Disruption of Active Trans-Sialidase Genes Impairs Egress from Mammalian Host Cells and Generates Highly Attenuated Trypanosoma cruzi Parasites.

ABSTRACT: Trans-sialidases (TS) are unusual enzymes present on the surface of Trypanosoma cruzi, the causative agent of Chagas disease. Encoded by the largest gene family in the T. cruzi genome, only few members of the TS family have catalytic activity. Active trans-sialidases (aTS) are responsible for transferring sialic acid from host glycoconjugates to mucins, also present on the parasite surface. The existence of several copies of TS genes has impaired the use of reverse genetics to study this highly polymorphic gene family. Using CRISPR-Cas9, we generated aTS knockout cell lines displaying undetectable levels of TS activity, as shown by sialylation assays and labeling with antibodies that recognize sialic acid-containing mucins. In vitro infection assays showed that disruption of aTS gen

SUBMITTER: Burle-Caldas GA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8787462 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature