SCHISTOSOMA-MANSONI - GENE STRUCTURE AND LOCALIZATION OF A HOMOLOG TOCYSTEINE PROTEASE ER-60

We have isolated and characterized a cDNA encoding the complete sequen ce of a homologue of the ER luminal cysteine protease ER 60 in Schisto soma mansoni. The deduced protein of 484 amino acids contains two thio redoxin domains, each with the CGHC motif, that characterize all membe rs of the protein disulfide isomerase family. The corresponding gene e xists as a single copy and consists of six exons, interrupted by five very small introns of 32 to 40 nucleotides. Immunohistology and in sit u hybridization identify the sustentacular cells of the testes, the wa ll cells of the protonephridia, and the gastrodermis of the gut to be the major tissues of ER 60 gene expression; (C) 1997 Academic Press.