A novel Rho-like protein TbRHP is involved in spindle formation and mitosis in trypanosomes.

ABSTRACT:

Background

In animals and fungi Rho subfamily small GTPases are involved in signal transduction, cytoskeletal function and cellular proliferation. These organisms typically possess multiple Rho paralogues and numerous downstream effectors, consistent with the highly complex contributions of Rho proteins to cellular physiology. By contrast, trypanosomatids have a much simpler Rho-signaling system, and the Trypanosoma brucei genome contains only a single divergent Rho-related gene, TbRHP (Tb927.10.6240). Further, only a single RhoGAP-like protein (Tb09.160.4180) is annotated, contrasting with the >70 Rho GAP proteins from Homo sapiens. We wished to establish the function(s) of TbRHP and if Tb09.160.4180 is a potential GAP for this protein.

Methods/findings

TbRHP represents an

SUBMITTER: Abbasi K 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3214021 | biostudies-literature | 2011

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature