Paramyosin of Echinococcus granulosus: cDNA sequence and characterization of a tegumental antigen

A comparative analysis of ultrasound and serology for the diagnosis and post-treatment monitoring of cystic echinococcosis in experimentally infected sheep

Cystic echinococcosis (CE) is one of the most significant zoonotic diseases globally, affecting both humans and livestocks. The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy of ultrasound (US) and serological methods as early diagnostic markers for both post-infection and post-treatment follow-up of CE in experimentally infected sheep. An hydatid cyst fluid was aspirated and 20,000 viable protoscoleces were administered orally to a dog. After 50 days, all adult parasites were collected. The eggs were extracted and used for the experimental infection of 14 lambs (11 experimental and 3 control). Blood samples were collected and US imaging were performed weekly. Partially purified hydatid cyst fluid (PPHCF) and recombinant paramyosin (EgPmy5) antigens were prepared. The sensitivity of PPHCFA (95 %) was observed to be higher than that of rEgPmy5 (70 %), yet the cross-reaction rates with other helminth infections were 95 % and 20 %, respectively. The cysts first time were imaged at the 8 month after infection by US. Albendazole (7.5 mg/kg) treatment was initiated in the eighth month of the experimental infection. Six sheep were treated with albendazole every 30 days for a period of three months. In two sheep which died on the 8th and 10th day of the treatment, it was observed that the tension in the cyst membrane had disappeared due to a reduction in fluid and fibrosis in the cysts in the liver. Following a three-month treatment, the majority of cysts in the liver had reduced in size to approximately that of a pinhead, and the overall number of cysts had decreased in comparison with the control sheep. After a six-month treatment the presence of fibrotic, pinhead-sized cysts devoid of fluid was observed in the liver. Seropositivity was detected in a sheep with PPHCFA and another sheep with rEgPmy5 from the seventh day of experimental infection and remained detectable till death. In conclusion, albendazole can induce deformation in hydatid cysts as early as the first week of treatment and PPHCF antigen can be used for serological monitoring of the sheep population.

Mapping of the Complement C9 Binding Region on Clonorchis sinensis Paramyosin

Heliminthic paramyosin is a multifunctional protein that not only acts as a structural protein in muscle layers but as an immune-modulatory molecule interacting with the host immune system. Previously, we found that paramyosin from Clonorchis sinensis (CsPmy) is bound to human complement C9 protein (C9). To analyze the C9 binding region on CsPmy, overlapping recombinant fragments of CsPmy were produced and their binding activity to human C9 was investigated. The fragmental expression of CsPmy and C9 binding assays revealed that the C9 binding region was located at the C-terminus of CsPmy. Further analysis of the C-terminus of CsPmy to narrow the C9 binding region on CsPmy indicated that the region flanking731Leu–780 Leu was a potent C9 binding region. The CsPmy fragments corresponding to the region effectively inhibited human C9 polymerization. These results provide a precise molecular basis for CsPmy as a potent immunomodulator to evade host immune defenses by inhibiting complement attack.

Comparative Analysis of Proteins of Functionally Different Body Parts of the Fish Parasites Triaenophorus nodulosus and Triaenophorus crassus

PURPOSE

Studies of proteins expressed in the morphological structures of the parasite are necessary for elucidating the biological functions of unknown proteins and understanding the molecular basis of parasitism. The research aim was to investigate the spatial distribution of major proteins in scolex, immature and gravid proglottids of Triaenophorus nodulosus and Triaenophorus crassus.

METHODS

Protein extracts of worm body parts were analyzed using two-dimensional difference gel electrophoresis (DIGE) and mass spectrometry.

RESULTS

Comparison of the protein repertoire of the adult worm and the encysted plerocercoid revealed differences between the worm body parts, life stages and parasite species. The content of proteins associated with the cytoskeleton and musculature (actin, myosin regulatory light chain, and tropomyosin 2) decreased with distance from the scolex. Mature proglottids were rich in transforming growth factor-beta-induced protein, propionyl-CoA carboxylase, glutamate dehydrogenase and beta-tubulin. Interspecific variation in T. nodulosus and T. crassus was found in the content of the myosin, paramyosin, the major vault protein and an uncharacterized secreted protein TRINITY_DN24645. Differential expression of TRINITY_DN24645, paramyosin and tropomyosin 2 was found between plerocercoids and adult worms.

CONCLUSION

The present study provides the first characteristics of the spatial distribution of the major proteins of T. crassus and T. nodulosus. Comparison of the protein composition of plerocercoids and adult parasites indicates a significant similarity in the proteomic organization of Triaenophorus sp. in the second intermediate and final hosts. The gradual change in the morphological organization of tapeworms in the longitudinal direction coincided with the expression of some structural and metabolic proteins.

Evaluation on two types of paramyosin vaccines for the control of Haemaphysalis longicornis infestations in rabbits

BACKGROUND

Haemaphysalis longicornis is an obligate hematophagous ectoparasite that transmits a variety of pathogens causing life-threatening diseases in humans and animals. Paramyosin (Pmy) is not only an invertebrate-specific myofibrillar protein but also an important immunomodulatory protein. Therefore, it is one of the ideal candidate antigens for vaccines.

METHODS

We conducted two vaccine trials to evaluate the protective efficacy of Pmy recombinant protein (rPmy) and peptide vaccine (KLH-LEE). Each rabbit was immunized with three doses of rPmy or KLH-LEE adjuvanted with Freund's complete/incomplete at 500 μg/dose at 2-week intervals before challenge with 40 female H. longicornis/rabbit. PBS plus adjuvant, Trx or KLH was used as control group. The antibodies of rabbits were detected by ELISA. Then, female ticks were fed on the rabbits until detachment.

RESULTS

ELISA results showed that both vaccines induced rabbits to produce antibodies. Compared with the Trx group, the engorgement weight, oviposition and hatchability of the rPmy group decreased by 8.87%, 26.83% and 38.86%, respectively. On the other hand, engorgement weight, oviposition and hatchability of female ticks in the KLH-LEE group correspondingly resulted in 27.03%, 53.15% and 38.40% reduction compared with that of the KLH group. Considering the cumulative effect of vaccination on the evaluated parameters, results showed 60.37% efficacy of the rPmy vaccine formulation and 70.86% efficacy in the KLH-LEE group.

CONCLUSIONS

Pmy and particularly epitope LEE have potential for further development of an effective candidate vaccine to protect the host against tick infection. GRAPHIC ABSTARCT.

iTRAQ-based comparative proteomic analysis in different developmental stages of Echinococcus granulosus

Cystic echinococcosis, caused by infection with the larval stage of the cestode Echinococcus granulosus, is a chronic zoonosis. The lifecycle of the E. granulosus parasite includes three consecutive stages that require specific gene regulation or protein expression to survive environmental shifts between definitive hosts and intermediate hosts. The aim of the present study is to screen and analyze the stage differential antigens to be considered for vaccine development against E. granulosus. By using the iTRAQ (isobaric tags for relative and absolute quantification) method, the differentially expressed proteins were selected from the three consecutive developmental stages of E. granulosus: oncosphere, adult tapeworms, and protoscolex. Through a bioinformatics analysis including Clusters of Orthologous Groups (COG), Gene Ontology (GO), and pathway metabolic annotation, we identified some proteins of interest from each stage. The results showed that a large number of differentially expressed proteins (375: oncosphere vs. adult, 346: oncosphere vs. protoscolex, and 391: adult vs. protoscolex) were identified from the three main lifecycle stages. Analysis of the differential protein pathways showed that these differential proteins are mainly enriched in metabolic pathways, Huntington’s diseases, Alzheimer’s diseases, and ribosome metabolic pathways. Interestingly, among these differential proteins, expression levels of paramyosin, HSP60, HSP70, HSP90, cathepsin L1, cathepsin D, casein kinase, and calmodulin were significantly higher in the oncosphere than in the adult or protoscolex (p < 0.05). We hope our findings will help to identify potential targets for diagnosis or for therapeutic and prophylactic intervention.

Oral Application of Recombinant Bacillus subtilis Spores to Dogs Results in a Humoral Response against Specific Echinococcus granulosus Paramyosin and Tropomyosin Antigens

Bacillus subtilis is known as an endospore- and biofilm-forming bacterium with probiotic properties. We have recently developed a method for displaying heterologous proteins on the surface of B. subtilis biofilms by introducing the coding sequences of the protein of interest into the bacterial genome to generate a fusion protein linked to the C terminus of the biofilm matrix protein TasA. Although B. subtilis is a regular component of the gut microflora, we constructed a series of recombinant B. subtilis strains that were tested for their ability to be used to immunize dogs following oral application of the spores. Specifically, we tested recombinant spores of B. subtilis carrying either the fluorescent protein mCherry or else selected antigenic peptides (tropomyosin and paramyosin) from Echinococcus granulosus, a zoonotic intestinal tapeworm of dogs and other carnivores. The application of the recombinant B. subtilis spores led to the colonization of the gut with recombinant B. subtilis but did not cause any adverse effect on the health of the animals. As measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and immunoblotting, the dogs were able to develop a humoral immune response against mCherry as well as against E. granulosus antigenic peptides. Interestingly, the sera of dogs obtained after immunization with recombinant spores of E. granulosus peptides were able to recognize E. granulosus protoscoleces, which represent the infective form of the head of the tapeworms. These results represent an essential step toward the establishment of B. subtilis as an enteric vaccine agent.

In silicocharacterization ofEchinococcus granulosusparamyosin nucleotide sequence for the development of epitope vaccine against cystic echinococcosis

The paramyosin (Pmy) protein has been presented as a potential vaccine candidate againstSchistosomaspp. However, it remains elusive whether it works in controlling cystic echinococcosis (CE), which is caused by the larval stages ofEchinococcus granulosus(E. granulosus). This study investigated the characteristics ofE. granulosusPmy (EgPmy) usingin silicoanalysis and evaluated its potential as an epitope vaccine. The secondary structure was predicted by SOPMA software and linear B-cell epitopes were screened by the Kolaskar and Tongaonkar’s method on IEBD while conformational B-cell epitopes were predicted by the Ellipro. Additionally, the epitopes of cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) were analyzed by the NetCTL-1.2 server. The results showed that α-helices, extended strands, random coils and β-turns accounted for 84.82 %, 6.60 %, 5.56 % and 3.01 % in EgPmy’s secondary structure, respectively. A total of 29 linear B-cell epitopes and 6 conformational epitopes were identified together with 25 CTL epitopes. The CTL epitope709KLEEAEAFA717showed a high potential to elicit CTL response. These results suggested that EgPmy has a strong immunogenicity, which could serve as a reference for the development of EgPmy-based epitope vaccine against CE.

Parasite molecules and host responses in cystic echinococcosis

Cystic echinococcosis is the infection by the larvae of cestode parasites belonging to the Echinococcus granulosus sensu lato species complex. Local host responses are strikingly subdued in relation to the size and persistence of these larvae, which develop within mammalian organs as 'hydatid cysts' measuring up to tens of cm in diameter. In a context in which helminth-derived immune-suppressive, as well as Th2-inducing, molecules garner much interest, knowledge on the interactions between E. granulosus molecules and the immune system lags behind. Here, we discuss what is known and what are the open questions on E. granulosus molecules and structures interacting with the innate and adaptive immune systems, potentially or in demonstrated form. We attempt a global biological approach on molecules that have been given consideration primarily as protective (Eg95) or diagnostic antigens (antigen B, antigen 5). We integrate glycobiological information, which traverses the discussions on antigen 5, the mucin-based protective laminated layer and immunologically active preparations from protoscoleces. We also highlight some less well-known molecules that appear as promising candidates to possess immune-regulatory activities. Finally, we point out gaps in the molecular-level knowledge of this infectious agent that hinder our understanding of its immunology.

Trichinella spiralis paramyosin activates mouse bone marrow-derived dendritic cells and induces regulatory T cells

Background

Dendritic cells (DCs) are antigen-presenting cells that regulate T cell responses for many infectious diseases. The tissue-dwelling nematode Trichinella spiralis expresses paramyosin (TsPmy) not only as a structural protein but also as an immunomodulator to alleviate complement attack by binding to some host complement components. Whether TsPmy is involved in other immunomodulatory pathway and how TsPmy interacts with host DCs is still unknown.

Methods

Mouse bone marrow-derived DCs were incubated with recombinant TsPmy (rTsPmy) for activation. Maturation of DC was determined by the expression of surface markers CD40, CD80, CD86 and MHCII. The rTsPmy-pulsed DCs were co-incubated with T. spiralis-sensitized or naïve mouse CD4⁺ T cells to observe their activation on T cells and polarizing regulatory T cells using flow cytometry. Cytokines were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA).

Results

TsPmy was able to activate mouse bone marrow-derived DCs to semi-mature status characterized by expressing surface CD40 and CD86, but not CD80 and MHCII. The semi-mature TsPmy-pulsed DCs were able to stimulate T. spiralis-sensitized CD4⁺ T cells to proliferate. Incubation of TsPmy-pulsed DCs with naïve CD4⁺ splenocytes polarized the latter to CD4⁺CD25⁺Foxp3⁺ regulatory T cells. However, mice immunized with rTsPmy only induce the CD4⁺CD25⁻Foxp3⁺ T cell population, associated with high level of IL-10, TGF-β and IL-17A.

