The surface structure of trypanosomes in relation to their molecular phylogeny

Molecular phylogenetic analysis using genes coding for ribosomal RNA and proteins suggests that trypanosomes are monophyletic. Salivarian trypanosomes showing antigenic variation of the variant surface glycoprotein (VSG) diverged from non-Salivarian trypanosomes some 200-300 million years ago. Repre...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:International journal for parasitology 2001-05, Vol.31 (5-6), p.468-471
Main Authors: OVERATH, Peter, HAAG, Jochen, LISCHKE, Antje, O'HUIGIN, Colm
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animals
Biological and medical sciences
Carps - parasitology
Evolution, Molecular
Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology
Phylogeny
Protozoa
Systematics. Geographical distribution. Morphology. Cytology
Trypanosoma - genetics
Trypanosoma carassii
Trypanosoma cruzi
Trypanosoma cruzi - genetics
Variant Surface Glycoproteins, Trypanosoma - genetics
Variant Surface Glycoproteins, Trypanosoma - immunology
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Summary:Molecular phylogenetic analysis using genes coding for ribosomal RNA and proteins suggests that trypanosomes are monophyletic. Salivarian trypanosomes showing antigenic variation of the variant surface glycoprotein (VSG) diverged from non-Salivarian trypanosomes some 200-300 million years ago. Representatives of the non-Salivarian group, the mammalian parasite, Trypanosoma cruzi, and the fresh-water fish trypanosome, T. carassii, are characterised by surfaces dominated by carbohydrate-rich mucin-like glycoproteins, which are not subject to antigenetic variation. It is suggested that this latter surface structure is typical for non-Salivarian trypanosomes as well as members of the other Kinetoplastid suborder, the Bodonina. This would imply that at some point in time in the evolution of the Salivaria the highly abundant and comparatively poorly immunogenetic mucin-like molecules must have been replaced for equally abundant but highly immunogenic VSG-like molecules. While the selective advantage for such a unique transition is difficult to imagine, the subsequent diversification of VSG genes/molecules may have been comparatively straightforward because even the most limited form of antigenic variation would have extended the duration of infection in the vertebrate and thus would have increased the chance for transfer to the vector.
ISSN:0020-7519
1879-0135
DOI:10.1016/S0020-7519(01)00152-7