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Distinct, developmental stage-specific activation mechanisms of trypanosome VSG genes

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  06 April 2009

S. V. Graham ,
K. R. Matthews ,
P. G. Shiels  and
J. D. Barry
S. V. Graham
Affiliation:
Institute of Genetics and Wellcome Unit of Molecular Parasitology, University of Glasgow, Church St, Glasgow G11 5JS, UK
K. R. Matthews
Affiliation:
Institute of Genetics and Wellcome Unit of Molecular Parasitology, University of Glasgow, Church St, Glasgow G11 5JS, UK
P. G. Shiels
Affiliation:
Institute of Genetics and Wellcome Unit of Molecular Parasitology, University of Glasgow, Church St, Glasgow G11 5JS, UK
J. D. Barry
Affiliation:
Institute of Genetics and Wellcome Unit of Molecular Parasitology, University of Glasgow, Church St, Glasgow G11 5JS, UK
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Summary

The metacyclic form of African trypanosomes is the first to express genes for the Variant Surface Glycoprotein (VSG) and it uses an unusually predictable subset of the VSG gene repertoire. We have developed a model system for the analysis of metacyclic VSG (M-VSG) gene expression and have used this to demonstrate that, for two M-VSG genes, different modes of expression operate in the insect and mammalian phases of the life-cycle. In metacyclic-derived clones, these genes are expressed in situ, whereas they are routinely activated by duplication in bloodstream trypanosomes. The expression loci for both M-VSG genes studied are structurally simple and we present a model, based on this, for the maintenance of a separate M-VSG repertoire and expression system.

Keywords

antigenic variationTrypanosoma bruceimetacyclic VSG
Type
Research Article
Information
Parasitology , Volume 101 , Issue 3 , December 1990 , pp. 361 - 367
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1990

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