Differential activation of diverse glutathione transferases of Clonorchis sinensis in response to the host bile and oxidative stressors.

Background: Clonorchis sinensis causes chronic cumulative infections in the human hepatobiliary tract and is intimately associated with cholangiocarcinoma. Approximately 35 million people are infected and 600 million people are at risk of infections worldwide. C.

TgGRA23, a novel Toxoplasma gondii dense granule protein associated with the parasitophorous vacuole membrane and intravacuolar network.

Toxoplasma gondii is an intracellular protozoan parasite, which relies on a specialized compartment, the parasitophorous vacuole (PV), to survive within host cells. Dense granules within the parasite release a large variety of proteins to maintain the integrity of the vacuole structure. Here, we identified a novel dense granule protein in T.

Identification of the cross-reactive and species-specific antigens between Neospora caninum and Toxoplasma gondii tachyzoites by a proteomics approach.

The characterization of the cross-reactive and species-specific antigens of Neospora caninum and Toxoplasma gondii is important in the exploration to determine the common mechanisms of parasite-host interaction and to improve the serological diagnosis; it is also useful for the selection of the cross-reactive antigens that could be used in the development of vaccines or drugs for controlling the diseases caused by these two parasites. In this study, cross-reactive and species-specific antigens between N. caninum and T.

Two-dimensional immunoblot analysis of antigenic proteins of Spirometra plerocercoid recognized by human patient sera.

Sparganosis is caused by invasion of Spirometra plerocercoid into various tissues/organs. Subcutaneous sparganosis can be diagnosed and treated by worm removal, while visceral/cerebral sparganosis is not easy to diagnose. The diagnosis depends largely on the detection of specific antibodies circulating in the patients' sera.

Bioactive molecules of Taenia solium metacestode, a causative agent of neurocysticercosis.

Neurocysticercosis (NC), an infection of the CNS with Taenia solium metacestode, exemplifies formidable public health concerns associated with significant morbidity and mortality. The disease is a complex phenomenon involving molecular cell biological cross-talks between the parasite and human host. To effectively combat NC, specific diagnosis and proper management are prerequisites.

A novel sigma-like glutathione transferase of Taenia solium metacestode.

GSTs are a group of multifunctional enzymes, whose major functions involve catalysis of conjugation of glutathione thiolate anion with a multitude of bi-substrates or transportation of a range of hydrophobic ligands. Helminth GSTs are intimately involved in the scavenging of endogenously/exogenously-derived toxic compounds and xenobiotics. In this study, we identified a novel GST gene of Taenia solium metacestodes (TsMs), which is a causative agent of neurocysticercosis.

Characterization of the Babesia gibsoni 12-kDa protein as a potential antigen for the serodiagnosis.

A novel gene, BgP12, encoding a 12-kDa protein was identified from Babesia gibsoni. The full-length cDNA of BgP12 contains an open reading frame of 378 bp, corresponding to 126 amino acid (aa) residues consisting of a putative 26 aa signal peptide and a 100 aa mature protein. The recombinant BgP12 (rBgP12) lacking the N-terminal signal peptide was expressed in Escherichia coli as a soluble glutathione S-transferase (GST) fusion protein (rBgP12) that produced an anti-rBgP12 serum in mice after immunization.

Babesia gibsoni: Serodiagnosis of infection in dogs by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay with recombinant BgTRAP.

The thrombospondin-related adhesive protein of Babesia gibsoni (BgTRAP) is known as an immunodominant antigen and is, therefore, considered as a candidate for the development of a diagnostic reagent for canine babesiosis. The recombinant BgTRAP (rBgTRAP) expressed in Escherichia coli was tested in an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for detecting antibodies to B. gibsoni in dogs.

A hydrophobic ligand-binding protein of the Taenia solium metacestode mediates uptake of the host lipid: implication for the maintenance of parasitic cellular homeostasis.

Parasitic organisms are incapable of de novo fatty acid synthesis due to a down-regulated expression of enzymes involved in the oxygen-dependent pathway. We investigated the uptake of host lipids by a 150-kDa hydrophobic ligand-binding protein (HLBP) of Taenia solium metacestode, an agent causative of neurocysticercosis. The protein was found to be a hetero-oligomeric complex consisting of multiple subunits (M(r) 7, 10, and 15 kDa within pH 8.

Dense-granule protein NcGRA7, a new marker for the serodiagnosis of Neospora caninum infection in aborting cows.

To investigate whether the production of an antigen-specific antibody is associated with Neospora caninum-induced bovine abortion, 62 serum samples were tested with an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay using the recombinant antigens NcSAG1, NcSRS2, and NcGRA7. Our study suggested that NcGRA7 would be a new marker for the serodiagnosis of N. caninum infection resulting in abortion.

Proteomic analysis of calcium-dependent secretion in Toxoplasma gondii.

Toxoplasma gondii is an intracellular protozoan parasite that invades a wide range of nucleated cells. In the course of intracellular parasitism, the parasite releases a large variety of proteins from three secretory organelles, namely, micronemes, rhoptries and dense granules. Elevation of intracellular Ca(2+) in the parasite causes microneme discharge, and microneme secretion is essential for the invasion.

Babesia gibsoni: identification of an immunodominant, interspersed repeat antigen.

In this report, an immunodominant antigen called BgIRA from Babesia gibsoni is identified and described. A highly repetitive antigen was screened from a cDNA library. The genomic BgIRA gene exists as single cope gene and contains 10 introns.

