Amplification of an alternate transporter gene suppresses the avirulent phenotype of glucose transporter null mutants in Leishmania mexicana.

ABSTRACT: A glucose transporter null mutant of the parasitic protozoan Leishmania mexicana, in which three linked glucose transporter genes have been deleted by targeted gene replacement, is unable to replicate as amastigote forms within phagolysomes of mammalian host macrophages and is avirulent. Spontaneous suppressors of the null mutant have been isolated that partially restore replication of parasites within macrophages. These suppressor mutants have amplified the gene for an alternative hexose transporter, the LmGT4 permease (previously called the D2 permease), on a circular extrachromosomal element, and they overexpress LmGT4 mRNA and protein. The suppressors have also regained the ability to transport hexoses, and they have reverted other phenotypes of the null mutant exhibiting enhanced resi

SUBMITTER: Feng X 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2729070 | biostudies-literature | 2009 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature