biostudies-literatureCiganda MNIAID NIH HHSPEDECIBA and are members of ANII research careerNIH1881-1895https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC10653379biostudies-literatureUnknown29(12)<i>Trypanosoma brucei</i> occupies distinct niches throughout its life cycle, within both the mammalian and tsetse fly hosts. The immunological and biochemical complexity and variability of each of these environments require a reshaping of the protein landscape of the parasite both to evade surveillance and face changing metabolic demands. In kinetoplastid protozoa, including <i>T. brucei</i>, posttranscriptional control mechanisms are the primary means of gene regulation, and these are often mediated by RNA-binding proteins. DRBD18 is a <i>T. brucei</i> RNA-binding protein that reportedly interacts with ribosomal proteins and translation factors. Here, we tested a role for DRBD18 in translational control. We validate the DRBD18 interaction with translating ribosomes and the translation inRNA (New York, N.Y.)Translational control by <i>Trypanosoma brucei</i> DRBD18 contributes to the maintenance of the procyclic state.PMC10653379R01AI141557R01 AI141557Dubey APCiganda MSmircich PRead LKQu JShen SPandey PSotelo-Silveira JSmith JTfalseTranslational control by <i>Trypanosoma brucei</i> DRBD18 contributes to the maintenance of the procyclic state.<i>Trypanosoma brucei</i> occupies distinct niches throughout its life cycle, within both the mammalian and tsetse fly hosts. The immunological and biochemical complexity and variability of each of these environments require a reshaping of the protein landscape of the parasite both to evade surveillance and face changing metabolic demands. In kinetoplastid protozoa, including <i>T. brucei</i>, posttranscriptional control mechanisms are the primary means of gene regulation, and these are often mediated by RNA-binding proteins. DRBD18 is a <i>T. brucei</i> RNA-binding protein that reportedly interacts with ribosomal proteins and translation factors. Here, we tested a role for DRBD18 in translational control. We validate the DRBD18 interaction with translating ribosomes and the translation in2023-01-01T00:00:00Z2023 Dec2025-04-04T09:50:05.155Z2025-02-19T01:17:08.382ZS-EPMC106533793773043510.1261/rna.079625.123