Abstract
African trypanosomes evade the humoral immune response by periodically changing the antigenic identity of their variant cell-surface glycoprotein (VSG) coat. Antigenic variation relies on DNA rearrangement events that can translocate a silent VSG gene to a telomerically located VSG gene expression site. Antigenic switches can also be brought about by the differential transcriptional control of the expression sites, only one of which is transcribed at any time.
Publication types
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Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
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Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.
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Review
MeSH terms
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Animals
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Antigenic Variation / genetics*
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Antigens, Protozoan / genetics*
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Antigens, Surface / genetics*
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Gene Conversion
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Gene Expression Regulation
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Gene Rearrangement*
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Protozoan Proteins / genetics*
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Protozoan Proteins / immunology
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Telomere / physiology
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Transcription, Genetic
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Trypanosoma / genetics*
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Trypanosoma / immunology
Substances
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Antigens, Protozoan
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Antigens, Surface
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Protozoan Proteins