Differential expression of chemokine and matrix re-modelling genes is associated with contrasting schistosome-induced hepatopathology in murine models.

The pathological outcomes of schistosomiasis are largely dependent on the molecular and cellular mechanisms of the host immune response. In this study, we investigated the contribution of variations in host gene expression to the contrasting hepatic pathology observed between two inbred mouse strains following Schistosoma japonicum infection. Whole genome microarray analysis was employed in conjunction with histological and immunohistochemical analysis to define and compare the hepatic gene expression profiles and cellular composition associated with the hepatopathology observed in S.

Expression of Potato virus Y cytoplasmic inclusion protein in tobacco results in disorganization of parenchyma cells, distortion of epidermal cells, and induces mitochondrial and chloroplast abnormalities, formation of membrane whorls and atypical lipid accumulation.

Infection of plant cells by potyviruses induces the formation of cytoplasmic inclusions ranging in size from 200 to 1000 nm. To determine if the ability to form these ordered, insoluble structures is intrinsic to the potyviral cytoplasmic inclusion protein, we have expressed the cytoplasmic inclusion protein from Potato virus Y in tobacco under the control of the chrysanthemum ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase small subunit promoter, a highly active, green tissue promoter. No cytoplasmic inclusions were observed in the leaves of transgenic tobacco using transmission electron microscopy, despite being able to clearly visualize these inclusions in Potato virus Y infected tobacco leaves under the same conditions.

Proteolytic degradation of hemoglobin in the intestine of the human hookworm Necator americanus.

Blood-feeding parasites use mechanistically distinct proteases to digest hemoglobin (Hb), often as multienzyme cooperative cascades. We investigated the roles played by 3 distinct proteases from adults of the human hookworm Necator americanus. The aspartic protease Na-APR-1 and the cysteine protease Na-CP-3 were expressed in catalytically active form in yeast, and the metalloprotease Na-MEP-1 was expressed in catalytically active form in baculovirus.

A family of cathepsin B cysteine proteases expressed in the gut of the human hookworm, Necator americanus.

mRNAs encoding cathepsin B-like cysteine proteases (CatBs) are abundantly expressed in the genomes of blood-feeding nematodes. Recombinant CatBs have been partially efficacious in vaccine trials in animal models of hookworm infection, supporting further investigation of these enzymes as new control tools. We recently described a family of four distinct CatBs (Na-CP-2, -3, -4, -5) from the human hookworm, Necator americanus.

Isolated HIV-1 core is active for reverse transcription.

Whether purified HIV-1 virion cores are capable of reverse transcription or require uncoating to be activated is currently controversial. To address this question we purified cores from a virus culture and tested for the ability to generate authentic reverse transcription products. A dense fraction (approximately 1.

Towards tissue specific transcriptomics and expression pattern analysis in schistosomes using laser microdissection microscopy.

One difficulty facing post-genomic analyses of schistosomes is the limited data on sites of expression of many gene products expressed by the parasites in their hosts. The potential for use of laser microdissection microscopy as a preparative technique for transcriptional and proteomic profiling is reviewed. This technique allows tissues to be dissected for subsequent molecular and protein analysis.

The effects of saturated fatty acids on Giardia duodenalis trophozoites in vitro.

Giardia duodenalis is a protozoal, intestinal parasite that is a common aetiological agent of infectious diarrhoea in humans worldwide. Chemotherapeutic intervention presently offers a limited range of drugs and these are usually only employed after clinical diagnosis. Moreover, these drugs are ineffective against the infectious cysts, can produce unpleasant side effects, and are expensive with limited availability in developing countries.

The ultrastructural architecture of the adult Schistosoma japonicum tegument.

The tegument of the adult blood fluke Schistosoma japonicum is in direct contact with the host blood and immune systems. A comprehensive understanding of the ultrastructure of the tegument is crucial to the understanding of how the parasite maintains itself within the mammalian host. Important functions such as nutritional uptake and immune evasion are suspected functions of the tegument and this review discusses these aspects and presents some insights into some of these crucial functions.