Exploring the role of chromatin-associated proteins detected in Trypanosoma cruzi

• Grant number: 20/02708-4
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master
• Start date: April 01, 2020
• End date: September 30, 2021
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Biochemistry - Biochemistry of Microorganisms
• Principal Investigator: Julia Pinheiro Chagas da Cunha
• Grantee: Herbert Guimarães de Sousa Silva
• Host Institution: Instituto Butantan. Secretaria da Saúde (São Paulo - Estado). São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 18/15553-9 - Going deeper into Trypanosoma cruzi chromatin regulation: identifying new players and quizzing its impact on a potential transcription control, AP.JP2

Abstract

To expand the comprehensive of Trypanosoma cruzi chromatin regulation, we proposed to take advantage of cutting-edge methodologies developed to recover proteins associated to a given locus. At this Master's project, we will explore the role of one or two chromatinassociated protein detected at the abovementioned methodology. Ideally, we will select proteins that were enriched at more than one genomic loci. The role of those targets will be explored through CRISPR/Cas9 system for generation of knockouts (KO) parasites and tagged proteins. KO parasites will be evaluated: i. regarding their capacity of proliferation, and differentiation into trypomastigotes metacyclics; and ii. Regarding the effect of gene disruption on chromatin accessibility and transcription rate of the associated locus. Parasites expressing the tagged protein will be used to evaluate its cellular localization and on the discovery of interaction partners by immunoprecipitation (IP) assays. (AU)

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)

JERONIMO LIMA, ALEX RANIERI; DE SOUSA SILVA, HERBERT GUIMARAES; POUBEL, SALOE; ROSON, JULIANA NUNES; OLIVEIRA DE LIMA, LOYZE PAOLA; COSTA-SILVA, HELLIDA MARINA; GONCALVES, CAMILA SILVA; GALANTE, PEDRO A. F.; HOLETZ, FABIOLA; MOTTA, MARIA CRISTINA MACHADO M.; et al. Open chromatin analysis in Trypanosoma cruzi life forms highlights critical differences in genomic compartments and developmental regulation at tDNA loci. EPIGENETICS & CHROMATIN, v. 15, n. 1, p. 16-pg., 2022-06-01. (13/07467-1, 18/15553-9, 20/02708-4, 18/14432-3, 19/19834-5, 19/19690-3)