Identification and characterization of an {alpha}-mannosidase from Trypanosoma cruzi

In this report we describe the first purification and characterizationof the acid -mannosidase from the human parasite Trypanosomacruzi. The purified enzyme exhibited a native mol. wt of 240000 Da and is apparently composed of four identical subunitsof mol. wt 58 000 Da. Each of the four subunits contains oneN-linked high-mannose-type oligosaccharide. The -mannosidaseexhibited a pH optimum of 3.5 and a pI of 5.9. This low pH optimumand the ability of swainsonine to inhibit its activity suggestthat the -mannosidase is a lysosomal enzyme. Antibodies againstthe T.cruzi enzyme did not react with mammalian lysosomal -mannosidaseand, conversely, antibody against a rat lysosomal -mannosidasedid not react with the T.cruzi enzyme. Thus, the T.cruzi enzymeappears to be distinct from its mammalian counterpart. -mannosidase lysosomal enzyme Trypanosoma cruzi     

A lipopeptidophosphoglycan from Trypanosoma cruzi (epimastigota): Isolation,purification and carbohydate composition

A lipopeptidophosphoglycan was extracted from epimastigote forms of Trypanosomacruzi by phenol (44%) treatment of sonicated cells. The substance was purified from other glycoproteins and nucleic acid as follows: ethanol frationation, Bio-Gel P-150 column chromatography in the presence of 0.1% sodium dodecyl sulfate, extraction with chloroform/methanol/water (10 : 10 : 3) and precipitation of the pure compound by methanol. The substance migrated as a single band in sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis stained with periodic acid-Schiff and Coomassie blue. In the absence of sodium dodecyl sulfate very little or no migration was observed in 5% and 10% of the gels respectively, suggesting the formation of aggregates. In such gels a Sudan Black positive reaction coincident with the periodic acid-Schiff positive band was obtained. Neutral sugars (60%, by phenol-sulfuric acid assay) were analysed by paper chromatography and gas-liquid chromatography. The following ratio was found: mannose : galactose : glucose = 35 : 22 : 1. Glucosamine, identified by paper chromatography, was colorimetrically estimated (0.8%). Sialic acid was not detected. Analysis by the biuret method gave 9.5% protein. All phosphorus present (2%) was released by hydrolysis, thus apparently excluding the possibility of an alkyl phosphonic acid as a structural component.Fatty acids were detected by thin layer chromatography in a hexane extract of the acid hydrolysate. Gas-liquid chromatography of the esterified mixture showed that the main component had the same retention time as palmitic acid methyl ester. The infrared spectrum was consistent with the general structure and indicated the presence of α-glycopyranosyl linkages. Low concentrations of the lipopeptidophosphoglycan were able to inhibit the concanavalin A-induced agglutination of epimastigotes.     

Isolation and purification of amastigotes of Trypanosoma cruzi from cultured vero cells

A method is described for the isolation and purification of the intracellular amastigotes of Trypanosoma cruzi from cultured Vero cells. Host cells were infected with metacyclic forms obtained in Grace's medium. Six days after infection, the cells wer subjected to treatment with trypsin to obtain the intracellular forms. The parasites were collected and purified by Percoll discontinuous gradient centrifugation.     

Isolation and characterization of a reservosome fraction from Trypanosoma cruzi

Resistance to different antibiotics was found in 26 of the 30 strains analyzed, more than 70% of the strains analyzed were resistant to carbenicillin and ampicillin and a significant correlation was found between the resistance to both antibiotics. Plasmids were found in 80% of the strains analyzed, and 11 different plasmid profiles were observed. The most common profile obtained had only a 21.2-kbp plasmid, a significant correlation was found between the presence of this plasmid and resistance to carbenicillin, although some exceptions could be detected. Plasmids were cured from a cephalothin resistant strain and reintroduced into the plasmid-free cell and into Escherichia coli DH5alpha, both strains gained resistance to this antibiotic.     

