Thesis (MSc ( Veterinary Tropical Diseases, Veterinary Science))--University of Pretoria, 2007. / Includes bibliographical references. Also available in print format.

Thesis (Ph.D.)--Murdoch University, 2009. / Thesis submitted to the Faculty of Health Sciences. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 183-209)

Animal trypanosomosis is a major constraint in livestock production in Sub-Saharan Africa. With the emergence of resistance against trypanocidal drugs, the cost and environmental concerns raised by vector control, and the challenge of antigenic variation in vaccine development, alternative control measures are being sought. An anti-disease strategy, whereby the immune response or chemotherapy is aimed towards pathogenic factors rather than the parasite itself, constitutes such a novel approach. Congopain is the major cysteine protease in Trypanosoma congolense, and upon release in the bloodstream of infected cattle, acts as a pathogenic factor. It is therefore an attractive candidate for an anti-disease vaccine. It was hence deemed necessary to investigate the variability of congopain-like cysteine proteases before attempting to design drugs and vaccines based on the inhibition of congopain. Most congopain-like cysteine protease genes of T. congolense exist in a single locus of 12-14 copies organised as tandem repeats of 2 kb gene units. A gene unit library of 120 clones was constructed out of several cosmid clones selected in a previous study that contained various lengths of the congopain locus. Some 24 gene unit clones were sequenced, and it was found that congopain genes cluster in three sub-families, named CP1 (8 clones), CP2 (12 clones) and CP3 (4 clones). The latter most characteristically shows a substitution of the active site cysteine by a serine. Isoform specific primers were designed and used to verify the proportions of the three isoforms (one third CP1, half CP2 and a sixth CP3) in the remaining clones of the library. Since this first study was conducted in one isolate, IL 3000, the results were subsequently validated in a large array of isolates, of T. congolense, as well as T. vivax and T. brucei subspecies, by a PCR approach. Finally, to gain access to copies of congopain genes that are not present in the locus, but rather scattered in the genome, an attempt was made to construct a 2 kb size-restricted genomic library. Only 206 clones could be produced, of which a mere 8 coded for congopain-like proteases. The fact that 7 out of 8 of these clones belong to CP3 (thought to be inactive) suggested a cloning artefact, possibly related to the activity of the cloned proteases. Overall, all congopain genes appear very conserved in a given species, with 87-99% identity at protein level. The pre- and pro-region were the most conserved, while the catalytic domain was the most variable, especially around the active site cysteine, with frequent replacement by a serine residue, and in one instance by phenylalanine. The histidine residue of the catalytic triad was also substituted by either a serine or a tyrosine in some instances. The proenzyme cleavage site sequence was also variable, with APEA being the predominant N-terminal sequence. RT-PCR analyses indicated that CP1, CP2 and CP3 mRNA are all present in the bloodstream forms of T. congolense, showing that these variants are likely to be expressed. The conclusion of this study is that, given the high overall conservation of congopain genes in the genome, for the purpose of anti-disease vaccine, it is likely that a single immunogen will suffice to raise antibody able to inhibit all circulating congopain-like cysteine proteases. For chemotherapy however, a more in-depth enzymatic characterisation of the mutants, involving functional recombinant expression, will have to be undertaken. / Thesis (M.Sc.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2008.

