The FAR proteins of filarial nematodes: secretion, glycosylation and lipid binding characteristics

Antonio Garofalo, Sabine L Kläger, Marie Claire Rowlinson, Niroshini Nirmalan, Amy Klion, Judith E Allen, Malcolm W Kennedy, Janette E Bradley

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract / Description of output

The FAR proteins of nematodes are small ( approximately 20 kDa), helix-rich, fatty acid and retinol-binding (FAR) proteins that appear to be confined to nematodes. We have carried out a comparative sequence and biochemical analysis of selected FAR proteins often species of filarial parasites (from the genera Onchocerca, Brugia, Wuchereria, Loa, Acanthocheilonema and Litomosoides). The sequences fall into two main groups corresponding broadly to the onchocercal and lymphatic filariasis parasites, and only those with unsheathed microfilariae were found to produce glycosylated FAR proteins. The proteins were released into culture medium by all the species and developmental stages investigated. Recombinant forms of two of these proteins (Ov-FAR-1 from O. volvulus and Bm-FAR-1 from B. malayi) were compared for ligand binding in fluorescence-based assays. Both were found to bind all-trans-retinol, (dansylamino) undecanoic acid (DAUDA), and oleic acid by competition. Both produced an identical, and dramatic, blue-shift in the fluorescence emission of DAUDA (from 541 to approximately 483 nm), indicative of similarity in the binding site environments of the two proteins. These findings indicate that there is strong conservation of the biochemical activities of the FAR proteins between the different parasite species, although they appear to have different post-translational modifications which may relate to the biology of the larvae.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)161-70
Number of pages10
JournalMolecular and Biochemical Parasitology
Volume122
Issue number2
Publication statusPublished - 2002

Keywords / Materials (for Non-textual outputs)

  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Animals
  • Carrier Proteins
  • DNA, Complementary
  • Fatty Acids
  • Filarioidea
  • Glycosylation
  • Helminth Proteins
  • Ligands
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Phylogeny
  • Retinol-Binding Proteins
  • Sequence Alignment
  • Sequence Analysis, DNA

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'The FAR proteins of filarial nematodes: secretion, glycosylation and lipid binding characteristics'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this