title: Tissue expression patterns of Schistosoma mansoni Venom Allergen-Like proteins 6 and 7.
abstract: The Schistosoma mansoni Venom Allergen-Like proteins (SmVALs) are members of the SCP/TAPS (Sperm-Coating Protein/Tpx-1/Ag5/PR-1/Sc7) protein superfamily, which may be important in host-pathogen interactions. Whole mount in situ hybridisation demonstrated a distinct expression pattern in oral and ventral suckers of adult worms for SmVAL6 and in the oesophageal gland for SmVAL7 transcripts, respectively. Additionally, immunocytochemistry analysis corroborated SmVAL7 expression in the oesophageal gland. Analysis of protein expression across the parasite's life cycle revealed that the SmVAL6 protein is upregulated in cercariae and adult male worms. Furthermore, SmVAL6 protein was identified by mass spectrometry in tegument fractions of adult worms. Finally, we speculate on possible functions of these two SmVALs at the host-parasite interface.
authors.affiliation: Centro de Biotecnologia, Instituto Butantan, Av. Vital Brasil, 1500, 05503-900 São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Henrique K
authors.initials: HK
authors.lastname: Rofatto
authors.forename: Sophia J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Parker-Manuel
authors.forename: Tereza C
authors.initials: TC
authors.lastname: Barbosa
authors.forename: Cibele A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Tararam
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Alan Wilson
authors.forename: Luciana C C
authors.initials: LC
authors.lastname: Leite
authors.forename: Leonardo P
authors.initials: LP
authors.lastname: Farias
mesh_terms: D000485:Allergens / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D000825:Animal Structures / Q000737:chemistry; D000818:Animals; D000947:Antigens, Helminth / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D018509:DNA, Helminth / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics; D015870:Gene Expression; D020869:Gene Expression Profiling; D015801:Helminth Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D017403:In Situ Hybridization; D008297:Male; D013058:Mass Spectrometry; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D012550:Schistosoma mansoni / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000254:growth & development*; D017422:Sequence Analysis, DNA
chemical_list: D000485:Allergens; D000947:Antigens, Helminth; D018509:DNA, Helminth; D015801:Helminth Proteins