Scientists Discover How Deadly Parasite Evades the Immune System

Scientists have found that the parasite Trypanosoma brucei hides from the immune system using a protein that selectively suppresses "unnecessary” genes and directs resources toward building a protective shell. This conclusion was reached by researchers from University of York. The results of the study were published in the journal Nature Microbiology. A Long-Standing Scientific Mystery The parasite causes sleeping sickness — a dangerous tropical disease transmitted through the bites of the tsetse fly. It was previously known that it disguises itself using a "molecular cloak” made of variable surface glycoproteins (VSG), which constantly renews itself and makes the parasite invisible to the immune system. However, how this active defense is maintained remained unclear for more than 40 years. The Role of the ESB2 Protein Researchers identified a key element of this system — the ESB2 protein, which acts as a "molecular shredder.” It regulates protein synthesis inside the parasite: it enhances the production of protective VSG while simultaneously suppressing the production of other proteins. This allows the parasite to conserve resources and continuously renew its disguise.