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Published on: August 12, 2016
Actin expression in trypanosomatids (Euglenozoa: Kinetoplastea)
Ligia Cristina Kalb Souza1, Rosana Elisa Gonçalves Gonçalves Pinho, Carla Vanessa de Paula Lima
1Instituto Carlos Chagas-Fiocruz, Curitiba, PR, Brasil.
Memorias Do Instituto Oswaldo Cruz
|August 2, 2013
Summary
Actin, a key protein, is widely present in various trypanosomatids, including parasites affecting mammals, insects, and plants. This study confirms widespread actin expression across diverse trypanosomatid species.
Area of Science:
- Parasitology
- Molecular Biology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Trypanosomatids are a diverse group of protozoan parasites with significant impact on human, animal, and plant health.
- Actin is a crucial cytoskeletal protein involved in various cellular functions in eukaryotes.
- The presence and distribution of actin in a wide range of trypanosomatids have not been comprehensively investigated.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the presence and expression of actin in a broad spectrum of heteroxenic and monoxenic trypanosomatids.
- To determine if actin expression levels vary across different life stages of Trypanosoma cruzi.
- To elucidate the subcellular localization of actin within these parasites.
Main Methods:
- Production of a mouse polyclonal antibody against the Trypanosoma cruzi actin gene.
- Western blot analysis of whole-cell lysates from various trypanosomatid species using the anti-actin antibody.
- Confocal microscopy to visualize actin localization within the cells.
Main Results:
- The anti-actin antibody recognized a ~42 kDa polypeptide in all tested trypanosomatids, including those infecting mammals (T. cruzi, T. brucei, L. major), insects (A. deanei, C. fasciculata, H. samuelpessoai, S. culicis), and plants (P. serpens).
- Similar protein expression levels of actin were observed across different life stages (epimastigotes, metacyclic trypomastigotes, amastigotes) of T. cruzi.
- Confocal microscopy revealed actin distributed throughout the cytoplasm of all examined trypanosomatid species.
Conclusions:
- Actin is a conserved and widespread protein in the Trypanosomatidae family.
- The expression of actin is maintained across different host types and parasite life stages.
- Actin plays a fundamental role in the cellular biology of diverse trypanosomatids.
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