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Regulation of Phosphatidic Acid Levels in Trypanosoma cruzi

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Lipids

Abstract

Lipid kinases and phosphatases play essential roles in signal transduction processes involved in cytoskeletal rearrangement, membrane trafficking, and cellular differentiation. Phosphatidic acid (PtdOH) is an important mediator lipid in eukaryotic cells, but little is known regarding its regulation in the parasite Trypanosoma cruzi, an agent of Chagas disease. In order to clarify the relationship between PtdOH metabolism and developmental stages of T. cruzi, epimastigotes in culture were subjected to hyperosmotic stress (~1,000 mOsm/L), mimicking the environment in the rectum of vector triatomine bugs. These experimental conditions resulted in differentiation to an intermediate form between epimastigotes and trypomastigotes. Morphological changes of epimastigotes were correlated with an increase in PtdOH mass accomplished by increased enzyme activity of diacylglycerol kinase (DAGK, E.C. 2.7.1.107) and concomitant decreased activity of phosphatidate phosphatases type 1 and type 2 (PAP1, PAP2, E.C. 3.1.3.4). Our results indicate progressive increases of PtdOH levels during the differentiation process, and suggest that the regulation of PtdOH metabolism is an important mechanism in the transition from T. cruzi epimastigote to intermediate form.

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Abbreviations

DAG:

Diacylglycerol

DAGK:

Diacylglycerol kinase

DGPP:

Diacylglycerol pyrophosphate

InsP3 :

Inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate

InsPx:

Total inositol phosphates

LPP:

Lipid phosphate phosphatase

NEM:

N-ethylmaleimide

PAK:

Phosphatidate kinase

PAP:

Phosphatidate phosphatase

PLC:

Phospholipase C

PtdCho:

Phosphatidylcholine

PtdIns:

Phosphatidylinositol

PtdIns-4,5-P2 :

Phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate

PtdIns-4-P:

Phosphatidylinositol 4-phosphate

PtdOH:

Phosphatidic acid

TLC:

Thin-layer chromatography

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Acknowledgments

This work was supported by FONCyT (BID 1728 OC/AR PICT 2007-02212) Buenos Aires, Argentina and SECyT, UNRC, Río Cuarto, Córdoba, Argentina. A.M. Gimenez is a fellow of CONICET. V.S. Santander and A.L. Villasuso are Career Investigators of CONICET.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Química Biológica, FCEFQN, Universidad Nacional de Río Cuarto, X5804BYA, Río Cuarto, Córdoba, Argentina

    Alba Marina Gimenez, Verónica S. Santander, Ana L. Villasuso & Estela E. Machado

  2. INIBIBB (CONICET), Universidad Nacional del Sur, Bahía Blanca, Argentina

    Susana J. Pasquaré & Norma M. Giusto

Authors
  1. Alba Marina Gimenez
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  2. Verónica S. Santander
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  3. Ana L. Villasuso
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  4. Susana J. Pasquaré
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  5. Norma M. Giusto
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  6. Estela E. Machado
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Estela E. Machado.

Additional information

V.S. Santander and A.L. Villasuso contributed equally to the work reported in this article.

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Gimenez, A.M., Santander, V.S., Villasuso, A.L. et al. Regulation of Phosphatidic Acid Levels in Trypanosoma cruzi . Lipids 46, 969–979 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11745-011-3577-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11745-011-3577-6

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