Structural features affecting trafficking, processing, and secretion of Trypanosoma cruzi mucins.

ABSTRACT: Trypanosoma cruzi is wrapped by a dense coat of mucin-type molecules encoded by complex gene families termed TcSMUG and TcMUC, which are expressed in the insect- and mammal-dwelling forms of the parasite, respectively. Here, we dissect the contribution of distinct post-translational modifications on the trafficking of these glycoconjugates. In vivo tracing and characterization of tagged-variants expressed by transfected epimastigotes indicate that although the N-terminal signal peptide is responsible for targeting TcSMUG products to the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), the glycosyl phosphatidylinositol (GPI)-anchor likely functions as a forward transport signal for their timely progression along the secretory pathway. GPI-minus variants accumulate in the ER, with only a minor fraction being ult

SUBMITTER: Canepa GE 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3406720 | biostudies-literature | 2012 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature