Structural modelling studies and immunoprophylactic potential of Brugia malayi DEAD Box RNA helicase

Parasitology. 2013 Jul;140(8):1016-25. doi: 10.1017/S0031182013000322.

Abstract

DEAD Box RNA helicases are essential enzymes that are involved in RNA metabolic processes such as transcription, pre-mRNA splicing, translation initiation and RNA decay. We have previously over-expressed and biochemically characterized an immunodominant cDNA clone encoding DEAD box RNA helicase (BmL3-Helicase) isolated by immunoscreening of the larval stage cDNA library of Brugia malayi. In the current study, the 3D structure was determined and the immunoprophylactic efficacy of BmL3-Helicase was investigated by immunizing Mastomys coucha with the recombinant protein and subsequently challenging with B. malayi infective larvae. The immunization had an adverse outcome on the establishment of challenged larvae resulting in a 67.4% reduction in adult parasite recovery, a 86.7% decrease in the microfilarial density and profound sterility of the recovered female worms. The immune response thus generated was investigated by measuring the levels of specific antibodies including IgG subclasses, reactive oxygen species and cytokines.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antibodies, Helminth / biosynthesis
  • Antibodies, Helminth / blood*
  • Antigens, Helminth / immunology*
  • Brugia malayi / enzymology*
  • Brugia malayi / genetics
  • Brugia malayi / immunology
  • Cytokines / analysis
  • Cytokines / metabolism
  • DEAD-box RNA Helicases / chemistry*
  • DEAD-box RNA Helicases / genetics
  • DEAD-box RNA Helicases / immunology
  • Elephantiasis, Filarial / immunology*
  • Elephantiasis, Filarial / parasitology
  • Female
  • Gene Library
  • Helminth Proteins / chemistry
  • Helminth Proteins / genetics
  • Helminth Proteins / immunology
  • Humans
  • Immunization
  • Immunoglobulin G / biosynthesis
  • Immunoglobulin G / blood
  • Immunophenotyping
  • Larva
  • Microfilariae
  • Models, Molecular*
  • Murinae
  • Nitric Oxide / analysis
  • Nitric Oxide / metabolism
  • Protein Structure, Tertiary
  • Reactive Oxygen Species / analysis
  • Reactive Oxygen Species / metabolism
  • Recombinant Proteins

Substances

  • Antibodies, Helminth
  • Antigens, Helminth
  • Cytokines
  • Helminth Proteins
  • Immunoglobulin G
  • Reactive Oxygen Species
  • Recombinant Proteins
  • Nitric Oxide
  • DEAD-box RNA Helicases