Proteomic study of activated Taenia solium oncospheres

Abstract

Taenia solium cysticerci are a major cause of human seizures and epilepsy in the world. In the gastrointestinal tract of infected individuals, taeniid eggs release the oncospheres, which are then activated by intestinal stimuli, getting ready to penetrate the gut wall and reach distant locations where they transform in cysticerci. Information about oncospheral molecules is scarce, and elucidation of the oncosphere proteome could help understanding the host-parasite relationship during the first steps of infection. In this study, using liquid chromatography and tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) analysis, we could identify a set of oncospheral proteins involved in adhesion, protein folding, detoxification and proteolysis, among others. In addition, we have characterized one of the identified molecules, the parasite 14-3-3, by immunoblot and immunolocalization. The identification of these oncospheral proteins represents the first step to elucidate their specific roles in the biology of the host-parasite relationship.

A Transcriptomic Analysis of Echinococcus granulosus Larval Stages: Implications for Parasite Biology and Host Adaptation

“…While genomic initiatives are now well advanced for some of these organisms [4], and proteomic analyses have recently been carried out [5], [6], [7], our knowledge at the transcriptomic level remains limited. We selected Echinococcus granulosus as a suitable target for analysis of gene expression by key life cycle stages.…”

Proteomic analysis of Taenia solium metacestode excretion–secretion proteins

“…Members of the 8 kDa protein family are believed to be hydrophobic ligand binding proteins [] and a similarity to the related E. granulosus AgB might indicate an immunoregulatory role, enabling the parasite to reduce an inflammatory response [] and manipulate the Th1–Th2 balance []. Paramyosin [], 14‐3‐3 protein [], actin [], P27, small heat‐shock protein [] and phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase have been described as immunoreactive proteins recognized by NCC‐positive human sera []. Paramyosin in particular is also reported to inhibit complement formation [].…”

“…Parasite defense mechanisms and ESPs have been studied and described for other helminths of public health importance such as Echinococcus [, ] and Schistosoma [, ], but the excretion–secretion proteome of T. solium has not been well characterized so far. A recent proteomic study investigated T. solium oncospheres, as this is the stage that determines the success or failure of the infection []. From a diagnostic point of view, ESPs are of specific interest.…”

The pig as an animal model for human pathologies: A proteomics perspective

“…The use of proteomics in detection of low molecular weight protein biomarkers for the human stage of T. solium in serum and further biomarkers in cerebrospinal fluid has been extensively reviewed [100]. In addition, the proteome of activated T. solium oncospheres from human stools has been described in [101]. Using LC-MS/MS, 65 proteins were identified with their functions related to proteolysis (15%), cytoskeleton (28%), chromosomal segregation, translation and transcription (14%), metabolism (12%), signalling (12%), stress (14%) and biosynthesis (5%).…”