We found a match
Your institution may have access to this item. Find your institution then sign in to continue.
- Title
First Evidence of Intraclonal Genetic Exchange in Trypanosomatids Using Two Leishmania infantum Fluorescent Transgenic Clones.
- Authors
Calvo-Álvarez, Estefanía; Álvarez-Velilla, Raquel; Jiménez, Maribel; Molina, Ricardo; Pérez-Pertejo, Yolanda; Balaña-Fouce, Rafael; Reguera, Rosa M.
- Abstract
Background: The mode of reproduction in Leishmania spp has been argued to be essentially clonal. However, recent data (genetic analysis of populations and co-infections in sand flies) have proposed the existence of a non-obligate sexual cycle in the extracellular stage of the parasite within the sand fly vector. In this article we propose the existence of intraclonal genetic exchange in the natural vector of Leishmania infantum. Methodology/Principal findings: We have developed transgenic L. infantum lines expressing drug resistance markers linked to green and red fluorescent reporters. We hypothesized whether those cells with identical genotype can recognize each other and mate. Both types of markers were successfully exchanged within the sand fly midgut of the natural vector Phlebotomus perniciosus when individuals from these species were fed with a mixture of parental clones. Using the yellow phenotype and drug resistance markers, we provide evidence for genetic exchange in L. infantum. The hybrid progeny appeared to be triploid based on DNA content analysis. The hybrid clone analyzed was stable throughout the complete parasite life cycle. The progress of infections by the hybrid clone in BALB/c mice caused a reduction in parasite loads in both spleen and liver, and provided weight values similar to those obtained with uninfected mice. Spleen arginase activity was also significantly reduced relative to parental strains. Conclusions/Significance: A L. infantum hybrid lineage was obtained from intraclonal genetic exchange within the midgut of the natural vector, suggesting the ability of this parasite to recognize the same genotype and mate. The yellow hybrid progeny is stable throughout the whole parasite life cycle but with a slower virulence, which correlates well with the lower arginase activity detected both in vitro and in vivo infections. Author Summary: Leishmaniasis is one of the most important human neglected parasitic diseases worldwide. When it appears in the visceral form it has the most aggressive outcome, and is fatal if left untreated. The current mode of reproduction of these parasites is under discussion, from propagation to a sexual reproduction process. Here, we describe for the first time the intraclonal genetic exchange between two transgenic L. infantum fluorescent strains in their natural vector Phlebotomus perniciosus. Hybrid clones displayed parental phenotypic traits such as yellow fluorescence and double-drug resistance. The DNA content of the hybrid lineage was 3n, while the parental lineage was 2n. The hybrid clone was able to undergo all the morphogenic transitions required to complete a full life cycle to infect a susceptible mammalian host, and maintained both phenotype and genotype. However, its capacity to generate the same lesions as those observed with parental clones in BALB/c mice was reduced.
- Subjects
SEXUAL cycle; MOLECULAR cloning; LEISHMANIA infantum; ANIMAL cloning; PARASITE life cycles; LEISHMANIA mexicana; SCIAENIDAE
- Publication
PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases, 2014, Vol 8, Issue 9, p1
- ISSN
1935-2727
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1371/journal.pntd.0003075