A Study of Heat Shock Protein 70 (HSP70) in the Parasite Schistosoma mansoni

[摘要] It seems that the function of HSP70 in the parasite is likely to be similar to that in other organisms and that is in their ability to bind to several polypeptides and protein structures. HSP70 was found to bind to several proteins in the parasite, the binding being transient with some and stable with the other proteins. The identity of these proteins or polypeptides has yet to be determined. Studying localization of HSP70 revealed that it was not an exposed surface molecule but soluble, intraparasitic protein. HSP70 was, however, present in the membrane fraction of the parasite where it seemed to be mostly a peripheral membrane protein although a small fraction of it partitioned in the hydrophobic fraction which suggested its association with an integral membrane protein. The chemotherapeutic drug, praziquantel, which is used effectively to treat schistosomiasis, caused an induction of HSP70 synthesis and, very interestingly, caused a prominent increase in its secretion from the parasite. The mechanisms by which praziquantel causes this and what effect that this might have on the parasite needs further studies.

[发布机构] University:University of Glasgow

[关键词] Molecular biology, Parasitology