Distinct mitochondrial HSP70 homologues conserved in various Leishmania species suggest novel biological functions

We report the identification of two distinct homologues of the 70-kDa mitochondrial heat shock protein (mtHSP70) from Leishmania chagasi/Leishmania infantum (Lc2.1 and Lc2.2). In Leishmania species, multiple genes encoding Lc2.2 are present whilst single genes encode Lc2.1. Strikingly, genes encodin...

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Published in:Molecular and biochemical parasitology 2008-08, Vol.160 (2), p.157-162
Main Authors: Campos, Rodrigo M., Nascimento, Mirna, Ferraz, J. Cândido, Pereira, Mariana M.C., Rocha, Pollyanna O., Thompson, Glória M., Cysne-Finkelstein, Léa, Figueiredo, Regina C.B.Q., de Melo Neto, Osvaldo P.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Amino Acid Sequence
Animals
Antibodies, Protozoan - immunology
Cross Reactions
DNA, Protozoan - chemistry
DNA, Protozoan - genetics
Heat shock proteins
HSP70 Heat-Shock Proteins - genetics
HSP70 Heat-Shock Proteins - immunology
Leishmania chagasi
Leishmania infantum - genetics
Mitochondria
Mitochondrial Proteins - genetics
Molecular Sequence Data
mtHSP70
Phylogeny
Polymorphism, Genetic
Protozoan Proteins - genetics
Sequence Alignment
Sequence Analysis, DNA
Trypanosoma - genetics
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Summary:We report the identification of two distinct homologues of the 70-kDa mitochondrial heat shock protein (mtHSP70) from Leishmania chagasi/Leishmania infantum (Lc2.1 and Lc2.2). In Leishmania species, multiple genes encoding Lc2.2 are present whilst single genes encode Lc2.1. Strikingly, genes encoding Lc2.1-like proteins are absent from Trypanosoma species. Lc2.2 is characterized by a poly-glutamine rich C-terminus, absent from Lc2.1 or mtHSP70 homologues outside the trypanosomatids. Lc2.1 displays unique substitutions within its peptide-binding domain which modify amino acids strictly conserved in cytoplasmic and mitochondrial HSP70 proteins alike. Affinity purified antibodies recognize mainly a single protein in extracts from promastigotes/epimastigotes of various Leishmania/Trypanosoma species. Upon differentiation of Leishmania amazonensis into amastigotes a second protein (presumably Lc2.1) is induced and becomes the predominant mtHSP70 homologue expressed. Subcellular localization of these proteins was investigated and ratified a distribution throughout the mitochondrial matrix. Our results imply novel mtHSP70 functions which evolved within the genus Leishmania.
ISSN:0166-6851
1872-9428
DOI:10.1016/j.molbiopara.2008.04.013