Trypanosoma brucei: Two mitogen activated protein kinase kinases are dispensable for growth and virulence of the bloodstream form

Exp Parasitol. 2011 Jul;128(3):250-5. doi: 10.1016/j.exppara.2011.03.001. Epub 2011 Mar 17.

Abstract

Mitogen activated protein kinase cascades function in eukaryotic responses to the environment and stress. Trypanosomatid parasites possess protein kinases with sequences characteristic of kinases in such cascades. In this report we use gene knockouts to demonstrate that two mitogen activated kinase kinase genes, MKK1 (Tb927.3.4860) and MKK5 (Tb927.10.5270), are not essential in the pathogenic bloodstream stage of Trypanosoma brucei, either in vitro or in vivo. Bloodstream forms lacking MKK1 showed decreased growth at 39°C as compared to the parental line. However, unlike its Leishmania orthologue, T. brucei MKK1 does not appear to play a significant role in flagellar biogenesis.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Gene Knockout Techniques
  • MAP Kinase Kinase 1 / genetics
  • MAP Kinase Kinase 1 / metabolism*
  • MAP Kinase Kinase 5 / genetics
  • MAP Kinase Kinase 5 / metabolism*
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred BALB C
  • Trypanosoma brucei brucei / enzymology*
  • Trypanosoma brucei brucei / genetics
  • Trypanosoma brucei brucei / growth & development
  • Trypanosoma brucei brucei / pathogenicity
  • Trypanosomiasis, African / parasitology*
  • Virulence

Substances

  • MAP Kinase Kinase 1
  • MAP Kinase Kinase 5