Open AccessInsights into the role of gp63‐like proteins in lower trypanosomatids
Author(s) -
D'AvilaLevy Claudia Masini,
Almeida Dias Felipe,
Melo Ana Cristiogueira,
Martins Juliana Lopes,
Carvalho Santos Lopes Angela Hampshire,
Dos Santos André Luis Souza,
Vermelho Alane Beatriz,
Branquinha Marta Helena
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
fems microbiology letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.899
H-Index - 151
eISSN - 1574-6968
pISSN - 0378-1097
DOI - 10.1111/j.1574-6968.2005.00022.x
Subject(s) - crithidia , context (archaeology) , trypanosoma , leishmania , biology , leishmania mexicana , epitope , biochemistry , microbiology and biotechnology , antibody , protozoa , parasite hosting , virology , immunology , paleontology , world wide web , computer science
Any actual understanding of trypanosomatids in general requires a comprehensive analysis of the less‐specialized species as thorough as our knowledge of the more specialized Leishmania and Trypanosoma . In this context, we have shown by antibody cross‐reactivity that purified extracellular metallopeptidases from Phytomonas françai, Crithidia deanei (cured strain) and Crithidia guilhermei share common epitopes with the leishmanial gp63. Flow cytometry and fluorescence microscopy analyses indicated the presence of gp63‐like molecules on the cell surface of these lower trypanosomatids. Binding assays with explanted guts of Aedes aegypti incubated with purified gp63 and the pretreatment of trypanosomatids with anti‐gp63 antibodies indicated that the gp63‐like molecules are involved in the adhesive process of these trypanosomatids to the A. aegypti gut wall. In addition, our results indicate for the first time that the gp63‐like molecule binds to a polypeptide of 50 kDa on the A. aegypti gut epithelium extract.