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10:04
Using Fluorescent Proteins to Monitor Glycosome Dynamics in the African Trypanosome
Published on: August 19, 2014
Troglitazone induces differentiation in Trypanosoma brucei.
Viola Denninger1, Katherine Figarella, Caroline Schönfeld
1Interfakultäres Institut für Biochemie, Universität Tübingen, Hoppe-Seyler-Str. 4, D-72076 Tübingen, Germany.
Experimental Cell Research
|April 13, 2007
Summary
Certain thiazolidinediones, like troglitazone, can induce differentiation in Trypanosoma brucei, the parasite causing sleeping sickness. This discovery offers new insights into parasite development and potential therapeutic targets.
Area of Science:
- Parasitology
- Molecular Biology
- Drug Discovery
Background:
- Trypanosoma brucei causes sleeping sickness and has a complex lifecycle.
- Differentiation from slender to stumpy forms in the mammalian host is crucial but poorly understood.
- Thiazolidinediones are known regulators of metabolism and differentiation in higher eukaryotes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effect of thiazolidinediones, specifically troglitazone, on Trypanosoma brucei differentiation.
- To identify molecular mechanisms underlying troglitazone-induced differentiation.
Main Methods:
- Monitoring differentiation using mitochondrial markers (membrane potential, enzyme activity, gene expression).
- Assessing morphological changes via electron and light microscopy.
- Analyzing gene expression profiles using microarray analysis.
Main Results:
- Troglitazone induced differentiation in bloodstream form Trypanosoma brucei.
- Observed changes included altered mitochondrial activity, morphological shifts, and loss of Variant Surface Glycoprotein.
- Microarray analysis revealed upregulation of expression site associated gene 8 (ESAG8).
Conclusions:
- Thiazolidinediones represent a novel class of compounds that can induce Trypanosoma brucei differentiation.
- Troglitazone's effects suggest a conserved pathway for differentiation regulation.
- ESAG8 may play a role in mediating parasite differentiation.
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