Skip to main content

Analysis of Gene Function in Trypanosoma brucei Using RNA Interference

  • Protocol
Parasite Genomics Protocols

Part of the book series: Methods in Molecular Biology™ ((MIMB,volume 270))

Abstract

Trypanosoma brucei, a flagellate protozoa of the family Trypanosomatidae, has become one of the model systems for unicellular pathogens to study fundamentally important biological phenomena. The method of choice today to examine gene function in these organisms is RNA interference (RNAi). Messenger RNA (mRNA) degradation is triggered by double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) produced in vivo from transgenes transcribed from opposing tetracycline (tet)-inducible T7 RNA polymerase promoters, or hairpin RNA transcribed from the tet-inducible procyclic acidic repetitive protein promoter. This chapter describes some of the methods we employ for ablation of gene expression by RNAi in T. brucei with particular emphasis on transfection and cloning of procyclic cells, induction of dsRNA expression, isolation of RNA, and analysis of dsRNA and target mRNA.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Protocol
USD 49.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 84.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 109.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 109.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  1. Hannon, G. J. (2002) RNA interference. Nature 418(6894), 244–251.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  2. Wang, Z., Morris, J. C., Drew, M. E., et al. (2000) Inhibition of Trypanosoma brucei gene expression by RNA interference using an integratable vector with opposing T7 promoters. J. Biol. Chem. 275, 40,174–40,179.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  3. Wang, Z. and Englund, P. T. (2001) RNA interference of a trypanosome topoisomerase II causes progressive loss of mitochondrial DNA. EMBO J. 20, 4674–4683.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  4. Bastin, P., Ellis, K., Kohl, L., et al. (2000) Flagellum ontogeny in trypanosomes studied via an inherited and regulated RNA interference system. J. Cell Sci. 113, 3321–3328.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  5. Drozdz, M., Palazzo, S. S., Salavati, R., et al. (2002) TbMP81 is required for RNA editing in Trypanosoma brucei. EMBO J. 21, 1791–1799.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  6. Wirtz, E., Leal, S., Ochatt, C., et al. (1999) A tightly regulated inducible expression system for conditional gene knock-outs and dominant-negative genetics in Trypanosoma brucei. Mol. Biochem. Parasitol. 99, 89–101.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  7. Cunningham, I. (1977) New culture medium for maintenance of tsetse tissues and growth of trypanosomatids. J. Protozool. 24, 325–329.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  8. Shi, H., Djikeng, A., Mark, T., et al. (2000) Genetic interference in Trypanosoma brucei by heritable and inducible double-stranded RNA. RNA 6, 1069–1076.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  9. LaCount, D. J., Bruse, S., Hill, K. L., et al. (2000) Double-stranded RNA interference in Trypanosoma brucei using head-to-head promoters. Mol. Biochem. Parasitol. 111, 67–76.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  10. Carruthers, V. B. and Cross, G. A. (1992) High-efficiency clonal growth of bloodstream-and insect-form Trypanosoma brucei on agarose plates. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 89, 8818–8821.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2004 Humana Press Inc., Totowa,NJ

About this protocol

Cite this protocol

Djikeng, A., Shen, S., Tschudi, C., Ullu, E. (2004). Analysis of Gene Function in Trypanosoma brucei Using RNA Interference. In: Melville, S.E. (eds) Parasite Genomics Protocols. Methods in Molecular Biology™, vol 270. Humana Press. https://doi.org/10.1385/1-59259-793-9:287

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1385/1-59259-793-9:287

  • Publisher Name: Humana Press

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-58829-062-5

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-59259-793-2

  • eBook Packages: Springer Protocols

Publish with us

Policies and ethics