Related Experiment Video

Updated: Feb 4, 2026

Analysis of HBV-Specific CD4 T-cell Responses and Identification of HLA-DR-Restricted CD4 T-Cell Epitopes Based on a Peptide Matrix
10:37

Analysis of HBV-Specific CD4 T-cell Responses and Identification of HLA-DR-Restricted CD4 T-Cell Epitopes Based on a Peptide Matrix

Published on: October 20, 2021

3.4K

Structural Analysis of an Epitope Candidate of Triosephosphate Isomerase in Opisthorchis viverrini

Jonghyeon Son1, Sulhee Kim1, So Eun Kim1

  • 1Division of Biotechnology, College of Life Sciences & Biotechnology, Korea University, Seoul, 136-701, South Korea.

Scientific Reports
|October 12, 2018
PubMed

Insights

Opisthorchis viverrini triosephosphate isomerase (OvTIM) has a unique surface motif (SAD) that may serve as a drug target. This finding offers a new strategy for controlling opisthorchiasis, a disease linked to cancer.

Area of Science:

  • Parasitology
  • Structural Biology
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • Opisthorchis viverrini is a biological carcinogen causing opisthorchiasis and cholangiocarcinoma.
  • Drug resistance and reinfection necessitate novel control strategies for opisthorchiasis.
  • Triosephosphate isomerase (TIM) is a crucial metabolic enzyme and a potential drug/vaccine target.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the high-resolution crystal structures of wild-type and variant O. viverrini TIM (OvTIM).
  • To investigate the structural role and stability contributions of the unique surface SAD motif in OvTIM.
  • To explore the potential of the SAD motif as a target for therapeutic intervention.

Main Methods:

  • High-resolution X-ray crystallography of OvTIM wild-type and variants.
  • Thermal stability assays.
  • Structural analysis and comparison with Homo sapiens TIM (HsTIM).
  • Structure-based epitope prediction.

Main Results:

  • The crystal structures of OvTIM and three variants were determined.
  • A unique surface tripeptide motif (SAD) forms a 310-helix in a sequence-independent manner.
  • The SAD motif, along with residue N115, influences OvTIM's local surface structure and overall stability.
  • Structural comparison and epitope prediction suggest the SAD motif is a potential B-cell epitope.

Conclusions:

  • The SAD motif is a parasite-specific structural feature of OvTIM.
  • The SAD motif plays a role in OvTIM stability and surface structure.
  • OvTIM's SAD motif is a promising target for developing new anti-parasitic drugs or vaccines against opisthorchiasis.

More Related Videos

A High Throughput MHC II Binding Assay for Quantitative Analysis of Peptide Epitopes07:59

A High Throughput MHC II Binding Assay for Quantitative Analysis of Peptide Epitopes

Published on: March 25, 2014

15.6K
Peptide:MHC Tetramer-based Enrichment of Epitope-specific T cells13:58

Peptide:MHC Tetramer-based Enrichment of Epitope-specific T cells

Published on: October 22, 2012

18.7K

Related Concept Videos

Energy-requiring Steps of Glycolysis01:20

Energy-requiring Steps of Glycolysis

Glucose is the source of nearly all energy used by organisms. The first step of converting glucose into usable energy is called glycolysis. Glycolysis occurs in the cytosol of the cell over two phases: an energy-requiring phase and an energy-releasing phase. Over the first three steps, glucose is converted into different forms and attached to two phosphate groups donated by two ATP molecules, resulting in an unstable sugar. In the next two stages, the unstable sugar splits into two sugar...
171.6K
Structures of Solids02:22

Structures of Solids

Solids in which the atoms, ions, or molecules are arranged in a definite repeating pattern are known as crystalline solids. Metals and ionic compounds typically form ordered, crystalline solids. A crystalline solid has a precise melting temperature because each atom or molecule of the same type is held in place with the same forces or energy. Amorphous solids or non-crystalline solids (or, sometimes, glasses) which lack an ordered internal structure and are randomly arranged. Substances that...
17.7K
Structural Isomerism02:34

Structural Isomerism

Isomerism in Complexes
Isomers are different chemical species that have the same chemical formula. Structural isomerism of coordination compounds can be divided into two subcategories, the linkage isomers and coordination-sphere isomers.
Linkage isomers occur when the coordination compound contains a ligand that can bind to the transition metal center through two different atoms. For example, the CN− ligand can bind through the carbon atom or through the nitrogen atom. Similarly, SCN− can...
21.7K
Structure of Lipids03:38

Structure of Lipids

Lipids include a diverse group of compounds that are largely nonpolar in nature. This is because they are hydrocarbons that include mostly nonpolar carbon-carbon or carbon-hydrogen bonds. Non-polar molecules are hydrophobic (“water fearing”), or insoluble in water. Lipids perform many different functions in a cell. Cells store energy for long-term use in the form of fats. Lipids also provide insulation from the environment for plants and animals. For example, they help keep aquatic...
98.8K
Viral Structure00:56

Viral Structure

Viruses are extraordinarily diverse in shape and size, but they all have several structural features in common. All viruses have a core that contains a DNA- or RNA-based genome. The core is surrounded by a protective coat of proteins called the capsid. The capsid is composed of subunits called capsomeres. The capsid and genome-containing core are together known as the nucleocapsid.
74.5K
Antibody Structure01:10

Antibody Structure

Overview
Antibodies, also known as immunoglobulins (Ig), are essential players of the adaptive immune system. These antigen-binding proteins are produced by B cells and make up 20 percent of the total blood plasma by weight. In mammals, antibodies fall into five different classes, which each elicits a different biological response upon antigen binding.
The Y-Shaped Structure of Antibodies Consists of Four Polypeptide Chains
Antibodies consist of four polypeptide chains: two identical heavy...
65.6K