Inhibition of protein phosphatase 1 and 2A down-regulates beta-tubulin gene expression in Trypanosoma rhodesiense.
We studied the effect of okadaic acid, a specific inhibitor of serine/threonine protein phosphatase types 1 and 2A, on the expression of beta-tubulin and procyclin genes in Trypanosoma rhodesiense. Okadaic acid was found to decrease the steady-state level of beta-tubulin mRNA about 5-fold in differentiating bloodstream trypanosomes and about 3-fold in established procyclic trypanosomes. No effect was observed on the expression of the procyclin gene. The down-regulation of beta-tubulin gene expression by okadaic acid in procyclic trypanosomes occurs at the post-transcriptional level. These results demonstrate the involvement of protein phosphatase 1 and/or 2A activity in maintaining the steady-state level of beta-tubulin mRNA in African trypanosomes.
Li
S
S
Department of Biochemistry, University of Iowa, Iowa City 52242, USA.
Donelson
J E
JE
D000818:Animals; D015536:Down-Regulation / Q000187:drug effects; D004988:Ethers, Cyclic / Q000494:pharmacology; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins / Q000235:genetics; D051379:Mice; D019319:Okadaic Acid; D010749:Phosphoprotein Phosphatases / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors*; D054645:Protein Phosphatase 1; D015800:Protozoan Proteins; D012323:RNA Processing, Post-Transcriptional / Q000187:drug effects; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D016833:Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D014404:Tubulin / Q000235:genetics*
D004988:Ethers, Cyclic; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins; D015800:Protozoan Proteins; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D014404:Tubulin; C053277:procyclic acidic repetitive protein, Trypanosoma; D019319:Okadaic Acid; D010749:Phosphoprotein Phosphatases; D054645:Protein Phosphatase 1