N-Glycan processing by a lepidopteran insect alpha1,2-mannosidase

Protein glycosylation pathways are relatively poorly characterized in insect cells. As part of an overall effort to address this problem, we previously isolated a cDNA from Sf9 cells that encodes an insect alpha1,2-mannosidase (SfManI) which requires calcium and is inhibited by 1-deoxymannojirimycin. In the present study, we have characterized the substrate specificity of SfManI. A recombinant baculovirus was used to express a GST-tagged secreted form of SfManI which was purified from the medium using an immobilized glutathione column. The purified SfManI was then incubated with oligosaccharide substrates and the resulting products were analyzed by HPLC. These analyses showed that SfManI rapidly converts Man(9)GlcNAc(2)to Man(6)Glc-NAc(2)isomer C, then more slowly converts Man(6)GlcNAc(2)isomer C to Man(5)GlcNAc(2). The slow step in the processing of Man(9)GlcNAc(2)to Man(5)GlcNAc(2)by SfManI is removal of the alpha1,2-linked mannose on the middle arm of Man(9)GlcNAc(2). In this respect, SfManI is similar to mammalian alpha1,2-mannosidases IA and IB. However, additional HPLC and(1)H-NMR analyses demonstrated that SfManI converts Man(9)GlcNAc(2)to Man(5)GlcNAc(2)primarily through Man(7)GlcNAc(2)isomer C, the archetypal Man(9)GlcNAc(2)missing the lower arm alpha1,2-linked mannose residues. In this respect, SfManI differs from mammalian alpha1,2-mannosidases IA and IB, and is the first alpha1,2-mannosidase directly shown to produce Man(7)GlcNAc(2)isomer C as a major processing intermediate.     

Biosynthesis and subcellular localization of a lepidopteran insect alpha 1,2-mannosidase

Like lower and higher eucaryotes, insects have alpha 1,2-mannosidases which function in the processing of N-glycans. We previously cloned and characterized an insect alpha 1,2-mannosidase cDNA and demonstrated that it encodes a member of a family of N-glycan processing alpha 1,2-mannosidases (Kawar, Z., Herscovics, A., Jarvis, D.L., 1997. Isolation and characterisation of an alpha 1,2-mannosidase cDNA from the lepidopteran insect cell line Sf9. Glycobiology 7, 433-443). These enzymes have similar protein sequences, require calcium for their activities, and are sensitive to 1-deoxymannojirimycin, but can have different substrate specificities and intracellular distributions. We recently determined the substrate specificity of the insect alpha 1,2-mannosidase, SfManI (Kawar, Z., Romero, P., Herscovics, A., Jarvis, D.L., 2000. N-glycan processing by a lepidopteran insect and 1,2-mannosidase. Glycobiology 10, 347-355). Now, we have examined the biosynthesis and subcellular localization of SfManI. We found that SfManI is partially N-glycosylated and that N-glycosylation is dramatically enhanced if the wild type sequon is changed to one that is highly utilized in a mammalian system. We also found that an SfManI-GFP fusion protein had a punctate cytoplasmic distribution in insect cells. Colocalization studies indicated that this fusion protein is localized in the Golgi apparatus, not in the endoplasmic reticulum or lysosomes. Finally, N-glycosylation had no influence over the substrate specificity or subcellular localization of SfManI.     

Purification of soluble alpha1,2-mannosidase from Candida albicans CAI-4

A soluble alpha-mannosidase from Candida albicans CAI-4 was purified by conventional methods of protein isolation. Analytical electrophoresis of the purified preparation revealed two polypeptides of 52 and 27 kDa, the former being responsible for enzyme activity. The purified, 52 kDa enzyme trimmed Man9GlcNAc2, producing Man8GlcNAc2 isomer B and mannose, and was inhibited preferentially by 1-deoxymannojirimycin. These properties are consistent with an endoplasmic reticulum-resident alpha1,2-mannosidase of the glycosyl hydrolase family 47. Moreover, a proteolytic activity responsible for converting the 52 kDa alpha-mannosidase into a polypeptide of 43 kDa retaining full enzyme activity, was demonstrated in membranes of ATCC 26555, but not in CAI-4 strain.     

Isolation and characterization of paraflagellar proteins from Trypanosoma cruzi

Two different Trypanosoma cruzi polypeptides, with masses of 70 and 68 kDa were purified and characterized in this work. These two polypeptides designated PAR 1 and PAR 2, respectively, co-purified during each step of the isolation procedure and were found to be located exclusively in T. cruzi flagella by indirect immunofluorescence. A pre-embedding immunoelectron microscopy procedure, with a gold-tagged secondary antibody, permitted direct identification of PAR 2 as a component of the T. cruzi paraflagellar rod. PAR 1 and PAR 2 were found to be immunologically distinct and showed no cross-reactivity with actin, tubulin, intermediate filament proteins, or other proteins present in mammalian cells. The results presented indicate that PAR 1 and PAR 2 are the major components of T. cruzi paraflagellar filaments, and that these filaments have no counterpart in mammalian cells.     

Calcium ion activation of rabbit liver alpha 1,2-mannosidase

Rabbit liver alpha 1,2-mannosidase is a calcium ion requiring enzyme involved in processing the asparagine-linked oligosaccharides of glycoproteins. Ca2+ activation occurs with an apparent Ka of 1.1 microM. The major effect of the metal ion activator is on Km rather than Vmax. The kinetic mechanism of the enzyme is that of an ordered equilibrium in which Ca2+ must bind before substrate and the metal ion cannot release once the substrate has added to the enzyme. Several other divalent cations including Co2+, Mn2+, and Zn2+ were competitive with Ca2+ and inhibited the enzyme. Significantly, Mg2+ had no effect on enzyme activity. 1-Deoxymannojirimycin and Tris, which inhibit glycoprotein processing in vivo, are inhibitors of the mannosidase competitive with substrate. The effect of Ca2+ on the affinity of the enzyme for substrate may be a determinant in regulation of enzyme activity in vivo.     

Isolation and characterization of an {alpha}1,2-mannosidase cDNA from the lepidopteran insect cell line Sf9

As part of our ongoing efforts to characterize the N-glycosylationpathway of lepidopteran insect cells, we have isolated an     

Some kinetic properties of a cysteine proteinase (cruzipain) from Trypanosoma cruzi

A cysteine proteinase, purified to homogeneity from epimastigotes of Trypanosoma cruzi, was strongly inhibited by L-trans-epoxysuccinylleucylamido(4-guanidino)butane (E-64). The second-order rate constant was 20,800 M-1.s-1, and the reagent could be used for active site titration. The enzyme hydrolysed chromogenic peptides at the carboxyl Arg or Lys; it required at least one more amino acid, preferably Arg, Phe, Val or Leu, between the terminal Arg or Lys and the amino-blocking group. Enzyme activity on azocasein at pH 5.0 was increased by urea, maximal activity being attained at 2 M, and was still as active at 5 M urea as in its absence. Guanidine hydrochloride and KSCN also activated at low concentrations, but caused a strong inhibition above 2 M and 1 M, respectively. When azocasein was tested as a substrate at pH 7.0, there was no activation, and when synthetic substrates were used all chaotropic agents tested were inhibitory. The results suggest that the enzyme, for which we propose the trivial name 'cruzipain', differs in some aspects from all other cysteine proteinases described so far, although it shares several of the properties of mammalian cathepsin L.     

Isolation and characterization of a neutral glycosphingolipid from the epimastigote form of Trypanosoma mega

A glycosphingolipid fraction from Trypanosoma mega was isolated after acetylation and was further purified on a silicic acid column. Final purification was by preparative thin-layer chromatography. The carbohydrate components of the glycolipid were fucose and galactose in approximately equimolar amounts. The neutral glycolipid of T. mega has a sphingosine base composition that consists of sphingosine and traces of dihydrosphingosine. Fatty acids forming amide groups with the sphingosine bases were analyzed by gas-liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry and are a mixture of normal and alpha-hydroxy fatty acids. Normal C16:0, C18:0, and 2-hydroxy C18:0 are the predominant fatty acids.     

An improved procedure for the purification of Trypanosoma cruzi (Chagas, 1909) metacyclics from the insect vector

We have developed an improved procedure for isolating and purifying the metacyclic trypomastigote form of Trypanosoma cruzi from infected Triatoma infestans. The procedure was simple, did not require time-consuming removal of the insect gut, and gave a good recovery of metacyclics. Purification involved centrifugal flotation of the parasites in Percoll followed by diethylaminoethyl cellulose column chromatography. The resulting purified metacyclics exhibited no loss of infectivity when assayed in mice as compared to metacyclics taken directly from the insects.     