African trypanosomiasis is caused by protozoan parasites known as trypanosomes, which are transmitted by the tsetse fly, affecting both humans and animals. Trypanosoma congolense is one of the main trypanosome species affecting cattle and causes the disease known as nagana. Control of animal African trypanosomiasis currently relies on chemotherapy and vector control methods, neither of which has proven satisfactory. An effective vaccine against trypanosomiasis would be the most cost effective solution to control the disease; however, due to the phenomenon of antigenic variation, intrinsic to the parasite’s outer coat of variable surface glycoprotein, this has not yet been achieved. Recent vaccine efforts have been centred on identification of invariant parasite antigens for use as vaccine candidates. Trypanosome cytoskeleton components have in recent years been shown to be capable of providing a protective immune response against trypanosome infection. These include tubulin proteins, which form the main components of the cytoskeleton, as well as microtubule associated proteins (MAPs) and paraflagellar rod proteins. In the present study α- and β-tubulin from T. congolense were recombinantly expressed and their immuno-protective potential in mice assessed. Amplification of both α- and β-tubulin ORFs from T. congolense genomic DNA was followed by cloning of the amplicons into the T-vector pTZ57R/T, and thereafter sub-cloning into the bacterial expression vector, pET238a and the yeast expression vector pPICZαA28. Only the α-tubulin amplicon was successfully sub-cloned into pICZAαA28; however, no protein expression was achieved upon transfection of the methylotrophic yeast, Pichia pastoris, with this construct. Subcloning of both α- and β-tubulin inserts into pET28a was successful. Expression of recombinant α- and β-tubulin as fusion proteins with a histidine tag, both at a size of 55 kDa, was achieved in Escherichia coli host BL21 (DE3). Recombinant proteins were successfully purified using nickel chelate chromatography under denaturing conditions. Refolding was first attempted by dilution of purified denatured proteins in a refolding buffer followed by reconcentration, but was largely unsuccessful. A second, more successful refolding method was performed wherein denatured proteins were refolded by application of a decreasing gradient of urea, while bound to a nickel chelate column. Native tubulin from cultured T.congolense procyclics was successfully purified and renatured using a polymerisation/depolymerisation method for use as a control for immunisation. Mice were immunised separately with refolded recombinant α- and β-tubulin, native tubulin or an irrelevant protein VP4AA expressed in the same way as the tubulins. ELISA analysis confirmed the production of antibodies against each protein. Parasitaemia developed in all mice following challenge with T. congolense. Only the group immunised with β-tubulin recorded no deaths during the monitoring period despite the presence of parasitaemia, with 60% of mice immunised with α-tubulin or VP4AA and the no antigen control and no mice from the native tubulin immunised group surviving. The results showed that partial protection against trypanosomiasis caused by T. congolense infection was achieved in the group immunised with β-tubulin and suggest that β-tubulin may have vaccine potential. / Thesis (M.Sc.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2010.

African animal trypanosomosis is a devastating disease affecting livestock mainly found in sub-Saharan Africa. This disease is known as nagana and is transmitted by the trypanosome parasite from the tsetse fly vector to a mammalian host. There are three African trypanosomes namely Trypanosoma vivax, T. congolense and T. brucei brucei that are the causative agents responsible for this disease in African cattle. This disease is serious since it not only affects livestock but also has a negative impact on the sub-Saharan African economy. There is, therefore, a great demand for better control methods of the disease and suitable diagnostic methods. Current control measures such as the use of trypanocidal drugs, tsetse fly eradication methods and trypanotolerant cattle have become inadequate. The defence mechanism of the trypanosome to continuously change its surface coat by a process of antigenic variation has made it impossible to produce a suitable vaccine. Therefore, chemotherapy is still one of the key approaches for control of this wasting disease. The long existence of the current trypanocidal drugs has allowed the development of drug resistance. The development of new chemotherapeutic drugs is focused on targeting the pathogenic factors such as parasite cysteine peptidases that contribute to the disease. Vivapain is the main cysteine peptidase of T. vivax and shares high sequence identity with congopain, the main cysteine peptidase of T. congolense, which was previously shown to be a pathogenic factor contributing to