A major surface glycoprotein of Trypanosoma brucei is expressed transiently during development and can be regulated post-transcriptionally by glycerol or hypoxia

摘要: Differentiation is a means by which unicellular parasites adapt to different environments. In some cases, the developmental program may be modulated interactions with host, but mechanisms are largely unknown. Trypanosoma brucei transmitted between mammals tsetse flies. The development of procyclic form in midgut marked synthesis new glycoprotein coat, composed EP and GPEET procyclins, that important for survival. Here we demonstrate composition coat changes response extracellular signals vitro during vivo. coinduced when differentiation initiated. Subsequently, expression maintained, whereas repressed after 7‐9 days. timepoint at coincides appearance compartment fly midgut. culture, down-regulation can prevented exogenous glycerol or accelerated hypoxia. Regulation post-transcriptional, conferred 3* untranslated region. same sequence also regulates reporter gene fly. finding expressed defined window establishment infection suggests it has specific function host-parasite rather than generalized role shielding underlying membrane molecules.