Related Experiment Video

Updated: Mar 25, 2026

Studying Inherited Immunity in a Caenorhabditis elegans Model of Microsporidia Infection
09:24

Studying Inherited Immunity in a Caenorhabditis elegans Model of Microsporidia Infection

Published on: April 6, 2022

2.9K

Microsporidian Encephalitozoon hellem inhibits host mitophagy by inducing ERAD to degrade BNIP3L

Ziyun Zou1,2, Yibo Hu1,2, Zhongxia Guan1,2

  • 1State Key Laboratory of Resource Insects, Southwest University, Chongqing, China.

Plos Pathogens
|March 23, 2026
PubMed

Insights

Microsporidia pathogens like Encephalitozoon hellem disrupt host mitophagy. The secreted protein EhPTP4 manipulates endoplasmic reticulum-associated degradation (ERAD) and histone acetylation to suppress this vital cellular process.

Area of Science:

  • Cellular Biology
  • Pathogen-Host Interactions
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • Microsporidia are intracellular pathogens impacting host mitochondrial function.
  • Understanding microsporidian manipulation of host cell degradation pathways is crucial for identifying therapeutic targets.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To elucidate the novel mechanism by which Encephalitozoon hellem disrupts host mitophagy.
  • To identify key effectors and molecular pathways involved in microsporidian pathogenesis.

Main Methods:

  • Localization studies of the secreted protein EhPTP4.
  • Analysis of endoplasmic reticulum-associated degradation (ERAD) pathway components.
  • Investigation of protein ubiquitination and mitophagy regulators.
  • Molecular interaction network analysis including histone acetylation.

Main Results:

  • The secreted protein EhPTP4 localizes to the nucleus and upregulates ERAD components (HSPA5, HERPUD1, PDIA4).
  • EhPTP4 induces protein ubiquitination, leading to the degradation of BNIP3L, a mitophagy regulator.
  • EhPTP4 interacts with RCOR1 and histone H3, modulating histone H3K14ac and further influencing HERPUD1 expression.

Conclusions:

  • Microsporidia employ a sophisticated strategy involving ER stress response and histone acetylation to suppress host mitophagy.
  • EhPTP4 is a key effector in this process, highlighting a novel mechanism of microsporidian pathogenesis.

More Related Videos

Time-Lapse Video Microscopy for Assessment of EYFP-Parkin Aggregation as a Marker for Cellular Mitophagy09:29

Time-Lapse Video Microscopy for Assessment of EYFP-Parkin Aggregation as a Marker for Cellular Mitophagy

Published on: May 4, 2016

7.6K
In Vitro and In Vivo Detection of Mitophagy in Human Cells, C. Elegans, and Mice08:40

In Vitro and In Vivo Detection of Mitophagy in Human Cells, C. Elegans, and Mice

Published on: November 22, 2017

18.5K

Related Concept Videos

Fungal Phylum Microsporidia01:28

Fungal Phylum Microsporidia

Microsporidia are a group of obligate intracellular fungi that were initially classified as protists but were later reclassified based on phylogenetic, molecular, and structural evidence linking them to the Chytridiomycota. These unicellular, non-motile organisms are highly specialized parasites that infect a wide range of animal hosts, including humans. They have evolved extensive genomic and metabolic reductions, making them highly dependent on their hosts for survival.Morphology and Genomic...
695
Microbial Interactions: Parasitism01:22

Microbial Interactions: Parasitism

Parasitism is a form of microbial interaction in which parasitic microbes exploit a host organism for nutrients and shelter, often at the host's expense. Unlike mutualistic relationships, where both organisms benefit, parasitism benefits only the parasite and harms the host.Classification of ParasitesMicrobial parasites are broadly classified based on their location relative to the host.Ectoparasites remain on the host’s surface, such as the skin or outer tissues, drawing nutrients...
25
Export of Misfolded Proteins out of the ER01:32

Export of Misfolded Proteins out of the ER

After folding, the ER assesses the quality of secretory and membrane proteins. The correctly folded proteins are cleared by the calnexin cycle for transport to their final destination, while misfolded proteins are held back in the ER lumen. The ER chaperones attempt to unfold and refold the misfolded proteins but sometimes fail to achieve the correct native conformation. Such terminally misfolded proteins are then exported to the cytosol by ER-associated degradation or ERAD pathway for...
5.5K