Trypanosoma cruzi Epimastigotes Store and Use Cholesterol
Author Information
Author(s): Pereira Miria G., Nakayasu Ernesto S., Sant'Anna Celso, De Cicco Nuccia N. T., Atella Georgia C., de Souza Wanderley, Almeida Igor C., Cunha-e-Silva Narcisa
Primary Institution: Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Hypothesis
Do Trypanosoma cruzi epimastigotes store cholesterol in reservosomes and can they mobilize it when needed?
Conclusion
The study shows that T. cruzi epimastigotes can store large amounts of cholesterol in reservosomes and can disassemble these inclusions when deprived of serum.
Supporting Evidence
- Reservosomes are organelles that store cholesterol in T. cruzi epimastigotes.
- Cholesterol levels in reservosomes depend on serum concentration in the culture medium.
- Epimastigotes can disassemble cholesterol inclusions when serum is not available.
Takeaway
Tiny creatures called T. cruzi can save up cholesterol like a squirrel saves nuts, and when they run low on food, they can use that saved cholesterol to keep going.
Methodology
The study used Nile Red fluorimetry, fluorescence microscopy, and electron microscopy to analyze cholesterol storage in T. cruzi.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<0.01
Statistical Significance
p<0.01
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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