title: Developmental progression to infectivity in Trypanosoma brucei triggered by an RNA-binding protein.
abstract: Unraveling the intricate interactions between Trypanosoma brucei, the protozoan parasite causing African trypanosomiasis, and the tsetse (Glossina) vector remains a challenge. Metacyclic trypanosomes, which inhabit the tsetse salivary glands, transmit the disease and are produced through a complex differentiation and unknown program. By overexpressing a single RNA-binding protein, TbRBP6, in cultured noninfectious trypanosomes, we recapitulated the developmental stages that have been observed in tsetse, including the generation of infective metacyclic forms expressing the variant surface glycoprotein. Thus, events leading to acquisition of infectivity in the insect vector are now accessible to laboratory investigation, providing an opening for new intervention strategies.
authors.affiliation: Department of Epidemiology of Microbial Diseases, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, CT 06536, USA.
authors.forename: Nikolay G
authors.initials: NG
authors.lastname: Kolev
authors.forename: Kiantra
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Ramey-Butler
authors.forename: George A M
authors.initials: GA
authors.lastname: Cross
authors.forename: Elisabetta
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Ullu
authors.forename: Christian
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Tschudi
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001483:Base Sequence; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D015800:Protozoan Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D016601:RNA-Binding Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D014346:Trypanosoma brucei brucei / Q000235:genetics / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000472:pathogenicity*; D014370:Tsetse Flies / Q000469:parasitology*
chemical_list: D015800:Protozoan Proteins; D016601:RNA-Binding Proteins