An actin‐like protein is involved in regulation of mitochondrial and flagellar functions as well as in intramacrophage survival of Leishmania donovani

Summary Actin‐related proteins are ubiquitous actin‐like proteins that show high similarity with actin in terms of their amino acid sequence and three‐dimensional structure. However, in lower eukaryotes, such as trypanosomatids, their functions have not yet been explored. Here, we show that a novel...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Molecular microbiology 2014-02, Vol.91 (3), p.562-578
Main Authors: Singh, Kuldeep, Veluru, Niranjan K., Trivedi, Vishal, Gupta, Chhitar M., Sahasrabuddhe, Amogh A.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Actins - genetics
Actins - metabolism
Adenosine Triphosphate - biosynthesis
Animals
Cell Survival
Cells, Cultured
Eukaryotes
Flagella - physiology
Gene Deletion
Genetic Complementation Test
Leishmania donovani
Leishmania donovani - genetics
Leishmania donovani - immunology
Leishmania donovani - physiology
Macrophages, Peritoneal - immunology
Macrophages, Peritoneal - parasitology
Membrane Potential, Mitochondrial
Mice
Microbiology
Mitochondria
Mitochondria - metabolism
Molecular biology
Proteins
Protozoan Proteins - genetics
Protozoan Proteins - metabolism
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Summary:Summary Actin‐related proteins are ubiquitous actin‐like proteins that show high similarity with actin in terms of their amino acid sequence and three‐dimensional structure. However, in lower eukaryotes, such as trypanosomatids, their functions have not yet been explored. Here, we show that a novel actin‐related protein (ORF LmjF.13.0950) is localized mainly in the Leishmania mitochondrion. We further reveal that depletion of the intracellular levels of this protein leads to an appreciable decrease in the mitochondrial membrane potential as well as in the ATP production, which appears to be accompanied with impairment in the flagellum assembly and motility. Additionally, we report that the mutants so generated fail to survive inside the mouse peritoneal macrophages. These abnormalities are, however, reversed by the episomal gene complementation. Our results, for the first time indicate that apart from their classical roles in the cytoplasm and nucleus, actin‐related proteins may also regulate the mitochondrial function, and in case of Leishmania donovani they may also serve as the essential factor for their survival in the host cells.
ISSN:0950-382X
1365-2958
DOI:10.1111/mmi.12477