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Cloning and characterization of a muscle isoform of a Na,K-ATPase alpha subunit (SNaK1) from Schistosoma mansoni

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  28 November 2001

P. J. SKELLY
Affiliation:
Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Harvard School of Public Health, 665 Huntington Avenue, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA
P. M. DOUGAN
Affiliation:
Parasitology Research Group, School of Biology and Biochemistry, Medical Biology Centre, 97 Lisburn Road, Belfast BT9 7BL, Northern Ireland
A. MAULE
Affiliation:
Parasitology Research Group, School of Biology and Biochemistry, Medical Biology Centre, 97 Lisburn Road, Belfast BT9 7BL, Northern Ireland
T. A. DAY
Affiliation:
Department of Biomedical Sciences, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa 50011, USA
C. B. SHOEMAKER
Affiliation:
Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Harvard School of Public Health, 665 Huntington Avenue, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA
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Abstract

A cDNA encoding a Na,K-ATPase alpha subunit homologue, designated SNaK1, was isolated from an adult cDNA library of Schistosoma mansoni. The 3.8 kb DNA contained a 3021 bp open reading frame potentially encoding a 1007 amino acid protein that had an Mr of 111817 and a pI of 5.48. Homology searches for SNaK1 revealed approximately 70% sequence identity with a variety of Na,K-ATPases from evolutionarily diverse organisms. SNaK1 is predicted to contain 10 transmembrane regions typical of this protein family as well as other conserved domains, such as the phosphorylation site and ATP binding domain. Antibodies raised against an amino terminal peptide detected the protein in membrane preparations of eggs, cercariae and adult males and females, suggesting a general role for SNaK1. The mobility of the protein differed in various life-stages suggestive of post-transcriptional or post-translational modification. Immunolocalization of SNaK1 in sections of adult worms using epifluorescence and electron microscopy, revealed antibody labelling in the subtegumental and peripheral layers. Strong staining was discernible in the peripheral muscle band indicating that SNaK1 plays a central role in muscle contraction in adult parasites and may be the primary target of ouabain action. Staining was also detected in the secretory bodies in sections of ducts in this region and over the RER of the presumed gastrodermis. Immunogold labelling was also localized over neuronal vesicles in axons associated with the peripheral muscle layer.

Information

Type
Research Article
Copyright
© 2002 Cambridge University Press
Figure 0

Fig. 1. Alignment of the Schistosoma mansoni Na,K-ATPase alpha subunit homologue, SNaK1, with members of the Na,K-ATPase protein family. Predicted transmembrane domains are underlined, the conserved phosphorylation site is indicated (P site) and the conserved, phosphorylated aspartic acid residue (D360) is in bold text. ‘[bull ]’ indicates identity with the SNaK1 sequence. Gaps (indicated by dashes) have been introduced to maximize homology. Sequence motifs used in PCR primer design are double underlined. HUMAN: isoform α 1, accession no. P05023; FLY: Drosophila melanogaster, accession no. P13607; HYDRA: Hydra vulgaris, accession no. P35317.

Figure 1

Table 1. Comparison of Schistosoma mansoni SNaK1 sequence with other P-type ATPases

Figure 2

Fig. 2. Purification of anti-SNaK1 antibodies and developmental expression of SNaK1. (A) Western blot of adult schistosome membrane proteins probed using total serum from a rabbit immunized with a synthetic SNaK1 peptide (lane 1), the flow through after passing the same serum through an anti-SNaK1 peptide antigen affinity column (lane 2) and the purified anti-SNaK1 antibodies that were eluted with acid from the column (lane 3). The single dominant protein detected in lane 3 (SNaK1) is indicated (arrowhead). The positions of molecular mass markers (kDa) are shown, left. (B) Western blot of parasite membrane proteins isolated from eggs (E), cercariae (C), male (M) and female (F) adults probed with affinity purified anti-SNaK1 antibodies. The position of migration of SNaK1 in the egg extract (arrow) and the adult extract (arrowhead) is indicated.

Figure 3

Fig. 3. Epifluorescence localization of SNaK1 in sections of adult worms. SNaK1 is detected in the peripheral, subtegumental region (arrowheads) in cross-section (A), and longitudinal section through the anterior sucker (B). Higher power magnification, (C). M shows the position of the peripheral musculature. The tegument, whose external boundary is indicated with arrows, does not stain with anti-SNaK1 antibody.

Figure 4

Fig. 4. Localization of SNaK1 in adult worms using electron microscopy. Immunogold labelling is noted in the peripheral musculature (A, arrowheads), in the secretory bodies in sections of ducts in the periphery (B, arrows), over the RER of the presumed gastrodermis (B, arrowheads) and over neuronal vesicles in axons (C, arrowheads) associated with the peripheral muscle layer.