Study of Nematode Polyprotein Allergens (NPAs) from parasitic nematodes of sanitary importance

GISELA R. FRANCHINI; JULIAN A. BELGAMO; MALCOLM W. KENNEDY; BRIAN SMITH; BETINA CÓRSICO

Abeerdeen, Scotland

Conferencia; 55th International Conference on the Bioscience of Lipids; 2014

ICBL

Parasitic helminths, the most common infectious agents of humans in developing countries, secrete a wide range of novel lipid-binding proteins (LBPs) that are structurally distinct from those of their hosts. Among helminth LBPs, the polyproteins allergens/antigens of nematodes (NPAs) represent a novel class which has been described exclusively in nematodes. In the present project we are working with NPAs from different parasitic nematodes with global and local epidemiological importance. At this moment we aim at the structure-function analysis of ABA-1A from Ascaris suum in the absence of the ligand (apo form) and partially loaded with oleic acid (holo form). Another interest is to determine the naturally bound ligands of these proteins as well as their binding activity. Additionally, we are exploring for NPAs in the parasitic nematodes Haemonchus contortus and Dioctophyme renale. To this end we are employing biochemical and molecular biology methods to try to isolate and purify them from biological samples.