Transcriptional Regulation of Telomeric Expression Sites and Antigenic Variation in Trypanosomes

Current Genomics
Igor Cestari, Ken Stuart

Abstract

Trypanosoma brucei uses antigenic variation to evade the host antibody clearance by periodically changing its Variant Surface Glycoprotein (VSGs) coat. T. brucei encode over 2,500 VSG genes and pseudogenes, however they transcribe only one VSG gene at time from one of the 20 telomeric Expression Sites (ESs). VSGs are transcribed in a monoallelic fashion by RNA polymerase I from an extranucleolar site named ES body. VSG antigenic switching occurs by transcriptional switching between telomeric ESs or by recombination of the VSG gene expressed. VSG expression is developmentally regulated and its transcription is controlled by epigenetic mechanisms and influenced by a telomere position effect. Here, we discuss 1) the molecular basis underlying transcription of telomeric ESs and VSG antigenic switching; 2) the current knowledge of VSG monoallelic expression; 3) the role of inositol phosphate pathway in the regulation of VSG expression and switching; and 4) the developmental regulation of Pol I transcription of procyclin and VSG genes.

Citations

Mar 9, 2018·Molecular Biology of the Cell·Igor CestariKenneth Stuart
Sep 27, 2019·Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America·Francisco Aresta-BrancoLuisa M Figueiredo
Jul 31, 2019·Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America·James BudzakGloria Rudenko
Dec 23, 2020·Molecular and Biochemical Parasitology·Isabella E MaudlinMark Carrington
Nov 5, 2019·Journal of Molecular Biology·Arpita SahaBibo Li

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Methods Mentioned

BETA
immunoprecipitation
glucosylation

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African Trypanosomiasis

African trypanosomiasis, also known as sleeping sickness, is an insect-borne parasitic disease of humans and other animals. It is caused by protozoa of the species Trypanosoma brucei and almost invariably progresses to death unless treated. Discover the latest research on African trypanosomiasis here.

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