title: TcZFP8, a novel member of the Trypanosoma cruzi CCHC zinc finger protein family with nuclear localization.
abstract: In a 17-kb genomic fragment of Trypanosoma cruzi chromosome XX, we identified three tandemly linked genes coding for CX(2)CX(4)HX(4)C zinc finger proteins. We also showed that similar genes are present in T. brucei and Leishmania major, sharing three monophyletic groups among these trypanosomatids. In T. cruzi, TcZFP8 corresponds to a novel gene coding for a protein containing eight zinc finger motifs. Molecular cloning of this gene and heterologous expression as a fusion with a His-tag were performed in Escherichia coli. The purified recombinant protein was used to produce antibody in rabbits. Using Western blot analysis, we observed the presence of this protein in all three forms of the parasite: amastigote, trypomastigote and epimastigote. An analysis of cytoplasmic and nuclear cell extracts showed that this protein is present in nuclear extracts, and indirect immunofluorescence microscopy confirmed the nuclear localization of TcZFP8. Homologues of TcZFP8 in T. brucei are apparently absent, while one candidate in L. major was identified.
authors.affiliation: Laboratório de Biologia do Gene, Departamento de Biologia Celular, Universidade de Brasília, Brasília, DF, Brasil.
authors.forename: A O
authors.initials: AO
authors.lastname: Ericsson
authors.forename: L O
authors.initials: LO
authors.lastname: Faria
authors.forename: W B
authors.initials: WB
authors.lastname: Cruz
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Martins de Sá
authors.forename: B D
authors.initials: BD
authors.lastname: Lima
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001483:Base Sequence; D015153:Blotting, Western; D002467:Cell Nucleus / Q000378:metabolism*; D003001:Cloning, Molecular; D016054:DNA, Protozoan / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D019084:Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Indirect; D005815:Genetic Code / Q000235:genetics*; D008856:Microscopy, Fluorescence; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D015800:Protozoan Proteins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D016053:RNA, Protozoan / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D011817:Rabbits; D014349:Trypanosoma cruzi / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D016335:Zinc Fingers / Q000235:genetics*
chemical_list: D016054:DNA, Protozoan; D015800:Protozoan Proteins; D016053:RNA, Protozoan