Conclusions

During T. spiralis infection, TsPmy plays an important role in modulating the host immune system by stimulating DCs to differentiate the CD4⁺ T cells to regulatory T cells, in addition to binding to components of the host complement cascade, as survival strategies to live in host.

Trichinella spiralis Paramyosin Binds Human Complement C1q and Inhibits Classical Complement Activation

BACKGROUND

Trichinella spiralis expresses paramyosin (Ts-Pmy) as a defense mechanism. Ts-Pmy is a functional protein with binding activity to human complement C8 and C9 and thus plays a role in evading the attack of the host's immune system. In the present study, the binding activity of Ts-Pmy to human complement C1q and its ability to inhibit classical complement activation were investigated.

METHODS AND FINDINGS

The binding of recombinant and natural Ts-Pmy to human C1q were determined by ELISA, Far Western blotting and immunoprecipitation, respectively. Binding of recombinant Ts-Pmy (rTs-Pmy) to C1q inhibited C1q binding to IgM and consequently inhibited C3 deposition. The lysis of antibody-sensitized erythrocytes (EAs) elicited by the classical complement pathway was also inhibited in the presence of rTs-Pmy. In addition to inhibiting classical complement activation, rTs-Pmy also suppressed C1q binding to THP-1-derived macrophages, thereby reducing C1q-induced macrophages migration.

CONCLUSION

Our results suggest that T. spiralis paramyosin plays an important role in immune evasion by interfering with complement activation through binding to C1q in addition to C8 and C9.

Monoclonal antibody targeting complement C9 binding domain of Trichinella spiralis paramyosin impairs the viability of Trichinella infective larvae in the presence of complement

Background

Trichinella spiralis expresses paramyosin (Ts-Pmy) not only as a structural protein but also as an immunomodulator that inhibits host complement as a survival strategy. Previous studies demonstrated that Ts-Pmy bound to complement components C8 and C9 and inhibited the polymerization of C9 during the formation of the membrane attack complex (MAC). The C9 binding domain of Ts-Pmy was identified within 14 amino acid residues at the C-terminus of Ts-Pmy. The production of a monoclonal antibody that specifically targets the C9 binding site is necessary for further studies of Ts-Pmy function and may be used as a therapeutic agent for T. spiralis infection.

Methods

In this study, a monoclonal antibody against the complement C9 binding domain of Ts-Pmy (mAb 9G3) was produced using hybridoma technology. The binding activity of the mAb produced for recombinant or native Ts-Pmy and the blockade of Ts-Pmy binding to C9 by the mAb were assessed by Western blot analysis. The effect of the mAb on the viability of T. spiralis was observed by co-incubation of T. spiralis with mAb 9G3 in the presence of complement in vitro and by passive transfer of the mAb into naive mice following T. spiralis larval challenge.

Results

mAb 9G3 was successfully produced against the C9 binding domain of Ts-Pmy and bound specifically not only to recombinant Ts-Pmy but also to native Ts-Pmy expressed in different stages of T. spiralis, including adult worms, newborn larvae and muscle larvae. The binding of mAb 9G3 to Ts-Pmy efficiently blocked the binding of Ts-Pmy to human complement C9, resulting in a significant increase in the complement-mediated killing of newborn larvae in vitro and reduced infectivity of T. spiralis larvae in mice passively transferred with the mAb.

Conclusions

mAb 9G3 is a specific antibody that binds to the C9 binding domain of Ts-Pmy and interferes with Ts-Pmy’s complement-binding activity. Therefore, this mAb is a protective antibody that has potential as a preventive and therapeutic agent for T. spiralis infection.

Mapping of the complement C9 binding domain on Trichinella spiralis paramyosin

Background

Trichinellosis is an important foodborne zoonosis that is distributed worldwide. Trichinella spiralis may evade host complement-mediated attack by expressing complement inhibitory proteins, such as paramyosin (Pmy). Previous studies have shown that Trichinella spiralis paramyosin (Ts-Pmy) is able to bind to the human complement component C9 to inhibit the complement activation and protect the parasite from complement-mediated attack. Further determination of the complement-binding domain on Ts-pmy will enable us to better understand the Ts-Pmy’s biofunction in the immune evasion and provide feasible approach to develop epitope-based subunit vaccine against trichinellosis.

Methods

The complement C9 binding region on Ts-Pmy was determined by expression of overlapped fragments of Ts-Pmy and their binding activities to C9. The exact binding site was further narrowed-down to a 14-amino acid peptide at C-terminus using synthesized peptides with different size of amino acid sequence. The C9 complement-binding of the 14-amino acid peptide and its interference in the C9 polymerization and the complement-mediated lysis of rabbit erythrocytes was investigated.

Results

The protein interaction between human C9 and native Ts-Pmy was further confirmed by immunoprecipitation with T. spiralis lysates. The fragmental expression and C9 binding assays identified that the binding region of Ts-Pmy to C9 is located within 831–885 of Ts-Pmy C-terminus. The exact binding site on Ts-Pmy to C9 was narrowed down to 14 amino acid residues (⁸⁶⁶Val-⁸⁷⁹Met) by using different sizes of synthesized peptides. In the presence of the synthesized 14-amino acid peptide, human C9 polymerization and the hemolytic activity of the human complement was inhibited.

Conclusions

Our results revealed the precise molecular basis for T. spiralis to produce Ts-Pmy as an immunomodulator to evade the attack of the host complement system as a survival mechanism.

Proteomic characterization of larval and adult developmental stages in Echinococcus granulosus reveals novel insight into host-parasite interactions

Cystic hydatid disease is an important zoonosis caused by Echinococcus granulosus infection. The expression profiles of its parasitic life stages and host-Echinococcus interactions remain to be elucidated. Here, we identified 157 adult and 1588 protoscolex proteins (1610 in all), including 1290 novel identifications. Paramyosins and an antigen B (AgB) were the dominant adult proteins. Dog proteins (30) identified in adults indicated diminished local inflammation caused by adult infection. The protoscolex expresses proteins that have been reported to be antigens in other parasites, such as 6-phosphofructokinase and calcineurin B. Pathway analyses suggested that E. granulosus uses both aerobic and anaerobic carbohydrate metabolisms to generate ATP. E. granulosus expresses proteins involved in synthesis and metabolism of lipids or steroids. At least 339 of 390 sheep proteins identified in protoscolex were novel identifications not seen in previous analyses. IgGs and lambda light chains were the most abundant antibody species. Sheep proteins were enriched for detoxification pathways, implying that host detoxification effects play a central role during host-parasite interactions. Our study provides valuable data on E. granulosus expression characteristics, allowing novel insights into the molecular mechanisms involved in host-parasite interactions.

