Shape-shifting trypanosomes: Flagellar shortening followed by asymmetric division in Trypanosoma congolense from the tsetse proventriculus

PLoS Pathogens
Lori PeacockWendy Gibson

Abstract

Trypanosomatids such as Leishmania and Trypanosoma are digenetic, single-celled, parasitic flagellates that undergo complex life cycles involving morphological and metabolic changes to fit them for survival in different environments within their mammalian and insect hosts. According to current consensus, asymmetric division enables trypanosomatids to achieve the major morphological rearrangements associated with transition between developmental stages. Contrary to this view, here we show that the African trypanosome Trypanosoma congolense, an important livestock pathogen, undergoes extensive cell remodelling, involving shortening of the cell body and flagellum, during its transition from free-swimming proventricular forms to attached epimastigotes in vitro. Shortening of the flagellum was associated with accumulation of PFR1, a major constituent of the paraflagellar rod, in the mid-region of the flagellum where it was attached to the substrate. However, the PFR1 depot was not essential for attachment, as it accumulated several hours after initial attachment of proventricular trypanosomes. Detergent and CaCl2 treatment failed to dislodge attached parasites, demonstrating the robust nature of flagellar attachment to the substrate...Continue Reading

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Citations

Feb 2, 2019·Current Protocols in Microbiology·Chris KayWendy Gibson
Sep 11, 2019·Annual Review of Microbiology·Richard J WheelerJack D Sunter
Dec 12, 2019·Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology·Tansy C Hammarton
Sep 1, 2019·Trends in Parasitology·Amy N Sinclair, Christopher L de Graffenried
Apr 26, 2021·Cellular Microbiology·Estefanía Calvo-ÁlvarezBrice Rotureau

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Methods Mentioned

BETA
PCA
scanning electron microscopy
light microscopy
dissection
FCS

Software Mentioned

Image J
Improvision
R
Velocity

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