Abstract
A cDNA library for Trichinella pseudospiralis was constructed to study the expression of specific antigens. Four positive clones were identified using antibodies against the excretory/secretory (ES) products of the nematode as probe. Sequence analysis showed that they contained identical cDNA inserts of 606 bp, including a 5′ non-translated region of 96 bp, a core translated segment of 408 bp and a poly(A)+ 3′ terminus. It encoded a novel 136-amino-acid polypeptide. Southern blot analysis indicated that the cDNA did not cross-hybridize to the genomic digests of T. spiralis, mouse, or rat. A single copy only of its complementary sequence was found in the genome of T. pseudospiralis. Using the lambda ZAP expression system, the cDNA was induced to express a 23-kDa β-galactosidase-fusion protein which did not cross-react with polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies against T. spiralis, heat shock proteins, or four heterologous species of nematodes. The antiserum against the fusion protein recognized a 15-kDa band from the ES products of T. pseudospiralis in immunoblotting. Immunocytolocalization demonstrated that the anti-fusion protein serum only recognized an epitope in the stichosome of T. pseudospiralis and not in T. spiralis. The protein can therefore serve as a specific antigen for the differential diagnosis of trichinellosis.
Article PDF
Similar content being viewed by others
Avoid common mistakes on your manuscript.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
Received: 22 December 1998 / Accepted: 17 February 1999
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Chung, Y., Ko, R. A novel cDNA clone encoding a specific excretory/secretory antigen of larval Trichinella pseudospiralis . Parasitol Res 85, 685–691 (1999). https://doi.org/10.1007/s004360050616
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s004360050616