The emerging role of RNA‐binding proteins in the life cycle of Trypanosoma brucei. (16th February 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Kolev, Nikolay G.; Ullu, Elisabetta; Tschudi, Christian
• Is Part Of: Cellular microbiology. Volume 16:Number 4(2014:Apr.)
• Page Start: 482
• Page End: 489
• Publication Date: 2014-02-16
• Subjects: Microbiology -- Periodicals; Cytology -- Periodicals; Host-parasite relationships -- Periodicals; Microbiology -- Periodicals; Cells -- Periodicals; Microbiologie -- Périodiques; Microbiologie; Relation hôte-parasite; Cytologie; Cellule; Réponse cellulaire; Ressource Internet (Descripteur de forme); Périodique électronique (Descripteur de forme); 579.05
• DOI: 10.1111/cmi.12268
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1462-5814

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main"> <title>Summary</title> <p>One of the key questions in understanding the biology of an organism is how to correlate cellular fate and function with gene expression patterns. This is particularly relevant for pathogenic organisms, like the parasitic protozoa <italic>T</italic><italic>rypanosoma brucei</italic>, who often cycle between different hosts, thereby encountering vastly different environments. Survival in and adaptation to new surroundings requires activation of specific gene networks, which is most often achieved by regulatory mechanisms embedded in the transcriptional machinery. However, in <italic>T</italic><italic>. brucei</italic> and related trypanosomatids these responses appear to be accomplished mainly by post‐transcriptional mechanisms. Although an understanding of how this parasite modulates gene regulatory networks is in the early stages, RNA‐binding proteins (RBPs) are beginning to take centre stage. Here, we discuss recent progress in the identification of RBPs with crucial roles in different stages of the <italic>T</italic><italic>. brucei</italic> life cycle, and in elucidating targets of RBPs.</p> </abstract>