A survey of schistosome protein domain types: Insights into unique biological properties

Autor(es): Hughes, Austin L.; Friedman, Robert


Resumo: Using the PROSITE database and search tools, we conducted a comprehensive bioinformatic analysis of the predicted protein sequences of the flatworm parasites Schistosoma mansoni and Schistosoma japonicum and seven other animal genomes in order to identify novel schistosome-specific features. Our analyses revealed a relative paucity of proline-rich domains in schistosomes in comparison with their human host and a corresponding enrichment in schistosomes of asparagine-rich, serine-rich, and threonine-rich domains. Domain types found in both schistosome species but not in human included the two-component system sensor histidine kinase/response regulator; C83 family peptidase; DyP-type peroxidase; and densovirus NS1-type domain. Unique features of the schistosome proteome may help guide development of new drugs, while the presence of a densovirus-derived protein in S. mansoni suggests that this species may be infected by a virus of this group, which might be useful as a biological control agent. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.


Palavras-Chave: DyP-type peroxidase; Densovirus NS1 domain; Schistosoma mansoni; Schistosoma japonicum; Schistosome genome


Imprenta: Molecular and Biochemical Parasitology, v. 177, n. 2, p. 100-105, 2011


Identificador do objeto digital: 10.1016/j.molbiopara.2011.02.001


Descritores: Aedes aegypti - Biochemistry ; Aedes aegypti - DNA ; Aedes aegypti - Genome ; Aedes aegypti - Proteome


Data de publicação: 2011