Protein synthesis in purified trypo- and epimastigote forms of Trypanosoma cruzi

In order to develop the experimental background for studies on the differentiation of the medically important lower eukaryote, Trypanosoma cruzi, the polypeptides synthesized by purified epimastigotes and trypomastigotes were examined. The in vivo synthesized proteins were compared with polypeptides synthesized in reticulocyte lysate systems programmed with total RNA of the two forms. Qualitative and quantitative differences between the protein populations of the two forms were detected. The most prominent differences concern three proteins of 73,000, 64,000 and 55,000 daltons. The possible use of these proteins as model systems for studies on differential gene expression is discussed.