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Title: Differential expression of three members of the multidomain adhesion CCp family in babesia bigemina, babesia bovis and theileria equi

Author
item BASTOS, R - Washington State University
item Suarez, Carlos
item LAUGHERY, J - Washington State University
item Johnson, Wendell
item Ueti, Massaro
item Knowles Jr, Donald

Submitted to: PLOS ONE
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 5/23/2013
Publication Date: 7/3/2013
Citation: Bastos, R., Suarez, C.E., Laughery, J., Johnson, W.C., Ueti, M.W., Knowles Jr, D.P. 2013. Differential expression of three members of the multidomain adhesion CCp family in babesia bigemina, babesia bovis and theileria equi. PLoS One. Plos ONE 8(7): e67765.

Interpretive Summary: Members of the CCp protein family have been previously described to be expressed on gametocytes of apicomplexan Plasmodium parasites. It is known that knocking out Plasmodium CCp genes blocks the development of the parasite in the mosquito vector, making the CCp proteins potential targets for the development of a transmission-blocking vaccine. Apicomplexans Babesia bovis and Babesia bigemina are the causative agents of bovine babesiosis, and apicomplexan Theileria equi causes equine piroplasmosis. Bovine babesiosis and equine piroplasmosis are the most economically important parasite diseases that affect worldwide cattle and equine industries, respectively. The recent sequencing of the B. bovis and T. equi genomes has provided the opportunity to identify novel genes involved in parasite biology. Here we characterize three members of the CCp family, named CCp1, CCp2 and CCp3, in B. bigemina, B. bovis and T. equi. Using B. bigemina as an in vitro model for sexual stages, expression of all CCp genes and proteins was demonstrated in gametocyte-induced parasites. This study demonstrates a differential pattern of parasite expression of three newly identified members of the multidomain adhesion CCp family by B. bigemina, B. bovis and T. equi. The novel CCp members represent potential targets for innovative approaches to control bovine babesiosis and equine piroplasmosis.

Technical Abstract: Members of the CCp protein family have been previously described to be expressed on gametocytes of apicomplexan Plasmodium parasites. Knocking out Plasmodium CCp genes blocks the development of the parasite in the mosquito vector, making the CCp proteins potential targets for the development of a transmission-blocking vaccine. Apicomplexans Babesia bovis and Babesia bigemina are the causative agents of bovine babesiosis, and apicomplexan Theileria equi causes equine piroplasmosis. Bovine babesiosis and equine piroplasmosis are the most economically important parasite diseases that affect worldwide cattle and equine industries, respectively. The recent sequencing of the B. bovis and T. equi genomes has provided the opportunity to identify novel genes involved in parasite biology. Here we characterize three members of the CCp family, named CCp1, CCp2 and CCp3, in B. bigemina, B. bovis and T. equi. Using B. bigemina as an in vitro model for sexual stages, expression of all CCp genes and proteins was demonstrated in gametocyte-induced parasites. Transcripts for all CCp genes were found in vivo in blood stages of T. equi, and transcripts for CCp3 were detected in vivo in blood stages of B. bovis. However, no protein expression was detected in T. equi blood stages or B. bovis blood stages or B. bovis tick stages. Collectively, the data demonstrated a differential pattern of expression of three newly identified members of the multidomain adhesion CCp family by B. bigemina, B. bovis and T. equi. The novel CCp members represent potential targets for innovative approaches to control bovine babesiosis and equine piroplasmosis.