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Silvestrini MMA, Alessio GD, Frias BED, Sales Júnior PA, Araújo MSS, Silvestrini CMA, Brito Alvim de Melo GE, Martins-Filho OA, Teixeira-Carvalho A, Martins HR. New insights into Trypanosoma cruzi genetic diversity, and its influence on parasite biology and clinical outcomes. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1342431. [PMID: 38655255 PMCID: PMC11035809 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1342431] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2023] [Accepted: 02/26/2024] [Indexed: 04/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Chagas disease, caused by Trypanosoma cruzi, remains a serious public health problem worldwide. The parasite was subdivided into six distinct genetic groups, called "discrete typing units" (DTUs), from TcI to TcVI. Several studies have indicated that the heterogeneity of T. cruzi species directly affects the diversity of clinical manifestations of Chagas disease, control, diagnosis performance, and susceptibility to treatment. Thus, this review aims to describe how T. cruzi genetic diversity influences the biology of the parasite and/or clinical parameters in humans. Regarding the geographic dispersion of T. cruzi, evident differences were observed in the distribution of DTUs in distinct areas. For example, TcII is the main DTU detected in Brazilian patients from the central and southeastern regions, where there are also registers of TcVI as a secondary T. cruzi DTU. An important aspect observed in previous studies is that the genetic variability of T. cruzi can impact parasite infectivity, reproduction, and differentiation in the vectors. It has been proposed that T. cruzi DTU influences the host immune response and affects disease progression. Genetic aspects of the parasite play an important role in determining which host tissues will be infected, thus heavily influencing Chagas disease's pathogenesis. Several teams have investigated the correlation between T. cruzi DTU and the reactivation of Chagas disease. In agreement with these data, it is reasonable to suppose that the immunological condition of the patient, whether or not associated with the reactivation of the T. cruzi infection and the parasite strain, may have an important role in the pathogenesis of Chagas disease. In this context, understanding the genetics of T. cruzi and its biological and clinical implications will provide new knowledge that may contribute to additional strategies in the diagnosis and clinical outcome follow-up of patients with Chagas disease, in addition to the reactivation of immunocompromised patients infected with T. cruzi.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Glaucia Diniz Alessio
- Integrated Biomarker Research Group, René Rachou Institute, Fiocruz Minas, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Bruna Estefânia Diniz Frias
- Integrated Biomarker Research Group, René Rachou Institute, Fiocruz Minas, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Policarpo Ademar Sales Júnior
- Integrated Biomarker Research Group, René Rachou Institute, Fiocruz Minas, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Márcio Sobreira Silva Araújo
- Integrated Biomarker Research Group, René Rachou Institute, Fiocruz Minas, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | | | | | - Olindo Assis Martins-Filho
- Integrated Biomarker Research Group, René Rachou Institute, Fiocruz Minas, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Andréa Teixeira-Carvalho
- Integrated Biomarker Research Group, René Rachou Institute, Fiocruz Minas, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Helen Rodrigues Martins
- Department of Pharmacy, Federal University of the Jequitinhonha and Mucuri Valleys, Diamantina, Minas Gerais, Brazil
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2
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Wang W, Peng D, Baptista RP, Li Y, Kissinger JC, Tarleton RL. Strain-specific genome evolution in Trypanosoma cruzi, the agent of Chagas disease. PLoS Pathog 2021; 17:e1009254. [PMID: 33508020 PMCID: PMC7872254 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1009254] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2020] [Revised: 02/09/2021] [Accepted: 12/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The protozoan Trypanosoma cruzi almost invariably establishes life-long infections in humans and other mammals, despite the development of potent host immune responses that constrain parasite numbers. The consistent, decades-long persistence of T. cruzi in human hosts arises at least in part from the remarkable level of genetic diversity in multiple families of genes encoding the primary target antigens of anti-parasite immune responses. However, the highly repetitive nature of the genome-largely a result of these same extensive families of genes-have prevented a full understanding of the extent of gene diversity and its maintenance in T. cruzi. In this study, we have combined long-read sequencing and proximity ligation mapping to generate very high-quality assemblies of two T. cruzi strains representing the apparent ancestral lineages of the species. These assemblies reveal not only the full repertoire of the members of large gene families in the two strains, demonstrating extreme diversity within and between isolates, but also provide evidence of the processes that generate and maintain that diversity, including extensive gene amplification, dispersion of copies throughout the genome and diversification via recombination and in situ mutations. Gene amplification events also yield significant copy number variations in a substantial number of genes presumably not required for or involved in immune evasion, thus forming a second level of strain-dependent variation in this species. The extreme genome flexibility evident in T. cruzi also appears to create unique challenges with respect to preserving core genome functions and gene expression that sets this species apart from related kinetoplastids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Wang
- Center for Tropical and Emerging Global Diseases, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Duo Peng
- Center for Tropical and Emerging Global Diseases, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, United States of America
- Department of Cellular Biology, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Rodrigo P. Baptista
- Center for Tropical and Emerging Global Diseases, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, United States of America
- Institute of Bioinformatics, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Yiran Li
- Institute of Bioinformatics, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Jessica C. Kissinger
- Center for Tropical and Emerging Global Diseases, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, United States of America
- Institute of Bioinformatics, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, United States of America
- Department of Genetics, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Rick L. Tarleton
- Center for Tropical and Emerging Global Diseases, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, United States of America
- Department of Cellular Biology, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, United States of America
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3
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Herreros-Cabello A, Callejas-Hernández F, Gironès N, Fresno M. Trypanosoma Cruzi Genome: Organization, Multi-Gene Families, Transcription, and Biological Implications. Genes (Basel) 2020; 11:E1196. [PMID: 33066599 PMCID: PMC7602482 DOI: 10.3390/genes11101196] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2020] [Revised: 10/08/2020] [Accepted: 10/12/2020] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Chagas disease caused by the parasite Trypanosoma cruzi affects millions of people. Although its first genome dates from 2005, its complexity hindered a complete assembly and annotation. However, the new sequencing methods have improved genome annotation of some strains elucidating the broad genetic diversity and complexity of this parasite. Here, we reviewed the genomic structure and regulation, the genetic diversity, and the analysis of the principal multi-gene families of the recent genomes for several strains. The telomeric and sub-telomeric regions are sites with high recombination events, the genome displays two different compartments, the core and the disruptive, and the genome plasticity seems to play a key role in the survival and the infection process. Trypanosoma cruzi (T. cruzi) genome is composed mainly of multi-gene families as the trans-sialidases, mucins, and mucin-associated surface proteins. Trans-sialidases are the most abundant genes in the genome and show an important role in the effectiveness of the infection and the parasite survival. Mucins and MASPs are also important glycosylated proteins of the surface of the parasite that play a major biological role in both insect and mammal-dwelling stages. Altogether, these studies confirm the complexity of T. cruzi genome revealing relevant concepts to better understand Chagas disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alfonso Herreros-Cabello
- Centro de Biología Molecular Severo Ochoa, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Cantoblanco, 28049 Madrid, Spain; (A.H.-C.); (F.C.-H.)
| | - Francisco Callejas-Hernández
- Centro de Biología Molecular Severo Ochoa, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Cantoblanco, 28049 Madrid, Spain; (A.H.-C.); (F.C.-H.)
| | - Núria Gironès
- Centro de Biología Molecular Severo Ochoa, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Cantoblanco, 28049 Madrid, Spain; (A.H.-C.); (F.C.-H.)
- Instituto Sanitario de Investigación Princesa, 28006 Madrid, Spain
| | - Manuel Fresno
- Centro de Biología Molecular Severo Ochoa, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Cantoblanco, 28049 Madrid, Spain; (A.H.-C.); (F.C.-H.)
