The glycosylation pathway of Eimeria tenella is upregulated during gametocyte development and may play a role in oocyst wall formation.

ABSTRACT: Sexual-stage glycoproteins of Eimeria are important components of the oocyst wall, a structure that ensures the efficient transmission of these and related parasites. In this study, the primary enzyme in the glycosylation pathway of Eimeria tenella, glucosamine:fructose-6-phosphate aminotransferase (EtGFAT), has been characterized as a macrogamete-specific protein. Although the transcription of EtGFAT was observed early in macrogamete development, protein expression was restricted to mature macrogametes, prior to their conversion into unsporulated oocysts. Genes coding for three other enzymes required for N-acetylgalactosamine (GalNAc) synthesis were also transcribed during E. tenella macrogamete development. Gene transcription of the enzyme responsible for the O-linked transfer of GalNAc

SUBMITTER: Walker RA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2805283 | biostudies-literature | 2010 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature