A developmentally regulated gene of Echinococcus granulosus codes for a 15.5-kilodalton polypeptide related to fatty acid binding proteins.
A stage-specific expressed gene has been isolated from a cDNA expression library of Echinococcus granulosus protoscolices. The isolated clone contains the complete coding sequence. The corresponding protein (EgDf1) has a molecular weight of 15.5 kDa and is expressed at the tegumental level in the protoscolices, being undetectable in the germinal layer of the metacestode. This protein shares an important homology with a family of low-molecular weight proteins involved in the binding of hydrophobic ligands. This family includes a protein of Schistosoma mansoni (Sm 14) that has immunoprotective activity in rodents. Histochemical and metabolic data already reported for E. granulosus suggest that EgDf1 could be a molecular marker for early events in the process of protoscolex differentiation.
Esteves
A
A
Sección Bioquímica, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de la Republica, Montevideo, Uruguay.
Dallagiovanna
B
B
Ehrlich
R
R
D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000818:Animals; D001483:Base Sequence; D002352:Carrier Proteins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D003001:Cloning, Molecular; D004247:DNA / Q000235:genetics; D004446:Echinococcus / Q000235:genetics* / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism; D050556:Fatty Acid-Binding Proteins; D005227:Fatty Acids / Q000378:metabolism; D017238:Genes, Helminth; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins; D017386:Sequence Homology, Amino Acid
D002352:Carrier Proteins; D050556:Fatty Acid-Binding Proteins; D005227:Fatty Acids; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins; D004247:DNA