- Instituto Sanitario de Investigación Princesa, 28006 Madrid, Spain
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4
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Reis-Cunha JL, Bartholomeu DC. Trypanosoma cruzi Genome Assemblies: Challenges and Milestones of Assembling a Highly Repetitive and Complex Genome. Methods Mol Biol 2019; 1955:1-22. [PMID: 30868515 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4939-9148-8_1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Trypanosoma cruzi present one of the most complex parasite genomes sequenced to date. Among its features are 600-kb-long repetitive multigene families' clusters, hybrid strains, and aneuploidies, which hampered genome assembly completeness and contiguity. Several approaches, such as Sanger sequencing in 2005, next-generation sequencing in 2011 and third-generation sequencing in 2018, were used to improve draft assemblies of different strains of this parasite. Hence, the study of T. cruzi genome assemblies' history is an excellent way to describe the evolution of genome sequencing methodologies and compare their efficiency and limitations to assembly complex genomes. In this book chapter, we summarize the principal findings and methodologies of T. cruzi genome assembly projects to date, highlighting the improvements and limitations of each approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- João Luís Reis-Cunha
- Departamento de Parasitologia, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Daniella C Bartholomeu
- Departamento de Parasitologia, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil.
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5
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Bradwell KR, Koparde VN, Matveyev AV, Serrano MG, Alves JMP, Parikh H, Huang B, Lee V, Espinosa-Alvarez O, Ortiz PA, Costa-Martins AG, Teixeira MMG, Buck GA. Genomic comparison of Trypanosoma conorhini and Trypanosoma rangeli to Trypanosoma cruzi strains of high and low virulence. BMC Genomics 2018; 19:770. [PMID: 30355302 PMCID: PMC6201504 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-018-5112-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2018] [Accepted: 09/25/2018] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Trypanosoma conorhini and Trypanosoma rangeli, like Trypanosoma cruzi, are kinetoplastid protist parasites of mammals displaying divergent hosts, geographic ranges and lifestyles. Largely nonpathogenic T. rangeli and T. conorhini represent clades that are phylogenetically closely related to the T. cruzi and T. cruzi-like taxa and provide insights into the evolution of pathogenicity in those parasites. T. rangeli, like T. cruzi is endemic in many Latin American countries, whereas T. conorhini is tropicopolitan. T. rangeli and T. conorhini are exclusively extracellular, while T. cruzi has an intracellular stage in the mammalian host. Results Here we provide the first comprehensive sequence analysis of T. rangeli AM80 and T. conorhini 025E, and provide a comparison of their genomes to those of T. cruzi G and T. cruzi CL, respectively members of T. cruzi lineages TcI and TcVI. We report de novo assembled genome sequences of the low-virulent T. cruzi G, T. rangeli AM80, and T. conorhini 025E ranging from ~ 21–25 Mbp, with ~ 10,000 to 13,000 genes, and for the highly virulent and hybrid T. cruzi CL we present a ~ 65 Mbp in-house assembled haplotyped genome with ~ 12,500 genes per haplotype. Single copy orthologs of the two T. cruzi strains exhibited ~ 97% amino acid identity, and ~ 78% identity to proteins of T. rangeli or T. conorhini. Proteins of the latter two organisms exhibited ~ 84% identity. T. cruzi CL exhibited the highest heterozygosity. T. rangeli and T. conorhini displayed greater metabolic capabilities for utilization of complex carbohydrates, and contained fewer retrotransposons and multigene family copies, i.e. trans-sialidases, mucins, DGF-1, and MASP, compared to T. cruzi. Conclusions Our analyses of the T. rangeli and T. conorhini genomes closely reflected their phylogenetic proximity to the T. cruzi clade, and were largely consistent with their divergent life cycles. Our results provide a greater context for understanding the life cycles, host range expansion, immunity evasion, and pathogenesis of these trypanosomatids. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s12864-018-5112-0) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katie R Bradwell
- Center for the Study of Biological Complexity, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA.,Present address: Institute for Genome Sciences, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Vishal N Koparde
- Center for the Study of Biological Complexity, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA
| | - Andrey V Matveyev
- Center for the Study of Biological Complexity, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA.,Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA
| | - Myrna G Serrano
- Center for the Study of Biological Complexity, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA.,Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA
| | - João M P Alves
- Department of Parasitology, ICB, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Hardik Parikh
- Center for the Study of Biological Complexity, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA.,Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA
| | - Bernice Huang
- Center for the Study of Biological Complexity, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA.,Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA
| | - Vladimir Lee
- Center for the Study of Biological Complexity, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA
| | | | - Paola A Ortiz
- Department of Parasitology, ICB, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | | | - Marta M G Teixeira
- Department of Parasitology, ICB, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Gregory A Buck
- Center for the Study of Biological Complexity, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA. .,Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA.
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6
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Callejas-Hernández F, Rastrojo A, Poveda C, Gironès N, Fresno M. Genomic assemblies of newly sequenced Trypanosoma cruzi strains reveal new genomic expansion and greater complexity. Sci Rep 2018; 8:14631. [PMID: 30279473 PMCID: PMC6168536 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-32877-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2018] [Accepted: 09/13/2018] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Chagas disease is a complex illness caused by the protozoan Trypanosoma cruzi displaying highly diverse clinical outcomes. In this sense, the genome sequence elucidation and comparison between strains may lead to disease understanding. Here, two new T. cruzi strains, have been sequenced, Y using Illumina and Bug2148 using PacBio, assembled, analyzed and compared with the T. cruzi annotated genomes available to date. The assembly stats from the new sequences show effective improvement of T. cruzi genome over the actual ones. Such as, the largest contig assembled (1.3 Mb in Bug2148) in de novo attempts and the highest mean assembly coverage (71X for Y). Our analysis reveals a new genomic expansion and greater complexity for those multi-copy gene families related to infection process and disease development, such as Trans-sialidases, Mucins and Mucin Associated Surface Proteins, among others. On one side, we demonstrate that multi-copy gene families are located near telomeric regions of the "chromosome-like" 1.3 Mb contig assembled of Bug2148, where they likely suffer high evolutive pressure. On the other hand, we identified several strain-specific single copy genes that might help to understand the differences in infectivity and physiology among strains. In summary, our results indicate that T. cruzi has a complex genomic architecture that may have promoted its evolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francisco Callejas-Hernández
- Centro de Biología Molecular Severo Ochoa, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Cantoblanco, Madrid, Spain
| | - Alberto Rastrojo
- Centro de Biología Molecular Severo Ochoa, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Cantoblanco, Madrid, Spain
| | - Cristina Poveda
- Centro de Biología Molecular Severo Ochoa, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Cantoblanco, Madrid, Spain
| | - Núria Gironès
- Centro de Biología Molecular Severo Ochoa, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Cantoblanco, Madrid, Spain.
- Instituto Sanitario de Investigación Princesa, Madrid, Spain.
| | - Manuel Fresno
- Centro de Biología Molecular Severo Ochoa, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Cantoblanco, Madrid, Spain.
- Instituto Sanitario de Investigación Princesa, Madrid, Spain.
