title: Controls of the expression of the Vsg in Trypanosoma brucei.
abstract: We present an overview of the regulation of vsg expression, focusing on initiation and elongation of transcription as well as processing and stabilization of the transcripts. We propose a model where common factors are involved in the reverse controls of the genes for the two main stage-specific antigens, the Vsg and procyclin: a cross-talk between the two transcription units would allow a fast rerouting of limiting factors at differentiation, thereby allowing the expression of only one type of antigen at a time. A similar mechanism would ensure that only one vsg ES is fully expressed at a time in bloodstream forms.
authors.affiliation: Department of Molecular Biology, Free University of Brussels, Rhode St. Genèse, Belgium.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Vanhamme
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Pays
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001483:Base Sequence; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D017125:Genes, Protozoan; D008018:Life Cycle Stages; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D011499:Protein Processing, Post-Translational; D014158:Transcription, Genetic; D014346:Trypanosoma brucei brucei / Q000235:genetics* / Q000254:growth & development; D014643:Variant Surface Glycoproteins, Trypanosoma / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D014643:Variant Surface Glycoproteins, Trypanosoma