Important morphological and biochemical changes occur during differentiation in African trypanosomes. This proposal seeks to identify the molecular basis of differentiation as bloodstream trypomastigotes differentiate to procyclic trypomastigotes. We shall be particularly interested in the following related areas of research: 1. Investigate the expression of nuclear and mitochondrial genes essential during differentiation in African trypanosomes using cloned trypanosome genes for apocytochrome b and apocytochrome c, identifying transcripts for these genes. 2. Determine what factors or conditions stimulate and influence synthesis of the mitochondrial electron transport system during differentiation. We shall examine particularly the role of heme, oxygen, glucose and cis-aconitate. 3. Further purify the alpha glycerophosphate oxidase (Alpha-GP oxidase). The solubilized ubiquinol oxidase activity will be utilized in order to characterize this important oxidase. We consider the role of the nuclear and mitochondrial DNA importance in the biosynthesis of the mitochondrial electron transport system. More research at the molecular level on the factors which influence transcription of nuclear and mitochondrial genes during differentiation in this system will provide clues to the regulation of the life cycle of these organisms which could be important with regard to control of this important parasite. In addition, important factors may be revealed which elucidate the basis for parasitism in this host-parasite relationship.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
3R01AI021159-05S1
Application #
3131087
Study Section
Tropical Medicine and Parasitology Study Section (TMP)
Project Start
1983-09-01
Project End
1991-05-31
Budget Start
1989-10-16
Budget End
1991-05-31
Support Year
5
Fiscal Year
1990
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
Meharry Medical College
Department
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
City
Nashville
State
TN
Country
United States
Zip Code
37208
Chaudhuri, Minu; Ott, Robert Daniel; Hill, George C (2006) Trypanosome alternative oxidase: from molecule to function. Trends Parasitol 22:484-91
Ott, Robert; Chibale, Kelly; Anderson, Sedrick et al. (2006) Novel inhibitors of the trypanosome alternative oxidase inhibit Trypanosoma brucei brucei growth and respiration. Acta Trop 100:172-84
Chaudhuri, Minu; Sharan, Rita; Hill, George C (2002) Trypanosome alternative oxidase is regulated post-transcriptionally at the level of RNA stability. J Eukaryot Microbiol 49:263-9
Ajayi, Wilfred U; Chaudhuri, Minu; Hill, George C (2002) Site-directed mutagenesis reveals the essentiality of the conserved residues in the putative diiron active site of the trypanosome alternative oxidase. J Biol Chem 277:8187-93
Chaudhuri, M; Ajayi, W; Hill, G C (1998) Biochemical and molecular properties of the Trypanosoma brucei alternative oxidase. Mol Biochem Parasitol 95:53-68
Chaudhuri, M; Hill, G C (1996) Cloning, sequencing, and functional activity of the Trypanosoma brucei brucei alternative oxidase. Mol Biochem Parasitol 83:125-9
Chaudhuri, M; Ajayi, W; Temple, S et al. (1995) Identification and partial purification of a stage-specific 33 kDa mitochondrial protein as the alternative oxidase of the Trypanosoma brucei brucei bloodstream trypomastigotes. J Eukaryot Microbiol 42:467-72
Wirtz, E; Sylvester, D; Hill, G C (1991) Characterization of a novel developmentally regulated gene from Trypanosoma brucei encoding a potential phosphoprotein. Mol Biochem Parasitol 47:119-28
Bass Jr, H S; Njogu, R M; Hill, G C (1990) Solubilization and partial purification of glycerol-3-phosphate oxidase from mitochondria of Trypanosoma brucei. Exp Parasitol 70:486-9
Le Febvre, R B; Hill, G C (1986) Trypanosoma rhodesiense: mitochondrial proteins of bloodstream and procyclic trypomastigotes. Exp Parasitol 62:85-91

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