Nucleolar Localization of RNA Binding Proteins Induced by Actinomycin D and Heat Shock in Trypanosoma cruzi
2011

Nucleolar Localization of RNA Binding Proteins in Trypanosoma cruzi

publication Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Názer Ezequiel, Verdún Ramiro E., Sánchez Daniel O.

Primary Institution: Instituto de Investigaciones Biotecnólogicas-Instituto Tecnológico Chascomús, UNSAM-CONICET, San Martín, Provincia de Buenos Aires, Argentina

Hypothesis

The nucleolus of Trypanosoma cruzi is involved in the stress response by sequestering RNA binding proteins (RBPs) during transcriptional stress.

Conclusion

The study demonstrates that RNA binding proteins and poly(A)+ RNA accumulate in the nucleolus of Trypanosoma cruzi in response to transcriptional stress induced by Actinomycin D and heat shock.

Supporting Evidence

  • RNA binding proteins involved in mRNA metabolism are relocalized to the nucleolus in response to transcriptional stress.
  • Poly(A)+ RNA accumulates in the nucleolus under stress conditions.
  • Nucleolar relocalization of RBPs is reversible and also occurs in response to severe heat shock.

Takeaway

When the Trypanosoma cruzi parasite is stressed, certain proteins and RNA move to a part of the cell called the nucleolus, which helps the parasite cope with the stress.

Methodology

The study involved treating Trypanosoma cruzi with Actinomycin D and analyzing the localization of RNA binding proteins and poly(A)+ RNA using immunofluorescence and RNA-FISH.

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1371/journal.pone.0019920

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