Characterization of Entamoeba histolytica adapted to auranofin by combined transcriptomics and redox proteomics

Purpose: Transcriptome characterization of Entamoeba histolytica trophozoites adapted to Auranofin Total RNA was extracted from control trophozoites (WT) and AFAT using the TRI reagent kit, according to the manufacturer instructions (Sigma-Aldrich USA). 6 RNAseq libraries were produced according to manufacturer protocol (NEBNext UltraII Directional RNA Library Prep Kit for Illumina, cat no. E7760) using 800ng total RNA. mRNAs pull-up was performed using Magnetic Isolation Module (NEB, cat no. E7490). All libraries were mixed into a single tube with equal molarity. The RNAseq data was generated on Illumina NextSeq500, 75 single-end read, high output mode (Illumina, cat no. 200249) The number of reads per gene was counted using Htseq-count (v0.9.1) Results: Transcriptomics of Entamoeba histolytica trophozoites that were adapted to 2 uM Auranofin revealed an upregulation of genes encoding cytoskeletal proteins, dehydrogenases and guanyl-nucleotide exchange factors. Conclusions: Adaptation to Auranofin comes with a fitness cost for E.histolytica that includes a decreased growth rate and virulence and sensitivity to Oxidative stress, Nitrosative stress and to Metronidazole. Overexpression of genes whose products are sensitive to Auranofin-mediated oxidation may represent an important step in the adaptation process to Auranofin and EhTrxR does not seem to be central for this process. Entamoeba histolytica mRNA profiles of WT and Auranofin adapted (2uM) trophozoites