Characterization and cellular distribution of heat-shock proteins HSP70 and HSP60 in Trypanosoma cruzi.

At least eight protein members of HSP70 and three of the HSP60 families have been identified in Trypanosoma cruzi; of these, five HSP70 isoforms and one HSP60 isoform were respectively induced by a 2-hr heat-shock treatment at 37 degrees C. Immunoelectronmicroscopy of epimastigote, spheromastigote, and metacyclic cells obtained in vitro showed anti-HSP60 reactive proteins in the mitochondria and near the kinetoplast. Anti-HSP70 reactive proteins presented a more complex pattern. They were observed in different cellular compartments, and after heat shock all the three cell forms analyzed presented gold particles associated with the cellular membrane.