Molecular cloning and expression profiles of Argonaute proteins in Schistosoma japonicum

Parasitol Res. 2010 Sep;107(4):889-99. doi: 10.1007/s00436-010-1946-3. Epub 2010 Jun 26.

Abstract

Small non-coding RNAs including microRNAs and small interfering RNAs play important roles in many biological processes of many organisms. Argonaute proteins serve as a key component of the RNA-induced silencing complex for mediating miRNA/siRNA functions. In the present study, we systematically investigated Argonaute proteins in Schistosoma japonicum by using bioinformatics in combination with 5'- and 3'-Rapid Amplification of cDNA ends techniques and thus obtained three full-length cDNAs encoding Argonaute proteins, named as SjAgo1, SjAgo2, and SjAgo3, respectively. Additionally, SjAgo1/2/3 were differentially expressed in different developmental stages of schistosomes as determined by real-time RT-PCR and Western blot. Taken together, our preliminary results suggested that SjAgo1/2/3 may control gene expression during the life cycle of S. japonicum and therefore may regulate schistosome development and other biological processes.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Blotting, Western
  • Cloning, Molecular
  • Computational Biology
  • DNA, Complementary / genetics
  • DNA, Complementary / metabolism
  • Gene Expression Profiling*
  • Gene Expression Regulation*
  • Helminth Proteins / biosynthesis*
  • Helminth Proteins / genetics
  • Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • Schistosoma japonicum / genetics*
  • Schistosoma japonicum / growth & development*

Substances

  • DNA, Complementary
  • Helminth Proteins