Trypanosoma brucei is a single cell protozoan parasite that infects humans and cattle in parts of Africa. Humans infected with T. brucei suffer from a severe neurological disease called African sleeping sickness that is inadvertently fatal when left untreated. Chemotherapeutic drugs against this parasite are few, relatively toxic, and logistically difficult to administer. The need to identify new drug targets and develop better medications is therefore urgent. This proposal will identify unique aspects of gene regulation in T. brucei, discovering novel mechanisms as potential drug targets. Unlike other eukaryotes, genes transcribed by RNA polymerase II (Pol II) in trypanosomes are arranged in large polycistronic transcription units (PTU) as long primary RNAs. Little is known about regulation of transcription initiation or termination. However, recent evidence indicates that epigenetic factors and especially base J, a hyper-modified nucleotide plays a significant role in regulation of Pol II mediated transcription. We have identified regulation of transcription initiation as well as evidence of regulated transcription termination. I propose two aims to study these modes of repression and the epigenetic mechanisms that are involved.

Public Health Relevance

Trypanosoma brucei is an infectious parasitic disease that causes African sleeping sickness, a fatal neurological disease. Drugs to combat this infection are few and relatively toxic. I propose to study the unique aspects of DNA transcription regulation in order to better understand this parasite and provide targets for drug development.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)
Type
Postdoctoral Individual National Research Service Award (F32)
Project #
5F32AI102532-03
Application #
9063049
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZRG1)
Program Officer
Mcgugan, Glen C
Project Start
2014-06-01
Project End
2017-05-31
Budget Start
2016-06-01
Budget End
2017-05-31
Support Year
3
Fiscal Year
2016
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
University of Georgia
Department
Biochemistry
Type
Schools of Arts and Sciences
DUNS #
004315578
City
Athens
State
GA
Country
United States
Zip Code
30602