Statements in which the resource exists as a subject.
PredicateObject
rdf:type
lifeskim:mentions
pubmed:issue
6101
pubmed:dateCreated
1987-2-26
pubmed:databankReference
pubmed:abstractText
The protozoan parasite Trypanosoma brucei is transmitted between mammalian hosts by the tsetse fly (Glossina spp.). Trypanosomes ingested by the fly undergo a number of changes in the insect midgut during differentiation to procyclic forms. These include the loss of the variant specific glycoprotein (VSG) coat and the appearance of a common set of procyclic surface antigens. In order to investigate genes other than VSG genes which are expressed only at certain stages of the life cycle, the first cDNA specific to procyclic culture form trypanosomes (equivalent to the stage found in the insect midgut) has been characterized. The encoded polypeptide shows several characteristics of membrane proteins, but its most striking feature is the presence of a repetitive amino-acid sequence in which there are 22 tandem repeats of the dipeptide-Glu-Pro-. Related genes are also found in other trypanosome species and in leishmania. This gene shows many similarities to a number of surface antigen genes described in malaria and, more recently, Trypanosoma cruzi. This is the first example of a repetitive sequence in a parasite protein which is present only in the insect vector, and which therefore cannot be implicated in the mammalian host immune response.
pubmed:language
eng
pubmed:journal
pubmed:citationSubset
IM
pubmed:chemical
pubmed:status
MEDLINE
pubmed:issn
0028-0836
pubmed:author
pubmed:issnType
Print
pubmed:volume
325
pubmed:owner
NLM
pubmed:authorsComplete
Y
pubmed:pagination
272-4
pubmed:dateRevised
2004-11-17
pubmed:meshHeading
pubmed:articleTitle
Expression of a polypeptide containing a dipeptide repeat is confined to the insect stage of Trypanosoma brucei.
pubmed:publicationType
Journal Article