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Related Experiment Videos

Antigenic variation in African trypanosomes.

L H Van der Ploeg1, K Gottesdiener, M G Lee

  • 1Department of Genetics and Molecular Biology, Merck Research Laboratories, Rahway, NJ 07065.

Trends in Genetics : TIG
|December 1, 1992
PubMed
Summary

African trypanosomes evade immune responses by altering their surface coat. This antigenic variation involves DNA rearrangements and controlling gene expression sites for variant cell-surface glycoprotein (VSG) coats.

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Area of Science:

  • Parasitology
  • Immunology
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • African trypanosomes are protozoan parasites causing significant human and animal diseases.
  • These parasites possess a dense coat of variant cell-surface glycoprotein (VSG) essential for evading the host's humoral immune response.
  • Antigenic variation of the VSG coat is a key survival mechanism for the parasite.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying antigenic variation in African trypanosomes.
  • To understand how parasites switch their surface glycoprotein identity to evade immune detection.
  • To investigate the roles of DNA rearrangement and transcriptional control in VSG switching.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of DNA rearrangement events associated with VSG gene activation.

Related Experiment Videos

  • Investigating the regulation of VSG gene expression sites.
  • Observing the dynamic changes in VSG coat composition during infection.

    • Main Results:

    • Antigenic variation is achieved through DNA rearrangements, translocating silent VSG genes to active expression sites.
    • Differential transcriptional control of multiple VSG gene expression sites also mediates antigenic switching.
    • Only one VSG gene expression site is actively transcribed at any given time.

    Conclusions:

    • African trypanosomes employ a sophisticated multi-layered strategy for immune evasion.
    • Both genetic (DNA rearrangement) and epigenetic (transcriptional control) mechanisms contribute to antigenic variation.
    • Understanding these mechanisms is crucial for developing effective treatments against trypanosomiasis.