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7
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Zingales B. Trypanosoma cruzi genetic diversity: Something new for something known about Chagas disease manifestations, serodiagnosis and drug sensitivity. Acta Trop 2018; 184:38-52. [PMID: 28941731 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2017.09.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 235] [Impact Index Per Article: 39.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2017] [Revised: 08/18/2017] [Accepted: 09/18/2017] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
The genetic diversity of Trypanosoma cruzi, the protozoan agent of Chagas disease, is widely recognized. At present, T. cruzi is partitioned into seven discrete typing units (DTUs), TcI-TcVI and Tcbat. This article reviews the present knowledge on the parasite population structure, the evolutionary relationships among DTUs and their distinct, but not exclusive ecological and epidemiological associations. Different models for the origin of hybrid DTUs are examined, which agree that genetic exchange among T. cruzi populations is frequent and has contributed to the present parasite population structure. The geographic distribution of the prevalent DTUs in humans from the southern United States to Argentina is here presented and the circumstantial evidence of a possible association between T. cruzi genotype and Chagas disease manifestations is discussed. The available information suggests that parasite strains detected in patients, regardless of the clinical presentation, reflect the principal DTU circulating in the domestic transmission cycles of a particular region. In contrast, in several orally transmitted outbreaks, sylvatic strains are implicated. As a consequence of the genotypic and phenotypic differences of T. cruzi strains and the differential geographic distribution of DTUs in humans, regional variations in the sensitivity of the serological tests are verified. The natural resistance to benznidazole and nifurtimox, verified in vivo and in vitro for some parasite stocks, is not associated with any particular DTU, and does not explain the marked difference in the anti-parasitic efficacy of both drugs in the acute and chronic phases of Chagas disease. Throughout this review, it is emphasized that the interplay between parasite and host genetics should have an important role in the definition of Chagas disease pathogenesis, anti-T. cruzi immune response and chemotherapy outcome and should be considered in future investigations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bianca Zingales
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Instituto de Química, Universidade de São Paulo, Avenida Professor Lineu Prestes 748, 05508-000 São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
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8
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Ormeño F, Barrientos C, Ramirez S, Ponce I, Valenzuela L, Sepúlveda S, Bitar M, Kemmerling U, Machado CR, Cabrera G, Galanti N. Expression and the Peculiar Enzymatic Behavior of the Trypanosoma cruzi NTH1 DNA Glycosylase. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0157270. [PMID: 27284968 PMCID: PMC4902261 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0157270] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2016] [Accepted: 05/26/2016] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Trypanosoma cruzi, the etiological agent of Chagas’ disease, presents three cellular forms (trypomastigotes, epimastigotes and amastigotes), all of which are submitted to oxidative species in its hosts. However, T. cruzi is able to resist oxidative stress suggesting a high efficiency of its DNA repair machinery.The Base Excision Repair (BER) pathway is one of the main DNA repair mechanisms in other eukaryotes and in T. cruzi as well. DNA glycosylases are enzymes involved in the recognition of oxidative DNA damage and in the removal of oxidized bases, constituting the first step of the BER pathway. Here, we describe the presence and activity of TcNTH1, a nuclear T. cruzi DNA glycosylase. Surprisingly, purified recombinant TcNTH1 does not remove the thymine glycol base, but catalyzes the cleavage of a probe showing an AP site. The same activity was found in epimastigote and trypomastigote homogenates suggesting that the BER pathway is not involved in thymine glycol DNA repair. TcNTH1 DNA-binding properties assayed in silico are in agreement with the absence of a thymine glycol removing function of that parasite enzyme. Over expression of TcNTH1 decrease parasite viability when transfected epimastigotes are submitted to a sustained production of H2O2.Therefore, TcNTH1 is the only known NTH1 orthologous unable to eliminate thymine glycol derivatives but that recognizes and cuts an AP site, most probably by a beta-elimination mechanism. We cannot discard that TcNTH1 presents DNA glycosylase activity on other DNA base lesions. Accordingly, a different DNA repair mechanism should be expected leading to eliminate thymine glycol from oxidized parasite DNA. Furthermore, TcNTH1 may play a role in the AP site recognition and processing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fernando Ormeño
- Programa de Biología Celular y Molecular, Instituto de Ciencias Biomédicas, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Camila Barrientos
- Programa de Biología Celular y Molecular, Instituto de Ciencias Biomédicas, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Santiago Ramirez
- Programa de Biología Celular y Molecular, Instituto de Ciencias Biomédicas, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Iván Ponce
- Programa de Biología Celular y Molecular, Instituto de Ciencias Biomédicas, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Lucía Valenzuela
- Programa de Biología Celular y Molecular, Instituto de Ciencias Biomédicas, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Sofía Sepúlveda
- Programa de Biología Celular y Molecular, Instituto de Ciencias Biomédicas, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Mainá Bitar
- Departamento de Bioquímica e Imunologia, ICB, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Ulrike Kemmerling
- Programa de Anatomía y Biología del Desarrollo, Instituto de Ciencias Biomédicas, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Carlos Renato Machado
- Departamento de Bioquímica e Imunologia, ICB, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Gonzalo Cabrera
- Programa de Biología Celular y Molecular, Instituto de Ciencias Biomédicas, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
- * E-mail: (GC); (NG)
| | - Norbel Galanti
- Programa de Biología Celular y Molecular, Instituto de Ciencias Biomédicas, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
- * E-mail: (GC); (NG)
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Messenger LA, Miles MA, Bern C. Between a bug and a hard place: Trypanosoma cruzi genetic diversity and the clinical outcomes of Chagas disease. Expert Rev Anti Infect Ther 2015; 13:995-1029. [PMID: 26162928 PMCID: PMC4784490 DOI: 10.1586/14787210.2015.1056158] [Citation(s) in RCA: 134] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Over the last 30 years, concomitant with successful transnational disease control programs across Latin America, Chagas disease has expanded from a neglected, endemic parasitic infection of the rural poor to an urbanized chronic disease, and now a potentially emergent global health problem. Trypanosoma cruzi infection has a highly variable clinical course, ranging from complete absence of symptoms to severe and often fatal cardiovascular and/or gastrointestinal manifestations. To date, few correlates of clinical disease progression have been identified. Elucidating a putative role for T. cruzi strain diversity in Chagas disease pathogenesis is complicated by the scarcity of parasites in clinical specimens and the limitations of our contemporary genotyping techniques. This article systematically reviews the historical literature, given our current understanding of parasite genetic diversity, to evaluate the evidence for any association between T. cruzi genotype and chronic clinical outcome, risk of congenital transmission or reactivation and orally transmitted outbreaks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Louisa A Messenger
- Department of Pathogen Molecular Biology, Faculty of Infectious Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Michael A Miles
- Department of Pathogen Molecular Biology, Faculty of Infectious Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Caryn Bern
- Global Health Sciences, Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Medicine, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
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10
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Reis-Cunha JL, Rodrigues-Luiz GF, Valdivia HO, Baptista RP, Mendes TAO, de Morais GL, Guedes R, Macedo AM, Bern C, Gilman RH, Lopez CT, Andersson B, Vasconcelos AT, Bartholomeu DC. Chromosomal copy number variation reveals differential levels of genomic plasticity in distinct Trypanosoma cruzi strains. BMC Genomics 2015; 16:499. [PMID: 26141959 PMCID: PMC4491234 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-015-1680-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2015] [Accepted: 06/01/2015] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Trypanosoma cruzi, the etiologic agent of Chagas disease, is currently divided into six discrete typing units (DTUs), named TcI-TcVI. CL Brener, the reference strain of the T. cruzi genome project, is a hybrid with a genome assembled into 41 putative chromosomes. Gene copy number variation (CNV) is well documented as an important mechanism to enhance gene expression and variability in T. cruzi. Chromosomal CNV (CCNV) is another level of gene CNV in which whole blocks of genes are expanded simultaneously. Although the T. cruzi karyotype is not well defined, several studies have demonstrated a significant variation in the size and content of chromosomes between different T. cruzi strains. Despite these studies, the extent of diversity in CCNV among T. cruzi strains based on a read depth coverage analysis has not been determined. RESULTS We identify the CCNV in T. cruzi strains from the TcI, TcII and TcIII DTUs, by analyzing the depth coverage of short reads from these strains using the 41 CL Brener chromosomes as reference. This study led to the identification of a broader extent of CCNV in T. cruzi than was previously speculated. The TcI DTU strains have very few aneuploidies, while the strains from TcII and TcIII DTUs present a high degree of chromosomal expansions. Chromosome 31, which is the only chromosome that is supernumerary in all six T. cruzi samples evaluated in this study, is enriched with genes related to glycosylation pathways, highlighting the importance of glycosylation to parasite survival. CONCLUSIONS Increased gene copy number due to chromosome amplification may contribute to alterations in gene expression, which represents a strategy that may be crucial for parasites that mainly depend on post-transcriptional mechanisms to control gene expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- João Luís Reis-Cunha
- Laboratório de Imunologia e Genômica de Parasitos, Departamento deParasitologia, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil.
