Modelling differential developmental expression of glicerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase isozymes in the Chagas disease vector Triatoma infestans

COSSY ISASI S; STROPPA M.M.; LAGUNAS M.S.; CONDAT C.A.

San Javier Pvcia. de Tucumán

Congreso; XLI Reunión Anual de la Sociedad Argentina de Biofísica; 2012

Sociedad Argentina de Biofísica

Glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GPDH) isozymes are differentially expressed among tissues and during flight development. GPDH-1 is involved in the flight-muscle metabolism and GPDH-2 provides precursors for lipid biosynthesis in many tissues. Two cDNAs encoding for GPDH-1 and GPDH-2 isozymes were isolated and characterized from Triatoma infestans, a Chagas disease vector. Both isozymes are present in 30-day-old adult thoracic muscle transcripts, and the pattern of expression differs between sexes. The expression of GPDH-1 begins earlier in females, and GPDH-2 is expressed more abundantly in female adult thoracic muscles than in those from males. The temporal evolution of the synthesis of both mRNAs in the same tissue is modelled as a competitive event using a predator-prey system of equations. The results show good agreement with the available data, describing its oscillations and dependence with relevant parameters. The implications of the model on the current discussion about the nature of Chagas disease are commented upon.