Crithidia deanei: Influence of parasite gp63 homologue on the interaction of endosymbiont-harboring and aposymbiotic strains with Aedes aegypti midgut

The present study demonstrates that the endosymbiont of Crithidia deanei influences the expression of surface gp63 molecules. Ultrastructural immunocytochemical analysis shows the presence of the gp63-like protein in the protozoan flagellum and flagellar pocket, either attached to shed membranes or in a free form. This molecule is glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI) anchored to the plasma membrane as demonstrated by phospholipase C (PLC) treatment and cross-reacting determinant detection by immunoblotting. The gp63 molecule mediates the adhesive process of the protozoan to Aedes aegypti explanted guts, since the binding was reduced by pre-incubating the C. deanei parasites (wild and aposymbiotic strains) with anti-gp63 antibodies, PLC or PLC followed by anti-gp63 antibodies incubation. In addition, the number of wild C. deanei bound to A. aegypti explanted guts was twice as that of aposymbiotic parasites. Flow cytometry assays revealed that the reactivity of the wild strain with anti-gp63 antibodies was approximately twice as that of the aposymbiotic strain. We may conclude that higher expression of surface gp63 by the wild strain of C. deanei may positively influence this interaction, posing a prominent advantage for the endosymbiont-containing trypanosomatids.