A structural classification of the variant surface glycoproteins of the African trypanosome.

ABSTRACT: Long-term immune evasion by the African trypanosome is achieved through repetitive cycles of surface protein replacement with antigenically distinct versions of the dense Variant Surface Glycoprotein (VSG) coat. Thousands of VSG genes and pseudo-genes exist in the parasite genome that, together with genetic recombination mechanisms, allow for essentially unlimited immune escape from the adaptive immune system of the host. The diversity space of the "VSGnome" at the protein level was thought to be limited to a few related folds whose structures were determined more than 30 years ago. However, recent progress has shown that the VSGs possess significantly more architectural variation than had been appreciated. Here we combine experimental X-ray crystallography (presenting structures of N-term

SUBMITTER: Đakovic S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10501684 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature