Molecular and biochemical parasitology最新文献

{"title":"Calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II in Schistosoma: Relation to praziquantel action and resistance","authors":"Iman F. Abou-El-Naga","doi":"10.1016/j.molbiopara.2025.111686","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.molbiopara.2025.111686","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII) performs diverse essential functions through integrating a range of calcium signals. In <em>Schistosoma</em>, two Calmodulin (CaM) genes are characterized. CaMKII exhibits distinct expression patterns across the developmental stages of the parasite. Its significance lies in sustaining <em>Schistosoma</em> survival and maintaining calcium homeostasis. As it is a calcium sensing protein, its function is closely related to the efficacy of praziquantel, the mainstay drug against schistosomiasis. The relationship between CaMKII and praziquantel involves several potential factors. Praziquantel induces an increased calcium influx into <em>Schistosoma</em> that binds CaM and activates CaMKII, which in turn mitigates the effect of the drug and potentially contributes to praziquantel resistance in several ways. By maintaining calcium homeostasis, CaMKII opposes the surge in calcium influx induced by praziquantel. It modulates voltage-gated calcium channels and reduces calcium influx. It also inhibits ryanodine receptors and inositol triphosphate receptors, thus preventing the release of calcium from the sarcoplasmic/endoplasmic reticulum. CaMKII activates nuclear factor-κB and subsequently activates sarco/endoplasmic reticulum calcium-ATPase (SERCA), which increases calcium uptake into the sarcoplasmic/endoplasmic reticulum and decreases cytosolic calcium. Nuclear factor-κB, activated by CaMKII may lead to up-regulation of P-glycoprotein, which facilitates praziquantel efflux. CaMKII also activates calcineurin that inhibits SERCA. Given its pivotal role in <em>Schistosoma</em> homeostasis and survival, CaMKII emerges as a promising target for novel anthelmintic therapies, and its modulation might enhance the efficacy of praziquantel.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":18721,"journal":{"name":"Molecular and biochemical parasitology","volume":"263 ","pages":"Article 111686"},"PeriodicalIF":1.4,"publicationDate":"2025-05-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144138085","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Biological and physiological changes of Biomphalaria glabrata infected by Heterorhabditis bacteriophora","authors":"Vinícius Menezes Tunholi-Alves ,&nbsp;Victor Menezes Tunholi ,&nbsp;Ludimila Santos Amaral ,&nbsp;Natânia do Carmo Sperandio ,&nbsp;Lorena Souza Castro Altoé ,&nbsp;Melissa Carvalho Machado do Couto-Chambarelli ,&nbsp;Caio Márcio de Oliveira Monteiro ,&nbsp;Isabella Vilhena Freire Martins","doi":"10.1016/j.molbiopara.2025.111679","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.molbiopara.2025.111679","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The present study investigated for the first time the influence of exposure time (24 or 48 h) of <em>Biomphalaria glabrata</em> (Gastropoda: Pulmonata) to <em>Heterorhabditis bacteriophora</em> (Rhabditida: Heterorhabditidae), strain HP88, on some physiological and reproductive parameters of the host mollusk. Throughout the experiment, intense glycogenolysis was observed in both exposed groups, which was more accentuated in the digestive gland. This change was accompanied by a significant increase in the free glucose content in the exposed snails, indicating that <em>H. bacteriophora</em> infection induces the breakdown of host glycemic homeostasis. In parallel, significant variations in lactate dehydrogenase activity in the hemolymph of <em>B. glabrata</em> exposed to entomopathogenic nematodes were observed, confirming the transition from aerobic to anaerobic metabolism in the hosts. This physiological scenario contributed to the establishment of the parasitic castration process in this interface, compromising the reproductive performance of host snails, suggesting the use of <em>H. bacteriophora</em> HP88 as a potential alternative for control of <em>B. glabrata</em>.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":18721,"journal":{"name":"Molecular and biochemical parasitology","volume":"263 ","pages":"Article 111679"},"PeriodicalIF":1.4,"publicationDate":"2025-05-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144068329","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The role of complement system in a gerbil model of cutaneous leishmaniasis","authors":"Baycan Mor ,&nbsp;Arzu Gormez ,&nbsp;Berna Demırcı","doi":"10.1016/j.molbiopara.2025.111678","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.molbiopara.2025.111678","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div><em>Leishmania</em> species are intracellular protozoans responsible for causing both cutaneous and visceral infections. In recent years, the prevalence of leishmaniasis, a systemic and chronic disease, has been on the rise. Complement pathway