) domain and a 145-kDa carboxyl-terminal collagenous domain. Morphologic and biochemical studies have shown that tissue-specific aggregates of C7 dimers called anchoring fibrils may contribute to epithelial basement membrane organization and adherence by interacting with extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins such as type IV collagen. In this study, we cloned a cDNA encoding most of the NC1 domain of C7. The deduced amino acid sequence revealed motifs characteristic of multidomain ECM proteins that contribute to the tissue-specific organization of ECM including a region of 7 1/2 sequential fibronectin type III (Fn III) homology repeats, a potential collagen-binding region homologous to the A domain of von Willebrand factor (vWf) and an RGD sequence. A purified C7 fusion protein containing these motifs specifically bound to type IV collagen in a functional assay. These results suggest that regions within the NC1 domain of C7 mediate interactions with lamina densa and dermal ECM proteins including type IV collagen. Structural mutations and autoepitopes in these regions may represent mechanisms for the development of defective basement membrane organization and adherence in genetic and autoimmune forms of epidermolysis bullosa.

Noncollagenous (NC1) Domain of Collagen VII Resembles Multidomain Adhesion Proteins Involved in Tissue-Specific Organization of Extracellular Matrix

Noncollagenous (NC1) Domain of Collagen VII Resembles Multidomain Adhesion Proteins Involved in Tissue-Specific Organization of Extracellular Matrix