title: Metabolomic Analyses of Leishmania Reveal Multiple Species Differences and Large Differences in Amino Acid Metabolism.
abstract: Comparative genomic analyses of Leishmania species have revealed relatively minor heterogeneity amongst recognised housekeeping genes and yet the species cause distinct infections and pathogenesis in their mammalian hosts. To gain greater information on the biochemical variation between species, and insights into possible metabolic mechanisms underpinning visceral and cutaneous leishmaniasis, we have undertaken in this study a comparative analysis of the metabolomes of promastigotes of L. donovani, L. major and L. mexicana. The analysis revealed 64 metabolites with confirmed identity differing 3-fold or more between the cell extracts of species, with 161 putatively identified metabolites differing similarly. Analysis of the media from cultures revealed an at least 3-fold difference in use or excretion of 43 metabolites of confirmed identity and 87 putatively identified metabolites that differed to a similar extent. Strikingly large differences were detected in their extent of amino acid use and metabolism, especially for tryptophan, aspartate, arginine and proline. Major pathways of tryptophan and arginine catabolism were shown to be to indole-3-lactate and arginic acid, respectively, which were excreted. The data presented provide clear evidence on the value of global metabolomic analyses in detecting species-specific metabolic features, thus application of this technology should be a major contributor to gaining greater understanding of how pathogens are adapted to infecting their hosts.
authors.affiliation: Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Gareth D
authors.initials: GD
authors.lastname: Westrop
authors.affiliation: Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, United Kingdom; Institute of Biomedical and Environmental Health Research, University of the West of Scotland, Paisley, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Roderick A M
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Williams
authors.affiliation: Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Lijie
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Tong
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.affiliation: Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: David G
authors.initials: DG
authors.lastname: Watson
authors.affiliation: Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, United Kingdom; Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal.
authors.forename: Ana Marta
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Silva
authors.affiliation: Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Graham H
authors.initials: GH
authors.lastname: Coombs
mesh_terms: D000596:Amino Acids / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D007891:Leishmania / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D055442:Metabolome; D013045:Species Specificity
chemical_list: D000596:Amino Acids