| | - Gabriela F Rodrigues-Luiz
- Laboratório de Imunologia e Genômica de Parasitos, Departamento deParasitologia, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil.
| | - Hugo O Valdivia
- Laboratório de Imunologia e Genômica de Parasitos, Departamento deParasitologia, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil.
| | - Rodrigo P Baptista
- Laboratório de Imunologia e Genômica de Parasitos, Departamento deParasitologia, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil.
| | - Tiago A O Mendes
- Laboratório de Imunologia e Genômica de Parasitos, Departamento deParasitologia, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil.
| | | | - Rafael Guedes
- Laboratório Nacional de Computação Científica, Petrópolis, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
| | - Andrea M Macedo
- Departamento de Bioquímica e Imunologia, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil.
| | - Caryn Bern
- University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA.
| | - Robert H Gilman
- Universidad Cayetano Heredia, Lima, MD, Peru.
- Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA.
| | - Carlos Talavera Lopez
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Science for Life Laboratory, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.
| | - Björn Andersson
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Science for Life Laboratory, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.
| | | | - Daniella C Bartholomeu
- Laboratório de Imunologia e Genômica de Parasitos, Departamento deParasitologia, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil.
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11
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Cura CI, Duffy T, Lucero RH, Bisio M, Péneau J, Jimenez-Coello M, Calabuig E, Gimenez MJ, Valencia Ayala E, Kjos SA, Santalla J, Mahaney SM, Cayo NM, Nagel C, Barcán L, Málaga Machaca ES, Acosta Viana KY, Brutus L, Ocampo SB, Aznar C, Cuba Cuba CA, Gürtler RE, Ramsey JM, Ribeiro I, VandeBerg JL, Yadon ZE, Osuna A, Schijman AG. Multiplex Real-Time PCR Assay Using TaqMan Probes for the Identification of Trypanosoma cruzi DTUs in Biological and Clinical Samples. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2015; 9:e0003765. [PMID: 25993316 PMCID: PMC4437652 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0003765] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2015] [Accepted: 04/16/2015] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Trypanosoma cruzi has been classified into six Discrete Typing Units (DTUs), designated as TcI-TcVI. In order to effectively use this standardized nomenclature, a reproducible genotyping strategy is imperative. Several typing schemes have been developed with variable levels of complexity, selectivity and analytical sensitivity. Most of them can be only applied to cultured stocks. In this context, we aimed to develop a multiplex Real-Time PCR method to identify the six T. cruzi DTUs using TaqMan probes (MTq-PCR). METHODS/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS The MTq-PCR has been evaluated in 39 cultured stocks and 307 biological samples from vectors, reservoirs and patients from different geographical regions and transmission cycles in comparison with a multi-locus conventional PCR algorithm. The MTq-PCR was inclusive for laboratory stocks and natural isolates and sensitive for direct typing of different biological samples from vectors, reservoirs and patients with acute, congenital infection or Chagas reactivation. The first round SL-IR MTq-PCR detected 1 fg DNA/reaction tube of TcI, TcII and TcIII and 1 pg DNA/reaction tube of TcIV, TcV and TcVI reference strains. The MTq-PCR was able to characterize DTUs in 83% of triatomine and 96% of reservoir samples that had been typed by conventional PCR methods. Regarding clinical samples, 100% of those derived from acute infected patients, 62.5% from congenitally infected children and 50% from patients with clinical reactivation could be genotyped. Sensitivity for direct typing of blood samples from chronic Chagas disease patients (32.8% from asymptomatic and 22.2% from symptomatic patients) and mixed infections was lower than that of the conventional PCR algorithm. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE Typing is resolved after a single or a second round of Real-Time PCR, depending on the DTU. This format reduces carryover contamination and is amenable to quantification, automation and kit production.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carolina I. Cura
- Laboratorio de Biología Molecular de la Enfermedad de Chagas, Instituto de Investigaciones en Ingeniería Genética y Biología Molecular “Dr. Héctor N. Torres”—INGEBI-CONICET, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Tomas Duffy
- Laboratorio de Biología Molecular de la Enfermedad de Chagas, Instituto de Investigaciones en Ingeniería Genética y Biología Molecular “Dr. Héctor N. Torres”—INGEBI-CONICET, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Raúl H. Lucero
- Instituto de Medicina Regional, Universidad Nacional del Nordeste, Resistencia, Chaco, Argentina
| | - Margarita Bisio
- Laboratorio de Biología Molecular de la Enfermedad de Chagas, Instituto de Investigaciones en Ingeniería Genética y Biología Molecular “Dr. Héctor N. Torres”—INGEBI-CONICET, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Julie Péneau
- Laboratoire Hospitalier et Universitaire-CH Andrée Rosemon, Cayenne, French Guiana, France
| | - Matilde Jimenez-Coello
- Laboratorio Biología Celular, Centro de Investigaciones Regionales “Dr. Hideyo Noguchi”, Universidad Autónoma de Yucatán, Mérida, Yucatán, Mexico
| | - Eva Calabuig
- Servicio de Medicina Interna, Hospital Politécnico LA FE, Valencia, Spain
| | - María J. Gimenez
- Servicio de Microbiología, Hospital Universitario y Politécnico LA FE, Valencia, Spain
| | - Edward Valencia Ayala
- Laboratorio de Investigación en Enfermedades Infecciosas, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima, Peru
| | - Sonia A. Kjos
- Department of Biology, University of Minnesota Duluth, Duluth, Minnesota, United States of America
| | - José Santalla
- Laboratorio de Parasitología, Instituto Nacional de Laboratorios en Salud, Ministerio de Salud y Deportes de Bolivia, La Paz, Bolivia
| | - Susan M. Mahaney
- Southwest National Primate Research Center and Department of Genetics, Texas Biomedical Research Institute, San Antonio, Texas, United States of America
| | - Nelly M. Cayo
- Instituto de Biología de la Altura, Universidad Nacional de Jujuy, Jujuy, Argentina
| | - Claudia Nagel
- Epidemiología e Infectología Clínica, Hospital Universitario Fundación Favaloro, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Laura Barcán
- Sección Infectología, Servicio de Clínica Médica, Hospital Italiano, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Edith S. Málaga Machaca
- Laboratorio de Investigación en Enfermedades Infecciosas, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima, Peru
| | - Karla Y. Acosta Viana
- Laboratorio Biología Celular, Centro de Investigaciones Regionales “Dr. Hideyo Noguchi”, Universidad Autónoma de Yucatán, Mérida, Yucatán, Mexico
| | - Laurent Brutus
- Institut de Recherche pour le Développement and University Paris Descartes, UMR 216, Mother and Child Facing Tropical Diseases, Paris, France
| | - Susana B. Ocampo
- Instituto de Biología de la Altura, Universidad Nacional de Jujuy, Jujuy, Argentina
| | - Christine Aznar
- Laboratoire Hospitalier et Universitaire-CH Andrée Rosemon, Cayenne, French Guiana, France
| | - Cesar A. Cuba Cuba
- Parasitologia Médica e Biologia de Vetores, Área de Patologia, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Brasilia, Brasilia DF, Brazil
| | - Ricardo E. Gürtler
- Laboratorio de Eco-Epidemiología, Departamento de Ecología, Genética y Evolución, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Janine M. Ramsey
- Centro Regional de Investigación en Salud Pública, Instituto Nacional de Salud Pública, Tapachula, Chiapas, Mexico
| | - Isabela Ribeiro
- Drugs and Neglected Diseases Initiative, Genève, Switzerland
| | - John L. VandeBerg
- Southwest National Primate Research Center and Department of Genetics, Texas Biomedical Research Institute, San Antonio, Texas, United States of America
| | - Zaida E. Yadon
- Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), World Health Organization (WHO), Washington, D.C., United States of America
| | - Antonio Osuna
- Institute of Biotechnology, Molecular Parasitology Group, University of Granada, Granada, Spain
| | - Alejandro G. Schijman
- Laboratorio de Biología Molecular de la Enfermedad de Chagas, Instituto de Investigaciones en Ingeniería Genética y Biología Molecular “Dr. Héctor N. Torres”—INGEBI-CONICET, Buenos Aires, Argentina
- * E-mail:
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12
