Molecular Aspects of Schistosoma mansoni Female Maturation

• Published in: Memorias do Instituto Oswaldo Cruz [MEM. INST. OSWALDO CRUZ]. Vol. 90, no. 2. 1995 Vol. 90; no. 2; pp. 179 - 184
• Main Authors: Giannini, A L, Linhares, S V, Caride, E C, Braga, V M, Rumjanek, F D
• Format: Journal Article Conference Proceeding
• Language: English
• Published: Brazil Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Fiocruz 01-04-1995; Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Ministério da Saúde; Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (FIOCRUZ)
• Subjects: Animals; Cricetinae; DNA-Binding Proteins - metabolism; Egg Proteins - metabolism; eggs; F-10 gene; Female; Freshwater; Genes, Helminth; Helminth Proteins - metabolism; Male; nuclear proteins; Nuclear Proteins - metabolism; PARASITOLOGY; Protein Binding; Schistosoma mansoni; Schistosoma mansoni - genetics; Schistosoma mansoni - metabolism; Schistosoma mansoni - nuclear proteins - F-10 gene - steroid receptors - Tamoxifen - eggs; Sex Characteristics; steroid receptors; Tamoxifen; TROPICAL MEDICINE; Schistosoma mansoni; eggs; nuclear proteins; steroid receptors; Tamoxifen; F-10 gene
• ISSN: 1678-8060; 0074-0276; 0074-0276; 1678-8060
• DOI: 10.1590/S0074-02761995000200009

Incubation of total protein extracts of Schistosoma mansoni with ^3H
17-b-estradiol and 20-hydroxyecdysone, revealed steroid binding
proteins in both, male and female worms. The interaction of nuclear
proteins with restriction fragments of the gender and stage-specific
gene F-10 was investigated using the "Band-Shift" technique. Distinct
male and female nuclear proteins bound to the fragments of this gene.
Among the nuclear proteins, only those rich in cysteine residues bound
to DNA. In vitro incubation of live worms with the estrogen antagonist
Tamoxifen, altered the pattern of the DNA binding proteins, producing
in females, a band profile similar to that obtained with male worm
protein extracts. When Tamoxifen was injected into schistosome infected
mice, the eggs produced by females presented an abnormal morphology,
compatible with non- viable eggs. These results suggest that the
regulation of transcription of the F-10 gene might involve steroid
receptors.