BIOLOGICAL SIGNIFICANCE

In this study, the Echinococcus granulosus adult worm proteome was analyzed for the first time. The protein identification of E. granulosus protoscoleces was extended dramatically. We also identified the most abundant host proteins co-purified with Echinococcus. The results provide useful information pertaining to the molecular mechanisms behind host-Echinococcus interaction and Echinococcus biology. This data also increases the potential for identifying vaccine candidates and new therapeutic targets, and may aid in the development of protein probes for selective and sensitive diagnosis of echinococcosis infection. In addition, the data collected here represents a valuable proteomic resource for subsequent genome annotation.

IgG4 detection of Echinococcus granulosus paramyosin is a useful diagnostic test for human hydatidosis

Hydatidosis is a public health problem in many parts of the world, and improvement in diagnosis of the disease is still being pursued. Protoscoleces of Echinococcus granulosus were isolated from hydatid cysts collected from naturally infected sheep slaughtered in abattoirs in Iran. Sonicated extract of protoscolex was subjected to two-dimensional gel electrophoresis and Western blot analysis. Primary antibodies were from serum samples from 130 hydatidosis patients, 38 individuals infected with other parasitic infections, and 30 healthy people, whereas peroxidase (HRP)-conjugated anti-human IgG and IgG4 were used as secondary antibodies. The recombinant form of the identified protein was produced and tested for its sensitivity and specificity for the detection of human hydatidosis. An antigenic band of ∼60 kDa was found to be sensitive (82%) and specific (100%) for the detection of hydatidosis when probed with anti-human IgG4-HRP, while the sensitivity and specificity were 33 and 100%, respectively, with anti-human IgG-HRP. By mass spectrometry, the band was identified as protoscolex tegument paramyosin. The sensitivity and specificity of full-length paramyosin-recombinant protein in IgG4 blots were found to be 86 and 98%, respectively. In conclusion, IgG4 detection of Echinococcus granulosus paramyosin was found to be useful for the diagnosis of human hydatidosis.

Biochemical characterization and differential expression of a 16.5-kilodalton tegument-associated antigen from the liver fluke Fasciola hepatica

A cDNA encoding a 16.5-kDa protein termed FhTP16.5 was identified by immunoscreening of a cDNA library from Fasciola hepatica adult flukes using pooled sera from rabbits infected with F. hepatica for 4 weeks. Quantitative reverse transcriptase PCR (qPCR) analysis revealed that FhTP16.5 is not expressed in unembryonated eggs. It is poorly expressed in miracidia and highly expressed at the juvenile and adult stages; however, significant differences were found between the expression levels of FhTP16.5 in juveniles versus adult flukes. Recombinant FhTP16.5 was expressed at high levels in Escherichia coli, purified by affinity chromatography, and used to raise anti-FhTP16.5 polyclonal antibodies in rabbits. Immunoblot analysis using the anti-FhTP16.5 IgG antibody identified FhTP16.5 in crude and tegumental extracts and in excretory-secretory products of F. hepatica. The protein was not detected in crude extracts of Schistosoma mansoni or Schistosoma japonicum. Antibodies to FhTP16.5 were detected in the sera of rabbits at 3 to 12 weeks of F. hepatica infection as well as in the sera of humans with chronic fascioliasis; these findings suggest that FhTP16.5 could be a good antigen for serodiagnosis of fascioliasis. Immunohistochemistry demonstrated that FhTP16.5 localizes to the surface of the tegument of various developmental stages and in parenchymal tissues of the adult fluke. Such specific localization makes FhTP16.5 an attractive target for immunoprophylaxis or chemotherapy.

Phagocyte-specific S100 proteins in the local response to the Echinococcus granulosus larva

Infection by larval Echinococcus granulosus is usually characterized by tight inflammatory control. However, various degrees of chronic granulomatous inflammation are also observed, reaching a high point in infection of cattle by the most prevalent parasite strain worldwide, which is not well adapted to this host species. In this context, epithelioid and multinucleated giant macrophages surround the parasite, and the secreted products of these cells often associate with the larval wall. The phagocyte-specific S100 proteins, S100A8, S100A9 and S100A12, are important non-conventionally secreted amplifiers of inflammatory responses. We have analysed by proteomics and immunohistochemistry the presence of these proteins at the E. granulosus larva-host interface. We found that, in the context of inflammatory control as observed in human infections, the S100 proteins are not abundant, but S100A9 and S100A8 can be expressed by eosinophils distal to the parasite. In the granulomatous inflammation context as observed in cattle infections, we found that S100A12 is one of the most abundant host-derived, parasite-associated proteins, while S100A9 and S100A8 are not present at similarly high levels. As expected, S100A12 derives mostly from the epithelioid and multinucleated giant cells. S100A12, as well as cathepsin K and matrix metalloproteinase-9, also expressed by E. granulosus-elicited epithelioid cells, are connected to the Th17 arm of immunity, which may therefore be involved in this granulomatous response.

Host-parasite relationship in cystic echinococcosis: an evolving story

The larval stage of Echinococcus granulosus causes cystic echinococcosis, a neglected infectious disease that constitutes a major public health problem in developing countries. Despite being under constant barrage by the immune system, E. granulosus modulates antiparasite immune responses and persists in the human hosts with detectable humoral and cellular responses against the parasite. In vitro and in vivo immunological approaches, together with molecular biology and immunoproteomic technologies, provided us exciting insights into the mechanisms involved in the initiation of E. granulosus infection and the consequent induction and regulation of the immune response. Although the last decade has clarified many aspects of host-parasite relationship in human cystic echinococcosis, establishing the full mechanisms that cause the disease requires more studies. Here, we review some of the recent developments and discuss new avenues in this evolving story of E. granulosus infection in man.

Trichinella spiralis paramyosin binds to C8 and C9 and protects the tissue-dwelling nematode from being attacked by host complement

Background

Paramyosin is a thick myofibrillar protein found exclusively in invertebrates. Evidence suggested that paramyosin from helminths serves not only as a structural protein but also as an immunomodulatory agent. We previously reported that recombinant Trichinella spiralis paramyosin (Ts-Pmy) elicited a partial protective immunity in mice. In this study, the ability of Ts-Pmy to bind host complement components and protect against host complement attack was investigated.

