The surface of amastigotes of Trypanosoma cruzi is covered by Ssp-4, a major stage-specific glycoprotein. Ssp-4 is anchored to the cell membrane by GPI. It can be metabolically labeled with [3H]myristic acid, and is converted into a hydrophilic form by treatment with the glycan-specific phospholipase C of T. brucei, or after lysis of the parasites in non-ionic detergents. The hydrophilic form of Ssp-4 is recognized by antibodies to the cross-reactive determinant of the variant surface glycoprotein of African trypanosomes. Ssp-4 is progressively shed during the intra- or extracellular development of amastigotes preceding their transformation into epi- and trypomastigotes. We show here that T. cruzi contains a phospholipase C and that most shed Ssp-4 is hydrophilic, does not contain myristic acid, and reacts with anti-CRD. These observations provide strong evidence that phospholipase C mediates the release of this glycosyl-phosphatidylinositol-anchored protein under physiological conditions, as the parasite undergoes differentiation.
Article|
February 01 1988
Developmentally regulated, phospholipase C-mediated release of the major surface glycoprotein of amastigotes of Trypanosoma cruzi.
N W Andrews,
N W Andrews
Department of Pathology, New York University Medical Center 10016.
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E S Robbins,
E S Robbins
Department of Pathology, New York University Medical Center 10016.
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V Ley,
V Ley
Department of Pathology, New York University Medical Center 10016.
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K S Hong,
K S Hong
Department of Pathology, New York University Medical Center 10016.
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V Nussenzweig
V Nussenzweig
Department of Pathology, New York University Medical Center 10016.
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N W Andrews
Department of Pathology, New York University Medical Center 10016.
E S Robbins
Department of Pathology, New York University Medical Center 10016.
V Ley
Department of Pathology, New York University Medical Center 10016.
K S Hong
Department of Pathology, New York University Medical Center 10016.
V Nussenzweig
Department of Pathology, New York University Medical Center 10016.
Online Issn: 1540-9538
Print Issn: 0022-1007
J Exp Med (1988) 167 (2): 300–314.
Citation
N W Andrews, E S Robbins, V Ley, K S Hong, V Nussenzweig; Developmentally regulated, phospholipase C-mediated release of the major surface glycoprotein of amastigotes of Trypanosoma cruzi.. J Exp Med 1 February 1988; 167 (2): 300–314. doi: https://doi.org/10.1084/jem.167.2.300
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