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Updated: Jun 12, 2026
Ultrastructural Expansion Microscopy in Three In Vitro Life Cycle Stages of Trypanosoma cruzi
Published on: May 12, 2023
Proteomic analysis of two Trypanosoma cruzi zymodeme 3 strains
Simone A Kikuchi1, Cátia L Sodré, Dário E Kalume
1Laboratório Interdisciplinar de Pesquisas Médicas, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, FIOCRUZ, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. sakemi@ioc.fiocruz.br
Abstract:
Two Trypanosoma cruzi Z3 strains, designated as 3663 and 4167, were previously isolated from insect vectors captured in the Brazilian Amazon region. These strains exhibited different infection patterns in Vero, C6/36, RAW 264.7 and HEp-2 cell lineages, in which 3663 trypomastigote form was much less infective than 4167 ones. A proteomic approach was applied to investigate the differences in the global patterns of protein expression in these two Z3 strains. Two-dimensional (2D) protein maps were generated and certain spots were identified by mass spectrometry (MS). Our analyses revealed a significant difference in the expression profile of different proteins between strains 3663 and 4167. Among them, cruzipain, an important regulator of infectivity. This data was corroborated by flow cytometry analysis using anti-cruzipain antibody. This difference could contribute to the infectivity profiles observed for each strain by in vitro assay using different cell lines.
Insights
Two Trypanosoma cruzi Z3 strains show distinct protein expression, particularly cruzipain levels, impacting their infectivity. This proteomic study reveals key differences between strains 3663 and 4167.
Area of Science:
- Parasitology
- Molecular Biology
- Proteomics
Background:
- Two Trypanosoma cruzi Z3 strains (3663 and 4167) from the Brazilian Amazon exhibit differential infectivity in cell lines.
- Understanding these molecular differences is crucial for Chagas disease research.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate global protein expression differences between T. cruzi strains 3663 and 4167.
- To identify proteins contributing to the observed variations in infectivity.
Main Methods:
- Proteomic analysis using two-dimensional (2D) gel electrophoresis.
- Protein identification via mass spectrometry (MS).
- Flow cytometry with anti-cruzipain antibody for validation.
Main Results:
- Significant differences in protein expression profiles were identified between strains 3663 and 4167.
- Cruzipain, a key infectivity regulator, showed differential expression.
- Flow cytometry confirmed lower cruzipain levels in strain 3663 compared to 4167.
Conclusions:
- Differential protein expression, especially of cruzipain, likely underlies the distinct infectivity profiles of T. cruzi strains 3663 and 4167.
- Proteomics provides valuable insights into parasite virulence factors and host-pathogen interactions.