Methods and Findings

In this study, the transcriptional and protein expression levels of Ts-Pmy were determined in T. spiralis newborn larva (NBL), muscle larva (ML) and adult worm developmental stages by RT-PCR and western blot analysis. Expression of Ts-Pmy at the outer membrane was observed in NBL and adult worms using immunogold electron microscopy and immunofluorescence staining. Functional analysis revealed that recombinant Ts-Pmy(rTs-Pmy) strongly bound to complement components C8 and C9 and inhibited the polymerization of C9 during the formation of the membrane attack complex (MAC). rTs-Pmy also inhibited the lysis of rabbit erythrocytes (E_R) elicited by an alternative pathway-activated complement from guinea pig serum. Inhibition of native Ts-Pmy on the surface of NBL with a specific antiserum reduced larvae viability when under the attack of complement in vitro. In vivo passive transfer of anti-Ts-Pmy antiserum and complement-treated larvae into mice also significantly reduced the number of larvae that developed to ML.

Conclusion

These studies suggest that the outer membrane form of T. spiralis paramyosin plays an important role in the evasion of the host complement attack.

Trichinellosis is a serious food borne parasitic disease caused by the consumption of meat contaminated with the infective larvae of Trichinella spiralis. The ability of the tissue-dwelling parasite to evade the host complement attack is essential for its survival and for establishing infection in the host. This study describes the expression of paramyosin, a muscular protein in invertebrates, on the surface of Trichinella spiralis and its role in the defense against the host complement attack as a survival strategy. Using a specific antiserum, expression of Trichinella spiralis paramyosin was detected on the outer membrane of the adult worms and newborn larvae. Functional analysis revealed that recombinant Trichinella spiralis paramyosin protein strongly bound human complement components C8 and C9 and inhibited the formation of the complement membrane attack complex. Neutralization with a specific antiserum greatly impaired the protective effect of paramyosin on the viability and infectivity of Trichinella spiralis newborn larva when under attack by complement. These studies suggest that the outer membrane form of Trichinella spiralis paramyosin plays an important role in the evasion of the host complement attack and is therefore a good target for vaccine and pharmaceutical development.

Trichinella spiralis: immune response and protective immunity elicited by recombinant paramyosin formulated with different adjuvants

Our previous studies showed that immunization with recombinant paramyosin from Trichinella spiralis (rTs-Pmy) formulated with Freund's adjuvant significantly reduced larval burden in mice after T. spiralis larval challenge. Since Freund's adjuvant is toxic and not a suitable adjuvant for clinical vaccine trials, we evaluated the ability of the adjuvants Montanide ISA206 and ISA720 to stimulate immune responses during rTs-Pmy immunization and to enhance protective immunity. The results revealed that immunization of BALB/c mice with rTs-Pmy formulated with either ISA206 or ISA720 triggered Th1 and Th2 immune responses similar to those produced by the conventional Freund's adjuvant formulation and also provided a similar level of protection against T. spiralis larval challenge. This indicates that the recombinant Ts-Pmy formulated with Montanide ISA206 or ISA720 may be an effective and safety vaccine strategy for trichinellosis.

Molecular cloning and characterization of a paramyosin from Clonorchis sinensis

Paramyosin is a myofibrillar protein present in helminth parasites and plays multifunctional roles in host-parasite interactions. In this study, we identified the gene encoding paramyosin of Clonorchis sinensis (CsPmy) and characterized biochemical and immunological properties of its recombinant protein. CsPmy showed a high level of sequence identity with paramyosin from other helminth parasites. Recombinant CsPmy (rCsPmy) expressed in bacteria had an approximate molecular weight of 100 kDa and bound both human collagen and complement 9. The protein was constitutively expressed in various developmental stages of the parasite. Imunofluorescence analysis revealed that CsPmy was mainly localized in the tegument, subtegumental muscles, and the muscle layer surrounding the intestine of the parasite. The rCsPmy showed high levels of positive reactions (74.6%, 56/75) against sera from patients with clonorchiasis. Immunization of experimental rats with rCsPmy evoked high levels of IgG production. These results collectively suggest that CsPmy is a multifunctional protein that not only contributes to the muscle layer structure but also to non-muscular functions in host-parasite interactions. Successful induction of host IgG production also suggests that CsPmy can be applied as a diagnostic antigen and/or vaccine candidate for clonorchiasis.

Reflections on the biochemistry of Echinococcus: past, present and future

This review discusses 5 of my earliest papers on the biochemistry of larval Echinococcus published in Parasitology in the 1970s and 1980s. Two of the publications consider aspects of the basic biochemistry, intermediary metabolism and the regulation of respiratory pathways in E. granulosus and E. multilocularis, and emphasize the existence of inter- and intra-species variation in their general metabolism. The third reports on the detailed biochemical analysis of the tegumental surface of the protoscolex of E. granulosus, and the final 2 papers describe the genomic cloning of Echinococcus DNA fragments and their use, along with other DNA markers, in molecular identification of E. granulosus isolates collected worldwide from areas endemic for hydatid disease. A number of years have elapsed since these publications in Parasitology and, in this Centenary Issue article, I reflect briefly on some of the subsequent studies undertaken in these research areas that have advanced the field. As well, I provide brief insight on new research directions, emphasizing the impact of molecular biology and associated techniques on future studies of Echinococcus and hydatid disease.

Paragonimus westermani: Biochemical and immunological characterizations of paramyosin

Paramyosin of the helminth parasite is a muscle protein that plays multifunctional roles in host-parasite relationships. In this study, we have cloned a gene encoding Paragonimus westermani paramyosin (PwPmy) and characterized biochemical and immunological properties of the recombinant protein. The recombinant PwPmy (rPwPmy) was shown to bind both human immunoglobulin G (IgG) and collagen. The protein was constitutively expressed in various developmental stages of the parasite and its expression level increased progressively as the parasite matured. Immunohistological analysis revealed that PwPmy was mainly localized in subtegumental muscle, tegument and cells surrounding the oral sucker, intestine, and ovary of the parasite. Sera from patients with paragonimiasis showed antibody reactivity against rPwPmy, and IgG1 and IgG4 were predominant. Immunization of mice with rPwPmy also induced high IgG responses. Biochemical and immunological characterization of PwPmy may provide valuable information for the further study to develop a vaccine or a chemotherapeutic agent for paragonimiasis.