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Lima FM, Souza RT, Santori FR, Santos MF, Cortez DR, Barros RM, Cano MI, Valadares HMS, Macedo AM, Mortara RA, da Silveira JF. Interclonal variations in the molecular karyotype of Trypanosoma cruzi: chromosome rearrangements in a single cell-derived clone of the G strain. PLoS One 2013; 8:e63738. [PMID: 23667668 PMCID: PMC3646811 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0063738] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2012] [Accepted: 04/11/2013] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Trypanosoma cruzi comprises a pool of populations which are genetically diverse in terms of DNA content, growth and infectivity. Inter- and intra-strain karyotype heterogeneities have been reported, suggesting that chromosomal rearrangements occurred during the evolution of this parasite. Clone D11 is a single-cell-derived clone of the T. cruzi G strain selected by the minimal dilution method and by infecting Vero cells with metacyclic trypomastigotes. Here we report that the karyotype of clone D11 differs from that of the G strain in both number and size of chromosomal bands. Large chromosomal rearrangement was observed in the chromosomes carrying the tubulin loci. However, most of the chromosome length polymorphisms were of small amplitude, and the absence of one band in clone D11 in relation to its reference position in the G strain could be correlated to the presence of a novel band migrating above or below this position. Despite the presence of chromosomal polymorphism, large syntenic groups were conserved between the isolates. The appearance of new chromosomal bands in clone D11 could be explained by chromosome fusion followed by a chromosome break or interchromosomal exchange of large DNA segments. Our results also suggest that telomeric regions are involved in this process. The variant represented by clone D11 could have been induced by the stress of the cloning procedure or could, as has been suggested for Leishmania infantum, have emerged from a multiclonal, mosaic parasite population submitted to frequent DNA amplification/deletion events, leading to a 'mosaic' structure with different individuals having differently sized versions of the same chromosomes. If this is the case, the variant represented by clone D11 would be better adapted to survive the stress induced by cloning, which includes intracellular development in the mammalian cell. Karyotype polymorphism could be part of the T. cruzi arsenal for responding to environmental pressure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabio Mitsuo Lima
- Departamento de Microbiologia, Imunologia e Parasitologia, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Renata Torres Souza
- Departamento de Microbiologia, Imunologia e Parasitologia, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Fábio Rinaldo Santori
- Skirball Institute of Biomolecular Medicine, New York University Cancer Center, New York University School of Medicine, New York, New York, United States of America
| | - Michele Fernandes Santos
- Departamento de Microbiologia, Imunologia e Parasitologia, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Danielle Rodrigues Cortez
- Departamento de Microbiologia, Imunologia e Parasitologia, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Roberto Moraes Barros
- Departamento de Microbiologia, Imunologia e Parasitologia, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Maria Isabel Cano
- Departamento de Genética, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade Estadual Paulista Júlio de Mesquita Filho, Botucatu, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Helder Magno Silva Valadares
- Departamento de Bioquímica e Imunologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
- Campus Centro-Oeste Dona Lindu, Universidade Federal de São João del-Rey, Divinópolis, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Andréa Mara Macedo
- Departamento de Bioquímica e Imunologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Renato Arruda Mortara
- Departamento de Microbiologia, Imunologia e Parasitologia, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - José Franco da Silveira
- Departamento de Microbiologia, Imunologia e Parasitologia, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
- * E-mail:
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13
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Schenkman S, Pascoalino BDS, Nardelli SC. Nuclear structure of Trypanosoma cruzi. ADVANCES IN PARASITOLOGY 2011; 75:251-83. [PMID: 21820560 DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-12-385863-4.00012-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
The presence of nucleus in living organisms characterizes the Eukaryote domain. The nucleus compartmentalizes the genetic material surrounded by a double membrane called nuclear envelope. The nucleus has been observed since the advent of the light microscope, and sub-compartments such as nucleoli, diverse nuclear bodies and condensed chromosomes have been later recognized, being part of highly organized and dynamic structure. The significance and function of such organization has increased with the understanding of transcription, replication, DNA repair, recombination processes. It is now recognized as consequence of adding complexity and regulation in more complex eukaryotic cells. Here we provide a description of the actual stage of knowledge of the nuclear structure of Trypanosoma cruzi. As an early divergent eukaryote, it presents unique and/or reduced events of DNA replication, transcription and repair as well as RNA processing and transport to the cytosol. Nevertheless, it shows peculiar structure changes accordingly to the cell cycle and stage of differentiation. T. cruzi proliferates only as epimastigote and amastigote stages, and when these forms differentiate in trypomastigote forms, their cell cycle is arrested. This arrested stage is capable of invading mammalian cells and of surviving harsh conditions, such as the gut of the insect vector and mammalian macrophages. Transcription and replication decrease during transformation in trypomastigotes implicating large alterations in the nuclear structure. Recent evidences also suggest that T. cruzi nucleus respond to oxidative and nutritional stresses. Due to the phylogenetic proximity with other well-known trypanosomes, such as Trypanosoma brucei and Leishmania major, they are expected to have similar nuclear organization, although differences are noticed due to distinct life cycles, cellular organizations and the specific adaptations for surviving in different host environments. Therefore, the general features of T. cruzi nuclear structure regarding unique characteristics of this protozoan parasite will be described.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sergio Schenkman
- Departamento de Microbiologia, Imunologia e Parasitologia, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
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14
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Souza RT, Lima FM, Barros RM, Cortez DR, Santos MF, Cordero EM, Ruiz JC, Goldenberg S, Teixeira MMG, da Silveira JF. Genome size, karyotype polymorphism and chromosomal evolution in Trypanosoma cruzi. PLoS One 2011; 6:e23042. [PMID: 21857989 PMCID: PMC3155523 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0023042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2011] [Accepted: 07/04/2011] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Background The Trypanosoma cruzi genome was sequenced from a hybrid strain (CL Brener). However, high allelic variation and the repetitive nature of the genome have prevented the complete linear sequence of chromosomes being determined. Determining the full complement of chromosomes and establishing syntenic groups will be important in defining the structure of T. cruzi chromosomes. A large amount of information is now available for T. cruzi and Trypanosoma brucei, providing the opportunity to compare and describe the overall patterns of chromosomal evolution in these parasites. Methodology/Principal Findings The genome sizes, repetitive DNA contents, and the numbers and sizes of chromosomes of nine strains of T. cruzi from four lineages (TcI, TcII, TcV and TcVI) were determined. The genome of the TcI group was statistically smaller than other lineages, with the exception of the TcI isolate Tc1161 (José-IMT). Satellite DNA content was correlated with genome size for all isolates, but this was not accompanied by simultaneous amplification of retrotransposons. Regardless of chromosomal polymorphism, large syntenic groups are conserved among T. cruzi lineages. Duplicated chromosome-sized regions were identified and could be retained as paralogous loci, increasing the dosage of several genes. By comparing T. cruzi and T. brucei chromosomes, homologous chromosomal regions in T. brucei were identified. Chromosomes Tb9 and Tb11 of T. brucei share regions of syntenic homology with three and six T. cruzi chromosomal bands, respectively. Conclusions Despite genome size variation and karyotype polymorphism, T. cruzi lineages exhibit conservation of chromosome structure. Several syntenic groups are conserved among all isolates analyzed in this study. The syntenic regions are larger than expected if rearrangements occur randomly, suggesting that they are conserved owing to positive selection. Mapping of the syntenic regions on T. cruzi chromosomal bands provides evidence for the occurrence of fusion and split events involving T. brucei and T. cruzi chromosomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Renata T. Souza
