Nuclear architecture underlying gene expression in Trypanosoma brucei.
The influence of nuclear architecture on the regulation of developmental gene expression has recently become evident in many organisms ranging from yeast to humans. During interphase, chromosomes and nuclear structures are in constant motion; therefore, correct temporal association is needed to meet the requirements of gene expression. Trypanosoma brucei is an excellent model system in which to analyze nuclear spatial implications in the regulation of gene expression because the two main surface-protein genes (procyclin and VSG) are transcribed by the highly compartmentalized RNA polymerase I and undergo distinct transcriptional activation or downregulation during developmental differentiation. Furthermore, the infective bloodstream form of the parasite undergoes antigenic variation, displaying sequentially different types of VSG by allelic exclusion. Here, we discuss recent advances in understanding the role of chromosomal nuclear positioning in the regulation of gene expression in T. brucei.
Navarro
Miguel
M
Instituto de Parasitología y Biomedicina López-Neyra, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (Spanish National Research Council), Avda. del Conocimiento s/n, 18100 Granada, Spain. miguel.navarro@ipb.csic.es
Peñate
Xenia
X
Landeira
David
D
D000483:Alleles; D000818:Animals; D000940:Antigenic Variation; D000953:Antigens, Protozoan / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D002467:Cell Nucleus / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D002875:Chromosomes / Q000378:metabolism; D015870:Gene Expression; D018507:Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental; D042581:Intranuclear Space; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D015800:Protozoan Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D012318:RNA Polymerase I / Q000502:physiology; D016615:Telomere / Q000235:genetics; D014158:Transcription, Genetic; D014346:Trypanosoma brucei brucei / Q000235:genetics* / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism; D014643:Variant Surface Glycoproteins, Trypanosoma / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism
D000953:Antigens, Protozoan; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins; D015800:Protozoan Proteins; D014643:Variant Surface Glycoproteins, Trypanosoma; C053277:procyclic acidic repetitive protein, Trypanosoma; D012318:RNA Polymerase I