title: Update on paramyosin in parasitic worms.
abstract: Paramyosin was first identified as a structural component of invertebrate muscle. Analysis of crude, native, adult schistosome worm preparations identified a highly immunogenic protein which was later identified as paramyosin. Early vaccination/challenge studies with native paramyosin produced encouraging levels of protective efficacy against schistosomes, which led to the question as to how a sub-tegumental (muscular) protein could provide a target for vaccine-mediated immunological attack. Immunolocalisation studies of schistosomes confirmed the presence of paramyosin within the post-acetabular glands of cercariae and on the tegumental surface of lung schistosomula. Here we present an update on the more recent research on paramyosin in parasitic worms that has focused primarily in two directions: (i) further testing of the vaccine potency of paramyosin against schistosomes and other parasitic worms; and (ii) characterisation of the protein at the molecular and biochemical levels.
authors.affiliation: Molecular Parasitology Laboratory, Australian Centre for International and Tropical Health and Nutrition, The Queensland Institute of Medical Research, Post Office Royal Brisbane Hospital, Queensland 4029, Australia. geoffG@qimr.edu.au
authors.forename: Geoffrey N
authors.initials: GN
authors.lastname: Gobert
authors.forename: Donald P
authors.initials: DP
authors.lastname: McManus
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D005260:Female; D015801:Helminth Proteins / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D006374:Helminthiasis, Animal / Q000469:parasitology / Q000517:prevention & control; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D012547:Schistosoma / Q000276:immunology; D012552:Schistosomiasis / Q000469:parasitology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D014335:Tropomyosin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D014611:Vaccination; D014612:Vaccines / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D015801:Helminth Proteins; D014335:Tropomyosin; D014612:Vaccines