Evolving differentiation in African trypanosomes

Quintana, J. F. , Zoltner, M. and Field, M. C. (2021) Evolving differentiation in African trypanosomes. Trends in Parasitology, 37(4), pp. 296-303. (doi: 10.1016/j.pt.2020.11.003) (PMID:33309505)

Abstract

Differentiation is a central aspect of the parasite life cycle and encompasses adaptation to both host and environment. If we accept that evolution cannot anticipate an organism’s needs as it enters a new environment, how do parasite differentiation pathways arise? The transition between vertebrate and insect stage African trypanosomes is probably one of the better studied and involves a cell-cycle arrested or ‘stumpy’ form that activates metabolic pathways advantageous to the parasite in the insect host. However, a range of stimuli and stress conditions can trigger similar changes, leading to formation of stumpy-like cellular states. We propose that the origin and optimisation of this differentiation program represents repurposing of a generic stress response to gain considerable gain-of-fitness associated with parasite transmission.

• Item Type: Articles
• Additional Information: Work in our laboratory is supported by the Wellcome Trust (204697/Z/16/Z to M.C.F.). J.Q.F. is supported by a Wellcome Trust award (209511/Z/17/Z to Annette MacLeod).
• Keywords: Trypanosoma brucei, adaptive mechanisms, environmental sensing, evolution of differentiation, life history theory.
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Quintana, Dr Juan
• Authors: Quintana, J. F., Zoltner, M., and Field, M. C.
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Biodiversity, One Health & Veterinary Medicine
• Journal Name: Trends in Parasitology
• Publisher: Elsevier (Cell Press)
• ISSN: 1471-4922
• ISSN (Online): 1471-5007
• Published Online: 11 December 2020
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2020 The Authors
• First Published: First published in Trends in Parasitology 37(4): 296-303
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced under a Creative Commons License

Project Code	Award No	Project Name	Principal Investigator	Funder's Name	Funder Ref	Lead Dept
301099		The skin as a reservoir for trypanosomes: the key to transmission and disease pathology	Annette MacLeod	Wellcome Trust (WELLCOTR)	209511/Z/17/Z	Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health and Comparative Medicine