Screening of an Echinococcus granulosus cDNA library with IgG4 from patients with cystic echinococcosis identifies a new tegumental protein involved in the immune escape

The worldwide problem of chronic Echinococcus granulosus disease calls for new parasite-derived immunomodulatory molecules. By screening an E. granulosus cDNA library with IgG4 from patients with active cystic echinococcosis, we identified a cDNA that encodes a predicted partial protein that immunofluorescence studies localized in the protoscolex tegument and on the germinal layer of cyst wall. We named this protein EgTeg because the 105 amino acid sequence scored highest against a family of Schistosoma tegumental proteins. Evaluating the role of EgTeg in the human early inflammatory response we found that EgTeg significantly inhibited polymorphonuclear cell (PMN) chemotaxis. Cytometric analysis of intracellular cytokines disclosed a significantly higher percentage of cells producing IL-4 than IFN-gamma (P = 0.001, Student's t-test) in T lymphocytes from patients with cystic echinococcosis stimulated with EgTeg. EgTeg induced weak Th1-dependent proliferation in 42% of patients' peripheral blood mononuclear cells. In immunoblotting (IB) analysis of total IgG and IgG subclass responses to EgTeg in patients with cystic echinococcosis, patients with other parasitoses, patients with cystic lesions and healthy controls, total IgG specific to EgTeg yielded high sensitivity (73%) but low specificity (44%) precluding its use in immunodiagnosis. Conversely, IgG4 specific to EgTeg gave acceptable sensitivity (65%) and high specificity (89%) suggesting its use in immunodiagnosis to confirm ultrasound documented cysts suggestive of E. granulosus. Because the new tegumental antigen EgTeg inhibits chemotaxis, induces IL-4-positive T lymphocytes and noncomplement fixing antibodies (IgG4) it is an immunomodulatory molecule associated with chronic infection.

Invertebrate Muscles: Muscle Specific Genes and Proteins

This is the first of a projected series of canonic reviews covering all invertebrate muscle literature prior to 2005 and covers muscle genes and proteins except those involved in excitation-contraction coupling (e.g., the ryanodine receptor) and those forming ligand- and voltage-dependent channels. Two themes are of primary importance. The first is the evolutionary antiquity of muscle proteins. Actin, myosin, and tropomyosin (at least, the presence of other muscle proteins in these organisms has not been examined) exist in muscle-like cells in Radiata, and almost all muscle proteins are present across Bilateria, implying that the first Bilaterian had a complete, or near-complete, complement of present-day muscle proteins. The second is the extraordinary diversity of protein isoforms and genetic mechanisms for producing them. This rich diversity suggests that studying invertebrate muscle proteins and genes can be usefully applied to resolve phylogenetic relationships and to understand protein assembly coevolution. Fully achieving these goals, however, will require examination of a much broader range of species than has been heretofore performed.

Avian reovirus nonstructural protein microNS forms viroplasm-like inclusions and recruits protein sigmaNS to these structures

The M3 genome segment of avian reovirus 1733, which encodes the nonstructural protein microNS, is 1996 nucleotides long and contains a long open reading frame that is predicted to encode a polypeptide of 635 amino acid residues. Examination of the deduced amino acid sequence of microNS revealed the presence of two regions near its carboxyl terminus with a high probability of forming alpha-helical coiled coils. Expression of the M3 gene in both infected and transfected cells revealed that this gene specifies two protein isoforms that are recognized by a microNS-specific antiserum. Only the larger microNS isoform, but not the smaller one, interacts with the nonstructural protein sigmaNS in infected cells, suggesting that the two isoforms play different roles during avian reovirus infection. In the second part of this study, we show that microNS and the nonstructural protein sigmaNS colocalize throughout the viral life cycle in large and small phase-dense globular cytoplasmic inclusions, which are believed to be the sites of viral replication and assembly. Individual expression of these proteins in transfected cells of avian and mammalian origin revealed that while microNS is able to form inclusions in the absence of other viral proteins, sigmaNS distributes diffusely throughout the cytoplasm in the absence of microNS. These data suggest that microNS is the minimal viral factor required for inclusion formation during avian reovirus infection. On the other hand, our findings that sigmaNS associates with microNS in infected cells, and that sigmaNS colocalizes with microNS in viroplasm-like inclusions when the two proteins are coexpressed in transfected cells, suggest that microNS mediates the association of sigmaNS to inclusions in avian reovirus-infected cells.

Identification of CD4+T cell epitopes ofTaenia soliumparamyosin

T cell mediated response is involved in a protective immune response against experimental cysticercosis conferred by immunization with Taenia solium paramyosin (TPmy) to BALB/c mice. In this study, we analysed the TPmy amino acid sequence for predicted CD4+ T cells epitopes. Five different regions of this protein showed that the residues anchor to bind the I-Ad molecule, synthetic peptides containing these epitopes were evaluated for their ability to induce lymphoproliferative responses of spleen cells from TPmy immunized mice. Among them, Tp176 (amino acids 176-192 sequence DDLQRQMADANSAKSRL) was the immunodominant T cell epitope of TPmy. Delineation of this epitope should facilitate analysis of the role of CD4+ T cell response in experimental cysticercosis.

Observations on the musculature and isolated muscle fibres of the liver fluke, Fasciola hepatica

The liver fluke, Fasciola hepatica relies on a well-developed muscular system, not only for attachment, but for many aspects of its biology. Despite this, little is known about the system beyond the gross organization of the main somatic muscle layers. In the present study, a range of techniques have been applied to F. hepatica in order to understand more about various aspects of muscle organization, biochemistry (in terms of muscle proteins) and identity of isolated muscle fibres. Scanning electron microscopy has provided a direct visualization in situ of the somatic muscle layers and the organization of the muscle fibres within the ventral sucker. The muscle bundles contributing to the main somatic muscle layers are made up of up to 10 individual muscle fibres. Phalloidin staining for actin, in conjunction with confocal microscopy, confirmed the presence of 2 main somatic muscle layers (outer circular, inner longitudinal), beneath which lies a third layer of oblique muscle fibres. The use of propidium iodide in combination with phalloidin staining for actin demonstrated that the cell bodies associated with the 2 main somatic muscle layers are situated beneath the longitudinal muscle layer and are connected to their respective muscle fibres by short cytoplasmic processes. Myosin immunoreactivity was demonstrated in the somatic muscle layers and in the muscle layers surrounding various organ systems within the fluke. Double labelling for actin and myosin confirmed the co-localization of the 2 muscle proteins in the muscle fibres of the ventral sucker. Muscle fibres from the somatic muscle layers and the ventral sucker have been isolated and images obtained with phase-contrast microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. The muscle fibres contain actin and myosin, but lack a nucleus, the connection with the cell body having been broken during the isolation procedure.

