Korean J Parasitol.  2009 Dec;47(4):359-367. 10.3347/kjp.2009.47.4.359.

Molecular Cloning and Characterization of a Paramyosin from Clonorchis sinensis

• Park TJ
• Kang JM
• Na BK
• Sohn WM

• KMID: 1720637
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3347/kjp.2009.47.4.359

Abstract

Paramyosin is a myofibrillar protein present in helminth parasites and plays multifunctional roles in host-parasite interactions. In this study, we identified the gene encoding paramyosin of Clonorchis sinensis (CsPmy) and characterized biochemical and immunological properties of its recombinant protein. CsPmy showed a high level of sequence identity with paramyosin from other helminth parasites. Recombinant CsPmy (rCsPmy) expressed in bacteria had an approximate molecular weight of 100 kDa and bound both human collagen and complement 9. The protein was constitutively expressed in various developmental stages of the parasite. Imunofluorescence analysis revealed that CsPmy was mainly localized in the tegument, subtegumental muscles, and the muscle layer surrounding the intestine of the parasite. The rCsPmy showed high levels of positive reactions (74.6%, 56/75) against sera from patients with clonorchiasis. Immunization of experimental rats with rCsPmy evoked high levels of IgG production. These results collectively suggest that CsPmy is a multifunctional protein that not only contributes to the muscle layer structure but also to non-muscular functions in host-parasite interactions. Successful induction of host IgG production also suggests that CsPmy can be applied as a diagnostic antigen and/or vaccine candidate for clonorchiasis.

Keyword

Clonorchis sinensis; paramyosin; collagen; complement 9; antigenicity

MeSH Terms

Amino Acid Sequence
Animal Structures/chemistry
Animals
Antibodies, Helminth/blood
Cloning, Molecular
Clonorchis sinensis/chemistry/*genetics
Collagen/metabolism
Complement C9/metabolism
Helminth Proteins/chemistry/*genetics/immunology/metabolism
Immunoglobulin G/blood
Molecular Sequence Data
Molecular Weight
Protein Binding
Rats
Rats, Sprague-Dawley
Sequence Alignment
Sequence Analysis, DNA
Sequence Homology, Amino Acid
Tropomyosin/chemistry/*genetics/immunology/metabolism