TISSUE LOCALIZATION AND STAGE-SPECIFIC EXPRESSION OF THE PHOSPHOLIPIDHYDROPEROXIDE GLUTATHIONE-PEROXIDASE OF SCHISTOSOMA-MANSONI

The tissue localization and the stage-specific expression of the phosp holipid hydroperoxide glutathione peroxidase of Schistosoma mansoni (S mPHGSHpx) have been determined. An antiserum raised against the C-term inal region of the predicted protein sequence was used for immunocytoc hemical investigations. The native protein is expressed only in female and egg vitelline cells and is practically absent from male worm tiss ue. Western blot data confirmed these results and showed the complete absence of SmPHGSHpx from cercariae. However, Northern blotting indica ted the presence of the corresponding mRNA at all life-cycle stages in vestigated. The sequence determination of the 5' flanking region of th e SmPHGSHpx gene revealed the presence of an extended TATA box (5'-TAA ATA-3') at - 32, a possible CAAT box at - 75 and a putative monomeric estrogen response element 5'-GGTCAA-3' at position - 486. In addition, direct and inverted repeat elements are present.