Giardia lamblia infection: identification and role of post-translational modifications of proteins in the maintenance of intercellular junctions in intestinal cells

• Grant number: 18/04412-5
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master
• Start date: November 01, 2018
• End date: July 31, 2020
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Parasitology - Protozoology of Parasites
• Agreement: Coordination of Improvement of Higher Education Personnel (CAPES)
• Principal Investigator: Renata Rosito Tonelli
• Grantee: Juliana Bizarri Souza
• Host Institution: Escola Paulista de Medicina (EPM). Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP). Campus São Paulo. São Paulo , SP, Brazil

Abstract

The gastrointestinal tract is covered by a monolayer of epithelial cells that act as a semipermeable barrier. The function of this barrier is due to the presence of a multiprotein complex that allows the selective passage of ions, water and other molecules through the epithelium. This complex is formed by three types of cellular junctions, with the tight junctions being the main factors responsible for paracellular permeability. These junctions consist of integral membrane proteins and scaffolding proteins that regulate the paracellular flow of ions and small molecules, delimit the apical and basolateral domains of cells and regulate cell proliferation and expression of certain genes. Giardiasis is one of the most common intestinal diseases in the world, with high levels of incidence and prevalence, especially in tropical and subtropical climates. The infection is caused by the protozoan Giardia lamblia, a microaerophilic parasite that colonizes the small intestine of humans and other mammals. The disease presents a spectrum of symptoms ranging from asymptomatic to symptomatic with acute or chronic diarrhea. It is known that infection by the parasite affects the intestinal epithelium at tight junctions, however, little is known about which proteins and signaling pathways are affected during the establishment of the disease. The aim of this work is to evaluate the profile of affected junction proteins during the establishment of giardiasis and to investigate the post-translational modifications and signaling pathways involved.

Scientific publications

(References retrieved automatically from Web of Science and SciELO through information on FAPESP grants and their corresponding numbers as mentioned in the publications by the authors)

TONELLI, RENATA ROSITO; SOUZA, JULIANA BIZARRI; TSANTARLIS, KATHERINE; MONTOIA, ELISANDRA RENATA; FERRAZ, IASMIN. Giardia-Host Interactions In Vitro: 2015-2020 Review. CURRENT TROPICAL MEDICINE REPORTS, v. 8, n. 3, JUL 2021. (16/11096-7, 18/04412-5, 19/02918-1)