In order to elucidate the role of various post-translational modifications within T. cruzi, we performed a comparative analysis on the localization and extent of modification of the specific PTMs- lysine acetylation, detyrosination, and glutamylation- on the a-tubulin of T. cruzi and the host cell strain, LLCMK2, by means of western blotting, immunofluorescence assays, and immunoprecipitations. From these experiments we have concluded that all three PTMs exhibit increased expression in T. cruzi and each is capable of specifically targeting certain a-tubulin fragments in the parasite and the host cell. The immunofluorescence assays revealed very specific and differential localization of the three modifications in both organisms. We then evaluated the effect different elements of the host cell's extracellular matrix have on the expression levels of the different PTMs upon parasitic adhesion. The results obtained potentially show differential levels of expression of lysine acetylation and glutamylation upon parasiticincubation with the ECM proteins, fibronectin and laminin.

Comparative analysis of the differential expression levels and localization of various post-translational modifications in the α-tubulin of the host cell (LLCMK2) and <i>Trypanosoma cruzi </i>

243rd National Meeting (2012)

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Comparative analysis of the differential expression levels and localization of various post-translational modifications in the α-tubulin of the host cell (LLCMK2) and Trypanosoma cruzi