[Study on low density lipoprotein receptor of adult Schistosoma japonicum].

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To provide a theoretical basis for the study of vaccines against Schistosoma japonicum, the receptor for human LDL in the tegument of adult Schistosoma japonicum was investigated. METHODS: Proteins existed in adult Schistosoma japonicum membrane were extracted by Triton X-100 and purified through reverse-phase high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), and the main protein peaks were then collected separately. 125I-LDL of human plasma as the ligand, through the radioautography and radioligand binding assay, the protein which can bind human serum 125I-LDL specifically was identified. The molecular weight and IEF were detected by SDS-PAGE. RESULTS: According to the radioautography and radioligand binding assay, a protein with retention time of 10.5 min was proved to be able to bind human serum 125I-LDL specifically. SDS-PAGE revealed that the molecular weight of the purified protein is 60-65 kDa, and its IEF is 6.7. CONCLUSION: LDL binding protein may exist on the surface of both male and female adult Schistosoma japonicum with the function of obtaining cholesterol from host circulating system.