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A novel flagellar Ca2+-binding Protein in Trypanosomes
Journal article   Open access   Peer reviewed

A novel flagellar Ca2+-binding Protein in Trypanosomes

David M Engman, Karl-Heinz Krause, Joel H Blumin, Kwang S Kim, Louis V Kirchhoff and John E Donelson
The Journal of biological chemistry, Vol.264(31), pp.18627-18631
11/05/1989
DOI: 10.1016/S0021-9258(18)51512-X
PMID: 2681200
url
https://doi.org/10.1016/S0021-9258(18)51512-XView
Published (Version of record) Open Access

Abstract

A 24-kDa protein of Trypanosoma cruzi, the protozoan parasite that causes Chagas' disease, is recognized by antisera from both humans and experimental animals infected with this organism. Near its C terminus are two regions that have sequence similarity with several Ca2+-binding proteins and that conform to the “E-F hand” Ca2+-binding structure. We expressed a cDNA encoding this protein in Escherichia coli and showed that both the recombinant protein and the 24-kDa native trypanosome protein do indeed bind Ca2+. The protein's low Ca2+-binding capacity (< 2 mol of Ca2+/mol of protein) and high Ca2+-binding affinity (apparent Kd < 50 εM Ca2+) are consistent with binding of Ca2+ via the E-F hand structures. Immunofluorescence assays using a mouse antiserum directed against the fusion protein localized the native protein to the trypanosome's flagellum. The protein's abundance, Ca2+-binding property, and flagellar localization suggest that it participates in molecular processes associated with the high motility of the parasite.

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