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Theileria-induced leukocyte transformation
Dirk A E Dobbelaere1, Sven Rottenberg
1Division of Molecular Pathology, Institute of Animal Pathology, University of Bern, Länggassstrasse 122, CH-3012 Bern, Switzerland. dirk.dobbelaere@itpa.unibe.ch
Current Opinion in Microbiology
|August 28, 2003
Summary
Theileria parasites transform host cells by activating NF-kappa B and phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PtdIns-3K) pathways, leading to uncontrolled cell proliferation and inactivation of apoptosis.
Area of Science:
- Parasitology
- Cell Biology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Theileria parva and T. annulata are intracellular protozoan parasites.
- These parasites induce uncontrolled host cell proliferation, a process known as transformation.
- Transformation involves overriding cell cycle regulation and inactivating apoptosis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the molecular mechanisms underlying Theileria-induced cell transformation.
- To identify key signaling pathways involved in parasite-mediated host cell manipulation.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of NF-kappa B pathway activation.
- Investigation of phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PtdIns-3K)/Akt/PKB pathway signaling.
- Examination of I kappa B kinase (IKK) recruitment and activation at the parasite surface.
Main Results:
- NF-kappa B and PtdIns-3K pathways are crucial for Theileria-induced transformation.
- I kappa B kinase (IKK) is recruited to the parasite surface and activated.
- The PtdIns-3K/Akt/PKB pathway is constitutively activated in a parasite-dependent manner.
Conclusions:
- Theileria parasites exploit host cell signaling pathways, specifically NF-kappa B and PtdIns-3K, to promote cell proliferation.
- Parasite interaction with host cells triggers distinct activation mechanisms for these critical signaling pathways.