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Related Concept Videos

Giardiasis01:12

Giardiasis

Giardiasis is a globally prevalent intestinal infection caused by the protozoan parasite Giardia duodenalis (also known as G. lamblia or G. intestinalis). This flagellated protozoan is the most frequently identified intestinal parasite in the United States and worldwide. Transmission primarily occurs via the fecal-oral route, with infection arising from ingestion of water or food contaminated with cysts. Individuals in low-resource settings, international travelers, outdoor enthusiasts, daycare...
Diversity of Protists I01:15

Diversity of Protists I

Excavata is a diverse group of protists that includes both chemoorganotrophic and phototrophic species, with some thriving in anaerobic environments. Among the key groups within Excavata are diplomonads and parabasalids, which are flagellated protists that lack mitochondria and chloroplasts. These microorganisms typically inhabit anoxic environments, such as the intestines of animals, where they exist either symbiotically or as parasites, relying on fermentation for energy production. Some...
Malaria01:29

Malaria

Malaria pathogenesis in humans reflects a delicate interplay between parasite biology and host response. Clinical illness reflects a host’s immune response to the parasite’s asexual replication cycle, which is often asymptomatic in individuals with partial immunity. From the parasite's perspective, transmission between mosquito and human with minimal host pathology is evolutionarily advantageous. Among the six Plasmodium species infecting humans, P. falciparum and P. vivax dominate in global...
Diversity of Antigen Receptors01:28

Diversity of Antigen Receptors

Antigen receptors are essential components of the immune system crucial in defending the body against foreign invaders. These receptors are present on the surface of B and T cells, enabling them to recognize antigens and mount an appropriate immune response.
Before encountering any antigen, lymphocytes express these receptors. On B cells, the antigen receptor is a membrane-bound antibody molecule called BCR; on T cells, it is a T cell receptor or TCR. B and T cell receptors are composed of two...
Cross-reactivity00:42

Cross-reactivity

Overview
Genetic Variation01:25

Genetic Variation

Genetic variation is the diversity in DNA sequences found among individuals of the same species. This diversity is crucial for a species' survival because it helps organisms adapt to environmental changes. Genetic variation begins with fertilization, where an egg and sperm cell merge. Each of these cells carries 23 chromosomes, up to 46 in the fertilized egg. Chromosomes are long DNA strands that contain genes, the basic units of heredity.
Genes exist in different versions called alleles, which...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 20, 2026

Detection of Trypanosoma brucei Variant Surface Glycoprotein Switching by Magnetic Activated Cell Sorting and Flow Cytometry
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Detection of Trypanosoma brucei Variant Surface Glycoprotein Switching by Magnetic Activated Cell Sorting and Flow Cytometry

Published on: October 19, 2016

Antigenic variation in Giardia lamblia.

Cesar G Prucca1, Hugo D Lujan

  • 1Laboratory of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Medicine, Catholic University of Cordoba, Cordoba, Argentina.

Cellular Microbiology
|August 28, 2009
PubMed
Summary

Giardia lamblia uses antigenic variation, switching surface proteins to evade the host immune system. This process is regulated by RNA interference (RNAi) and epigenetic mechanisms.

Area of Science:

  • Parasitology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Immunology

Background:

  • Giardia lamblia exhibits antigenic variation through variant-specific surface proteins (VSPs).
  • Only one VSP gene is expressed at a time, with spontaneous switching occurring.
  • VSPs are the primary antigens recognized by the host immune system.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review advances in understanding Giardia's VSP antigen switching.
  • To analyze the role of RNA interference (RNAi) in VSP gene regulation.
  • To discuss the epigenetic mechanisms underlying antigenic variation.

Main Methods:

  • Review of recent scientific literature on Giardia antigenic variation.
  • Analysis of molecular mechanisms, including RNA interference (RNAi) pathways.

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  • Examination of VSP structure and its relation to host immune response.

    • Main Results:

    • Antigenic variation in Giardia is regulated post-transcriptionally, resembling RNA interference (RNAi).
    • RNAi pathway enzymes are involved in VSP mRNA silencing and translational repression.
    • An epigenetic mechanism is implicated in the selection of VSP expression.

    Conclusions:

    • Significant progress has been made in understanding Giardia's VSP switching.
    • RNAi and epigenetic factors are key regulators of antigenic variation.
    • Further research is needed to fully elucidate VSP selection and expression.