title: [Molecular and immunological analyses suggest the absence of hydrophilic surface proteins in Leishmania (Viannia) panamensis].
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Programa de Estudio y Control de Enfermedades Tropicales (PECET), Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Antioquia, Medellín, Colombia. mvmarcel@gmail.com
authors.forename: Marcel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Marín
authors.forename: Yudy Alexandra
authors.initials: YA
authors.lastname: Aguilar
authors.forename: José Robinson
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Ramírez
authors.forename: Omar
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Triana
authors.forename: Carlos Enrique
authors.initials: CE
authors.lastname: Muskus
mesh_terms: 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
chemical_list: D000953:Antigens, Protozoan; C401882:HASPA protein, Leishmania; C401884:HASPB protein, Leishmania; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D015800:Protozoan Proteins