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Sequence analysis of Theileria annulata surface protein in Chinese isolates
Zhi-Sheng Dang1, Jian-Xun Luo, Ai-Hong Liu
1Key Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology of Gansu Province, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Xujiaping, Lanzhou, Gansu, 730046, China.
Objective:
To study the TaSP polymorphism in three Chinese isolates of Theileria annulata.
Methods:
The isolates from Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region and Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region were cultured in RPMI 1640 medium. TaSP gene was amplified from genomic DNA extracted from schizonts using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and sequenced. Its amino acid sequence comparison was carried out with Clustal W2 multiple sequence alignment program. Molecular component and motif prediction were performed with online servers.
Results:
The comparison of TaSP amino acid sequences of the three isolates showed that the central region (aa position 38-161) predicted to be the highly immunogenetic domain was polymorphic both in size and amino acid sequence, while the N-terminal (first 37 aa) and C-terminal (last 154 aa) parts were strongly conserved. Phylogenetic analysis and percentage identity revealed that the Chinese isolates were closely related to the isolates from Turkey, but quite different from those of India, Morocco and Tunisia. More importantly, variability was noticed among Chinese isolates, which caused both the location and number's differences of motif (casein kinase II phosphorylation sites) among three TaSP sequences.
Conclusion:
TaSP polymorphism exists in the Chinese isolates of T. annulata.
Insights
TaSP polymorphism was observed in three Chinese Theileria annulata isolates. This genetic variation, particularly in the immunogenetic domain, impacts protein structure and phosphorylation sites, differentiating Chinese strains from others globally.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Parasitology
- Molecular Biology
- Immunogenetics
Background:
- Theileria annulata causes tropical theileriosis, a significant cattle disease.
- Theileria annulata sporozoite protein (TaSP) is a key target for immune responses and vaccine development.
- Understanding TaSP genetic diversity is crucial for effective disease control strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the genetic polymorphism of the TaSP gene in three distinct Chinese Theileria annulata isolates.
- To analyze the structural and functional implications of TaSP variations within Chinese populations.
Main Methods:
- Genomic DNA extraction from Theileria annulata schizonts.
- Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification and sequencing of the TaSP gene.
- Bioinformatic analysis including multiple sequence alignment, phylogenetic analysis, and motif prediction.
Main Results:
- Significant polymorphism in the central, immunogenetic domain of TaSP (amino acid positions 38-161) among Chinese isolates.
- Highly conserved N-terminal and C-terminal regions of the TaSP protein.
- Chinese isolates show closer phylogenetic relationship to Turkish isolates than to those from India, Morocco, or Tunisia.
- Variability in casein kinase II phosphorylation sites (motifs) was observed among the Chinese TaSP sequences.
Conclusions:
- TaSP gene polymorphism is present in Chinese Theileria annulata isolates.
- The observed genetic variations may influence the immunogenicity and antigenicity of TaSP.
- Further research into TaSP diversity can aid in developing improved diagnostic tools and vaccines against tropical theileriosis.
