Gene expression regulation in trypanosomatids

DE GAUDENZI, JG#; NOÉ, G; CAMPO, V; FRASCH, AC; CASSOLA, A

ESSAYS IN BIOCHEMISTRY

PORTLAND PRESS LTD

Lugar: Athens; Año: 2011 vol. 51 p. 31 - 46

0071-1365

Trypanosomatids are protozoan microorganisms that cause serious health problems in humans and domestic animals. In addition to their medical relevance, these pathogens have novel biological structures and processes. From nuclear DNA transcription to mRNA translation, trypanosomes use unusual mechanisms to control gene expression. For example, transcription by RNA polymerase II (RNAPII) is polycistronic, and only a few transcription initiation sites have been identified so far. The sequences present in the polycistronic units code for proteins having unrelated functions, that is, not involved in a similar metabolic pathway. Due to these biological constraints, these microorganisms regulate gene expression mostly by post-transcriptional events. Consequently, the function of proteins that recognize RNA elements preferentially at the 3? untranslated region (UTR) of transcripts is central. It was recently shown that messenger ribonucleoprotein (mRNP) complexes are organized within post-transcriptional operons to coordinately regulate gene expression of functionally linked transcripts. In the present chapter we will focus on particular characteristics of gene expression in the so-called TriTryp parasites: Trypanosoma cruzi, Trypanosoma brucei and Leishmania major.# CORRESPONDING AUTHOR.