Differential expression and characterization of a member of the mucin-associated surface protein family secreted by Trypanosoma cruzi.
Infect Immun
; 79(10): 3993-4001, 2011 Oct.
Article
in En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-21788387
ABSTRACT
We describe the characterization, purification, expression, and location of a 52-kDa protein secreted during interaction between the metacyclic form of Trypanosoma cruzi and its target host cell. The protein, which we have named MASP52, belongs to the family of mucin-associated surface proteins (MASPs). The highest levels of expression of both the protein and mRNA occur during the metacyclic and bloodstream trypomastigote stages, the forms that infect the vertebrate host cells. The protein is located in the plasma membrane and in the flagellar pockets of the epimastigote, metacyclic, and trypomastigote forms and is secreted into the medium at the point of contact between the parasite and the cell membrane, as well as into the host-cell cytosol during the amastigote stage. IgG antibodies specific against a synthetic peptide corresponding to the catalytic zone of MASP52 significantly reduce the parasite's capacity to infect the host cells. Furthermore, when the protein is adsorbed onto inert particles of bentonite and incubated with a nonphagocytic cell culture, the particles are able to induce endocytosis in the cells, which seems to demonstrate that MASP52 plays a role in a process whereby the trypomastigote forms of the parasite invade the host cell.
Full text:
1
Collection:
01-internacional
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Trypanosoma cruzi
/
Protozoan Proteins
/
Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental
/
Life Cycle Stages
/
Membrane Proteins
Type of study:
Risk_factors_studies
Limits:
Animals
Language:
En
Journal:
Infect Immun
Year:
2011
Document type:
Article
Affiliation country:
Spain