The Hsp70 chaperones of the Tritryps are characterized by unusual features and novel members.
Proteins belonging to the Hsp70 class of molecular chaperones are highly conserved and ubiquitous, performing an essential role in the maintenance of cellular homeostasis in almost all known organisms. Trypanosoma brucei, Trypanosoma cruzi and Leishmania major are human parasites collectively known as the Tritryps. The Tritryps undergo extensive morphological changes during their life cycles, largely triggered by the marked differences between conditions in their insect vector and human host. Hsp70s are synthesised in response to these marked changes in environment and are proposed to be required for these parasites to successfully transition between differentiation stages while remaining viable and infective. While the Tritryps Hsp70 complement consists of homologues of all the major eukaryotic Hsp70s, there are a number of novel members, and some unique structural features. This review critically evaluates the current knowledge on the Tritryps Hsp70 proteins with an emphasis on T. brucei, and highlights some novel and previously unstudied aspects of these multifaceted molecular chaperones.
Louw
Cassandra A
CA
Biomedical and Biotechnology Research Unit, Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Biotechnology, Rhodes University, P.O. Box 94, Grahamstown, 6140, South Africa.
Ludewig
Michael H
MH
Mayer
Jens
J
Blatch
Gregory L
GL
D000818:Animals; D018840:HSP70 Heat-Shock Proteins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D018320:Leishmania major / Q000235:genetics / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000472:pathogenicity; D008018:Life Cycle Stages; D008958:Models, Molecular; D018832:Molecular Chaperones / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D010802:Phylogeny; D015800:Protozoan Proteins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D014346:Trypanosoma brucei brucei / Q000235:genetics / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000472:pathogenicity; D014349:Trypanosoma cruzi / Q000235:genetics / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000472:pathogenicity
D018840:HSP70 Heat-Shock Proteins; D018832:Molecular Chaperones; D015800:Protozoan Proteins