Project description:Three potential ELAV-like proteins of T. brucei, including Tb927.3.2930, Tb927.7.5380, and Tb927.8.6650, were either inhibited by RNAi or phenotypically activated by over-expression, followed by microarray analysis of the transcriptome. The results indicated that these ELAV-like proteins regulate the abundance of a large number of T. brucei transcripts, potentially through regulation of mRNA stability. Each of the three ELAV-like proteins were either inhibited by RNAi or over-expressed, in stable transgenic procyclic form cell lines. Total RNA was extracted 48h after tetracycline induction of the constructs (except for total RNA from Tb927.8.6650 RNAi which was extracted 24h after tet-induction), and sent to NimbleGen for cDNA synthesis and hybridization. Non-induced cells were analyzed in parallel.
Project description:A tagged ectopic version of the ELAV-like protein Tb927.8.6650 of T. brucei was expressed in stable cell lines and pulled down. Co-purifying transcripts were analyzed by sequencing to identify RNAs associated with Tb927.8.6650. Stable procyclic form cell lines expressing tetracycline-inducible TAP-tagged Tb927.8.6650 were created. Cells were harvested 48h after tet-induction, followed by tandem affinity purification of Tb927.8.6650, extraction of co-purified RNA, and sequencing.
Project description:T. brucei PF cells were treated with several chemical reagents and anti-trypanosomatid drugs. The effect of each chemical perturbation on the transcriptome of T. brucei was examined by transcript profiling of treated vs. control cells. The results indicated widespread changes, suggesting that the transcriptome of T. brucei is highly responsive to environmental factors that perturb its metabolic and biological pathways. 11 chemical perturbations, each co-hybridized with a common reference RNA from control non-treated cells. One array per treatment.
Project description:Whole genome comparison of RNA levels for both protein coding genes and structural RNAs in five different life cycle stages: in vivo slender bloodstream form, in vivo stumpy bloodstream form, cultured bloodstream form, log-phase procyclic culture form and stationary-phase procyclic culture form RNA from three independent biological replicates from five different life cycle stages were hybridized to Nimblegen arrays (Madison,WI USA) that contained 8 probes per open reading frame and 3 probes per structural RNA spotted three times per array
Project description:Organization of the genome into compacted chromatin is a eukaryotic innovation facilitating increased sophistication in transcriptional regulation. In metazoa coiled-coil lamin proteins are major components of the chromatin organizer at the nuclear periphery and maintain nuclear integrity. While identifiable lamin homologues are restricted to metazoans, morphologically analogous structures maintaining nuclear organization in other eukaryotic lineages are known, but the molecular constituents remain undefined. Trypanosoma brucei NUP-1 is a large coiled-coil protein associated with fibrils at the inner face of the nuclear envelope. Using transcriptome analysis in combination with RNA interference and various imaging techniques, we demonstrate that NUP-1 forms a stable immobile cage around the nucleus, is required for viability and nuclear structural integrity, directs the positional organization of nuclear pore complexes, and serves to organize chromatin and specifically repress genes located at the nuclear periphery involved in immune evasion. Based on architectural similarity and functionality, we propose that NUP-1 is a novel, highly divergent lamin The effect of Nup-1 depletion on the transcriptome was examined in three independent experiments (A, B, & C). T. brucei cultures were either treated with RNAi (plus) or left untreated (minus) and RNA was extracted from each sample at the indicated time point (0h, 6h, 12h, 24h, or 48h). Two color microarrays were performed comparing treated and untreated samples at each time point. Dye swaps were performed and are indicated. Replicates of t=12h and t=24h for sample B were also included.
Project description:Trypanosoma brucei spp. develop into mammalian-infectious metacyclic trypomastigotes inside tsetse salivary glands. Besides acquiring a variant surface glycoprotein (VSG) coat, little is known about the metacyclic expression of invariant surface antigens. Proteomics analyses of saliva from T. brucei-infected flies identified, in addition to VSG and Brucei Alanine-Rich Protein (BARP) peptides, a family of GPIanchored surface proteins herein named Metacyclic Invariant Surface Proteins (MISP). The MISP family is encoded by five paralog genes with >80% protein identity, which are exclusively expressed by salivary gland stages of the parasite and peak in metacyclic stage, as shown by confocal microscopy and immuno-high resolution scanning electron microscopy. Crystallographic analysis of a MISP isoform (MISP360) and a high confidence model of BARP revealed a triple helical bundle architecture commonly found in other trypanosome surface proteins. Molecular modelling combined with live fluorescent microscopy suggests that MISP N-termini are extended above the VSG coat. However, vaccination with recombinant MISP360 isoform did not protect mice against a T. brucei infectious tsetse bite. Lastly, both RNAi knock down and CRISPR-Cas9-driven knock out of all MISP paralogues suggest they are not essential for parasite development in the tsetse vector. We speculate that MISP may be relevant during trypanosome inoculation or establishment in the vertebrate’s skin.
Project description:The pathogenic protozoan T. brucei alternates into distinct developmental stages in the mammalian and insect hosts. The mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathways transduce extracellular stimuli into a range of cellular responses, which ultimately lead to the adaptation to the external environment. Here, we combined a loss of function approach with stable isotope labelling with amino acids in cell culture (SILAC)-based mass spectrometry (MS) to investigate the role of the mitogen-activated kinase kinase 5 (MKK5) in T. brucei. The silencing of MKK5 significantly decreased the proliferation of procyclic forms of T. brucei. To shed light into the molecular alterations associated with this phenotype, we measured the total proteome and phosphoproteome of cells silenced for MKK5. In the total proteome, we observed a general decrease in proteins related to ribosome and translation as well as down-regulation of several components of the fatty acid biosynthesis pathway. In addition, we observed alterations in the protein levels and phosphorylation of key metabolic enzymes, which point toward a suppression of the oxidative metabolism. Taken together, our findings show that the silencing of MKK5 alters cell growth, energy metabolism, protein and fatty acid biosynthesis in procyclic T. brucei.
Project description:mRNA expression profiles of trypanosomes from two discrete bloodstream form stages of the parasite (slender and stumpy forms), as well as during the transition of the stumpy population to the procyclic life-cycle stage were studied. Our analysis represents the first comparison of in vivo derived pleomorphic slender cells with genetically identical stumpy forms, and a first analysis of the dynamic changes in mRNA profile that accompany the transition to procyclic forms. Twenty nine RNA samples were generated (5 biological replicates of Stumpy (0h), 1h, 6h, 18h and 48h, and 4 biological replicates of slender forms. Four arrays failed QC.
Project description:Determination of gene expression level changes of whole genome during Plasmodium falciparum development in early liver stage (at 24h and 48h), compared to mixed blood stage and sporozoite stage. A set of Genes selected from this expression analysis are further verified by qPCR and a sub-set were tested for their vaccine efficacy. 6 genomic tiling arrays: 3 time points in early liver infection (spz, hr24, hr48), and 3 blood stage isolates
Project description:We explored potential bypass mechanisms to PI3K/mTOR-directed therapy in KRAS mutant CRC models, utilizing genetically engineered mouse models (GEMM) to generate acquired resistance to the targeted dual PI3K/mTOR small molecule inhibitor PF-04691502. Transcriptomic analysis revealed a dynamic stem-like progenitor signature which was increased in the presence of drug pressure.