Autor(es)d'Avila-Levy, Claudia M.; Santos, Livia O.; Marinho, Fernanda A.; Matteoli, Filipe P.; Lopes, Angela H. C. S.; Motta, Maria Cristina M.; Santos, Andre L. S.; Branquinha, Marta H.

ResumoThe present study demonstrates that the endosymbiont of Crithidia deanei influences the expression of surface gp63 molecules. Ultrastructural immunocytochemical analysis shows the presence of the gp63-like protein in the protozoan flagellum and flagellar pocket, either attached to shed membranes or in a free form. This molecule is glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI) anchored to the plasma membrane as demonstrated by phospholipase C (PLC) treatment and cross-reacting determinant detection by immunoblotting. The gp63 molecule mediates the adhesive process of the protozoan to Aedes aegypti explanted guts, since the binding was reduced by pre-incubating the C deanei parasites (wild and aposymbiotic strains) with anti-gp63 antibodies, PLC or PLC followed by anti-gp63 antibodies incubation. In addition, the number of wild C deanei bound to A. aegypti explanted guts was twice as that of aposymbiotic parasites. Flow cytometry assays revealed that the reactivity of the wild strain with anti-gp63 antibodies was approximately twice as that of the aposymbiotic strain. We may conclude that higher expression of surface gp63 by the wild strain of C deanei may positively influence this interaction, posing a prominent advantage for the endosymbiont-containing trypanosomatids. (c) 2007 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Palavras-ChaveAdhesion; Aedes aegypti; Cellular interaction; Crithidia deanei; Endosymbiont; gp63; Insect; Peptidase; Trypanosomatids

ImprentaExperimental Parasitology, v. 118, n. 3, p. 345-353, 2008

DescritoresAedes aegypti - Biochemistry

Data de Publicação:2008