Gender-enriched transcription of activation associated secreted proteins in Ostertagia ostertagi

Int J Parasitol. 2008 Mar;38(3-4):455-65. doi: 10.1016/j.ijpara.2007.08.008. Epub 2007 Sep 20.

Abstract

Activation associated secreted proteins (ASP) are members of a nematode-specific protein family belonging to the SCP/Tpx-1/Ag5/PR-1/Sc7 family. Three different types of molecules have been identified in this family: two-domain ASPs and single-domain ASPs showing homology to either the C-terminal or N-terminal domain of the two-domain ASP. The function of these proteins is still unclear, but a role in transition to parasitism and a role as allergen are often suggested. Here we report that the abomasal cattle parasite Ostertagia ostertagi produces at least 15 ASPs, including two-domain and C- and N-type single-domain ASPs. Ten of these are highly transcribed in the L4 stage, whereas others are highly enriched in adult male worms. The latter was especially the case for the N-type single-domain ASPs Oo-ASP1 and Oo-ASP2 and also for Oo-ASP3, which is homologous with the Haemonchus contortus and Ancylostoma caninum C-type single-domain ASPs. Immunohistochemistry showed that Oo-ASP3 was localised in the oesophagus. Oo-ASP1 and Oo-ASP2 on the other hand were localised in the reproductive tract of both male and female worms, suggesting a role in reproduction or in the development of the reproductive tract.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Animals
  • Cattle
  • Cattle Diseases / parasitology
  • Esophagus / metabolism
  • Female
  • Gene Expression
  • Helminth Proteins / genetics*
  • Life Cycle Stages
  • Male
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Ostertagia / genetics*
  • Ostertagiasis / metabolism
  • Reproduction / genetics
  • Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • Sequence Alignment
  • Sequence Homology, Amino Acid
  • Sex Factors
  • Transcription, Genetic*

Substances

  • Helminth Proteins

Associated data

  • GENBANK/AM747038
  • GENBANK/AM747039