trypanosomosis. Vivapain, thus, has potential as a target for chemotherapeutic drug design. Hence, the first part of this study involved the recombinant expression and enzymatic characterisation of vivapain for future production of new synthetic inhibitors for the use in new trypanocidal drugs. The catalytic domain of vivapain (Vp) was recombinantly expressed in the Pichia pastoris yeast expression system and enzymatically characterised. The main finding from this study was that Vp was only able to hydrolyse a substrate if the P2 position was occupied by either a hydrophobic Phe or Leu residue. Vp was also found to be active close to physiological pH and was inhibited by the reversible cysteine peptidases, leupeptin, antipain and chymostatin and the irreversible cysteine peptidases L-trans-epoxysuccinyl-leucylamido (4-guanidino) butane (E-64), iodoacetic acid (IAA) and iodoacetamide (IAN). A further important aspect of controlling trypanosomosis is the diagnosis of the disease. Clinical, parasitological, molecular and serological techniques have been applied and used to diagnose trypanosomosis. One of the most promising serological techniques has proven to be the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), more specifically the antibody and antigen detection ELISAs. The main requirement for this technique is a readily available and reproducible antigen such as that produced by recombinant expression. While there are recombinant antigens that are available to be used to detect T. congolense, T. brucei brucei and even T. evansi infections, there are none available to detect T. vivax infections. In the second part of this study, a mutant inactive full length form of vivapain (FLVp) was expressed in a bacterial expression system for the detection of T. vivax infections. Antibodies against this antigen were produced in both chickens and mice. Both the chicken IgY and mice sera were able to detect the recombinant FLVp in western blots. The mice sera were also able to detect native vivapain in a T. vivax lysate, which is very promising for future use of the FLVp antigen and the corresponding antibodies in diagnosis of T. vivax infections in sera of infected animals. / Thesis (M.Sc.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2010.

African animal trypanosomosis or nagana is a disease in livestock caused by various species of protozoan parasites belonging to the genus Trypanosoma particularly T. congolense, T. vivax and T. b. brucei. Nagana is the most important constraint to livestock and mixed crop-livestock farming in tropical Africa. Trypanosomes undergo part of their developmental life in their insect vector, the tsetse fly and part in their mammalian host. Measures for eradicating the continent of the tsetse fly vector include insecticidal spraying, targeting and trapping. Vaccine development has been hampered by the generation of an inexhaustible collection of variant surface glycoproteins that trypanosomes possess and allow for evasion of the host immune system. Anti-disease vaccines aimed at reducing the symptoms of the disease rather than killing the parasite itself have been demonstrated as an alternative approach. Trypanotolerant cattle are able to protect themselves from the disease-associated symptoms. They are able to mount a better antibody response to the CATL-like cysteine peptidase, TcoCATL, compared to trypanosusceptible breeds. Bovine trypanosomosis, however, continues to be controlled primarily by trypanocidal compounds such as isometamidium chloride, homidium and diaminazene that have been developed more than 50 years ago and consequently drug resistance is widespread. Trypanosomal cysteine peptidases have also been proven to be effective targets for chemotherapeutics. TcrCATL, inhibited by the vinyl sulfone pseudopeptide inhibitor K11777, was effective in curing or alleviating T. cruzi infection in preclinical proof-of-concept studies and has now entered formal preclinical drug development investigation. Understanding enzymatic as well as structural characteristics of pathogenic peptidases is the first step towards successful control of the disease. To date no such characterisation of the major cysteine peptidases from T. vivax has been conducted. Although the major cysteine peptidase from T. vivax, TviCATL, has not been proven as a pathogenic factor yet, its high sequence identity with the pathogenic counterparts such as TcrCATL and TcoCATL hold much speculation for TviCATLs role in pathogenocity. In the present study, native TviCATL was isolated from T. vivax Y486, purified and characterised. TviCATL showed to have a general sensitivity to E-64 and cystatin and has a substrate specificity defined by the S2 pocket. TviCATL exhibited no activity towards the CATB-like substrate, Z-Arg-Arg-AMC but was able to hydrolyse Z-Phe-Arg-AMC, the CATL-like substrate. Leu was preferred in the P2 position and basic and non-bulky hydrophobic residues were accepted in the P1 and P3 positions respectively. Similar