Abstract
Most African trypanosomes, including the veterinary species Trypanosoma brucei brucei and T. congolense are susceptible to lysis by human serum. A recent study by Alsford et al. [PLoS Pathogens (2014) 10, e1004130] has identified a T. b. brucei lysosomal cathepsin with an inhibitory effect on human serum’s trypanolytic action.
Highlights
African trypanosomes are a group of flagellated protozoan parasites endemic to sub-Saharan Africa
T. brucei is renowned for its ability to evade the adaptive immune system of its mammalian host by repeatedly replacing its variant surface glycoprotein (VSG) coat, a process known as antigenic variation
T. b. gambiense and T. b. rhodesiense have evolved distinct VSG-based mechanisms to circumvent this lytic attack. In addition to their surface coat VSG, both express subspecies-specific truncated VSGs that are retained in the endocytic system: T. b. gambiense-specific glycoprotein (TgsGP) and serum-resistance associated (SRA) protein, respectively
Summary
African trypanosomes are a group of flagellated protozoan parasites endemic to sub-Saharan Africa. Increased Trypanosoma brucei cathepsin-L activity inhibits human serum-mediated trypanolysis TgsGP is thought to stiffen the membranes of the endocytic network, rendering them less susceptible to attack by APOL1, but resistance depends on reduced TLF1 uptake by TbHpHbR, due to a single amino acid substitution.
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