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Leishmania tarentolae: Taxonomic classification and its application as a promising biotechnological expression host
- Source :
- PLoS neglected tropical diseases, vol 13, iss 7, PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases, Vol 13, Iss 7, p e0007424 (2019), PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases
- Publication Year :
- 2019
- Publisher :
- eScholarship, University of California, 2019.
-
Abstract
- In this review, we summarize the current knowledge concerning the eukaryotic protozoan parasite Leishmania tarentolae, with a main focus on its potential for biotechnological applications. We will also discuss the genus, subgenus, and species-level classification of this parasite, its life cycle and geographical distribution, and similarities and differences to human-pathogenic species, as these aspects are relevant for the evaluation of biosafety aspects of L. tarentolae as host for recombinant DNA/protein applications. Studies indicate that strain LEM-125 but not strain TARII/UC of L. tarentolae might also be capable of infecting mammals, at least transiently. This could raise the question of whether the current biosafety level of this strain should be reevaluated. In addition, we will summarize the current state of biotechnological research involving L. tarentolae and explain why this eukaryotic parasite is an advantageous and promising human recombinant protein expression host. This summary includes overall biotechnological applications, insights into its protein expression machinery (especially on glycoprotein and antibody fragment expression), available expression vectors, cell culture conditions, and its potential as an immunotherapy agent for human leishmaniasis treatment. Furthermore, we will highlight useful online tools and, finally, discuss possible future applications such as the humanization of the glycosylation profile of L. tarentolae or the expression of mammalian recombinant proteins in amastigote-like cells of this species or in amastigotes of avirulent human-pathogenic Leishmania species.<br />Author summary Recent studies indicate that the classification of Leishmania species into one of the four currently recognized subgenera (L. [Leishmania], L. [Sauroleishmania], L. [Viannia], and L. [Mundinia]), or even the related genera, can be a challenging task. A monotonous morphology of this group is coupled with a high genetic variability in nature, a multitude of clinical manifestations, and a propensity for rapid evolution in culture. As some geographic regions have not been adequately sampled, the known biodiversity of this group may be an underestimate of its true dimensions. Therefore, the taxonomic classification of the genus Leishmania and its close relatives is not definitively settled. In this review, we will focus on biotechnological applications of L. tarentolae, a protozoan parasite of geckos. As this species belongs to the genus Leishmania and subgenus L. (Sauroleishmania), and because many Leishmania are human-pathogenic, the taxonomic status and phylogenetic position of L. tarentolae are relevant for biosafety and also discussed herein. The subgenus of L. (Sauroleishmania) mostly contains species that are infectious to reptiles, but some species and strains, such as L. adleri and L. tarentolae strain LEM-125, were also shown to be (transiently) infectious to humans. However, most strains of L. tarentolae are nonpathogenic to humans and can be easily handled as laboratory culture. Therefore, this species has been a successful model system for representing other Leishmania in basic research. It has also been of great interest for the scientific community, as it represents a promising host for the expression of human recombinant proteins (including glycoproteins and its future application for the expression of full-length antibodies) and immunotherapy agent for human leishmaniasis treatment. These two topics will also be discussed.
- Subjects :
- Life Cycles
Glycosylation
Protein Expression
RC955-962
Glycobiology
Review
Protozoology
Disease Vectors
Biochemistry
Medical and Health Sciences
law.invention
Biosafety
law
Arctic medicine. Tropical medicine
Medicine and Health Sciences
Parasite hosting
2.2 Factors relating to the physical environment
Aetiology
Reptile Genomics
Leishmaniasis
chemistry.chemical_classification
Protozoans
Leishmania
biology
Strain (biology)
Eukaryota
Genomics
Biological Sciences
Recombinant Proteins
Infectious Diseases
Recombinant DNA
Protozoan Life Cycles
Public aspects of medicine
RA1-1270
Amastigotes
Biotechnology
Computational biology
Research and Analysis Methods
Microbiology
Rare Diseases
Tropical Medicine
Gene Expression and Vector Techniques
Genetics
Animals
Humans
Amastigote
Molecular Biology Techniques
Molecular Biology
Protein Processing
Glycoproteins
Molecular Biology Assays and Analysis Techniques
Promastigotes
Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health
Organisms
Post-Translational
Biology and Life Sciences
Proteins
biology.organism_classification
Parasitic Protozoans
Insect Vectors
Sand Flies
Vector-Borne Diseases
Species Interactions
Good Health and Well Being
chemistry
Cell culture
Animal Genomics
Glycoprotein
Protein Processing, Post-Translational
Developmental Biology
Subjects
Details
- Database :
- OpenAIRE
- Journal :
- PLoS neglected tropical diseases, vol 13, iss 7, PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases, Vol 13, Iss 7, p e0007424 (2019), PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases
- Accession number :
- edsair.doi.dedup.....60b9ba4eb5f1daa358844690af0449cd