Project description:Three potential ELAV-like proteins of T. brucei, including Tb927.3.2930, Tb927.7.5380, and Tb927.8.6650, were either inhibited by RNAi or phenotypically activated by over-expression, followed by microarray analysis of the transcriptome. The results indicated that these ELAV-like proteins regulate the abundance of a large number of T. brucei transcripts, potentially through regulation of mRNA stability.
Project description:Three potential ELAV-like proteins of T. brucei, including Tb927.3.2930, Tb927.7.5380, and Tb927.8.6650, were either inhibited by RNAi or phenotypically activated by over-expression, followed by microarray analysis of the transcriptome. The results indicated that these ELAV-like proteins regulate the abundance of a large number of T. brucei transcripts, potentially through regulation of mRNA stability. Each of the three ELAV-like proteins were either inhibited by RNAi or over-expressed, in stable transgenic procyclic form cell lines. Total RNA was extracted 48h after tetracycline induction of the constructs (except for total RNA from Tb927.8.6650 RNAi which was extracted 24h after tet-induction), and sent to NimbleGen for cDNA synthesis and hybridization. Non-induced cells were analyzed in parallel.
Project description:A tagged ectopic version of the ELAV-like protein Tb927.8.6650 of T. brucei was expressed in stable cell lines and pulled down. Co-purifying transcripts were analyzed by sequencing to identify RNAs associated with Tb927.8.6650.
Project description:Two genes from Trypanosoma brucei brucei are predicted to encode Fe(II)- and alpha-ketoglutarate-dependent enzymes related to fungal thymine 7-hydroxylase. Transcription of the thymine hydroxylase-like genes is up-regulated in the bloodstream form of the parasite over the insect form, whereas Western blot analysis indicates more cross-reactive protein in the latter life stage. The genes were cloned, the proteins purified from Escherichia coli, and both proteins were shown to bind Fe(II) and alpha-ketoglutarate, confirming proper folding. The isolated proteins were incubated with Fe(II)- and alpha-ketoglutarate plus thymine, thymidine, and other putative substrates, but no activity was detected. Furthermore, no thymine 7-hydroxylase activity was detected in extracts of procyclic or bloodstream form cells. Although the functions of these proteins remain unknown, we conclude they are unlikely to be involved in thymine salvage.
Project description:Trypanosoma brucei is a single celled eukaryotic parasite in the group of the Kinetoplastea. The parasite harbors a single mitochondrion with a singular mitochondrial genome that is known as the kinetoplast DNA (kDNA). The kDNA consists of a unique network of thousands of interlocked circular DNA molecules. To ensure proper inheritance of the kDNA to the daughter cells, the genome is physically linked to the basal body, the master organizer of the cell cycle in trypanosomes. The connection that spans, cytoplasm, mitochondrial membranes and the mitochondrial matrix is mediated by the Tripartite Attachment Complex (TAC). Using a combination of proteomics and RNAi we test the current model of hierarchical TAC assembly and identify TbmtHMG44 and TbKAP68 as novel candidates of a complex that connects the TAC to the kDNA. Depletion of TbmtHMG44 or TbKAP68 each leads to a strong kDNA loss but not missegregation phenotype as previously defined for TAC components. We demonstrate that the proteins rely on both the TAC and the kDNA for stable localization to the interface between these two structures. In vitro experiments suggest a direct interaction between TbmtHMG44 and TbKAP68 and that recombinant TbKAP68 is a DNA binding protein. We thus propose that TbmtHMG44 and TbKAP68 are part of a distinct complex connecting the kDNA to the TAC.
Project description:A tagged ectopic version of the ELAV-like protein Tb927.8.6650 of T. brucei was expressed in stable cell lines and pulled down. Co-purifying transcripts were analyzed by sequencing to identify RNAs associated with Tb927.8.6650. Stable procyclic form cell lines expressing tetracycline-inducible TAP-tagged Tb927.8.6650 were created. Cells were harvested 48h after tet-induction, followed by tandem affinity purification of Tb927.8.6650, extraction of co-purified RNA, and sequencing.