Molecular cloning of genes encoding oncosphere proteins reveals conservation of modular protein structure in cestode antigens.

Recombinant oncosphere antigens have been found to be remarkably effective when used as vaccines against cysticercosis and hydatid disease. Comparison of the structural features of these proteins and their associated genes suggest common features between antigens. Here molecular cloning is used to complete comparisons of Taenia solium, Taenia saginata, Taenia ovis, Echinococcus granulosus and Echinococcus multilocularis oncosphere antigens and genes. The exon/intron structure of genes cloned from T. solium and T. ovis genomic DNA (tsol16 and to16, respectively) in this study was found to be highly conserved. Two closely related tsol16 genes were cloned from the T. solium genome. Their corresponding transcripts were cloned from T. solium oncospheres and a comparison of their deduced amino-acid sequence with that of the protein encoded by to16 indicates that these proteins are the most highly conserved oncosphere proteins identified so far. Cloning of another gene from T. solium (designated tsol18) and comparison with the homologous gene of T. saginata (tsa18) also revealed substantial conservation of gene structure. Comparisons of the genes cloned in this study with genes encoding oncosphere antigens from other taeniid cestodes identified striking conservation of exon structure. The highly conserved regions of the genes encode a putative secretory signal and fibronectin type III domain in each of the oncosphere proteins. The location of exon boundaries in relation to protein features identifies a clear modular structure among all members of these oncosphere antigens. Identification of structural conservation of genes encoding antigenic proteins across several taeniid species suggests that the encoded proteins play important roles in host infection and parasite survival.