Onchocerca volvulus: expression and immunolocalization of a nematode cathepsin D-like lysosomal aspartic protease

Experimental Parasitology
A JolodarNorbert Brattig

Abstract

The N-terminal region of the cathepsin D-like aspartic protease from the human filarial parasite Onchocerca volvulus was expressed as His-tag fusion protein. Light and electron microscopic immunohistology using antibodies against the recombinant protein showed labeling of lysosomes in the hypodermis and epithelia of the intestine and the reproductive organs of Onchocerca. While developing oocytes were negative, mature oocytes and early morulae showed strong labeling. In older embryos and mature microfilariae, stained lysosomes were only found in a few cells. Cell death in degenerating microfilariae of patients untreated and treated with microfilaricidal drugs was associated with strong expression of aspartic protease. IgG1, IgG4, and IgE antibodies reactive with the recombinant protein were demonstrated in sera from onchocerciasis patients indicating exposure and recognition of the enzyme by the host's defence system. The aspartic protease of O. volvulus appears to function in intestinal digestion and tissue degradation of the filaria.

Associated Clinical Trials

References

Jul 1, 1977·The American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene·W J Kozek, H F Marroquin
Dec 1, 1988·Molecular and Biochemical Parasitology·J E DonelsonG Z Flores
Apr 1, 1970·Experimental Parasitology·C C Lee
Oct 1, 1994·The Journal of Infectious Diseases·N W BrattigA Massougbodji
Oct 3, 1996·Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications·S A HarropP J Brindley
Nov 18, 1997·International Journal for Parasitology·A Jolodar, D J Miller
Mar 21, 1998·Biochimica Et Biophysica Acta·A Jolodar, D J Miller
Apr 24, 1999·Advances in Parasitology·J TortJ P Dalton
Feb 13, 2001·Molecular and Biochemical Parasitology·P J BrindleyD P McManus
Sep 3, 2002·FASEB Journal : Official Publication of the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology·Angela L WilliamsonAlex Loukas
Jan 29, 2003·The Journal of Infectious Diseases·Angela L WilliamsonAlex Loukas
Sep 6, 2003·Trends in Parasitology·Angela L WilliamsonAlex Loukas
Sep 19, 2003·International Journal for Parasitology·Peter J HotezPhilip K Russell

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Citations

Apr 19, 2008·Parasitology Research·Achim HoeraufDietrich W Büttner
Aug 6, 2008·Parasitology Research·Sabine SpechtAchim Hoerauf
Oct 14, 2008·Parasitology Research·Achim HoeraufDietrich W Büttner
Feb 3, 2009·Parasitology Research·Daya Ram PokharelSushma Rathaur
Sep 29, 2009·Parasitology Research·Sabine SpechtDietrich W Büttner
Sep 17, 2009·Parasitology Research·Sabine SpechtDietrich W Büttner
Jan 20, 2005·Journal of Integrative Neuroscience·L Bernard-DemanzeP Rougier
Oct 2, 2013·International Journal of Medical Microbiology : IJMM·Till F SchäberleKenneth Pfarr
Oct 28, 2008·Experimental Parasitology·Rodrigo da Rocha FragosoMaria Fátima Grossi-de-Sa
Jul 2, 2015·Parasites & Vectors·James F GearyCharles D Mackenzie
Oct 21, 2014·PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases·Alessandra Christina GillBenjamin L Makepeace
Sep 20, 2012·Memórias do Instituto Oswaldo Cruz·Karina Mastropasqua RebelloHenrique Leonel Lenzi

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Related Concepts

Related Feeds

Antibody Specificity

Antibodies produced by B cells are highly specific for antigen as a result of random gene recombination and somatic hypermutation and affinity maturation. As the main effector of the humoral immune system, antibodies can neutralize foreign cells. Find the latest research on antibody specificity here.

Anthelmintics

Anthelmintics or antihelminthics are a group of antiparasitic drugs that expel parasitic worms (helminths) and other internal parasites from the body by either stunning or killing them and without causing significant damage to the host. Discover the latest research on anthelmintics here.

Anthelmintics (ASM)

Anthelmintics or antihelminthics are a group of antiparasitic drugs that expel parasitic worms (helminths) and other internal parasites from the body by either stunning or killing them and without causing significant damage to the host. Discover the latest research on anthelmintics here.