Expression site attenuation mechanistically links antigenic variation and development in Trypanosoma brucei
Zitieren Sie bitte immer diese URN: urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-119727
- We have discovered a new mechanism of monoallelic gene expression that links antigenic variation, cell cycle, and development in the model parasite Trypanosoma brucei. African trypanosomes possess hundreds of variant surface glycoprotein (VSG) genes, but only one is expressed from a telomeric expression site (ES) at any given time. We found that the expression of a second VSG alone is sufficient to silence the active VSG gene and directionally attenuate the ES by disruptor of telomeric silencing-1B (DOT1B)-mediated histone methylation. ThreeWe have discovered a new mechanism of monoallelic gene expression that links antigenic variation, cell cycle, and development in the model parasite Trypanosoma brucei. African trypanosomes possess hundreds of variant surface glycoprotein (VSG) genes, but only one is expressed from a telomeric expression site (ES) at any given time. We found that the expression of a second VSG alone is sufficient to silence the active VSG gene and directionally attenuate the ES by disruptor of telomeric silencing-1B (DOT1B)-mediated histone methylation. Three conserved expression-site-associated genes (ESAGs) appear to serve as signal for ES attenuation. Their depletion causes G1-phase dormancy and reversible initiation of the slender-to-stumpy differentiation pathway. ES-attenuated slender bloodstream trypanosomes gain full developmental competence for transformation to the tsetse fly stage. This surprising connection between antigenic variation and developmental progression provides an unexpected point of attack against the deadly sleeping sickness.…
Autor(en): | Christopher Batram, Nivola G. Jones, Christian J. Janzen, Sebastian M. Markert, Markus Engstler |
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URN: | urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-119727 |
Dokumentart: | Artikel / Aufsatz in einer Zeitschrift |
Institute der Universität: | Fakultät für Biologie / Theodor-Boveri-Institut für Biowissenschaften |
Sprache der Veröffentlichung: | Englisch |
Titel des übergeordneten Werkes / der Zeitschrift (Englisch): | eLife |
ISSN: | 2050-084X |
Erscheinungsjahr: | 2014 |
Band / Jahrgang: | 3 |
Heft / Ausgabe: | e02324 |
Originalveröffentlichung / Quelle: | eLife 2014;3:e02324. DOI: 10.7554/eLife.02324 |
DOI: | https://doi.org/10.7554/eLife.02324 |
Allgemeine fachliche Zuordnung (DDC-Klassifikation): | 5 Naturwissenschaften und Mathematik / 57 Biowissenschaften; Biologie / 579 Mikroorganismen, Pilze, Algen |
Freie Schlagwort(e): | Trypanosoma brucei; antigenic variation; cell biology; developmental reprogramming; expression site attenuation; genes and chromosomes; monoallelic expression; variant surface glycoprotein (VSG) |
Datum der Freischaltung: | 12.11.2015 |
Lizenz (Deutsch): | CC BY: Creative-Commons-Lizenz: Namensnennung |