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(Reference retrieved automatically from Web of Science through information on FAPESP grant and its corresponding number as mentioned in the publication by the authors.)

Characterization of anti-silencing factor 1 in Leishmania major

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Author(s):
Scher, Ricardo [1, 2] ; Ferreira Garcia, Juliana Borio [1] ; Pascoalino, Bruno [3] ; Schenkman, Sergio [3] ; Cruz, Angela Kaysel [1]
Total Authors: 5
Affiliation:
[1] Univ Sao Paulo, Fac Med Ribeirao Preto, Dept Biol Celular & Mol & Bioagentes Patogen, BR-14049904 Ribeirao Preto, SP - Brazil
[2] Univ Fed Sergipe, Ctr Ciencias Biol & Saude, Dept Morfol, Aracaju, SE - Brazil
[3] Univ Fed Sao Paulo, Dept Microbiol Imunol & Parasitol, Sao Paulo - Brazil
Total Affiliations: 3
Document type: Journal article
Source: Memórias do Instituto Oswaldo Cruz; v. 107, n. 3, p. 377+, MAY 2012.
Web of Science Citations: 5
Abstract

Anti-silencing factor 1 (ASF1) is a histone chaperone that contributes to the histone deposition during nucleosome assembly in newly replicated DNA. It is involved in chromatin disassembly, transcription activation and in the cellular response to DNA damage. In Leishmania major the ASF1 gene (LmASF1) is located in chromosome 20 and codes for a protein showing 67% of identity with the Trypanosoma brucei TbASF1a. Compared to orthologous proteins, LmASF1 conserves the main residues relevant for its various biological functions. To study ASF1 in Leishmania we generated a mutant overexpressing LmASF1 in L. major. We observed that the excess of LmASF1 impaired promastigotes growth rates and had no impact on cell cycle progress. Differently from yeast, ASF1 overproduction in Leishmania did not affect expression levels of genes located on telomeres, but led to an upregulation of proteins involved in chromatin remodelling and physiological stress, such as heat shock proteins, oxidoreductase activity and proteolysis. In addition, we observed that LmASF1 mutant is more susceptible to the DNA damaging agent, methyl methane sulphonate, than the control line. Therefore, our study suggests that ASF1 from Leishmania pertains to the chromatin remodelling machinery of the parasite and acts on its response to DNA damage. (AU)

FAPESP's process: 99/12403-3 - From the genome to the biology of Leishmania: a comprehensive approach
Grantee:Angela Kaysel Cruz
Support Opportunities: Research Projects - Thematic Grants
FAPESP's process: 06/50323-7 - Control of gene expression and genetlc plasticity in Leishmania
Grantee:Angela Kaysel Cruz
Support Opportunities: Research Projects - Thematic Grants