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The Onchocerca volvulus mRNAs for a hsp70, a collagen-like protein and a ribosomal protein possess a 5' spliced
K Henkle-Dührsen1, E Liebau, R D Walter
1Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, Department of Biochemistry, Hamburg, Germany.
Abstract:
To detect and analyse Onchocerca volvulus mRNAs possessing a spliced leader (SL) sequence, a SL cDNA library was constructed from O. volvulus RNA using a PCR method. Three of the sixty cDNAs analysed displayed significant homology to a known sequence. These cDNAs encode a hsp70, a collagen-like protein and a 60S ribosomal protein. The remaining cDNAs analysed either encoded proteins with no apparent homology to known sequences or they appeared to be generated from RNAs with an internal SL and did not possess an open reading frame.
Insights
Researchers identified novel Onchocerca volvulus mRNAs with spliced leader (SL) sequences. Analysis revealed genes encoding heat shock protein 70 (hsp70), collagen, and ribosomal proteins, advancing parasite gene discovery.
Area of Science:
- Molecular Biology
- Parasitology
- Genomics
Background:
- Onchocerca volvulus is the causative agent of onchocerciasis.
- Understanding O. volvulus gene expression is crucial for developing control strategies.
- Spliced leader (SL) sequences are important for mRNA processing and function in many eukaryotes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify and analyze Onchocerca volvulus messenger RNAs (mRNAs) containing a spliced leader (SL) sequence.
- To characterize novel genes and proteins expressed by O. volvulus.
Main Methods:
- Construction of a SL complementary DNA (cDNA) library from O. volvulus RNA.
- Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification and sequencing of cDNAs.
- Bioinformatic analysis to determine sequence homology and identify open reading frames.
Main Results:
- A library of 60 O. volvulus SL cDNAs was generated.
- Three cDNAs showed significant homology to known sequences, encoding heat shock protein 70 (hsp70), a collagen-like protein, and a 60S ribosomal protein.
- The remaining cDNAs encoded proteins with no known homology or originated from RNAs with internal SL sequences and lacked open reading frames.
Conclusions:
- This study successfully identified O. volvulus mRNAs with SL sequences.
- The identified genes provide insights into the parasite's molecular biology and potential drug targets.
- Further research is needed to elucidate the function of novel identified genes and RNAs.