Identification and characterization of the zinc finger protein SjZF in Schistosoma japonicum

Journal Article · Sun Jul 15 04:00:00 EDT 2018 · Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/J.BBRC.2018.05.083· OSTI ID:23125058

Zhang, Ruixiang; Li, Jian; Xiang, Manyu; Hong, Qinghua ^[1]; Xu, Bin ^[2]; Hu, Wei ^[1]

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1. State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Contemporary Anthropology, Collaborative Innovation Center for Genetics and Development, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200438 (China)
2. Key Laboratory of Parasite and Vector Biology of the Chinese Ministry of Health, WHO Collaborating Center for Malaria, Schistosomiasis and Filariasis, National Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Shanghai, 200025 (China)

Highlights: • The zinc finger protein SjZF in S. japonicum was identified and characterized. • SjZF was mainly located in the intestinal tract of adult worms and the vitelline glands of females. • The rSjZF induced significant protection against S. japonicum infection in mouse. Schistosomiasis represents one of the most prevalent parasitic infections affecting over 249 million people worldwide. The pathological damage is mainly caused by the eggs laid by female schistosomes. Zinc finger proteins (ZFPs) usually play critical roles in many biological functions. In this study, we cloned, identified and characterized the zinc finger protein SjZF of Schistosoma japonicum. SjZF ortholog proteins were also identified in S. mansoni, S. haematobium, Opisthorchis viverrini and O. sinensis. Fluorescence localization showed that SjZF was particularly expressed in the worm gut of both genders and the vitelline glands of females. In vitro RNAi assay indicated that decreased expression of SjZF could affect the survival rate of adult worms. The immune protection assay indicated that rSjZF did partially protect mice with 54.8% reduction in the worm burden and 34.1% reduction in the liver eggs. Taken in concert, our preliminary results suggest that SjZF may be a potential vaccine candidate for schistosomiasis and may further provide evidence for a possible role of SjZF in the development of schistosomes.

• OSTI ID: 23125058
• Journal Information: Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications, Journal Name: Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications Journal Issue: 4 Vol. 501; ISSN BBRCA9; ISSN 0006-291X
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES
EGGS
LIVER
MICE
SCHISTOSOMA
SCHISTOSOMIASIS
VACCINES