Authors

V Yurchenko³; A Ishemgulova³; N Kraeva³; J Hlaváčová¹; A Butenko³; T Leštinová¹; J Lukeš²; A Kostygov³; J Votýpka¹; P Volf¹;  ¹ Charles University, Czech Republic;  ² Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre, Czech Republic;  ³ University of Ostrava, Czech Republic

Discussion

In this work we investigated ALV1, a putative factor governing virulence in Leishmania mexicana. The gene encoding this protein, LmxM.30.2090 is located on the chromosome 30, previously shown to be enriched in amastigote-specific genes. We demonstrated that ALV1 is involved in virulence in both mouse and insect models. It appears to be deeply wired into the metabolic networks of Leishmania as seen from the changes in the expression of other genes upon its ablation. The acquisition of this gene by the common ancestor of Leishmaniinae suggests its primary role in the infection of insects.