Molecular and functional characterization of a spermidine transporter (TcPAT12) from Trypanosoma cruzi

Trypanosoma cruzi, the etiological agent of Chagas' disease, is the only eukaryotic cell which lacks the ability to synthesize polyamines de novo. In this work, we describe for the first time the molecular and biochemical properties of a high-affinity spermidine transporter from T. cruzi. The transporter gene TcPAT12 was functionally expressed in Xenopus laevis oocytes, showing high levels of spermidine uptake. Similar apparent affinity constants for spermidine uptake were obtained when comparing T. cruzi epimastigotes and heterologous expressed TcPAT12 in X. laevis. In addition, TcPAT12 also transports putrescine and the amino acid l-arginine at lower rates than spermidine.     

Diterpenoids from Azorella compacta (Umbelliferae) active on Trypanosoma cruzi

The anti-Trypanosoma cruzi activity of natural products isolated from Azorella compacta was evaluated, with particular emphasis on their effect against intracellular amastigotes. Five diterpenoids from A. compacta derived from mulinane and azorellane were isolated and identified. Only two products, named azorellanol (Y-2) and mulin-11,3-dien-20-oic acid (Y-5), showed trypanocidal activity against all stages of T. cruzi including intracellular amastigotes. At 10 M, these compounds displayed a strong lytic activity. It ranged from 88.4 0.6 to 99.0 1 % for all strains and stages evaluate, with an IC50 /18 h values of 20-84 M and 41-87 M, respectively. The development of intracellular amastigotes was also inhibited by nearly 60% at 25 M. The trypanocidal molecules Y-2 and Y-5 did show different degrees of cytotoxicity depending on the cell line tested, with an IC50 /24 h ranging from 33.2 to 161.2 M. We evaluated the effect of diterpenoids against intracellular T. cruzi forms by immunofluorescent identification of a specific membrane molecular marker (Ssp-4 antigen) of the T. cruzi amastigote forms. The accuracy and reproducibility of the measurements were found to be outstanding when examined by confocal microscopy.     

Cross-reactive polysaccharides from Trypanosoma cruzi and fungi (especially Dactylium dendroides)

Cross-reactivity between fungal and Trypanosoma cruzi polysaccharides, owing to common residues of beta-D-galactofuranose, beta-D-galactopyranose, and alpha-D-mannopyranose, was demonstrated by using rabbit immune sera against T. cruzi epimastigotes and sera from patients with Chagas' disease. Several chagasic (Ch) sera precipitated partly purified galactomannans from Aspergillus fumigatus and from T. cruzi epimastigotes and also the galactoglucomannan from Dactylium dendroides. Reaction of one Ch serum with T. cruzi galactomannan (GM) was completely inhibited by synthetic beta-D-Galf-(1----3)-Me alpha-D-Manp, and that of another Ch serum with a purified D. dendroides galactoglucomannan (GGM) was partly inhibited by (1----6)-linked (81%) or by (1----3)-linked (33%) beta-D-Galf-Me alpha-D-Manp. The beta-D-Galf-(1----3)-alpha-D-Manp epitope was present in both T. cruzi and D. dendroides polysaccharides. Rabbit anti-T. cruzi antisera precipitated A. fumigatus GM, T. cruzi antigenic extracts containing the lipopeptidophosphoglycan (LPPG), T. cruzi alkali-extracted GM, a synthetic GM, and D. dendroides GGM. Weak reactivities were obtained for a Torulopsis lactis-condensi GM containing beta-D-Galp terminal residues and for baker's yeast mannan with alpha-D-Manp-(1----3)-alpha-D-Manp-(1----2)-alpha-D-Manp+ ++-(1----2) side chains. An anti-LPPG rabbit serum precipitated D. dendroides GGM--a reaction inhibited (82%) by beta-D-Galf-(1----3)-Me alpha-D-Manp and. less efficiently, by a (1----5)-linked beta-D-Galf-tetrasaccharide. Sera from mice immunized with D. dendroides whole cells reacted with CL-strain trypomastigotes as shown by indirect immunofluorescence, by a Staphylococcus adherence test, but were not lytic. Mice immunized with D. dendroides were not protected against a challenge with virulent T. cruzi trypomastigotes.