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Trypanosoma cruzi modulates gene expression of plasma membrane repair-related proteins

Rebecca Tavares E Silva Brígido1, Paula Cristina Brígido Tavares2, Marlus Alves Dos Santos2

  • 1Laboratório de Patologia Molecular e Biotecnologia do Centro de Referência Nacional em Dermatologia Sanitária/Hanseníase (CREDESH), Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Rua Amazonas, S/N, Bloco 6T, sala (05,) Campus Umuarama, CEP: 38400-902, Uberlândia, MG, Brazil.

Acta Tropica
|June 12, 2016
PubMed

Insights

Trypanosoma cruzi infection affects muscle cell plasma membrane repair by altering gene expression of key proteins, a process sensitive to rapamycin and parasite load.

Area of Science:

  • Molecular biology
  • Cell biology
  • Parasitology

Background:

  • Plasma membrane injury and repair are critical processes, especially in muscle cells.
  • Trypanosoma cruzi infection is known to impact host cell integrity.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the expression of dysferlin, acid sphingomyelinase, and transcriptional factor EB genes during Trypanosoma cruzi infection.
  • To determine the influence of parasite load and rapamycin on these gene expression changes.

Main Methods:

  • In vitro and in vivo models of Trypanosoma cruzi infection.
  • Gene expression analysis of dysferlin, acid sphingomyelinase, and transcriptional factor EB.
  • Assessment of rapamycin sensitivity.

Main Results:

  • Trypanosoma cruzi infection modulates the gene expression of dysferlin, acid sphingomyelinase, and transcriptional factor EB.
  • Gene expression changes are dependent on the number of interacting parasites.
  • The modulation of gene expression is sensitive to rapamycin treatment.

Conclusions:

  • Trypanosoma cruzi infection disrupts normal plasma membrane repair mechanisms in muscle cells.
  • Parasite load and host cell signaling pathways (e.g., rapamycin-sensitive) play a role in this disruption.
Keywords:
Acid sphingomyelinaseDysferlinGene expressionHost interactionMembrane repairTranscriptional factor EBTrypanosoma cruzi

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