Functional expression and characterization of a cytosolic copper/zinc-superoxide dismutase of Spirometra erinacei

Abstract

Spirometra erinacei is a pseudophyllidean tapeworm which inhabits the intestines of cats and dogs. The infections are usually asymptomatic in these animals, but the infection of the plerocercoid larvae of the parasite, spargana, cause sparganosis in other vertebrates, including human. In this study, we identified a gene encoding the copper/zinc-superoxide dismutase of S. erinacei (SeCuZn-SOD) and partially characterized the biochemical and functional properties of the enzyme. The open reading frame of SeCuZnSOD was 465 bp that encodes 154 amino acids. The characteristic amino acid residues and motifs required for coordinating copper and zinc enzymatic function were well conserved. The genomic length of the SeCuZnSOD was 1,985 bp consisting of three exons that are separated by two introns. SeCuZnSOD is a typical cytosolic form which shares similar biochemical properties, including broad pH optima and inhibition profile by KCN and H 2 O 2 , with cytosolic Cu/Zn-SODs of other organisms. SeCuZnSOD was functionally expressed in both S. erinacei plerocercoid larvae and adult worms, and its expression level was significantly increased when the plerocercoid larvae were treated with paraquat. The enzyme may play essential roles for survival of the parasite not only by protecting itself from endogenous oxidative stress, but also by detoxifying oxidative killing of the parasite by host immune effector cells.

Ecotoxicological evaluation of tributyltin toxicity to the equilateral venus clam, Gomphina veneriformis (Bivalvia: Veneridae)

“…ROS are normally produced by the redox cycling of oxygen in living organisms [59]. However, overproduction of ROS leads to damage of cellular constituents called oxidative stress.…”

The genome of the sparganosis tapeworm Spirometra erinaceieuropaei isolated from the biopsy of a migrating brain lesion

“…Previously there has been a paucity of molecular data for S. erinaceieuropaei ; reports in the literature have focused on the mitochondrion [41]; a small number of cloned nuclear genes, such as genes encoding copper/zinc-superoxide dismutase [42] and a ced-3-like apoptosis-related gene [43]; and a survey of 910 ESTs [44]. Recently, the genomes of four different species of tapeworm were described [2,3] but, for the first time, a genome from the Diphyllobothriidea order of tapeworms is now available.…”

Oxidative stress and histopathological changes induced by methylthiophanate, a systemic fungicide, in blood, liver and kidney of adult rats

“…Oxidative stress might play a role in MT-in-duced toxicity as suggested by the increased production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and lipid peroxidation 4 . ROS is normally produced via the redox cycling of oxygen metabolism in living organisms having a function in the protection of the cell from pathogens 5 . However, over production of ROS causes the harmful damages to macromolecules in the cell such as proteins, lipids, carbohydrates, and nucleic acids.…”