Journal article
Expression of 6-Cys Gene Superfamily Defines Babesia bovis Sexual Stage Development within Rhipicephalus microplus
PloS one, Vol.11(9), pp.e0163791-e0163791
2016
Handle:
https://hdl.handle.net/2376/106697
PMCID: PMC5036836
PMID: 27668751
Abstract
Babesia bovis, an intra-erythrocytic tick-borne apicomplexan protozoan, is one of the causative agents of bovine babesiosis. Its life cycle includes sexual reproduction within cattle fever ticks, Rhipicephalus spp. Six B. bovis 6-Cys gene superfamily members were previously identified (A, B, C, D, E, F) where their orthologues in Plasmodium parasite have been shown to encode for proteins required for the development of sexual stages. The current study identified four additional 6-Cys genes (G, H, I, J) in the B. bovis genome. These four genes are described in the context of the complete ten 6-Cys gene superfamily. The proteins expressed by this gene family are predicted to be secreted or surface membrane directed. Genetic analysis comparing the 6-Cys superfamily among five distinct B. bovis strains shows limited sequence variation. Additionally, A, B, E, H, I and J genes were transcribed in B. bovis infected tick midgut while genes A, B and E were also transcribed in the subsequent B. bovis kinete stage. Transcription of gene C was found exclusively in the kinete. In contrast, transcription of genes D, F and G in either B. bovis infected midguts or kinetes was not detected. None of the 6-Cys transcripts were detected in B. bovis blood stages. Subsequent protein analysis of 6-Cys A and B is concordant with their transcript profile. The collective data indicate as in Plasmodium parasite, certain B. bovis 6-Cys family members are uniquely expressed during sexual stages and therefore, they are likely required for parasite reproduction. Within B. bovis specifically, proteins encoded by 6-Cys genes A and B are markers for sexual stages and candidate antigens for developing novel vaccines able to interfere with the development of B. bovis within the tick vector.
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Details
- Title
- Expression of 6-Cys Gene Superfamily Defines Babesia bovis Sexual Stage Development within Rhipicephalus microplus
- Creators
- Heba F Alzan - Parasitology and Animal Diseases Department, National Research Center, Dokki, Giza, EgyptAudrey O T Lau - The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, 5601 Fishers Lane, MSC 9823, Bethesda, MD, United States of AmericaDonald P Knowles - Animal Disease Research Unit, United States Department of Agricultural-Agricultural Research Service, Pullman, WA, United States of AmericaDavid R Herndon - Animal Disease Research Unit, United States Department of Agricultural-Agricultural Research Service, Pullman, WA, United States of AmericaMassaro W Ueti - Animal Disease Research Unit, United States Department of Agricultural-Agricultural Research Service, Pullman, WA, United States of AmericaGlen A Scoles - Animal Disease Research Unit, United States Department of Agricultural-Agricultural Research Service, Pullman, WA, United States of AmericaLowell S Kappmeyer - Animal Disease Research Unit, United States Department of Agricultural-Agricultural Research Service, Pullman, WA, United States of AmericaCarlos E Suarez - Animal Disease Research Unit, United States Department of Agricultural-Agricultural Research Service, Pullman, WA, United States of America
- Publication Details
- PloS one, Vol.11(9), pp.e0163791-e0163791
- Academic Unit
- Veterinary Microbiology and Pathology, Department of; Paul G. Allen School for Global Animal Health
- Publisher
- United States
- Identifiers
- 99900546538601842
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Journal article