Identification of ribosomal phosphoprotein P0 of Neospora caninum as a potential common vaccine candidate for the control of both neosporosis and toxoplasmosis.

The characterization of the cross-reactive antigens of two closely related apicomplexan parasites, Neospora caninum and Toxoplasma gondii, is important to elucidate the common mechanisms of parasite-host interactions. In this context, a gene encoding N. caninum ribosomal phosphoprotein P0 (NcP0) was identified by immunoscreening of a N.

Babesia gibsoni ribosomal phosphoprotein P0 induces cross-protective immunity against B. microti infection in mice.

Babesia gibsoni ribosomal phosphoprotein P0 (BgP0) was identified as an immunodominant cross-reactive antigen with B. microti. The BgP0 gene is a single copy with a predicted open reading frame of 942 bp and 314 amino acids.

Apical membrane antigen 1 is a cross-reactive antigen between Neospora caninum and Toxoplasma gondii, and the anti-NcAMA1 antibody inhibits host cell invasion by both parasites.

The cross-reactive antigens of Neospora caninum and Toxoplasma gondii are important in the exploration to determine the common mechanisms of parasite-host interaction. In this study, a gene encoding N. caninum apical membrane antigen 1 (NcAMA1) was identified by immunoscreening of a N.

Differential expression of Paragonimus westermani eggshell proteins during the developmental stages.

Eggs of trematode parasites are comprised of numerous vitelline cells and one fertilized ovum, and are encapsulated within a protein shell provided by the vitellocytes. In this study, we isolated two full-length cDNA clones that showed substantial levels of sequence identity with trematode-specific eggshell precursor proteins from the human lung fluke, Paragonimus westermani. These cDNAs, designated Pw-Vit20 (868-bp-long) and Pw-Vit36 (883-bp-long), shared a 76% identity with one another at the nucleotide level, and each encoded a 261-amino acid (aa) polypeptide.

Critical roles for excretory-secretory cysteine proteases during tissue invasion of Paragonimus westermani newly excysted metacercariae.

Paragonimus westermani is a trematode parasite, which causes pulmonary and/or extrapulmonary granulomatous disease in humans. Successful invasion of the host tissue is critical for the survival of this tissue-invasive parasite. The enzymatic hydrolysis of host proteins is clearly a prerequisite of this process.

Identification of a protein disulfide isomerase of Neospora caninum in excretory-secretory products and its IgA binding and enzymatic activities.

A protein disulfide isomerase of Neospora caninum (NcPDI) with a molecular weight of 50kDa was identified in tachyzoite lysate and excretory-secretory (ES) products. The IgA antibody in 58.0% of the individual cattle tear samples recognized the NcPDI, which suggests that the PDI-specific antibody may be involved in defense against parasites.

Identification of immunodominant excretory-secretory cysteine proteases of adult Paragonimus westermani by proteome analysis.

Paragonimus westermani causes inflammatory lung disease in humans. The parasite excretes a host of biologically active molecules, which are thought to be involved in pathophysiological and immunological events during infection. Analyses of the 2-DE protein profiles of the excretory-secretory products (ESP) of adult P.

Exploration of immunoblot profiles of Neospora caninum probed with different bovine immunoglobulin classes.

The present study was attempted to compare the Neospora caninum (N. caninum) antigenic bands recognized by different bovine immunoglobulin classes. A total 10, 5, 2, and 6 antigenic bands were exhibited on immunoblot profiles against bovine IgM, IgE, IgA, and IgG, respectively.

Application of proteomics for comparison of proteome of Neospora caninum and Toxoplasma gondii tachyzoites.

Protein profiles of two isolates of Neospora caninum (KBA-2 and JPA1) and Toxoplasma gondii RH strain were investigated by proteomic approach. Approximately, 78% of protein spots on two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2-DE) profiles and 80% of antigen spots on 2-DE immunoblotting profiles were exhibited to share the same pI and M(r) between KBA-2 and JPA1 of N. caninum.

Experimental evaluation of pathogenicity of Lactococcus garvieae in black rockfish (Sebastes schlegeli).

Black rockfish (Sebastes schlegeli) is an important mariculture species in Korea. The production of this fish is drastically declined due to bacterial diseases, particularly streptococcosis caused by Lactococcus garvieae. The bacterial surface characteristics of SJ7 and TY6 were found to have capsule but not NB13 and YS18.

Identification of antigenic proteins from Neospora caninum recognized by bovine immunoglobulins M, E, A and G using immunoproteomics.

Antigenic proteins of Neospora caninum (N. caninum) against bovine immunoglobulins M, E, A, and G were investigated by using immunoproteomics. Proteins of N.

Two-dimensional gel electrophoresis and immunoblot analysis of Neospora caninum tachyzoites.

Identification of expressed protein profiles and antigenic determination are some of the most challenging aspects of proteomics. Two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2-DE) combined with immunoblot analysis were employed to study the N. caninum proteome.

Aspartic proteases of Plasmodium vivax are highly conserved in wild isolates.

The plasmepsins are the aspartic proteases of malaria parasites. Treatment of aspartic protease inhibitor inhibits hemoglobin hydrolysis and blocks the parasite development in vitro suggesting that these proteases might be exploited their potentials as antimalarial drug targets. In this study, we determined the genetic variations of the aspartic proteases of Plasmodium vivax (PvPMs) of wild isolates.