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Evolutionary and functional insights into Leishmania META1: evidence for lateral gene transfer and a role for META1

Vidhi Puri1, Aneesh Goyal, Rajan Sankaranarayanan

  • 1Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology, Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, Uppal Road, Hyderabad - 500 007, Andhra Pradesh, India.

BMC Evolutionary Biology
|November 19, 2011
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Leishmania META1, a virulence candidate, likely originated from a bacterial heat-inducible protein via lateral gene transfer. Structural analysis reveals META1

Area of Science:

  • Evolutionary Biology
  • Molecular Parasitology
  • Structural Biology

Background:

  • Leishmania META1 is implicated in virulence, with elevated expression in metacyclic stages.
  • The precise function of META1 in Leishmania virulence remains poorly understood.
  • Investigating META1's evolutionary origins may elucidate its functional roles.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To explore the evolutionary origins of Leishmania META1.
  • To understand the functional implications of META1's evolutionary history.
  • To investigate META1's role in Leishmania secretory processes.

Main Methods:

  • Phylogenetic analysis and sequence comparison to determine META1's origin.
  • Homology modeling of Leishmania META1 based on bacterial HslJ structure.
  • Site-directed mutagenesis to probe META1 function in secretion.

Main Results:

  • Evidence suggests Leishmania META1 arose from a bacterial heat-inducible protein (HslJ) through lateral gene transfer.
  • META1 shares structural similarity with bacterial HslJ and Shigella's MxiM, hinting at conserved functions.
  • Mutagenesis affecting a hydrophobic cavity in META1 impacts secreted acid phosphatase (SAP) secretion, implicating META1 in secretion.

Conclusions:

  • Leishmania META1's evolutionary trajectory provides functional insights.
  • META1's structural homology suggests conserved roles potentially related to secretion.
  • This study links META1's evolutionary origin to its function in Leishmania secretory pathways.

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