R. McCulloch

Immunoprecipitation of RNA-DNA hybrid interacting proteins in Trypanosoma brucei reveals conserved and novel activities, including in host immune evasion by antigenic variation

The paper identifies 602 RNA-DNA hybrid interactors in Trypanosoma brucei using immunoprecipitation and mass spectrometry, revealing conserved and novel functions in DNA repair and immune evasion.

RAD51-mediated R-loop formation acts to repair transcription-associated DNA breaks driving antigenic variation in Trypanosoma brucei

This study shows RAD51 interacts with RNA-DNA hybrids and repairs DNA breaks at the transcribed VSG in T. brucei, linking RNA-DNA hybrids to antigenic variation.

Widespread roles of Trypanosoma brucei ATR in nuclear genome function and transmission are linked to R-loops

This study shows that ATR in Trypanosoma brucei is involved in genome maintenance, R-loop regulation, and chromosome segregation, despite DNA damage and continued cell division after ATR depletion.

Single cell transcriptomic analysis of bloodstream form Trypanosoma brucei reconstructs cell cycle progression and differentiation via quorum sensing

This study uses scRNA-seq to analyze differentiation in Trypanosoma brucei, identifying gene expression patterns and regulators during cell cycle progression and quorum sensing.

Conditional knockout of RAD51-related genes in Leishmania major reveals a critical role for homologous recombination during genome replication

This study shows that RAD51 and RAD51-related proteins are critical for DNA replication in Leishmania major, with RAD51 specifically impairing DNA synthesis and origin initiation.

Genome duplication in Leishmania major relies on DNA replication outside S phase

The paper shows that Leishmania major uses DNA replication outside S phase to compensate for few origins, revealing an unconventional replication mechanism.

Genome maintenance functions of Trypanosoma brucei DNA Polymerase N include telomere association and a role in antigenic variation

This study identifies a dual role for DNA Polymerase N in Trypanosoma brucei, showing its involvement in telomere maintenance and antigenic variation, contributing to genome stability and immune evasion.

Targeting the trypanosome kinetochore with CLK1 protein kinase inhibitors

This study identifies CLK1 as a novel drug target in Trypanosoma brucei by showing its essential role in kinetochore function and cell survival through kinase inhibition.

Trypanosoma brucei ribonuclease H2A is an essential enzyme that resolves R-loops associated with transcription initiation and antigenic variation

This study shows that TbRH2A is essential for resolving R-loops and preventing DNA damage in T. brucei, with distinct roles in RNA Pol II and Pol I transcription.

RibonucleaseH1-targeted R-loops in surface antigen gene expression sites can direct trypanosome immune evasion

This study shows RNase H1 regulates R-loop formation in Trypanosoma brucei VSG expression sites, linking R-loops to immune evasion through increased VSG coat switching and genome damage.