Echinococcus granulosus: preparation of protein extracts from protoscolex nuclei for mobility-shift assays

Nuclei from Echinococcus granulosus protoscolices were isolated from infected sheep. Protein extracts were prepared for analysis of DNA-protein interactions involving specific transcriptional regulatory factors. Gel mobility-shift assays were done using a heterologous probe containing binding sites for widespread transcription factors. A fragment of the promoter of GATA-1 transcription factor from the chicken was selected. When nuclear extracts from E. granulosus protoscolices were assayed a specific band shift was observed. The methodologies developed in this study could provide an important contribution for the characterization of the DNA-protein interactions involved in transcriptional regulation within the context of recent developments in the molecular biology of this parasite.