Phosphorylation of a major GPI-anchored surface protein of Trypanosoma brucei during transport to the plasma membrane

1999 ◽  
Vol 112 (11) ◽  
pp. 1785-1795 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. Butikofer ◽  
E. Vassella ◽  
S. Ruepp ◽  
M. Boschung ◽  
G. Civenni ◽  
...  

The surface coat of procyclic forms of Trypanosoma brucei consists of related, internally repetitive glycoproteins known as EP and GPEET procyclins. Previously we showed that the extracellular domain of GPEET is phosphorylated. We now show that phosphorylation of this glycosylphosphatidylinositol-anchored surface protein can be induced in vitro using a procyclic membrane extract. Using antibodies that recognize either the phosphorylated or unphosphorylated form of GPEET, we analyzed their expression during differentiation of bloodstream forms to procyclic forms. Unphosphorylated GPEET, together with EP, was detected in cell lysates 2–4 hours after initiating differentiation whereas phosphorylated GPEET only appeared after 24 hours. Surface expression of EP and both forms of GPEET occurred after 24–48 hours and correlated with the detection of phosphorylated GPEET on immuno-blots. Electron micrographs showed that unphosphorylated GPEET was predominantly in the flagellar pocket whereas the phosphorylated form was distributed over the cell surface. In contrast, expression of a membrane-bound human placental alkaline phosphatase in procyclic forms caused the accumulation of dephosphorylated GPEET on the cell surface, while the phosphorylated form was restricted to the flagellar pocket. A GPEET-Fc fusion protein, which was retained intracellularly, was not phosphorylated. We propose that unphosphorylated GPEET procyclin is transported to a location close to or at the cell surface, most probably the flagellar pocket, where it becomes phosphorylated. To the best of our knowledge, this study represents the first localization of phosphorylated and unphosphorylated forms of a GPI-anchored protein within a cell.

1990 ◽  
Vol 10 (9) ◽  
pp. 4506-4517 ◽  
Author(s):  
M G Lee ◽  
B E Bihain ◽  
D G Russell ◽  
R J Deckelbaum ◽  
L H Van der Ploeg

We have characterized a cDNA encoding a cysteine-rich, acidic integral membrane protein (CRAM) of the parasitic protozoa Trypanosoma brucei and Trypanosoma equiperdum. Unlike other membrane proteins of T. brucei, which are distributed throughout the cell surface, CRAM is concentrated in the flagellar pocket, an invagination of the cell surface of the trypanosome where endocytosis has been documented. Accordingly, CRAM also locates to vesicles located underneath the pocket, providing evidence of its internalization. CRAM has a predicted molecular mass of 130 kilodaltons and has a signal peptide, a transmembrane domain, and a 41-amino-acid cytoplasmic extension. A characteristic feature of CRAM is a large extracellular domain with a roughly 66-fold acidic, cysteine-rich 12-amino-acid repeat. CRAM is conserved among different protozoan species, including Trypanosoma cruzi, and CRAM has structural similarities with eucaryotic cell surface receptors. The most striking homology of CRAM is to the human low-density-lipoprotein receptor. We propose that CRAM functions as a cell surface receptor of different trypanosome species.


1989 ◽  
Vol 108 (5) ◽  
pp. 1979-1985 ◽  
Author(s):  
F F Roossien ◽  
D de Rijk ◽  
A Bikker ◽  
E Roos

Lymphocyte function-associated antigen-1 (LFA-1) is a leukocyte and lymphoma cell surface protein that promotes intercellular adhesion. We have previously shown that the invasion of hepatocyte cultures by lymphoma cells is inhibited by anti-LFA-1 antibodies (Roos, E., and F. F. Roossien. 1987. J. Cell Biol. 105:553-559). In addition, we now report that LFA-1 is also involved in invasion of lymphoma cells into fibroblast monolayers. To investigate the role of LFA-1 in metastasis of these lymphoma cells, we have generated mutants that are deficient in LFA-1 cell surface expression because of impaired synthesis of either the alpha or beta subunit precursor of LFA-1. We identified at least three distinct mutant clones. The invasive potential of the mutant cells in vitro, in both hepatocyte and fibroblast cultures, was considerably lower than that of parental cells. The metastatic potential of the mutants was much reduced, indicating that LFA-1 expression is required for efficient metastasis formation by certain lymphoma cells.


2006 ◽  
Vol 17 (12) ◽  
pp. 5265-5274 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria Lucia Sampaio Güther ◽  
Sylvia Lee ◽  
Laurence Tetley ◽  
Alvaro Acosta-Serrano ◽  
Michael A.J. Ferguson