Inhibition of the complement membrane attack complex by Schistosoma mansoni paramyosin

Larvae and adults of the parasitic blood fluke Schistosoma mansoni are resistant to killing by human complement. An earlier search by Parizade et al. for a schistosome complement inhibitor identified a 94-kDa surface protein which was named SCIP-1 (M. Parizade, R. Arnon, P. J. Lachmann, and Z. Fishelson, J. Exp. Med. 179:1625-1636, 1994). Following partial purification and analysis by mass spectrometry, we have determined SCIP-1 to be a surface-exposed form of the muscle protein paramyosin. As shown by immunofluorescence, anti-paramyosin antibodies label the surface of live schistosomula and adult worms. Like SCIP-1, purified native paramyosin reacts with a polyclonal rabbit anti-human CD59 antiserum, as shown by Western blot analysis. Also, the human complement components C8 and C9 bind to recombinant and native paramyosin. Analysis of paramyosin binding to fragments of C9 generated by thrombin or trypsin has demonstrated that paramyosin binds to C9 at a position located between Gly245 and Arg391. Paramyosin inhibited Zn(2+)-induced C9 polymerization and poly-C9 deposition onto rabbit erythrocytes (E(R)). In addition, paramyosin inhibited lysis of E(R) and of sensitized sheep erythrocytes by human complement. Finally, anti-paramyosin antibodies enhanced in vitro killing of schistosomula by normal and C4-depleted human complement. Taken together, these findings suggest that an exogenous form of S. mansoni paramyosin inhibits activation of the terminal pathway of complement and thus has an important immunomodulatory role in schistosomiasis.

An update on immunodiagnosis of cystic echinococcosis

Immunological parameters are increasingly investigated as possible markers for the development of cystic echinococcosis. Among the newer immunologic tests for assessing the host-parasite relationship, assay of immunoglobulin isotypes with the use of distinct parasite antigens and detection of Th1/Th2 cytokine expression are an interesting new approach. The findings upon which we have constructed our immunological hypothesis of the host-parasite relationship are: (1) immunoglobulin isotype profiles differ in patients with distinct clinical outcomes of the disease; in particular, antigen B is the antigen of choice to detect specific IgG4, which is the immunoglobulin isotype most clearly associated with the progression of the disease; (2) the isolation and characterisation of recombinant parasite proteins that behave as molecular markers of allergic reactions associated with cystic echinococcosis; (3) Th1/Th2 cell activation is involved in the clinical outcome of Echinococcus granulosus infection and, in particular Th2 response, is associated with susceptibility to the disease, whereas a Th1 response is associated with protective immunity.

Human T and B cell epitope mapping of Taenia solium paramyosin

Taenia solium paramyosin is an immunodominant antigen in human and porcine cysticercosis that has shown promise as a vaccine candidate against schistosomiasis and some filariasis. There are few studies to identify the immunologically relevant regions of paramyosin. In this work, we characterize the humoral and cellular response of neurocysticercotic patients against T. solium paramyosin. Western blots using different recombinant fragments of T. solium paramyosin, showed that the sera from neurocysticercotic patients were strongly reactive against the carboxyl end region, with poor recognition of the central and amino regions. In contrast, the cellular immune response of patients did not show preferential recognition of any region of paramyosin.

Characterization and protective potential of the immune response to Taenia solium paramyosin in a murine model of cysticercosis

Paramyosin has been proposed as a vaccine candidate in schistosomiasis and filariasis. However, limited information is available about its protective potential against cysticercosis and the immune response it induces. Immunization of mice with recombinant full-length paramyosin of Taenia solium (TPmy) results in about a 52% reduction in parasite burden after a subsequent challenge by intraperitoneal inoculation of Taenia crassiceps cysticerci. Immunization assays using recombinant fragments of TPmy, corresponding approximately to thirds on the amino, central, or carboxyl regions, suggest that protective epitopes are located mostly in the amino-end third. Proliferation assays using T cells obtained from mice immunized with the full-length recombinant TPmy also showed a preferential response to the amino-terminal fragment. In contrast, antibodies in the sera from these mice predominantly recognize epitopes located in the carboxyl-terminal fragment, being the immunoglobulin G1 subclass, the predominant antibody isotype. Characterization of the cellular immune response induced against the protective amino-terminal fragment reveals production of gamma interferon and interleukin-2, but not interleukin-4, suggesting a Th1-like profile.

Native and recombinant antigens in the immunodiagnosis of human cystic echinococcosis

To evaluate the diagnostic sensitivity and specificity of immunoelectrophoresis (IEP), indirect haemagglutination (IHA), enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and immunoblotting (IB), we compared their ability in detecting IgG antibodies to a hydatid fluid fraction (HFF) and to native and recombinant antigen B of Echinococcus granulosus. We tested sera from patients who had cystic echinococcosis (CE) grouped according to their type of cysts (n = 204), from patients with other parasitic diseases (n = 21), lung or liver carcinomas (n = 6) or serous cysts (n = 26) and from healthy controls (n = 90). HFF-IB gave the highest sensitivity (80%) followed by ELISA (72%), IHA (54%) and IEP (31%), respectively. The diagnostic sensitivity significantly (P < 0.01) decreased as cysts matured from type I-II to type VII. Recombinant and native antigen B-IB yielded similar sensitivity (74%). A large number of clinically or surgically confirmed CE patients (20%) resulted negative. In these patients' sera, IB to assess the usefulness of the recombinant E. granulosus elongation factor-1 beta/delta in detecting IgE antibodies yielded 33% of positivity. Our findings underline the need to standardize techniques and antigenic preparations and to improve the performance of immunodiagnosis by characterizing new antigens and detecting distinct immunoglobulin classes.

A new potent antigen from Echinococcus granulosus associated with muscles and tegument

An immunoscreening of a cDNA library derived from the adult stage of the parasitic platyhelminth Echinococcus granulosus has been carried out with sera from infected dogs. The EgA31 clone encodes a fibrous protein which shares some sequence elements with paramyosins. The corresponding gene is present as a single copy in the genome. As revealed by an antibody obtained against a fusion protein produced in bacteria, the polypeptide has a molecular weight of 66 kDa. This polypeptide is present at all developmental stages studied and is a potent antigen during an infection by the adult stage in the dog and during cyst growth in human patients. By immunohistology, it was shown that it is present in the tegument and subtegumental parenchyma of the adult with a main location in the region of the suckers where it rapidly accumulates at the time of the head evagination. It is also present in the germinal layer of the cyst and on the protoscolex.

