Life and times: synthesis, trafficking, and evolution of VSG

Paul T. Manna; Cordula Boehm; Ka Fai Leung; Senthil Kumar Natesan; Mark C. Field

doi:10.1016/j.pt.2014.03.004

Life and times: synthesis, trafficking, and evolution of VSG

Paul T. Manna, Cordula Boehm, Ka Fai Leung, Senthil Kumar Natesan, Mark C. Field

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

55 Citations (Scopus)

191 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

Evasion of the acquired immune response in African trypanosomes is principally mediated by antigenic variation, the sequential expression of distinct variant surface glycoproteins (VSGs) at extremely high density on the cell surface. Sequence diversity between VSGs facilitates escape of a subpopulation of trypanosomes from antibody-mediated killing. Significant advances have increased understanding of the mechanisms underpinning synthesis and maintenance of the VSG coat. In this review, we discuss the biosynthesis, trafficking, and turnover of VSG, emphasising those unusual mechanisms that act to maintain coat integrity and to protect against immunological attack. We also highlight new findings that suggest the presence of unique or highly divergent proteins that may offer therapeutic opportunities, as well as considering aspects of VSG biology that remain to be fully explored.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	251-258
Number of pages	8
Journal	Trends in Parasitology
Volume	30
Issue number	5
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pt.2014.03.004
Publication status	Published - May 2014

Access to Document

10.1016/j.pt.2014.03.004

Publisher final version
Attribution — You must give appropriate credit, provide a link to the license, andindicate if changes were made. You may do so in any reasonable manner, but not in any way that suggests the licensor endorses you or your use.
Final published version, 773 KBLicence: CC BY

Cite this

@article{bda20cc95e9e4929acafad886d825552,

title = "Life and times: synthesis, trafficking, and evolution of VSG",

abstract = "Evasion of the acquired immune response in African trypanosomes is principally mediated by antigenic variation, the sequential expression of distinct variant surface glycoproteins (VSGs) at extremely high density on the cell surface. Sequence diversity between VSGs facilitates escape of a subpopulation of trypanosomes from antibody-mediated killing. Significant advances have increased understanding of the mechanisms underpinning synthesis and maintenance of the VSG coat. In this review, we discuss the biosynthesis, trafficking, and turnover of VSG, emphasising those unusual mechanisms that act to maintain coat integrity and to protect against immunological attack. We also highlight new findings that suggest the presence of unique or highly divergent proteins that may offer therapeutic opportunities, as well as considering aspects of VSG biology that remain to be fully explored.",

author = "Manna, {Paul T.} and Cordula Boehm and Leung, {Ka Fai} and Natesan, {Senthil Kumar} and Field, {Mark C.}",

year = "2014",

month = may,

doi = "10.1016/j.pt.2014.03.004",

language = "English",

volume = "30",

pages = "251--258",

journal = "Trends in Parasitology",

issn = "1471-4922",

publisher = "Elsevier",

number = "5",

}

TY - JOUR

T1 - Life and times

T2 - synthesis, trafficking, and evolution of VSG

AU - Manna, Paul T.

AU - Boehm, Cordula

AU - Leung, Ka Fai

AU - Natesan, Senthil Kumar

AU - Field, Mark C.

PY - 2014/5

Y1 - 2014/5

N2 - Evasion of the acquired immune response in African trypanosomes is principally mediated by antigenic variation, the sequential expression of distinct variant surface glycoproteins (VSGs) at extremely high density on the cell surface. Sequence diversity between VSGs facilitates escape of a subpopulation of trypanosomes from antibody-mediated killing. Significant advances have increased understanding of the mechanisms underpinning synthesis and maintenance of the VSG coat. In this review, we discuss the biosynthesis, trafficking, and turnover of VSG, emphasising those unusual mechanisms that act to maintain coat integrity and to protect against immunological attack. We also highlight new findings that suggest the presence of unique or highly divergent proteins that may offer therapeutic opportunities, as well as considering aspects of VSG biology that remain to be fully explored.

AB - Evasion of the acquired immune response in African trypanosomes is principally mediated by antigenic variation, the sequential expression of distinct variant surface glycoproteins (VSGs) at extremely high density on the cell surface. Sequence diversity between VSGs facilitates escape of a subpopulation of trypanosomes from antibody-mediated killing. Significant advances have increased understanding of the mechanisms underpinning synthesis and maintenance of the VSG coat. In this review, we discuss the biosynthesis, trafficking, and turnover of VSG, emphasising those unusual mechanisms that act to maintain coat integrity and to protect against immunological attack. We also highlight new findings that suggest the presence of unique or highly divergent proteins that may offer therapeutic opportunities, as well as considering aspects of VSG biology that remain to be fully explored.

UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84899485155&partnerID=8YFLogxK

U2 - 10.1016/j.pt.2014.03.004

DO - 10.1016/j.pt.2014.03.004

M3 - Article

AN - SCOPUS:84899485155

SN - 1471-4922

VL - 30

SP - 251

EP - 258

JO - Trends in Parasitology

JF - Trends in Parasitology

IS - 5

ER -

Life and times: synthesis, trafficking, and evolution of VSG

Abstract

Access to Document

Other files and links

Fingerprint

Cite this