Spliced leader RNA gene promoter sequence heterogeneity in CL-Brener Trypanosoma cruzi reference strain

Infect Genet Evol. 2004 Jun;4(2):153-7. doi: 10.1016/j.meegid.2004.02.002.

Abstract

Trypanosoma cruzi is divided into two phylogenetic lineages, T. cruzi I and T. cruzi II, which contain different spliced leader (SL) RNA gene promoter sequences: Class I SL gene promoter sequences are found in T. cruzi II, and Class II sequences in T. cruzi I. We analysed different SL RNA promoter sequences from CL-Brener reference strain, belonging to T. cruzi II lineage, and detected sequences that differed within the -80/+1 highly conserved region. Indeed, many of these divergent SL promoters present features of T. cruzi I promoters. Some of these sequences were grouped into the T. cruzi I sequences clade by Bayesian analysis. The results presented herein show that sequence heterogeneity in SL RNA gene promoter not only exists between T. cruzi strains but also within CL-Brener strain. These CL-Brener "T. cruzi I-like" sequences could be considered a molecular trace of a hybrid origin of the SL RNA gene and a new evidence for the presence of sequences of T. cruzi I origin into a T. cruzi II strain. The possible origins of these sequences are discussed.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Base Sequence
  • Bayes Theorem
  • Genes, Protozoan*
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Phylogeny
  • Promoter Regions, Genetic*
  • RNA, Protozoan / genetics*
  • RNA, Spliced Leader*
  • Sequence Homology, Nucleic Acid
  • Trypanosoma cruzi / classification
  • Trypanosoma cruzi / genetics*

Substances

  • RNA, Protozoan
  • RNA, Spliced Leader

Associated data

  • GENBANK/AF506368