Isolation, purification and characterization of GPI-anchored membrane proteins from Trypanosoma rangeli and Trypanosoma cruzi

GPI-anchored proteins from plasma membrane of Trypanosoma rangeli and Trypanosoma cruzi epimastigotes were isolated and characterized using the partition Triton X-114 method. The detection by Western blot of specific proteins of 90, 85 and 56 kDa molecular mass in T. rangeli compared to those of 30, 70 and 100 kDa detected in T. cruzi demonstrates specific discrimination between these two species of Trypanosoma. The potential diagnostic value of the here reported proteins to differentiate mixed infections by T. cruzi and T. rangeli is evaluated and its potential for epidemiological studies of Chagas disease in endemic areas is also discussed.