Antigenic variation in Trypanosoma brucei : A telomeric expression site for variant-specific surface glycoprotein genes with novel features

African trypanosomes evade the immune response of their host by periodically changing their variant surface glycoprotein (VSG) coat. Each coat is encoded by a separate VSG gene. Expressed genes are in a telomeric expression site (ES) and there are several sites in each trypanosome. To study the tran...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Nucleic acids research 1991-01, Vol.19 (4), p.1359-1368
Main Authors: Zomerdijk, JCBM, Kieft, R, Duyndam, M, Shiels, P G, Borst, P
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Trypanosoma brucei
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Summary:African trypanosomes evade the immune response of their host by periodically changing their variant surface glycoprotein (VSG) coat. Each coat is encoded by a separate VSG gene. Expressed genes are in a telomeric expression site (ES) and there are several sites in each trypanosome. To study the transcription control of VSG genes in Trypanosome brucei we have analyzed an ES, called the dominant ES (DES), that readily switches off and on. The promoter area of the DES is very similar to that of the 221 ES. It can be switched off and on in vivo without detectable DNA alterations in the vicinity of the transcription start and it can drive high transient expression of a reporter gene in transfection experiments.
ISSN:0305-1048