findings were reported for TcoCATL. The substrate specificity of TviCATL and TcoCATL does argue for a more restricted specificity compared to TcrCATL. This was based on the Glu333 in TcrCATL substituted with Leu333 in TviCATL and TcoCATL. In the case of TcrCATL, the Glu333 allows for the accommodation of Arg in the P2 position. Like other trypanosomal cysteine peptidases, TviCATL was inhibited by both chloromethyl ketones, Z-Gly-Leu-Phe-CMK and H-D-Val-Phe-Lys-CMK. Determining further structural and functional characteristics as well as whether TviCATL, like the T. congolense homolog, TcoCATL, acts as a pathogenic factor, would be important information to the designing of specific chemotherapeutic agents. To date, TcrCATL and TbrCATL (from T. b. rhodesiense) are the only trypanosomal CATL-like cysteine peptidases been crystallised and their tructures solved. This advantage has allowed for the directed design of synthetic peptidase inhibitors. The crystal structure of TcoCATL will be of major significance to the design of specific chemotherapeutic agents. Furtherrmore, understanding the dimeric conformation of TcoCATL is important for vaccine design as immune responses are likely to recognise the dimer specific epitopes. In the current study, the catalytic domain of TcoCATL and TviCATL, were recombinantly expressed in Pichia pastoris and purified to homogeneity. The T. congolense cysteine peptidase pyroglutamyl peptidase (PGP), also proven to be pathogenic in T. b. brucei, was recombinantly expressed in E. coli BL21 (DE3) cells and also purified to homogeneity. Purified cysteine peptidases along with previously purified TcoCATL dimerisation mutants, TcoCATL (H43W) and TcoCATL (K39F; E44P), possessing mutated residues involved in TcoCATL dimerisation, as well as the mutant proenzyme TcoCATL (C25A), were screened for crystallisation conditions using the Rigaku robotic crystallisation suite. One-dimensional needle-like crystals were found for TcoCATL (K39F; E44P). Optimisation of the TcoCATL (K39F; E44P) crystals were analysed for X-ray diffraction. The poor diffraction pattern prompted further optimisations for better crystal quality, which is presently underway. The crystal structure of TcoCATL, with some of the residues involved in dimerisation mutated, will be pivotal in understanding the dimerisation model. Furthermore, the information about the structure will be valuable for vaccine design and chemotherapeutics development. / Thesis (M.Sc.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2011.

Trypanosoma congolense is a protozoan parasite transmitted by tsetse flies. It causes bovine trypanosomosis, the major disease for livestock in sub-Saharan Africa. Control methods include trypanocidal drugs and vector control, but none is fully satisfactory, due to resistance and environmental issues. A method that would have the greatest impact on controlling the disease is vaccination. However, development of a conventional vaccine has been hampered by the mechanism of antigenic variation, which allows the parasite to evade the host’s immune system. An alternative strategy in vaccine design is to target the bioactive compounds released by dead and dying trypanosomes. This approach is termed ‘‘anti-disease’’, and does not affect the survival of the parasite but targets the pathogenic factors released by the trypanosomes. The development of a successful anti-disease vaccine necessitates knowledge of all pathogenic factors involved in the disease process. Several macromolecules, primarily peptidases, have been implicated in the pathogenesis of trypanosomosis. Pyroglutamyl peptidase type I (PGP) was shown to be involved in abnormal degradation of thyrotropin- and gonadotropin-releasing hormones in rodents infected with T. brucei, but to date no data are available on the T. congolense PGP. Molecular cloning and expression in E. coli of the coding sequence of T. congolense PGP, as well as the enzymatic characterisation of the recombinant protein, are reported here, completed by the development of reverse genetics tools for studies of gene function. A 678 bp PCR fragment covering the complete open reading frame of PGP was cloned and sequenced. The deduced amino acid sequence showed 52% and 29% identity with the T. brucei and Leishmania major enzymes respectively. The catalytic residues Glu, Cys and His described in Bacilus amyloliquefaciens PGP are conserved in the T. congolense sequence. PGP was expressed in bacterial systems as a soluble active, 26 kDa enzyme. The recombinant enzyme showed activity specific for the fluorescent substrate pGlu-AMC, with a kcat/Km of 1.11 s-1μM. PGP showed activity in the pH 6.5-10 range, with maximal activity at pH 9.0. The enzyme was strongly inhibited by sulfhydryl-blocking reagents such as iodoacetic acid and iodoacetamide with a kass of 125 M-1 s-1 and 177 M-1 s-1 respectively. Antibodies raised in chickens against the recombinant enzyme allowed the detection of native PGP in both