Rab5b function is essential to acquire heme from hemoglobin endocytosis for survival of Leishmania

Previously, we showed that Rab5a and Rab5b differentially regulate fluid-phase and receptor-mediated endocytosis in Leishmania, respectively. To unequivocally demonstrate the role of Rab5b in hemoglobin endocytosis in Leishmania, we generated null-mutants of Rab5b parasites by sequentially replacing both copies of LdRab5b with the hygromycin and neomycin resistance gene cassettes. LdRab5b−/− null-mutant parasite was confirmed by qPCR analysis of genomic DNA using LdRab5b specific primers. LdRab5b−/− cells showed severe growth defect indicating essential function of LdRab5b in parasite. To characterize the role of Rab5b in Hb endocytosis in parasites, LdRab5b−/− cells were rescued by exogenous addition of hemin in growth medium. Our results showed that LdRab5b−/− cells are relatively smaller in size. Ultrastructural analysis revealed the presence of relatively enlarged flagellar pocket and bigger intracellular vesicles in these cells in comparison to control cells. Both promastigotes and amastigotes of Rab5b null-mutant parasites were unable to internalize Hb but fluid phase endocytosis of different markers was not affected. However, complementation of LdRab5b:WT in LdRab5b−/− cells (LdRab5b−/−:pRab5b:WT) rescued Hb internalization in these cells. Interestingly, LdRab5b−/− cells showed significantly less Hb-receptor on cell surface in comparison to control cells indicating a block in HbR trafficking. Finally, we showed that LdRab5b−/− parasites can infect the macrophages but are unable to survive after 96 h of infection in comparison to control cells. However, supplementation of hemin in the growth medium significantly rescued LdRab5b−/− Leishmania survival in macrophage indicating that LdRab5b function is essential for the acquisition of heme from internalized Hb for the survival of Leishmania.