Trypanosomatids are parasites that cause debilitating and often fatal diseases in humans and livestock. A particularly serious problem in sub-Saharan Africa is caused by Trypanosoma brucei, a parasite spread by the bite of an infected Tsetse fly. T. brucei causes disease by proliferating in the blood, tissue spaces, and eventually the central nervous system of its mammalian host. Related parasites are equally important to human populations in other parts of the world, including South and Central America, Southeastern Asia and the Middle East. Our long-term goal is to understand, in biochemical and genetic detail, the mechanisms that coordinate gene expression in trypanosomatids. To achieve this goal, we are specifically investigating the mechanism used by the parasites to regulate their mRNA expression pattern. mRNA expression gives rise to a characteristic and essential proteome and determines the metabolic capabilities of the parasites. As a pathway into understanding mRNA expression control, we are studying a novel RNA-binding protein, RBP42, which was chosen for investigation because it (1) is essential for parasite proliferation and (2) binds to the coding region (open reading frame) of mRNAs encoding a variety of enzymes and proteins within the cells'energy metabolic pathways. We currently know of no other trypanosome protein with this binding specificity;however there is an increasing awareness of coding region binding proteins in the fields of neurobiology and development. Furthermore, our data suggest that RBP42 is an important factor in mRNA translation, mRNA stability or mRNA sequestration as it binds to polysome-associated, translating mRNAs during the procyclic stage of the T. brucei life-cycle. In our aim, we will explore the function of RBP42 by determining its role and mode of action in gene expression networks of T. brucei. This exploratory, two-year project is grounded in preliminary data, in a recent publication from our laboratory, preliminary data and complementary in vivo molecular genetic and in vitro biochemical approaches.

Public Health Relevance

Human health is undermined by parasitic infections caused by the arthropod-borne protists, Trypanosoma sp. and Leishmania sp. Infection-related deaths, as well as the overall burden of disease (measured in disability-adjusted life years, DALYs) are unacceptably high in our medically advanced world. During their life cycle, African trypanosomes must successfully adapt to the very different environments of their mammalian host and their insect vector. This requires dynamic and rapid regulation of gene expression. Our goal is to uncover the mechanism by which trypanosomes accomplish this regulatory feat. By determining the biological differences between the African trypanosomes and their mammalian hosts, we will identify new biochemical approaches and drug targets to replace the inadequate therapies currently in place.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)
Type
Exploratory/Developmental Grants (R21)
Project #
5R21AI108290-03
Application #
8660641
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZRG1-IDM-M (03))
Program Officer
Joy, Deirdre A
Project Start
2013-06-01
Project End
2015-05-31
Budget Start
2014-06-01
Budget End
2015-05-31
Support Year
3
Fiscal Year
2014
Total Cost
$198,750
Indirect Cost
$73,750
Name
Rutgers University
Department
Microbiology/Immun/Virology
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
078795851
City
Newark
State
NJ
Country
United States
Zip Code
07103
Tyler Weisbarth, R; Das, Anish; Castellano, Paul et al. (2018) The Trypanosoma cruzi RNA-binding protein RBP42 is expressed in the cytoplasm throughout the life cycle of the parasite. Parasitol Res 117:1095-1104
Das, Anish; Bellofatto, Vivian; Rosenfeld, Jeffrey et al. (2015) High throughput sequencing analysis of Trypanosoma brucei DRBD3/PTB1-bound mRNAs. Mol Biochem Parasitol 199:1-4