A B-cell mitogen from a pathogenic trypanosome is a eukaryotic proline racemase.
Nat Med
; 6(8): 890-7, 2000 Aug.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-10932226
ABSTRACT
Lymphocyte polyclonal activation is a generalized mechanism of immune evasion among pathogens. In a mouse model of Trypanosoma cruzi infection (American trypanosomiasis), reduced levels of polyclonal lymphocyte responses correlate with resistance to infection and cardiopathy. We report here the characterization of a parasite protein with B-cell mitogenic properties in culture supernatants of infective forms, the cloning of the corresponding gene and the analysis of the biological properties of its product. We characterized the protein as a co-factor-independent proline racemase, and show that its expression as a cytoplasmic and/or membrane-associated protein is life-stage specific. Inhibition studies indicate that availability of the racemase active site is necessary for mitogenic activity. This is the first report to our knowledge of a eukaryotic amino acid racemase gene. Our findings have potential consequences for the development of new immune therapies and drug design against pathogens.
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Coleções:
01-internacional
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Trypanosoma cruzi
/
Linfócitos B
/
Isomerases de Aminoácido
/
Mitógenos
Tipo de estudo:
Prognostic_studies
Limite:
Animals
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Nat Med
Assunto da revista:
BIOLOGIA MOLECULAR
/
MEDICINA
Ano de publicação:
2000
Tipo de documento:
Article
País de afiliação:
França