Unusual diversity in alpha-amanitin sensitivity of RNA polymerases in trichomonads.
Mol Biochem Parasitol
; 115(2): 239-47, 2001 Jul.
Article
in En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-11420110
ABSTRACT
Previous studies in the parasitic protist Trichomonas vaginalis have revealed that protein coding genes are transcribed by an alpha-amanitin-resistant RNA polymerase (RNAP) II. To investigate whether this unusual property is a general characteristic of trichomonads, we addressed the physiology of RNA synthesis in lysolecithin-permeabilized cells. Unlike in T. vaginalis, RNAP II in Tritrichomonas foetus was highly sensitive to the inhibitor alpha-amanitin. On the other hand, RNAP III, identified by its sensitivity to the specific inhibitor tagetitoxin, was found to be resistant to alpha-amanitin in Tritrichomonas foetus, but showed a typical intermediate sensitivity in T. vaginalis. Extension of this study to an additional seven trichomonad species confirmed this genera specific pattern of alpha-amanitin sensitivity and highlighted an unusual diversity in RNAPs among trichomonads, a closely related group of unicellular eukaryotes.
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Collection:
01-internacional
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Trichomonas vaginalis
/
RNA Polymerase II
/
RNA, Protozoan
/
Tritrichomonas foetus
/
Trichomonadida
/
Amanitins
Type of study:
Diagnostic_studies
/
Prognostic_studies
Limits:
Animals
Language:
En
Journal:
Mol Biochem Parasitol
Year:
2001
Document type:
Article
Affiliation country:
República Checa