How Trypanosomes Change Their Surface Proteins
Author Information
Author(s): Chris Stockdale, Michal R. Swiderski, J. David Barry, Richard McCulloch
Primary Institution: Wellcome Centre for Molecular Parasitology, University of Glasgow
Hypothesis
The study investigates how histone methyltransferase affects antigenic variation in Trypanosoma brucei.
Conclusion
The study found that the Dot1B methyltransferase plays a significant role in regulating the expression of variant surface glycoproteins in T. brucei.
Supporting Evidence
- Trypanosoma brucei uses antigenic variation to evade the immune system.
- Dot1B mutants showed a significant increase in VSG mRNA from silent expression sites.
- Transcriptional switching between VSGs is a coordinated process involving multiple expression sites.
Takeaway
Trypanosomes can change their outer proteins to avoid being attacked by the immune system, and a specific enzyme helps control this process.
Methodology
The study involved quantitative RT-PCR analysis to assess VSG mRNA levels and the effects of Dot1B mutants on VSG expression.
Limitations
The precise roles of DOT1A and DOT1B in T. brucei remain to be fully defined.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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