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Differential influence of gp63-like molecules in three distinct Leptomonas species on the adhesion to insect cells

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Abstract

Parasites belonging to the Leptomonas genus have been used as model organisms for studying biochemical, cellular, and genetic processes unique to members of the Trypanosomatidae family. In the present study, the cell-associated and extracellular peptidases of three Leptomonas species, Leptomonas collosoma, Leptomonas samueli, and Leptomonas wallacei, were assayed and characterized by gelatin–sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. All parasites released metallopeptidases, whereas no cell-associated proteolytic activity could be detected in the cellular extracts from L. collosoma. Western blotting probed with a polyclonal antibody raised against gp63 from Leishmania amazonensis revealed two major reactive polypeptides of apparent molecular masses of 63 and 52 kDa, with different intensities in cellular extracts and released proteins from the studied trypanosomatids. Flow cytometry and fluorescence microscopy analyses showed that the gp63-like molecules have a surface location. This is the first report on the presence of gp63-like molecules in L. collosoma, L. samueli, and L. wallacei. The pretreatment of L. samueli and L. wallacei with anti-gp63 antibody significantly diminished their association index to Aedes albopictus cell line (C6/36), suggesting a potential involvement of the gp63-like molecules in the interaction process of these insect trypanosomatids with the vector.

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Acknowledgments

This study was supported by the Brazilian agencies: MCT/CNPq (Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico), CEPG/UFRJ (Conselho de Ensino para Graduados e Pesquisas), FAPERJ (Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado do Rio de Janeiro), FUJB (Fundação Universitária José Bonifácio), and CAPES (Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratório de Estudos Integrados em Bioquímica Microbiana, Departamento de Microbiologia Geral, Instituto de Microbiologia Prof. Paulo de Góes (IMPPG), Centro de Ciências da Saúde (CCS), Bloco E-subsolo, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Avenida Carlos Chagas Filho, 373, Cidade Universitária, Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, 21941-902, Brazil

    F. M. Pereira, P. S. Bernardo, P. F. F. Dias Junior, B. A. Silva & A. L. S. Santos

  2. Laboratório Experimental de Drogas Antivirais e Citotóxicas, Departamento de Virologia, IMPPG, CCS, UFRJ, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

    M. T. V. Romanos

  3. Laboratório de Biologia Molecular e Doenças Endêmicas, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz (IOC), FIOCRUZ, Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

    C. M. d’Avila-Levy

  4. Laboratório de Bioquímica de Proteases, Departamento de Microbiologia Geral, IMPPG, CCS, UFRJ, Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

    M. H. Branquinha

Authors
  1. F. M. Pereira
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  2. P. S. Bernardo
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  3. P. F. F. Dias Junior
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  4. B. A. Silva
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  5. M. T. V. Romanos
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  6. C. M. d’Avila-Levy
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  7. M. H. Branquinha
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  8. A. L. S. Santos
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Correspondence to A. L. S. Santos.

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Pereira, F.M., Bernardo, P.S., Dias Junior, P.F.F. et al. Differential influence of gp63-like molecules in three distinct Leptomonas species on the adhesion to insect cells. Parasitol Res 104, 347–353 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00436-008-1202-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00436-008-1202-2

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