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Characterization of a putative nuclear receptor from Onchocerca volvulus
T R Unnasch1, J Bradley, J Beauchamp
1University of Alabama at Birmingham, Division of Geographic Medicine, 35294-2170, USA. trunnasch@geomed.dom.uab.edu
Molecular and Biochemical Parasitology
|December 11, 1999
Summary
Researchers characterized OvNR-2, a nuclear receptor from Onchocerca volvulus. This protein, potentially binding steroids, is expressed in microfilariae and recognized by infected host antibodies.
Area of Science:
- Molecular biology
- Parasitology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Steroids and retinoids are crucial developmental regulators in many organisms.
- Nuclear receptors mediate the actions of steroids and retinoids.
- The Onchocerca volvulus genome contains at least three nuclear receptor family members.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize a specific nuclear receptor member, OvNR-2, from Onchocerca volvulus.
- To investigate the structural and functional properties of OvNR-2.
- To determine the expression pattern and immunogenicity of OvNR-2.
Main Methods:
- Sequence analysis and homology comparison.
- Molecular modeling of the ligand-binding domain.
- mRNA expression analysis using RT-PCR.
- Bacterial expression of OvNR-2 cDNA and antibody recognition assays.
Main Results:
- OvNR-2 shows similarity to vertebrate retinoic acid receptors and Drosophila EiP78c.
- Structural modeling indicates OvNR-2 possesses a ligand-binding cavity suitable for steroids.
- OvNR-2 mRNA is specifically expressed in intrauterine microfilariae.
- The recombinant OvNR-2 protein is recognized by antibodies from a majority of infected individuals.
Conclusions:
- OvNR-2 is a steroid-binding nuclear receptor expressed in a specific developmental stage of Onchocerca volvulus.
- OvNR-2 represents a potential target for diagnostic tools or therapeutic interventions against Onchocerca volvulus infection.