Trypanosoma cruzi: multiple actin isovariants are observed along different developmental stages.
The expression and biological role of actin during the Trypanosoma cruzi life cycle remains largely unknown. Polyclonal antibodies against a recombinant T. cruzi actin protein were used to confirm its expression in epimastigotes, trypomastigotes, and amastigotes. Although the overall levels of expression were similar, clear differences in the subcellular distribution of actin among the developmental stages were identified. The existence of five actin variants in each developmental stage with distinct patterns of expression were uncovered by immunoblotting of protein extracts separated 2D-SDS gels. The isoelectric points of the actin variants in epimastigotes ranged from 4.45 to 4.9, whereas they ranged from 4.9 to 5.24 in trypomastigotes and amastigotes. To determine if the actin variants found could represent previously unidentified actins, we performed a genomic survey of the T.cruzi GeneDB database and found 12 independent loci encoding for a diverse group of actins and actin-like proteins that are conserved among trypanosomatids.
Cevallos
Ana María
AM
Departamento de Biología Molecular y Biotecnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Apartado Postal 70-228, México, DF, Mexico. amcevallos@biomedicas.unam.mx
Segura-Kato
Yayoi X
YX
Merchant-Larios
Horacio
H
Manning-Cela
Rebeca
R
Alberto Hernández-Osorio
Luis
L
Márquez-Dueñas
Claudia
C
Ambrosio
Javier R
JR
Reynoso-Ducoing
Olivia
O
Hernández
Roberto
R
D016475:3T3 Cells; D000199:Actins / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D000818:Animals; D000913:Antibodies, Protozoan / Q000276:immunology; D015180:Electrophoresis, Gel, Two-Dimensional; D004591:Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D051379:Mice; D018613:Microscopy, Confocal; D010802:Phylogeny; D011817:Rabbits; D011993:Recombinant Fusion Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000378:metabolism; D016415:Sequence Alignment; D014349:Trypanosoma cruzi / Q000235:genetics / Q000254:growth & development / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*
D000199:Actins; D000913:Antibodies, Protozoan; D011993:Recombinant Fusion Proteins