Expression of Babesia equi EMA-1 and EMA-2 during merozoite developmental stages in erythrocyte and their interaction with erythrocytic membrane skeleton

Mol Biochem Parasitol. 2004 Feb;133(2):221-7. doi: 10.1016/j.molbiopara.2003.10.010.

Abstract

In the present study, we investigated the cellular localizations and expression patterns of equi merozoite antigens (EMA) -1 and -2 of Babesia equi during its asexual erythrocytic-developmental cycle using anti-EMA-1t or -2t mono-specific mouse serum. Indirect fluorescent antibody tests demonstrated that EMA-1 and EMA-2 were not expressed in all the erythrocytic-developmental stages of the merozoites and that these two antigens were co-expressed during the early developmental stages. Additionally, it was shown that EMA-1 and EMA-2 were mutually expressed on the surface of extra-erythrocytic merozoites and also that the intra-erythrocytic merozoites shed only EMA-2 antigen in the infected erythrocytic cytoplasm or inside the membrane surface. The specific binding of EMA-2 to a Triton X-100-insoluble horse erythrocyte membrane fraction was also demonstrated. These findings facilitate our understanding of the biological roles of merozoite surface proteins of B. equi and our investigation for new drug targets.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antibodies, Protozoan / metabolism
  • Antigens, Protozoan / biosynthesis*
  • Antigens, Protozoan / immunology
  • Antigens, Protozoan / metabolism
  • Babesia / genetics
  • Babesia / growth & development*
  • Babesia / metabolism*
  • Erythrocyte Membrane / metabolism*
  • Erythrocytes / parasitology*
  • Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Indirect
  • Gene Expression
  • Genes, Protozoan / genetics
  • Genes, Protozoan / physiology
  • Membrane Proteins / biosynthesis*
  • Membrane Proteins / immunology
  • Membrane Proteins / metabolism
  • Microscopy, Confocal
  • Protozoan Proteins / biosynthesis*
  • Protozoan Proteins / immunology
  • Protozoan Proteins / metabolism

Substances

  • Antibodies, Protozoan
  • Antigens, Protozoan
  • EMA-1 protein, Babesia equi
  • EMA-2 protein, Babesia equi
  • Membrane Proteins
  • Protozoan Proteins