A B-cell mitogen from a pathogenic trypanosome is a eukaryotic proline racemase

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2000

Authors

Reina San Martin, B (Author) Other; Degrave, W (Author) Other; Rougeot, C (Author) Other; Cosson, A (Author) Other; Chamond, N (Author) Other; Cordeiro Da Silva, A (Author) FFUP; Arala Chaves, M (Author) Other; Coutinho, A (Author) Other; Minoprio, P (Author) Other

Journal

Title: Nature Medicine

Vol. 6

Pages: 890-897

ISSN: 1078-8956

Publisher: Springer Nature

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 113 Citations

Scopus - 124 Citations

Scientific classification

FOS: Medical and Health sciences > Other medical sciences

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-000-ZE2

DOI: 10.1038/78651

Abstract (EN): Lymphocyte polyclonal activation is a generalized mechanism of immune evasion among pathogens. In a mouse model of Trypanosoma cruzi infection (American trypanosomiasis), reduced levels of polyclonal lymphocyte responses correlate with resistance to infection and cardiopathy. We report here the characterization of a parasite protein with B-cell mitogenic properties in culture supernatants of infective forms, the cloning of the corresponding gene and the analysis of the biological properties of its product. We characterized the protein as a co-factor-independent proline racemase, and show that its expression as a cytoplasmic and/or membrane-associated protein is life-stage specific. Inhibition studies indicate that availability of the racemase active site is necessary for mitogenic activity. This is the first report to our knowledge of a eukaryotic amino acid racemase gene. Our findings have potential consequences for the development of new immune therapies and drug design against pathogens.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 8