Gender-enriched transcription of activation associated secreted proteins in Ostertagia ostertagi.
Activation associated secreted proteins (ASP) are members of a nematode-specific protein family belonging to the SCP/Tpx-1/Ag5/PR-1/Sc7 family. Three different types of molecules have been identified in this family: two-domain ASPs and single-domain ASPs showing homology to either the C-terminal or N-terminal domain of the two-domain ASP. The function of these proteins is still unclear, but a role in transition to parasitism and a role as allergen are often suggested. Here we report that the abomasal cattle parasite Ostertagia ostertagi produces at least 15 ASPs, including two-domain and C- and N-type single-domain ASPs. Ten of these are highly transcribed in the L4 stage, whereas others are highly enriched in adult male worms. The latter was especially the case for the N-type single-domain ASPs Oo-ASP1 and Oo-ASP2 and also for Oo-ASP3, which is homologous with the Haemonchus contortus and Ancylostoma caninum C-type single-domain ASPs. Immunohistochemistry showed that Oo-ASP3 was localised in the oesophagus. Oo-ASP1 and Oo-ASP2 on the other hand were localised in the reproductive tract of both male and female worms, suggesting a role in reproduction or in the development of the reproductive tract.
Visser
A
A
Laboratory of Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Salisburylaan 133, B9820 Merelbeke, Belgium. Aline.Visser@Ugent.be
Van Zeveren
A M
AM
Meyvis
Y
Y
Peelaers
I
I
Van den Broeck
W
W
Gevaert
K
K
Vercruysse
J
J
Claerebout
E
E
Geldhof
P
P
D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000818:Animals; D002417:Cattle; D002418:Cattle Diseases / Q000469:parasitology; D004947:Esophagus / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D015870:Gene Expression; D015801:Helminth Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D008018:Life Cycle Stages; D008297:Male; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D010028:Ostertagia / Q000235:genetics*; D010029:Ostertagiasis / Q000378:metabolism; D012098:Reproduction / Q000235:genetics; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D016415:Sequence Alignment; D017386:Sequence Homology, Amino Acid; D012737:Sex Factors; D014158:Transcription, Genetic
D015801:Helminth Proteins