cDNA expression library and immunoscreening of thai paragonimus heterotremus

Abstract

A cDNA expression library of Paragonimus heterotremus, the main causative agent of human paragonimiasis in Thailand, was performed to produce recombinant antigens. To identify the antigenic clones, immunized sera were tested using immunoscreening. Ten positive clones were selected, and the inserted genes partially sequenced. The sequencing data were analyzed using BLASTp searches. Six clones were found to contain a gene insert that encoded a protein similar to that found in helminthic worms (Clonorchis sinensis, Schistosoma mansoni, Schistosoma japonicum, Echinococcus multilocularis, Brugia malayi), two clones similar to Toxoplasma gondii, while two more clones were shown to encode proteins similar to that of Plasmodium chabaudi chabaudiand Microcystis spp. (uncultured). The clones will be further studied in term of protein expression through recombinant antigen evaluation using human paragonimiasis and other parasitic infection sera.