Premium
Regulation of Phosphatidic Acid Levels in Trypanosoma cruzi
Author(s) -
Gimenez Alba Marina,
Santander Verónica S.,
Villasuso Ana L.,
Pasquaré Susana J.,
Giusto Norma M.,
Machado Estela E.
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
lipids
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.601
H-Index - 120
eISSN - 1558-9307
pISSN - 0024-4201
DOI - 10.1007/s11745-011-3577-6
Subject(s) - phosphatidic acid , diacylglycerol kinase , biology , trypanosoma cruzi , microbiology and biotechnology , biochemistry , kinase , sphingosine , phosphatidate , protein kinase c , phospholipase d , signal transduction , phospholipid , parasite hosting , receptor , membrane , world wide web , computer science
Lipid kinases and phosphatases play essential roles in signal transduction processes involved in cytoskeletal rearrangement, membrane trafficking, and cellular differentiation. Phosphatidic acid (PtdOH) is an important mediator lipid in eukaryotic cells, but little is known regarding its regulation in the parasite Trypanosoma cruzi , an agent of Chagas disease. In order to clarify the relationship between PtdOH metabolism and developmental stages of T. cruzi , epimastigotes in culture were subjected to hyperosmotic stress (~1,000 mOsm/L), mimicking the environment in the rectum of vector triatomine bugs. These experimental conditions resulted in differentiation to an intermediate form between epimastigotes and trypomastigotes. Morphological changes of epimastigotes were correlated with an increase in PtdOH mass accomplished by increased enzyme activity of diacylglycerol kinase (DAGK, E.C. 2.7.1.107) and concomitant decreased activity of phosphatidate phosphatases type 1 and type 2 (PAP1, PAP2, E.C. 3.1.3.4). Our results indicate progressive increases of PtdOH levels during the differentiation process, and suggest that the regulation of PtdOH metabolism is an important mechanism in the transition from T. cruzi epimastigote to intermediate form.