Gender-enriched transcription of activation associated secreted proteins in Ostertagia ostertagi

• Published in: International journal for parasitology 2008-03, Vol.38 (3-4), p.455-465
• Main Authors: Visser, A., Van Zeveren, A.M., Meyvis, Y., Peelaers, I., Van den Broeck, W., Gevaert, K., Vercruysse, J., Claerebout, E., Geldhof, P.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: abomasal nematodes; Activation associated secreted proteins; Amino Acid Sequence; animal proteins; Animals; ASP; Biological and medical sciences; Cattle; Cattle Diseases - parasitology; Esophagus - metabolism; Female; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; gastrointestinal nematodes; gender differences; Gene Expression; Helminth Proteins - genetics; immunohistochemistry; immunolocalization; Life Cycle Stages; Life cycle. Host-agent relationship. Pathogenesis; Male; Molecular Sequence Data; Ostertagia; Ostertagia - genetics; Ostertagia ostertagi; Ostertagiasis - metabolism; Protozoa; Reproduction; Reproduction - genetics; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; Sequence Alignment; Sequence Homology, Amino Acid; Sex Factors; transcription (genetics); Transcription, Genetic
• ISSN: 0020-7519; 1879-0135
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpara.2007.08.008

Activation associated secreted proteins (ASP) are members of a nematode-specific protein family belonging to the SCP/Tpx-1/Ag5/PR-1/Sc7 family. Three different types of molecules have been identified in this family: two-domain ASPs and single-domain ASPs showing homology to either the C-terminal or N-terminal domain of the two-domain ASP. The function of these proteins is still unclear, but a role in transition to parasitism and a role as allergen are often suggested. Here we report that the abomasal cattle parasite Ostertagia ostertagi produces at least 15 ASPs, including two-domain and C- and N-type single-domain ASPs. Ten of these are highly transcribed in the L4 stage, whereas others are highly enriched in adult male worms. The latter was especially the case for the N-type single-domain ASPs Oo-ASP1 and Oo-ASP2 and also for Oo-ASP3, which is homologous with the Haemonchus contortus and Ancylostoma caninum C-type single-domain ASPs. Immunohistochemistry showed that Oo-ASP3 was localised in the oesophagus. Oo-ASP1 and Oo-ASP2 on the other hand were localised in the reproductive tract of both male and female worms, suggesting a role in reproduction or in the development of the reproductive tract.