Modulation of TvRAD51 Recombinase in <i>Trichomonas vaginalis</i> by Zinc and Cadmium as a Potential Mechanism for Genotoxic Stress Response
<i>Trichomonas vaginalis</i>, the protozoan responsible for trichomoniasis, encounters fluctuating levels of metal cations in the male urogenital tract, notably zinc (Zn<sup>2+</sup>) and cadmium (Cd<sup>2+</sup>), which may induce genotoxic stress. While zinc is...
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MDPI AG
2025-06-01
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| author | Jonathan Puente-Rivera José Jesús Flores-Vega Marcos Morales-Reyna Elisa Elvira Figueroa-Angulo Yussel Pérez-Navarro Alfonso Salgado-Aguayo Ángeles Carlos-Reyes Maria Elizbeth Alvarez-Sánchez |
| author_facet | Jonathan Puente-Rivera José Jesús Flores-Vega Marcos Morales-Reyna Elisa Elvira Figueroa-Angulo Yussel Pérez-Navarro Alfonso Salgado-Aguayo Ángeles Carlos-Reyes Maria Elizbeth Alvarez-Sánchez |
| author_sort | Jonathan Puente-Rivera |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | <i>Trichomonas vaginalis</i>, the protozoan responsible for trichomoniasis, encounters fluctuating levels of metal cations in the male urogenital tract, notably zinc (Zn<sup>2+</sup>) and cadmium (Cd<sup>2+</sup>), which may induce genotoxic stress. While zinc is a key physiological component of the male reproductive tract, both Zn<sup>2+</sup> and Cd<sup>2+</sup> can become genotoxic at elevated concentrations. However, their effect on DNA repair mechanisms in <i>T. vaginalis</i> remains poorly understood. This study characterizes, for the first time, the expression and modulation of the recombinase TvRAD51, a homologous recombination (HR) key enzyme, in response to UV irradiation and sublethal concentrations of Zn<sup>2+</sup> (1.6 mM) and Cd<sup>2+</sup> (0.1 mM). In silico analyses confirmed the presence and conserved structure of the tvrad51 gene and its interaction with HR-related proteins, such as TvBLM and TvBRCA2. Quantitative RT-PCR, Western blot, and immunofluorescence assays revealed that TvRAD51 is upregulated at both transcript and protein levels following UV- and cation-induced DNA damage, with distinct temporal expression patterns for Zn<sup>2+</sup> and Cd<sup>2+</sup> exposure. Notably, TvRAD51 showed nuclear localization at early time points post-exposure, suggesting active participation in DNA repair processes. These findings demonstrate that TvRAD51 is a central component of the genotoxic stress response in <i>T. vaginalis</i>, potentially contributing to parasite survival and adaptation in hostile environments through homologous recombination repair pathways. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-cc17fd83a3e243cea6a69f124151f438 |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 2076-0817 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-06-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Pathogens |
| spelling | doaj-art-cc17fd83a3e243cea6a69f124151f4382025-08-20T03:16:21ZengMDPI AGPathogens2076-08172025-06-0114656510.3390/pathogens14060565Modulation of TvRAD51 Recombinase in <i>Trichomonas vaginalis</i> by Zinc and Cadmium as a Potential Mechanism for Genotoxic Stress ResponseJonathan Puente-Rivera0José Jesús Flores-Vega1Marcos Morales-Reyna2Elisa Elvira Figueroa-Angulo3Yussel Pérez-Navarro4Alfonso Salgado-Aguayo5Ángeles Carlos-Reyes6Maria Elizbeth Alvarez-Sánchez7Laboratorio de Patogénesis Celular y Molecular Humana y Veterinaria, Posgrado en Ciencias Genómicas, Universidad Autónoma de la Ciudad de México (UACM), San Lorenzo 290, Col. Del Valle, Ciudad de México 03100, MexicoLaboratorio de Patogénesis Celular y Molecular Humana y Veterinaria, Posgrado en Ciencias Genómicas, Universidad Autónoma de la Ciudad de México (UACM), San Lorenzo 290, Col. Del Valle, Ciudad de México 03100, MexicoLaboratorio de Patogénesis Celular y Molecular Humana y Veterinaria, Posgrado en Ciencias Genómicas, Universidad Autónoma de la Ciudad de México (UACM), San Lorenzo 290, Col. Del Valle, Ciudad de México 03100, MexicoLaboratorio de Patogénesis Celular y Molecular Humana y Veterinaria, Posgrado en Ciencias Genómicas, Universidad Autónoma de la Ciudad de México (UACM), San Lorenzo 290, Col. Del Valle, Ciudad de México 03100, MexicoLaboratorio de Patogénesis Celular y Molecular Humana y Veterinaria, Posgrado en Ciencias Genómicas, Universidad Autónoma de la Ciudad de México (UACM), San Lorenzo 290, Col. Del Valle, Ciudad de México 03100, MexicoLaboratorio de Investigación en Enfermedades Reumáticas, Instituto Nacional de Enfermedades Respiratorias, Calzada de Tlalpan 4502, Belisario Domínguez Secc 16, Tlalpan, Ciudad de México 14080, MexicoLaboratorio de Onco-Inmunobiología, Instituto Nacional de Enfermedades Respiratorias, Calzada De Tlalpan 4502, Belisario Domínguez Secc 16, Tlalpan, Ciudad de México 14080, MexicoLaboratorio de Patogénesis Celular y Molecular Humana y Veterinaria, Posgrado en Ciencias Genómicas, Universidad Autónoma de la Ciudad de México (UACM), San Lorenzo 290, Col. Del Valle, Ciudad de México 03100, Mexico<i>Trichomonas vaginalis</i>, the protozoan responsible for trichomoniasis, encounters fluctuating levels of metal cations in the male urogenital tract, notably zinc (Zn<sup>2+</sup>) and cadmium (Cd<sup>2+</sup>), which may induce genotoxic stress. While zinc is a key physiological component of the male reproductive tract, both Zn<sup>2+</sup> and Cd<sup>2+</sup> can become genotoxic at elevated concentrations. However, their effect on DNA repair mechanisms in <i>T. vaginalis</i> remains poorly understood. This study characterizes, for the first time, the expression and modulation of the recombinase TvRAD51, a homologous recombination (HR) key enzyme, in response to UV irradiation and sublethal concentrations of Zn<sup>2+</sup> (1.6 mM) and Cd<sup>2+</sup> (0.1 mM). In silico analyses confirmed the presence and conserved structure of the tvrad51 gene and its interaction with HR-related proteins, such as TvBLM and TvBRCA2. Quantitative RT-PCR, Western blot, and immunofluorescence assays revealed that TvRAD51 is upregulated at both transcript and protein levels following UV- and cation-induced DNA damage, with distinct temporal expression patterns for Zn<sup>2+</sup> and Cd<sup>2+</sup> exposure. Notably, TvRAD51 showed nuclear localization at early time points post-exposure, suggesting active participation in DNA repair processes. These findings demonstrate that TvRAD51 is a central component of the genotoxic stress response in <i>T. vaginalis</i>, potentially contributing to parasite survival and adaptation in hostile environments through homologous recombination repair pathways.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-0817/14/6/565<i>Trichomonas vaginalis</i>DNA damageTvRAD51zinccadmium |
| spellingShingle | Jonathan Puente-Rivera José Jesús Flores-Vega Marcos Morales-Reyna Elisa Elvira Figueroa-Angulo Yussel Pérez-Navarro Alfonso Salgado-Aguayo Ángeles Carlos-Reyes Maria Elizbeth Alvarez-Sánchez Modulation of TvRAD51 Recombinase in <i>Trichomonas vaginalis</i> by Zinc and Cadmium as a Potential Mechanism for Genotoxic Stress Response Pathogens <i>Trichomonas vaginalis</i> DNA damage TvRAD51 zinc cadmium |
| title | Modulation of TvRAD51 Recombinase in <i>Trichomonas vaginalis</i> by Zinc and Cadmium as a Potential Mechanism for Genotoxic Stress Response |
| title_full | Modulation of TvRAD51 Recombinase in <i>Trichomonas vaginalis</i> by Zinc and Cadmium as a Potential Mechanism for Genotoxic Stress Response |
| title_fullStr | Modulation of TvRAD51 Recombinase in <i>Trichomonas vaginalis</i> by Zinc and Cadmium as a Potential Mechanism for Genotoxic Stress Response |
| title_full_unstemmed | Modulation of TvRAD51 Recombinase in <i>Trichomonas vaginalis</i> by Zinc and Cadmium as a Potential Mechanism for Genotoxic Stress Response |
| title_short | Modulation of TvRAD51 Recombinase in <i>Trichomonas vaginalis</i> by Zinc and Cadmium as a Potential Mechanism for Genotoxic Stress Response |
| title_sort | modulation of tvrad51 recombinase in i trichomonas vaginalis i by zinc and cadmium as a potential mechanism for genotoxic stress response |
| topic | <i>Trichomonas vaginalis</i> DNA damage TvRAD51 zinc cadmium |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-0817/14/6/565 |
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