A B-cell mitogen from a pathogenic trypanosome is a eukaryotic proline racemase
A B-cell mitogen from a pathogenic trypanosome is a eukaryotic proline racemase
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DOI：
10.1038/78651
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发表时间：
2000-08-01
期刊：
影响因子：
82.9
通讯作者：
Minoprio, P
中科院分区：
文献类型：
--
作者：
Reina-San-Martín, B;Degrave, W;Minoprio, P
Lymphocyte polyclonal activation is a generalized mechanism of immune evasion among pathogens. In a mouse model of Trypanosoma cruzi infection (American trypanosomiasis), reduced levels of polyclonal lymphocyte responses correlate with resistance to infection and cardiopathy. We report here the characterization of a parasite protein with B-cell mitogenic properties in culture supernatants of infective forms, the cloning of the corresponding gene and the analysis of the biological properties of its product. We characterized the protein as a co-factor-independent proline racemase, and show that its expression as a cytoplasmic and/or membrane-associated protein is life-stage specific. Inhibition studies indicate that availability of the racemase active site is necessary for mitogenic activity. This is the first report to our knowledge of a eukaryotic amino acid racemase gene. Our findings have potential consequences for the development of new immune therapies and drug design against pathogens.
