title: Lipophorin Drives Lipid Incorporation and Metabolism in Insect Trypanosomatids.
abstract: Insect trypanosomatids are inhabitants of the insect digestive tract. These parasites can be either monoxenous or dixenous. Plant trypanosomatids are known as insect trypanosomatids once they and are transmitted by phytophagous insects. Such parasites can be found in latex, phloem, fruits and seeds of many plant families. Infections caused by these pathogens are a major cause of serious economic losses. Studies by independent groups have demonstrated the metabolic flow of lipids from the vertebrate host to trypanosomatids. This mechanism is usually present when parasites possess an incomplete de novo lipid biosynthesis pathway. Here, we show that both insect trypanosomatids Phytomonas françai and Leptomonas wallacei incorporate (3)H-palmitic acid and inorganic phosphate. These molecules are used for lipid biosynthesis. Moreover, we have isolated the main hemolymphatic lipoprotein, Lipophorin (Lp) from Oncopeltus fasciatus, the natural insect vector of such parasites. Both parasites were able to incorporate Lp to be utilized both as a lipid and protein source for their metabolism. Also, we have observed the presence of Lp binding sites in the membrane of a parasite. In conclusion, we believe that the elucidation of trypanosomatid metabolic pathways will lead to a better understanding of parasite-host interactions and the identification of novel potential chemotherapy targets.
authors.affiliation: Instituto de Bioquímica Médica Leopoldo de Meis, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, 21.941-902, Brazil; Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia em Entomologia Molecular, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ 21.941-902, RJ, Brazil.
authors.forename: Aline dos Anjos
authors.initials: Ados A
authors.lastname: Ximenes
authors.affiliation: Instituto de Bioquímica Médica Leopoldo de Meis, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, 21.941-902, Brazil; Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia em Entomologia Molecular, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ 21.941-902, RJ, Brazil.
authors.forename: Lívia
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Silva-Cardoso
authors.affiliation: Instituto de Bioquímica Médica Leopoldo de Meis, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, 21.941-902, Brazil; Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia em Entomologia Molecular, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ 21.941-902, RJ, Brazil.
authors.forename: Nuccia Nicole T
authors.initials: NN
authors.lastname: De Cicco
authors.affiliation: Instituto de Bioquímica Médica Leopoldo de Meis, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, 21.941-902, Brazil; Laboratório de Ultraestrutura Celular Hertha Meyer, Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, 21.941-902, Brazil.
authors.forename: Miria G
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Pereira
authors.affiliation: Laboratório de Ultraestrutura Celular Hertha Meyer, Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, 21.941-902, Brazil.
authors.forename: Daniela C
authors.initials: DC
authors.lastname: Lourenço
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Biologia Animal, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro, Seropédica, RJ 23.890-000, RJ, Brazil.
authors.forename: Patricia
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Fampa
authors.affiliation: Instituto de Bioquímica Médica Leopoldo de Meis, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, 21.941-902, Brazil; Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia em Entomologia Molecular, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ 21.941-902, RJ, Brazil.
authors.forename: Evelize
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Folly
authors.affiliation: Laboratório de Ultraestrutura Celular Hertha Meyer, Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, 21.941-902, Brazil.
authors.forename: Narcisa L
authors.initials: NL
authors.lastname: Cunha-e-Silva
authors.affiliation: Instituto de Bioquímica Médica Leopoldo de Meis, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, 21.941-902, Brazil; Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia em Entomologia Molecular, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ 21.941-902, RJ, Brazil.
authors.forename: Mario A C
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Silva-Neto
authors.affiliation: Instituto de Bioquímica Médica Leopoldo de Meis, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, 21.941-902, Brazil; Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia em Entomologia Molecular, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ 21.941-902, RJ, Brazil. Electronic address: atella@bioqmed.ufrj.br.
authors.forename: Georgia C
authors.initials: GC
authors.lastname: Atella
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001665:Binding Sites; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000378:metabolism; D006790:Host-Parasite Interactions; D007313:Insecta / Q000737:chemistry / Q000469:parasitology; D050356:Lipid Metabolism; D008074:Lipoproteins / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000378:metabolism*; D019308:Palmitic Acid / Q000378:metabolism; D010710:Phosphates / Q000378:metabolism; D014351:Trypanosomatina / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D008074:Lipoproteins; D010710:Phosphates; C032830:lipophorin; D019308:Palmitic Acid
keywords: Leptomonas; Lipophorin; Oncopeltus.; Phytomonas; lipid metabolism