Serological diagnosis of human cysticercosis by use of recombinant antigens from Taenia solium cysticerci

A Taenia solium metacestode cDNA expression library in the lambda ZAPII vector was screened with pooled sera from patients with neurocysticercosis. Sixty primary clones were identified and shown to belong to two classes. The clones NC-3 and NC-9 did not reveal any significant homologies to sequences deposited in the databases and were further characterized. Both recombinant antigens were expressed as glutathione S-transferase fusion proteins and applied for serological diagnosis of human cysticercosis. An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was established and evaluated with 27 serum samples of La Réunion and Madagascar patients with cysticercosis. Diagnosis in these patients was established with radiological and serological procedures. For antigen NC-3 a sensitivity of 96.3% and a specificity of 91.5% for the serodiagnosis were achieved. In contrast, the sensitivity of antigen NC-9 was only 33.3%.

Paramyosin isoforms of Schistosoma mansoni are phosphorylated and localized in a large variety of muscle types

Paramyosin, although a widely distributed muscle component among invertebrates, has hitherto not clearly been shown to occur in the muscles of schistosomes. Instead, it has been reported to occur in the tegument. In the present study, a specific antibody reacting with each of 10 isoforms of paramyosin was used for light microscopical immunolocalization in sections of Schistosoma mansoni. Specimens were fixed by a new method to immobilize antigens with uranyl acetate-trehalose-methanol. In cercariae, schistosomula, and adults, the circular and longitudinal muscles of the body wall, the dorsoventral muscles and those surrounding the gut and the pharynx as well as the fast moving cross-striated muscles of the tail of cercariae intensely reacted with the antibody. However, neither immunohistologically nor on Western blots of isolated tegument, were indications found for the presence of paramyosin in the tegument. In vivo phosphorylation and binding of anti-phospho-tyrosine and anti-phospho-serine antibodies show phosphorylation of paramyosin which probably is responsible for the generation of the isoforms.

Molecular cloning and expression of the gene encoding a cysteine proteinase of Spirometra erinacei

A cDNA library constructed from plerocercoid of Spirometra erinacei (SEP) was immunoscreened using rabbit anti-plerocercoid proteinase polyclonal antibody. A 1.0-kb cDNA clone encoding a cysteine proteinase composed of 336 amino acids was isolated. The amino acid sequence predicted from the cDNA showed significant homology with human and mouse cathepsin L. N-terminal amino acid sequence of the native cysteine proteinase extracted from SEP was the same as that of mature proteinase predicted from the cloned gene. The gene encoding the proteinase was characterized by Southern and Northern blot analysis using the cDNA as a probe. The proteinase with a molecular mass of 34 kDa was demonstrated in in vitro translation products using anti-proteinase polyclonal antibody. A fusion protein derived from the cDNA synthesized by Escherichia coli (TB1) using the expression vector, pMAL-c2 was identified as an immunodominant antigen by epitope-selection method and had no cross-reactivity with other parasite-infected sera. A genomic DNA library derived from SEP was screened by the colony hybridization technique using the cDNA probe. A gene with 4.5 kb encoding the proteinase was obtained, which comprised three exons and two introns.

Gene cloning and complete nucleotide sequence of philippine Schistosoma japonicum paramyosin

The development of an effective vaccine is recognised as a necessary adjunct to the control of schistosomiasis japonica, a disease affecting several million people in China and the Philippines. Currently, recombinant Schistosoma japonicum molecules are considered most suitable for large scale vaccine production and a number of genes encoding vaccine candidate polypeptides have been cloned and expressed (see Waine et al., 1993a). One of the molecules providing most promise as a vaccine target is paramyosin (Butterworth, 1992), a major structural protein of thick filaments in the muscle of most invertebrates; paramyosin genes have now been cloned from a range of parasitic helminths, including schistosomes (Limberger and McReynolds, 1990; Laclette et al., 1991; Dahmen et al., 1993; Landa et al., 1993; Mühlschlegel et al., 1993, Nara et al., 1994). The cloning and nucleotide sequence of S. Japonicum paramyosin is described.

Identification and characterization of myophilin, a muscle-specific antigen of Echinococcus granulosus

A muscle-specific gene of Echinococcus granulosus has been identified and characterized. A lambda gt11 clone (10P1), containing an incomplete copy of the gene, was originally isolated from a larval E. granulosus cDNA library by serum antibodies from dogs infected with the parasite. The full-length cDNA sequence was obtained by PCR amplification of cDNA from an adult E. granulosus lambda gt22A library. Southern blot analysis indicated the presence of the gene as a single copy in the genome of E. granulosus and also detected homologous genes in genomic DNA of E. multilocularis and Taenia saginata. The 21.2-kDa protein deduced from the complete cDNA sequence contains two regions of 12 amino acids with similarity to the EF-hand motif of calcium binding proteins. Antibodies raised against the purified 10P1-GST fusion protein detected a 22-kDa antigen in the E. granulosus developmental stages examined. Immunoelectron microscopy localized the native protein in the muscle of the parasite. The amino-acid sequence of the E. granulosus protein shows significant homology to the muscle proteins mp20 of Drosophila melanogaster, chicken SM22 alpha and mammalian calponin, and also to the neuronal protein NP25 of rats. A conserved carboxy-terminal motif of 17 amino acids is present in all the homologous proteins and is proposed to be the characteristic feature of a novel protein family. The term myophilin is proposed for the E. granulosus protein due to its localization and homology to other muscle proteins.

Cloning and immunological characterisation of Echinococcus granulosus ferritin

A cDNA clone of Echinococcus granulosus has been isolated from an expression library screened with sera from cystic echinococcosis patients. The deduced amino acid sequence shows 56% homology to the heavy chain of human ferritin. E. granulosus ferritin contains 173 amino acid residues and has a calculated molecular weight of 19830 Da and a statistical isoelectric point of 7.6. Functionally important amino acid residues of the ferroxidase centre are conserved in comparison with other ferritins. In vitro-translated E. granulosus ferritin was tested for its diagnostic potential by immunoprecipitation. The antigenic reactivity exhibited a good potential for the further development of E. granulosus ferritin as an immunodiagnostic tool for human hydatidosis.

Comparison of the patterns of codon usage and bias between Brugia, Echinococcus, Onchocerca and Schistosoma species

Patterns of codon usage and bias were compared among taxa of the genera Brugia, Echinococcus, Onchocerca and Schistosoma by metric multidimensional scaling and three commonly used indices of bias: Nc, GC3S and B. The overall codon usage for each taxon was compared, as was the codon usage for each individual gene within the taxa. Differences in the patterns of codon usage observed between taxa were dependent on the overall base composition of the genes analysed. The codon usage of Echinococcus was distinct from that of the other taxa. Furthermore, the pattern of codon usage detected by the average codon usage summed across all genes for each taxon was not shown by all genes from that taxon.