@article{fdi:010060775,
  title = {{D}ifferential distribution of genes encoding the virulence factor trans-sialidase along {T}rypanosoma cruzi {D}iscrete {T}yping {U}nits},
  author = {{B}urgos, {J}. {M}. and {R}isso, {M}. {G}. and {B}reni{\`e}re, {S}imone {F}r{\'e}d{\'e}rique and {B}arnab{\'e}, {C}hristian and {C}ampetella, {O}. and {L}eguizamon, {M}. {S}.},
  editor = {},
  language = {{ENG}},
  abstract = {{T}rypanosoma cruzi the agent of {C}hagas disease is a monophyletic but heterogeneous group conformed by several {D}iscrete {T}yping {U}nits ({DTU}s) named {T}c{I} to {T}c{VI} characterized by genetic markers. {T}he trans-sialidase ({TS}) is a virulence factor involved in cell invasion and pathogenesis that is differentially expressed in aggressive and less virulent parasite stocks. {G}enes encoding {TS}-related proteins are included in a large family divided in several groups but only one of them contains {TS} genes. {T}wo closely related genes differing in a {T}/{C} transition encode the enzymatically active {TS} (a{TS}) and a lectin-like {TS} (i{TS}). {W}e quantified the a{TS}/i{TS} genes from {T}c{II} and {T}c{VI} aggressive and {T}c{I} low virulent strains and found variable a{TS} number (1-32) per haploid genome. {I}n spite of being low {TS} enzyme-expressers, {T}c{I} strains carry 28-32 a{TS} gene copies. {T}he intriguing absence of i{TS} genes in {T}c{I} strains together with the presence of a{TS}/i{TS} in {T}c{II} and {T}c{VI} strains (virulent) were observed. {M}oreover, after sequencing a{TS}/i{TS} from 38 isolates collected along the {A}mericas encompassing all {DTU}s, the persistent absence of the i{TS} gene in {T}c{I}, {T}c{III} and {T}c{IV} was found. {I}n addition, the sequence clustering together with {T}/{C} transition analysis correlated to {DTU}s of {T}. cruzi. {T}he consistence of {TS} results with both evolutionary genome models proposed for {T}. cruzi, namely the "{T}wo {H}ybridization" and the "{T}hree {A}ncestor" was discussed and reviewed to fit present findings. {P}arasite stocks to attempt genetic {KO} or to assay the involvement of i{TS} in parasite biology and virulence are finally available.},
  keywords = {{AMERIQUE} {DU} {SUD}},
  booktitle = {},
  journal = {{P}lo{S} {O}ne},
  volume = {8},
  numero = {3},
  pages = {e58967},
  ISSN = {1932-6203},
  year = {2013},
  DOI = {10.1371/journal.pone.0058967},
  URL = {https://www.documentation.ird.fr/hor/fdi:010060775},
}