A co-evolutionary arms race: trypanosomes shaping the human genome, humans shaping the trypanosome genome

Capewell, P. , Cooper, A., Clucas, C. , Weir, W. and MacLeod, A. (2015) A co-evolutionary arms race: trypanosomes shaping the human genome, humans shaping the trypanosome genome. Parasitology, 142(S1), S108-S119. (doi: 10.1017/S0031182014000602) (PMID:25656360) (PMCID:PMC4413828)

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Abstract

<i>Trypanosoma brucei</i> is the causative agent of African sleeping sickness in humans and one of several pathogens that cause the related veterinary disease Nagana. A complex co-evolution has occurred between these parasites and primates that led to the emergence of trypanosome-specific defences and counter-measures. The first line of defence in humans and several other <i>catarrhine</i> primates is the trypanolytic protein apolipoprotein-L1 (APOL1) found within two serum protein complexes, trypanosome lytic factor 1 and 2 (TLF-1 and TLF-2). Two sub-species of <i>T. Brucei</i> have evolved specific mechanisms to overcome this innate resistance, <i>Trypanosoma brucei gambiense</i> and <i>Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense</i>. In <i>T. b. Rhodesiense</i>, the presence of the serum resistance associated (SRA) gene, a truncated variable surface glycoprotein (VSG), is sufficient to confer resistance to lysis. The resistance mechanism of <i>T. b. Gambiense</i> is more complex, involving multiple components: reduction in binding affinity of a receptor for TLF, increased cysteine protease activity and the presence of the truncated VSG, <i>T. b. Gambiense</i>-specific glycoprotein <i>(TgsGP)</i>. In a striking example of co-evolution, evidence is emerging that primates are responding to challenge by <i>T. b. Gambiense</i> and <i>T. b. Rhodesiense</i>, with several populations of humans and primates displaying resistance to infection by these two sub-species.

Item Type:Articles
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Weir, Professor Willie and O'Connell, Dr Caroline and MacLeod, Professor Annette and Capewell, Dr Paul and Cooper, Dr Anneli
Authors: Capewell, P., Cooper, A., Clucas, C., Weir, W., and MacLeod, A.
College/School:College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Biodiversity, One Health & Veterinary Medicine
Journal Name:Parasitology
Publisher:Cambridge University Press
ISSN:0031-1820
ISSN (Online):1469-8161
Copyright Holders:Copyright © 2014 Cambridge University Press
First Published:First published in Parasitology 142(S1)108-119
Publisher Policy:Reproduced under a Creative Commons License

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Project CodeAward NoProject NamePrincipal InvestigatorFunder's NameFunder RefLead Dept
371796The Wellcome Centre for Molecular Parasitology ( Core Support )Andrew WatersWellcome Trust (WELLCOME)085349/Z/08/ZIII - PARASITOLOGY
371798The Wellcome Centre for Molecular Parasitology ( Core Support )Andrew WatersWellcome Trust (WELLCOME)085349/B/08/ZIII - PARASITOLOGY