ERM Proteins Play Distinct Roles in Cell Invasion by Extracellular Amastigotes of Trypanosoma cruzi

Author(s)

Ferreira, Eden R. ^[1] ; Bonfim-Melo, Alexis ^[1] ; Cordero, Esteban M. ^{[1, 2]} ; Mortara, Renato A. ^[1]

Affiliation

^[1] Univ Fed Sao Paulo, Escola Paulista Med, Dept Microbiol Imunol & Parasitol, Sao Paulo - Brazil

^[2] Univ Mayor, Fac Ciencias, Ctr Genom & Bioinformat, Santiago - Chile

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY; v. 8, NOV 21 2017.
• Web of Science Citations: 5

Abstract

The protozoan parasite Trypanosoma cruzi is the causative agent of Chagas' disease. In mammalian hosts, T. cruzi alternates between trypomastigote and amastigote forms. Additionally, trypomastigotes can differentiate into amastigotes in the extracellular environment generating infective extracellular amastigotes (EAs). Ezrin-radixin-moesin (ERM) are key proteins linking plasma membrane to actin filaments, the major host cell component responsible for EA internalization. Our results revealed that depletion of host ezrin and radixin but not moesin inhibited EAs invasion in HeLa cells. ERM are recruited and colocalize with F-actin at EA invasion sites as shown by confocal microscopy. Invasion assays performed with cells overexpressing ERM showed increased EAs invasion in ezrin and radixin but not moesin overexpressing cells. Finally, time-lapse experiments have shown altered actin dynamics leading to delayed EA internalization in ezrin and radixin depleted cells when compared to control or moesin depleted cells. Altogether, these findings show distinct roles of ERM during EAs invasion, possibly regulating F-actin dynamics and plasma membrane interplay. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 11/51475-3 - Molecular and cellular biology of the parasitism by Trypanosoma cruzi
• Grantee: José Franco da Silveira Filho
• Support Opportunities: Research Projects - Thematic Grants
• FAPESP's process: 12/25282-6 - The role of ezrin, radixin and moesin (ERM proteins) in cell invasion by extracellular amastigotes of Trypanosoma cruzi.
• Grantee: Éden Ramalho de Araujo Ferreira
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate