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Role of calmodulin and calcineurin in regulating flagellar motility and wave polarity in Leishmania

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Abstract

We have previously reported the involvement of cyclic AMP in regulating flagellar waveforms in Leishmania. Here, we investigated the roles of calcium, calmodulin, and calcineurin in flagellar motility regulation in L. donovani. Using high-speed videomicroscopy, we show that calcium-independent calmodulin and calcineurin activity is necessary for motility in Leishmania. Inhibition of calmodulin and calcineurin induced ciliary beats interrupting flagellar beating in both live (in vivo) and ATP-reactivated (in vitro) parasites. Our results indicate that signaling mediated by calmodulin and calcineurin operates antagonistically to cAMP signaling in regulating the waveforms of Leishmania flagellum. These two pathways are possibly involved in maintaining the balance between the two waveforms, essential for responding to environmental cues, survival, and infectivity.

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Acknowledgements

A.G.M is the recipient of a Senior Research Fellowship from the Indian Institute of Technology Delhi. This study was supported by grants from the Department of Science and Technology, Government of India, New Delhi, to C.S.D. Ref# SR/SO/HS-238/2012, dated 24.05.2012 and SR/S2/JCB-24/2008(G), dated 30.12.2008. The funding source had no involvement in study design; in the collection, analysis, and interpretation of data; in the writing of the report; and in the decision to submit the article for publication.

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  1. Kusuma School of Biological Sciences, Indian Institute of Technology Delhi, Hauz Khas, New Delhi, 110016, India

    Aakash Gautam Mukhopadhyay & Chinmoy Sankar Dey

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  1. Aakash Gautam Mukhopadhyay
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  2. Chinmoy Sankar Dey
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Correspondence to Chinmoy Sankar Dey.

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Video 1

Fast-capture video of live Leishmania donovani without any inhibitor treatment (control). Flagellar waves initiated from the tip allow the parasite to move forward. With one interrupting base-to-tip ciliary wave (white arrow) the parasite reorients itself after which flagellar beating restarts. Image acquisition speed of camera was 200 frames per second. Playback speed of video: 1/20 × real time (10 frames per second). (AVI 1407 kb)

Video 2

Fast-capture video of live Leishmania donovani treated with 10 μM W7 (calmodulin inhibitor). The parasite displays constitutive base-to-tip ciliary waves with no flagellar waves. Emerging white arrows show points of initiation of the base-to-tip ciliary wave. Count of number of ciliary beats shown in top. Image acquisition speed of camera was 200 frames per second. Playback speed of video: 1/20 × real time (10 frames per second). (AVI 2187 kb)

Video 3

Fast-capture video of live Leishmania donovani treated with 25 μM W7 (calmodulin inhibitor). The parasite displays base-to-tip ciliary waves after which flagellar beating restarts. Flagellar waves are again interrupted by ciliary beats. Emerging white arrows show points of initiation of the base-to-tip ciliary wave. Count of number of ciliary beats shown in top. Image acquisition speed of camera was 200 frames per second. Playback speed of video: 1/20 × real time (10 frames per second). (AVI 2581 kb)

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Mukhopadhyay, A.G., Dey, C.S. Role of calmodulin and calcineurin in regulating flagellar motility and wave polarity in Leishmania . Parasitol Res 116, 3221–3228 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00436-017-5608-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00436-017-5608-6

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