The procyclic form of Trypanosoma brucei exists in the midgut of the tsetse fly. The current model of its surface glycocalyx is an array of rod-like procyclin glycoproteins with glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI) anchors carrying sialylated poly-N-acetyllactosamine side chains interspersed with smaller sialylated poly-N-acetyllactosamine–containing free GPI glycolipids. Mutants for TbGPI12, deficient in the second step of GPI biosynthesis, were devoid of cell surface procyclins and poly-N-acetyllactosamine–containing free GPI glycolipids. This major disruption to their surface architecture severely impaired their ability to colonize tsetse fly midguts but, surprisingly, had no effect on their morphology and growth characteristics in vitro. Transmission electron microscopy showed that the mutants retained a cell surface glycocalyx. This structure, and the viability of the mutants in vitro, prompted us to look for non-GPI–anchored parasite molecules and/or the adsorption of serum components. Neither were apparent from cell surface biotinylation experiments but [3H]glucosamine biosynthetic labeling revealed a group of previously unidentified high apparent molecular weight glycoconjugates that might contribute to the surface coat. While characterizing GlcNAc-PI that accumulates in the TbGPI12 mutant, we observed inositolphosphoceramides for the first time in this organism.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aditya Prasad Patra ◽  
Vrushali Pathak ◽  
Segireddy Rameswar Reddy ◽  
Aditya Chhatre ◽  
Crismita Dmello ◽  
...  

Plasmodium falciparum circumsporozoite protein (CSP) is a critically required abundant surface protein of sporozoites and a major vaccine candidate. However, neither the structure nor the role of CSP in sporozoite motility is well understood. Our recent in vitro data, from single molecule pulling experiments suggested a mechanically pliable structure for P. falciparum CSP. By engineering vegetative cells of the cellular slime mold Dictyostelium discoideum with regulatable CSP surface expression, we report evidence for direct involvement of CSP towards conferring elastic properties and motility of the cells. With an increase in the surface CSP levels by 5to8 fold, the Youngs moduli of the cells, observed through atomic force microscopy, decreased around 2 fold, with a concomitant increase in motility by about 2 fold. Interestingly, only full length CSP expression conferred maximal flexibility and motility, as opposed to repeat region alone or the flanking domains of CSP. The enhanced motility of the CSP expressing cells was abrogated with anti CSP antibodies as well as phospholipase cleavage of CSP, indicating specific contribution of CSP towards motility. Measurements of the Youngs moduli of Plasmodium berghei midgut (MG) and salivary gland (SG) sporozoites revealed an inverse correlation with CSP levels with a decrease from 1.1 kPa to 0.3 kPa as the CSP concentration doubled from MG to SG sporozoites. We hypothesize that high CSP level lowers the stiffness of sporozoites possibly through its pliable surface-coat, leading to cellular flexibility. These findings may explain a sporozoites developmental ability to enhance its CSP levels during transition from midgut to salivary glands to suit a migratory mode in the host, needed for successful hepatocyte invasion.


1990 ◽  
Vol 10 (9) ◽  
pp. 4506-4517
Author(s):  
M G Lee ◽  
B E Bihain ◽  
D G Russell ◽  
R J Deckelbaum ◽  
L H Van der Ploeg

We have characterized a cDNA encoding a cysteine-rich, acidic integral membrane protein (CRAM) of the parasitic protozoa Trypanosoma brucei and Trypanosoma equiperdum. Unlike other membrane proteins of T. brucei, which are distributed throughout the cell surface, CRAM is concentrated in the flagellar pocket, an invagination of the cell surface of the trypanosome where endocytosis has been documented. Accordingly, CRAM also locates to vesicles located underneath the pocket, providing evidence of its internalization. CRAM has a predicted molecular mass of 130 kilodaltons and has a signal peptide, a transmembrane domain, and a 41-amino-acid cytoplasmic extension. A characteristic feature of CRAM is a large extracellular domain with a roughly 66-fold acidic, cysteine-rich 12-amino-acid repeat. CRAM is conserved among different protozoan species, including Trypanosoma cruzi, and CRAM has structural similarities with eucaryotic cell surface receptors. The most striking homology of CRAM is to the human low-density-lipoprotein receptor. We propose that CRAM functions as a cell surface receptor of different trypanosome species.


1979 ◽  
Vol 37 (1) ◽  
pp. 287-302
Author(s):  
J.D. Barry

Pathogenic trypanosomes undergo antigenic variation, whereby the glycoprotein molecules constituting the cell coat are changed, the parasite thus evading the host's immune response. On application of homologous antiserum in indirect immunofluorescence to a given variable antigen type of Trypanosoma brucei, the surface variable antigen moves to the flagellar pocket region, which overlies the Golgi apparatus. This redistribution, or capping, is temperature-dependent, occurring at 37 degrees C but not at 0-4 degree C. Patching does not occur at either temperature. Immediately after capping no homologous or heterologous variable antigen, or host plasma or blood cell antigens, can be detected by immunofluorescence on the cell surface outside the cap; only trypanosome membrane common antigens can be found. It seems unlikely for two reasons that this antibody-induced redistribution is relevant to antigenic variation. Capping of the coat requires the indirect, rather than the direct, immunofluorescent method; a single layer of antibody, in nature, would appear to be ineffective. Also, capping of variable antigen of one type is followed within 3 h by appearance of antigen of the same, and not another, type. The necessity for 2 antibody layers is usually thought of as meaning that the individual molecules of the cell surface antigen are spaced further apart than the binding sites of an individual antibody molecule, so that the necessary cross-linked lattice cannot be formed, but on T. brucei the surface variable antigen molecules are very closely packed. It is proposed that one layer of antibody is ineffective for steric reasons; the dimensions of the exposed face of each variable antigen molecule may not permit the binding of more than one molecule of immunoglobulin, or perhaps the antigen molecules are so closely packed that most of the antigenic determinants are hidden from antibodies. To test this hypothesis, an attempt was made to cap variable antigen on trypanosomes transforming in vitro from the bloodstream to the procyclic (insect midgut) stage; such forms have a much less densely packed surface coat. Patching was observed, indicative of lattice formation, but these trypanosomes did not survive the in vitro manipulation long enough to permit any possible capping. T. brucei differs structurally from most other eukaryotic cells. It has no detectable microfilaments under the plasma membrane, except at the desmosomes in the region of flagellar binding, and it also has a pellicular cortex of microtubules. Capping of its surface antigen would appear then to differ from that on mammalian cells, either in the cellular components involved or in that specialized areas of the plasma membrane are involved.


