GP63 Function in the Interaction of Trypanosomatids with the Invertebrate Host: Facts and Prospects

Abstract

The GP63 of the protozoan parasite Leishmania is a highly abundant zinc metallopeptidase, mainly glycosylphosphatidylinositol-anchored to the parasite surface, which contributes to a myriad of well-established functions for Leishmania in the interaction with the mammalian host. However, the role of GP63 in the Leishmania-insect vector interplay is still a matter of controversy. Data from GP63 homologues in insect and plant trypanosomatids strongly suggest a participation of GP63 in this interface, either through nutrient acquisition or through binding to the insect gut receptors. GP63 has also been described in the developmental forms of Trypanosoma cruzi, Trypanosoma brucei and Trypanosoma rangeli that deal with the vector. Here, the available data from GP63 will be analyzed from the perspective of the interaction of trypanosomatids with the invertebrate host.

Differential diagnosis of the honey bee trypanosomatids Crithidia mellificae and Lotmaria passim

“…The gp63 virulence factor on the other hand showed a variable amino acid stretch. This protein belongs to a multi-gene family (Mauricio et al, 2007) and has been widely detected in trypanosomatids (d' Avila-Levy et al, 2014;Etges, 1992). Its role in insect parasites is understudied, but they are probably involved in cell adhesion and nutrition (d' Avila-Levy et al, 2014).…”

Trypanosomatid parasite dynamically changes the transcriptome during infection and modifies honey bee physiology

“…Similar to C. bombi and Crithidia expoeki 46 , multiple Amastin genes appear to exist in L. passim genome and some are upregulated at PI 12-27 (Supplementary Data 1); however, many are downregulated and GP63 is instead upregulated throughout the infection cycle. Leishmania GP63 was proposed to be essential for the promastigotes to attach to the insect gut wall [47][48][49] . Leptomonas GP63 was suggested to have the same function 50 , which may also apply to L. passim GP63.…”

Insight into the Exoproteome of the Tissue-Derived Trypomastigote form of Trypanosoma cruzi

“…Most of these were members of the TS family or mucins (Supplemental Table S2). The remaining are mostly proteins known to be involved in infection, such as gp63 acid protease (mainly GPI-anchored or secreted isoforms of this protein family) (d'Avila-Levy et al, 2014) and cruzipain, which is secreted through the flagellar pocket (Murta et al, 1990). Others are known to be immunogenic proteins and glycoproteins.…”