- Departamento de Microbiologia, Imunologia e Parasitologia, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Fábio M. Lima
- Departamento de Microbiologia, Imunologia e Parasitologia, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Roberto Moraes Barros
- Departamento de Microbiologia, Imunologia e Parasitologia, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Danielle R. Cortez
- Departamento de Microbiologia, Imunologia e Parasitologia, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Michele F. Santos
- Departamento de Microbiologia, Imunologia e Parasitologia, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Esteban M. Cordero
- Departamento de Microbiologia, Imunologia e Parasitologia, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | | | - Marta M. G. Teixeira
- Departamento de Parasitologia, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - José Franco da Silveira
- Departamento de Microbiologia, Imunologia e Parasitologia, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
- * E-mail:
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15
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Lewis MD, Llewellyn MS, Gaunt MW, Yeo M, Carrasco HJ, Miles MA. Flow cytometric analysis and microsatellite genotyping reveal extensive DNA content variation in Trypanosoma cruzi populations and expose contrasts between natural and experimental hybrids. Int J Parasitol 2009; 39:1305-17. [PMID: 19393242 PMCID: PMC2731025 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpara.2009.04.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 82] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2009] [Revised: 04/03/2009] [Accepted: 04/06/2009] [Indexed: 12/05/2022]
Abstract
Trypanosoma cruzi exhibits remarkable genetic heterogeneity. This is evident at the nucleotide level but also structurally, in the form of karyotypic variation and DNA content differences between strains. Although natural populations of T. cruzi are predominantly clonal, hybrid lineages (TcIId and TcIIe) have been identified and hybridisation has been demonstrated in vitro, raising the possibility that genetic exchange may continue to shape the evolution of this pathogen. The mechanism of genetic exchange identified in the laboratory is unusual, apparently involving fusion of diploid parents followed by genome erosion. We investigated DNA content diversity in natural populations of T. cruzi in the context of its genetic subdivisions by using flow cytometric analysis and multilocus microsatellite genotyping to determine the relative DNA content and estimate the ploidy of 54 cloned isolates. The maximum difference observed was 47.5% between strain Tu18 cl2 (TcIIb) and strain C8 cl1 (TcI), which we estimated to be equivalent to ∼73 Mb of DNA. Large DNA content differences were identified within and between discrete typing units (DTUs). In particular, the mean DNA content of TcI strains was significantly less than that for TcII strains (P < 0.001). Comparisons of hybrid DTUs TcIId/IIe with corresponding parental DTUs TcIIb/IIc indicated that natural hybrids are predominantly diploid. We also measured the relative DNA content of six in vitro-generated TcI hybrid clones and their parents. In contrast to TcIId/IIe hybrid strains these experimental hybrids comprised populations of sub-tetraploid organisms with mean DNA contents 1.65–1.72 times higher than the parental organisms. The DNA contents of both parents and hybrids were shown to be relatively stable after passage through a mammalian host, heat shock or nutritional stress. The results are discussed in the context of hybridisation mechanisms in both natural and in vitro settings.
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16
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Elias MC, Nardelli SC, Schenkman S. Chromatin and nuclear organization in Trypanosoma cruzi. Future Microbiol 2009; 4:1065-74. [DOI: 10.2217/fmb.09.74] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
A total of 100 years have passed since the discovery of the protozoan Trypanosoma cruzi, the etiologic agent of Chagas’ disease. Since its discovery, the molecular and cellular biology of this early divergent eukaryote, as well as its interactions with the mammalian and insect hosts, has progressed substantially. It is now clear that this parasite presents unique mechanisms controlling gene expression, DNA replication, cell cycle and differentiation, generating several morphological forms that are adapted to survive in different hosts. In recent years, the relationship between the chromatin structure and nuclear organization with the unusual transcription, splicing, DNA replication and DNA repair mechanisms have been investigated in T. cruzi. This article reviews the relevant aspects of these mechanisms in relation to chromatin and nuclear organization.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Sheila Cristina Nardelli
- Departamento de Microbiologia, Imunologia e Parasitologia, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, R. Botucatu 862 8a, 04023-062 São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Sergio Schenkman
- Departamento de Microbiologia, Imunologia e Parasitologia, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, R. Botucatu 862 8a, 04023-062 São Paulo, Brazil
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17
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Dujardin JC. Structure, dynamics and function of Leishmania genome: Resolving the puzzle of infection, genetics and evolution? INFECTION GENETICS AND EVOLUTION 2009; 9:290-7. [DOI: 10.1016/j.meegid.2008.11.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2008] [Revised: 11/25/2008] [Accepted: 11/25/2008] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
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18
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Nassonova ES. Pulsed field gel electrophoresis: Theory, instruments and application. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2008. [DOI: 10.1134/s1990519x08060011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
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Ackermann AA, Carmona SJ, Agüero F. TcSNP: a database of genetic variation in Trypanosoma cruzi. Nucleic Acids Res 2008; 37:D544-9. [PMID: 18974180 PMCID: PMC2686512 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkn874] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The TcSNP database (http://snps.tcruzi.org) integrates information on genetic variation (polymorphisms and mutations) for different stocks, strains and isolates of Trypanosoma cruzi, the causative agent of Chagas disease. The database incorporates sequences (genes from the T. cruzi reference genome, mRNAs, ESTs and genomic sequences); multiple sequence alignments obtained from these sequences; and single-nucleotide polymorphisms and small indels identified by scanning these multiple sequence alignments. Information in TcSNP can be readily interrogated to arrive at gene sets, or SNP sets of interest based on a number of attributes. Sequence similarity searches using BLAST are also supported. This first release of TcSNP contains nearly 170 000 high-confidence candidate SNPs, derived from the analysis of annotated coding sequences. As new sequence data become available, TcSNP will incorporate these data, mapping new candidate SNPs onto the reference genome sequences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alejandro A Ackermann
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biotecnológicas, Universidad de San Martín - CONICET, San Martín, 1650, Argentina
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20
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Manoel-Caetano FDS, Silva AE. Implications of genetic variability of Trypanosoma cruzi for the pathogenesis of Chagas disease. CAD SAUDE PUBLICA 2007; 23:2263-74. [PMID: 17891288 DOI: 10.1590/s0102-311x2007001000002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2007] [Accepted: 07/13/2007] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Trypanosoma cruzi, the etiological agent of Chagas disease, presents a high degree of intraspecific genetic variability, with possible implications for the clinical forms of the disease, like the development of cardiopathy, megaesophagus, and megacolon, alone or in combination. This tissue tropism involved in the pathogenesis of Chagas disease has still not been totally elucidated. Thus, the current review approaches key aspects of T. cruzi genetic diversity, the clinical forms of Chagas disease, and the infection of the host cell by the parasite and the immune response. Other aspects discussed here include the release of immunosuppressive factors by the parasite, acting in the host's immune response pathways; host cell apoptosis inhibition; the pathogenesis of chagasic megaesophagus, which can be related to host-parasite interaction; and finally the association between megaesophagus and increased risk for the development of squamous-cell esophageal carcinoma. However, despite great advances in the understanding of this disease, it is still not possible to establish the true relationship between the parasite's genetic variability and the clinical form of Chagas disease.
