Characterization of stefis from parasitic helminths
| Authors | |
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| Year of publication | 2013 |
| Type | Conference abstract |
| MU Faculty or unit | |
| Citation | |
| Description | Stefins together with cystatins and kininogens belong to a large family of cysteine peptidase inhibitors. These molecules participate in regulation of various biological processes and have a crucial role as modulators of host immune response (e.g. antigen processing and presentation, nitric oxide production, etc.). Stefins are primarily located intracellularly, but they can be found in high concentrations also in excretory/secretory products of helminths and thus mediating the parasite-host molecular communication. Our study is focused on molecular, biochemical and immunological characterization of stefins which were identified in four parasitic organisms representing the four main groups of helminths: Fascioloides magna (Trematoda), Hymenolepis diminuta (Cestoda), Eudiplozoon nipponicum (Monogenea) and Trichinella spiralis (Nematoda). Considering the differences in biology of these parasites (e.g. life cycle, localization, nutrition) we expect possible divergence in stefin functions. We performed phylogenetic analysis of cysteine peptidase inhibitors of various species of organisms derived from databases and our transcriptomic and genomic data. Particular genes of stefins of the four model organisms were selected. Total RNA was isolated, reverse transcription performed and DNA coding stefin genes was amplified using specific primers. Obtained genes will be cloned and prepared in recombinant form for further characterization. |
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