Ancylostoma secreted protein 2: cloning and characterization of a second member of a family of nematode secreted proteins from Ancylostoma caninum

Mol Biochem Parasitol. 1999 Apr 30;99(2):149-65. doi: 10.1016/s0166-6851(99)00011-0.

Abstract

Invading infective third-stage larvae (L3) of parasitic nematodes execute a series of programmed developmental events in response to a host-specific signal encountered during infection. One of these early events is the release of excretory/secretory products. Using an in vitro feeding assay that mimics these early events of infection, a protein released by in vitro activated larvae of the hookworm Ancylostoma caninum was identified. This protein, Ac-ASP-2, was partially sequenced, and the cDNA encoding it isolated by PCR and screening of an A. caninum L3 cDNA library. The Ac-asp-2 cDNA encodes a protein of 219 amino acids that is related to a previously identified protein, Ac-ASP-1, from hookworms. Both molecules are members of an evolutionarily diverse family of molecules that include the venom allergens of the Hymenoptera, and the testes specific proteins/sperm-coating glycoproteins of mammals. Homologues are present in nearly all nematodes tested, as demonstrated by PCR-hybridization and database searching. The Ac-asp-2 mRNA is synthesized in all life history stages, but the gene product is released only by L3 activated to feed in vitro. The wide distribution of the Ac-asp-2 in nematodes and its release in response to host specific signals suggests that Ac-ASP-2 serves an important function in nematode physiology and development, and possibly in the infective process of parasitic species.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Ancylostoma / chemistry
  • Ancylostoma / genetics*
  • Ancylostoma / physiology
  • Ancylostomatoidea / classification
  • Ancylostomatoidea / genetics
  • Animals
  • Antibodies, Helminth
  • Antibody Specificity
  • Aspartic Acid Endopeptidases / genetics*
  • Aspartic Acid Endopeptidases / immunology
  • Aspartic Acid Endopeptidases / metabolism
  • Base Sequence
  • Blotting, Southern
  • Blotting, Western
  • Cloning, Molecular
  • DNA, Helminth / analysis
  • Dogs
  • Genes, Helminth*
  • Helminth Proteins / genetics*
  • Helminth Proteins / immunology
  • Helminth Proteins / metabolism
  • Larva / chemistry
  • Larva / physiology
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Recombinant Proteins / biosynthesis
  • Sequence Alignment

Substances

  • Antibodies, Helminth
  • DNA, Helminth
  • Helminth Proteins
  • Recombinant Proteins
  • Acasp1 protein, Ancylostoma caninum
  • Aspartic Acid Endopeptidases

Associated data

  • GENBANK/AF089728