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Purification of Extracellular Trypanosomes, Including African, from Blood by Anion-Exchangers Diethylaminoethyl-cellulose Columns

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Epitranscriptome machinery in Trypanosomatids: New players on the table?

Suellen Rodrigues Maran¹, João Luiz de Lemos Padilha Pitta², Crhisllane Rafaele Dos Santos Vasconcelos²

¹Laboratory of Molecular Biology of Pathogens, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, Federal University of Sao Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.

Molecular Microbiology

|January 29, 2021

Summary

RNA modifications like N1-methyladenosine (m1A) and N5-methylcytidine (m5C) are crucial for Trypanosomatid parasites. Identifying these RNA writers offers potential therapeutic targets for devastating tropical diseases.

Area of Science:

Molecular biology
Parasitology
Biochemistry

Background:

Trypanosoma and Leishmania parasites cause significant global health issues.
These parasites require rapid physiological adaptation due to complex life cycles.
Gene expression regulation, primarily posttranscriptional, is vital for parasite survival.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the role of RNA modifications in Trypanosomatid parasites.
To identify and analyze homologs of RNA modification machinery (writers) in Trypanosomatids.
To explore the potential of these RNA modification systems as therapeutic targets.

Main Methods:

Bioinformatic identification of Trypanosomatid homologs for RNA modification writers.
Phylogenetic analysis of identified homologs.
Systematic review of existing literature on RNA modification functions.

Main Results:

Homologs for N1-methyladenosine (m1A), N5-methylcytidine (m5C), N4-acetylcytidine (ac4C), and pseudouridine (Ψ) writers were identified in Trypanosomatids.
Evolutionary relationships of these RNA modification enzymes were analyzed.
Evidence for their functional roles in parasite biology was reviewed.

Conclusions:

RNA modifications are likely critical for Trypanosomatid gene expression and survival.
The identified RNA modification machinery represents potential targets for novel anti-parasitic therapies.
Trypanosomatids serve as a valuable model system for studying RNA modification dynamics and consequences.

Keywords:

RNA modification Trypanosomatids ac4C m1A m5C pseudouridine

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