Trypanosoma cruzi surface mucins: host-dependent coat diversity

CARLOS ANDRES BUSCAGLIA; CAMPO, V. A.; FRASCH, A. C.; DI NOIA, J. M.

NATURE REVIEWS MICROBIOLOGY

Año: 2006 vol. 4 p. 229 - 236

1740-1526

The surface of the human pathogen Trypanosoma cruzi is covered in mucins, which contribute to parasite protection and to the establishment of a persistent infection. Their importance is highlighted by the fact that the ~850 mucin-encoding genes comprise ~1% of the parasite genome and ~6% of all predicted T. cruzi genes. The coordinate expression of a large repertoire of mucins containing variable regions in the mammal-dwelling stages of the T. cruzi life cycle suggests a possible strategy to thwart the host immune response. Here, we discuss the expression profiling of T. cruzi mucins, the mechanisms leading to the acquisition of mucin diversity and the possible consequences of a mosaic surface coat in the interplay between parasite and host.