Molecular analysis of zinc transporters in Schistosoma japonicum.
Members of the zinc-regulated transporter/iron-regulated transporter-like protein (ZIP) family of proteins transport metal ions across cell membranes. Genes encoding ZIPs are present in the genomes of schistosomes. Here, we describe molecular characterisation of six ZIPs (SjZIPA-F) from Schistosoma japonicum. Quantitative PCR analyses of these ZIPs through the lifecycle showed that each is expressed predominantly during the intramammalian stage and are particularly enriched in adult females. Using laser microdissected tissue as template, SjZIPA-D were transcriptionally enriched in female reproductive tissues, SjZIPE was not expressed in specific tissues and SjZIPF was expressed similarly in each tissue. Whole mount in situ hybridization revealed that SjZIPA and SjZIPB were localised to the oesophageal gland of adults and the vitellaria. We have shown that multiple ZIPs are expressed by schistosomes during the intramammalian parasitic phases and propose that the encoded products perform diverse cellular functions related to metal transport in different cells of S. japonicum.
Queensland Institute of Medical Research, 300 Herston Road, Herston, Qld 4006, Australia.
Leigh
L
Schulte
Amber
A
Glanfield
Sujeevi
S
Nawaratna
Geoffrey N
GN
Gobert
Donald P
DP
McManus
Malcolm K
MK
Jones
D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000818:Animals; D001483:Base Sequence; D027682:Cation Transport Proteins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D018076:DNA, Complementary / Q000737:chemistry; D018509:DNA, Helminth / Q000737:chemistry; D005260:Female; D015801:Helminth Proteins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D017403:In Situ Hybridization; D007501:Iron / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D010802:Phylogeny; D018510:RNA, Helminth / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification; D012549:Schistosoma japonicum / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D012908:Snails; D015032:Zinc / Q000378:metabolism*
D027682:Cation Transport Proteins; D018076:DNA, Complementary; D018509:DNA, Helminth; D015801:Helminth Proteins; D018510:RNA, Helminth; D007501:Iron; D015032:Zinc