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Characterization and localization of saposin-like protein-2 (SAP-2) in Fasciola gigantica

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Abstract

Fasciola gigantica saposin-like protein-2 (FgSAP-2) belongs to a family of lipid-interacting proteins that are involved in the cytolysis of target cells. In this study, we have cloned and expressed FgSAP-2 and produced the antibody against this recombinant protein. Rabbit antiserum against rFgSAP-2 reacted with a similar native protein in the whole body extracts of the 4-week-old juvenile and adult stage, as well as a protein in their excretion–secretion, but not in the tegument. In situ hybridization and immunofluorescence detection revealed the presence of SAP-2 mRNA transcripts and proteins in the cecal epithelial cells of 4-week-old juvenile and adult parasites, but not in the metacercariae and newly excysted juveniles. Moreover, SAP-2 is present only in the cecal epithelial cells lining the distal part of the digestive tract, but not in the tegumental-type epithelium lining the proximal part of the digestive tract. The rFgSAP-2 reacted with antisera from rabbits infected with F. gigantica metacercariae collected at 5 weeks, but not at 2 weeks after infection. Anti-rFgSAP-2 did not exhibit any cross-reactivity with the other parasites' antigens, including Opisthorchis viverrini, Eurytrema pancreaticum, Cotylophoron cotylophorum, Fischoederius cobboldi, Gigantocotyle explanatum, Paramphistomum cervi, Setaria labiato-papillosa, and Haemonchus placei. This finding indicated that SAP-2 is a unique protein that is expressed only in late juvenile and adult F. gigantica, and it could be considered for immunodiagnostic and as a vaccine candidate for fasciolosis.

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Acknowledgements

This research was supported by a grant from Mahidol University to Prasert Sobhon and TRF-CHE Research Grant for New Scholar to Krai Meemon.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pathobiology, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, Rama VI Rd., Bangkok, 10400, Thailand

    Pornanan Kueakhai, Narin Changklungmoa & Suda Riengrojpitak

  2. Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, Rama VI Rd., Bangkok, 10400, Thailand

    Krai Meemon, Kulathida Chaithirayanon & Prasert Sobhon

Authors
  1. Pornanan Kueakhai
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  2. Krai Meemon
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  3. Narin Changklungmoa
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  4. Kulathida Chaithirayanon
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  5. Suda Riengrojpitak
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  6. Prasert Sobhon
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Correspondence to Krai Meemon.

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Kueakhai, P., Meemon, K., Changklungmoa, N. et al. Characterization and localization of saposin-like protein-2 (SAP-2) in Fasciola gigantica . Parasitol Res 108, 1493–1500 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00436-010-2201-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00436-010-2201-7

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