Formins play important role inLeishmaniaphysiology by acting as cytosolic actin bundlers

Abstract

Formin proteins regulate actin dynamics, are conserved throughout the eukaryotes cells. They play an important role in cell adhesion, motility, vesicular trafficking, and cytokinesis. Formins from class Kinetoplastida which includes infective organisms such as Leishmania and Trypanosoma not characterized to date, even though they are shown to be important in other protozoan parasites. The protozoan parasite Leishmania major (Lm) has two homologous formin proteins; LmForminA and LmForminB. Our study showed that LmForminA and LmForminB are expressed at RNA and protein levels in L. major cells. LmForminA and LmForminB are localized in the cytosol in patchy distribution patterns. LmForminA and LmForminB puncta also colocalize with the actin patches. The biochemical properties of L. major formins divulge that both formins are potent actin nucleator. LmForminA and LmForminB bind with the actin filament and have actin-bundling activity. We have also observed that formin inhibitor SMIFH2 influences the growth and physiology of L. major cells indicating formins are important for the Leishmania parasite.

Using meta-analysis and machine learning to investigate the transcriptional response of immune cells to Leishmania infection

“…It has been shown that the transcription of this gene and, subsequently, glycolysis is significantly increased in Leishmania infection [80]. DIAPH1 has roles in cell adhesion, motility, vesicular trafficking, and cytokinesis [81]. Meanwhile, BIRC3 and ATF3 are involved in apoptosis and immunity, respectively.…”