To examine whether mating can occur within as well as between clones of Trypanosoma brucei, we transformed three T. brucei subspecies stocks with heterologous genes conferring resistance to either hygromycin or Geneticin and carried out a series of inter- and intraclone matings in all possible double drug combinations. Double drug-resistant hybrids were recovered from three of the six out-crosses, but not from any of the three intraclone matings. However, further analysis of cloned progeny trypanosomes from one of the out-crosses using RFLP markers, molecular karyotyping and RAPD (random amplification of polymorphic DNA) produced unequivocal evidence that intra- as well as interclone mating had occurred. The progeny of interclone mating were double drug-resistant and heterozygous at 9 of 13 loci examined. In contrast, the progeny of intraclone mating had no demonstrable input of genetic material from the hygromycin-resistant parent and were similar to the Geneticin-resistant parent for most markers, except for five loci which were heterozygous in the Geneticin-resistant parent but homozygous in these clones (aldolase THT1 glucose transporter, procyclin, tubulin and cDNA 23). In addition, PFGE showed considerable karyotypic rearrangements in these clones and loss of genetic material was evident from RAPD and VSG (variant surface glycoprotein) gene fingerprint analysis. We conclude that intraclone mating can occur in trypanosomes, but only during out-crossing, suggesting that meiosis and/or fusion are triggered by a diffusible factor.
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http://dx.doi.org/10.1099/00221287-143-3-909 | DOI Listing |
Comp Immunol Microbiol Infect Dis
January 2025
Department of Veterinary Parasitology and Entomology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Enugu State, Nigeria.
Canine African trypanosomosis is endemic in sub-Saharan Africa. Chemotherapy remains the commonly employed approach to trypanosomosis control. However, it is beleaguered by the absence of new drugs, treatment failures, relapse infection and resistance.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFOrg Lett
January 2025
Department of Chemistry, Keio University, 3-14-1 Hiyoshi, Kohoku-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa 223-8522, Japan.
Human African trypanosomiasis (HAT) is one of the most lethal of the neglected tropical diseases. While the discovery of a novel antitrypanosomal drug is highly desired, the creation of a superior lead compound is challenging. Herein we report ukabamide (), which was isolated from a marine sp.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFInt J Parasitol Drugs Drug Resist
January 2025
Laboratory of Microbiology, Parasitology and Hygiene, Infla-Med Centre of Excellence, University of Antwerp, 2610, Wilrijk, Belgium. Electronic address:
Surra and Dourine are widespread diseases caused by two protozoan parasites Trypanosoma brucei evansi and Trypanosoma brucei equiperdum, respectively. A wide range of animals including camels, horses, cattle and buffaloes are susceptible to infection. These diseases pose a significant socio-economic burden, primarily due to the limited therapeutic options and the complications associated with toxicity and drug resistance, making disease management particularly challenging.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFChem Biodivers
January 2025
Joint Research Unit 1158 BioEcoAgro, Univ. Lille, Junia, INRAE, Univ. Liège, UPJV, Univ. Artois, ULCO, Lille, France.
Parasitic diseases such as trypanosomiasis and leishmaniasis pose significant health challenges in Africa. The Senegalese Pharmacopoeia, known for its many medicinal plants with anti-infectious properties, can be a source of antiparasitic natural products. This study aimed to evaluate the in vitro antiparasitic activities of 33 methanolic extracts from 24 ethnopharmacologically selected plants against Trypanosoma brucei brucei (Tbb) and Leishmania mexicana mexicana (Lmm), as well as their cytotoxic activities on WI-38 cells.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFNat Commun
January 2025
University of Glasgow Centre for Parasitology, The Wellcome Centre for Integrative Parasitology, University of Glasgow, School of Infection and Immunity, Sir Graeme Davies Building, 120 University Place, Glasgow, G12 8TA, United Kingdom.
The Trypanosoma brucei genome is structurally complex. Eleven megabase-sized chromosomes each comprise a transcribed core flanked by silent subtelomeres, housing thousands of Variant Surface Glycoprotein (VSG) genes. Additionally, hundreds of sub-megabase chromosomes contain 177 bp repeats of unknown function, and VSG transcription sites localise to many telomeres.
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