Endocytosis in Trypanosoma cruzi

Abstract

Endocytic activity is particularly intense in Trypanosoma cruzi epimastigotes, while in amastigotes and trypomastigotes it is untraceable. Cargo molecules enters through the cytostome or flagellar pocket at the parasite anterior region, goes along a branched early endosomal network of tubules and vesicles spread from nuclear periphery to the posterior pole, until delivery to reservosomes, the final compartment. Reservosomes are acid compartments that store protein and lipid cargo and also accumulate lysosomal hydrolases, modulating digestive activity. Although T. cruzi infective forms are unable to uptake molecules, its lysosome related organelles represent a potential targets for anti-parasitic chemotherapy.