Sequencing, bioinformatic characterization and expression pattern of a putative amino acid transporter from the parasitic cestode Echinococcus granulosus

Camicia, F; Paredes, R.; Chalar, C; Galanti N.; Kamenetzky, L; Gutierrez A.; Rosenzvit, MC

Abstract

We have sequenced and partially characterized an Echinococcus granulosus cDNA, termed egat1, from a protoscolex signal sequence trap (SST) cDNA library. The isolated 1627 bp long cDNA contains an ORF of 489 amino acids and shows an amino acid identity of 30% with neutral and excitatory amino acid transporters members of the Dicarboxylate/Amino Acid Na+ and/or H+ Cation Symporter family (DAACS) (TC 2.A.23). Additional bioinformatics analysis of EgAT1, confirmed the results obtained by similarity searches and showed the presence of 9 to 10 transmembrane domains, consensus sequences for N-glycosylation between the third and fourth transmembrane domain, a highly similar hydropathy profile with ASCT1 (a known member of DAACS family), high score with SDF (Sodium Dicarboxilate Family) and similar motifs with EDTRANSPORT, a fingerprint of excitatory amino acid transporters. The localization of the putative amino acid transporter was analyzed by in situ hybridization and immunofluorescence in protoscoleces and associated germinal layer. The in situ hybridization labelling indicates the distribution of egat1 mRNA throughout the tegument. EgAT1 protein, which showed in Western blots a molecular mass of ~ 60 kD, is localized in the subtegumental region of the metacestode, particularly around suckers and rostellum of protoscoleces and layers from brood capsules. The sequence and expression analyses of EgAT1 pave the way for functional analysis of amino acids transporters of E. granulosus and its evaluation as new drug targets against cystic echinococcosis. © 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

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Título según WOS: Sequencing, bioinformatic characterization and expression pattern of a putative amino acid transporter from the parasitic cestode Echinococcus granulosus
Título según SCOPUS: Sequencing, bioinformatic characterization and expression pattern of a putative amino acid transporter from the parasitic cestode Echinococcus granulosus
Título de la Revista: GENE
Volumen: 411
Número: 01-feb
Editorial: ELSEVIER SCIENCE BV
Fecha de publicación: 2008
Página de inicio: 1
Página final: 9
Idioma: English
URL: http://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S0378111907006191
DOI:

10.1016/j.gene.2007.11.023

Notas: ISI, SCOPUS