mechanisms, part of the immune response of host organisms against <em>Leishmania</em> species, have not been fully revealed in leishmaniasis, which is very important for public health. This study aimed to explore the role of the complement system, an integral part of the immune response to <em>Leishmania</em> infections, in gerbil (<em>Meriones unguiculatus</em>) models of cutaneous leishmaniasis. This was achieved by assessing the expression levels of complement system genes (<em>MBL-1</em>, <em>MBL-2</em>, <em>C2</em>, and <em>C3</em>) and quantifying the protein levels of MBL-1, C2, and C3. Additionally, the study aimed to conduct biochemical tests, specifically measuring GSH and MDA levels, to detect oxidative stress in response to infection in gerbils. Finally, hematological analyses were performed to evaluate leukocyte counts in the blood. The expression of complement system genes and some complement system proteins were significantly increased in infected gerbils. Oxidative stress was evident, as indicated by reduced GSH levels and increased MDA levels. Additionally, a significant rise in leukocyte counts was observed as a consequence of the infection. The study concluded that complement system pathways are activated in cutaneous leishmaniasis infections. It was also determined that a thorough evaluation of genomic, proteomic, and immunopathological mechanisms is essential for understanding the pathogenesis of the disease.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":18721,"journal":{"name":"Molecular and biochemical parasitology","volume":"262 ","pages":"Article 111678"},"PeriodicalIF":1.4,"publicationDate":"2025-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143780705","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Metronidazole induces prostaglandin E2 formation via arachidonic acid production in protozoan parasite Giardia lamblia","authors":"Rituparna Sarkar ,&nbsp;Sanjib Kumar Sardar ,&nbsp;Ajanta Ghosal ,&nbsp;Tapas Haldar ,&nbsp;Koushik Das ,&nbsp;Arjun Ghosh ,&nbsp;Akash Prasad ,&nbsp;Yumiko Saito-Nakano ,&nbsp;Shanta Dutta ,&nbsp;Tomoyoshi Nozaki ,&nbsp;Sandipan Ganguly","doi":"10.1016/j.molbiopara.2025.111676","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.molbiopara.2025.111676","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The causative agent of giardiasis in human and animals is the amitochondriate <em>Giardia lamblia.</em> We observed that exposing <em>Giardia</em> trophozoites to MTZ led to an increase in lipid peroxidation compared to the control group, which was expressed in terms of menadione production as it is the marker for lipo-peroxidation. Oxidative stress generated by reactive nitrogen species and peroxidation of membrane phospholipids are positively correlated with the enhanced PLA2 activity in several organisms to produce arachidonic acid (AA). Our data suggested <em>Giardia</em> produces a unique 56 kDa dimeric enzyme called Phospholipase B (gPLB) in contrast to higher eukaryotes which was responsible for the production of intracellular free AA. This free AA either reacylates to the cell membrane or deacylates to further produce prostaglandins. In normal un-induced controlled trophozoites the membrane reacylation process was dominant due the higher level of acyle CoA synthase (ACS) expression over the time. However, under the oxidative stressed condition the intracellular ACS expression was down regulated. This led to the increase in deacylation process. When AA deacylation becomes dominant over AA reacylation in cells, the free AA accumulates intracellularly. One of the lipid autacoids, derived from AA is prostaglandin2 (PGE2). Oxidative stress generated by reactive nitrogen species in trophozoites increased the PGE2 production via prostaglandin synthase over the time with respect to the controlled one.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":18721,"journal":{"name":"Molecular and biochemical parasitology","volume":"262 ","pages":"Article 111676"},"PeriodicalIF":1.4,"publicationDate":"2025-03-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143657733","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Influences of parasitic stress on the health condition of African Catfish (Clarias gariepinus): Biochemical and histopathological alterations","authors":"Hadeer Abd El-hak Rashed ,&nbsp;Nahla S. El-Shenawy ,&nbsp;Nadia A. El-Fahla","doi":"10.1016/j.molbiopara.2025.111677","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.molbiopara.2025.111677","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This study investigates the prevalence, severity, and impacts of parasitic infestations in <em>Clarias gariepinus</em>. Additionally, the study assesses the detrimental impacts of parasite infestation on the health condition of affected catfish, focusing on biochemical and histopathological alterations. A total of 160 fish were sampled from local markets. Parasitological examinations involved the dissection of key organs from each fish. The organs were processed and examined microscopically for parasites identified based on morphometric characteristics. Parasitological indices such as prevalence, mean intensity, and abundance were calculated. Fish blood and liver samples were collected to assess hematological and biochemical parameters. Microscopic and ultrastructural examinations identified the gills and liver as highly infected organs, so they were utilized for transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Analysis of catfish tissues unveiled the existence of <em>Cyathocotylid sp.