ABSTRACT
Schistosoma mansoni venom allergen-like proteins (SmVALs) are part of a diverse protein superfamily partitioned into two groups (group 1 and group 2). Phylogenetic analyses of group 1 SmVALs revealed that members could be segregated into subclades (A-D); these subclades share similar gene expression patterns across the parasite lifecycle and immunological cross-reactivity. Furthermore, whole-mount in situ hybridization demonstrated that the phylogenetically, transcriptionally and immunologically-related SmVAL4, 10, 18 and 19 (subclade C) were all localized to the pre-acetabular glands of immature cercariae. Our results suggest that SmVAL group 1 phylogenetic relationships, stage-specific transcriptional profiles and tissue localization are predictive of immunological cross-reactivity.
Subject(s)
Antigens, Helminth/immunology , Helminth Proteins/immunology , Phylogeny , Schistosoma mansoni/chemistry , Allergens/classification , Allergens/genetics , Allergens/immunology , Animals , Antigens, Helminth/classification , Antigens, Helminth/genetics , Blotting, Western , Cross Reactions , Dengue Vaccines/immunology , Electrophoresis, Gel, Two-Dimensional , Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel , Gene Expression Profiling , Helminth Proteins/classification , Helminth Proteins/genetics , Immune Sera/immunology , Mass Spectrometry , Multigene Family , Schistosoma mansoni/classification , Schistosoma mansoni/genetics , Schistosoma mansoni/immunology , Transcription, GeneticABSTRACT
Schistosoma mansoni venom allergen-like proteins (SmVALs) are part of a diverse protein superfamily partitioned into two groups (group 1 and group 2). Phylogenetic analyses of group 1 SmVALs revealed that members could be segregated into subclades (A–D); these subclades share similar gene expression patterns across the parasite lifecycle and immunological cross-reactivity. Furthermore, whole-mount in situ hybridization demonstrated that the phylogenetically, transcriptionally and immunologically-related SmVAL4, 10, 18 and 19 (subclade C) were all localized to the pre-acetabular glands of immature cercariae. Our results suggest that SmVAL group 1 phylogenetic relationships, stage-specific transcriptional profiles and tissue localization are predictive of immunological cross-reactivity.