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Galindo M, Sabaj V, Espinoza I, Toro GC, Búa J, Grenet J, López-Solís R, Ruiz AM, Galanti N. Chromosomal size conservation through the cell cycle supports karyotype stability inTrypanosoma cruzi. FEBS Lett 2007; 581:2022-6. [PMID: 17467699 DOI: 10.1016/j.febslet.2007.03.093] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2007] [Accepted: 03/24/2007] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
The Trypanosoma cruzi karyotype shows an extensive chromosomal size polymorphism. Absence of condensed mitotic chromosomes and chromatin fragility are characteristic features of T. cruzi which would allow DNA breaks and chromosomal rearrangements during cell proliferation. We have investigated by pulsed field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) eventual changes in chromosomal size during exponential and stationary phases of T. cruzi epimastigotes in culture, in G0 trypomastigotes and throughout the cell cycle in synchronized epimastigotes. T. cruzi molecular karyotype was stable throughout the cell cycle and during differentiation. Thus, the chromosomal size polymorphism previously reported in T. cruzi contrasts with the stability of the molecular karyotype observed here and suggests that chromosomal rearrangements leading to changes in chromosomal size are scarce events during the clonal propagation of this parasite.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mario Galindo
- Program of Cellular and Molecular Biology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences (ICBM), Faculty of Medicine, University of Chile, Santiago, Chile.
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22
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Pedroso A, Cupolillo E, Zingales B. Trypanosoma cruzi: exploring the nuclear genome of zymodeme 3 stocks by chromosome size polymorphism. Exp Parasitol 2007; 116:71-6. [PMID: 17270177 DOI: 10.1016/j.exppara.2006.10.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2006] [Revised: 09/28/2006] [Accepted: 10/06/2006] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
Chagas disease is emerging in the Brazilian Amazon. We evaluated the position of eight zymodeme 3 isolates from Amazonian sylvatic vectors and one human case in relation to Trypanosoma cruzi I and II major groups and hybrid strains by chromosome size polymorphism. Nineteen isolates were analyzed by mapping nine coding sequences on chromosomal bands (0.6-3.3Mbp). Numerical analysis was based on the absolute chromosomal size difference index (aCSDI). A dendrogram was obtained applying the minimum evolution criterion and considering the aCSDI values to estimate the branch lengths. The isolates were distributed in four groups. Group A clustered hybrid isolates; Groups B and C, T. cruzi II and T. cruzi I isolates, respectively. Seven Z3 stocks were clustered in Group D, which showed low intra-group diversity and was the most divergent. The proportion of two different-sized homologous chromosomes was determined. Wild vectors harboring Z3 stocks constitute a potential reservoir of human infection in the Amazon.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aurélio Pedroso
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Instituto de Química, Universidade de São Paulo, Avenida Professor Lineu Prestes, 748, CEP 05508-000, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
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23
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Branche C, Ochaya S, Aslund L, Andersson B. Comparative karyotyping as a tool for genome structure analysis of Trypanosoma cruzi. Mol Biochem Parasitol 2006; 147:30-8. [PMID: 16481054 DOI: 10.1016/j.molbiopara.2006.01.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2005] [Revised: 01/06/2006] [Accepted: 01/09/2006] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
As a part of the Trypanosoma cruzi genome project, 239 genetic markers were hybridised to PFGE separated DNA from T. cruzi, in order to determine the number and size of chromosomes and to aid the assembly of the genome sequence. We used three strains, T. cruzi IIe CL Brener (the genome project reference strain) and two T. cruzi I strains, Sylvio X10/7 and CAI/72, to perform a comparative study of their karyotypes and to determine marker linkage. A densitometry analysis of the separations estimated the total chromosome numbers to be 55 in CL Brener and 57 in the two other strains. In all, 45 markers hybridised to single chromosomal bands and 103 markers to two bands in CL Brener, while the number of markers in Sylvio X10/7 and CAI/72 were 102/68 and 61/105, respectively. Size differences between homologous chromosomes were often large, up to 1900 kb (173%). The average difference was 36% for CL Brener and 23.5% for the T. cruzi I strains. Larger differences in CL Brener are consistent with a recent hybrid origin. Forty markers distributed into 15 linkage groups were found to identify specific chromosomes or chromosomes pairs. While the same markers are generally linked in all three strains, the sizes of the chromosomes vary extensively, indicating large chromosomal rearrangements. These data provide valuable information for the finishing of the CL Brener genome sequence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carole Branche
- Center for Genomics and Bioinformatics, Karolinska Institutet, Berzelius väg 35, SE-171 77 Stockholm, Sweden
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24
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Triana O, Ortiz S, Dujardin JC, Solari A. Trypanosoma cruzi: variability of stocks from Colombia determined by molecular karyotype and minicircle Southern blot analysis. Exp Parasitol 2006; 113:62-6. [PMID: 16388803 DOI: 10.1016/j.exppara.2005.11.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2005] [Revised: 11/18/2005] [Accepted: 11/21/2005] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Nineteen Trypanosoma cruzi stocks, most of them of wild origin, and four Trypanosoma rangeli stocks from Colombia were analysed by molecular karyotype analysis with cloned DNA cruzipain as the probe. Another 27 cloned stocks of T. cruzi from different geographic areas of South America were used as reference for T. cruzi lineages. Phenetic analysis of chromosome size polymorphism demonstrated a great variability of Colombian T. cruzi stocks, suggesting that most belong to lineage I, although two of them belong to lineage II. The 2 lineage II T. cruzi, 17 T. cruzi lineage I, and 3 T. rangeli stocks from Colombia were studied further by Southern blot analysis with a panel of kinetoplast DNA minicircle probes. Hybridisation results indicate that the two T. cruzi II stocks are genetically distant from each other and from T. cruzi lineages IIb, IId, and IIe from Chile. Finally, T. cruzi minicircle probes do not cross-hybridise in any stringency condition tested with T. rangeli minicircles, a clear indication that these parasites can be easily distinguished by this method.
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Affiliation(s)
- Omar Triana
- Laboratorio de Chagas, Instituto de Biología, Universidad de Antioquia, Medellín, Colombia.
