gp63 homologues in Trypanosoma cruzi: Surface antigens with metalloprotease activity and a possible role in host cell infection

Ileana C. Cuevas, Juan J. Cazzulo, Daniel O. Sánchez

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

100 Scopus citations

Abstract

gp63 is a highly abundant glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI)-anchored membrane protein expressed predominantly in the promastigote but also in the amastigote stage of Leishmania species. In Leishmania spp., gp63 has been implicated in a number of steps in establishment of infection. Here we demonstrate that Trypanosoma cruzi, the etiological agent of Chagas' disease, has a family of gp63 genes composed of multiple groups. Two of these groups, Tcgp63-I and -II, are present as high-copy-number genes. The genomic organization and mRNA expression pattern were specific for each group. Tcgp63-I was widely expressed, while the Tcgp63-H group was scarcely detected in Northern blots, even though it is well represented in the T. cruzi genome. Western blots using sera directed against a synthetic peptide indicated that the Tcgp63-I group produced proteins of ∼78 kDa, differentially expressed during the life cycle. Immunofluorescence staining and phosphatidylinositol-specific phospholipase C digestion confirmed that Tcgp63-I group members are surface proteins bound to the membrane by a GPI anchor. We also demonstrate the presence of metalloprotease activity which is attributable, at least in part, to Tcgp63-I group. Since antibodies against Tcgp63-I partially blocked infection of Vero cells by trypomastigotes, a possible role for this group in infection is suggested.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)5739-5749
Number of pages11
JournalInfection and immunity
Volume71
Issue number10
DOIs
StatePublished - Oct 1 2003

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Parasitology
  • Microbiology
  • Immunology
  • Infectious Diseases

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