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Expression of mammalian cytokines by Trypanosoma cruzi indicates unique signal sequence requirements and processing.
Title | Expression of mammalian cytokines by Trypanosoma cruzi indicates unique signal sequence requirements and processing. |
Publication Type | Journal Article |
Year of Publication | 1995 |
Authors | La Flamme, AC, Buckner, FS, Swindle, J, Ajioka, J, Van Voorhis, WC |
Journal | Mol Biochem Parasitol |
Volume | 75 |
Issue | 1 |
Pagination | 25-31 |
Date Published | 1995 Dec |
ISSN | 0166-6851 |
Keywords | Amino Acid Sequence, Animals, Biological Assay, Chromatography, Affinity, Cytokines, Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay, Gene Expression, Interferon-gamma, Interleukin-2, Mammals, Mice, Molecular Sequence Data, Protein Sorting Signals, Rats, Recombinant Proteins, T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic, Transfection, Trypanosoma cruzi |
Abstract | A vector based upon the calmodulin-ubiquitin 2.65 locus of Trypanosoma cruzi has enabled the expression and secretion of the murine cytokines interleukin-2 (IL-2) and gamma-interferon (gamma-IFN) by transfected T. cruzi. The T. cruzi-derived cytokines were bioactive and produced by both epimastigotes and mammalian forms. The native coding sequence of IL-2 was sufficient to cause secretion of the protein, but the gamma-IFN signal sequence had to be replaced by the IL-2 signal sequence (IL-2/gamma-IFN) to allow efficient secretion of gamma-IFN. The amino acid sequences at the N-termini of the secreted T. cruzi-derived cytokines were different from the expected murine secreted protein. The secreted IL-2 was cleaved six amino acids downstream from the murine signal sequence cleavage site, and the hybrid IL-2/gamma-IFN molecule was cleaved three amino acids downstream from the predicted signal cleavage site in the IL-2/gamma-IFN molecule. These apparent differences in signal peptide sequence requirements and cleavage sites most likely indicate that the signal sequence processing in trypanosomes is distinct from that of higher eukaryotes. |
Alternate Journal | Mol. Biochem. Parasitol. |
PubMed ID | 8720172 |