Variation in surface protein expression leads to heterogeneous Trypanosoma cruzi populations during host cell infection.

ABSTRACT: Trypanosoma cruzi possesses hundreds of genes associated with pathogenesis. The extent and organization of this diverse gene repertoire, expression, and role in infection remain unclear. Using accurate long-read sequencing and chromatin conformation capture, we assembled T. cruzi Sylvio X10 strain chromosomes from telomere-to-telomere. The genome provides accurate organization of multigene family genes, confirming their distribution in expanded clusters or scattered throughout the chromosomes. Quantitative proteomics shows stage-specific proteins and numerous trans-sialidases upregulated in trypomastigotes. The expression of virulence gene families varied in trypomastigotes after each round of cell infection, resulting in heterogeneous parasite populations with variable cell invasion capac

SUBMITTER: Cruz-Saavedra L 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12612098 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature