Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 22, 2026
09:45
Detection of Trypanosoma brucei Variant Surface Glycoprotein Switching by Magnetic Activated Cell Sorting and Flow Cytometry
Published on: October 19, 2016
8.5K
Antigenic variation in African trypanosomes: DNA rearrangements program immune evasion
M Parsons1, R G Nelson, N Agabian
1Department of Biochemistry SJ-70, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA.
Immunology Today
|October 8, 2014
Summary
African trypanosomes, like B cells, express a single surface-antigen gene at a time. This review explores the molecular mechanisms controlling this gene expression, involving transcriptional activation and DNA rearrangement.
Area of Science:
- Molecular Biology
- Immunology
- Parasitology
Background:
- B cells and African trypanosomes exhibit monoallelic expression from large gene repertoires.
- This selective gene expression is crucial for cellular function and immune evasion.
- Both systems involve transcriptional control and genomic DNA rearrangement.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review molecular mechanisms controlling trypanosome surface-antigen gene expression.
- To draw parallels between B cell and trypanosome gene regulation.
- To highlight recent advances in understanding these processes.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on trypanosome surface-antigen gene expression.
- Comparative analysis of gene regulation in B cells and trypanosomes.
- Focus on transcriptional activation and DNA rearrangement mechanisms.
Main Results:
- Surface-antigen gene expression in trypanosomes is regulated at the transcriptional level.
- Genomic DNA rearrangement plays a significant role in this regulation.
- Mechanisms share similarities with B cell variable gene expression.
Conclusions:
- Understanding trypanosome gene regulation offers insights into fundamental biological processes.
- Molecular mechanisms controlling gene expression are conserved across different cell types.
- Further research is needed to fully elucidate these complex pathways.
Related Concept Videos
01:25Genetic Variation
1.6K
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,...
Genes exist in different versions called alleles,...
1.6K
02:32Exon Recombination
3.1K
The evolution of new genes is critical for speciation. Exon recombination, also known as exon shuffling or domain shuffling, is an important means of new gene formation. It is observed across vertebrates, invertebrates, and in some plants such as potatoes and sunflowers. During exon recombination, exons from the same or different genes recombine and produce new exon-intron combinations, which might evolve into new genes.
Exon shuffling follows “splice frame rules.” Each exon...
Exon shuffling follows “splice frame rules.” Each exon...
3.1K
00:36Viral Mutations
32.6K
A mutation is a change in the sequence of bases of DNA or RNA in a genome. Some mutations occur during replication of the genome due to errors made by the polymerase enzymes that replicate DNA or RNA. Unlike DNA polymerase, RNA polymerase is prone to errors because it is not capable of “proofreading” its work. Viruses with RNA-based genomes, like HIV, therefore accrue mutations faster than viruses with DNA-based genomes. Because mutation and recombination provide the raw material...
32.6K
01:28Diversity of Antigen Receptors
2.1K
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...
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...
2.1K
01:15Diversity of Protists I
2.3K
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...
2.3K
02:26Comparing Copy Number Variations and SNPs
11.4K
Sequencing of the human genome has opened up several best-kept secrets of the genome. Scientists have identified thousands of genome variations that exist within a population. These variations can be a single nucleotide or a larger chromosomal variation.
Copy number variations or CNVs are the structural variations that cover more than 1kb of DNA sequence. The single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP), on the other hand, is a single nucleotide change or a point mutation that is found in more than 1%...
Copy number variations or CNVs are the structural variations that cover more than 1kb of DNA sequence. The single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP), on the other hand, is a single nucleotide change or a point mutation that is found in more than 1%...
11.4K