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Gp63 gene polymorphism and population structure of Leishmania donovani complex: influence of the host selection

S Guerbouj1, K Victoir, I Guizani

  • 1Institut Pasteur de Tunis, Laboratoire d'Epidémiologie et Ecologie Parasitaire, Tunis Belvédère, Tunisia.

Parasitology
|February 24, 2001
PubMed

Insights

Host immune pressure shapes Leishmania gp63 surface proteins, influencing parasite population structure. This study reveals host selection impacts gp63 gene evolution differently than neutral markers.

Area of Science:

  • Parasitology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Population Genetics

Background:

  • The surface metalloproteinase gp63 is a key virulence factor in Leishmania parasites.
  • Understanding gp63 evolution is crucial for deciphering Leishmania population dynamics and host-parasite interactions.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the influence of host selective pressure on the genetic structuring of Leishmania populations, focusing on the gp63 gene.
  • To compare the population structure derived from gp63-encoding genes with neutral markers (isoenzymes) and non-coding regions (gp63 intergenic regions).

Main Methods:

  • Polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) was used to analyze gp63 encoding genes and intergenic regions in 35 Leishmania isolates.
  • Comparative analysis with existing isoenzyme data was performed.

Main Results:

  • The gp63 encoding region exhibited higher polymorphism than gp63 intergenic regions.
  • The four species within the Leishmania donovani complex were clearly discriminated by gp63 intra-genic analysis.
  • Geographical structuring was observed within Leishmania infantum based on gp63 data, distinct from isoenzyme and intergenic analyses.

Conclusions:

  • Strong host selection, particularly at the vertebrate immunological level, significantly influences gp63 evolution.
  • The choice of genetic markers (e.g., coding vs. non-coding regions) impacts the perceived population structure of Leishmania.

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