procyclic and bloodstream T. congolense developmental stages, and displayed complete inhibition of the enzyme in vitro at physiological concentrations. To get insight into the role of PGP in parasite biology and trypanosomosis progression, two types of vectors for reverse genetics studies were developed. For RNA interference, a 400 bp 3′ end segment of the PGP open reading frame was cloned into the plasmid p2T7Ti, that will allow PGP gene down-regulation upon integration into the genome of an engineered tetracycline-inducible strain such as TRUM:29-13. For gene knock-out, several rounds of molecular engineering were carried-out in order to create two plasmid vectors, pGL1184-based (blasticidin resistance) and pGL1217-based (neomycin resistance), each bearing 200 bp-long regions at the 5′ and 3′ ends of the PGP open reading frame. In subsequent studies, taking advantage of the recent advances in culture and transformation of T. congolense, these plasmids will allow the creation of single and double knock-out mutants of PGP. / Thesis (M.Sc.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2012.

African trypanosomosis is a parasitic disease in man and animals caused by protozoan parasites of the genus Trypanosoma. T. congolense, T. vivax and T. brucei brucei cause nagana in cattle. The variable nature of the parasite surface coat has hindered the development of an effective vaccine. An option for developing vaccines and chemotherapeutic agents against trypanosomosis is to target pathogenic factors released by the parasite during infection, namely an “anti-disease” approach. Two pathogenic factors released during infection are oligopeptidase B (OPB) and TcoCATL (congopain). TcoCATL, a major lysosomal cysteine peptidase, is a member of the papain family C1 cysteine peptidases. RNA interference (RNAi) was used to down-regulate the expression of TcoCATL in T. congolense IL3000 TRUM183:29-13 parasites in vivo during mouse infections. TcoCATL RNAi was monitored in infected mouse blood by comparing the hydrolysis of Z-Phe-Arg-AMC and parasitaemia between mice in which RNAi was induced and control mice. Mice infected with parasites induced for TcoCATL RNAi had lower parasitaemia when compared to control mice. An attempt was also made at deleting the entire CATL gene array in both T. congolense IL3000 and T. brucei 427 Lister strains. The second pathogenic factor studied, OPB, is a cytosolic trypanosomal peptidase that hydrolyses peptides smaller than 30 amino acid residues, C-terminal to basic residues. In order to evaluate the role that OPB play during disease, RNAi was also applied to knock-down the expression levels of OPB in T. brucei T7T and T. congolense IL3000 TRUM183:29-13 strains (TbOPB and TcoOPB respectively). Oligopeptidase B null mutant strains (Δopb) were also generated in T. brucei brucei Lister 427. An attempt was also made to generate OPB null mutants in T. congolense IL3000 parasites. Western blot analysis of the knock-down experiments using chicken anti-TcoOPB peptide IgY showed that only TbOPB levels were reduced in T. brucei T7T parasites induced for RNAi when compared to TcoOPB RNAi induced cultures. Quantitative assessment of a fourteen day induction experiment for OPB RNAi in T. brucei showed an 87% reduction in TbOPB levels when compared to levels on day one. There was no growth effect observed in T. brucei parasites cultured in vitro and induced for TbOPB RNAi. It was concluded that TbOPB is not necessary for the in vitro survival of T. brucei parasites, thus making the generation of OPB null mutants possible. Δopb T. brucei parasites were successfully generated and grew normally in vitro and were as virulent as wild type strains during infection in mice. Immunohistopatholgy of infected mouse testes revealed Δopb parasites in extra vascular regions showing that T. brucei OPB (TbOPB) is not involved in assisting T. brucei parasites to cross microvascular endothelial cells. Gelatin gel analysis of Δopb null mutants and wild type strains showed an increase in cysteine peptidase activity. Enzymatic activity assays were carried out to identify how closely related oligopeptidases are affected by knocking out TbOPB, and a significant increase of T. brucei prolyl oligopeptidase (TbPOP) activity was observed. However, western blot analysis did not show any increase of TbPOP protein levels in Δopb parasites, suggesting that either TbOPB is responsible for generating an endogenous inhibitor for TbPOP or that another POP-like enzyme might compensate for a loss in OPB activity in Δopb null mutants. This study made a significant contribution to an understanding of the interplay between different trypanosomal peptidases that are important pathogenic factors in trypanosomosis. It highlights the need to simultaneously target several trypanosomal peptidases to develop an effective vaccine or chemotherapeutic agents for African animal trypanosomosis. / Thesis (Ph.D.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2011.

