[Molecular and immunological analyses suggest the absence of hydrophilic surface proteins in Leishmania (Viannia) panamensis].
BACKGROUND
The genus Leishmania is divided into two subgenera: Leishmania and Viannia. The two subgenera present several important differences such as the pathology they cause in susceptible hosts, their in vitro growth behavior, their genetic characteristics, and the expression pattern of several proteins, including those of the hydrophilic surface protein family.


OBJECTIVE
To characterize the hydrophilic surface protein family in Leishmania (Viannia) panamensis.


METHODS
The hasp genes were amplified in L. (V.) panamensis, using specific primers previously designed to amplify this gene in Leishmania (Leishmania) major. The PCR products were cloned, sequenced, and the sequences analyzed using common bioinformatics tools. Secondly, a serological screening was undertaken with an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and Western blot to detect specific antibodies against the hydrophilic surface recombinant protein from L. (L.) major.


RESULTS
A copy of a pseudogene was amplified in L. (V.) panamensis which was 60% homologous with the L. (L.) major orthologous gene. Antibodies responded to the hydrophilic surface recombinant proteins only in sera from patients with visceral leishmaniasis [Leishmania (Leishmania) chagasi].


CONCLUSIONS
These results suggest the lack of a functional hasp gene in L. (V.) panamensis, suggesting probably the loss of the complete gene family in this species of the Viannia subgenus.
Marín
Marcel
M
Programa de Estudio y Control de Enfermedades Tropicales (PECET), Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Antioquia, Medellín, Colombia. mvmarcel@gmail.com
Aguilar
Yudy Alexandra
YA
Ramírez
José Robinson
JR
Triana
Omar
O
Muskus
Carlos Enrique
CE
D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000818:Animals; D000953:Antigens, Protozoan / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D001483:Base Sequence; D006801:Humans; D007891:Leishmania / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D008565:Membrane Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D015800:Protozoan Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D016415:Sequence Alignment
D000953:Antigens, Protozoan; C401882:HASPA protein, Leishmania; C401884:HASPB protein, Leishmania; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D015800:Protozoan Proteins