The regulation by iron of the synthesis of adhesins and cytoadherence levels in the protozoan Trichomonas vaginalis

M W Lehker; R Arroyo; J F Alderete

doi:10.1084/jem.174.2.311

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The regulation by iron of the synthesis of adhesins and cytoadherence levels in the protozoan Trichomonas vaginalis

Journal article

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The regulation by iron of the synthesis of adhesins and cytoadherence levels in the protozoan Trichomonas vaginalis

M W Lehker, R Arroyo and J F Alderete

The Journal of experimental medicine, Vol.174(2), pp.311-318

08/01/1991

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1084/jem.174.2.311

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https://hdl.handle.net/2376/116097

PMCID: PMC2118921

PMID: 1856625

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Abstract

Rabbits

Trichomonas vaginalis - metabolism

Protein Biosynthesis

Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel

Humans

Immunoblotting

Trichomonas vaginalis - genetics

Amanitins - pharmacology

Epithelium

Protozoan Proteins - genetics

Cell Adhesion

Iron - metabolism

Protozoan Proteins - biosynthesis

Cycloheximide - pharmacology

Animals

Time Factors

Trichomonas vaginalis - drug effects

Female

Transcription, Genetic

Microbiological Techniques

HeLa Cells

Gene Expression Regulation, Bacterial

Dactinomycin - pharmacology

Levels of adherence of Trichomonas vaginalis to epithelial cells was found to be modulated by iron. Cytoadherence values were greater than or equal to twofold higher for trichomonads grown in a complex cultivation medium supplemented with iron. This increase in adherence levels was specifically mediated by iron; parasites cultured in a low-iron medium in the presence of salts other than iron were unresponsive to changes in adherence levels. Expression of the higher adherence property, by parasites grown first in low-iron medium followed by supplementation with iron, was a function of time, and the extent of cytoadherence was proportional to the concentration of iron added to the medium. Lactoferrin, an important iron source for trichomonads at the site of infection, elevated adherence of the parasite to epithelial cells, demonstrating the likely in vivo modulation of adherence by iron. The alteration of levels of adherence caused by iron was determined to be a reflection of gene expression of previously characterized trichomonad adhesins. Parasites grown under iron-replete conditions had higher quantities of surface-exposed adhesins, and this was a result of increased synthesis of adhesins. Actinomycin D and alpha-amanitin prevented expression of adhesin molecules, which resulted in decreased cytoadherence, showing that adhesin synthesis was dependent on gene transcription. Data indicated that genes encoding the four trichomonad adhesins are coordinately regulated by iron.

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Title: The regulation by iron of the synthesis of adhesins and cytoadherence levels in the protozoan Trichomonas vaginalis
Creators: M W Lehker - Department of Microbiology, University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio 78284
R Arroyo
J F Alderete
Publication Details: The Journal of experimental medicine, Vol.174(2), pp.311-318
Academic Unit: Molecular Biosciences, School of
Publisher: United States
Grant note: AI-18768 / NIAID NIH HHS T32-AI-07271 / NIAID NIH HHS
Identifiers: 99900547549401842
Language: English
Resource Type: Journal article