Molecular and immunological characterization of encoding gene and 14-3-3 protein 1 in Fasciola gigantica

• Main Authors: K. Chaithirayanon, R. Grams, S. Vichasri-Grams, A. Hofmann, G. Korge, V. Viyanant, E. S. Upatham, P. Sobhon
• Other Authors: Mahidol University
• Format: Article
• Published: 2018
• Subjects: Immunology and Microbiology
• Online Access: https://repository.li.mahidol.ac.th/handle/123456789/23274

A cDNA encoding Fg14-3-3 protein 1 was cloned by immunoscreening of an adult-stage Fasciola gigantica cDNA library using a rabbit antiserum against tegumental antigens of the parasite. The protein has a deduced amino acid sequence of 252 residues and a calculated molecular weight of 28.7 kDa. It shows sequence identity values between 57.6 and 58.1% to the human 14-3-3 beta, zeta, theta, and eta proteins and is in a phylogenetic cluster with the 14-3-3 protein 1 of Schistosoma spp. Nucleic acid analyses indicate that the Fg14-3-3 protein 1 is encoded by a single copy gene and that this gene is expressed as a transcript of 1250 nucleotides. In adult and 4-week-old parasites the gene's transcriptional and translational products were localized in the gut epithelium, parenchyma, tegument cells, and in the reproductive organs. An antiserum against recombinant Fg14-3-3 protein 1 detected a slightly smaller 14-3-3 protein in the parasite's excretion/secretion material and showed cross-reactivity with 14-3-3 proteins in extracts of other trematodes and mouse. Antibodies against Fg14-3-3 protein were detected in the sera of rabbits as early as 2 weeks after infection with metacercariae of F. gigantica and the antibody titre increased continuously over a 10-week observation period. © 2006 Cambridge University Press.