Phytomonas: a non-pathogenic trypanosomatid model for functional expression of proteins

MARIANA R. MIRANDA; MELISA MARTINEZ SAYÉ; CHANTAL REIGADA; CAROLINA CARRILLO; CLAUDIO A. PEREIRA

PROTEIN EXPRESSION AND PURIFICATION

ACADEMIC PRESS INC ELSEVIER SCIENCE

Año: 2015

1046-5928

Phytomonas are protozoan parasites from the Trypanosomatidae family which infect a widevariety of plants. Herein, Phytomonas Jma was tested as a model for functional expression ofheterologous proteins. Green fluorescent protein expression was evaluated in Phytomonas andcompared with Trypanosoma cruzi, the etiological agent of Chagas´ disease. Phytomonas was able toexpress GFP at levels similar to Trypanosoma cruzi although the transgenic selection time was higher.It was possible to establish an efficient transfection and selection protocol for protein expression.These results demonstrate that Phytomonas can be a good model for functional expression of proteinsfrom other trypanosomatids, presenting the advantage of being completely safe for humans.