Immunolocalization of the fatty acid-binding protein Sj-FABPc within adult Schistosoma japonicum.
This paper describes the first localization study of the 14.7 kDa fatty acid-binding protein in Schistosoma japonicum (SjFABPc) using transmission electron microscopy. A polyclonal antibody raised against recombinant Sj-FABPc was used in combination with a colloidal gold marker to determine the distribution of the protein within adult parasites. Sj-FABPc was localized within lipid droplets below the subtegumental region of the male parasite. Additionally, Sj-FABPc was present in the vitelline droplets of the vitelline glands of female parasites. There were no detectable levels of Sj-FABPc on the surface or within the tegument of male or female parasites. Possible functions of Sj-FABPc within S. japonicum and the relevance of these immunolocalization findings in light of the recent reports that the homologue Sm-FABPc is an important anti-S. mansoni vaccine target molecule are also discussed.
Gobert
G N
GN
Analytical Electron Microscopy Facility, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Australia. g.gobert@qut.edu.au
Stenzel
D J
DJ
Jones
M K
MK
McManus
D P
DP
D000818:Animals; D015153:Blotting, Western; D002352:Carrier Proteins / Q000032:analysis*; D000071438:Fatty Acid-Binding Protein 7; D050556:Fatty Acid-Binding Proteins; D005227:Fatty Acids; D005260:Female; D005629:Frozen Sections; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008055:Lipids / Q000032:analysis; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D016253:Microscopy, Immunoelectron; D018996:Myelin P2 Protein / Q000032:analysis*; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins; D012549:Schistosoma japonicum / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000648:ultrastructure
D002352:Carrier Proteins; C082667:Fabp5 protein, mouse; C086936:Fabp7 protein, mouse; D000071438:Fatty Acid-Binding Protein 7; D050556:Fatty Acid-Binding Proteins; D005227:Fatty Acids; D008055:Lipids; D018996:Myelin P2 Protein; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins