title: Preliminary characterization and expression of Vasa-like gene in Schistosoma japonicum.
abstract: The Vasa gene is a vital germline marker to study the origin and development of germ cells and gonads in many organisms. Until now, little information was available about the characteristics of the Vasa gene in Schistosoma japonicum (S. japonicum). In this study, we cloned the open reading frame (ORF) of the S. japonicum Vasa-like gene (Sj-Vasa). The expression pattern and tissue localization of Sj-Vasa were also analyzed. Our results showed that Sj-Vasa shared the general feature of DEAD-box family member proteins. Sj-Vasa was transcribed and expressed throughout the S. japonicum life cycle with transcription exhibiting high levels at day 24 in both male and female worms, and the expression level in the female was always higher than that in the male. Sj-Vasa protein was localized in a variety of tissues of adult schistosomes, including the gonads (ovary, vitellarium, and testes), the subtegument, and some cells of the parenchyma. To our knowledge, this is the first report of preliminary characterization and expression of the Vasa-like gene that may play an important role in the development of the worm, especially in reproductive organs of S. japonicum.
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Anhui Provincial Laboratory of Microbiology and Parasitology, Anhui Medical University, 81# Meishan Road, Hefei, Anhui, 230032, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Yujie
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Diao
authors.forename: Mengqing
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hua
authors.forename: Yanjing
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Shao
authors.forename: Wei
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.forename: Miao
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Cuiping
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Ren
authors.forename: Yongsheng
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Ji
authors.forename: Jianmin
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Jijia
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Shen
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D005260:Female; D018507:Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental; D015801:Helminth Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010053:Ovary / Q000378:metabolism; D012549:Schistosoma japonicum / Q000235:genetics* / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism; D012554:Schistosomiasis japonica / Q000469:parasitology; D013737:Testis / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D015801:Helminth Proteins