Trypanosome antigens

Unusual antibody-induced modulation of surface antigens in the cell coat of a bloodstream trypanosome.

Unlike other eukaryotic cells, Trypanosoma lewisi forms caps at 0 degrees C when incubated with rabbit immunoglobulin G(IgG) directed against surface IgG from the rat host. The host IgG, which is specific for parasite antigens, probably does not cause capping of these antigens in vivo, since trypanosomes treated with Fab fragments directed against rat IgG are uniformly labeled and do not cap at...

Facilitating trypanosome imaging

Research on trypanosomes as a model organism has provided a substantial contribution to a detailed understanding of basic cellular processes within the last few years. At the same time, major advances in super-resolution microscopy have been achieved, facilitating the resolution of biological structures in living cells at a scale of a few nm. However, the motility of trypanosomes has prevented ...

Visualizing trypanosome sex.

Genetic exchange in Trypanosoma brucei is now well characterized. It is a key tool that has enabled an understanding of important parasite genetic traits and underpinned the Trypanosoma brucei genome project. However, a key aspect that has eluded us is the point in the trypanosome life cycle where genetic exchange occurs. Research using green and red fluorescent trypanosomes for visualizing gen...

Trypanosome pathogens of plants

The trypanosome flagellum.

Introduction African Trypanosomes are flagellated protozoan parasites that cause sleeping sickness in humans and Nagana in cattle. During its life cycle, Trypanosoma brucei alternates between an insect vector (tsetse fly) and a mammalian host. Within each of these, the parasite proliferates and undergoes separate periods of differentiation in preparation for each new host/vector environment. Th...