An orphan kinesin controls trypanosome morphology transitions by targeting FLAM3 to the flagellum

PLoS Pathog. 2018 May 29;14(5):e1007101. doi: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1007101. eCollection 2018 May.

Abstract

Trypanosoma brucei undergoes life cycle form transitions from trypomastigotes to epimastigotes in the insect vector by re-positioning the mitochondrial genome and re-locating the flagellum and flagellum-associated cytoskeletal structures. The mechanism underlying these dramatic morphology transitions remains poorly understood. Here we report the regulatory role of the orphan kinesin KIN-E in controlling trypanosome morphology transitions. KIN-E localizes to the flagellum and is enriched at the flagellar tip, and this localization depends on the C-terminal m-calpain domain III-like domains. Depletion of KIN-E in the trypomastigote form of T. brucei causes major morphology changes and a gradual increase in the level of EP procyclin, generating epimastigote-like cells. Mechanistically, through its C-terminal importin α-like domain, KIN-E targets FLAM3, a flagellar protein involved in morphology transitions, to the flagellum to promote elongation of the flagellum attachment zone and positioning of the flagellum and flagellum-associated cytoskeletal structure, thereby maintaining trypomastigote cell morphology. Our findings suggest that morphology transitions in trypanosomes require KIN-E-mediated transport of FLAM3 to the flagellum.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Carrier Proteins / physiology
  • Cytoskeletal Proteins
  • Cytoskeleton / ultrastructure
  • Flagella / metabolism*
  • Flagella / ultrastructure
  • Kinesins / chemistry
  • Kinesins / physiology*
  • Membrane Glycoproteins / genetics
  • Membrane Glycoproteins / metabolism
  • Protein Structure, Secondary
  • Protozoan Proteins / genetics
  • Protozoan Proteins / metabolism
  • Protozoan Proteins / physiology
  • RNA Interference / physiology
  • Sequence Alignment
  • Transcription Elongation, Genetic / physiology
  • Trypanosoma brucei brucei / metabolism
  • Trypanosoma brucei brucei / ultrastructure*

Substances

  • Carrier Proteins
  • Cytoskeletal Proteins
  • FTZC protein, Trypanosoma brucei
  • Membrane Glycoproteins
  • Protozoan Proteins
  • procyclic acidic repetitive protein, Trypanosoma
  • Kinesins