Transformation of Leishmania mexicana metacyclic promastigotes to amastigote-like forms mediated by binding of human C-reactive protein

Bee, A and Culley, F J and Alkhalife, I S and Bodman-Smith, K B and Raynes, J G and Bates, P A (2001) Transformation of Leishmania mexicana metacyclic promastigotes to amastigote-like forms mediated by binding of human C-reactive protein. Parasitology, 122 (5). pp. 521-529. ISSN 0031-1820

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Abstract

Infective metacyclic promastigote forms of Leishmania mexicana are introduced by the bite of sandfly vectors into their human hosts where they transform into the amastigote form. The kinetics of this process was examined in vitro in response to different combinations of temperature (26 degrees C or 32 degrees C), pH (7.2 or 5.5), and exposure to human serum. Little transformation occurred at 26 degrees C/pH 7.2, intermediate levels at 26 degrees C/pH 5.5 and 32 degrees C/pH 7.2, and the greatest response at 32 degrees C/pH 5.5. Transformation was stimulated by exposure to normal human serum, but was markedly reduced when serum previously incubated at 56 degrees C for 1 h was used (complement heat-inactivated). This stimulatory effect was reproduced by exposure to a single purified component of human serum, C-reactive protein (CRP). Binding of CRP to the whole surface of L. mexicana metacyclic promastigotes, including the flagella, was demonstrated by an indirect fluorescent antibody test. The effect of purified CRP was dose dependent and occurred using normal serum concentrations. The stimulatory effect of whole serum was oblated by CRP depletion and restored by addition of purified CRP. The effects of cAMP analogues indicated that transformation could be mediated via an adenylate cyclase cascade.

Item Type:
Journal Article
Journal or Publication Title:
Parasitology
Additional Information:
http://journals.cambridge.org/action/displayJournal?jid=PAR The final, definitive version of this article has been published in the Journal, Parasitology, 122 (5), pp 521-529 2001, © 2001 Cambridge University Press.
Uncontrolled Keywords:
/dk/atira/pure/core/keywords/biologicalsciences/biomedicalandlifesciences
Subjects:
?? leishmania mexicanametacyclic promastigote c-reactive proteinlipophosphoglycanamastigoteadenylate cyclasebiomedical and life sciencesinfectious diseasesanimal science and zoologyparasitologyqr355 virology ??
ID Code:
56049
Deposited By:
Deposited On:
20 Jul 2012 13:13
Refereed?:
Yes
Published?:
Published
Last Modified:
18 Feb 2024 00:39