title: Up-regulation of extracellular copper/zinc superoxide dismutase mRNA after transmission of the filarial parasite Acanthocheilonema viteae in the vertebrate host Meriones unguiculatus.
abstract: The gene encoding the cytoplasmic copper/zinc superoxide dismutase (AVSOD1) from the filarial parasite Acanthocheilonema viteae was isolated from a genomic DNA library using a degenerate oligonucleotide probe. Additionally, cDNAs of the AVSOD1 and the secreted extracellular SOD (AVSOD2) were both cloned by RT-PCR, and the AVSOD2 was expressed at high levels in E. coli. The amino acid sequence of the AVSOD1 is 89.5 and 87.5% identical to that of the corresponding enzymes of Brugia pahangi and Onchocerca volvulus, respectively. In contrast, the AVSOD2 shows a lower degree of identity to the other filarial SODs and is extensively glycosylated. RT-PCR studies demonstrate the expression of both SOD subtypes in all developmental stages of A. viteae and indicate up-regulation of the AVSOD2 expression after transmission from the vector to the definitive host. This suggests an enhanced requirement for SOD activity in post-infective larval stages and adults of A. viteae. ELISAs performed with purified recombinant AVSOD2 show that the AVSOD2 is not a major target for the immune system in naturally infected jirds.
authors.affiliation: Max-Planck-Institut für Biologie, Abteilung Infektionsbiologie, Tübingen, Germany.
authors.forename: C T
authors.initials: CT
authors.lastname: Lattemann
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Matzen
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Apfel
mesh_terms: D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000818:Animals; D004154:Dipetalonema Infections / Q000201:enzymology / Q000635:transmission / Q000662:veterinary*; D015971:Gene Expression Regulation, Enzymologic; D005849:Gerbillinae / Q000469:parasitology*; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D018510:RNA, Helminth / Q000032:analysis; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species / Q000378:metabolism; D012376:Rodent Diseases / Q000201:enzymology*; D017386:Sequence Homology, Amino Acid; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase / Q000235:genetics*; D015854:Up-Regulation
chemical_list: D018510:RNA, Helminth; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase