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Special Issue "Deciphering Trypanosomatids by Using Molecular Biology and Omics Methods"

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Dear Colleagues,

Trypanosomatids belong to a group of unicellular parasites of considerable medical importance. These organisms have a peculiar molecular physiology, which makes them interesting models for studying non-canonical pathways in cellular functioning. Molecular biology, at first, and omics later have contributed to understanding the biology and pathogenicity of these organisms. In this Special Issue, we intend to provide an overview of the most recent advances in these areas, putting together the focal approach given by molecular biology with the global view achieved by the study of omics in trypanosomatids.

Potential topics include but are not limited to:

Genome organization;

DNA replication and repair;

Transcription regulation;

Protein synthesis;

Cell signaling;

Cell metabolism and bioenergetics;

Life cycle, cell cycle and differentiation.

Dr. Maria Carolina Elias
Guest Editor

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Keywords

trypanosomatids
DNA replication
DNA repair
gene expression
protein synthesis
metabolism
cell signaling

Published Papers (2 papers)

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Research

Open AccessArticle

Discrete Typing Units of Trypanosoma cruzi Identified by Real-Time PCR in Peripheral Blood and Dejections of Triatoma infestans Used in Xenodiagnosis Descriptive Study

Catalina Muñoz-San Martín

Carezza Botto-Mahan

Werner Apt

and

Gonzalo Cabrera

Pathogens 2022, 11(7), 787; https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens11070787 - 12 Jul 2022

Viewed by 1501

Abstract

Chagas disease (ChD) is a vector zoonosis native to the American continent caused by the protozoan parasite Trypanosoma cruzi; the biological vectors are multiple species of hematophagous insects of the family Triatominae. A relevant aspect in the host–parasite relationship is the identification of the various genotypes of T. cruzi called discrete typing units (DTU) that circulate in mammals and vectors. In Chile, it has been described that the DTUs TcI, TcII, TcV, and TcVI circulate in infected humans, vectors, and wild animals. Identifying DTUs has acquired clinical importance, since it has been suggested that different genotypes could cause distinct pathologies, circulate in different geographical areas, and present different sensitivities to trypanocidal drugs. In this study, circulating T. cruzi DTUs in peripheral blood and Triatoma infestans dejections used in xenodiagnosis (XD) were amplified by qPCR in 14 Chilean patients with chronic ChD from highly endemic areas. More positive samples were detected by XD compared to peripheral blood samples, and 64.28% of the cases were simple infections and 35.72% mixed, with a statistically significant difference in the frequency of TcV DTU. This study would suggest that T. infestans from Chile is more competent to amplify one DTU over others, probably due to a process of co-evolution. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Deciphering Trypanosomatids by Using Molecular Biology and Omics Methods)

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Open AccessArticle

The Importance of Glycerophospholipid Production to the Mutualist Symbiosis of Trypanosomatids

Allan C. de Azevedo-Martins

Kary Ocaña

Wanderley de Souza

Ana Tereza Ribeiro de Vasconcelos

Marta M. G. Teixeira

Erney P. Camargo

João M. P. Alves

and

Maria Cristina M. Motta

Pathogens 2022, 11(1), 41; https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens11010041 - 31 Dec 2021

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1397

Abstract

The symbiosis in trypanosomatids is a mutualistic relationship characterized by extensive metabolic exchanges between the bacterium and the protozoan. The symbiotic bacterium can complete host essential metabolic pathways, such as those for heme, amino acid, and vitamin production. Experimental assays indicate that the symbiont acquires phospholipids from the host trypanosomatid, especially phosphatidylcholine, which is often present in bacteria that have a close association with eukaryotic cells. In this work, an in-silico study was performed to find genes involved in the glycerophospholipid (GPL) production of Symbiont Harboring Trypanosomatids (SHTs) and their respective bacteria, also extending the search for trypanosomatids that naturally do not have symbionts. Results showed that most genes for GPL synthesis are only present in the SHT. The bacterium has an exclusive sequence related to phosphatidylglycerol production and contains genes for phosphatidic acid production, which may enhance SHT phosphatidic acid production. Phylogenetic data did not indicate gene transfers from the bacterium to the SHT nucleus, proposing that enzymes participating in GPL route have eukaryotic characteristics. Taken together, our data indicate that, differently from other metabolic pathways described so far, the symbiont contributes little to the production of GPLs and acquires most of these molecules from the SHT. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Deciphering Trypanosomatids by Using Molecular Biology and Omics Methods)

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Special Issue "Deciphering Trypanosomatids by Using Molecular Biology and Omics Methods"

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