title: Trypanosoma cruzi: multiple actin isovariants are observed along different developmental stages.
abstract: 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.
authors: Departamento de Biología Molecular y Biotecnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Apartado Postal 70-228, México, DF, Mexico. amcevallos@biomedicas.unam.mx
authors: Ana María
authors: AM
authors: Cevallos
authors: Yayoi X
authors: YX
authors: Segura-Kato
authors: Horacio
authors: H
authors: Merchant-Larios
authors: Rebeca
authors: R
authors: Manning-Cela
authors: Luis
authors: L
authors: Alberto Hernández-Osorio
authors: Claudia
authors: C
authors: Márquez-Dueñas
authors: Javier R
authors: JR
authors: Ambrosio
authors: Olivia
authors: O
authors: Reynoso-Ducoing
authors: Roberto
authors: R
authors: Hernández
mesh_terms: 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*
chemical_list: D000199:Actins; D000913:Antibodies, Protozoan; D011993:Recombinant Fusion Proteins