Expression of NF-Y nuclear factor in Schistosoma mansoni

The A subunit of NF-Y nuclear factor from Schistosoma mansoni was expressed in E. coli fused to a histidine tag and purified by affinity chromatography using a Ni(2+)-Agarose matrix. Antibodies against the recombinant protein were prepared and used for Western blot and immunolocalization. The presence of SMNF-YA in all stages of the parasite life-cycle was determined by RT-PCR and Western blot analysis. The immunolocalization of SMNF-YA showed the presence of this factor in a parenchymal cell population of cercariae and adult worms and in embryos within eggs. The expression of SMNF-YA was demonstrated to decrease in maturating spermatozoites whereas an accumulation of this factor was observed in the nucleus from oocytes during their maturation processes.