Parasitology ◽  
1995 ◽  
Vol 111 (3) ◽  
pp. 275-287 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. M. B. Saraiva ◽  
P. F. P. Pimenta ◽  
T. N. Brodin ◽  
E. Rowton ◽  
G. B. Modi ◽  
...  

SUMMARYStage-specific molecular and morphogenic markers were used to follow the kinetics of appearance, number, and position of metacyclic promastigotes developing during the course ofL. majorinfection in a natural vector,Phlebotomus papatasi. Expression of surface lipophosphoglycan (LPG) on transformed promastigotes was delayed until the appearance of nectomonad forms on day 3, and continued to be abundantly expressed by all promastigotes thereafter. An epitope associate with arabinose substitution of LPG side-chain oligosaccharides, identified by its differential expression by metacyclics invitro, was detected on the surface of a low proportion of midgut promastigotes beginning on day 5, and on up to 60% of promatigotes on days 10 and 15. In contrast 100% of the parasites egested from the mouthparts during forced feeding of 15 day infected flies stained strongly for this epitope. At each time-point, the surface expression of the modified LPG was restricted to morphologically distinguished metacyclic forms. Ultrastructural study of the metacyclic surface revealed an approximate 2-fold increase in the thickness of the surface coat compared to nectomonad forms, suggesting elongation of LPG as occurs during metacyclogenesisin vitro. A metacyclic-associated transcript (MAT-1), another marker identified by its differential expression invitro, also showed selective expression by promastigotes in the fly, and was used inin situhybridization studies to demonstrate the positioning of metacyclics in the anterior gut.


2011 ◽  
Vol 10 (7) ◽  
pp. 985-997 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karina Mariño ◽  
M. Lucia Sampaio Güther ◽  
Amy K. Wernimont ◽  
Wei Qiu ◽  
Raymond Hui ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT A gene predicted to encode Trypanosoma brucei glucosamine 6-phosphate N -acetyltransferase ( TbGNA1 ; EC 2.3.1.4) was cloned and expressed in Escherichia coli . The recombinant protein was enzymatically active, and its high-resolution crystal structure was obtained at 1.86 Å. Endogenous TbGNA1 protein was localized to the peroxisome-like microbody, the glycosome. A bloodstream-form T. brucei GNA1 conditional null mutant was constructed and shown to be unable to sustain growth in vitro under nonpermissive conditions, demonstrating that there are no metabolic or nutritional routes to UDP-GlcNAc other than via GlcNAc-6-phosphate. Analysis of the protein glycosylation phenotype of the TbGNA1 mutant under nonpermissive conditions revealed that poly- N -acetyllactosamine structures were greatly reduced in the parasite and that the glycosylation profile of the principal parasite surface coat component, the variant surface glycoprotein (VSG), was modified. The significance of results and the potential of TbGNA1 as a novel drug target for African sleeping sickness are discussed.


1987 ◽  
Vol 7 (9) ◽  
pp. 3287-3296 ◽  
Author(s):  
S D Lyman ◽  
L R Rohrschneider

The Susan McDonough strain of feline sarcoma virus contains an oncogene, v-fms, which is capable of transforming fibroblasts in vitro. The mature protein product of the v-fms gene (gp140fms) is found on the surface of transformed cells; this glycoprotein has external, transmembrane, and cytoplasmic domains. To assess the functional role of these domains in transformation, we constructed a series of nine linker insertion mutations throughout the v-fms gene by using a dodecameric BamHI linker. The biological effects of these mutations on the function and intracellular localization of v-fms-encoded proteins were determined by transfecting the mutated DNA into Rat-2 cells. Most of the mutations within the external domain of the v-fms-encoded protein eliminated focus formation on Rat-2 cells; three of these mutations interfered with the glycosylation of the v-fms protein and interfered with formation of the mature gp140fms. One mutation in the external domain led to cell surface expression of v-fms protein even in the absence of complete glycosylational processing. Cell surface expression of mutated v-fms protein is probably necessary, but is not sufficient, for cell transformation since mutant v-fms protein was found on the surface of several nontransformed cell lines. Mutations that were introduced within the external domain had little effect on in vitro kinase activity, whereas mutations within the cytoplasmic domain all had strong inhibitory effects on this activity.


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