title: Modulation of a cytoskeletal calpain-like protein induces major transitions in trypanosome morphology.
abstract: Individual eukaryotic microbes, such as the kinetoplastid parasite Trypanosoma brucei, have a defined size, shape, and form yet transition through life cycle stages, each having a distinct morphology. In questioning the structural processes involved in these transitions, we have identified a large calpain-like protein that contains numerous GM6 repeats (ClpGM6) involved in determining T. brucei cell shape, size, and form. ClpGM6 is a cytoskeletal protein located within the flagellum along the flagellar attachment zone (FAZ). Depletion of ClpGM6 in trypomastigote forms produces cells with long free flagella and a shorter FAZ, accompanied by repositioning of the basal body, the kinetoplast, Golgi, and flagellar pocket, reflecting an epimastigote-like morphology. Hence, major changes in microbial cell form can be achieved by simple modulation of one or a few proteins via coordinated association and positioning of membrane and cytoskeletal components.
authors.affiliation: Sir William Dunn School of Pathology, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3RE, England, UK.
authors.forename: Polly
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Hayes
authors.affiliation: Sir William Dunn School of Pathology, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3RE, England, UK.
authors.forename: Vladimir
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Varga
authors.affiliation: Sir William Dunn School of Pathology, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3RE, England, UK.
authors.forename: Sofia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Olego-Fernandez
authors.affiliation: Sir William Dunn School of Pathology, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3RE, England, UK.
authors.forename: Jack
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Sunter
authors.affiliation: Sir William Dunn School of Pathology, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3RE, England, UK.
authors.forename: Michael L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Ginger
authors.affiliation: Sir William Dunn School of Pathology, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3RE, England, UK keith.gull@path.ox.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Keith
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Gull
mesh_terms: D002154:Calpain / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D002455:Cell Division; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D048430:Cell Shape; D003598:Cytoskeletal Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D005407:Flagella / Q000201:enzymology; D010641:Phenotype; D021381:Protein Transport; D015800:Protozoan Proteins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D014346:Trypanosoma brucei brucei / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000235:genetics / Q000648:ultrastructure
chemical_list: D003598:Cytoskeletal Proteins; D015800:Protozoan Proteins; D002154:Calpain
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