Biology subjects

Zhu, X.-Q.

Publications and source records attributed to Zhu, X.-Q..

3 recordsLinked to original sources

bioRxiv2023

The Toxoplasma monocarboxylate transporters are involved in the metabolism within the apicoplast and are linked to parasite survival

The apicoplast is a four-membrane plastid found in the apicomplexans, which harbors biosynthesis and organelle housekeeping activities in the matrix. However, the mechanism driving the flux of metabolites, in and out, remains unknown. Here we used TurboID and genome engineering to identify apicoplast transporters in Toxoplasma gondii. Among the many novel transporters, we show that one pair of apicomplexan monocarboxylate transporters (AMTs) appears to have evolved from a putative host cell that engulfed a red alga. Protein depletion showed that AMT1 and AMT2 are critical for parasite growth. Metabolite analyses supported the notion that AMT1 and AMT2 are associated with biosynthesis of isoprenoids and fatty acids. However, stronger phenotypic defects were observed for AMT2, including in the inability to establish T. gondii parasite virulence in mice. This study clarifies, significantly, the mystery of apicoplast transporter composition and reveals the importance of the pair of AMTs in maintaining the apicoplast activity in apicomplexans.

microbiology↗

bioRxiv2022

Camellia sinensis solvent extract confers trophocidal and cysticidal effects against Acanthamoeba castellanii

AimWe examined the anti-acanthamoebic efficacy of solvent extract of C. sinensis) and its chemical constituents against trophozoites and cysts of A. castellanii. Materials and methodsThe effects of C. sinensis solvent extract on A. castellanii was investigated by using anti-trophozoite, anti-encystation, and anti-excystation assays. The solvent extract was also fractionated using Gas Chromatography and the chemical constituents of C. sinensis were tested, individually or combined, against the trophozoites. ResultsTrophozoite replication was inhibited within 24-72 h with exposure to 625-5000 {micro}g/mL of C. sinensis solvent extract. C. sinensis also exhibited a dose-dependent inhibition of encystation, with a marked cysticidal activity at 2500-5000 {micro}g/mL concentrations. Two constituents of C. sinensis, namely epigallocatechin-3-gallate and caffeine, significantly inhibited trophozoite replication and encystation at 100 M and 200 M, respectively. Cytotoxicity analysis showed that 156.25-2500 {micro}g/mL of solvent extract was not toxic to human corneal epithelial cells, while up to 625 {micro}g/mL was not toxic to Madin-Darby Canine Kidney cells. ConclusionsThis study shows the anti-acanthamoebic potential of C. sinensis solvent extract against trophozoites and cysts. Further pre-clinical studies are required to elucidate the in vivo efficacy and safety of C. sinensis solvent extract. Graphical abstract O_FIG O_LINKSMALLFIG WIDTH=152 HEIGHT=200 SRC="FIGDIR/small/507025v1_ufig1.gif" ALT="Figure 1"> View larger version (29K): org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@9850forg.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@feb98dorg.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@147fc64org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@10b497e_HPS_FORMAT_FIGEXP M_FIG C_FIG

microbiology↗

bioRxiv2021

Population genomics of ancient and modern Trichuris trichiura

The neglected tropical disease trichuriasis is caused by the whipworm Trichuris trichiura, a soil-transmitted helminth that has infected humans for millennia. Today, T. trichiura infects as many as 500 million people, predominantly in communities with poor sanitary infrastructure enabling sustained faecal-oral transmission. Using whole-genome sequencing of geographically distributed worms collected from human and other primate hosts, together with ancient samples preserved in archaeologically-defined latrines and deposits dated up to one thousand years old, we present the first population genomics study of T. trichiura. We describe the continent-scale genetic structure between whipworms infecting humans and baboons relative to those infecting other primates. Admixture and population demographic analyses support a stepwise distribution of genetic variation that is highest in Uganda, consistent with an African origin and subsequent translocation with human migration. Finally, genome-wide analyses between human samples and between human and non-human primate samples reveal local regions of genetic differentiation between geographically distinct populations. These data provide insight into zoonotic reservoirs of human-infective T. trichiura and will support future efforts toward the implementation of genomic epidemiology of this globally important helminth.

genomics↗