title: CAP protein superfamily members in Toxocara canis.
abstract: Proteins of the cysteine-rich secretory proteins, antigen 5 and pathogenesis-related 1 (CAP) superfamily are recognized or proposed to play roles in parasite development and reproduction, and in modulating host immune attack and infection processes. However, little is known about these proteins for most parasites.
  
  
  
  In the present study, we explored CAP proteins of Toxocara canis, a socioeconomically important zoonotic roundworm. To do this, we mined and curated transcriptomic and genomic data, predicted and curated full-length protein sequences (n = 28), conducted analyses of these data and studied the transcription of respective genes in different developmental stages of T. canis. In addition, based on information available for Caenorhabditis elegans, we inferred that selected genes (including lon-1, vap-1, vap-2, scl-1, scl-8 and scl-11 orthologs) of T. canis and their interaction partners likely play central roles in this parasite's development and/or reproduction via TGF-beta and/or insulin-like signaling pathways, or via host interactions.
  
  
  
  In conclusion, this study could provide a foundation to guide future studies of CAP proteins of T. canis and related parasites, and might assist in finding new interventions against diseases caused by these parasites.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia. astroehlein@unimelb.edu.au.
authors.forename: Andreas J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Stroehlein
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia.
authors.forename: Neil D
authors.initials: ND
authors.lastname: Young
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia.
authors.forename: Ross S
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Hall
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia.
authors.forename: Pasi K
authors.initials: PK
authors.lastname: Korhonen
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia.|Structural Chemistry Program, Eskitis Institute, Griffith University, Brisbane, Australia.
authors.forename: Andreas
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hofmann
authors.affiliation: HHMI and Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, USA.
authors.forename: Paul W
authors.initials: PW
authors.lastname: Sternberg
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia.
authors.forename: Abdul
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Jabbar
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia. robinbg@unimelb.edu.au.
authors.forename: Robin B
authors.initials: RB
authors.lastname: Gasser
mesh_terms: D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000818:Animals; D015801:Helminth Proteins / Q000145:classification* / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D017166:Toxocara canis / Q000378:metabolism*; D014158:Transcription, Genetic; D059467:Transcriptome / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D015801:Helminth Proteins
keywords: CAP (SCP/TAPS) protein genes; Genetic interactions; Nematodes; Toxocara canis; Transcription profiles