</em> and <em>Prohemistomum vivax</em>, across all organs with dominance noted in the liver, emphasizing their pathogenic significance and notable ability to invade and establish within multiple organs or the immunocompromised response of the host. Meanwhile, <em>Centrocestus formosanus</em> and <em>Quadriacanthus aegyptiacus</em> were exclusively detected in the gills, with an overall parasitic infection rate of 60 %. The present study is one of the few studies documenting <em>Centrocestus</em> sp. in catfish which reflects its ability to spread in new hosts and environments. A novel morphological dimension was recorded for the recovered metacercariae. The hematological, along with the identified lesions from light histological and TEM examinations in heavily infected catfish, indicate the detrimental impact of parasite infiltration on fish health status. Besides the biochemical biomarkers were significantly (p ≤ 0.05) affected by increasing the degree of infection. This study underscores the profound influence of parasitic infestations on the health of <em>C. gariepinus</em>, emphasizing the urgent need for effective management strategies in aquaculture to mitigate these effects, the spread of new pathogens, and ensure the sustainability and productivity of catfish farming. By integrating parasitological, morphological, histopathological, and biochemical analyses, this research provides valuable insights that contribute to better health management strategies in aquaculture and a deeper understanding of parasite biology.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":18721,"journal":{"name":"Molecular and biochemical parasitology","volume":"262 ","pages":"Article 111677"},"PeriodicalIF":1.4,"publicationDate":"2025-03-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143597398","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"AUK3 is required for faithful nuclear segregation in the bloodstream form of Trypanosoma brucei","authors":"J.A. Black ,&nbsp;B.C. Poulton ,&nbsp;B. Gonzaga ,&nbsp;A. Iskantar ,&nbsp;D. Paape ,&nbsp;L.R.O. Tosi. ,&nbsp;R. McCulloch","doi":"10.1016/j.molbiopara.2024.111664","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.molbiopara.2024.111664","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Eukaryotic chromosomes segregate faithfully prior to nuclear division to ensure genome stability. If segregation becomes defective, the chromosome copy number of the cell may alter leading to aneuploidy and/or polyploidy, both common hallmarks of cancers. In eukaryotes, aurora kinases regulate chromosome segregation during mitosis and meiosis, but their functions in the divergent, single-celled eukaryotic pathogen <em>Trypanosoma brucei</em> are less understood. Here, we focused on one of three aurora kinases in these parasites, TbAUK3, a homologue of the human aurora kinase AURKC, whose functions are primarily restricted to meiosis. We show that RNAi targeted depletion of TbAUK3 correlates with nuclear segregation defects, reduced proliferation, and decreased DNA synthesis, suggestive of a role for TbAUK3 during mitotic, not meiotic, chromosome segregation. Moreover, we uncover a putative role for TbAUK3 during the parasite's response to DNA damage since we show that depletion of TbAUK3 enhances DNA instability and sensitivity to genotoxic agents.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":18721,"journal":{"name":"Molecular and biochemical parasitology","volume":"261 ","pages":"Article 111664"},"PeriodicalIF":1.4,"publicationDate":"2025-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142922074","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Glucantime and quercetin electrospun nanofiber membranes: Fabrication and their evaluation as dressing for cutaneous leishmaniasis","authors":"Mehdi Karamian ,&nbsp;Esmat Alemzadeh ,&nbsp;Ali Abedi ,&nbsp;Soudabeh Eshaghi ,&nbsp;Meghdad Abdollahpour-Alitappeh ,&nbsp;Effat Alemzadeh ,&nbsp;Motahareh Mahi-Birjand","doi":"10.1016/j.molbiopara.2024.111663","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.molbiopara.2024.111663","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Cutaneous leishmaniasis is considered as one of the most concerns of the World Health Organization (WHO). The main objective of this study was to use polycaprolactone (PCL) nanofiber scaffolds in order to provide a topical drug delivery system capable of delivering glucantime (glu) and quercetin (qur) to cutaneous leishmaniasis wounds. First, PCL/glu/qur, PCL/glu, and PCL/qur nanofibers were prepared by an electrospinning method followed by characterization through scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Subsequently, we investigated the release of the drugs from nano-scaffolds and anti-promastigote effects. Lastly, the effect of nanobandage was evaluated on 20 female inbred BALB/c mice infected with the parasite. The nanofibers were bead-free and uniform with an average diameter of 224 ± 25 nm and showed a sustained release. Results from <em>in vivo</em> experiments showed that the number of amastigotes and macrophages infected with the parasite and the infiltration of inflammatory cells in mice treated with PCL/qur and PCL/glu/qur nanofibers significantly decreased as compared with those treated with the PCL/glu and PCL nanofibers. Collectively, PCL/glu/qur and PCL/qur nanofibers have promising therapeutic effects in cutaneous leishmaniasis wound healing.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":18721,"journal":{"name":"Molecular and biochemical parasitology","volume":"261 ","pages":"Article 111663"},"PeriodicalIF":1.4,"publicationDate":"2025-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142829417","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Does Schistosoma mansoni trigger colorectal cancer?","authors":"Sidhant Jain","doi":"10.1016/j.molbiopara.2025.111672","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.molbiopara.2025.111672","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>In this work the relationship between <em>Schistosoma mansoni</em> (Sm) and the induction and progression of colorectal cancer (CRC) is examined. Various clinical studies reviewed here yield inconsistent results, with some reporting no association between Sm infection and CRC and others suggesting a probable to strong association. Here we propose a number of plausible mechanisms whereby Sm infection might contribute to CRC induction and/or progression. These factors are (1) chronic inflammation, (2) exposure to parasite linked antigens and genotoxic products, especially soluble egg antigens (SEAs) and (3) alteration of the intestinal microbiota. These factors probably predispose humans towards CRC and can help in CRC progression however only widespread epidemiological, clinical and pathological studies can firmly establish their role or a complete lack of it.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":18721,"journal":{"name":"Molecular and biochemical parasitology","volume":"262 ","pages":"Article 111672"},"PeriodicalIF":1.4,"publicationDate":"2025-01-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143080471","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Molecular and biochemical characterization of parasites protein phosphorylation: Emerging trends, challenges and opportunities","authors":"Kayode K. Ojo,&nbsp;Sumiti Vinayak","doi":"10.1016/j.molbiopara.2025.111675","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.molbiopara.2025.111675","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":18721,"journal":{"name":"Molecular and biochemical parasitology","volume":"262 ","pages":"Article 111675"},"PeriodicalIF":1.4,"publicationDate":"2025-01-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143066474","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Impact of dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) leaf aqueous extract on immunological response of mice after Schistosoma mansoni infection","authors":"Amal I. El-Refaiy ,&nbsp;Nahed S. Amer ,&nbsp;Amani Alhejely ,&nbsp;Safa H. Qahl ,&nbsp;Amira M. Shaban ,&nbsp;Amro E. Mohamed ,&nbsp;Amira A. Saleh ,&nbsp;Abdelnaser A. Badawy ,&nbsp;Mohammed A. El-Magd","doi":"10.1016/j.molbiopara.2025.111673","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.molbiopara.2025.111673","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This study investigated the effect of dandelion (<em>Taraxacum officinale</em>) leaf aqueous extract (DLE) on the immunological response of mice following infection with <em>Schistosoma mansoni</em>. Mice (in groups of 7) were first experimentally infected with <em>S. mansoni</em> and, 6 weeks later, were treated with praziquantel (PZQ) and/or DLE. Control mice were uninfected. In contrast to the untreated group, animals given PZQ and/or DLE exhibited an enhanced immunological response, as indicated by increased serum IFNγ, TNFα, IL4 and IL10 levels, increased numbers of CD4 + and CD25 + cells in blood and spleen and altered expression of apoptosis-related genes (low <em>Bax</em> and caspase3 and high <em>Bcl2</em>) in the spleen. DLE treatment had a significantly bigger impact in all these parameters compared with PZQ alone and combined DLE/PZQ treatment have the largest effect. While DLE treatment alone significantly decreased parasite burden, it did not improve upon the greater protective effect of PZQ, even when given in combination.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":18721,"journal":{"name":"Molecular and biochemical parasitology","volume":"262 ","pages":"Article 111673"},"PeriodicalIF":1.4,"publicationDate":"2025-01-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143059182","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}