The lack of a vaccine candidate due to antigenic variation by trypanosomal parasites, the causative agents of human and animal African trypanosomiasis, requires the disease to be controlled by surveillance, diagnosis and appropriate treatment schedules. Due to the non-specific symptoms along with the toxicity and side effects of the current trypanocides, diagnosis needs to be accurate, cost effective and applicable to active case finding in mostly rural settings. Trypanosomal proteases have been identified as virulence factors as they are essential to the parasites‟ survival. Here the diagnostic potential of previously described virulence factors, oligopeptidase B (OPB), pyroglutamyl peptidase (PGP) and the full length and catalytic domain of the cathepsin L-like peptidases (CATLFL and CATL respectively) from T. congolense (Tc) as well as OPB and CATL from T. vivax (Tv), was determined. These antigens were recombinantly expressed, purified and used to generate antibodies in chickens. The purified recombinant antigens were tested in an inhibition and indirect ELISA format using two separate blinded serum panels consisting of sera from non-infected and experimentally infected cattle, one each for T. congolense and for T. vivax. The tested sera were diluted 1:10 for the TcCATLFL, TcCATL antigens whilst the TvCATL antigen used a 1:100 serum dilution. The TcCATLFL, TcCATL and TvCATL antigens had the highest diagnostic potential in the indirect ELISA format with a 90.91, 92.21% accuracy at the second cut-off and a 77.22% accuracy at the third cut-off along with 0.8084, 0.7785 and 0.8813 area under curve (AUC) values respectively. These antigens show potential for development of lateral flow tests to detect T. congolense and T. vivax infections in cattle. The recently discovered metacaspases (MCAs) have been implicated in caspase-like activity and differentiation in T. b. brucei, T. cruzi and L. major and are considered to be virulence factors. The putative metacaspase 5 gene from T. congolense (TcMCA5) was successfully cloned, expressed within inclusion bodies, resolubilised and refolded using immobilised metal affinity chromatography. Recombinant TcMCA5 was successfully refolded as evident by the hydrolysis of the synthetic peptide substrate, Z-Gly-Gly-Arg-AMC. Autocatalytic processing was observed within the inclusion bodies and the products were purified along with the full length recombinant protein. Anti-TcMCA5 IgY antibodies, raised in chickens, were able to detect the native TcMCA5 along with the autocatalytic processed products within the lysate of the procyclic T. congolense (strain IL 3000) parasites. The diagnostic potential of TcMCA5 still requires verification. / Thesis (M.Sc.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2013.

Immunoelectrophoresis revealed an antigen-antibody response between 4 day metabolic products and 8, 12 and 16 day sera and between 4 day trypanosomal extract and 16 day serum. Metabolic products from trypanosomes incubated at room temperature do not appear to be antigenic. The limitations of immunodiffusion are discussed in reference to the results. It is suggested that some of the antibodies to metabolic products may be of the precipitating type while others are not. Since a faint reaction also occurred between 4 day trypanosomal extract and 16 day serum, it may be concluded that metabolic products contribute to only a portion of the antibody response of the rat and are by no means the exclusive agents. They possibly work in conjunction with other metabolics within or on the surface of the trypanosome.