Chromosomal size conservation through the cell cycle supports karyotype stability in Trypanosoma cruzi.
The Trypanosoma cruzi karyotype shows an extensive chromosomal size polymorphism. Absence of condensed mitotic chromosomes and chromatin fragility are characteristic features of T. cruzi which would allow DNA breaks and chromosomal rearrangements during cell proliferation. We have investigated by pulsed field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) eventual changes in chromosomal size during exponential and stationary phases of T. cruzi epimastigotes in culture, in G0 trypomastigotes and throughout the cell cycle in synchronized epimastigotes. T. cruzi molecular karyotype was stable throughout the cell cycle and during differentiation. Thus, the chromosomal size polymorphism previously reported in T. cruzi contrasts with the stability of the molecular karyotype observed here and suggests that chromosomal rearrangements leading to changes in chromosomal size are scarce events during the clonal propagation of this parasite.
Galindo
Mario
M
Program of Cellular and Molecular Biology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences (ICBM), Faculty of Medicine, University of Chile, Santiago, Chile. mgalindo@med.uchile.cl
Sabaj
Valeria
V
Espinoza
Ingrid
I
Toro
Gabriela Cecilia
GC
Búa
Jaqueline
J
Grenet
Jose
J
López-Solís
Remigio
R
Ruiz
Andres Mariano
AM
Galanti
Norbel
N
D000818:Animals; D002453:Cell Cycle / Q000235:genetics*; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D002875:Chromosomes / Q000235:genetics* / Q000502:physiology*; D004261:DNA Replication; D016054:DNA, Protozoan / Q000096:biosynthesis; D018503:Genome, Protozoan / Q000235:genetics; D042822:Genomic Instability; D007621:Karyotyping; D014349:Trypanosoma cruzi / Q000166:cytology* / Q000235:genetics*
D016054:DNA, Protozoan