TcRho1 of Trypanosoma cruzi: role in metacyclogenesis and cellular localization.
Here we have investigated the function of TcRho1, a Rho family orthologue from the parasite Trypanosoma cruzi. We have selected parasites overexpressing wild-type TcRho1 and a truncated form of TcRho1 (TcRho1-DeltaCaaX) which is unable to undergo farnesylation and supposed to interfere with recruitment of Rho effectors to membranes. TcRho1 protein was localized at the anterior region of wild-type and TcRho1 overexpressing epimastigotes, suggesting association with the Golgi apparatus. Accordingly, parasites overexpressing TcRho1-DeltaCaaX presented cytoplasmic fluorescence. To address the function of TcRho1 during differentiation, from epimastigotes to trypomastigotes, we submitted parasites overexpressing the above-cited lineages to metacyclogenesis assays. Parasites overexpressing TcRho1-DeltaCaaX generated a discrete number of metacyclic trypomastigotes when compared with other lineages. Strikingly, TcRho1-DeltaCaaX cells died synchronously during the process of metacyclogenesis.
de Melo
Luiz Dione B
LD
Laboratório de Parasitologia Molecular, Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, CCS, UFRJ, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Nepomuceno-Silva
José L
JL
Sant'Anna
Celso
C
Eisele
Nicole
N
Ferraro
Rodrigo B
RB
Meyer-Fernandes
José R
JR
de Souza
Wanderley
W
Cunha-e-Silva
Narcisa L
NL
Lopes
Ulisses Gazos
UG
D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000502:physiology; D018507:Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental / Q000502:physiology*; D015971:Gene Expression Regulation, Enzymologic / Q000502:physiology*; D008018:Life Cycle Stages; D016297:Mutagenesis, Site-Directed; D015800:Protozoan Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D013329:Structure-Activity Relationship; D013347:Subcellular Fractions / Q000201:enzymology*; D014018:Tissue Distribution; D014349:Trypanosoma cruzi / Q000166:cytology / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000254:growth & development*; D020741:rho GTP-Binding Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*
D015800:Protozoan Proteins; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; C434054:Rho1 protein, Trypanosoma cruzi; D020741:rho GTP-Binding Proteins