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25
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Vargas N, Pedroso A, Zingales B. Chromosomal polymorphism, gene synteny and genome size in T. cruzi I and T. cruzi II groups. Mol Biochem Parasitol 2005; 138:131-41. [PMID: 15500924 DOI: 10.1016/j.molbiopara.2004.08.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2004] [Revised: 08/05/2004] [Accepted: 08/15/2004] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis and DNA hybridization were used to establish and compare some parameters of the molecular karyotype of nine stocks classified into Trypanosoma cruzi I and T. cruzi II groups. The isolates showed a variable number of chromosomal bands (17-22) comprised between 0.4 and 3.3 Mbp. The total number of chromosomes and the genome size were estimated based on the fluorescence intensity of SYBR Green I-stained chromosomal bands. Differences in the length of the telomeric regions among the stocks and between chromosomes of the same stock were observed. No correlation was found between the length of the telomeric region and the group to which the isolate belongs. Hybridization of 54 genetic markers revealed extensive chromosome size polymorphism. Nevertheless, the most represented pattern was the hybridization of the probes in larger chromosomes in stocks of T. cruzi II as compared to T. cruzi I. Eight putative syntenic groups, encompassing 29 non-redundant genetic markers and distributed in 11 CL Brener chromosomal bands were disclosed. The syntenic groups were conserved in all the stocks. The relative abundance of repetitive DNA sequences was determined. C6, B11/L1Tc and E12 elements presented maximum 1.7-fold variation in copy number, whereas 195-bp satellite DNA (120,000 copies in Y strain) was four- to nine-fold more abundant in T. cruzi II stocks. The novel aspects of T. cruzi karyotype here presented contribute to the comprehension of the genome organization of this parasite and will assist the assignment of scaffold to the CL Brener chromosomal bands.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nancy Vargas
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Instituto de Química, Universidade de São Paulo, Avenida Professor Lineu Prestes, 748-CEP 05508-000, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
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26
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Macedo AM, Machado CR, Oliveira RP, Pena SDJ. Trypanosoma cruzi: genetic structure of populations and relevance of genetic variability to the pathogenesis of chagas disease. Mem Inst Oswaldo Cruz 2004; 99:1-12. [PMID: 15057339 DOI: 10.1590/s0074-02762004000100001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 213] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Chagas disease, caused by the protozoan Trypanosoma cruzi, has a variable clinical course, ranging from symptomless infection to severe chronic disease with cardiovascular or gastrointestinal involvement or, occasionally, overwhelming acute episodes. The factors influencing this clinical variability have not been elucidated, but it is likely that the genetic variability of both the host and the parasite are of importance. In this work we review the the genetic structure of T. cruzi populations and analyze the importance of genetic variation of the parasite in the pathogenesis of the disease under the light of the histotropic-clonal model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andréa M Macedo
- Departamento de Bioquímica e Imunologia, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, 30161-970, Brasil
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27
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Breniere SF, Barnabe C, Bosseno MF, Tibayrenc M. Impact of number of isoenzyme loci on the robustness of intraspecific phylogenies using multilocus enzyme electrophoresis: consequences for typing of Trypanosoma cruzi. Parasitology 2003; 127:273-81. [PMID: 12964830 DOI: 10.1017/s0031182003003573] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
Thirty-one stocks of Trypanosoma cruzi, the agent of Chagas disease, representative of the genetic variability of the 2 principal lineages, that subdivide T. cruzi, were selected on the basis of previous multilocus enzyme electrophoresis analysis using 21 loci. Analyses were performed with lower numbers of loci to explore the impact of the number of loci on the robustness of the phylogenies obtained, and to identify the loci that have more impact on the phylogeny. Analyses were performed with numerical (UPGMA) and cladistical (Wagner parsimony analysis) methods for all sets of loci. Robustness of the phylogenies obtained was estimated by bootstrap analysis. Low numbers of randomly selected loci (6) were sufficient to demonstrate genetic heterogeneity among the stocks studied. However, they were unable to give reliable phylogenetic information. A higher number of randomly selected loci (15 and more) were required to reach this goal. All loci did not convey equivalent information. The more variable loci detected a greater genetic heterogeneity among the stocks, whereas the least variable loci were better for robust clustering. Finally, analysis was performed with only 5 and 9 loci bearing synapomorphic allozyme characters previously identified among larger samples of stocks. A set of 9 such loci was able to uncover both genetic heterogeneity among the stocks and to build robust phylogenies. It can therefore be recommended as a minimum set of isoenzyme loci that bring maximal information for all studies aiming to explore the phylogenetic diversity of a new set of T. cruzi stocks and for any preliminary genetic typing. Moreover, our results show that bootstrap analysis, like any statistics, is highly dependent upon the information available and that absolute bootstrap figures should be cautiously interpreted.
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Affiliation(s)
- S F Breniere
- UR 008: Pathogénie des Trypanosomatidés and Institut de Recherche pour le Développement, 911 Av. Agropolis, BP 64501, 34394 Montpellier Cedex 1, France.
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28
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Pedroso A, Cupolillo E, Zingales B. Evaluation of Trypanosoma cruzi hybrid stocks based on chromosomal size variation. Mol Biochem Parasitol 2003; 129:79-90. [PMID: 12798509 DOI: 10.1016/s0166-6851(03)00096-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
Although all classical lines of evidence point to the fact that Trypanosoma cruzi has a predominantly clonal evolution, accumulating data show that some T. cruzi stocks are the result of hybridisation events. We evaluated whether chromosomal polymorphism would give evolutionary information on hybrid isolates. Twenty-three coding sequences were mapped on the chromosomes of nine parasite stocks, four of which are putative hybrids (CL Brener and rDNA group 1/2). Phenetic analyses of karyotype data were based on the absolute chromosomal size difference index (aCSDI), a method that assumes that the genomic distance between two organisms is the sum of the size differences between their homologous chromosomes. aCSDI-based dendrograms obtained from a variable number of probes (3-18 probes) defined in all the cases three clusters: two corresponding, respectively, to T. cruzi I and T. cruzi II groups; and a third one, to rDNA group 1/2. CL Brener was alternatively positioned in T. cruzi II or rDNA group 1/2 clusters. Three clusters were also observed in the dendrogram constructed with restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) data from 18 probes. The topology of the chromosome and RFLP dendrograms is similar, with a significant correlation coefficient (r=0.86062; P<0.0001), supporting a strong structuring of the clusters. This study also revealed that hybrid stocks have a larger proportion of two different-sized homologous chromosomes, as compared with non-hybrid strains. Overall, our results show that chromosomes are valuable characters for identification of evolutionary groups, in particular, T. cruzi hybrid organisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aurélio Pedroso
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Instituto de Química, Universidade de São Paulo, Avenida Professor Lineu Prestes, 748, CEP 05508-000, São Paulo SP, Brazil
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29
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Sturm NR, Vargas NS, Westenberger SJ, Zingales B, Campbell DA. Evidence for multiple hybrid groups in Trypanosoma cruzi. Int J Parasitol 2003; 33:269-79. [PMID: 12670512 DOI: 10.1016/s0020-7519(02)00264-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 100] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
A role for parasite genetic variability in the spectrum of Chagas disease is emerging but not yet evident, in part due to an incomplete understanding of the population structure of Trypanosoma cruzi. To investigate further the observed genotypic variation at the sequence and chromosomal levels in strains of standard and field-isolated T. cruzi we have undertaken a comparative analysis of 10 regions of the genome from two isolates representing T. cruzi I (Dm28c and Silvio X10) and two from T. cruzi II (CL Brener and Esmeraldo). Amplified regions contained intergenic (non-coding) sequences from tandemly repeated genes. Multiple nucleotide polymorphisms correlated with the T. cruzi I/T. cruzi II classification. Two intergenic regions had useful polymorphisms for the design of classification probes to test on genomic DNA from other known isolates. Two adjacent nucleotide polymorphisms in HSP 60 correlated with the T. cruzi I and T. cruzi II distinction. 1F8 nucleotide polymorphisms revealed multiple subdivisions of T. cruzi II: subgroups IIa and IIc displayed the T. cruzi I pattern; subgroups IId and IIe possessed both the I and II patterns. Furthermore, isolates from subgroups IId and IIe contained the 1F8 polymorphic markers on different chromosome bands supporting a genetic exchange event that resulted in chromosomes V and IX of T. cruzi strain CL Brener. Based on these analyses, T. cruzi I and subgroup IIb appear to be pure lines, while subgroups IIa/IIc and IId/IIe are hybrid lines. These data demonstrate for the first time that IIa/IIc are hybrid, consistent with the hypothesis that genetic recombination has occurred more than once within the T. cruzi lines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nancy R Sturm
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Molecular Genetics, University of California at Los Angeles, 609 Charles E. Young Drive East, Los Angeles, CA 90095-1489, USA
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