TcArf1: a Trypanosoma cruzi ADP-ribosylation factor.

Arfs (ADP-ribosylation factors) are conserved GTP-binding proteins involved in the control of coatomers assembling in budding vesicles in the eukaryotic secretory pathway and during some endocytic events. Here, we describe the gene for an Arf-homologue from the unicellular kinetoplastid parasite Trypanosoma cruzi, named TcArf1. TcArf1 is present in a discrete copy number in the T. cruzi genome and is expressed as a 1-kb transcript in the three main life forms of the parasite. Increased mRNA expression in epimastigotes may correlate with abundant protein biosynthesis and endocytosis in this stage.