BIOL 4105 Chapter : Parasitology Fly Zone 1
Document Summary
May have rash waves of parasitemia rise in fall of parasite levels in blood = waves. All surface protein molecules on trypanosome are identical. Vsgs are very antigenic- elicit host immune response. -most tryps present in blood are expressing same vsg are clones enzymatically clip off entire glycoprotein coat. Express different vsg gene to produce a new coat that is a very different antigenic vsg. Change vsg- change surface antigen- first conatact all over again. Clip glycolipid linkage now-is first contact to the host all over again what is the benefit of antigeneic variation for the parasite. Antigenic variation factors in trypanosomes\ how antigenic variation occurs in this parasite. Glycolipid linkage: allows parasite to clip off entire coat of vsg coat with one specific enzyme. Has greater than 1000 genes in parasites genome coding for vsg. No repeats of any vsg in same host.
